It's a Good 'Starter' Arena

You’re invited to help us raise hope for vulnerable and orphaned children across the world at our annual Hope Rising Gala Friday September 29th with a special performance by Chris Cleveland from Stars Go Dim. Reserve tickets HERE.

Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder Hopes to be Dunking in Downtown Through 2050

You’ve been Thunderstruck! City leaders hope voters will bank shot a new $900-Million arena.

• Technical on Not Traveling: The Thunder has agreed to sign the dotted line on a contract that will keep them inbounds in OKC for another 25 years if the December 12th vote passes. The City Council will vote whether to bounce pass the plans on to the voters September 26th. Oklahoma City tax rates won’t be increasing, technically, but an increase in sales tax that was supposed to run out could be extended.

• Current Facility in Overtime: OKC Mayor David Holt says it’s time to expand. The City’s current Paycom Center is the smallest site in the NBA by square footage and is 21 years old. Backers of a new arena say the City will continue to receive the “enormous economic benefits” it has enjoyed since the Thunder’s arrival in 2008.

See the City’s press release and learn more about the estimated revenue and jobs that could rebound if a new arena is built.

Highlight

The Rush of Whitewater Adventure is Wide Open Tomorrow and Only a 1.5 Hour Drive for Tulsans

Open the floodgates! It’s time to ride the waves at WOKA Whitewater Adventure Park

• Making a Splash: Located just across the Oklahoma border, WOKA Whitewater Park is a joint project of The Grand River Dam Authority and the City of Siloam Springs, with support from the Walton Family Foundation. The state-of-the-art facility includes a 1,200-ft-long channel with eight exciting drop features designed to challenge and thrill kayakers, surfers, and tubers alike.

• Paddle on Up: An official “grand opening celebration” is set for the Spring of 2024, but this weekend will give enthusiasts a firsthand look. Bring your own whitewater gear, or you can get rent equipment at WOKA on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be free parking and limited concessions during the opening weekend!

Plan your visit for a swell time HERE.

Community

Pizza Again? Not This Week! Pure Produce is Getting Positioned for Downtown’s Midweek Market

Parents can plan on produce for dinner soon. A quick stop at Tulsa’s Midweek Market will surely get you stocked up.

• Watermelon Wednesdays: The Downtown Tulsa Midweek Market is open most Wednesdays this fall and organizers with the Downtown Tulsa Partnership say the plans are peachy! Whether you live, work or visit downtown, the shopping for salad and salsa is convenient with hours from 4pm to 7pm. You can stock up at the corner of 6th and Main Street.

• More Than Mangos: Qualifying vendors will offer fresh or prepared food or arts and crafts. Did we mention tunes? Forget grocery store music and plan for live bands while you shop! If you still don’t feel like cooking, no worries. A whole block of food trucks will be set up hot and ready.

Find all the fresh details for the Midweek Market HERE.

Community

Let’s Paint T-Town Red! Hues for Hope Set to Help Children With Rare Disorder Live Life in Color

What’s your favorite color? It’s a common question that will take on a whole new meaning at Cain’s Ballroom Friday night.

• It Was All Yellow: The Hues for Hope fundraiser benefits families with children who have rare Peroxisomal Disorders through the Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders. While there’s no cure yet, there is plenty of hope. What better way to raise awareness than through rose colored glasses. The September 15th event offers live painting, music and dancing, dinner and artistic auction items that will make you green with envy.

• Pretty in Pink Despite Purple Rain: When Hues for Hope Organizer Melissa Bryce’s daughter Ginny was diagnosed with a Peroxisomal Disorder, she didn’t know where to turn. The GFPD helped her and hundreds of other families with education, community and the funds to buy some often expensive but much needed medical equipment. Bryce hopes you can help the cause even if you can’t attend the event.

Learn more about GFPD and donate to the cause HERE.

Event

Dine in and Make a Difference. Restaurant Week is Ordered Up!

21% of Oklahoma children struggle with hunger. The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma will help.

• Restaurant Week Ramps Up: Skip the stove at home and place your order off a local menu. The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma Food for Kids Program will benefit from your order. More than 20 Tulsa Restaurants will donate a portion of their profits made from September 8th through the 17th to the Food Bank.

• Making a Menu Match: The George Kaiser Family Foundation will match up to $25,000 of the proceeds earned at Restaurant Week. It is estimated that at least 1 in 5 children in Oklahoma go to bed hungry each night. 84% of Oklahoma children rely on free or reduced lunches at school.

To help combat hunger in Oklahoma, click HERE.

In other news

• Breaking News, I’m Getting Hitched: News on 6’s Chinh Doan is making plans to walk down the aisle. She needs your help on finding the perfect dance song. Let the bride-to-be know HERE.

• Missing Tortoise Still Not Turning up: It has been more than two weeks since Scaredy the tortoise has been missing. Owner Kimber Anderson says he escaped when some line workers accidentally left her gate open. She says he’s a lot faster than he looks. Click HERE for a full description.

• Targeting Taxes: Governor Kevin Stitt says Oklahomans need a tax break. He’s calling a special session to ask law makers to do away with income tax.

• Sapulpa Schools Soar: Voters approved a $279-Million school bond package that will pave the way for a new high school and MORE.

• Moonlight Madness: ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ is one step closer to a theater near you. See the final trailer before tickets go on sale.

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