Thousands have enjoyed the fantastic and unique 184-artifact "Roman Art from the Louvre" since its debut just a few months ago, but time is running out. Organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Musée du Louvre, the largest special exhibit in the history of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art ends October 12th.

The exhibit features sculptures, jewelry, mosaics, glass and more, dating from the early first century B.C. to the sixth century A.D. Get a look at some of the pieces online, and don't miss your chance this week to experience a one of a kind OKC event.

_{Photo © Adam Knapp}

This weekend brings a free, thrilling event for the entire family. Head down to Regatta Park on the Oklahoma River for the 5th Oklahoma Regatta Festival. Along with the rowing races, there will be live entertainment, an art show, wine tasting, a children's area and more. Stay after the sun goes down because the OG&E NightSprints are a lot of fun.

Elsewhere, WorldFest 2008 at the Bricktown Coca-Cola Events Center offers visitors a chance this weekend to check out artisans' hand-crafted products from all around the world. And it's time for another "First Friday Gallery Walk" in the Paseo Arts District.

The kids would certainly enjoy a "Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine" at Oklahoma Railway Museum. There will be live music, storytelling and more through Sunday. Get full details on the official site.

Finally, on stage, the "Music Builds" tour comes to OKC's Ford Center on Sunday. The concert, benefiting Habitat for Humanity, features Third Day, Switchfoot, Robert Randolph & the Family Band and Jars of Clay. And Riverwind Casino has comedian and impersonator Frank Caliendo (of "Frank TV" fame) on Friday night. Get ticket and venue information for both here on About.com OKC.

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}

There's been plenty of discussion about the name, logo and colors, but as the OKC Thunder begin practice this week, it's time put all of that aside and just give the team our complete support.

Perhaps you've already done so by purchasing some team merchandise. Well, now you can pre-order the newly unveiled home or away Thunder jerseys online at nbathundershop.com. Keep in mind, though, that they won't be available for pickup or delivery likely until December.

In addition, even if you aren't a season ticket subscriber, you can still go to some Thunder games this season. Priced as low as $10, single game tickets for the first half of the season go on sale at 10 a.m. on October 7th. Up to 1500 tickets will be available for each game, and they can be purchased online, at the Ford Center box office or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX.

Everyone out there knows by now how high gas prices can certainly impact a budget. So it shouldn't come as a great surprise that it's happening to Oklahoma schools. According to an Oklahoman article last week, state schools are spending $120 million on transportation than 25 years ago while relevant funding has gone up only $3.2 million. That's quite a serious gap, and many school officials say it's forcing them to pull funds from other areas to cover the increases.

More money is the most often mentioned solution, and the legislature will reportedly take on the issue in the next session. But finding such a large amount isn't an easy task. Others, including the Oklahoman's editorial board propose eliminating bus pick-up/drop-off altogether, saying it "seems a bit of a luxury, not a necessity."

While I agree that the educational goals should take top priority and that busing has come to feel, for some, like an expected right, I wonder if there's not a middle ground, or at the very least a bridge to more drastic measures. For example, we could retain limited school transportation for a designated fee, providing a program for low-income families that have no other transportation options. Seemingly this would offset much of the cost and wouldn't be an immediate all-or-nothing decision facing the legislature and the schools.

What do you think? How would elimination of busing affect you, and what solution do you feel would work the best?

_{Photo © Andrei}