Taste Oklahoma News

The Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce has announced the formation of a new summer festival, celebrating Freedom, Family, Food, and Fun. The new Okmulgee summer festival event will take place on Saturday, July 4th, 2009 and will be held at the Okmulgee Municipal Park, between 13th and 20th Streets. As with most July 4 celebrations, there will be fireworks and families can enjoy a blanket on the ground.

The Okmulgee Summer Festival is replacing the beloved 25-Year-Old Downtown Okmulgee Pecan Festival. Every June, the people of Okmulgee would get together and bake a pecan pie of Guinness Book of World Records size. Games, rides, concerts and more brought the young and old to downtown Okmulgee's historic town square. This old event is sure to be missed.

What do you think of the new festival at Okmulgee Municipal Park?
Drop us a comment!

Labels: events, Oklahoma Food, Tulsa

Labels: Bowling, Oklahoma Food, Tulsa

Labels: Bowling, Tulsa

Eat out on April 30, 2009 and participating Tulsa area restaurants will donate a portion of your bill to pay for local HIV services provided by H.O.P.E. Their generosity coupled with your genorous donation will make a very real difference in the lives of thousands of men, women, and children throughout the Tulsa community.

Just look at the list of restaurants participating in Tulsa's 2009 Dining Out for Life Benefit:

• Shades of Brown Coffee & Art - 918-747-3000


• Baxter's Interurban Grill - 918-585-3134


• Caz's Chowhouse - 918-588-CHOW


• Dalesandro's - 918-582-1551


• McNellie's Public House - 918-382-7468


• White Lion Pub - 918-491-6533


• El Guapo's Cantina - 918-382-7482


• Elote Cafe & Catering


• India Palace - 918-492-8040


• KEO - 918-797-8200


• Lambrusco'z To Go - 918-496-1246


• Lava - 918-749-3310


• Thyme Bistro & Catering - 918-742-7013

If you would like more information about H.O.P.E. or Dining Out for Life in Tulsa, please visit the Tulsa Dining Out For Life website.

Labels: Oklahoma Food, Tulsa

The Farm shopping center in South Tulsa offers some fun food choices for Oklahoma folks. Dianne and I visited The Farm this weekend to have a meal at Margaret's German Restaurant & Deli.

Margaret's German Restaurant offers a large selection of traditional German sausages, pork loin dishes and sweet strudel. Although I usually won't touch sour kraut, I found the sour kraut at Margaret's to be excellent. Dianne enjoyed Jager Schnitzel and a spicy German dark beer. I played chicken with the sin of gluttony by downing Knackwurst, Bratwurst and Weisswurst in shocking quantities. The food was all fantastic and the service was excellent.

I'm surprised we had not already given Margaret's a try, considering they have been slinging schnitzel in Tulsa for over twenty years. However, when we found out that the owner, Margaret Rzepczynski, was on a mission to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, we moved her place up to the top of the list.

Visit the restaurant website for more details on Margaret's fund raising effort and what you can do to participate!

While we were visiting The Farm shopping center, we stumbled onto the Great Harvest Bread Company. An excellent local bread maker that uses only wheat that is fresh ground daily using their impressive stone grinding machine. They make whole wheat bread from five simple ingredients for bread that is healthier and fresher. In fact, no loaf of bread that they sell is more than 30 hours old!

Stop by Tulsa's Great Harvest Bread Co. someday and visit with the owner/operator Greg Diamond. In addition to a world-class sandwich, you will get a lesson on the bread making art that you will never forget!

Labels: Oklahoma Food, Tulsa

The Cherry Street Farmers' Market is scheduled to open April 11, 2009 from 7am until 11 am. This is the market's eleventh season, and it just keeps getting better every year. If you visit the Farmer's Market this weekend, look for new vendors, produce, plants and more. Occasionally, some of the Oklahoma winemakers even show up at the market and offer tastes of their Sooner State vino.

The original Cherry Street Farmers' Market opens this weekend from 7am until 11am. You can find the market at 15th & Peoria every Saturday from April 11, 2009 until October 3, 2009.

Wednesdays, we have the CSFM Brookside at 41st & Memorial from 8am until 12 Noon. The market will be open every wednesday from May 6, 2009 until October 21, 2009.

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Special events have been planned along with educational demonstrations at the Cherry Street Farmers' Market this year. There will be music on the Gray Snail patio Saturday mornings. Opening day St. Elmer's Fire, a great bluegrass and old time country group with a little hillbilly jazz thrown in for good measure.

Then on the April 18, Scott Aycock - singer, songwriter and co-host of Folk Salad will perform. Up With Trees will be on hand to give tree seedlings away. On April 25, Acoustic Mojo - Dianna Burrup and Bryan Huling who are great singer songwriters with loads of groove and harmony. Look for more information on the Cherry Street Farmers' Market website!

In other Made-in-Oklahoma News, our family has been 'blessed' with eight new puppies (Red Heeler & Lab mix). They are totally adorable and totally free to good homes. Email me at webmaster@oklahomaroadtrips.com and we will set you up with a new best friend that can't be beat!

Labels: Oklahoma Food, Tulsa

Dianne and I have been bowling up a storm in Henryetta this weekend. We played six games Friday night, six games Saturday night and we plan to hit it again on Sunday. Yesterday, we decided to take it to the next level and visit one of our other favorite spots in Henryetta...Nelson's Steakhouse. It may not be easy to find, but once you know the way, you are bound to be back for some top notch Oklahoma cooking.

Nelson's is a steakhouse and honky tonk just a mile or two West of Henryetta. We could not resist the Prime Rib special for $13.95, were only human! I've always gotten a great meal at Nelson's and Saturday was no exception. Check them out for dinner next time you are in the area. Stop by Main Street Bowl, you might just see Dianne and I there working off a little Prime Rib ourselves. I'll be the one dripping with sweat.

Nelson's Steakhouse and Club

1 Mile W. on Hwy 62 - Exit 237 - I-40
918-650-0678


Main Street Bowl

707 West Main
Henryetta, OK
918-652-2695

In other Oklahoma bowling news, Oklahoma's Regional Family Bowling Tournament will take place May 9 - May 10, 2009 at The Lanes at Coffee Creek in Owasso, OK at 2pm. Be there with your sliding shoes on! Bargain bowling gifts and gear.

Labels: events, Oklahoma Food

March 14th, 2009 Earl Clark LIVE at Tidal School Winery. The menu will consist of smoked sausage, brisket & ribs, barbeque bologna, baked beans, tabouli, potato salad, and cobbler!! Work off the calories on the dance floor. Tickets on sale by phone or website - $29.95. http://www.tidalschool.com/ or 1-866-258-1903

Girls Night Out - March 28, 2009

Grab your girls and come hang out at one of the coolest places in Oklahoma! It's a relaxed atmosphere with giveaways, party games, massages by prior appt and most importantly - food and great Oklahoma wine! Taste them all and pick your favorite to enjoy for the evening. Tickets on sale now - $19.95
http://www.tidalschool.com/ or 1-866-258-1903

Tidal School Vineyards
54560 West Highway 16
Drumright, OK 74030

Labels: events, Oklahoma Food, wine

Valentine's Day is my anniversary, I am always on the lookout for new ways to enjoy this important holiday. I can tell you from experience that getting reservations on V-Day can be tough, so it pays to think out-of-the-box. One idea: Oklahoma wineries have a number of sales, events and activities scheduled for the Lover's Holiday.

I think Dianne and I are going to visit one of our favorite Tulsa spots for gourmet food fanatics: Ladonna's Fancy Foods on Cherry Street. We buy gourmet cheeses online occassionally, but the shipping costs are painful to say the least. Ladonna's elegant and expertly attended store holds a wealth of fine cheeses and custom chocolates. If you enjoy tasting rare and exotic delicacies LaDonna's is well worth driving far out of your way to visit!

LaDonna's Fancy Foods
1615 East 15th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120

Of course, we will be trying to squeeze in some bowling at Andy B's and dinner at Carraba's. I hope you and your special person find a great way to celebrate the day.

Labels: Oklahoma Food, Tulsa, wine

Make your reservations to kick back and relax at Tatanka for a weekend while Stableridge Winery enhances your knowledge of wine. Activites include Wine Sensory & Analysis,Wine Pairings with food and creating your own signature wine. Tatanka Ranch Wine Weekends: January 31, 2009...February 28 and March 21, 2009.

Enjoy delicious meals, horseback riding or ATVing, as well as Tatanka’s other activities. The grounds include a 15 acre lake and 8 ponds are stocked with Florida bass and Channel cat. Recreational Kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, and electric trolling boats are all available. Contact Tatanka Ranch for more information and reservations. http://www.thetatankaranch.com


Tatanka Guest Ranch is nestled on 1000 acres of Oklahoma countryside just 15 minutes drive from historic Route 66 near Stroud, Oklahoma.

The 2009 Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show will be held February 2-8 at the QuikTrip Event Center at Expo Square. This year there will be a Kayaking Pool attraction, so bring the whole family and learn more about kayaking in Oklahoma. Also, see Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel...performing live! A portion of the proceeds from each show benefits the Lion's Club.

The opening Monday evening VIP Night also is planned for this year, with 30 local restaurants offering food and Oklahoma wineries pouring local wines. The preview night is 6-10 p.m. on February 2, 2009 and more than 7,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only event. The VIP Night tickets are $20.

http://www.tulsaboatshow.com/

Labels: Tulsa

Indian Creek Village Winery, founded by the late Dr. Terry Lewis, was destroyed by fire early Sunday morning. The blaze was confined to just the winery. The bed and breakfast and the rest of the grounds are undamaged. No injuries were reported.

Indian Creek Village Winery

Labels: events, wine

The economy may be struggling these days, but our Oklahoma food diet is improving. Since joining the Oklahoma Food Coop, we have discovered some great new home state delicacies. I hope your family is as blessed as mine has been this holiday season.

The family farm raised pork we bought this year is the best I have had in a decade and it was raised about 20 minutes from my home. This month's Oklahoma Food Coop order included: fresh duck eggs, apple mini muffins, COW cookies and a window planter full of a wonderful variety of lettuces that are so fresh they are still growing! This year's crop of Oklahoma native pecans are becoming available, if the squirrels in your area haven't carried them all away.

Also our local football heroes routed a Texas team on Saturday, so Oklahoma is tasting pretty sweet to me this Sunday! I'm looking forward to a slow roasted butterflied turkey surrounded by sausage dressing and a moat of giblet gravy this Thursday, economic crisis be damned... so pass the cranberry salsa! We have much to be thankful for this year.

Labels: Oklahoma Food

Vintage Oklahoma '09
Thursday Feb 12, 2009 from 5:30pm until 8pm
Price: $60.00

Taste and purchase wines from wineries across the state of Oklahoma. The event will be held two days before Valentine's Day in the downtown Oklahoma City Petroleum Club dining room, overlooking the city from the 34th floor of the Chase building.

Music will be performed by the Chris Hicks band and a local artist painting will be available for a silent auction. Proceeds from the event and the auction will go to benefit the Oklahoma City Arts Council.

Oklahoma City Petroleum Club
100 N. Broadway
Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Phone: 580-660-1488

 

Oklahoma Wine & Chili

Beginning at 1pm on Friday October 24, 2008 the Eufaula Arts Council hosts a 2-day ArtWalk located along the pre-statehood Main Street while the Eufaula Chamber of Commerce hosts the 3rd Annual State Chili Cook-off at the new Jellystone Park Resort at Eufaula Cove. Taste the wines of Eufaula's own Sailing Horse Winery while you are there!

Visit http://www.sailinghorse.com/ to learn more about their events and wines.

Labels: events, Oklahoma Food, wine

50 Penn Place, Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma Grape Growers and Winemakers Association is sponsoring the largest wine festival in Oklahoma featuring 25 Oklahoma wineries November 14 & 15, 2008 in Oklahoma City!

7-10 pm Friday Night

Denim and Diamonds WineFest Reception

- benefitting OGGWMA's "Partner in the Harvest" and The Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Tickets: $75.00, or $90 for both the reception and the Oklahoma WineFest on Saturday! Enjoy a silent auction, music, food, and of course great wine tasting.


11-8pm Saturday

Oklahoma WineFest 2008

- Have fun wine tasting, enjoy all the other vendors, and love the live music!

Advance Tickets: $18 and $13 for seniors
General Admission: $20 or $15 for seniors
Designated Drivers & Children $5.00

North Canadian River Kayaking Info - from OKC to Eufaula the North Canadian River offers loads of outdoor fun.

Labels: events, OKC, wine

This Southeastern Oklahoma outdoors event draws crowds in excess of 35,000 annually to the small rural town of Antlers, Oklahoma.

The Antlers Deer Festival & Outdoor Show is a family friendly festival that has something for everyone, whether you are an outdoorsman, craft/art enthusiast, wine lover, chili or venison cooking genius or just a child looking for some awesome fun!

While you are in Antlers, Oklahoma stop by K-River campground and paddle the wild and scenic Kiamichi River. Recent rains have many Oklahoma rivers flowing rather early in the season.



Insect Repellent Socks - The technology I have been waiting for is here!

Labels: events

On August 30, 2008 several Oklahoma bowling alleys will give Oklahoma bowlers a chance to receive a World Record Certificate of Authenticity. Visit one of the participating Oklahoma bowling alley's in August and you may have a chance to join millions of others to help set a new world record for games bowled in a single day. Bowling is a great non-seasonal sport you can enjoy in any kind of weather. Have you introduced your kids to bowling, yet?

Other bowling alley's are offering sales and other promotions. Get out and celebrate National Bowling Week between August 23 and August 30, 2008.

Visit the Oklahoma Bowling Gear & Bowlers Gifts Store.

The 2008 Taste of Oklahoma Event has been postponed until further notice in anticipation of holding the event in downtown OKC on the canal. The event is held to benefit the Greater Oklahoma Hunter Jumper Horse Show, Inc Riders for Handicapped Children. http://www.goshow.org/

Taste of Oklahoma is a gathering of more than 25 local restaurants, Made in Oklahoma food producers, several Oklahoma City chefs, music, entertainment and arts.

Labels: events, OKC, Oklahoma Food

Free Float Trip on the Illinois River near Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Friday, July 11, 2008


On Friday July 11, you can float the river for Free, spend time with fun people and help get the river in great shape for the upcoming summer. This cleanup is a great way to be part of a community effort benefiting our local riparian environment.

Last year’s cleanups collected a total of 3,500 pounds of trash from the Illinois River.

To pre-register, call the
Oklahoma Scenic River Commission (OSRC)
at (918) 456-3251
or e-mail osrc2@fullnet.net

Labels: Float Trips

The 2008 Oklahoma RiverFest

The Third Annual Oklahoma RiverFest, presented by Devon Energy & Chesapeake Energy, will take place June 6-8, at Regatta Park on the Oklahoma River. The event will feature FREE activities for all members of the family both on and off the water, showcasing the many amenities of the Oklahoma River and trails.

The three-day festival will feature Dragon Boat Team Racing, exciting river shows featuring water skiing and jet skis, the Oklahoma RiverRide bicycling event, Devon Energy River Cruises, Red Earth RiverFest RiverRun, MusicFest, KidsPlay inflatable park, Chesapeake Boathouse tours, rowing demonstrations, paddle boats, kayaks and many other attractions.

Head out to OKC and enjoy one of Oklahoma City's most popular events and what has to be the North Canadian River's most upscale affair of the year!

Labels: events, OKC, Oklahoma Food

The nation lost a great blues man today and Oklahoma lost a favorite son.

D.C. Minner, blues musician and co-founder of the annual Dusk Til Dawn Blues Festival, passed away Tuesday at the age of 73. Minner is an Oklahoma blues legend who started his career as a bassist working in the bands of Chuck Berry, Bo Didley, OV Wright and Freddie King.

Born in Rentiesville, Oklahoma in 1935, Minner would later say he knew he was going to play music for living when he was a preschooler. In 1988, D.C. Minner & his wife Selby converted their grandmother’s prohibition-era corn-whiskey hall in Rentiesville, OK into The Down Home Blues Club - a rural after-hours club. In 1991, they would start the annual Dusk Til Dawn Blues Festival.

The Minners would later create the Blues in the Schools program through the Oklahoma Arts Council. The couple won a W.C. Handy Award and the Blues Foundation’s Keeping the Blues Alive Award for their efforts. D.C. Minner was inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2003.

Services for D.C. Minner

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2008

11am - Memorial at The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Muskogee

3pm - Funeral at First Baptist Church & Honey Springs Cemetery in Rentiesville

Later - Celebration at The Down Home Blues Club in Rentiesville, Oklahoma.

http://www.dcminnerblues.com/

May 9-11, 2008 in Lawton, Oklahoma

The annual Arts for All Festival is both a celebration of the arts and a 'thank you' to the community for supporting the arts throughout the year.

In addition to the artist's booths, there will be children's activities under the Big Tent, a wine garden and international cuisine, all starting Friday evening at 5:30 PM

Enjoy entertainment on two stages, including: dance, youth programs & live music.

Labels: Lawton, Oklahoma Food, wine

Oklahoma Food Coop founder Bob Waldrop has created an option for Okies that want to eat local. The groceries the coop offers are better for you and they help keep Oklahoma dollars in Oklahoma. The food is fresher because it is harvested locally and it is more environmentally sustainable because it does not have to be shipped long distances.

Participating in the Oklahoma Food Cooperative is a great way to help our state to adapt to the challenges of global climate instability, peak oil and gas, social justice, and rural economic development challenges. It is a great way to celebrate Earth Day everyday! Also, check out local agri-tourism events in your area. Here are a few choices:

14th Annual HerbFest in Arcadia May 10

The 14th annual HerbFest will be held at Crestview Farms, 5521 NORTH DOUGLAS BLVD., ARCADIA, OK 73007, 405-823-2430, MAY 10TH, 2008 10-3 PM.

Crestview Farms is located at the NW corner of N Douglas and E Sorghum Mill Road. Take I-35 to Exit 143 (Edmond), east to Douglas, north to E. Sorghum Mill Road.

Diversified Sustainability Event at Earth Elements Farm
May 4th, 2008 Lexington, Oklahoma

Come celebrate 10 years of Diversified Sustainability with Earth Elements Farm on
Sunday May 4th, 2008 from 2pm - 5pm.

• Sample the wonders of Oklahoma Value-Added Food


• Enjoy Earth Elements Farm Tours


• Straw Bale Building Tours


• Tour new "Green" EEMB Production Facility


• Live music by 13 Seeds

TIP: You have got to try their
Pecan Flapjack Chocolate Chip Granola, it is FANTASTIC!

Technorati Tags: Earth Day Oklahoma

Labels: Oklahoma Food

April 19, 2008 will be the 3rd Annual Lake Overholser/Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge Clean-up to be held from 9:30am - 1:00pm.

In addition to observing Earth Week by protecting these wonderful Oklahoma City outdoor areas, here is what to expect at the clean-up:

* Water & Pepsi products to be provided by Pepsi Cola Bottling Group

* Lunch will consist of BBQ Brisket/Cole Slaw/Potato Salad from Earl's Rib Palace & Hamburgers from the Cimarron Steak House

* Gloves and trash bags provided by Keep Oklahoma City Beautiful and the Great American Clean-Up

* Overholser Pavilion provided courtesy of the City of Oklahoma City's Parks and Recreation Department

Prizes to be raffled off include:

• $50 gift certificate for Pearl's Restaurant Chain



• $5 gift certificate from Panera Bread



• Bag of whole bean coffee from Starbucks



• Shorty Smalls gift card & certificate for free onion loaf for everyone



• Mackie's Steakhouse $10 gift card



• Dinner for two at Bad Brad's in Yukon



• Interurban $10 gift certificate



• Pair of tickets to Silver Cinemas' Yukon 5 movie theatre



• Gopuram Taste of India $20 gift certificate



• Applebees $15 gift certificate



• $10 gift certificate to Johnny Carino's in Yukon



• $15 gift card to Alfredos Mexican Café in Yukon



• Dinner for two at the Rib Crib in Yukon



• Buffalo Wild Wings Gift Card



• Irma's Burger Shack $20 gift certificate



• Buy For Less $20 Gift Card



• Free coffee & pastry for up to 8 people at Java Dave's on 10th street



• $5 gift certificate for Java Dave's on Reno & MacArthur



• Free ice cream cone from Cold Stone Creamery



• Free oil change from Firestone Complete Care in Bethany



• Sierra Club Bag kit with goodies and water bottle from Oklahoma Sierra Club

Financial support for this clean-up is made possible by a Great American Clean-Up grant from Keep Oklahoma Beautiful!

Participants will meet at the Lake Overholser pavilion near the Overholser dam at N.W. 14th and Overholser Drive. Volunteers are asked to wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and hats. Volunteers may also find it helpful to bring sturdy gloves and insect repellant.

If you can join this once-in-a-year event, please let Karen Miles know since she wants to make sure they have enough food for everyone!

Karen K. Miles, Ph.D.
Environmental Program Specialist
Water Quality Division
Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 1677
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1677
(405) 702-8192

This weekend Dianne and I visited Carrabba's Italian Grill on 71st Street in Tulsa for the first time. You may have noticed their restaurant’s distinctive tree-covered roof. It turned out to be a fantastic choice for dinner.

Dianne and I arrived around 6pm on Saturday night and there were only two open spots in the parking lot. We were seated immediately...no waiting. This appeared to be a result of a rather clever floor plan with plenty of cozy two person booths mixed with the larger tables and booths. They even offer an exhibition kitchen area where you can watch them prepare the food.

The first thing I noticed after we were seated was that this Carrabba's has abandoned the Salt & Pepper shakers in favor of grinders. Hooray! It may sound trivial, but we made the same change at home and now I have become a big believer. Freshly ground black pepper is vastly superior in flavor to the powdered version and getting it from a waiter is NOT the way to go for a number of reasons. I don't know how much of a cost difference it makes for the restaurant, but at home the reduced waste makes up for the added cost.


Cocktails and Antipasti

Dianne ordered her first Sangria. Don, our excellent waiter, suggested she try a sample of each of their sangria's. This turned out to be a great move because we both much preferred their red sangria to their slightly sweeter white wine version. The tasty blend of wine, brandy, fruit and spices was an instant hit with Dianne. Sadly, I didn't find any Oklahoma wines on the menu.

Although we rarely order restaurant appetizers, we simply could not resist trying the 'Cozze In Bianco' AKA: mussels in white wine sauce. We were foolish to try to resist. Resistance is futile, order the mussels!

Carrabba's Italian Grill serves rope-grown mussels flown in every 48 hours from the coast of Prince Edward Island. Since the rope-grown mussels never touch the ground, they are prevented from becoming gritty like most clams, oysters and other shellfish. Carrabba's mussels are steamed in white wine, basil, lemon butter and Pernod (licorice flavor liqueur). The flavors blend in complex and exciting ways. Finding great seafood in Tulsa can often be tricky; don't miss this one of a kind starter!


Steak and Seafood

After that brilliant appetizer, I ordered their Sirloin Marsala with garlic mashed potatoes and a salad. Their caesar salad is just about the best I have ever had, not too tart or too fishy. The steak was perfectly cooked, very tender and smothered with mushrooms sautéed in their Lombardo Marsala wine sauce.

Dianne ordered The Damain, a seafood combination platter including grilled salmon, Spiedino di Mare, lobster ravioli and the most wonderful shrimp grilled over a pecan-wood fire. The lobster ravioli was the only pasta in our meal, it was good, but that shrimp was to die for, IMHO! As you can see, there is far more to Carrabba's than Spaghetti. I must shamefully admit that I failed to pace myself and ended up far too stuffed to attempt a dessert. They sounded divine.


Service and Atmosphere at Carrabba's

We spoke at length to the owner of Carrabba's on 71st, Tim Johnson. He is a really nice guy that works hard to keep the family atmosphere going among the servers. He showed up at our table wearing an apron and helping out with clearing dishes. The whole service staff seems to work as a team. They never let our glasses get empty. Our extremely friendly waiter had an impressive knowledge of the food and its origins, cooking methods and history.

The atmosphere was a bit noisy, no surprise considering the location and hour, but high walls around our booth helped make it seem more private. The whole restaurant is decorated in a vineyard style with grape vines dangling from trellis-like structures overhead.

Due to my wife and boss both launching low-carb diets a few years ago, I haven't visited an Italian food restaurant in years. The consistent high quality service and wonderfully fresh and flavorful food at Carrabba's Italian Grill caught us totally by surprise! Another surprise was the wealth of food choices that go beyond pizza and pasta. Heck, they even offer a Gluten-Free menu...whatever that means!

After sending our oil industry to Houston, it is good to see Tulsa has gotten something valuable in return. I hope they do well here. Dianne and I will definitely be returning to Carrabba's!

Technorati Tags: Tulsa Oklahoma Restaurant Review

Labels: Oklahoma Food, Tulsa

March 3, Oklahoma City -
Senate Joint Resolutions (SJR) 29 and Senate Bill (SB) 995 passed by the Rules Committee at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

Although there are still many steps on their way to being made into law, these initiatives will address the ability of Oklahoma winemakers to better serve their customers away from the licensed winery premises.

The Oklahoma wine industry needs any additional 'nudge' that Oklahoma wine and grape industry supporters can provide. Rep. Danny Morgan has, as usual, been leading the charge to reform Oklahoma's obsolete wine laws to make them more fair and reduce needless barriers to local trade.

Labels: Politics, wine

Tidal School's Annual Girls' Night Out!
March 29th, 2008

'Elvis' is coming to the building on Ladies Night and The folks at tidal School Winery in Drumright, Oklahoma are 'All Shook Up!'

Back by popular request -- Chef Lanney -- the Lake Charles, Louisiana native who will be demonstrating his fruit and vegetable carving skills and promises to take time for anyone who needs some individual help. He is cooking up Creole Style Smothered Beef Tips; Blackened Chicken Strips; Cajun Cabbage (we ran out last time on this popular item but he PROMISES to have plenty this time); Dirty Rice, French bread, Tropical Fruit table and Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce.

There will also be two jewelry vendors and Jeff, the Pampered Chef guy, coming that evening. There will be giveaways live entertainment and massages for $10 each.

Reserve your table of 8 or just line up the baby sitter and grab your best girl friend for a night just for you. Reserve Your Tickets Today at 1-866-258-1903!
http://www.tidalschool.com/.

Labels: wine

Children throughout Oklahoma are invited to participate in the Oklahoma Historical Society nature photography contest. The subject is 'Field, Forest and Stream' the same as the title of the new special exhibit that will open in April.

Photo subject can include camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, scenic landscapes, plants and animals. Those are suggested topics, but other possibilities are endless.

The contest will be divided into three age groups: grades 1 to 5, grades 6 to 8, and grades 9 to 12. The competition begins Feb. 1.

All entries must be postmarked by March 21. Entries should be submitted as 8-by-10 prints, no emails will be accepted and there is a limit of two entries per person.

The photos will be judged on creativity, photographic technique, and originality.

First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each category. Winning entries will be exhibited at the Oklahoma History Center.

The display will be in conjunction with the special exhibit 'Field, Forest and Stream' that celebrates our state's rich outdoor heritage. The exhibit will relate the history of hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation and conservation in Oklahoma utilizing artifacts, dynamic graphics, audio-visual elements and hands-on interactives. It will open April 3 in the Gaylord Special Exhibits Gallery.

Winners will be announced on April 3, 2008 on the Oklahoma Historical Society web page, www.okhistory.org/kids. Additional information about the contest is posted on that web page.

For more information call Jennifer Towry at 522-1951 or email her at jtowry@okhistory.org.


Kayak Photography Supplies


Technorati Tags: Photography  Oklahoma

Auditions begin Jan. 19 for the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain (OSAI). Oklahoma high school students are urged to schedule auditions as soon as possible for the program, held June 14-29.

OSAI offers professional training with nationally known artists in the literary, visual and performing arts. Every accepted student automatically receives a full scholarship to the program, worth more than $2,400. As a former OSAI Creative Writing student, I can tell you this is an absolutely life-altering program for Oklahoma students interested in the arts. I cannot recomend OSAI highly enough.

OSAI offers instruction in nine artistic disciplines: orchestra, chorus, creative writing, acting, photography, film/video, drawing/painting, ballet and modern dance.

Students should call 405-321-9000 to schedule an audition as soon as possible, as audition spaces fill quickly. Applicants must be enrolled in an Oklahoma public school, private school or home-school program and must be at least 14 by June 14. Graduating seniors are eligible.

For more information about OSAI, including audition dates and a downloadable application form, visit www.oaiquartz.org.

OKC Metro-area Auditions for the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute:

Creative Writing -- Saturday, Jan. 19, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma City

Orchestra and Chorus -- Sunday, Jan. 20, Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma City

Drawing/Painting -- Saturday, Jan. 26, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond

Photography and Film/Video -- Saturday, Jan. 26, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond AND Sunday, Feb. 3, University of Oklahoma, Norman

Ballet and Modern Dance -- Sunday, Feb. 3, University of Oklahoma, Norman

Acting -- Sunday, Feb. 3, University of Oklahoma, Norman