Oklahoma's Affordable Renewable Energy Prototype Home

According to Professional Builder, the first zero energy home costing less than $200,000 has been built in Oklahoma. This house produces as much energy as it consumes in a year and combines 'renewable energy technologies with advanced energy-efficient construction.' This environmentally friendly house is just a prototype and not available for sale. But as it has created lots of interest, I would not be surprised if its builder decided to add it to its catalog.

This house has been built by Ideal Homes, based in Norman, Oklahoma, and is located in its Valencia community in Edmond, also in Oklahoma.

Technorati Tags: Oklahoma Homes, Housing, Energy Research, Oklahoma

Look Who Showed Up to Taste Oklahoma

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. - A new housing development near Broken Arrow has an unwanted resident — a 4-foot alligator. Three eyewitnesses have reported encountering the reptile around the westernmost retention pond of the development in the northern part of the city.

For more on this story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060728/ap_on_fe_st/gator_resident_1

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Wild Brew - Avian Research Center Benefit Aug. 12

Tulsa Bird Research Benefit

Wild Brew to raises funds for The Sutton Avian Research Center benefit, set from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 12 at Expo Square's Exchange Center I, offers a chance to taste a great variety of ales, pilsners, stouts, lagers and specialty beers, as well as food from great restaurants while listening to the music of the Mid-Life Crisis Band.

A sponsor/patron hour will begin at 4 p.m. featuring the soft tunes of Mark Bruner and Shelby Eicher.

Here's the lineup. From 5 to 8 p.m., guests will be entertained by Mid-Life Crisis while they enjoy food from Albert G's Bar-B-Q, Bodean Seafood, Brothers Pizza Depot, Kilkenny's Irish Pub, The Green Onion, TeKei's Chinese/Asian Kitchen, James E. McNellie's Public House, In the Raw, Wild Oats Natural Marketplace, Cowboy Sharkies, Panera Bread, Perfect Touch Catering by Jamil's, Council Creek Cheese and Cuisine, Baxter's Interurban Grill, Grapevine, Jazmo's Bourbon Street Cafe, Rib Crib, The Brook Restaurant and Bar and Mexicali Border Cafe.

Party-goers will also sample beers from the United States, Germany, England, Mexico, Belgium, Japan and eight other countries.

Some of the name brands to expect this year include: Pyramid, Peroni, Becks, Bass, Boulevard, Sapporo, Sierra Nevada, Kwack, Klaster, Kronenbourg, Fosters, Flying Dog, Tona, Tsing Tao, Tecate, Chimay, Choc, Czechvar, Cristal and Carta Blanca.

Proceeds from the eighth annual Wild Brew will benefit the conservation and education work of the Sutton Avian Research Center, a tax-exempt nonprofit organization.

Reservations are required. Tickets are on sale for $40 each and will not be sold at the door. Participants must be at least 21 years of age to attend. ID is required. The Wild Brew ticket hotline is 581-6185.

For sponsorship information, as well as information about the Sutton Avian Research Center, please call Kim Shannon at 581-6187 or e-mail her at kshannon@riggsabney.com.

Technorati Tags: Oklahoma Wildlife, Tulsa, Oklahoma Beer, Oklahoma

Chickasaw Nation Opens Largest Casino in Oklahoma

Boasting a Las Vegas-style experience, the state's largest casino has opened its doors in central Oklahoma.

With its 219,000 square-foot building on 15.5 acres just south of Norman, Riverwind Casino is almost double the size of Las Vegas' Caesar's Palace and The Mirage casinos. The casino opened its doors July 17, and even without advertising, some 2,000 people were lined up outside the doors. A grand-opening ceremony is set for Aug. 10.

The casino's blue exterior and large flashing sign just west of Interstate 35 lures the eyes of travelers. The interior features a variety of abstract designs, an array of colors and flashing lights that surround the 2,220 electronic games and 72 black jack and poker tables. The casino also has a horse racing off-track betting room, which simulcasts races from across the country.

Inside, the casino holds two full-sized restaurants, a coffee shop, a food court with recognized favorites like Taco Bueno, Pizza Subs and Wings and Cinnabon, and a bar and lounge. Its Showplace Theatre will feature performances by artists like The Temptations, Jewel and The Beach Boys.

The theater seats 1,500 people and has three levels, including a mezzanine level with VIP sections.

Tulsa Hosts the Largest Sugar Art Show in the Nation

2006 Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show

Tulsa State Fair attendees will be amazed at the abilities and creativeness displayed at the 2006 Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show!

This year’s theme, Wedding Cakes Around the World 2006, will feature amazing feats of skill as these talented chefs create some of the most inspired cakes around. The cakes will be inspired by buildings, paintings, rivers, contemporary or historical detail or personalities from around the world.

Also on had giving demonstrations in sugar craft will be Prestigious English Sugar Craft Specialist, Lin Cook as well as Keegan Gerhard, named one of America’s top 10 pastry chefs. Once again this year, Food Network will be covering this event, which is the largest Sugar Art show in the nation!

The Award Ceremony will be held Sunday, October 8th at 5pm. Remember to vote for the People’s Choice award, which benefits Angel Flight.

Come see these spectacular works of art for yourself in the lower level of the Expo Building in the Creative Arts Area October 7th and 8th.

Tulsa Fair Grounds Expo Building, Upper Level
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sugar Art Show Entry Forms, Rules and Regulations (PDF)

Wine Sales in Oklahoma Supermarkets?

It looks like the Tulsa State Fair will once more host a petition drive to liberalize some of Oklahoma's complex web of liquor laws. A political action committee called Oklahomans for Modern Laws is heading up this year's effort to bring wine sales into Oklahoma supermarkets.

The Oklahoma Gazette has a pretty informative article on the history of this issue. Here's a quote from their recent article on the subject:

Many Oklahoma wineries lost business from liquor stores in 2004 when they supported a bill in the Oklahoma Legislature that would have created more than $1.3 million in revenue for the growing Oklahoma wine industry.

Winemakers say several Oklahoma package retailers boycotted their wine in protest of the bill. House Bill 2219, which eventually died in committee, would have created the Oklahoma Grape and Wine Commission and could have paved the way for getting wine into grocery stores. -- from Got wine? Will Oklahoma grocers ever sell vino? by Brianna Bailey

The article appears to be pretty balanced to me.

http://www.okgazette.com/news/templates/news.asp?articleid=699&zoneid=3