Oklahoma City

Shawn recognized the picture immediately last week, and Jamie clarified the exact name. That was the Country Inn & Suites on NW Expressway, just south of Founders Tower.

This week, we have yet another submission from contributor Kat, one that I had to crop just right in order to make it a bit more challenging. The rest of you should try to be like her and send me some pics... Do you know where in the metro this was taken?

I'm always looking for photo submissions, of course. If you have an image of a spot in Oklahoma City, just email it to me and identify it as "Where in the Metro."

_{Photo © Kat}

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In honor of Black History Month, the Oklahoma City Metro Library System is teaming with performance group Rhythmically Speaking to present a world premiere play celebrating the life of civil rights leader and Oklahoma native Clara Luper.

Many are familiar with the famous 1960 Greensboro, North Carolina sit-ins, but "Sitting in with Clara Luper" tells the story of an August 1958 sit-in at Oklahoma City's Katz Drugstore by Luper and members of the Youth Council of the NAACP. This was one of the many protests that resulted in the integration of Katz Drug Store, the Split-T Drive-in, the Skirvin Hotel and other OKC businesses. Directed by DWe Williams, the play is presented with no admission charge.

Here are the remaining performance locations and times for February:

• 2/12: Belle Isle Library - 2 p.m.
• 2/15: The Village Library - 6:30 p.m.
• 2/16: Del City Library - 6:30 p.m.
• 2/18: Bethany Library - 2 p.m.
• 2/19: Downtown Library - 2 p.m.
• 2/20: Choctaw Library - 6 p.m.
• 2/23: Edmond Library - 7 p.m.
• 2/28: Ralph Ellison Library - 7 p.m.

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As it's the weekend before Valentine's Day, many in OKC undoubtedly will be getting out for their holiday dates and activities. I'm not sure I believe next week's winter weather projections; either way, this weekend should be clear but cold.

Luckily, a number of the weekend's top events are indoor affairs, and downtown is the place to be for a couple of the biggest. At the Cox Convention Center is the Nadia Comanechi Gymnastics Invitational Friday through Sunday. See the official site for a competition schedule. Then, over at the Chesapeake Arena, the PBR series features the top bull riding athletes in the world through Sunday. Tickets are available online or by calling (800) 745-3000.

Elsewhere this weekend...

• On Saturday and Sunday, the Oklahoma City Ballet presents "The Firebird," a brand new retelling of one of 20th century's most influential ballets from the Ballet Russes era.
• What goes better with Valentine's Day than chocolate? This weekend brings yet another chocolate festival... Read More...

High school students interested in government can apply for a unique opportunity with the the city. Open to public, private, and homeschooled students who will be juniors or seniors during the 2012-2013 school year, the Oklahoma City Youth Council gives members a chance to see local government up close, tackling youth issues through meetings, seminars and more. The nine-month program begins in August, and the city is taking applications through April 6th.

Appointed by Mayor Cornett and the City Council, there are eighteen youth positions available, two from each of Oklahoma City's eight wards and two at-large members. To apply, students must be Oklahoma City residents, have at least a 3.0 GPA and provide two letters of recommendation along with the application form.

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As anyone who has perused this site can clearly see, I'm far from a skilled (competent?) photographer. However, I came across this and thought I'd pass it on to the many talented and aspiring artists. You should hurry, though, as the registration deadline is this Friday, February 10th.

The Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture presents its annual OKLAHOMANMADE Photography Competition. Open to everyone, including students from kindergarten on up, the contest features cash prizes and calls for images with an "architectural theme," containing "some element of the man-made environment located in Oklahoma." Digitally-altered photos are not allowed. Check out okcarchitecture.com to see last year's winners, and get the registration form and rules online.

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Shawn had it but didn't quite trust the instinct last week. That was Sequoyah Elementary on NW 36th, just east of Villa.

This week, we have a submission from contributor Kat. Do you know where in the metro this was taken?

And I'm always looking for photo submissions. If you have an image of a spot in Oklahoma City, just email it to me and identify it as "Where in the Metro."

_{Photo © Kat}

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Oklahoma political talk continues on abolishing the state income tax, but even if that happens, it's likely many years before taxpayers wouldn't have to file good old Form 511 and his brothers. With W-2's in hand for most of us, it's time to start thinking tax time in Oklahoma.

Those receiving refunds are likely to be the first out of the gate, and the Oklahoma Tax Commission has announced that E-file options are now open. Officials recommend the electronic method if at all possible, as it tends to reduce errors and refunds are faster. For tax year 2011, there are a few changes. First, due to the fact that April 15 falls on Sunday and April 16 is Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia, the tax filing deadline this year is April 17, 2012.

Also, for the first time, Oklahoma will offer taxpayers the option of receiving their income tax refunds on a MasterCard debit card rather than direct deposit. Paper checks will no longer be issued. After the card is activated by phone, it can be used at any store or ATM that accepts MasterCard debit cards. According to a FAQ from the Oklahoma Tax Commission, cardholders can withdraw funds, free of charge, at any MoneyPass ATM location in the state.

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Down at the Coca-Cola Bricktown Events Center, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art will hold the 28th Annual Omelette Party on Saturday. For $80, tickets are available for "Eggs Royale," an event that features gourmet omelettes made on site from OKC's favorites chefs and restaurants. Among the represented restaurants are Big Truck Tacos, Deep Fork Grill, Ludivine, Museum Cafe, Park Avenue Grill, Paseo Grill, Rococo and many more. In addition, there will be cocktails, live music, art raffle and more. For information, call 236-3100, ext. 207. Get tickets right away, as they won't be selling them at the door this year.

There's also plenty to do that doesn't necessarily involve food...

• On Saturday, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic presents "Great Moments of Opera" with OCU graduate Sarah Coburn.
• Couples, whether married, engaged or just thinking about it, can take advantage of a free metro event that could save them money... Read More...

If, like me, you're just now thinking of restaurants for Valentine's Day, you may be out of luck at the best places, where reservations were being lined up weeks ago. Luckily, Oklahoma City has developed a pretty interesting and eclectic dining scene over the past few years, giving you plenty of options. But which ones are best for the romantically inclined?

Well, I have a couple of suggestions, and two of them also appear on a new list from online restaurant reservation site OpenTable.com. After compiling nearly 5 million reviews over the past year, they have named the 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the U.S.. Three from Oklahoma made the list, all right here in the metro: Boulevard Steakhouse (Edmond), Castle Falls and Coach House.

Where do you like to go for that special meal? Check out some reader suggestions and add yours to the list.

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Since opening in early August of last year, the The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City has become quite popular. In fact, the new 348,000 square foot outlet mall at the intersection of I-40 and Council recorded about $50 million in total sales during its first four months, well above what city officials had in mind. By attracting shoppers from all over the region, the mall benefits the city greatly in increased sales tax revenue.

Here are a few of recent developments at the outlet mall...

• The success means that planning has begun on phase two of the project, expected to be as much as 60,000 square feet and perhaps located on the south side. Reportedly, leasing is already underway.
• Upcoming additions to the mall include Naartjie Kids and White House Black Market on March 8th, as well as American Eagle Outfitters on April 11th.
• The Outlet Shoppes of OKC will host an All Star Kids Pageant on February 12th, an event with nine age divisions covering boys and girls from toddlers to 18 years of age. Registration deadline is February 9th, and entry forms are available online or at the mall customer service desk.

_{Photo © Adam Knapp}

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