The Power of Plants

House plants absorb harmful components from the air, like formaldehyde and carbon dioxide, and release oxygen. That’s a win-win for their owners – and all the plants ask for in return are light, water and a bit of food.   One 6-to 8-inch houseplant can help oxygenate the environment for up to 100 square feet, says Haley Rooney, a horticulturist...
As usual, holiday celebrations are happening across the state this year, but many have been re-imagined with COVID-19 safety protocols in mind. “I believe we’re still going to bring the magic to downtown Tulsa,” says Brenna Mullins, special events and festivals manager for ASM Tulsa, which hosts Arvest Winterfest. This year, the popular ice rink was moved indoors to the BOK...

A Quiet Escape

The City of Chandler’s official website proclaims the Lincoln County seat as “the best kept secret in central Oklahoma.” That may be true, but the compact community – situated just off Interstate 44, midway between Tulsa and Oklahoma City – could be considered a loosely-guarded secret during this pandemic-plagued year. Officials report that Oklahomans looking for safe, enjoyable recreation have...
St. John has the laidback vibe of an island that has perfected the art of leisure. Maybe that comes from being the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, or perhaps it’s because two-thirds of the island is made up of a national park, a gift from Laurance Rockefeller (J.D.’s grandson) who deeded thousands of acres of rolling green hills...

Agnieszka Rakhmatullaev

Born in Poland, raised in Turkey and a resident of the U.S. since 2000, Agnieszka Rakhmatullaev has always been driven and surrounded by music. “I come from a musical family,” she says. “My mom is a violinist; my aunt is a pianist; my brother plays the cello; my husband is a bassoonist; and his entire family are all musicians.” A...
So movies are ... back? Maybe? November proved to be a gigantic issue for bigger films, with more delays and shifts to digital platforms. Even December isn’t safe, as Dune – the science fiction book-to-film adaptation starring everyone from Javier Bardem to Zendaya – was rescheduled for October 2021.  In Theaters For now, there are still some must-sees coming to theaters,...

Christmas Lights Galore

Activities abound to get you into the holiday spirit this month. In Tulsa, the Philbrook Festival runs through Dec. 26, with holiday lights, music and fun for the whole family. One of the most popular displays in the state, the Rhema Christmas Lights event at Rhema Bible College offers two million lights to stroll under this year, through Jan. 1....

Exhibitions Abound

Don’t forget to plan a trip to one of Oklahoma’s premier museums this month. Ahha Tulsa offers TAC at Ahha through Dec. 19. This juried exhibition of the Tulsa Artists’ Coalition showcases 100 objects on view, representing works from a variety of local creators. At Philbrook, Spirit of Independence runs through Jan. 3. Visit the Lower Spotlight Gallery to explore artists’...

Adrenaline-Pumping Action

Gear up for football galore this month. You can catch the University of Tulsa at home on Dec. 5 as they take on the University of Cincinnati. Sooner fans can watch the University of Oklahoma battle Baylor on Dec. 5 at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. And while Oklahoma State University hosts no home games this month, they...

Holiday Magic Abounds

You’ll still be able to find some holiday magic on the stage this month.  Tulsa Ballet presents The Lost Nutcracker from Dec. 17-20 at Cox Business Convention Center. This socially-distant show offers holiday-centric pieces from three world-renowed choreographers. Patrons can also purchase tickets to a virtual livestream at tulsaballet.org.  The OKC Philharmonic offers A Classic Christmas on Dec. 4-5 at Civic...