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Tulsa, the City Today |
Oklahoma's Green Country |
| Tulsa is a very beautiful, sprawling
city. It has close to one million people, including the
suburbs. Contrary to belief it is not flatlands. Tulsa
is situated in hills and valleys. Our climate is moderate,
nice most of the year. Yes, we do have tornado season.
We have some snow during the winter. During the spring,
redbud and cherry trees are abundant. Dafodils and azaleas
flurish during the spring and summer. Living costs are fairly
low, compared to other parts of the country. Our unemployment
rate is at 3.4%. The Arkansas river runs east coming into Tulsa and runs south and back east putting it south of the downtown area. Along the river is River Parks, five miles long, with plans for expanding it, where you can jog, walk, bike, or sit. There is also a very nice restaurant in the park area. There are many parks and restaurants in Tulsa. We have many fabulous lakes in Oklahoma. The best is Grand Lake. Swan Lake is so picturesque and beautiful. Located on South Utica (a main street) in Tulsa, it is inside a wonderful neighborhood. The lake is oval in shape, a block long, with swans and their offspring, woodducks, mallards and their offspring, and large turtles. There is a walking and sitting area around the whole lake, to stop, look, and enjoy the habitat. It is a romantic and unusual place. Tulsa has many nationalities of people. Our Hispanic population has doubled in the past ten years bringing the total, so far, to around 44,000. We also have a new medical center for Hispanics. They are opening their own businesses in Tulsa. We have many other ethnic groups living in Tulsa, doing well with their own businesses. The Russian population is also growing. Tulsa has many shopping centers and strip malls. The largest mall is Woodland Hills. The oldest and grandest is Utica Square. Local bands, pop, jazz, etc., play in the evenings at this mall all summer long. I call this area an English influence. Parts of Tulsa look Californian and Midwestern. One of our most nostalgic streets is called Cherry Street (English influence), 3 miles long filled with shopping and restaurants. There are several 4 year colleges; Tulsa University (TU), Oklahoma State University (OSU), Oral Roberts University (ORU), many private schools, and public schools. There is a new campus for the OU Medical School. Under construction at TU is a new exercise facility, a block square, for the students and faculty. There are also several campuses of Tulsa Community College, a 2 year school. Spartan School of Aviation is located in Tulsa. Telecommunications, energy, American Airlines, Boeing, Nordam, two jet trainer companies, two oil refineries, Williams Companies, MCI Worldcom, we have many varied industries. We have Philbrook and Gilcrease Museums, we have a beautiful zoo. Oh! You can't forget to go to Big Splash, the water park. We also have Brady Theater and the Tulsa Philharmonic for artists, drama, and music. Our newest big project in Tulsa is a $15 million aquarium, named the Oklahoma Aquarium, which will be built beginning in June, 2001. It is located south of the Jenks bridge on the west bank of the Arkansas River. It will be 60,000 square feet and will open the summer of 2002. This facility, which is on 34 acres, will display thousands of aquatic animals and more than 200 freshwater and saltwater exhibits. There will be piranhas and arapaima. The arapaima is the largest freshwater fish in the world, comes from the Amazon River, and can reach 15 foot in length. They will be swimming in our new aquaraium. They grow a foot a year and can weigh up to 200 pounds. There will be many exotic and unusual fish. Come and see it next year. Of course, Garth Brooks is from here, Tony Randall, Patti Page, Reba McIntire, Leon Russell, a "Young and Restless" soap star from Sapulpa (a suburb,) and many more. Jim Thorpe, Troy Aikman, J.C. Watts, Walter Cronkite, Paul Harvey, and James Garner are all from Oklahoma. Roy Clark lives here, and several other stars. Tulsa has a winning Tulsa University (TU) basketball team, also Oral Roberts University (ORU) basketball team, both nationally known. We have out own Tulsa Drillers baseball team, and the new Talons football team. Professional golf tournaments are held here from time to time, and the 2001 US Open will be held here. Tiger Woods played here recently along with many other stars of golf. Tulsa has several beautiful, large golf courses. There will be additional information regarding Tulsa businesses and things to do and see added to Tulsa, the City Today. Come and visit Tulsa; you will like it. Copyright© 2001, j.t.young |
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