Author Archives: Admin

Tulsa’s Sales Tax Down 10%

Staff Reports

The city of Tulsa’s sales tax receipts dropped roughly 10 percent from the same period last year, but additional budget cuts are not planned, according to the mayor’s office.

The revenue reduction was only slightly off the city’s budget estimates, precluding the need for additional cuts.

“Our revenue estimates are right on track, so further budget cuts will not be triggered at this point.  We are monitoring the data closely,” said Mayor Kathy Taylor.

According to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, Tulsa received $16,641,187 in sales taxes, compared to $18,578,447 for the same period last year, a decrease of $1,937,259, or 10.43 percent. That amount is 1.76 percent below the budget estimate of $16,940,000.

 First quarter year-to-date sales tax collections are $49,988,565, or 9.02 percent below last year’s collections of $54,945,669. However, that is only 0.77 percent below the budget estimate of $50,374,000.

Use taxes, which businesses pay on purchases of equipment, totaled $1,522,836 for the period. That is a decline of 10.79 percent, or $184,220, compared to $1,707,056 during the same period in 2008. That amount, however, is 1.19 percent higher than the budget estimate of $1,505,000.

Year-to-date, $4,592,522 in use tax has been distributed to the city. That is a 6.49 percent decline from the $4,911,060 collected last year, but it is above the year-to-date budget estimate of $4,482,000.

The distributions represent sales taxes collected from mid July to mid August and use taxes collected in August.

Tulsa’s Damaris Johnson Earns National Honor

Staff Reports

altThe University of Tulsa’s Damaris Johnson was named the Punt Returner Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards. Also, senior linebacker Mike Bryan received honorable mention honors for the Linebacker Performer of the Week Award.

Johnson totaled 252 all-purpose yards, including 85 punt return yards in Tulsa’s 37-13 win over Tulane last week. The sophomore from Norco, Louisiana, had a 66-yard punt return for a touchdown with 12:19 remaining in the fourth quarter to give Tulsa a 30-10 lead.
 

Johnson shared the national weekly honor with Da’Norris Searcey of North Carolina, who had three punt returns for 105 yards against The Citadel.

 

Bryan was named first Honorable Mention for the Linebacker Performer after recording 11 tackles, five tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and one interception against Tulane.
 

The College Football Performance Awards select recipients based exclusively upon objective scientific rankings where individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.

 The full list of recipients can be viewed at http://collegefootballperformance.com/performers-of-the-week/.

Cirque Soars for the Stars in Oklahoma

Penny Ridenour, Special for Tulsa Today

Take the most gasp-worthy acts of a big top circus, minus the animals and the cheesy narrative from the ringmaster. Add the edge of a rock opera and throw in choreography that tells a story to the eyes. Polish the effect with the heartbeat of musical theatre. Garnish liberally with beauty, strength, awe, and humor, and you have the recipe for Cirque Du Soleil.
In its 16th year of touring, Saltimbanco made its Oklahoma debut at Oklahoma City’s Ford Center last week. The Saltimbanco arena tour, proudly presented by iShares, arrives this week for 5 days at The BOK Center in Tulsa, from December 10-14 inclusively.

Saltimbanco is more than entertainment – it is an experience. Just ask the guy in the Oklahoma City audience, who is ushered onstage in Act Two by a clown for a trip through a child’s imaginary jungle and wild west gunfight.

Saltimbanco is taken from the Italian “saltare im banco,” which literally means “to jump on a bench.” And if the meaning of the title isn’t readily apparent, wait until you open the program. The story of Saltimbanco traces the intricacies of life in the city. It explores the urban experience from the diversity and unity of the people, the families and cliques, the noise and the bustle.
However, without the program, you might not know that the singer with the flaming feathered hair is named La Belle, and she represents all human emotions. Or that the odd character with the half-cape and the red tights is actually a Baron attempting to rule without the authority to do so.
But there are themes that ring true even in the absence of interpretive literature. Early in the show, a man, woman and child intertwine limbs and bodies with amazing flexibility and strength, to clearly communicate “family” to the audience.
And in a breathtaking aerial ballet on the trapeze, two petite blonde beauties create a show of unity to take your breath.  They perform as one person from the beginning where they arise as if a new creature of their oneness has been born, to one of the many climaxes where they symbiotically catch each other in beautiful and daring flying maneuvers.
The cast set the tone of the performance with the very first entrance, ushering audience members from the floor out of their seats and into the action. With squeaks, giggles, and a ton of body language, the performers make their message crystal clear. Making audience members part of the show and leaving spectators worried about what stunt they may become involved in next.
After acts of beauty or strength, one or more of the comedic cast members gives the audience a break from the awe. There is The Dreamer, a Dr. Seuss-like character with his tail, pudgy tummy and striped blue costume. The Dreamer is always ready to curl up for a nap, but is usually foiled by the antics of Eddy. 
Eddy is a mischievous clown, a child who creates whatever he needs with the actions of a mime. He soon has the viewer understanding the whistles, kisses, and squeaks he uses to tell his story. He has help from the audience in constructing visions onstage that have him doing everything from braving roaring lions to nearly drowning in a bathroom stall.
Quebec-based Cirque Du Soleil began as a group of 20 street performers. Now, Cirque Du Soleil has five static shows on the Las Vegas strip and many more touring the globe.  Saltimbanco touts a multi-talented cast of 49 from 21 countries around the world.
Saltimbanco may not have a story with “once upon a time” or “happily ever after,” but leaves the audience with the distinct impression that they know something they did not know before. Empowered and enriched, they savor life in the city just a little differently because of it.
Tulsa Performances are scheduled Wednesday, December 10 & Thursday, December 11 @ 7:30 p.m.; Friday, December 12 & Saturday, December 13 @ 3:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, December 14 @ 1:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. Saltimbanco tickets for the shows at BOK Center are now available and can be purchased online at www.cirquedusoleil.com or by calling 918-587-2322. Tickets range from $40 to $95 for adult and $32 to $76 for children (12 years old & under).

About the author:
Penny Ridenour writes for The City Sentinel in Oklahoma City, and prepared for Tulsa Today this special preview of the show coming to Tulsa this week.

Goodman announces run for state chair

Staff Report

Todd Goodman, acting executive director of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, announced yesterday his candidacy for state party chair.

“Our state – and our party – stand at a crossroads today,” said Goodman. “Despite the serious problems that face us, including two wars, an uncertain economy and serious questions about our energy future, I believe we have an incredible opportunity to shape our future. The big problems force us to ask the big questions – and to find innovative answers.

“I am running for chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party because I believe those questions should be answered in a way that adheres to the Democratic principles of freedom, opportunity and security,” he added

“We need to shape a future in which all Oklahomans can achieve their dreams if they are willing to work hard and follow the rules. This is the essence of our Democratic values and it’s ingrained in the spirit of our nation.”

A native Oklahoman and a lifelong Democrat, Goodman was raised in Oklahoma City and spent much time during his childhood on the family farm in Shawnee. After pursuing his education in New Jersey and a career in medical device sales in New York, his love for Oklahoma and for Democratic politics brought him home.

Since returning to Oklahoma, Todd has worked for I.N.D.N.’s List and State Senator Andrew Rice. He currently works for the Oklahoma Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee, where he has served as field director, voter file manager and communications director. In August 2008, he served as executive director for the Oklahoma delegation at Democratic National Convention.

In addition to dedicating his time and energy to the Democratic Party, Todd has continued to shape his community by volunteering for several organizations. He currently sits on the Caddo Nation’s Housing Board, and is a proud and active member of his tribe. Todd is also a member of the Planning Committee for “Red Tie Night,” the premier fundraising event for the Oklahoma Aids Care Fund. Todd continues to volunteer for Loaves and Fishes, Habitat for Humanity, Regional Food Bank and is an active member of both the Paseo Neighborhood Association and the Sequoyah Neighborhood Association.

For more information, contact Todd Goodman at goodmanforok@gmail.com.

Political Candidate Questionnaires

Staff Reports

Voters in Tulsa’s primary election Tuesday can cast ballots for mayor, city councilors and city auditor.alt

It’s imperative Tulsans make an informed decision, voting not for a name, but for candidates who mirror their views.

Several organizations have created voting guides and questionnaires in an effort to better help voters make decisions that will impact Tulsa for years to come. We at Tulsa Today are providing links to some of these organizations’ guides to help you, the voter, make an informed decision.

“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.” – John F. Kennedy 

League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Tulsa voters guide

Tulsa Metro Chamber candidate questionnaires 

Oklahomans for Sovereignty and Free Enterprise voter guide