Jerry Faulkner, 27 & Tulsa native, wins the 3rd annual Route 66 marathon with a record breaking time of 2:27:20.

One Million Miles! That’s correct, Tulsa’s been challenged by the mayor to walk, run, bike, even swim 1,000,000 miles.

Mayor Taylor says from the site, “It’s not just about weight loss. It’s about being active for life! I challenge everyone in Tulsa to make fitness and health a top priority in their lives.”

So basically, by making ourselves healthier; we’re happier and the city looks good in the process. Tulsa’s notorious for being an obese city. In 2005, we were ranked 22nd in the Top 25 Fattest Cities. The then Tulsa Mayor LaFortune took this information and challenged Tulsa to get healthier. It worked and in a recent study Tulsa is now 13th Fittest Cities. That’s impressive, but its not enough.

When our state’s most favorite foods consist of barbecue, fried “anything”, cornbread, etc…its no wonder why we’re fat! So get of your duff, get out in the city and get some exercise. Its good for you, good for your health, and good for our city to try to become more fit.

Tulsa, Oklahoma seems to be filled with individuals who love to get outside: running, riding, walking, and playing around. Being said, September is a perfect month to get off the sofa and get active for a good cause. If you have been in Tulsa, Oklahoma for your entire life or just a few months, we do not discriminate, Tulsa based organizations could use your help! With the fall season drawing near and the weather cooling off, Tulsa citizens finally have no excuse for not going outside; no more filling up six buckets of sweat per person!

If biking is your thing, September 13-14, Tulsa’s own SemGroup, and nearly 30 other Tulsa based businesses and organizations; are sponsoring 2008 Bike MS Oklahoma Ride. You have always been up for a good challenge and Ride MS 2008 in Oklahoma is sure to provide one. This meeting can make a world of difference — unlike any other! A distance of 150 miles, across two days through beautiful Oklahoma that will challange you and reward you at the same time. Your will power tested. Being active versus chilling on the sofa. It’s the 2008 Mike MS Oklahoma Ride!

Go on.. RIDE!

The bike riding fanatics will begin with breakfast at SouthCrest Hospital in South Tulsa, Oklahoma on September 13^th and start riding at an early hour; 7:30AM.
Riders will have plenty of opportunities to meet fellow Tulsa citizens and regional attending bikers during the event. Riders will bike through Northeastern Oklahoma visiting: Broken Arrow, Catoosa, and Sageeyah. Ending the first night of 2008 MS Oklahoma Ride will be dinner provided at Pryor Creek Recreation Center in Pryor, Oklahoma. Entertainment will also be provided at the Tent Village.

September 14th at 2:00PM kicks off Mile 151 Party in the parking lot at SouthCrest Hospital, Tulsa, Oklahoma. You, your team, and all the awesome individuals you met along the way; chilling, celebrating, and congratulating your 150 mile journey for an incredible cause!

Register for BIKE MS 2008

For online registration visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/oke
Fax registration: 918-488-0913
Voice registration: 800-FIGHT MS or 800-344-4867 (press 2)

If you are old school and refuse to conform to the advances in technology, you can mail your registration in:

Oklahoma Chapter - NMSS
4606 East 67th Street, Suite 103
Tulsa, OK 74136

“The National MS Society helps people affected by MS by funding cutting edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward”.

Even before the BOK Center officially opens on August 30th, performances had already been booked.  The Eagles will be the first act to perform in the new building on September 6th and a second date has also been added for November 11th.  Just announced today, August 28th, Janet Jackson will be coming to Tulsa on October 26th for her Rock Witchu tour.

The BOK is 565,000 square-feet and will play host to a wide variety of events, including preseason NBA basketball featuring the new Oklahoma City team, men’s college basketball, Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey circus, and Cirque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco.  Also already booked are musical performances with local ties.  American Idol winner and Checotah native, Carrie Underwood is scheduled to perform on October 29th and American Idol season 10 winner David Cook, who lived and worked in Tulsa, will be there September 13 along with the rest of the top 10 contestants from that season.

For information about upcoming events and tickets, go to the BOK Center website.

This September, Tulsa will play host to the USPSA 2008 National Handgun Championships. This contest will be home to all the best shooters in the nation. More than 600 competitors are expected to compete in this years championships from 43 states and 11 countries.

The USPSA is the United States Practical Shooting Association and is the organization behind the sport of “practical shooting” or as its also known, the “run-and-gun” style of shooting sports.

This competition tests shooters ability to use their firearm in a real, obstacle-laden environment to find out who’s the best in the nation. Probably near 100 of these competitors will move on to Bali, Indonesia to compete in the World Shoot XV, giving the United States the largest group of competitors of any country.

For any further information about the USPSA, visit their website or call them at (360) 855-2245.

The Tulsa 66ers announced last week they would now be the NBA developmental team for both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Seattle SuperSonics starting in the 2008-09 season. The marriage of the SuperSonics with the 66ers seems a natural fit considering the Sonics will be moving to Oklahoma City within the next two years. Of course the move is contingent on the outcome of an ongoing legal battle between the city of Seattle and the new ownership of the Sonics, headed by Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett. Regardless of the ruling, the team is headed to Oklahoma City, it’s just a matter of when. Along with the new affiliation, the 66ers will soon have a new home. Starting in November the team will be moving into the new SpiritBank Event Center located at 101st and Memorial in South Tulsa. They currently play at the fairground in the Expo Square Pavilion.

All this bodes well for both Tulsa and Oklahoma City. In order for the Sonics’ move to Oklahoma City to be successful, the entire state will have to support it, not just OKC. With only 90 miles separating the two largest cities in Oklahoma, Tulsa should have no problem helping support the team. Also, by adding another affiliate to the 66ers, this means more NBA level talent will be passing through Tulsa on their way to “the show.”