Yes, it's that time again, Pilgrims. That once a year when families unite, birds are stuffed, fixings and trimmings and dressings are thrown together before we commence the BIG FEAST, otherwise known as Thanksgiving! My mouth is already watering with anticipation! How will you be celebrating this year? Waking up to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, (marking the start of the holiday TV programs), so many warm memories come to mind: helping prepare the 'main attraction' along with the stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and last but not least, the pumpkin pie! It seemed no matter who cooked, dinner was never a timely affair. Then there were the naps or, on rare occasions!, a neighborhood walk afterwards. Let's not forget football, too - LOTS & LOTS of football - college games, NFL games...Then it was time to scan all the newspaper's ads and circulars in preparation for the next day's main event, Black Friday. Every year stores' doors opened earlier and earlier to thongs of frenzied shoppers who had anticipatedly camped out in line for several hours to take advantage of those HUGE savings that only happens once a year. Black Friday also marks the official start of mall madness, where you are lucky if you can find a parking spot, never mind that it's out in the boonies!
With that in mind, here's some of what's going on around T-Town this weekend. Be on the lookout as I'll be posting a Holiday/Christmas Special soon!Wednesday, November 25th:
Mannheim Steamroller - Chapman Music Hall, Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Getting to see and hear the "18th century rock band" perform their popular Yuletide hits will be a royal treat for me, which will double as my first time seeing them in concert as well as my first visit to the PAC. This will definitely put me in the holiday spirit!
Update: I was lucky enough to attend their matinee performance, and let me just say I, along with the entire audience, was blown away! This marked my first Mannheim Steamroller concert AND first visit to the TPAC, and it won't be the last for either! Hearing them play all of their classic hits & holiday favorites evoked so many special memories for me. I especially recall making a time lapse video decorating my Christmas tree to "Deck the Halls"! The concert marked a great start to my holiday weekend!
Thursday, November 26th (Happy Thanksgiving!):
TRC Von Franken Family Food Run - 31st & Riverside, 9am. Get a head start on burning your turkey day calories before you've even stuffed the bird! Join the Tulsa Running Club for the annual Food Run for the 4.3 mile fun run around Zink Lake. Not only will this give you an energized start for the holiday, but by bringing your donations of non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army, you're giving to those less fortunate, making for a very heart warming combination indeed. Drinks, finger food, and door prizes will be awaiting you at the finish line!
Lights On! - Utica Square, 6:30. What happens when you take over 700,000 lights, drape them over 175 trees, and join in with hundreds of other Tulsa families singing carols, sipping cocoa, and welcoming the Big Jolly Man himself?? Why Utica Square lights on, of course! The annual Tulsa tradition kicks off tonight and runs nightly through Dec. 31st. This event is so popular I recall a fellow passenger telling me not to miss it during a visit out here last fall! So I will be there with bells on!!
Oilers v. Missouri- BOK Center, 7:05pm. Come on out & celebrate Turkey Day with our favorite hockey team as they take on Missouri tonight!
Let us be thankful...no matter how you celebrate your holiday season, please remember those who are less fortunate. As a special note, I've included a couple of heartwarming links:
Free Thanksgiving meals:
(I'm just naming a couple here that I've read about, but there are many others going on in communities throughout Tulsa)
Frank's Cafe - 5451 S. Mingo Rd. This year, owner Al Chami's restaurant will be open and serving up free Thanksgiving meals for those in need, and those who just want company :)
Tally's Cafe - 1102 S. Yale Ave. Tally Alame will also be opening his doors and serving up traditional Thanksgiving feasts starting at 11:30am.
Project Elf - Just hearing about how Project Elf came about is heartwarming. It all started with one mom...and four years later, the organization designated to meet school age children's needs is growing strong.
Secret Santa in Tulsa! - Yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus! If I was a millionaire, I would join this club! Not only does Santa spread cheer and helps those in need, he also requests people to "pay it forward", which is something we can all do!
And for those of you preparing your own bird today, here's some tips & tricks!
Friday, Nov. 27th (Black Friday!):
Ahh yes, that much anticipated (& dreaded!) time of the year is here...Black Friday! Just what time will you be heading out to camp out in
Black Friday strategies
List of store openings and specials
918Moms Talk Black Friday
918 Coupon Queen Sarah Roe - Be sure & check out her new book, "The Power of Coupons", which makes a great gift itself!
Kohl's- With over 300 holiday specials, there's bound to be something for everyone on your list! Stores open locally at 4am, but online the savings start at midnight! Which means you don't have to leave the comfort of your fireplace and fuzzy slippers!
Dwelling Spaces - 119 S. Detroit, Downtown. Make sure you stop in this weekend for specials and gift sets for the Okie lovers on your Christmas list!
Tasha Does Tulsa Gift Guide - Don't miss Tasha's run down of great gift ideas! Shop local, friends!
Also, Beware & Shop Safe!
For those not joining the masses in shopping, or if you can manage to squeeze in some room, you can enjoy these fun Friday events:
ABA Grand Nationals - QT Center, Expo Square. American Bicycle Association BMX, will feature racers competing for various classes all weekend long, starting at 7am this morning with the Race of Champions and concluding on Sunday with the grand national!
Turkey Trot - 11th & Riverside, 9am Friday. The 5k Run and fun/run will be benefitting Special Olympics of Oklahoma, so don your feathers and join in the Trot!
T-Town Trolley Coat Drive - Stopping at McNellies, Leon's on Brookside, Camille's in Jenks, or bring to the BOK Center - your donation of an old coat or jacket gets you a free ticket to tonight's:
Oilers v. Texas Game - BOK Center, 7:35pm. Don't forget, it's Ladies' night!!
Facebook Meet & Greet - Flytrap Music Hall. Friday night, 8pm, $10 in advance or $20 at the door. C'mon, you know you want to meet other local FB fanatics - well here's your golden opportunity!
Saturday, Nov. 28th:
Thanks For Giving Run - 41st and Riverside, 5k run/walk benefiting Achilles Track Club Tulsa starts at 9am and will have food, drinks and awards at the finish line!
Flapjack Benefit Breakfast - Applebees, 4733 S. Yale, 8-10am. Proceeds benefit Jack & Jill of America, supporting childrens' growth & development projects. Bedlam OSU v OU - Norman, game time 11:30 am. Which of our favorite college teams will you be rooting for? Watch the action live in Norman, or at any of the hundreds of bars across town that will be televising it on the Big Screen! Also be sure & participate in the Bedlam Food Drive, with various drop off locations.
Cancer Sucks! Concert - Cain's Ballroom, 423 N. Main St., 5:30pm. Cancer Sucks, but for only $10 you can get to enjoy 10 local bands performing AND help the Gateway for Cancer Research.
Thanksgiving Weekend Holiday Events:
Muskogee Events:
The 1st Annual Muskogee Civic Center Christmas Bazaar! Nov. 27th-28th, 9am-5pm at the Muskogee Civic Center Arena
Trains, Trees and Treasures: Christmas Memories of the Past at the Three Rivers Museum, 220 Elgin. Beginning this weekend and continuing weekends through Jan. 1, 2010, enjoy this special exhibit including music and refreshments. Admission is $3.
Arts & Crafts show - Sat & Sun, 8:00am - 4:00pm at the Masonic Temple, 121 S 6th St.Garden Glow - Philbrook Museum. 4-8pm Sat., for the second year in a row, there's a Garden party at the Philbrook, and everyone's invited...free! The gardens will be aglow starting a 6pm, and there will be food, hot chocolate, music, and plenty of stuff for the kids to do! While you're there, be sure to check out the Festival of Trees, running through Dec. 13th, including a plethora of gingerbread houses throughout the rotunda, and do some Christmas shopping at the ever popular Gift Shop!
Prelude to Christmas- Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Lyon Chapel Fine Arts Center, Bartlesville. Sat. at 7pm. Tickets are $10 to enjoy the visual & musical art pieces reflective of the holiday season. At 8:45 there will be a lighting ceremony, fireworks, cookies and cocoa!
Breakfast with Santa - Bass Pro Shops, 9-11am Sunday. Tickets are $10 for 11+, $5 for kids 10 and under. Also visit Santa's Winter Wonderland through Dec. 24th, where kids can play games, make crafts, and even visit with Santa himself and get a free photo!
Deck The Halls Historical Home Tour - Historical Museum, 400 S. Main St.,Broken Arrow, Sunday, Nov. 29th 1-5pm, $10. For more info, click here.
And that's a wrap for THIS weekend Tulsa! Stay tuned for more upcoming & holiday events! Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holiday Season! :)
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