How do you create affordable housing for all Tulsans?

TulsaPeople 8/13/2019

Becky Gligo became the City of Tulsa's first housing policy director in June. Prior to accepting the position, Gligo worked for Tulsa Public Schools as the director of portfolio management, overseeing seven charters schools.

TulsaPeople sat down with Gligo to discuss her new role in Mayor G.T. Bynum's administration, what the City of Tulsa hopes to accomplish in terms of housing and how Tulsans can take part.

Visit the French Quarter without leaving Cherry St.

Ah yes, the month of March. It’s one of the best months of the year. College basketball goes mad. People wear green and drink matching stale beer for a day. Baseballs are being thrown around parks across America. But before all that we try to party like our brothers and sisters in the Big Easy on Fat Tuesday, which is the culmination of Mardi Gras.

This year, Tulsans can celebrate by doing lunch or dinner at Nola’s located at the corner of 15th and Peoria. For them it will be business as usual. If you’re reading this before March 5, you might still have time to make an evening reservation. 

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Community policing gains ground in Tulsa

It’s unseasonably warm in early January, and there are a lot of people taking advantage of the sunny day in downtown Tulsa.

That makes it a busy day for Jason Edwards, a patrol officer for the Tulsa Police Department. He’s part of the Impact Team, a TPD initiative that focuses specifically on downtown issues, including homelessness.

“Community policing is what we do,” says Edwards, who is one of five officers on the team. “Our role is to figure out how we can make life better for all parties. We enforce the laws to help businesses run smoothly. When we encounter a person who is (emotionally) down, we try to intervene and help them.”

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After 60 years, Harry Cramton is still cutting hair

Harry Cramton is considering purchasing a $400 hair dryer that completely dries hair in minutes. He’s just not sure he’ll get his money’s worth. 

The 83-year-old has been cutting hair for 60 years as of this spring, and he’s uncertain how much longer he’ll work.

Cramton works three mornings a week in a throwback of a booth he has rented at the Ranch Acres Beauty Center for the past five years.

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Q&A: David Stratton

David Stratton has called Tulsa home for nearly two decades. Following a childhood in Claremore and after attending the University of Oklahoma and earning his MBA from the University of Tulsa, Stratton worked briefly for Williams before devoting 15 years to JP Morgan. In December 2018 he began work at BOK Financial, where he manages the corporate banking group primarily in the Tulsa region. Since 2013, Stratton has served on the board of directors for the Tulsa Regional Chamber. This month he’ll begin a one-year tenure as the chairman of the board.

TulsaPeople sat down with Stratton for an interview to discuss his roles and what’s in store for the Chamber and Tulsa in 2019.

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Cuban exile's fascinating art included in new Gilcrease exhibit

Tulsa People - Dec. 2018

Hanging inside Gilcrease Museum, less than 10 feet from John James Audubon’s renowned painting “The Wild Turkey,” is a painting by Tulsa artist Jose Antonio Pantoja Hernandez called “Exodus.”

Inspired by the millions of migrants fleeing the ongoing Syrian Civil War, the piece is part of the museum’s “Americans All!”  exhibit featuring the works of 26 immigrant artists.

6 artists who make Christmas in Tulsa extra festive

Tulsa People - Dec. 2018

Every December, thousands of Tulsa families celebrate the Christmas season with all sorts of traditions. Some go back decades; others are just getting started.

There’s decorating the tree with ornaments, driving around to look at Christmas lights, shopping at local businesses to buy the perfect accessories to wear to parties. Many people attend Christmas events featuring festive props that create unforgettable photo opportunities.

It takes a lot of creative people to help make those traditions each year. Here are the stories of a few Tulsans who devote hours of hard work to help create Christmas joy for their neighbors, family and friends.

Mullin: ‘volunteer walk’ comment referred to Old Settlers

Cherokee Phoenix - Nov. 2, 2018

TAHLEQUAH – U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin says he was referring to Cherokees who left the Cherokee Nation East before the Trail of Tears when he spoke on Fox News about his ancestors ending their “volunteer walk” in eastern Oklahoma. 

During an Oct. 16 interview on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends,” the CN citizen discussed his family’s roots in eastern Oklahoma while addressing Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s DNA test that showed she had some Native ancestry.

The Tulsa Boys’ Home turns 100

Tulsa People Oct. 2018

The Tulsa Boys’ Home has made tremendous strides in helping young boys throughout its first 100 years of operation.

What started as an orphanage for five boys in a two-story house in downtown Tulsa has evolved into a nationally accredited treatment facility that is among the best of its kind in the nation.

When Gregg Conway became TBH’s executive director in 1997, he inherited a nearly 20-year-old property in need of vital upgrades. Within months he began the undertaking to launch a fundraising campaign that would overhaul TBH and make it what it is today: a 160-acre property in the Sand Springs countryside that feels more like a private school campus than a treatment center for 64 boys ranging from 11-17 years old.

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Wilderado band members now make music from their hometown

Tulsa People - Oct 2018

Earlier this year, Tulsa natives Maxim Rainer and Justin Kila, both of alternative rock band Wilderado, were in the Los Angeles limelight and had just released their third EP, “Favors,” when they decided T-Town was beckoning.

“There’s no place like home, as lame as it sounds,” says drummer Kila, who graduated from Mannford High School. “It’s great to be back here where our family lives. That was a big part of the decision to move back. The other thing is, it makes it easier for Maxim and I to get together and write and jam.”

High schools, Week 4: Big first half carries 6AII No. 2 Bixby past No. 8 Sapulpa 45-0

Tulsa World - Sept. 21, 2018

SAPULPA — Bixby’s offense was not fazed by non-stop rain Friday night in its Class 6AII District 2 opener against No. 8 Sapulpa, as the Spartans shut out the Chieftains 45-0.

The No. 2 Spartans (3-1) scored on every first-half possession, collecting six touchdowns and a field goal. Among the six TDs were two single-play possessions of more than 75 yards and a two-play drive of 66 yards.

High school football, Week 2: Sapulpa, Elijah Williams power past Claremore 27-7

Tulsa World - Sept. 7, 2018

SAPULPA — Sapulpa and quarterback Elijah Williams continued their perfect start to the season by knocking off Claremore 27-7 Friday night at George F. Collins Stadium.

Williams completed 7-of-11 passes for 114 yards while rushing eight times for 69 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, lifting the Class 6AII Chieftains (2-0) to a 21-0 lead. The highlight of the first half came with 3:43 remaining when Williams ran a quarterback draw, dicing through Zebra defenders before cruising into the end zone on a 35-yard run.