If you have even the slightest interest in music you don't want to overlook the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame.  Since 1988 the Jazz Hall of Fame has not only been preserving the history of jazz, blues, and religious music in Oklahoma, but also promoting its future.  It does this through on-going performances, cultural and education events, and the museum, of course. Formerly in the Greenwood District, the Jazz Hall of Fame moved downtown to the 45,000 square foot Union Depot, an incredible example of Tulsa's art deco collection, in the summer of 2007.  Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame111 E. First St., Tulsa, OK 74103918-596-1001okjazz.org View the post with all 30 Great Tulsa Attractions.  02/01/2008

  Congratulations on choosing a fantastic city to live! Tulsa , Oklahoma is located in the he art of Northeast Oklahoma's "Green Country," and features the rolling hills & lush landscape that this part of Oklahoma is known for. Tulsa, Oklahoma is widely thought of as the arts & cultural center of OK, with two world-renowned museums, ballet & opera companies, and fantastic mid-century architecture.   Tulsa has been voted one of "America 's Most Livable Large Cities" as well as one of the "Best Places to do Business 2006." Tulsa, Oklahoma is home to just under 400k residents, and the Tulsa MSA has a population of just under 900k. Best of all, Tulsa Oklahoma real estate is still affordable, and the market is on the upswing! City of Tulsa , Oklahoma Tulsa covers an area just a little more t... 01/31/2008

Below is a Press release send to me by Amanda DeCort, Planner for the Preservation Comission of the City of Tulsa,   It is great news I hope we see some grant money as a result. FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH DESIGNATES TULSA APRESERVE AMERICA COMMUNITY The City of Tulsa was recently honored when First Lady Laura Bush, Honorary Chair of the Preserve America initiative, designated it as one of the nations newest Preserve America Communities. Preserve America Communities demonstrate that they are committed to preserving Americas heritage while ensuring a future filled with opportunities for learning and enjoyment, Mrs. Bush said. This community designation program, combined with the Preserve America Grant Program, Preserve America Presidential Awards, and other federal support, provides strong inc... 01/30/2008

  How many cities of Tulsa's size are lucky enough to have a professional symphony?  What about two? The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra has been delighting Oklahomans since October 2005.  The orchestra came to realization after a void was felt when the Tulsa Philharmonic dissolved in 2002.  Still growing, the orchestra currently stands at 55 professional musicians who fill the Tulsa Performing Arts Center with their sounds. With equal grandeur, the Signature Symphonyhas been in existence since 1978.  Although it started as a small orchestra, it is now the orchestra-in-residence at the VanTrease Performing Arts Center for Education at Tulsa Community College. Tickets for either Symphony can be purchased at myticketoffice.com. View the post with all 30 Great Tulsa Attractions. 01/23/2008

Yes, I love Starbucks.  However, that is for a quick fix when I am on the go.  When I really want to relax and make it an experience I patronize one of Tulsa's fine independent coffee houses.  Each has it's own ambiance and offerings - from live music & art showings to free wi-fi and late-night hours.  I've rated them with my very own 5-star system below  ;) The Coffee House on Cherry Street  ***** DoubleShot Coffee Co.  **** Gypsy Coffee House & Cyber Cafe  *** Java Dave's Coffee  ** Kokoa Kabana  ***** Nordaggio's Coffee  **** Shades of Brown Coffee & Art  ***** Tulsa Sips Coffee Co.  ** Photo courtesy of DoubleShot Coffee Co.  Used without permission, but along with free advertising!  Please don't sue. View the post with all 30 Great Tulsa Attractions. 01/23/2008

Tulsa International Airport is home to American Airline's aircraft maintenance base - the world's largest.  By the way, American Airlines is the Tulsa's largest employer.  The airport's 4,000 acres is also home to 80 businesses and Spartan School of Aeronautics. TIA is serviced by eight airlines which provide non-stop flights to 21 cities daily.  The airport is operated under a charter by the City of Tulsa.  Currently under a $70 million renovation & expansion project, TIA sees 8,000 passengers each day. View the post with all 30 Great Tulsa Attractions. 01/22/2008

If Brookside is urban sophistication then Cherry Street is bohemian Tulsa!  Cherry Street is the area around 15th Street from approximately Peoria to Utica.  Looking for great Italian food?  Cherry Street is home to Mary's, Tucci's, and the Hideaway.  You'll also find Jason's Deli, the Palace Cafe, Doe's Eat Place, and Jaz'moz. But wait!  There's more....  In addition to the restaurants mentioned about, you will find one of Tulsa's best farmer's markets, coffee houses, churches, galleries, design & decor shops, hip stores, bars, and incredible housing including a number of new loft concept dwellings! View the post with all 30 Great Tulsa Attractions. 01/21/2008

It is "Black Wall Street."  It is where Count Basie heard his first big band.  And it suffered the 1921 Race Riots.  It is Tulsa's historic Greenwood neighborhood. The Greenwood neighborhood was home to prosperous black businesses during the oil boom of the 1910s.  Many black community leaders opened shop and became multimillionaires in this small Tulsa neighborhood.  Their success caused Greenwood to become known as the "Black Wall Street." The area had a thriving music scene and in 1927 Count Basie claims to have heard the big band sound for the first time. In 1921 one of the worst race riots in the nation's history occurred in Greenwood.  Historians claim that at least 3,000 people were killed in the rioting in addition to approximately $1.5 million in damage.  Just weeks after the r... 01/16/2008

If there is one thing we don't lack in Oklahoma it is a long list of quality festivals throughout the year.  Here is just a sampling: Tulsa International Mayfest - May 15-18, 2008 - downtown Tulsa.  Tulsa's FREE art & music festival.  Each year 300,000+ attend to see musicians, dancers, and performance and visual artists.  Hanson photographed to left performing at Mayfest. DiversaFest (Dfest)- July 25-26, 2008 - the Blue Dome District.  One of my favorite festivals throughout the year is Dfest.  This music festival & conference has grown the last six years and is often compared to SXSW. Tulsa State Fair - September 25- October 5, 2008 - Expo Square.  One of the area most popular events.  Big acts, big rides, big food & fun.  Oktoberfest - October 16-19, 2008 - 2100 S. Jackson Ave. (west... 01/15/2008

It's corn dogs, horse racing, the flea market, and a whole lot more!  It's Expo Square!  Originally the Tulsa County Free Fair, Expo Square moved to its current location in midtown Tulsa in 1923 and is home to more than 400 events each year.  The most obvious is the Tulsa State Fair on the Midway.  There's also Fair Meadows horse racing and multiple rodeos through out the year.  The Tulsa Flea Market is most Saturdays in the Super Duty Arena.  Catch the Tulsa 66ers in the Pavillion.  The new Central Park Hall is an art deco inspired, 43,000 square foot exhibit hall scheduled for completion this spring. Just follow the smell of the funnel cakes or look for the iconic Golden Driller and you'll be in the center of it all.  Welcome to Expo Square! View the post with all 30 Great Tulsa Attra... 01/14/2008

It is called the Museum of the Americas.  Gilcrease is home to the largest collection of American Western art.  The permanent collections include fine art such as the Remington pictured to the left.  The Museum also houses thousands of western & Native American artifacts and historical documents and hosts several traveling exhibits each year.  While there you can take in the beauty of the Osage hills from one of the numerous gardens.  You can also dine at the Osage Restaurant.  The Museum is located at 1400 North Gilcrease Museum Rd, Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The facility is open daily from 10 am - 5pm except for Christmas Day.  The suggested donation is $3.00 per adult. For more information please visit the Gilcrease Museum website. View the post with all 30 Great Tulsa Attractions. 01/12/2008

Brookside is just one of those neighborhoods...  always trendy, always fun, always just what you're looking for when you're looking for it. The area has a great selection of restaurants, both local & national chains, such as in the raw, the Brook Restaurant (pictured above), Charleston's, and Pei Wei.  The bars & clubs are definitely some of the hottest spots in Tulsa.  Some might call Aberson's, with a long-standing tradition of being Tulsa's premier store for clothing, the anchor store for Brookside.  Center1 is home to the Brookside Design District, a collection of furniture stores as well as high-end boutiques. Arguably Tulsa's most walkable district, Brookside has a lot to offer.  It continues to be one of the most desirable areas of Tulsa with it close proximity to shopping, dinin... 01/11/2008

There aren't a lot of things to do in Oklahoma after 2am... but one thing you can always count on - even Christmas Day - are the casinos!  There are a number of Native American tribes that operate casinos in the area.  However, these aren't your granddaddy's casinos.  These multi-million dollar facilities are equipped with restaurants, hotels, golf courses, and more!  They are destinations indeed.  If you're looking to scratch your gambling itch or just need a great weekend getaway check out one of these fine Tulsa area casinos: Cherokee Casino Creek Nation Casino Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino   View the post with all 30 Great Tulsa Attractions. 01/10/2008

Good eats.  Late nights.  Fun times.  That pretty much sums up the Blue Dome District of downtown Tulsa.  Right in the heart of it all, the Blue Dome District is where downtown life began.  The district gets its name from the actual blue dome at the corner of 2nd & Elgin on top of what used to be a Gulf service station.  In a few short years this area has become home to some of Tulsa's trendiest restaurants, bars, galleries, shops, and of course the Blue Dome Arts Festival.  Day or night you can eat (or drink) at the Blue Dome Diner, Tsunami Sushi Bar, or one of Elliot Nelson's hot spots such as El Guapo's or the Continental.  You can also find some of the best home decor and gift ideas at my favorite downtown store, Dwelling Spaces, where diva & proprietor Mary Beth Babcock shows her w... 01/09/2008

To attract world-class entertainment you need a world-class facility.  Enter the BOK Center.  The BOK Center is the City of Tulsa's new $178 million dollar sports & entertainment venue scheduled to be completed September 2008.  The project is funded in part by Vision2025 and corporate sponsors such as OneOK and Bank of Oklahoma.  The facility in downtown Tulsa was designed by the internationally renowned architectural firm Cesar Pelli & Associates.  You can watch construction progress on the Vision2025 live web cam.  The BOK Center will be the new home of Tulsa Talons football and Tulsa Oilershockey.  An inaugural event has not yet been announced, but it will be one of the stops on Celine Dion's upcoming tour.For ticket or venue information visit the BOK Center website.View the post wit... 01/08/2008

If you haven't ever visited Tulsa it is possible that you imagine it as a dust bowl with cowboys on horseback sharing the streets with tumbleweeds.  Au contraire.  Tulsa actually has a thriving arts community.  An incredible example of the culture that can be found here is Tulsa Ballet. Founded in 1956, Tulsa Ballet is now internationally renown.  Consisting of dancers from Italy, Germany, San Francisco, and many other parts of the world, the Company currently offers four productions per year in addition to the Nutcracker, a holiday tradition. Ticket sales, performance videos, events & education opportunities, and more can be found on the Tulsa Ballet website. View the post with all 30 Great Tulsa Attractions. 01/07/2008

It's the only venue still in operation that was part of the Sex Pistols' U.S. tour in 1978.  It's the home of Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys.  It's where I saw bands as diverse as Primus and The Donnas.  There is no grander icon of Tulsa's music scene than the historic Cain's Ballroom. Built in 1924 as a garage for Tate Brady, the namesake of Brady Heights and the Brady Arts District, the building became Cain's Dance Academy in 1930.  It has been a part of music history and the history of Tulsa ever since. Cain's is reopening this week after some pretty extensive renovation including installation of a new floor in the ballroom.  Read more about Cain's Ballroom, it's history, and its future in this recent Tulsa World article.                   View the post with all 30 Great Tulsa Attr... 01/06/2008

Brett's 2008 Forecast ! Well, now that 2008 is here I thought it might be time for a look at 2008 and what I think is likely.  First for many people in the real estate industry 2007 was a difficult if not frightening year.   I am fortunate to say it was challenging but good year for me.  While many lenders had difficulties getting fundings completed in the first and second quarter of 2007, we did not miss a single closing date of have a funding issue.   Here's why that may have been an issue for some lenders - Since November of 2006 over 200 wholesale lenders have closed their doors or entered bankruptcy.    I mention this because beginning in the second quarter of last year the guide line requirements began to tighten.   At the beginning of 2007 a credit score of 580 could still get 10... 01/05/2008

Did you know that Tulsa has one of the largest collections of Art Deco architecture in the nation?  Tulsa entered into one of its most prosperous eras just as Art Deco was becoming important.  Below are a few examples of Tulsa's Art Deco landmarks.  You can view more examples such as the 11th Street Bridge, Will Rogers High School, and numerous other residences, churches, and buildings on the Tulsa Preservation Commission's page for Art Deco landmarks.  The Warehouse Market Building  Corner of 11th & Elgin, Route 66, downtown Tulsa. Current home of Lyon's Indian Store.       Boston Avenue Methodist Church 13th & Boston, downtown Tulsa. The design of the church is disputed, but popularly credited to architect Bruce Goff.  You can discover more about the controversy or the building and it... 01/05/2008

Now you can sit under the stars just like you did as a child.  Where?  The Tulsa Air & Space Museum!  The TASM is home to only the second 50-foot, seamless dome planetariums in the world which was made possible by Vision2025.  Sit back and take a 180 degree look at the stars of Green Country or one of the other exhibits at the planetarium which change monthly.  You can also catch one of the exciting regular exhibits at the TASM.  There you can view an F-14A fighter jet or a Lear jet.  You can also see presentations about World War II and space exploration.  You can even participate in interactive exhibits like a space shuttlelaunch.  In addition to the museum & planetarium, schools and organizations can request activities, tours, and events at the TASM.  Tulsa maintains strong ties to t... 01/03/2008