Though most went as planned despite severe weather in the area, several Oklahoma City metro July 4th events and fireworks shows were canceled and have been rescheduled. Here's a current list, and the Oklahoman has information on a couple outside the metro as well.

• Moore's Art in the Park has been rescheduled for 5-10 p.m. on Sunday, July 5th.
• Riverwind Casino's outdoor concert and fireworks will begin at 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 5th.
• Fireworks at Reaves Park in Norman will begin at 9:45 p.m. on Sunday, July 5th.
• The Bethany Fireworks will now be held on July 10th.

There are Independence Day parties and celebrations all around Oklahoma City this weekend, so take your pick. Or, why not try to hit them all. Along the way, wear your red, white and blue to get free admission to the Myriad Botanical Gardens.

• Red, White & Boom will be held in Bricktown this year rather than on the river, due to construction. But there will still be great live music, including the OKC Philharmonic on Friday night, fireworks both Friday and Saturday and more. The Redhawks return to town on July 4th to begin a series with the Omaha Royals. It's a perfect pre-fireworks event.
• Bethany's Freedom Festival begins at 7:30am on Saturday with the "Freedom Run." Then, there are events throughout the day such as donkey softball, a parade, car show, live entertainment and one of the state's largest fireworks displays.
• Edmond has LibertyFest with food, rides, games, a parade and fireworks.
• And Yukon's Freedom Fest has fireworks on both the 3rd and 4th to go along with live music both nights.

In music, Randy Travis will perform on the 4th at Frontier City, part of the summer concert series. And Riverwind Casino in Norman has Pat Green on Friday night and then a free outdoor family concert with fireworks featuring Kevin Fowler on the 4th.

On stage, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park continues "As You Like It" at the Myriad Gardens Water Stage. See the official site for ticket information. And Carpenter Square Theatre performs "The Little Dog Laughed" Friday night at the Civic Center. Get more details on the official site.

Elsewhere, don't miss the "Science Matters" mobile museum at Science Museum Oklahoma this weekend. There will be "Science Live!," an entertaining show about "blowing stuff up" while Saturday features a Segway obstacle course and much, much more.

Want to comment on one of these events? Do so below or on the OKC Discussion Forum. You can submit future events for publication and possible profile here on About Oklahoma City by using this form.

_{Photo © Adam Knapp}

Speaking of anniversaries... The Bricktown Canal is not alone in celebrating this week. Though it didn't yet possess those highly-debated colors and moniker, one year ago today the Oklahoma City Thunder was born when Clay Bennett appeared in front of an "OKC" background to announce a settlement had been reached with the city of Seattle.

And what a first year it has been. While we wait patiently for on-court success, it is clear the team has been embraced by Oklahoma. Of course, that's not the case elsewhere in this tumultuous first year. NBA commentators and writers frequently poke fun at the organization, and though the public display is muted from the tremendous anger of last year and some have even begun to see the attributes of OKC, there are still plenty of ill feelings toward the ownership group and even the metro.

That probably won't ever go away completely. It's simply the nature of professional sports, particularly with a team as loved as the Sonics and a relocation as contentious as this one. It is what we must endure as an NBA city, a title Oklahoma City has held officially now for one year. Here's to many more.

Can you believe it's already been ten years? In July of 1999, the first public water taxi rides began on the Bricktown Canal, the maiden voyages on what has turned out to be the anchor of Oklahoma City's dynamic entertainment area. According to the city, the canal has generated nearly $110 million in development, and though it still needs much more, it is already one of OKC's top tourist draws. Steve Lackmeyer has a really cool video of the canal on his Oklahoman blog.

The city will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Bricktown Canal this weekend, beginning Thursday with 11 a.m. tributes to developers Jim Brewer and Neal Horton. Then, the area will host July 4th festivities as the Red, White & Boom celebration shifts from the river to the streets of Bricktown this year due to construction. The OKC Philharmonic performs Friday night, and both Friday and Saturday end with fireworks.

_{Photo © Adam Knapp}

It appears I waited just long enough before revealing the answer to last week's shot. Eileen stepped in at the last minute and correctly identified Heroes Plaza in El Reno. Here's a new one for this week. Post your guesses in the comments section below.

Do you have an original photo you think would make an interesting "Where in the Metro?" shot? Just send it my way for consideration, and make sure you identify it as "Where in the Metro?".

_{Photo © Adam Knapp}

I'm not sure if I've been happier to read a headline lately than when I saw that "Slightly Cooler Weather" was in store for the state over the next few days. After the last couple of scorching weeks in Oklahoma when I simply could not keep my house cool, a return to more seasonable temperatures in the upper 80's and low 90's will make me feel like a new person.

Of course, it may not last long. We could be back up near 100 within a week, and July certainly won't be any better. As a person who doesn't handle heat too well, I count that as one of our great city's negative qualities. How about you? How do you handle the heat? Here are a few excellent resources that I've posted before from various About.com sites:

• Summer Pet Safety from Janet Tobiassen Crosby, Guide to Veterinary Medicine
• Summer Car Safety from Judy Hedding, Phoenix Guide
• Signs and Treatment of Heat Exhaustion
• Bicycling in the Summer Heat from Kevin Weiss, Guide to Bicycling
• Summer Safety for Seniors from Marian Eure, Guide to Senior Health

June wraps up this weekend with several great events around the metro, including the beginning of some lengthy July 4th celebrations. First, the always popular OKC Summer Classic Dog Shows take place through Sunday at the Cox Convention Center. See the dogs compete in a number of areas, check out the vendor booths and have a great time. Tickets are available by calling (800) 745-3000.

On stage, Lyric Theatre presents "Disney's High School Musical 2" at the Civic Center Music Hall through Sunday, and Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's production of "As You Like It" continues at the Myriad Gardens Water Stage.

Head down to Norman for the 26th Annual Jazz in June concerts. The Brookhaven Village parking lot at the corner of Robinson and NW 36th is the place for sweet jazz tunes both Friday and Saturday nights. Get a full schedule of performances here on About.com.

In sports, the Yard Dawgz aren't in town, and the Redhawks have only one game left at the Brick before hitting the road, a Friday night contest with Round Rock. The 33rd Annual Sunbelt Baseball Classic in Norman concludes this weekend. Get all the details on the official site. And the Hall of Fame softball tournaments continue at ASA National Softball Hall of Fame Stadium. See the official site for more information on this weekend's "18 and Under Hall of Fame Tournament."

Elsewhere, Bricktown will play host to the 2009 Harley-Davidson National H.O.G. Rally. There will be music, stunt shows, a motorcycle parade and more. Get all the details on the official site. And in music, Riverwind Casino has the Four Tops on Friday night while Frontier City hosts Colbie Caillat on Saturday.

Finally, though it's a week away, it's never too early to start celebrating Independence Day. Edmond's LibertyFest gets underway this weekend with a car show, KiteFest and rodeo while Yukon's Freedom Fest has a "Cherry Bomb Triathlon," a "Family Fun Triathlon" and a sand volleyball tournament.

Want to comment on one of these events? Do so below or on the OKC Discussion Forum.

You can submit future events for publication and possible profile here on About Oklahoma City by using this form.

_{Photo © Wendy Musgrove}

Who will join Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green as a core member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, another piece to a future so many are excited about. We will find out tonight as the 2009 NBA Draft is held at Madison Square Garden at 6 p.m., televised on ESPN.

Of course, many metro residents long hoped for a scenario in which OKC drafts University of Oklahoma star Blake Griffin. But it appears that's a long shot at best, Griffin almost certainly to be chosen #1 overall by the Los Angeles Clippers.

With the 3rd pick in the draft, there are plenty of options for the Thunder, the most likely choices being Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio, 7' 3" Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet, Davidson shooting guard Stephen Curry or Arizona State shooting guard James Harden. Of course, who knows what GM Sam Presti might do. In a draft with few can't-miss prospects after our very own Griffin, making some draft-day deals may also be in the cards.

The official Thunder site at thunder.nba.com has player profiles, interviews and more. And the organization is holding a Draft Party with games, prizes and more at Norman's Riverwind Casino. Check back here for updates once the selections are in.

Update: As expected, Griffin was selected by the Clippers with the first pick. Oklahoma City took James Harden at number 3 and will pick again at 25.

_{Photo: Chris Graythen / Getty Images}

Though I recognize the economic necessities behind the movement to spraygrounds around the metro, I also expressed my disappointment last month when it was announced that the Oklahoma City Council would close three city swimming pools for 2009. Apparently, I wasn't the only one to feel that way.

Ward 7 Councilman Skip Kelly convinced his colleagues to keep the Douglass pool open, and he is now leading the fight to champion the good old-fashioned swimming pool in OKC. "Every child in the city should have an opportunity to learn to swim,” Kelly said at last week's meeting. "A child can’t learn to swim from a spray park.”

Money is, of course, the big issue. The city has plans to fund improvements to the Earlywine Park, a family aquatic center, and a compromise could come in the building of another similar facility. Unlike other swimming pools, the aquatic centers generate significant revenue. In my mind, it also seems a good solution to begin charging a small admission for the traditional pools, all of which are currently free.

_{Photo © Adam Knapp}

Jesse was once again the first to identify the metro photo. Last week's was in fact taken near the entrance of Will Rogers World Airport. How about this one? Post your guesses in the comments section below.

Do you have an original photo you think would make an interesting "Where in the Metro?" shot? Just send it my way for consideration, and make sure you identify it as "Where in the Metro?".

_{Photo © Adam Knapp}