A walk through the lobbies of Tulsa's grand downtown buildings is more than an interesting tour, it is a fascinating introduction to our city's history and a lesson in Tulsa's cultural formation. Put on your walking shoes and join us for a fresh look at yesterday's history as we walk through the lobbies of the Philtower, NBT, Atlas Life, and other early-day buildings.
We'll gather inside Trinity Episcopal Church (1926) and begin and end our walk there. Use the south entrance to the church; free parking is available near the door.

This an opportunity for a second group to take the walk through the lobbies of Tulsa's grand downtown buildings and will be identical to the first tour. On these tours our purpose is not just to see the architecture, but to hear what the buildings are telling us about how we became the city we are. (Additional tours will be added, if needed.)
We'll gather inside Trinity Episcopal Church (1926) and begin and end our walk there. Use the south entrance to the church; free parking is available near the door.

For over 75 years the Tulsa Opera has been a centerpiece of Tulsa's cultural life. Learning about Tulsa Opera will reveal stories about our city's history and provide insights into our cultural future. We will spend a privileged evening with Lori Decter Wright, General Director and CEO of Tulsa Opera. After gathering at 6:30 for drinks and snacks at my home, we'll enjoy an informal program followed by a conversation in which we can all share.
(P.S.: Lori is also an elected member of the Tulsa City Council.)

The "MOTH" (The Museum of Tulsa History ...née The Tulsa Historical Society) is the guardian of Tulsa's heritage. Join us for a private guided tour lead by the museum's Director, Dr. David Goldenberg. Learn about the MOTH's collections and the how and why of what they preserve ...and while you are there you will be among the first to see Leon Russell's piano and the new display of his memorabilia. Following the tour, the group will be treated to a viewing of the 1949 movie, "Tulsa", complete with complimentary popcorn and soft drinks.
Participation requires the museum's entrance fee of $10 ($5 for seniors) if you are not already a member.

Tulsa International Airport is much more than airplanes coming and going, it is one of the most important economic drivers for our city. But what all exactly goes on there? Join us as we get an insider's briefing on the airport and a private view behind the scenes.
Detailed instructions for how to get to our meeting location at the airport will be sent to registrants (it's complicated!).

Tulsa's Police Chief, Dennis Larsen, will join us for lunch at the Museum of Tulsa History for a discussion of policing in Tulsa, crime, and issues of public safety. The group size is purposefully kept small so that everyone will have an opportunity to ask questions and share in the conversation. This is an exceptional opportunity for an off the record meeting with one of Tulsa's most important public servants.

"My Life and Adventures with Books and Writing" will be Connie's topic as we gather in the lovely meeting space at Magic City Books for a candid conversation about writers, writing, and books ...and about what it means to be a reader and a writer in Oklahoma. Connie has been a speaker at one of our big on-campus luncheons and she always leaves audiences feeling entertained ...and smarter!

LIFE Senior Services will be our destination to learn more about our city's extraordinary network of non-profit human services. One of America's most giving cities, Tulsa's non-profit service organizations fill community needs in an exceptional variety of ways. This visit will focus on the Senior Services program and we will meet at their facilities, but we will also survey the range of services available in our city and the importance of what they provide ...as well as looking at how each of us can benefit from services available to us and how we can support the missions of Senior Services and other organizations.

We'll head inside Tulsa's high-tech municipal building to visit the Tulsa City Council and the Mayor's Office. We will have lunch at the City Council then proceed to a visit to the Mayor's Office. Top level city officials, including Phil Laken, Chairman of the City Council, will brief us on how the executive and legislative branches of our municipal government work and interact. And, as you learn more about Tulsa city government, you'll also be learning how to become a more effective citizen and influencer of public policy at the local level. (P.S. If his schedule allows, Mayor Nichols will drop in to say hello.)

History always has lessons for today, and Dr. Randy Kluver, Dean of Oklahoma State University's School of Global Studies, will tell the story of immigrants fleeing the communist take-over in Vietnam that came to western Oklahoma after the fall of Saigon in 1975. It is a heart-warming history of the welcome and support they found in western Oklahoma and how our state has benefited from their presence. Many will find the Vietnamese story to be relevant to our contemporary national immigration discussions.
A reception of wine and Vietnamese culinary specialities will proceed the program that will begin at 5:30.

A 2,000 acre industrial park, barge port, and rail transload facility, the Tulsa Port of Catoosa since its founding over 50 years ago has become a powerful engine of industrial growth in eastern Oklahoma. The longest serving director of the Port was Bob Portis, now retired but a regular attendee at our OU-Tulsa campus luncheons. Bob will greet us at the Port along with current Ports Director David Yarbrough and we'll share lunch with Bob and David and learn about how the Port works and why it is important to each of us.