Yearly Archives: 2008

Eagles add second Tulsa concert to tour

Staff Report

Due to overwhelming demand, the Eagles have added a second Tulsa date to their “Long Road Out of Eden” world tour BOK Center officials announced today.  In addition to the September 6th date, the Eagles will perform live on Saturday, November 11th at the BOK Center.  Band members Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit – will be performing current hits from Long Road Out of Eden including “How Long" and “Busy Being Fabulous” as well as their classic songs.
“The Eagles coming back to play a second date at the BOK Center is a huge accomplishment for the city and attests to the level of excitement and enthusiasm for both the band and the new BOK Center. We need to show the band gratitude of thanks for returning for a second date in the form of another sell-out,” said John Bolton, BOK Center General Manager.

Tickets for the added show go on sale Saturday, September 6th at 10 a.m. online at http://www.bokcenter.com/, area Homeland stores, Tulsa Convention Center Box Office or by calling 1-877-TULSA-CC.   The American Express Early On Sale begins Wednesday, September 3rd at 10 a.m. through Friday, September 5th at 10 p.m.

The Eagles have teamed up with iloveallaccess.com to offer the ultimate fan experience for the upcoming Tulsa concert featuring a variety of VIP ticket packages. For more details go to www.iloveallaccess.com.

Long Road Out of Eden has been certified seven times Platinum by the RIAA.   Released October 30th, the album debuted at number one, with sales of 711,000 units, and in only 9 weeks became the biggest selling album by a group in 2007, according to Nielsen SoundScan.  The Eagles won the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals for "How Long."

The Eagles have sold more than 120 million albums worldwide, earning five #1 U.S. singles and four Grammy Awards.  Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 is the best-selling album of all time, exceeding sales of 29 million units. The band’s Hotel California and Their Greatest Hits Volume 2 have sold more than 16 and 11 million albums respectively.  The Eagles were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
Please visit the band’s Web site at http://www.eaglesband.com/ and www.myspace.com/eaglesmusic for more information.

Tickets are available at the BOK Center Box Office, by calling 1-866-7-BOKCTR, online at http://www.bokcenter.com/ and from tickets.com outlets.  A service charge is added to each ticket price.
All dates, acts and ticket process are subject to change without notice, but at the current time, the following events are booked in the upcoming months at Tulsa’s BOK Center:
Sep 6  Eagles
Sep 10  Kenny Chesney with LeAnn Rimes
Sep 13  American Idols Live
Sep 22  Get Motivated Seminar
Sep 25  Rascal Flatts with Taylor Swift
Oct 3  Jeff Dunham
Oct 9  2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars
Oct 13  NBA Exhibition Game
Oct 14  So You Think You Can Dance Tour
Oct 17-19  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Oct 21  Neil Diamond
Oct 29  Carrie Underwood
Nov 11  Eagles (second tour date)
Nov 13  Celine Dion
Nov 18  Metallica
Nov 19  Celtic Thunder
Nov 22  Nine Inch Nails
Nov 30  Casting Crowns Christmas Celebration
Dec 7  TU vs. OU Men’s Basketball
Dec 10-14  Cirque du Soleil Saltimbanco
Dec 22-24  Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Dec 29  Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Jan 3-4  Harlem Globetrotters
Mar 1  Lipizzaner Stallions
May 14-16  Joyce Meyers Ministries

Tulsa State Fair begins

Staff Report

One of the region’s most beloved events begins this week as the Tulsa State Fair opens with the theme, “We’re on a roll.”  Indeed it is as the weather forecast show clear skies for the 11 day event, new facilities, live entertainment and timeless adventures amaze visitors.
Featured facilities this year include new livestock facilities, an updated Midway, and renovated concession stands and restrooms, a new Central Hall Park and rebuilt Exchange Center.
The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame will feature local artists at a new stage this year.

To find schedules of artists and locations of exhibits, click here.
As the Tulsa State Fair end, a magnificent transformation will take place.  In less than one week, 1,000 dump truck loads of dirt will fill most of the property in preparation for the U.S. Arabian and Half Arabian Championship Horse Show.  This will be one of the largest sores shows in North America and will bring an estimated economic impact of more that $40 million to Tulsa October 17 through October 25.

Click here to find more on the Arabian show.

Convention Center construction begins

Staff Report

Friday, 26 September 2008
Tulsa Convention Center has broken ground on a 30,000 square-foot ballroom. This Vision 2025 project will be the largest ballroom in Oklahoma. The Tulsa Vision Builders have begun demolishing the flat parking lot north of the convention center–the location for the ballroom.

The new ballroom will have a beautiful glass wall overlooking the BOK Center. Inside will be impressive 13,625 square foot pre-function space with high ceilings and room for receptions, registration or breaks. The possibilities will be endless for creating a unique atmosphere. The ballroom’s elegant design and high-grade finishes will make it the perfect space for important social and meeting events.

"The addition of our new ballroom will open the door for many more formal dinners, galas, general sessions and other events. Also, when we are finished we will have 35 total meeting rooms which make our space much more flexible and attractive to groups of many sizes," Director of Convention Sales and Marketing, Kathy Tinker said.

For easy access, the ballroom will have a corridor connecting it to the rest of the Tulsa Convention Center. This extensive renovation will include 7 additional meetings rooms located adjacent to the ballroom. The entire project adds 52,200 square feet of rentable space.

"The new ballroom and meeting rooms as well as the renovation of the current facility is a continuation of the progression to a revitalized downtown.  This movement is a source of great pride to a native Tulsan like me," Assistant General Manager of the Tulsa Convention Center, Janet Rockefeller said.

The Tulsa Convention Center will remain open with no disruptions to business during the renovations. A portion of the doors on the north end of the building are closed during demolition. The north end doors connecting the parking garage to the Convention Center through the covered walkway will remain open. The doors on the east and south sides of the building will also remain open.

This project expects to create a growth in the number of events held in Tulsa. In fiscal year 2005-2006 the Convention Center hosted 148 events, including Oilers and Talons events. After completion of the renovation, fiscal year 2010-2011, the Convention Center anticipates 200 events, not including the sports teams whose events have moved to the BOK Center.

“The new ballroom completes a total convention, gala and entertainment package downtown. The proximity of the Tulsa Convention Center to the BOK Center makes the two a perfect complement to one another for Tulsa area residents as well as visitors,” General Manager of the Tulsa Convention Center and the BOK Center, John Bolton said.

Groundbreaking on Oklahoma’s largest ballroom at the Tulsa Convention Center marks the establishment of a Tulsa landmark. The project is expected to be completed the first quarter of 2010.  This Vision 2025 project will add attractive rentable space to increase the number of events Tulsa’s Convention Center can accommodate.  The Tulsa Convention Center currently houses a 102,600sf Exhibit Hall, 8,900-seat arena, 20,000sf Conference Hall, 7,700sf Assembly Hall with built-in stage and 16 additional meeting rooms—all open during the construction.  Both the Tulsa Convention Center and BOK Center are managed by SMG.

The Tulsa Convention Center is located in downtown Tulsa at 7th and Houston. For more information visit http://www.tulsaconvention.com/.

Last Updated ( Friday, 26 September 2008 )

Gov. Henry signs “Pickens Pledge”

Staff Report

Gov. Brad Henry has officially endorsed T. Boone Pickens’ plan to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.

The governor signed the Oklahoma native’s “Pickens Pledge,” a document urging the next President and U.S. Congress to enact an energy policy emphasizing renewable and alternative fuels such as wind power and natural gas in an effort to reduce oil imports.  Pickens hopes to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign crude by 30 percent over the next 10 years.

“To protect national security and enhance our economic future, we must establish energy independence and lessen our reliance on foreign nations,” said Gov. Henry.  “The Pickens Plan provides a roadmap to achieve that important goal.

“It is critical that policy makers, particularly those on the national stage, give this proposal the speedy attention it deserves. We can’t afford to wait any longer.”

Pickens echoed the governor’s comments.

“Governor Henry became a real leader in my army today by signing the Pickens Pledge,” said Pickens. “As a native son, I know that Oklahomans are not the kind who will stand back and allow our leaders to continue to export hundreds of billions of dollars annually on foreign oil when domestic, renewable alternatives lie in their own back yards. Rich in natural gas supply and wind power potential, Oklahoma promises to play a great role in the Pickens Plan. Join your governor in signing the Pledge today—together we can take back America’s energy future.”

The United States is now importing 70 percent of its oil, up from just 24 percent in 1970.  Accordingly, the country is expected to spend approximately $700 billion on foreign crude this year, with a large share of the money going to nations that are either hostile to the U.S. or have competing international interests.

In recent weeks, Pickens has traveled the country promoting his ideas on energy independence, including a town hall meeting in McAlester in August. He has also launched a multi-million dollar advertising campaign urging state and federal leaders to take the Pickens Pledge and implement a new energy plan.

“I applaud Boone Pickens for taking a courageous stand and putting his money where his mouth is.  It would have been easier and far more lucrative for him to sit on the sidelines managing his energy investments, but instead, he’s using his personal wealth to bring about the kind of change essential to our country’s future,” said Gov. Henry.

The governor noted that as a leading producer of both natural gas and wind power, Oklahoma is uniquely positioned to advance the Pickens Plan.  He said Oklahoma’s Bioenergy Center, which is conducting research on alternative and renewable fuels, can also play a critical part in effort to reduce foreign oil imports.

“I expect Oklahoma to play a leadership role in our country’s drive toward energy independence.  With our natural resources and energy expertise, we can make our nation safer and more secure and boost the state economy in the process,” said Gov. Henry.
 
The Pickens Pledge

We will no longer stand by and watch as America’s national security and economy become more dependent on the unstable foreign nations that we rely on for nearly 70% of the oil we use each day.

We spend nearly $700 billion every year buying foreign oil, which represents the greatest transfer of wealth in the history of mankind.

The new President and the 111th Congress need to enact an energy plan that reduces our foreign oil dependence by at least 30% within ten years.

This plan must include proven American technology and resources; the development of new energy sources; and the expansion and modernization of the national electrical grid to transport renewable energy to homes and businesses.

Delaying any further means tacit support for continuing America’s addiction to foreign oil. 

For more on the Pickens Plan, click here.

Sen Inhofe warning Congress on healthcare

Staff Report

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), today called on Congress to continue providing a 16 percent funding increase to Medicaid’s Low Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) states for FY 2009. Without Congressional intervention, these 16 percent annual funding increases will expire on September 30, 2008. Senator Inhofe is leading a bipartisan effort with Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) in the Senate to ensure Congress acts by the deadline. Currently, Senators Inhofe and Bingaman are working on a letter to their colleagues urging quick action. 

“It is vital to Oklahoma that Congress acts before it recesses to provide the 16 percent funding increase for Medicaid’s Low Disproportionate Share Hospital states for FY 2009,” Senator Inhofe said.  “Without Congressional intervention, these funding increases will expire on September 30, 2008. With the deadline quickly approaching, I will be working closely with Senator Bingaman to ensure we get these increases extended.

“The DSH payments help to reduce the financial burden and decrease uncompensated care costs on our states, hospitals and facilities providing health care services to the indigent and uninsured.  Congress created the Medicaid DSH payment in 1981 to ensure that state Medicaid programs provide adequate payments to hospitals whose patient populations are disproportionately composed of low income Medicaid and uninsured patients.  Medicaid DSH payments have evolved into one of the most important sources of financing for the nation’s health care safety net.”

Under current law, DSH payments are subject to a series of caps, both on the amount of DSH money an individual hospital can receive (hospital-specific DSH caps) as well as on the total amount of DSH payments within a state (state DSH allotments).  The amount of the state-by-state allotments was established in 1991 based on the size of a state’s DSH program at that time.  While some states had fairly robust programs in 1991 and therefore have fairly generous caps, many states were left with very low DSH caps. 

In 2003, Congress passed the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA).  The MMA statutorily defined Low DSH states as those states where DSH expenditures are less than 3 percent of total Medicaid expenditures as of FY 2000.  They provided these states with a 16 percent annual funding increase to their DSH allotments through FY 2008.  After FY 2008, low DSH states will only receive limited consumer price index inflation adjustments, so if the definition is extended through 2005, the following states will continue to receive the 16 percent increase until DSH payments are equalized throughout the country: Oklahoma, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Arizona, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Arkansas, Maine, New Mexico, Utah, Delaware, Maryland, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Florida, Minnesota, and Wyoming.