It's looking very good for all you hockey fans out there. Only a week after the Oklahoma City Blazers announced the end of their 17-year run last summer, the city council quickly began courting the dormant Edmonton Oilers American Hockey League franchise. And this week the city council voted to enter into a lease agreement with local group Prodigal Hockey LLC for 40 regular season home games at the Cox Convention Center.

President of Prodigal Hockey LLC Bob Funk Jr. said the intention is to have a deal in place as the Oilers' top minor-league affiliate by the end of the year. "We're close. We have some things to finalize and there are some approval processes that need to be gone through, but I think we're really close to getting something done."

If all goes as planned, OKC will have the top level of minor league hockey for the 2010-2011 season.

_{Photo © Adam Knapp}

We knew it was coming, following the passage of MAPS 3, but most didn't expect it this quickly. After more than half a century of racing history, the Oklahoma State Fair Speedway is closing. The 2010 season has been canceled, and the city says the speedway needs approximately $400,000 worth of repairs for safety reasons, an investment officials are unwilling to make in the aging facility.

Apparently, OKC Speedway promoter Lanny Edwards isn't very happy about it either, telling the Oklahoman, "They have dreamed all of this up in my opinion. They've been trying to get rid of that grandstand for quite some time. I think it's a bad deal that they are doing the racing community this way."

Speedway organizers have launched a Save the Speedway campaign, asking racing fans to contact city officials and "jam their phone lines, fill their email boxes." According to the mayor, it's possible racing could come back to OKC at another site.

It might have been a tricky one for some of you last week, but Brooke apparently recognized it. That was taken in Moore, just off I-35 near SW 25th. This week, we have yet another submission from Kat. I didn't recognize it, so it could be tough. Post your guesses below.

If anyone else would like to submit one for a future week, just send it my way for consideration, and make sure you identify it as "Where in the Metro?".

_{Photo © Kat}

Though it's probably not what you have in mind for extra seasonal work, there's no doubt it would be an interesting position to have. After last Tuesday's vote, MAPS 3 is official, but before we can go forward with any of the projects, the city must create a MAPS 3 Citizen Advisory Board. Though the structure of the board hasn't yet been determined, members will be responsible for reviewing proposals and submitting recommendations to the City Council.

Interested applicants can submit resumes, no more than two pages, by e-mail to MAPS3@okc.gov. The city asks that resumes not be attached but rather cut and pasted into the body of an e-mail with the subject line "MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board." To be selected as a board member, you must be an Oklahoma City resident and include a home address.

This weekend brings another holiday classic performance to the Civic Center Music Hall, perfect for the entire family. The Oklahoma City Ballet presents the 2nd year of Robert Mills' all-new "The Nutcracker" through Sunday. If you haven't seen the show in a while, this year features new choreography, new costumes and new surprises.

Also at the Civic Center, Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre presents "A Tuna Christmas" on Saturday afternoon. The sequel to the popular "Greater Tuna" looks at the holiday humor in a small Texas town. Get ticket information and more at cityrep.com.

Elsewhere, Norman's annual Main Street Christmas Holiday Parade takes place on Saturday. With singing, dancing and more, this year's theme is "Let Freedom Ring with The Bells of Christmas." Also, the Norman Gallery Association kicks off the Winterfest art celebration with a gallery walk from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday night.

In music, the UCO Jazz Lab continues its "Christmas Croonin'" on Friday and Saturday. And Riverwind Casino presents Starship, with Mickey Thomas and Bobby Kimball, on Friday night. Get venue & ticket information for both locations here on About.com.

In sports, it's yet another big game at the Ford Center as LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers come to town Sunday night to take on the Thunder. OKC, a team that ESPN says has an 81.8 percent chance of making the playoffs, gets another opportunity against one of the league's best.

Also, the Oklahoma State men's basketball team matches up with Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sunday in Stillwater. The Red Dirt Rebellion Rollergirls face the Arizona Derby Dames in banked track roller derby at the Cox Convention Center Friday night. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling (800) 745-3000. And the American Spirit Championships take place at the Cox Convention Center on Saturday. Get all the details on the official site.

Are you attending any of the above events, or has something else caught your eye this weekend? Let us know below. You can submit future events for publication and possible profile here on About Oklahoma City by using this form.

_{Photo © Adam Knapp}

For Mayor Mick Cornett and supporters, the result means that "Oklahoma City's golden age continues." There was plenty of opposition leading up to Tuesday's vote, but Oklahoma City residents approved the MAPS 3 initiative with more than 54 percent of the vote. Election board officials estimate a total voter turnout of 31 percent, significantly higher than most local elections. Final vote numbers were 40,956 yes and 34,465 no.

Therefore, the additional penny sales tax will remain in effect in Oklahoma City for seven years and nine months beginning April 1st. A citizen oversight board will be created in the coming weeks, and the order of projects will then be determined. Cornett has said he expects the downtown park to be one of the earlier projects and hopes it will be open by 2014.

_{MAPS 3 Logo © Oklahoma City}

Just a couple of weeks ago, I wrote about some interesting gift options this holiday season, but it's hard to get much more unique than this...

As a fundraiser this year, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic is offering Holiday Music-Grams, personal performances at offices or homes near downtown OKC. Available from December 14th through the 18th, Holiday Music-Gram options include a single musician performing holiday music for 5-7 minutes at $40 or a trio for 20 minutes at $150. You can also get add-on gifts such as a holiday cookie or greeting card. Get more information or place your order online.

Looks like I wasn't fooling anyone with my side shot of Andy Alligator's in Norman last week. Shawn was the first to step up with the correct answer, but several of you knew it as well. Here's one for this week. Post your guesses below.

If anyone else would like to submit one for a future week, just send it my way for consideration, and make sure you identify it as "Where in the Metro?".

_{Photo © Adam Knapp}

If you read the paper, listen to talk radio or even watch local television at all, you no doubt have become well-versed in both sides of the MAPS 3 debate. All of that campaigning, as contentious as any recent proposition it seems, leads up to this Tuesday, December 8th when the MAPS 3 issue finally will be decided.

Personally, I'm in support of the plan. I've listened to the opposition and can't say I disagree with some of the objections. But put me in the group that says we simply have generated far too much momentum in this city to let it slip away now. How do you plan to vote? Add your thoughts to the MAPS 3 opinions page.

Whatever side you're on, don't forget to have your voice heard officially on Tuesday. The Oklahoma State Election Board has a poll location finder online, if you don't already know where to go.

_{MAPS 3 Logo © Oklahoma City}

With December now underway, there are plenty of opportunities to get into that holiday spirit this weekend, perhaps none better than an annual favorite from the OKC Philharmonic. Through Saturday, the always-popular "A Very Merry Pop" features holiday singing, dancing and more.

Elsewhere, the city of Edmond presents its annual "Dickens Weekend" in which downtown is transformed into a Christmas of old with carolers, carriage rides, costumes, food and more. Yukon has the 14th Annual Mayor's Christmas Party for Kids at Robertson Activity Center. Featuring crafts, games, prizes and visits from holiday characters, it begins Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Or head to Stockyards City on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon for the annual "Cowboy Christmas Parade." If you've never been, get all the details on this unique and entertaining event on the official site.

In music, the UCO Jazz Lab has a holiday special with some "Christmas Croonin'" on Friday and Saturday. And Riverwind Casino presents George Jones on Friday night. Get venue & ticket information for both locations here on About.com.

Don't forget that country music stars Martina McBride and Trace Adkins are at the Ford Center on Saturday as part of the "Shine All Night" tour. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online or by calling (800) 745-3000.

In sports, it's a hot ticket for the Thunder Friday night against the Boston Celtics, owners of the 2nd best record in the NBA, and the five game homestand concludes Monday against Golden State. Also, in college hoops, Oklahoma State takes on UTSA on Saturday in Stillwater while the Sooners face off with Arizona on Sunday.

Are you attending any of the above events, or has something else caught your eye this weekend? Let us know below. You can submit future events for publication and possible profile here on About Oklahoma City by using this form.

_{Photo © Adam Knapp}