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Victoria Court
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Historical Traveler Reviews Victoria Court Los Cristianos
Excellent relaxing stay
just come back from a great holiday staying in Victoria Court 1, in apartment 6A1. This was on the ground floor facing the pool. it had a large terrace which got the sun most of the day. It was lovely just walking out onto our terrace through the little gate and then going into the pool. We are not as young as we used to be and this apartment was ideal for us. Some apartments had quite a few steps and would be difficult to carry suitcasesup. We found the apartment to be very clean and with all the little touches of home e.g. able to watch tv with BBC 1 & 2 etc. It is very close to several restaurants, although the food was very good in the pool bar,which does a take away too. Close to shops and the beach and the great Sunday market, we will definitely be going again.
Margaret (Bangor)
Have booked for same time next year that says it all
booked again for same time next year.very nice apartments with all the little extras that make a big difference.extremely pleasant and helpful staff in reception.thanks to the bar staff,i did not cook all week we just took our plates and had take outs from there, excellent.lovely friendly people staying there. nice security guard with a good sense of humour but very efficient.i cannot think of anything bad to say.highly recommended.thanks again for a great holiday.
stayed in apartment 9A1 ground floor near the pool.
Lovely, friendly & relaxed
We travelled with our two children aged 17 months and 3 years.
We had a lovely 2 bedroom apartment facing the pool which was so comfortable, homely & clean. The whole complex is very well looked after and the children's pool was lovely and warm!
Even though it was a fairly quiet complex, we didn't feel worried if the children made noise around the pool - everyone was so friendly and made the children feel welcome.
We would definately go back again.
Good for families
Just returned from a week's stay at VC and echo the positive comments on here. Quiet, no noise from the resort, but within 5/10 mins walk, you reach numerous bars/restaurants etc. Would recommnend.
Loved the Viki2Complex
Just got back from a lovely couple of weeks in No 15 Viki2. Everything was great, the position, the seaview from the balcony, the apartment on the whole and Steve who looks after it and us. we enjoyed ourselves and so did the kids and the pool and poolbar/restaurant were great and good value for money. Also it was walking distance to everything. Can't wait to get back there, thanks to everyone Chris and Mary
Home from home
Victoria Court 2 is an ideal location for anyone looking for a relaxed holiday in wonderful location. You can walk to the sea front in less than 10 minutes and in Los Cristianos you will find some wonderful restaurants. Car hire is cheap too.
Relax A little
This was our 3rd year in a row to VC , We enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, there is no crowding at the poolside, you have your 'space' .
Friendly staff in the bar and at Victoria Services help with any problem, no matter how small, that you may have.
At night there is very little noise after 11.00 pm, and Jose the security guard is always around.
The rooms are spacious and as 'self catering' apartments should be, are fully equiped. No having to hire kettles etc !
All apartments have either a sea-view or poolside view.
An added rule, which I totally agree with , is that no towels or clothing can be hung over the balcony to dry. ( every apartment has a drying area).
I think this adds to the pleasant surroundings.
VC is far enough away from the bars that you are not affected by the noise, yet close enough to the bars if you fancy a short walk ( 5 minutes)with a drink at the end of it.
Only criticism is that the bar within VC sometimes closes before midnight.
Patrons returning to VC after their night out cannot get a drink within their own complex
Great Position
Had a lovely couple of weeks during April this year in Viki Court 2. So handy for all holiday needs and we had a fantastic seaview from our balcony at number 15. The poolbar/restaurant was superb day and night and good value for money. Really can't wait to book for next year. thanks to everyone
Small & Friendly
Been 3 times now over last 6 yrs for 1 week break from kids. Consistently wonderful relaxing place. Location is ideal if you want some peace & quiet away from the main centre and is also great for walking off your evening meal in Los Cristianos.. Rooms are "adequate", no frills - if you want this then pay for it!.. Booking direct with Victoria court has been trouble free. Cafe & Bar on site are friendly well ran & to date problem free. Pool area is great again to relax. Beautiful views over the bay & harbour area from either side of the complex. Double or single bedroomed rooms available.
Tenerife South
Stayed in Victoria Court had a great time lots to do even for the over 40's! Try the Dragon Fly in Las Americas and the Monkey Park both after 10pm! Food is great with lots of tapas bars and fresh fish. This Island as it all but we like to do a bit of both.
TripAdvisor Reviews Victoria Court Los Cristianos
Travel Blogs from Los Cristianos
A trail run for renewed real travelling
Who would have thought Tenerife would be the place to try on my 'travelling boots' once again; it is not a back packers place of discovery, adventure or contact with the indigenous population but it is away and somewhere I had not yet visited.
The four hour flight from Gatwick was wonderful, (mainly because I had spent too long grounded in the UK), regretfully the airport assistance was needed to transfer me from the check-in to the aircraft. ...
A little piece of paradise.
... then they would shake their head with pity. It is very hard to celebrate your singleness in this environment. However, I have to say, that my vacation was fabulous and just what I needed. I was able to think, relax and decompress, which I desperately needed! It has been a stressful year; a fabulous and amazing year, but a stressful one none the less. So it was the perfect medicine, all that sunshine, black sand and crystal blue water. It was ...
Tourist-ing Out in Tenerife
... and honest to god it was like stepping on a grape. Those things are very juicy. Yeeech. Then of course when I tried to pick him up with a wad of toilet paper to throw him out he proceeded to fall on the floor before I got him to the can and HE WAS STILL TWITCHING! I see why they say that they could survive a nuclear attack. It was traumatizing for everyone that's for sure. The nights were not restful after that as we worried about what might be crawling around our room in the ...
Returning home
Last lie in of the holiday so we made sure it was a good one! Then a long shower to make the most of the facilities before packing up and tidying around the apartment. I wanted to see the sea one last time so we went for a stroll along the beach where we stopped for brunch (a great idea brunch...you get breakfasty food mixed with lunchtime food and its served all morning long!). I had ...
Yet more time to relax
Didn't do all that much today so only a short post. Went for a walk in the morning and brought pastries for breakfast ... we had a huge pain au raison and a chocolate croissant! We then just sat on the beach, watching the waves and the surfers. It was so calming and relaxing. The sun was warming but there was a gentle breeze. We talked about how nice ...


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From 7:26 to 4:13 of the fourth quarter last night against Houston, the Thunder scored on seven straight trips. Nine if you include offensive rebounds. Ten if you include a steal by Durant that led to a free throw.
All 10 of those possessions had a common denominator: James Harden was running point guard.
From 2:30 to the finish, the Thunder scored on only two of their final seven possessions. James Harden was not running point guard then.
Now, it's important to note that the defense really is to blame more than anything else. When you're up 11 with two minutes left, you should have enough points to win a game, assuming you make free throws. And the point of this isn't to point a finger at Russell Westbrook, who hadn't turned the ball over once the first 46 minutes of the game and was mostly putting in another stellar performance, but more to look at Harden running point.
Since the loss of Eric Maynor, the Thunder have kind of been trying to figure out exactly what they have behind Westbrook. You can't play Russ the full 48 minutes — actually, you probably could… — so it's mostly been the job of Reggie Jackson to keep Oklahoma City ticking while Westbrook sits.
We've seen Scott Brooks use Harden as a point guard at times, but mostly in the way the Thunder like to interchange who brings the ball up. Sometimes KD runs "point," while Westbrook is off the ball. Sometimes Perk runs point too, but that's not intentional. Anyway, as the postseason approaches where each minute is more important than the last, it's become apparent that Brooks has the option to just use Harden as his de facto backup point man.
That was on display last night against the Rockets as Harden completely dissected the Houston defense in the fourth quarter. The Thunder ran a simple pick-and-roll with Harden and just let him make a decision out of that. He's such a savvy, smart player that each choice he makes is calculated. It's like he's got his own version of Synergy in his heads where he can see the play developing before it happens.
But why did Brooks go away from it? Well, as you see in the above video which is every possession of Harden running point, the Thunder failed on his final two possessions in charge of the offense. One was a Harden turnover that nearly resulted in KD being killed and the second a shot clock violation. Brooks said the Rockets changed up their defense, but really, the change was that the Thunder didn't run pick-and-roll at all, instead just isolating Harden. They essentially put him in the nightmare Russell Westbrook often has had to live with, standing alone at the top of the key with no ball movement and the shot clock breathing down his neck.
Things had completely stalled out, for whatever reason, so Brooks turned to the trusty Westbrook-Durant two-man game. If the offense was going to go stagnant, at least have the ball in the hands of Westbrook or Durant who have proven time and again they can hit tough shots. That much made sense. What didn't, was why the Thunder stopped running that pick-and-roll with Harden? Brooks saw the offense fail twice in the hands of Harden and probably felt like he'd wrung every drop of that set he could. But in hindsight, he should've at least tried the set that had worked seven straight times at least once more. Get Harden in that pick-and-roll and let him create something.
I like the Thunder's development in closing games with the Durant-Westbrook sidescreen-and-roll. Or just getting Durant the ball in a workable position. Both have been really effective. But the point is, having Harden take charge in late situation adds a third dynamic, something that should make the Thunder's crunch time sets more diverse and that much harder to defend.
You've just got to trust it.

subset: commoncrawl


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Do you have the Basics Ingredients?
Posted on 5 Dec 2012
Kris Schroeder does... so does Tim Heath, and I think even Wally de Backer has his tucked away... now everyone can experience The Basics INGREDIENTS if they haven't done so before.
INGREDIENTS is a sum of the many parts that make up the original sound of The Basics. A mix of the broad and bold sounds this band have created.
Songs from each of the albums plus songs that fell in between. There is a taste of the band "live" – but if you've been lucky enough to see them live then you'd know just how special this band is. The last album the band released was in fact a live album. Take the essence of The Basics with the mix that is the INGREDIENTS or go get the whole lot. Either way it's a ride.
Ten years ago (or thereabouts) the three Basics formed and set about writing, arranging and recording their first set of original songs. Influences were clearly evident as they developed their sound. Bassist Kris Schroeder & drummer Wally de Backer formed a songwriting partnership that became the backbone to all of The Basics repertoire.
The first collaborative works – recorded with their then guitarist Michael Hubbard eventuated in the debut album GET BACK. With a tip of the hat to the great Brit pop style and sound of recording – this album and the energetic live performances The Basics presented something truly unique in the Australian music landscape. Uncompromising, determined and true. The Basics established the foundation of who and what they intended to be.
The second album took some time to eventuate. A line up change with the departure of Hubbard and the introduction of guitarist Tim Heath helped crank up the energy and diversity of the bands sound. The live shows became more lively and the new material that formed the second album showed The Basics determined adventurous spirit.
STAND OUT / FIT IN lead with its chin. The title of the album a statement identifying the bands recognition that they might not 'fit in' but were determined to stand out regardless. The sense of fun they conveyed in their shows was well represented in the selection of songs, original and covered, that made up the album.
The word got out. Songs from the album got picked up by savy music supervisors around the world. The Basics songs started popping up in episodes of popular TV series including Scrubs, TV commercials and feature films. But what eluded the band still was any substantial radio airplay. Despite their songs being shamefully pop in style and construction they hadn't quite come up with the key to unlock the radio door.
The first release from the forthcoming third album "With This Ship" changed that. The song got the airplay it deserved and the awareness of who The Basics were seemed to be growing. Despite this the third album KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE proved to be a difficult one for the band to get right and it took a lot longer than planned to arrive at the ultimate mix of songs. It was, in fact, a mixed bag emotionally and stylistically. Yet it still displayed the inventiveness and edgy creative spark that the sum of The Basics parts make so special as a whole.
With the three Basics off doing separate things all over the world this is your choice
The Basics INGREDIENTS is out now


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22 Jul, 2013 | News, Videos
The Helix X4 Stunt will be hitting stores in just a couple weeks! We're all super excited for it to come out but for now, here's a behind the scenes look at the Helix X4 TV commercial shoot.
By clicking "continue" you'll be flying off the Air Hogs web site and landing on one of our retail partner sites. Remember, they have different terms and privacy policies.
KIDS, get your parent's permission before visiting other sites and NEVER share any personal info about yourself – including your full name, address and phone number and let your parent or guardian handle any transaction.


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Discovered these:
Rosemary Onion Dinner Rolls « Buttoni's Low Carb Recipes
Must try them. More importantly where can I get coconut flour in the UK? I've seen it pop up several times but i've not come across it on the major supermarkets?
Where do some UK groks get their Coconut flour?


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Your photos really makes a difference online. You'd be surprised how easily you can sabotage your results with a poor choice of photos. Or even choosing pictures that have small things wrong with them become glaring issues online.
Here are some common errors people make all the time which you definitely want to avoid
- Photos with your children (they want to date you, not your kids)
- Pets if in several photos (one pet photo – OK you seem normal – lots of pet photos makes people wonder)
- Messy stuff in the background (clean up before you snap the photos! Neatness counts)
- Cutting someone out of the photo (that's just tacky so don't do it)
- Distance shots (people want to see what you really look like and can't from a long distance)
- Sunglasses hide your eyes which really are the window to your soul (If its just one photo, that's OK)
- Head shots only (yes, people want to see your body – the whole body please)
- Group shots only (who can figure out which person you are in the shot if there is only a group shot)
- Drink in your hand (You're a social drinker and fun person, but you don't want to seem like a big drinker right?)
- Don't wear the same outfit for different photos – this is tacky!
- Don't post landscape shots or vacation photos – this is not your private gallery – try Flickr.com for that
Stop and think for a moment. People read into everything you write and each photo. They literally make stuff up and add meaning even if completely off base. That's what we do as humans. This is a normal phenomenon. So, given that, you want to take precautions so that your photos show you at your best, without any distractions or elements that polarize viewers.
I've had clients who took their own photos by holding the camera out in front of their face. Clients who had laundry hanging behind them on the banister. Clients sitting at a messy dinner table with a wine glass in their hands. At the very least – crop stuff out to clean u[ the photo so you can make a good impression.
Now its time to talk about what works in a photo. You have plenty of options!
- Show a head shot, full body shot and one other photo – 3 is the minimum and 7 is the max if you don't want to look narcissistic
- Please smile. If you aren't smiling, the photo shouldn't be on the dating site
- Stand up! You will always look thinner when standing and heavier sitting
- Wear solid color clothing or very small patterns that aren't very noticeable
- Wear something date-like, something so you look attractive to the opposite sex
- Have one photo doing an activity or something interesting if possible
- Take some outside and inside shots so the light is varied
- Try to get someone to take your photos who will make you laugh and help you relax so you'll look good
- Never stand directly underneath a light source – that will cast ugly shadows on your face
So that's the quick version of Ronnie's do's and don'ts for online dating photographs. If you follow these tips, your photos will most likely look pretty good. And at the very least – they won't look bad! As your dating coach, I'm hoping I've saved you from some glaring errors that could totally sabotage your online dating success.
Photo Credit: Professor Bop


text: Explore Sassari Cagliari and around Nora Sant'Antioco Oristano Bosa Nuoro The interior and the east coast Olbia and around The Maddalena islands Santa Teresa di Gallura and around Castelsardo Sassari Stintino and around Alghero Share Sardinia's second city, SASSARI combines an insular, traditional feel, as embodied in its well-preserved old quarter, with a forward-looking, confident air that is most evident in its modern centre. Here, leading off from the grandiose Piazza Italia, the café-lined Via Roma holds the city's principal sight, the Museo Sanna, displaying some of the island's most important archeological finds. Brief history While Cagliari was Pisa's base of operations in Sardinia during the Middle Ages, Sassari was the Genoan capital, ruled by the Doria family, whose power reached throughout the Mediterranean. Under the Aragonese it became an important centre of Spanish hegemony, and the Spanish stamp is still strong, not least in its churches. In the sixteenth century the Jesuits founded Sardinia's first university here, which continues to excel in the spheres of law, medicine and politics. La Cavalcata Read More


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Today you may feel influential and receive positive feedback about the ways you make an impact in the lives of others. While this type of response from others is pleasant to hear, you may also want to make sure that you are basing your actions on your own determination to excel. If you begin with the creation of a solid belief in yourself today, you will develop the confidence and drive to continue your efforts and create beneficial outcomes for yourself. You may find it helpful to engage in a period of creative visualization and see yourself feeling proud and strong about your achievements and motivated to continue creating more success in your life.
A strong belief in ourselves gives us the motivation to be our best, regardless of the feedback we receive from others. While it is natural to desire approval and acceptance from others, we also need to develop a solid belief in ourselves in order to maximize our potential. By choosing to build ourselves up from within, we develop the strength and confidence that can sustain us in any endeavor. We are then willing and able to stretch beyond our limits and create lives that reflect who we truly are. The feedback we receive from others will then be a nice complement to our already strong belief structure, rather than be the source of it. With a strong belief in yourself and your own abilities, you can enjoy the compliments you receive from others today while owning your own confidence.
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Special to the Sun-Gazette
MUNCY - Susquehanna Health's Muncy Valley Hospital auxiliary celebrated the 30th annual lawn party last month. The event not only marked a milestone for the hospital, it also commemorated a year of great success as the auxiliary and lawn party committee donated $35,000 for the hospital's emergency department renovation and expansion project.
"As chairman, I knew we had a lot of planning ahead of us to help make this 30th celebration the best it could be," says David Wallis, chairman of the lawn party committee. "Every year there is a large amount of planning with countless hours spent behind the scenes organizing these events. I have worked on many a committee and helped with many of these events, but as the chairman this year I knew we had to honor the milestone and make this year great. During the event I heard nothing but praise on how well everything went. Everyone enjoyed all that we had to offer whether they were there for the food, the entertainment, the Irv Zablocky Memorial Run, or just to see all we had to offer. I credit everyone involved for making this year a success."
"The lawn party is extremely important for our hospital," said Ron Reynolds, president of Muncy Valley Hospital. "This year's celebration not only was a success, but also showed how our community values the care that we provide and its willingness to help us continually improve. These events annually bring in funding that helps toward our goals for providing the best equipment and facilities to our community. Our hospital was recently named one of the HealthstrongTM Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals in the United States by iVantage Health Analytics. That level of recognition is only possible with the continued efforts and support of our staff, volunteers and community members."
The renovation and expansion of the emergency department at Muncy Valley Hospital will transform the current facility, designed to treat 6,000 patients a year, into a brand new design capable of serving 16,000 patients a year.
The project will include 14 private rooms to replace the five curtained bays currently in use, a new open floor layout for enhanced security and functionality and specialized treatment areas for decontamination, trauma and behavioral health evaluations.


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Like you, when it comes to the Spurs, I'm a home town guy. Like you, I'm excited: I see Tim and Tony and Manu (and Pop) as a team of destiny, one that (light candle to the Virgin here) is on the verge of defending the "dynasty" crown that I and others bestowed on them after four NBA Championship titles — a run interrupted by the collapse against the Memphis Grizzlies last year.
But count me out for snarky media bashing of Oklahoma City. A smarter San Antonio would use the occasion of this exciting series against the Thunder to learn more about the 20-year metamorphosis of Oklahoma City as we labor toward our own transformation in San Antonio. Before we count out Oklahoma City, let's remember: This is truly a Comeback City. And I don't mean the Thunder. More on that below.
No city ever improved its lot by mocking a regional rival. Yes, the occasion of the NBA Western Conference Finals triggers bread and circus rabble-rousing and the media's base instinct to attack the enemy while feeding and gratifying hometown spectators. Too bad by doing so we miss a more meaningful opportunity that could contribute to San Antonio's future well-being far more than victory in a single playoff series.
Truth is, Oklahoma City is farther down the road San Antonio seeks to travel. They've been busy transforming their downtown for a lot longer and, frankly, it shows. San Antonio has more to work with: We are bigger, more economically and culturally diverse, and have a richer history than the Sooners. But Oklahoma City has been working longer and they've done so with greater unity. Just about everyone in Oklahoma City seems to understand that a more vibrant downtown means a more vibrant city for all. We are not there yet.
Oklahoma City had to get up off the ground and dust itself off before the current era of urban improvements took root. An earlier effort to revitalize Oklahoma City's downtown in the 1960s and 1970s, lead by famed architect I.M. Pei, the so-called Pei Plan, was a failure. Many historic structures were razed, brick by red brick, to make way for a new urban core, but the promised residential and retail renaissance never happened. By the 1980s Oklahoma City was mired in the failure of its own unrealized ambitions.
I briefly met Oklahoma City Mayor Ron Norrick in the early 90s, and only later appreciated the hurdles he overcame to convince voters there in 1992 to set aside the rancor and ill will left over from the Pei Plan, and embrace his proposal for a new Metropolitan Area Projects initiative funded by sales taxes. Norrick prevailed, of course, and in 1993 the plan that would set Oklahoma City on the path to revitalizing its downtown was put in place.
Everything was going the city's way until April 19, 1995 when Oklahoma City suffered the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history prior to Sept. 11, 2011 when a bomb was set off at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people, injuring 680 more, damaging or destroying more than 300 buildings and causing nearly $700 million in property losses. Exactly five years later, Oklahoma City National Memorial opened on the bomb site. Every city today should ask itself: Would our city have responded as well as Oklahoma City?
(This paragraph has been updated…twice.) The downtown initiative continued, despite the epic tragedy. MAPS has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in sales tax revenues that were invested in downtown improvement projects, and it attracted hundreds of millions more in private investment. The first phase of MAPS ended in 2004 with the opening of the city's new main library, but downtown investment continues to this day. After a second phase that focused on schools, MAPS 3 was approved in 2010. Over the next seven years it is expected to raise $777 million through a one cent sales tax increase. And then there is Project 180, a $160 million redesign of downtown streets to make them more bicycle and pedestrian friendly.
Flash back to events here in 1992: San Antonio was welcoming At&T's decision to relocate here from St. Louis, and construction was being completed on the Alamodome amid intense community division. City voters had rejected proposals to build the city's first reservoir, Applewhite, and anti-tax gadflies enjoyed more time on talk radio than elected officials. The nation's most restive term limits were about to take root here. The city seemed pulled in opposing directions, towards and away from progress and change. The "aginners" seemed to hold the momentum.
The MAPS plan led to the development of Bricktown, something San Antonio still does not have to this day, a viable downtown entertainment district that attracts locals and visitors alike. This former warehouse district just east of downtown is now the economic, cultural and entertainment engine of Oklahoma City. It's defined by the mile-long Bricktown Canal, which takes you right to the minor league Bricktown Ballpark. The Thunder, of course, play at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Contrast the isolation of the AT&T Center on the East side and Wolff Stadium on the Southwest side in our city with these venues. Still laughing?
The Bricktown Canal might be artificial and might be the subject of jokes, but it was conceived by progressive forces in Oklahoma City who saw, specifically, how much the Paseo del Rio in San Antonio served as the foundation of a tourist and convention economy now worth an estimated $13 billion a year. I still remember during Mayor Bill Thornton's administration in the mid-1990s traveling with a city-led delegation to Monterrey, where San Antonio engineers were overseeing an urban canal project similar to the one they were overseeing in Oklahoma City while also working on the expanded Convention Center stretch of the River Walk.
Oklahoma City, like San Antonio, is still a city trying to make its core central district one that will attract and keep smart, educated young people. Oklahoma City 20 years ago didn't stand a chance. Now it does. So while the Spurs are taking on the Thunder, we can bait our Red River neighbors with cheap put-downs, or we can spend time between games learning from a regional sister city that can teach us a lot about vision, cohesiveness and tenacity — at least off the basketball court.
Want to read more? Try these Oklahoma City blogs:
A writer who's never met a color she doesn't like:
The Daily Oklahoma's version of the Express-News' Ben Olivo:
Want to know what the other team's fans are saying and thinking?
OK City is filled with interesting young people. Here are some of them:
There are 97 commentsAdd yours
Ken Mitts
Great article on OKC. Appreciate The Rivard Report! Go Spurs!
Jim Dalglish
Absolutely agree. Basketball aside, I have been so impressed with OKC when I visit. The author covered its development well. I might add that it is a clean and orderly town, with much to offer in arts and culture, including excellent museums and one of the best zoos in the country. And for those who are so inclined, the nightlife in the downtown district rocks!
Jamie Lansford
Great article. I've always been astonished by how quickly people jump on the bashing bandwagon, but are so quick to take umbrage when they themselves are the subject of bashing. San Antonians bristle when sports commentators bemoan our city (all the while wishing they were announcing games in sparkly L.A. or New York). We bristle when people knock our river or trash our citizens. But the bashing always flows downstream, you know? The bashed love to bash. I remember growing up on the south side of S.A. and always being bashed by the north side. Schools bash each other. Children bash each other. It never ends.
Until we all realize that we're in this together … That the strength of people is forged in finding common bonds … Will this madness end. Unfortunately, few these days champion commonality. Instead, we focus on what divides us and on what makes one person "better" or "stronger" or "richer" than another.
Thanks for pointing out what everyone should already know: There is beauty and goodness and hope in every city. It's especially evident when you stop the bashing.
Right on! And "snarky" is a charitable description of the juvenile offerings in the big-city daily. Charles Barkley the day's top story? We're better than that — or at least I thought so.
Jim Stark
we of OKC are honored by your article. what grace and maturity you display, a textbook lesson for any aspiring journalist. My family just spent a beautiful April week in San Antonio for vacation and loved it all. Look forward to coming back in the fall, proudly wearing my Thunder shirt!
Thanks for the nice piece about OKC. I'm a west coast transplant who has fallen in love with this place — thanks for seeing beyond the stereotypes.
Just a side note: MAPS isn't quite through yet — we passed MAPS 3 in 2010: http://www.okc.gov/maps3/. Coupled with MAPS 3, Project 180 is transforming downtown (if you visit, sorry about all of the construction): http://www.okc180.com/.
Sid Burgess
Great article Mr. Rivard. OKC is one of those cities that just can't help itself – it is going to inspire you. The unity that you mentioned is infectious.
My encounter with San Antonio began over 10 years ago while I spent time at Ft Sam Houston. I fell in love with the river walk and the culture of San Antonio.
You are right, you have a lot to work with and a lot to be grateful for. And so does OKC. Great culture and history, great people, and great neighbors to our south.
Good luck in the playoffs but I will have to cheer for my Thunder. If it comes to it though, losing to the Spurs — such an amazing team — would only sting slightly. Then a walk through Bricktown and along the Oklahoma River would put be back in perspective of all the reasons to be thankful of what OKC has accomplished. But don't get too cozy with your wins. OKC is ready to help the Thunder go all the way.
I've lived in both cities and there is no way SA is more culturally diverse than OKC. Unless you're only including Mexican and European cultures.
As an Oklahoman, I truly enjoyed your article and thank you for it. It is making the rounds here in OKC. It is very well written and captures the vision I believe we have here of an city that wants to stand undivided and strong. It truly has been a long road, but with cities like yours to model after and look up to, we are getting there. I know San Antonio is one of my favorite vacation spots and I look forward to going anytime my kids and I get a chance. Thank you for your article and and for recognizing the Oklahoma spirit. It is very much appreciated by many Oklahomans.
Dana F
Thank you so much for this article! I'm a transplanted Okie living in the Detroit, MI area and I long for my home town, especially with all the renewed vigor and energy I see and hear about. I am so proud of the Thunder and what they have accomplished in their short time as an NBA team. I love San Antonio, too! One of the most peaceful days I have ever had was having lunch at Mi Tierra right by the River several years ago. I'm going back in October this year for a conference, and I'll be staying at The Menger.
I've been watching the changes happening in OKC for a few years. I would love to move back there. I love Michigan, and yes, I even love the snow we get here. Detroit has the capacity for greatness and I hope that they can pull it together to accomplish it. Detroit can learn a lot from what OKC has done, what San Antonio has done, and what Chicago has done. Before that can happen, a sense of unity needs to happen.
Before 4/19/05, I feel OKC was on a path to what they've got now, but no one really cared whether or not it happened, or when. Once the bomb hit, its like we all pulled together and said, "Oh yeah? Bomb us, huh? Take THAT!" As heart-breaking as those pictures of the bomb site and the Memorial are, they are vital. We HAVE to remember and we HAVE to tell our children about it. Its been several years since I've been to the Memorial and I've never been able to set foot inside the Museum. The last time I was there (2007, I think), I had to leave in tears because I happened to find the place where I used to park when I would have to go to the Murrah Building to file court documents, or visit the Judges. I was no stranger to that building. Even today, I can remember where the snack bar and restaurant were, how I got inside from the parking garage, and where the various offices were that I would have to visit.
Whether its the Thunder or the Spurs that make it through this series, I will be happy. If the Spurs win, I'll be supporting them all the way, and I would hope Spurs fans would feel the same way if the Thunder makes it through this series.
Steve Lackmeyer
Thanks for the shout-out. The link to my site is garbled in with another address. It's http://www.okccentral.com.
(I love the site hosted by my counterpart in San Antonio!)
Hi Robert,
Thanks for the great article, We like you guys too! I'm a long time Spurs fan but they're #2 behind the Thunder for me. If we don't get past you guys I'll be putting my Spurs hat on and pullin' for ya!
Thanks so much, Mr. Rivard! I'm a lifelong Okie, living in a suburb just 2 miles east of downtown and I work downtown. I've only lived here, so I can't compare the sense of community we have to any other, but I'm sure it's not like any other! I'm sure sorry you can't make it up here for Game 3 because you'd love all the recent changes. Oh, and for the uniniated, it's "OKC", not "Oak City". You didn't say that in your article, but I've heard sports announcers calling it that over the past few weeks. If you hear someone call it "Oak City", you KNOW they ain't from around here!
Just FYI, Oak City is the air traffic call sign for Will Rogers airport in OKC. That's a completely trivial piece of information, but somewhere along the line it stuck for some people.
Nice article.
That may be, but still – I've never heard anyone who actually lives here call it that, yet every sportscaster seems to think that's how we refer to it instead of as OKC. It's like person who finally gets their name in lights only to have it misspelled or called something else entirely… I'm just glad I'm not the only one a little frustrated by it. We're finally on the radar and they can't get our name right? I realize we have talking heads like Barkley as sportscasters, but "journalists" are supposed to do their homework. 2 years in a row of making it this far in the finals and they still call us by the wrong name. #SMH
Rev. Shane Tharp
Thanks for this thoughtful article. I visited SA back in the early 90's and was entranced by the place. It has taken a lot of work to bring OKC to where it is now. As a life long resident of Oklahoma, I find myself in bewilderment at how much has changed in just 20 years. Our Thunder are getting a great lesson from an experienced team on what the next level might look like for them.
Rachel Shingleton
A friend of mine just sent me the link to your article, and I would like to say thank you for including me in your roundup of OKC sites to check out. We're all pretty proud and excited of where our city is headed. As a lifelong Oklahoman, I marvel at the city as it is today; the city now is nearly unrecognizable – in a good way.
Again, kind regards and much thanks for the mention.
Howie Jackson
Thank you for the report. We have always thought of our canal as a Jr sized version of what San Antonio offers. You are spot on with the amount of activities available downtown. A short walk will give you baseball, Bass Pro shops, a convention center and the Chesapeake arena,and countless clubs and restaurants. Not to mention the Myriad Gardens, Civic Center Music Hall, The Bombing Memorial and the newly finished Devon Energy Skyscraper. You should really see it over Christmas when they turn the Brick (the Bricktown Ballpark) into a tubing hill and set up an outdoor icerink in front of the Civic Center. Thank you for your report. And, I'm going to root for the Western Conference Champ, no matter what, even though I'd love to see it be us.
So nice to see positive pieces of Oklahoma City vs negative ones. Thank you.
Mark Towler
I moved to OKC about 6 months after the bombing. At that point, MAPS had passed but very little development had taken place. I vividly remember walking around the streets of Bricktown and seeing signs indicating that a particular street was going to be the site of a canal. At that point, this city had a palpable sense of momentum and that sense carries on to this day.
Thank you for the kind write up, enjoy your time in OKC and GO THUNDER
Thanks for your nice perspective on my adopted home city. My husband and I just love San Antonio and are enjoying this series, except that we're hoping the Thunder will take the series in a Game 7, of course. Please don't forget MAPS for Kids, which would be likened to a second MAPS, where the funds were used for capital improvements at the OKC Public Schools. Each school in the district was built anew, renovated or refurbished. These penny taxed continue to pass because the City, led by Ron Norick in the early 90s recognized that improvements we make to make our city better benefit us all.
Thank you for your wonderful article. As a native Oklahoman, I have experienced many of the negative comments about this city/state that I love so much. It is refreshing to hear a positive review of our city. I am so pleased that all of the improvements and developments we have made are noticed and appreciated, but what is even more pleasing is that the spirit behind it (which has always been here) is appreciated as well.
Class personified writing! It's great to know that sportsmanship, character and plain ol'e human spirit exist in and outside the sports world. Go Thunder and Go OkC but Go Spurs and San Antonio if you guys advance.
Loved this. As an OKC citizen my absolute favorite vacation is going to San Antonio in october and spending a week in the lovely prescence of history and grace. I love HEB too. Lol. Thanks for the article and love the cities we represent. I find the snide remarks to be a sign of relief because if the so called hollywood types and superstars think our cities are trash then to me that is a great thing because that means they keep themselves out of our beloved cities. Go Thunder but if we lose Go Spurs because i still dislike Lebrick James.
Shelley Cadamy Munoz
What a gracious article. Thanks for taking the time to research OKC's revitalization.
Thank you! As an Oklahoma native, I lived out on the west coast for several years (and went to grad school in Austin), before coming home to stay, six months after the Murrah Building bombing. (Not a coincidence.) I've watched the quality of life improve here in leaps and bounds. Down here in Norman, we've got an (IMHO) enviable collaboration between government, academia and private enterprise, in the form of a thriving R&D industry built around severe weather research. More good jobs, more reasons to attract and retain our best and brightest.
And don't forget our music industry. It's an up-and-comer. Next time you're in town, come out to the Blue Door, and we'll entertain you as well as anyone in Austin can.
So hey, San Antone, y'all have a good day and we'll look forward to seeing you soon!
Lennon Patton
Thank you so much for this thoughtful and well researched look at the city that I love the most. I will say that San Antonio is one of my favorite destinations when I travel for work and pleasure.
Today, we attended a talent show at Putnam Heights Elementary School: very impressed with the remodel (MAPS) and the students.
Core to shore project in OKC… Check this link out http://www.okc.gov/planning/coretoshore/index.html
Thanks so much for a terrific article! I am a lifelong OKC resident and have heard practically every slur and put-down of the last 45 years as regards my hometown; it gets disheartening after a while. My husband transplanted here from England and loves it. The weather can be beautiful or questionable, but our people are our greatest strength. We are proud to have set the "Oklahoma Standard" used worldwide to respond to adversity. I will cheer my heart out for the team that advances from this series; until then, thanks again for your gracious story about our wonderful city, and THUNDER UP! : )
Raymond from Boston
This is what, I believe, they call "serendipity." It is 2:45 in the morning and I am writing from a hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. I have never been here in my life until yesterday afternoon. I have been talking to my family, friends, and colleagues back in Boston and have been raving about this city. I Googled for a city discussion forum an hour or so ago and ended up at OKCTALK.com. I was browsing looking for good restaurant ideas and stumbled on a thread that linked to your article and I'm so glad I did. What you have written about OKC is exactly what I have been telling people back home. Most make jokes and brush me off and that's too darn bad because this place is a clean, vibrant, up and coming city and it's too bad so many don't know about this oasis in the plains.
I know San Antonio well, I travel for AT&T business about twice a year and have for a long time. SA is a great city, but that's never a surprise to people back home. For some reason, people can't grasp that Oklahoma City actually has skyscrapers. In fact, they have a gorgeous new 50+ story tower that's been the tallest project outside the NYC area in the United States.
Back to my PowerPoint presentation. You probably wondered why I'm up at 2:50 in the morning. I have this baby to finish up and I get to sleep in tomorrow (Thursday) before a big day on Friday. I'm very glad I made this serendipitous discovery of your site. Your article not only was great because we both have noticed identical things about OKC, but I found the humanity in your article a refreshing note in a world of internet sniping back and forth and vitriol between NBA teams and their respective cities. Thank you for lifting my spirits by allowing me the honor to read your article.
May the best team win in the West. Either way, GO CELTS!
Hey Raymond, love this! Look me up on T-Space! cc5095
Nyna Clymer
Hello, My name is Nyna ( 9 with an a) lol I am living in OKC and saw you are from Boston. I am flying into Boston late Septamber for Great nieces wedding. My niece lives in New Hapmshire, however she said to travel into Logan in Boston then she will pick me up. My questions is if you have any places you would like to recommend in Boston to try on my way off the plane or on the way returning. I'm hoping to have a lil bit of time since This is my very first time to the NE'
Hope you had a great time on OKC – If you enjoy steak go to Cattlemen's Cafe and try the Blue Ribbon cut – usually a Rib Eye and it is like butter! Sorry it will be somewhat costly for this area. You can actually get food at very affordable prices here in OKC. Enjoy our city and tell me about yours.
Nyna Clymer I am on Facebook as well.
Nyna Clymer
I commented earlier it was meant for Raymond from Boston Sorry not a part of the OKC story. Go Thunder!
Way More than OK: Respect from San Antonio - ShowMeOKC
[…] to get caught up in trash talk about teams, fans, facilities, and cities, so it's nice to see a writer who looks deeper and enlightens others. As a life-long Okie, it's even nicer to see the recognition that our great city gets for […]
I am a native Texan, so of course, I hold San Antonio as Hallowed Ground. I have now lived in Oklahoma for more years than I lived in Texas, yet if asked, will tell you I'm a Texan. However, I can't think of anywhere else I would want to be than right here. The people of this state are a warm, welcoming group, even when you have bashed us (Chuck). I appreciate your article and hope that it will encourage others to come visit and enjoy our hospitality. I would be remiss, however, if I didn't close with 'GO THUNDER'!
Larry in OKC
Greetings from OKC.
As a native born OKCitian, thanks for the complimentary and anti-stereotypical viewpoint. Unlike some who are now proud to call OKC home after MAPS etc, in my close to 50 years, I have never been ashamed to let people know where I was born and live (some of our elected leaders are another story for another time & place).
A few of things mentioned may be a bit misleading. While our Canal does take you by the Ballpark (the "Brick"), it does not go go by the Convention Center and Arena where the Thunder now play (it was supposed to but due to substantial cost over runs, was never built). Our Bricktown Canal is no SA Riverwalk. The Canal is showing signs of improvement 10+ years later and maybe in another 50 years one might be able to compare them favorably. But not now.
While the City and State was unified & responded admirably (the "Oklahoma Standard"), the implication that OKC has a "cohesiveness" when it comes to the various MAPS programs is a bit misleading. At the time of the original MAPS passage, it was described as "barely" doing so. MAPS 2 (MAPS for Kids) for our schools enjoyed higher voter margins and even the vote that made the improvements to the Arena (which arguably led to the Sonics/Thunder relocation), had decent voter approval. However with MAPS 3, the approval was back down to the same "barely passing" approval. One reason may be attributed to MAPS & MAPS 3 are more downtown centric while MAPS 2 was citywide.
I disagree with the contention that a vibrant city has to have a vibrant downtown. I have nothing against nostalgia but that seems what we have here…a romanticized view of what was the case once (like when my parents were growing up in the '50s before malls where downtown was THE place to shop etc), but I just don't think that is the reality of today's world. Most of the places people visit aren't because they are located downtown, if they were located elsewhere in the City, they would still be visited. One could argue that is exactly what happened. As stores opened in other locations, why go to the trouble and expense of gong downtown when there was the same thing close by?
I was "wowed" when Project 180 was unveiled as it was an impressive and ambitious undertaking but again, due to massive cost over runs, it is being scaled back by roughly 40% It is still going to be nice, but not nearly what was presented to the public.
This is such an amazing article! I got chills while I was reading it! Too many people forget that it is just a game and outside of it we're all family!
Damon Gardenhire
This was a classy article, and I am thoroughly impressed with your in-depth knowledge about what is happening in OKC. It is especially telling that you prepared this piece in a week when we have seen some journalists in other regions (like Minnesota) taking potshots at Oklahoma City. A lot of Okies chose to stay when times weren't so good, and raise families here, and we continue to be validated by our decision.
Kent Gordon
Thanks for the compliments to my city; though I'd like to ask why you think SA is more diverse. "San Antonio has more to work with: We are bigger, more economically and culturally diverse, and have a richer history than the Sooners." I will not address the comment that you have a richer history than we; that is pure opinion and cannot be justified. Where does this information come from? Is it quantifiable? I understand that you have many more Hispanics than most anyone, but that does not constitute diversity. In OKC we have very large Hispanic, African-American, Native-American, and Asian-American populations. In fact, Oklahoma was the first state to have an all Black city, the fall of Saigon brought thousands of Vietnamese citizens to our city, and of course, the Dept of Interior forced a vast number of Native-Americans to relocate here in the 1800's (you know while you all were fighting that losing battle against Spain). So thanks for sticking up for OKC against your xenophobic brethren, but don't cast us as the redheaded stepchild of the league. In the past few years we have gone from the cellar to the attic in professional basketball; something no one thought we could do. In fact, we thrive on doing things no one thinks we can. It is amazing to hear such rancor from the citizens of a city whose greatest claim to fame is the failure of the Alamo. Perhaps that has a subconscious impact on your self-image. By the way, last time I checked, OKC was the largest city in area in the country; that may have changed, but I doubt if San Antonio supplanted us. So of your four statements of superiority; only economic diversity is even remotely true; but is it? We now know that OKC is more culturally diverse, bigger in size, and we could argue about historical richness until the end of time without resolution.
Chris W, Cody
Great article! Thanks for being objective. We welcome Spurs fans to OKC! Cheers and good luck!
A friend sent me this link. I lived in OKC for many years but am not a native. I have recently retired and plan to move back to OKC as soon as I can off-load my real estate here on the east coast. I have become aware that with low unemployment in OK and the fact that housing for the most part maintained its value better than the rest of the country I will be buying a smaller home than I am used to. Hell, I might even move downtown and rent. But, it does not matter as I am coming home.
Coming home to a city with a vision… I have followed the MAPS project, the design and implimentation of the Memorial (look at NYC by contract), the development of the Boathouse District, Bricktown, the Botanical Garden, and everything else. I recently visited and asked my hosts for The Tour. Added since the last visit was the Devon Tower and the updated Chesapeake Center, not to mention the new Whole Foods and additions to the Medical Center.
If you folks in OKC thing the rest of the country is doing what you are doing they are not. You are unique (voting a sales tax on yourself and all) and trying harder. Pat yourself on the back and keep it up please. Hope to be back soon to add to the tax base.
Oh, and GO THUNDER.
Reply to self: thing = think
This is an amazing article! I've lived in a few big cities, and people's perception of OKC is so off point. It took leaving and moving back home to truly appreciate how awesome Oklahoma City is, and this just made my afternoon! Thank you for the boost!
I moved from OKC to SA in '93 and lived in the Alamo city off and on until 2000. Your article mirrors my own impression of two cities I considered home. SA has grown so much, a progressive eye on the future is crucial for dealing with the growing pains of being a place where people want to live, work and retire.
Marianne from OKC
I have been cheering OKC on for the last 20 years, and I remember well when there was not much to do and there were not many reasons to visit downtown. I love the transformation of our city, and I love the feeling of forward momentum here. One thing I find tremendously ironic and kind of amusing is that Oklahomans bill our state as "the reddest state in the nation," and yet we in OKC are most proud of the changes brought about by voting to increase our own taxes. We are proud that we did it–three times! And before MAPS we voted a permanent sales tax to support the zoo!
Go figure.
Ha, exactly Marianne. At least the demographics of cities like OKC and Tulsa aren't so red-washed politically State-wide yes, but not in the bigger cities. Oh, and thank you for this lovely lovely article Robert.
Very nice article RR. I've been an Okie since the late 80's and have witnessed quite a transformation. I really appreciate your kind words about our city. I am not all that active in city affairs, but I sure do love what has happened to the downtown OKC area. I am very proud of our city and would be happy to make a number of suggestions to downtown visitors (The Hilton Skirvin, Red Prime, Iguana Lounge, Sara Sara Cupcakes and many more). You can catch an off-broadway show, have a great dinner, then choose between double A baseball or top shelf basketball all in one day. I WAS just in San Antonio a couple weeks ago and love the favorable comparison. I hope to go back to SA for a game 5. Go Thunder!
One thing I forgot to mention that I beleive is worth noting. I think we'd be remiss if we did not mention the commitment and invstment that companies like Devon, OG&E, SandRidge, Chesapeake and Continental have…and continue to make. Without their ongoing support and commitment, I dont think we'd be half the city we are!
Great article. I started visiting the city in the mid to late 80s in business trips. Coming from a more urban background, it looked to me like a cow-town surrounded by little towns without services, they called subdivisions. It was spread out with a lot of empty space, and not a whole lot to do. In 1993, when the business moved me to OKC, changes just had started, as the Bricktown Brewery just opened, and indicated a vision for the area. Man, things have changed since then. Things are filling up, not only downtown. It really starts to look like a 'real city', and I like it! Only now I have to hunt for parking spots again…
Great article! I grew up in OKC but was transplanted to the Rockies after college. I moved by choice; but with the intent on getting back one day. Each day, Thunder win or not, what the Thunder have done (as a culmination of MAPS, etc) makes me more proud of my hometown and state. Few people (read: no one) could have imagined where we stand today 20 years ago, but you will find no one more thankful and proud than the folks of OKC. Thank you so much for the article.
Thanks for the great article! Most people don't realize what a great city OKC is. It's a great place to live and raise a family. You really should check out the boathouse district on the Oklahoma River. It's an Olympic training site and my favorite place to be. There are great plans for the area including a white water course, zip lines, ropes courses, two new boathouses and indoor surfing just to name a few. I've been rowing there for a couple years and think it will become one of the most popular places in the city. http://riversportokc.org
Nick Roberts
I'm interested in how you came to the conclusion that Bricktown is ahead of anything in San Antonio. Most of us in OKC view Bricktown as being on a massive downhill slide in the last 5 years due to the rockstar emergence of several other downtown districts.
1. Deep Deuce, for example, is seeing 8 major development projects (all multi-story) in a single small area right now. Several of these projects are extremely flashy, like the new 7-story Aloft hotel, which is surrounded by multistory housing projects as well as a bikeshare rack and the planned streetcar terminus.
2. Mid-town has over a dozen housing projects underway and several new businesses opening. Mid-town has definitely overtaken Bricktown as the main restaurant district.
3. Film Row and the Arts District, which make up downtown's west side, was skid row 10 years ago – it is now the newest district with several new restaurants and creative businesses. OKC Gay Pride was in Film Row the other week. This whole area stands to grow a TON as it stands in the shadow of the new Devon Tower.
4. Core2Shore, the area with the new MAPS3 central park and the SkyDance Bridge, already has one historic loft project underway, and this is the area where city leaders plan to attract major development bridging downtown and the Oklahoma River waterfront.
5. The business core of downtown itself is no longer anything to scoff at, with several major developments adding after-5 life, including a lot of historic abandoned buildings that are being renovated into offices, hotels, and lofts. The $130 million downtown streetcar will make anyone crossing from one downtown district to another have to pass through the CBD core first.
There are also other downtown districts like Automobile Alley (which includes a breathtaking stretch of North Broadway) that have seen a renaissance. Outside downtown, the Plaza District is definitely the biggest urban renewal hotspot. The Paseo was named by the APA as a Top Ten neighborhood last year, and last week Travel & Leisure called Paseo one of "America's 10 Most Beautiful Neighborhoods." Paseo was also warring gang territory in the 80s, so quite the resurgence there. Western Avenue is seeing hundreds of millions $$ in urban development, including the Chesapeake Energy campus. There's also Uptown 23rd Street, the 39th Street Gay Enclave, the Capitol-Medical districts, the Asian District which got a new streetscape that is spurring urban development – basically the entire north side is becoming an urban masterpiece.
Individual urban developments can be researched on OKC Talk's urban development database and forum:
C Miller
Thank you so much for such a classy article! It is hard to read some of the other articles about this city lately and this is definitely a breath of fresh air. I appreciate that you took the time to do actual research instead of just stating opinions.
My husband and I have visited SA three times and are planning on taking our toddler for the first time this fall. We love the River Walk and the zoo.
Rick Weldon
I appreciated your article very much and further enjoyed the comments following. I have had the pleasure of living right in the heart of BrickTown in a loft overlooking the canal. Just across the canal is the building housing ACM@UCO an unique educational facility/opportunity for folks interested in a career in music. The only other Academy of Contemporary Music is in England. The University of Central Oklahoma joined with ACM to provide a unique curriculum right in the heart of the entertainment district. On any day of the week I can hear live music and I don't have to walk more than a block and a half to do so.
I have watched ducklings grow into full fledged ducks and watched geese wander the sidewalks along the canal.
The numerous places to eat range from from inexpensive to …goodness gracious! The folks who work and play in my neighborhood are great, and, they come from all over the world. I have posted some pics, not too recently updated however, on my face book page. They are denominated: Rick Weldon's Neighborhood!
Thanks again for the article.
I've lived in OKC for about 6 years now and have to say it's impressive to witness the amount of pride this city has developed. People here are very proud of the progress and direction of the city and not ashamed to say it. Most people that haven't been here in a while or never, are surprised. Everyone has a stereotype of a dusty, boring cowtown. I noticed one other person has said it already, but what most people are shocked to know we have become big time in rowing. Public and private development along the river has created world class rowing. Not only is Bricktown and downtown transformed, so has the actual river. Not many cities have the chance to extend and develop areas of their downtowns the way OKC has the ability to. There's much more planned over the next 5-10 years!
Larry in OKC
This is certainly true, the joke went (but it was true too), that our riverbed had to be mowed a couple of times a year…that is definitely no longer the case!
Caryl Hutcheson
I came to Oklahoma City in May for a graduation and vacation. Loved every minute there and enjoyed the sights. Would have loved to stay a few more days.Went to memorial and Bricktown and can not say enough how every where we went people were friendly and helpful. Will vacation there again!
David Enochs
Thank you for this article, I may be young at 30, but in 30 years I have seen this city and our state grow into something amazing. As a kid I cheered for the Spurs and was a HUGE David Robinson fan and always wished that one day OKC would have a pro team. Now we have the Thunder and are getting to shine and compete with great teams like the Spurs. It's wonderful to actually read an article that is positive like yours and it makes me feel proud be be an Oklahoman.
Thank You,
Scott Rader
I found out about your blog/column in the local OKC paper.(BTW – calling it "Oak City" is like saying "Frisco" for San Francisco, if readers can appreciate that comparison.) Thank you for the mature and flattering opinion. I've lived in the OKC metro area since I came to OU in 1966 as a freshman. I recall the downtown at that time had stores like C.R. Anthony and the like. After that, for a while it was nothing, and now it is a hub of activity, not just Bricktown but the offshoots it inspired. The rowing venues at the Oklahoma River are world class, as evidenced by them being named as Olympic training sites. They also have drag boat races there. Other geographical and structural features have been mentioned already, and most are in the downtown area or very close to it. The whole metro area, not just OKC, is vibrant and alive. I still live in Norman (I've moved away a couple of times for work purpsoes and always find a reason to come back – From San Francisco, Colombus OH, Toronto, et al). We OKIES (we don't mind that term these days, unless we perceive it is being used pejoratively) have been misrepresented and mistundestood pretty much since the Grapes of Wrath was written, and then filmed. That was close to a century ago, yet some still believe that represents Oklahoma and Oklahomans today. The MAPS project(s) has been brilliantly conceived and carried out, to date. Of course SA is larger than OKC, by an order of 2:1, but that doesn't make OKC a starving-for-growth cow town. We encourage people to come see what is here. Norman is arguably the center of the country, if not the world, in severe storms research and development. Try a tour of their relativley new facilities on the south side of Norman next time you're in this neck of the woods. Just one of the things the OKC Metro area has to offer. But one doesn't need to leave OKC to have all they want to do and see. Check out the Dale Chihouly blown glass exhibit at the OKC Museum of Art, which has one of the largest collections of his work in the world, including an almost-40 foot tall glass "sculpture" made up of hundreds of indvidual pieces of blown glass. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBEL96pMrQ4) None of this would have happened if not for MAPS 2, in my opinion, event though some of them weren't part of the original plan.
I'm Texas-bred (Jr and Sr high school in Pampa) but I feel like a lifetime Okie by now, so my loyalties are with the Thunder, but can live with the Spurs in the championship game if that is how it ends up.
Thanks again for the sentiments.
Thank you for your very well written article on Oklahoma City. I was born and raised in Oklahoma, then lived in San Antonio for 10 yrs after my children were adults and away from home. I loved every minute in SA and my adult children referred to it as "The Resort", but I had a business opportunity (after the Murrah Bldg bombing)and returned to Oklahoma. Most of my friends in SA were startled I would move back and were very vocal, mostly in negative terms, about my decision. I am delighted you have highlighted so many of the wonderful attributes of this community to share with my friends in San Antonio. I love my visits back to San Antonio and all its wonderful venues, residents, and food!! Please keep in touch. There will be many more Spurs and Thunder games as well as other reasons to share visits in both cities!!
Interesting article. I travel to OKC and Tulsa quite a bit as part my job. I have to say that you've exposed to our SA readers something I've known for sometime about OKC and Tulsa for that matter. Both cities seem to have figured out how to bring aspects of their business community as well as their cultural resources together to energize a resurgence in their downtown's. The Blue Dome District of Tulsa is full of life and energy. I find it interesting that while San Antonio can rightly claim a richer historical past and perhaps a richer diversified cultural context, we can certainly learn from cities like OKC and Tulsa. I'm a life long resident of San Antonio and a denizen of Dignowity Hill. My hope is that we as a city can find a way to put aside some of the
"provincial" thinking that sometimes gets in the way of creating a great city.
Larry in OKC
Mr. Rivard: your blog was mentioned …in a good way… in an Oklahoman editorial (think it was Saturday)
Kevin G Saunders
What a fabulous article. It resonates with me because I recently undertook a 13 city architectural photography tour that should have included Oklahoma City but didn't as I was unaware of this development. What I learned trudging on foot through all these cities was that some cities really get the fact that their downtowns are either a gem that attracts or a dying albatross, akin to current shopping malls. Cincinatti, Cleveland, Chicago Columbus all get it. Little Rock doesn't. As an aside, I lived in Little Rock for over a decade and the ring of hatred of Texas and Texans still sounds in my mind. City bashing is rampant in many areas that have loyal sports followings and Bob's article reminds us how foolish it is.
I do wish to help in any way and ask others to do the same so we can bring San Antonio to the forefront of urban renaissance. It is not easy but it can be done. If Oklahoma City can do it, we can too!
paul hernandez
Oklahoma City is a fine city! I have lived in Tulsa and visited OKC a few times. I wouldn't go as far as to say its Bricktown is ahead of San Antonio's Riverwalk, in any shape or form, putting it mildly. The Riverwalk is 15 miles long, the central portion is a dense public urban space that cities around the world want to imitate, Brickown, case in point. You mention Bricktown's entertainment district and baseball stadium? How could San Antonio build a stadium anywhere near the central core of the, Riverwalk. The 77,000 seat Alamodome is just a short walk from the Riverwalk, and large scale convention infrastructure is the reason why S.A. is a top tier convention destination, and a city that attracts upward of 30 million annual visitors. The Riverwalk is the epitome of what an entertainment district should be, minus a sports venue, an element that would negate the ambience that made the Riverwalk, famous. Possibly upstream or a district just outside the Riverwalk district. Granted, S.A.'s Riverwalk is a tourist magnet, but it is certainly patronized by locals as well. I visit the Riverwalk at least once a month sometimes more than that. I was born at a highrise hospital overlooking the Riverwalk, so I take these type of articles close to heart. I read an article that Rivercenter Mall compiled a few years back. Rivercenter Mall is built on San Antonio's famous River an entertainment district in itself, the article stated 55% of its customers were from outside, San Antonio, the rest were locals.
San Antonio's downtown urban footprint is far bigger than OKC's and S.A's infill is more dense, to much historical significance everywhere, and S.A.'s historical conservation boards are good at blocking modern progressive type structures that are too close to anything that's of historical significance. Sometimes it may seem that they are a little to aggressive, but we need to cherish our past as well as blend a little better with a little more modern appearing, type San Antonio, the city has always been a progressive city. San Antonio will never be ultra modern, nor will Washington D.C., Savannah or New Orleans.
Downtown San Antonio does need to work on bringing more of its corporate citizens on board, all its (6)F500 headquarters, are outside loop 410 in business clusters forming small skylines along the interstates. However there are projects in the pipeline, that seem to address it somewhat. HEB, not a F500 company, but very much so a prominent company serving Texas, Mexico, and Louisiana. HEB is building a new downtown headquarters, culinary school and grocery store on Riverfront property. Frost bank is about to reveal a new lofty skyscraper, as well as CPS Energy. Both structures are said to build structures of iconic status and change San Antonio's skyline forever, I am patiently waiting to see the renderings of these structures.
Now, on the topic of bringing young professionals downtown or professionals of any age for that matter. San Antonio's urban core has scores of residential component under construction, nearly 5,000 units, either under construction or planned to break ground, with new projects being announced weekly, it seems. Then there is all the civic and public projects underway, the large scale Hemisfair Park urban redevelopmen/Civic Park, San Pedro Creek linear Park, the Tobin Center Performing Arts Center, Weston Urban/Rackspace-the local tech giant has projects planned, also, there is the Pearl district, River North/Museum Reach, Cattleman Square redevelopment near UTSA downtown, St. Paul Square/east side projects, Lower Broadway, Southown and midtown, all are seeing development. These type of developments help attract talent to the urban core, but its not going to happen overnight. S.A.'s downtown is full of untapped potential, having a large urban footprint to build upon is key. San Antonio's downtown and urban core seem to be gearing itself in the right direction, chugging along nicely. I am looking forward to seeing what downtown San Antonio evolves into over next five to ten years.
My best regards to my hometown and to Oklahoma City, as well.


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ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Food retailers are helping partygoers ring in 2014 with festive brews and bubblies. Inventive beers like Ama Bruna, which is refermented in the bottle with brown candy sugar to create subtle flavors of toffee, chocolate, pear and cinnamon, is being touted at Wegmans Food Markets here alongside Sam Adams Merry Maker, a gingerbread stout brewed from dark roasted malts and spiced with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and ginger. CONNECT WITH SN ON TWITTER Follow @SN_News for ...
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These two free talks cover the architectural history of The REP.
John Bowen and Sons: builders of the Old Rep, an illustrated talk by Anthony Collins
16 February 2013
The Old Rep was built in just four months between October 1912 and February 1913. Come and hear the story of John Bowen, who walked from Worcestershire to Birmingham with a sack of tools on his back in 1868 and set up his own business building many of Birmingham's public buildings including The Old Rep and the Victoria Law Courts.
Designing the new REP on Broad Street, a talk by Grahame Winteringham
30 March 2013
Architect of the new building and trustee of the company, Grahame Winteringham tells a fascinating story of being commissioned to design a new and democratic repertory theatre – to reflect the physicality of The Old Rep but to house 900 seats! learn more about his award-winning design.
The Old Rep
- Address: Station Street, (Nearest car park is on Dudley Street), Birmingham, B5 4DY
- Box Office: 0121 236 4455
- Phone: 0121 236 4455
Part of REP 100
Past events in this season
Ten schools. Ten minutes. Ten scenes. Ten decades
Open Day 2013
Free activities for all the family
Creating Theatre Seminar
Seminar on the process of creating theatre
100 Years Of Theatre Design
A talk on 100 years of theatre design
The Quiet Pioneer: Film Showing
A film about Sir Barry Jackson in association with Flatpack Festival
REP100 Weekender
Talks and discussions on the REP's achievements over the last century
Hidden Histories - REP100
The secret stories and untold tales that never made it to the stage
Behind the Scenes - REP100
Backstage tours providing insight into the early days of the company


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EDISON — Roosevelt Care Center, a long-term senior care facility in Edison, hosted a number of special events to celebrate National Nursing Home Week from May 13 through 19.
Programs including a Mother's Day tea, an ice cream social and a country fair were part of the celebration. Residents were also able to participate in a gardening program and enjoy live entertainment.
"Our residents have lived full lives and we wanted to honor each and every person who has included us in their journey," said administrator Frank Damiani. "This was the perfect opportunity to involve families and the public in paying respect to the seniors in our Roosevelt community."
For more information on Roosevelt Care Center, operated by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority and located at 1 Roosevelt Drive, go to rooseveltcarecenter.com.
To submit news for the Senior Spotlight column, please call (973) 392-5950 or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com.


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> NM Tysons Corner announces
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- 02/27/2007
The Elves received this email from the Tysons Corner Neimen Marcus store:
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Thank you
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60001 Beeskep for Lucy $96.00
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Phone/net is affected in South and Malay/Brunei/general region what's up with that, some garbled message I got from there today, about cables being down.
stop messing up the tsunami thread...
"You really want to save the planet?...the next time you see a hybrid car with a childseat... smash the window, remove the childseat and replace it with a box of condoms..." Doug Stanhope
The intyweb has also been playing up here and I can't call to there so what's up if anyone knows?
....all news channels in China predicting a second quake 19th, something to do with the moon being closest to earth on that day something AND if Google wasn't down I'd find out more
ahhh but there are proxies, unfortunately they're all bladdy down too.
Cables boy, cables, underwater things.
Those are a few of my favorite things ... (musical notes)
Don't you mean dizzy?
The loss of life, radioactive fallout is certainly more important than the market, but the markets are hit. The news on these reactors does not seem good, that's for damn, sure.
Tokyo Shares Drop 14%
By BRAD FRISCHKORN
TOKYOAn early decline in Japanese shares picked up speed Tuesday afternoon, with the main index skidding 14.4% as the country's prime minister warned of a high risk of elevated levels of radiation from a reactor at the Fukushima nuclear-power plant after another explosion earlier in the day.
View Full Image
Reuters Employees of the Tokyo Stock Exchange work at the bourse in Tokyo March 14, 2011.
The benchmark Nikkei Stock Average was recently at 8257.56, its lowest level since April 2009 and at risk of further weakness as the Nikkei June futures contract continued to drop. The declines were exacerbated by news of a fire at Tokyo Electric Power's No. 4 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in northeastern Japan and reports that radiation has spiked near the No. 3 reactor. The market was quickly dropping toward key support at 8000 points.
"Substantial amounts of radiation are leaking in the area," Prime Minister Naoto Kan said on television.
Entire: Bounce Leaves Tokyo Shares Down 8.2% - WSJ.com
I have friends in HK and Shenzhen. They haven't had any troubles with their cellular network or VPN proxies. My friend in Shenzhen is using China Unicom. Which service provider are you using, Sentrix?
The real concern now is whether those 4 reactors are going to fully melt and send a plume of radioactive particles all over Japan. The prevailing winds usually blow in a NE direction, so we can only hope they don't change direction. The Koreas and NE China seem more in danger than anywhere else.
I'm afraid this is going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better......not to mention it's likely to last for months. Where the hell are all those displaced people going to live???
Last edited by Tron; 15th March 2011 at 15:02.


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Governor O'Malley Hosts Roundtable on Small Business Lending
Officials from the Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, DLLR and DBED to discuss challenges and opportunities for lending to small businesses in Maryland
BALTIMORE, MD (July 22, 2010) - Governor Martin OMalley today convened a roundtable discussion of banking executives, officials from the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, and the Department of Business and Economic Development to discuss challenges and opportunities for lending to small businesses in Maryland.
Small and family owned businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create nearly two out of every three jobs in Maryland. And they are still feeling the pain of the national recession. Too many have been forced to shut their doors during this recession, and too many continue to struggle just to make payroll, said Governor OMalley. Ive asked you to join us today because I want to talk to you about additional steps we can take, so that we can get the capital flowing to our small business that will allow them not only to keep the doors open, but to grow and to thrive, and to create and save more Maryland jobs.
Making sure that credit is available and flowing to small businesses is vital to recovery and job growth. The Federal Reserve has recently held a series of events bringing together stakeholders to assist in forming a national policy response. This event is intended to focus that discussion at the state level and identify any additional steps that might be taken to make credit more available to sound small businesses, beyond those already undertaken by the OMalley-Brown Administration.
In 2009, for example, the Governor launched Marylands Small Business Credit Recovery Program, which works through an existing state financing program the Maryland Industrial Development Financing Authority (MIDFA) to provide a state-funded guaranty of privately-financed small business loans. Part of the initiative includes a Certified Lenders program, which provides immediate approval of up to a $50,000 guaranty, and a Rapid Response program, which provides 48-hour approval of up to a $250,000 guaranty.
Governor OMalley and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development were instrumental in drafting the State Small Business Credit Initiative Act of 2010, which has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and is awaiting action in the Senate. The federal proposal is based largely on Marylands Small Business Credit Recovery Program and would help to capitalize funding for the 34 states and U.S. territories that have existing loan guarantee programs.
We need small businesses to create jobs to continue the momentum of the economic recovery, and the growth of those businesses depends critically on access to credit. We need to find ways to ensure that creditworthy businesses are able to get the loans they need, and a collaborative process is vital to coming up with creative solutions, said Alexander M. Sanchez, Secretary of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, whose department includes the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation.


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It's been a feast. A feast of football & nations, colors & fans, hosts & brands. Following the success of STUDIO B (a collaboration with our friends from BRIGHT Tradeshow during the 2012 UEFA European Championship) we teamed up with ZweiDrei Architekten and Cookies for the 2014 World Championship.
The result: Ländereck 2014 – featuring a series of guest hosts such as Voo Store, WoodWood, EASYdoesit, Airbnb, Standert Bicycles, Cee Cee Newsletter, Civilist Shop, Lodown Magazine, Looky Looky, Our/Berlin Vodka, Pointer Footwear, eVe without adam, Floor5, BRIGHT Tradeshow as special host, and Pimm's No1 for refreshing pitchers.
The reward: Big memories, and Germany as football world champion for the 4th time!
Raum means space. Space means freedom.
With the ZweiDrei Raum we discovered a new found freedom to execute brand new event formats, video and photo productions, as well as workshops and presentations. The industrial building finds itself caught in amongst an inspiring contrast of subway high lines, and green parks with blue pools.
Besides our summer highlight, Ländereck 2014, the venue played host to a variety of audiences and purposes, for which we uniquely adapted the format to suit.
Our spectrum of events covered the adidas Mark Gonzales exhibition, workshops by the Rietveld Academy, Berlin Art Prize parties, movie presentations, plus many more.
We've had this picture in our minds for a very long time!
When Supra and Highsnob asked us to set up their Magazine Launch Party during Berlin Fashion Week in Summer 2013, we knew it was time to release it.
Thank you exceedingly Supra & Highsnob for letting this dream come true!
Pics by Philippe Gerlach & Max Jurisch
July 2013
How blessed can you be, to cater at Germany's church of design by Andreas Murkudis, on the occasion of an installation by Masao Nihei, scenographer of Yohji Yamamoto?! Muchly!
Pics by Philippe Gerlach
April 2013
INDITEX owned fashion brand Pull & Bear launched their first store in Germany,
more precisely on Tauentzienstrasse in Berlin.
On 1000 sqm we set up a jungle of entertainment, catering and good vibes.
An army of cycling models announced
the store opening on the streets of Berlin.
Within the opening, the store invited the curious crowd to a mask workshop hosted by Berlin
based artist MyMo, a rollapaluza roller race,
a DJ set by super producer Olugbenga,
an entertaining concert by French Horn Rebellion and finally to splendid drinks
and food served by Cookies, Berlin's classic of cool caterings.
Pics by Georg Roske
June 2013
Those guys! We love 'em and were more than pleased when they offered us to host their first Ambivalent Pop Up Shop at our MadeMyDay STUDIO. Berlin's new skool of skateboarding!
pics by Stephanie Meine
June 2013
ONBOOZE.com feels home in the world of arts, design and architecture. The more we were happy to invite design duo OskoDeichmann for an installation during the Gallery Weekend Berlin at our MadeMyDay STUDIO.
Combined with our Ceviche Bar, the installation interacted with the guests in full effect even though in a different way than expected.
Pics by Philippe Gerlach
April 2013
ONBOOZE.com is our platform for all kinds of experiments in regard to food and drinks.
After a few private sessions we went public at the magnificent magazine and book store Do You Read Me ?!
During the Gallery Weekend Berlin we popped up our Ceviche Bar for one night at the Do You Read Me?! Reading Room on Potsdamer Strasse and shaked Pisco Sours till the shaker dropped.
pics by Philippe Gerlach
April 2013
Another Pop Up Store project we had the joy to put our hands on was for the online retailer Urbanara. To raise awareness Urbanara launched their Pop Up Store in advance to the Christmas season in the heart of Berlin where they presented the high quality home ware autumn collection. In a boutique setting the customers had the chance to get a feeling for the remarkable quality of the products and get advantage of special offers over four weeks.
MadeMyDay consulted the concept of the Pop Up Store and produced all aspects including location scouting, interior, video & photo documentation, catering, street promotion & staff.
Pics by Ailine Liefeld
November 2012
Inditex brand Bershka launched its third German branch in Frankfurt am Main with a big in store festival on three floors. More than 2000 guests couldn't wait to get their hands on the new collection first and attend the highly appealing artist line up with acts like Friska Viljor, Sizarr and special guests Palina Power & DJ Schowi.
In collaboration with Agency V MadeMyDay was in charge to implement the festival concept and manage all event production needs including the VIP area, artistic programming and after party.
Pics by Frank R. Schröder
August 2012


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It's been a busy term for UO Wushu so far with the annual Duck Preview Demo, visit to Summit Wushu, Thriller, and the addition of our wonderful new members – welcome to the team, ducklings! Thriller videos will be coming soon, but in the meantime here's the video from Duck Preview:
First Demo and New Beginnings: Duck N2 the Rec
Get pumped for UO Wushu's first demo of the year – Duck N2 the Rec!
What it is: The overall event is an open house for the Student Rec Center that runs from 3-5pm on 9/20, so it's a great opportunity to learn more about the team and the Rec Center in general. We hope to see you there!
Date and Time: Thursday (9/20), 3-3:45pm
Where: Main stage (located in the three-court gymnasium)
We'll also have a table set up, so feel free to stop by and grab one of our lovely flyers and/or chat with team members and this year's captains.
In addition to Duck N2 the Rec, keep an eye out for flash demos around campus during Week of Welcome (9/20-9/22). Also, be sure to check back soon for:
– Updated practice times and location/s
– Club Sports Open House info
– Membership registration info (Org Sync)
– The coordinates for the portkey to Pallet Town
One last thing for all returning members: Welcome back! We hope you had a great summer and we wish the best in school, training, and accomplishing your dreams!!!
UPDATE: Below is our Duck N2 the Rec Demo.
16th Wushu Collegiates at the University of Virginia
Heather Cameron, Michael Nilson, Kendall Lege, and Dana Macalanda represented Oregon and the Northwest Wushu Alliance this past Saturday (4/28) at the annual competition between various teams from universities around the country. All four were very proud to represent the Northwest and would like to congratulate the University of Virginia Wushu Club for putting together such an awesome tournament.
Medal Count: 2 total (2 bronze)
Michael Nilson: 3rd Intermediate Other Weapon (Fan)
Dana Macalanda: 3rd Intermediate Longfist (Chang quan)
Videos of all four competitors have been uploaded to the YouTube channel.
Daniel Wu Visit
The club's founder Daniel Wu will sit in on an hour of today's practice before heading to the screening of his new film "Overheard 2" at the Regal Valley River Center Stadium. Wu is visiting as a special guest of the annual Cinema Pacific Film Festival. Pictures and video will definitely follow the event, but for now here's an article highlighting Wu's visit in The Register-Guard and a 2007interview conducted by Brandon Sugiyama, another former member and coach who Wu trained.
UPDATE: A big thank you to Daniel for taking the time to visit us and. We really can't thank you enough, and it was definitely an honor and inspiration to meet you. We'd also like to thank Henry Ho for sending us pictures of the practice.
Upcoming Performances
It's demo season! Check out the club's performances at the following on-campus events.
– Hong Kong Night: Forensic Heroes – 4/22 (Sunday) at the EMU Ballroom
Students: $6, General Public: $8
Show starts 6:30 pm, doors open at 6
UPDATE: The HKSA demo was a huge success! For those of you who were unable to make it, here's a video and photos taken by HKSA and UO Wushu alumna Leah Chan of the performance.
– Heritage Month – 4/27 (Friday) at the EMU Amphitheater
Demo starts at noon with a seminar immediately afterwards for those interested
– 34th Annual Foreign Language and International Studies Day – 5/4 (Friday) at the EMU Ballroom
This demo is for high school students with a seminar following the 9:15 am performance
Sakura-Con Demo with Northwest Wushu
Recently (4/6-4/8), the club was invited to help with Northwest Wushu and Seattle Wushu Center's annual demo and seminar at Sakura-Con, an anime convention held in Seattle Washington. Northwest Wushu's primary coach is Tian Yuan Li, a former China Champion who also did the motion capture for the characters Xianghua, Kilik, and Ivy in the Soul Calibur video games.
Brinna Keillor, Kenney Hersch, Paul Dargan, and Jessica Linder helped with the seminar on the following day (Saturday) and had some fun at the con afterwards.
CMAT 20 Results and Recap
Medal Count: 7 total (2 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze)
Luke Vang: 2nd Beginner Male Adult Contemporary Longfist (Chang quan), 1st Beginner Male Adult Contemporary Straight Sword (Jian shu)
Brinna Keillor: 3rd Intermediate Female Adult Contemporary Other Weapon (Fan)
Michelle Tran: 2nd Advanced Female Contemporary Longfist (Chang quan)
Michael Nilson: 2nd Intermediate Male Adult Other Weapon (Fan)
Heather Cameron: 3rd Intermediate Female Adult Contemporary Longfist (Chang quan)
Tom Diamond: 2nd Advanced Male Adult Taiji Chen
Additionally, UO alumnus, former coach and National A Team member Brandon Sugiyama took part in the Masters Demo during the tournament's opening ceremony.
Phillip Dang (former coach): 1st Advanced Male Contemporary Spear (Qian shu)
Phil and his brother Peter, who also medaled in a number of his events, opened the doors to their new school in February. Summit Wushu Academy – based in Clackamas, Oregon – has hosted two seminars for current UO Wushu team members and alumni since opening, and the team is extremely grateful for the opportunity to train with them.
Videos of all UO competitors forms may be found on the YouTube channel (also linked to in the sidebar), and videos of non-UO friends may be found on Dana's channel. Good job everyone, and onward to Collegiates!!!!!!!
Asian Celebration Demo
Come check us out at Eugene's annual Asian Celebration! The team will be performing on the main stage on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 6:05 pm.
Admission is $6 for adults and free for children 12 and under. See you there!
UPDATE: A big thank you to all those who came out and watched us, to Brittany Nakamoto for filming, and everyone who performed – especially our beginners Andy Kunis, Jessica Linder, and Alex Liang who demoed for the first time.
Lunar New Year Demos
Happy Year of the Dragon!
This past weekend, UO Wushu had the opportunity to perform at two culture club events celebrating the Lunar New Year. Saturday's (1/21) demo was for the UO Chinese Students and Scholars Association and Sunday's (1/22) was for the Chinese Association of OSU in Corvallis.
The club would like to thank both both groups for inviting us to perform as well as congratulate two of our beginners – Luke Vang and Tom Tang for demoing with us.
New YouTube Channel & UO Wushu in the News
If you haven't already, check out the team's YouTube channel! We're still tracking down some competition videos, but as it is, the channel's purpose is to provide interesting and relevant information to club members and give the general public a sense of who we are and what wushu is.
As of now, you can find these things on the channel:
– Competition videos of current members and alumni (club history)
– "Thriller" performances (club history)
– Videos that EVERY wushu athlete needs to watch at least five times (reference)
– Beginner weapons basics and forms (reference)
– Media coverage (club info/history)
On the subject of media coverage, both the club and current coordinator Dana Macalanda were recently featured in the Oregon Daily Emerald. The video covering the club and the article on Dana can be found on the Emerald's website.
On an unrelated note: The "Thriller" video/s from this Halloween will be up soon. Soon as in probably after finals week.