Hometown Holiday brings Christmas cheer to Sand Springs Triangle District

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The inaugural Hometown Holiday Christmas Celebration is underway in the downtown Sand Springs Triangle District. The event, hosted by the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce, will run through Saturday night at 9:00 p.m. and will resume Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The event features numerous vendors of crafts and food with nonstop entertainment on the Triangle Stage.

Elementary choirs from Garfield, Northwoods, and Limestone performed early Saturday, as did kids from Miss Tirita’s Dance Studio and the Lawnwood Freewill Baptist Church Choir. The Charles Page High School band and Sand Springs Community Band will perform from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the Triangle will be officially illuminated at 6:00 p.m.

Santa’s Cottage is open for pictures with ole St. Nick from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday and from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, with a one-hour break from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m..

New Life Tabernacle and Broadway Baptist Church are hosting the church tent Saturday. Carriage rides will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday.

On Sunday the Salvation Army Band will perform from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Ms. Tirita’s kids will perform from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Kiefer Elementary kids will perform from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Vendors at the event include Scentsy, the Sand Springs Women’s Chamber, Made By Rach jewelry, and OkieSpice & Trade Co.

Mr. Nice Guys’, 3 Feathers BBQ, and Mr. Whiskit’s Cheesecakes are among the dining options. Senior Celebration is selling tacos, CubScout Pack 14 has beef jerky, and dessert can be found at DJ’s Sweet Kitchen. The CPHS Dance Team has hot coco, cookies, and Sandite yard signs, while the band is selling popcorn.

Many downtown shops will have extended hours during the weekend festivities, and throughout the Holiday season. Visitors can also check out the internationally-acclaimed Shiny Happy Blue Dog art exhibit by George Rodrigue at the Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum.

Sand Springs shaping up to be North Pole 2.0 with extensive Christmas festivities

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The 2018 holiday season is shaping up to be the best in Sand Springs history as new attractions join together with improved existing festivities. The town is well on its way to becoming a holiday destination for tourists across the region.

The Second Annual Snapped in Sand Springs event will run November 9th through December 29th. Dozens of businesses, churches, and organizations around Sand Springs will be setting up holiday-themed photo booths for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some will be indoors, most will be outdoors, and everyone is welcome to stop by and take selfies or family photos.

On Saturday, November 24th the Sand Springs Small Business Coalition will hold their Second Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in the downtown Triangle District. Last year the event drew more than a thousand visitors as the city officially kick-started the holiday season with caroling, food trucks, and special holiday hours at the local businesses.

This year the Christmas Tree Lighting will be held at the finale of the Inaugural Sand Springs Sings vocal competition. The SSSBC will hold its third and final preliminary qualifier on Tuesday, October 2nd and the top three placers will advance to the November finals.

The Festival of Lights Christmas Parade will be held on Friday, November 30th in downtown and will feature Food Network star Kerry Vincent as Grand Marshall. The theme of the parade is “Christmas is the Sweetest Season of All.” Vincent was a judge on Food Network Challenge and has hosted multiple specials for the network as a master of sugar art. She founded and directs the Oklahoma Sugar Art Show every year, which is the largest judged sugar art show in the United States.

Prior to the parade, the Chamber will be lighting up all of the buildings in the downtown area with lights purchased through donations from Webco Industries, BancFirst, and the City of Sand Springs. Those lights will remain up through January 1st. The City is also donating a massive tree harvested from the Keystone Ancient Forest.

Last year Rod’s Books and Relics hosted their first Christmas Parade of Books, featuring several local authors at lighted tables along Second Street during the parade. The event has yet to be confirmed for 2018, but organizers are expected to announce a decision in the near future.

For the first time ever, the Chamber will also be hosting festivities through the entire parade weekend. “Hometown Holiday: A Christmas Celebration” will run Saturday December 1st from noon to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The event will feature choirs, bands, plays, children’s activities, carriage rides and more.

The Public Service Company of Oklahoma is donating the funds for a Santa Cottage and Tulsa Technology Center’s Sand Springs Campus will be constructing it so kids can tell Santa their Christmas wish list! There will also be a handful of Christmas characters in full costume wandering the area for photo opportunities.

A church tent will be available for local churches to host children’s activities throughout the weekend. Churches can host three-hour blocks of activities. Any club or group will be welcome to set up a free fundraising booth during the event. The Chamber is also open to community suggestions for other events and attractions.

Sandite Pride News will be sponsoring our Second Annual Christmas Light Contest throughout the holiday season. We will be recognizing the best home and best business in the Sand Springs area.

Finally, the internationally-acclaimed Blue Dog art exhibit by George Rodriguez will be making its Oklahoma debut at the Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum from November 17th throughout the holiday season.

For more information on the Christmas Parade and Christmas Celebration, visit the Chamber of Commerce website at https://sandspringschamber.com/. Applications for Snapped in Sand Springs, the parade, and Hometown Holiday can be found at that link.

Atwoods Ranch & Home celebrates Grand Re-Opening of expanded Sand Springs location

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Atwoods Ranch & Home held a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday morning to commemorate an extensive remodel and expansion at their Sand Springs location.

The store never closed during the six month expansion, but they were without signage for several months and significant portions of the parking lot were closed for construction.

The store expanded from 50,000 square feet to more than 82,000, adding a larger selection of food, gifts, clothing, feed, pet supplies, and more. They also carry steel tanks for the first time.

Atwoods Sand Springs is located at 730 East Charles Page Boulevard and can be reached at 918-241-1700.

Internationally-acclaimed Blue Dog art exhibit to debut at Sand Springs Museum this November

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The internationally acclaimed Blue Dog art exhibit by George Rodrigue will be making its Oklahoma debut this November at the Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum. 

The deceased artist's iconic creation was the face of Absolut Vodka and Xerox Corporation in the 1990s. The Blue Dog is Rodrigue's interpretation of the Cajun werewolf, or loup-garou, and was modeled after his dog, Tiffany. 

Northwoods Fine Arts Academy instructor Jennifer Barretto secured the exhibit earlier this year, but it wasn't set in stone until recently. While the George Rodrigue Foundation agreed to loan the art at no cost, the museum still had to raise $18,000 for transportation, security, and insurance. 

With paintings valued at $60,000 apiece, the museum will have to provide alarm hooks and a physical security guard for the duration of the three-month exhibit. Barretto led the fundraising effort with help from the Sand Springs Small Business Coalition and other organizations. 

Local business owners believe the exhibit will be a major economic stimulant for the downtown area, attracting thousands of visitors in the height of the Christmas shopping season. The exhibit will open November 17th, just a week before Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, in the heart of the downtown Triangle District. 

Texoma Country Pools and Spas is your perfect pool provider

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Everyone needs time to relax, but not everyone can get away to the Caribbean or Gulf Shores. That's where Texoma Country Pools and Spas comes in. With their help, you can transform your backyard into your own private slice of paradise. Named the "Best of Texoma" seven years in a row by the Herald Democrat, Texoma Pools specializes in recreation and relaxation.

Texoma's custom in-ground pool installations will make you feel like you're in a island oasis or a secluded mountain hot spring. Visit them at their store in Sherman, Texas or host them at the site of your future resort. A Texoma designer will create a three-dimensional drawing of your future backyard and help you plan the perfect sanctuary with stone pathways, landscaping, waterfalls, or fountains. 

No resort is complete without a steaming hot tub to relax the muscles and lull you into a perfect rest. A warm spa can be a perfect addition to your pool, or can fit perfectly into your home on its own. 

Maybe your need is less for a secluded getaway and more of an inexpensive party spot to cool off and escape the heat. Texoma's Wilbar above-ground pools are financially friendly and a great way to bring the whole family together for some quality bonding. They come in a large variety of sizes, depths, and shapes and Texoma can help you design the deck, placement, and landscaping.

Texoma not only designs and installs your pool or hot tub, they can also maintain it for you! Weekly, biweekly, monthly, and one-time cleanings are available, as well as covering and uncovering before and after the winter season. Texoma performs plumbing and electrical repairs, leak detection and repair, and equipment repairs and replacements. They will even baby-proof your pool and deck!

Texoma Country Pools and Spas services the North Texas and Southern Oklahoma regions and can make your home the delightful getaway you've always dreamed of.

Texoma Country Pools and Spas
3811 Texoma Parkway
Sherman, Texas 75090
Phone: 903-891-3483
Email: fun@texomapoolsandspas.com
https://www.texomapools.com/

Sand Springs Spirit Grant Workshop Set for July 30

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Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs recently announced a Spirit Grant workshop on July 30, at 7 p.m. at the Case Community Center (1050 W. Wekiwa Rd.) in Sand Springs. The workshop is free and open to the public. Following a brief overview of the City's new Spirit Grant program guests are invited to ask questions and learn more about for this new local economic development grant program.

Earlier this week, the City announced the Spirit Grant- a competitive grant program intended to boost economic development in Sand Springs. The program is looking for new events or projects and expansions of existing events or projects to primarily generate sales tax and tourism in the community. Community beautification and quality of life projects in Sand Springs are also eligible.

Spirit Grant projects can range from as little as $500 to projects costing $5,000 or more. With that range in mind, the grant amount will range from $400 to a maximum of $4,000 for any single grant award. Once the project has been completed, the applicant may submit original invoices for reimbursement from the City.

Examples of types of Spirit Grant awards include:

  • advertising and marketing expenses designed to attract and draw tourism to Sand Springs
  • group advertising campaign to support local merchants that results in more local sales
  • community cleanup efforts
  • special event designed to increase tourism to Sand Springs
  • exterior building facade upgrade (awning/painting/landscaping/lighting of business workplace to improve outward appearance)
  • group project to provide new community facilities or improvements to existing
  • public art (murals, statuary, etc.)
  • historical interpretation or other displays relating to Sand Springs

Grant applications will be reviewed by the City. Successful grant applications will be graded on many factors, with a focus on each grant's potential to add value to the community.

For additional information, please visit our website at www.sandspringsok.org or contact the Spirit Grant Team at (918) 246-2504 or spiritgrant@sandspringsok.org

Small Business Coalition brings singing competition to downtown Sand Springs

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Think you could be the best vocalist in the Sand Springs area? 

The Sand Springs Small Business Coalition resuscitated the popular First Tuesday on the Triangle concert series in June, and in August they're continuing the festivities with the first ever "Sand Springs Sings" competition.

Preliminary contests will be held on August 7th, September 4th, and October 2nd, and the finalists from each month will go head to head in the championship round on Saturday, November 24th. 

Contestants will perform outdoors in the heart of the historic downtown Triangle District. The competition is $10.00 to enter and free to watch. The winner will take home a trophy and a $500 cash prize. The contest is open to individuals, duos, and groups of any age or genre. 

The SSSBC hopes the series will attract both locals and visitors who don't typically spend much time in downtown. In addition to coalition businesses such as Yesterday To Now Antiques and Art Mall, The Harvest World Market, and Joni's on the Triangle Hair Salon, there will also be multiple food trucks and local vendors on hand. Those three businesses will have physical entry forms available at their shops.

Sand Springs has a long history of producing talented musicians. The Rogues Five saw regional acclaim in the 1960's and played alongside bands like Jim Morrison and The Doors. Sam Harris won Star Search in 1983 and has since recorded several albums and appeared on Broadway. Jake Tankersley appeared on American Idol and is currently producing his second album. Christian rock band Capitol Lights recorded two albums. 

Morgan Ganem recorded two albums with the band Sownds, had a song adopted as an unofficial anthem of the Kansas City Chiefs, has released two solo albums, and has a residency at Safari Joe's H2O water park in Tulsa. Darin Shipley, Jennifer Marriott, Shelby Eicher, Janet Rutland, and Hannah Rose have all released albums in recent years, and Jacob Dement has a residency at Margaritaville in Tulsa. 

Sandlot Sno-Balls opens new Prattville shaved ice stand with drive-through

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Sandlot Sno-Balls is bringing shaved ice back to south Sand Springs. 

Owned by Sand Springs native Brad Crain, the New Orleans-style snowball business unveiled their new location Tuesday morning in the Prattville Center on 41st Street. 

Sandlot first opened for business in the summer of 2015 at 250 South Highway 97 in the parking lot of Warehouse Market (now Cox Cash Saver). JwY's Tropical Ice had a stand in that location for more than a decade before Crain purchased the business and opened Sandlot. 

The new Prattville location is Sandlot's first expansion since incorporating three years ago, and will create six new part-time jobs. It is the only snow cone stand on the south side of Sand Springs.

The Sweet Pink Shack sold snow cones and pineapple whips in the parking lot of Cheezie's Pizza just across the street from the Prattville Center from 2014 to 2017, but decided not to reopen this summer. 

Snow cone connoisseurs will no longer have to cross the river to get their shaved ice fix. Nor will they need to exit their vehicle. Sandlot Prattville is the only Sand Springs snow cone stand with a drive-through. 

The stand has safety barricades to separate the drive-through from pedestrians, and there will be outdoor seating for customers to hang out. Crain asks customers to please be patient for the first week as they've never had to man both a drive-through and walk-up before. 

The Prattville Center is jamming in recent years with Lee's Charburgers joining Minuteman Pizza and Terry's Classic Coneys to provide plenty of dining options for local Sandites. There are also multiple shopping locations and a live music venue. Now patrons of those establishments will have a dessert option in the same shopping center. 

The stand offers all the same flavors as their original location, with the exception of sugar free flavors and pineapple whip. It also features the "latest and greatest block-shaver on the market," says Crain. 

Sandlot is open from noon to 10:00 p.m. and can be reached at 918.813.1233.

Dual car shows, fireworks, and festivities set for Saturday in Sand Springs

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Car enthusiasts will get their money's worth Saturday in Sand Springs. Just a five minute drive from downtown Tulsa, visitors will find a perfect mix of modern and classic, American and foreign vehicles. A smattering of other activities will make Sand Springs a destination all weekend long. 

From 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. the Charles Page High School Cheer Program will be hosting the 2nd Annual Cheers & Gears Car Show in the high school parking lot at 500 North Adams Road.

The cheer team car show will feature classic and modern cars of all makes and models, as well as trucks and motorcycles. There will be food trucks, face painting, and family activities. 

From 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the Tulsa Jaguar Club will be hosting their 8th Annual EuroMotor Extravaganza in the historic downtown Triangle District at 4 East Broadway. The event will be a fundraiser for the Sand Springs Animal Shelter and adoptable pets will be on hand. 

Out-of-town EuMoEx participants are invited to stay overnight Friday at Hampton Inn where the club will be hosting a tailgate party at 6:30 p.m. $30.00 day-of registration will be from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday with participant's choice voting beginning at 10:30 a.m. The club will hold a banquet at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church at 601 Lake Drive with dinner and awards from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

For more information on the EuroMotor Extravaganza, visit www.eumoex.com 

Cheers and Gears will have day-of registration from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at $25.00. Judging will begin at 11:00 a.m. and awards will be presented at 1:00 p.m. 

No need to clear out of Sand Springs after the car shows wrap up, there's plenty of other activities to keep the whole family entertained.

From 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the Keystone Ancient Forest will be hosting a Hike With Your Dog day. Visitors can choose from half a dozen trails in the 1,360-acre forest preserve, which features 300-year-old post oaks and 500-year-old cedars with wildlife and beautiful scenery. 

The Charles Page High School Volleyball Program will be hosting a 6-on-6 beach volleyball tournament in the newly renovated Case Community Park, which also features a Thunder Cares basketball court, a splash pad, playgrounds, Arkansas River access, disc golf, and numerous other activities. 

Five homes in Sand Springs are featured in this year's Greater Tulsa Parade of Homes, including 424 East 48th Street by WSB Homes, which won Best Overall in the $174,999 & Under category, as well as Best Interior Design. 

To wrap up the evening, families are invited to the 7th Annual Fireworks Preview Night and Kids' Funfest from Big Blast Fireworks at 17516 West 8th Street.

For a full itinerary of Sand Springs activities, visit: This Week in Sand Springs (6/17 - 6/24/18).

Use the navigation menu at the top of our website to "See Sand Springs" and find other activities, restaurants, shops, and attractions, such as the Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

First Tuesday on the Triangle concert draws crowds to downtown Sand Springs

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The "First Tuesday on the Triangle" concert series kicked off this week in downtown Sand Springs and organizers are calling the first event a success despite unseasonably high temperatures that may have kept some Sandites at home.

Let Slip The Dogs battled the heat with some cool tunes, performing a broad selection of covers ranging from The Cure to Stevie Wonder.

Local shop owner Stormy Miller opened up the show with guitarist Brian Parker. Though he didn't play any instruments, Miller was instrumental in getting the event organized. His store, The Harvest World Market, sponsored the concert stage and helped secure sound equipment.

Several local food trucks were on hand, including Mannford-based Kingdom Concessions with Mexidogs, elote, and fresh-squeezed lemonade. Jeremy and Tammy Myers served up Sonoran-style hot dogs, wrapped in bacon, and topped with refried beans, pico de gallo, and their secret Mexisauce. 

House District 66 candidate Rusty Rowe used the opportunity to meet local constituents, while his Democratic primary competitor, Angela Graham, took the evening off from campaigning and enjoyed the show with her son.

Several local businesses and organizations set up booths around the Triangle, including the Sand Springs Women's Chamber, who works to promote child literacy. The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum was also on hand, taking donations and selling raffle tickets for the Blue Dog Art Exhibit. 

SEE RELATED: Blue Dog art takes Sand Springs by storm

The concert series has an off-and-on history in Sand Springs, being organized by different organizations throughout the years.

The current face of the downtown revitalization is the Sand Springs Small Business Coalition, founded in 2017 by Joni Sporleder (Joni's on the Triangle Hair Salon), Susan Whitley (Yesterday to Now Antique Mall), and Jennifer Barretto (Chinowth and Cohen Realtors). 

The Small Business Coalition worked together with the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sand Springs to host the inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony which drew over a thousand people in December. The Tuesday on the Triangle series is the first event that the Coalition has hosted entirely on its own.

While the Chamber of Commerce works hard to improve the overall economy of the city, the Coalition, which includes several Chamber members, aims to host several events throughout the year to try and increase foot traffic into local restaurants and retail shops. 

First Tuesday on the Triangle won't be held in the month of July, due to the Sertoma Fireworks Show on July 3rd at Case Community Park. The concert will return on August 7th, followed by September 4th, and October 2nd. 

The Coalition is also working on festivities for various holidays as well as a poker run and car show in the near future. 

Oklahoma 100-Mile Yard Sale returns to Sand Springs May 4-5

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Less than two weeks remain till the Oklahoma 100-Mile Yard Sale returns to Sand Springs, so get busy clearing out your garage and closets! Is your house already in order? Then go enjoy the sales and land some sweet deals on home decor, clothing, and any number of treasures.

Thirty-five addresses are currently pinned on the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce yard-sale map, and you can add your address free of charge! This will be the second year that Sand Springs has joined with the event. Last year dozens of homes participated without registering online. 

The eighth-annual event is the biggest yet, and is actually more than 200 miles long! The tour takes yard-sale enthusiasts through sixteen towns, including: Cleveland, Hominy, Ralston, Fairfax, Pawnee, Lone Chimney, Yale, Cushing, Drumright, Oilton, Sapulpa, Sand Springs, Mannford, Jennings, Hallett, and Terlton.

Click this link to pin your sale on the Chamber website or to see who all is participating. 

Not enough time to prepare for this sale? Then go check out other people's yards and wait till the City-Wide Garage Sale on September 8th!

Sand Springs City Council plans for major infrastructure, new commercial development

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The former Gerdau steel mill is now prime commercial real estate being marketed by the City of Sand Springs.

The City of Sand Springs moved forward with plans for a major expansion and improvement project on Main Street at Monday night's City Council Meeting.

The passage of Resolution No. 18-41 authorized the City to deposit $944,748 with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation as the City's 20% share of the project. 

The Design Agreement dates back to 2008 and the project will finally go to bid in August. Sand Springs Project Administrator T.J. Davis expects to see dirt work begin by the end of the year.

Main Street will be reconstructed from Third Street to its current terminus at 404 South Main Street, and will be extended west to a new intersection at Highway 97. 

A frontage road will also be constructed from Main Street to the Highway 412 on-ramp at Lincoln Avenue. 

Council also passed a resolution regarding the development of Sheffield Crossing, a plot of land recently purchased by the City with the goal of retail and commercial development. 

The eighteen-acre development is located West of Highway 97 between Morrow Road and the Arkansas River. Much of the land will be preserved with the goal of attracting a home improvement store such as Lowe's or Home Depot, but City leadership will consider other proposals in the meantime.

The passage of Ordinance No. 1316 declares the land as surplus and authorizes the City to sell the property at Council and Manager's discretion. 

Council also passed Ordinance No. 1317 declaring as surplus a fourteen-acre plot of land on the Southwest corner of 129th West Avenue and West Wekiwa Road, also with the goal of commercial development. 

In Other News: 

  • Council unanimously voted to reappoint Municipal Judge Michael King and Assistant Judges R. Jay McAtee and Thomas Askew to two-year terms. 
  • Council unanimously voted to reappoint Larry Johnston to a three-year term on the Board of Adjustment.
  • Council unanimously voted to reappoint Patty Dixon to a three-year term on the Planning Commission.
  • Council unanimously voted to reappoint Ronald Cloud to a three-year term on the Parks Advisory Board.
  • Council unanimously voted to cast votes for Ponca City Manager Craig Stephenson and Bartlesville City Manager Mike Bailey to serve on the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group Board of Trustees for a three-year term.
  • Council unanimously voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget.
  • Council unanimously approved the use of $293,177.00 for the purchase of new Public Safety software. The funding for the software comes from the passage of a November 2017 General Obligation Bond. The system will cover Computer Aided Dispatch, Records Management, Mobile computing, Automatic Vehicle Location, Jail Management, Property and Evidence, and more. 
  • Council approved an ordinance requiring the spaying/neutering of dogs and cats over six months of age, with a hobbyist exemption for show animals. Hobbyists will be allowed to keep up to six unfixed animals on their property at a given time, with a $20 annual permit.
  • Council approved the final plat for Stone Crest Addition, a 14.726-acre subdivision on 41st Street across from Westwood Estates. 
  • Council approved a final payment of $52,642.14 to CMSWillowbrook for the installation of an LED light system under the Main Street overpass. The total cost for the project was finalized at $85,987.14. 

Rain hinders but can't stop 29th Annual Sand Springs Herbal Affair and Inaugural Westival

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The 29th Annual Herbal Affair & Festival was a dreary event Saturday in downtown Sand Springs. The steady downpour may have turned away casual attendees, but the Sandite faithful didn't fail to turn out for one of the city's biggest traditions.

Local businesses like OkieSpice & Trade Co., Keys & Memories, Mile High Designs, and Riddle Plant Farm were joined by nearly a hundred plant and craft vendors from across Oklahoma and even some neighboring states.

St. Patrick's Catholic Church provided free plant sitting at several stations throughout the downtown area and Church That Matters hosted a Kids Zone with games, free snow cones, and a petting zoo.

A variety of food was on hand, including root beer from Sand Springs Boy Scout Troop 507 and a full wine garden in the newly dedicated Inez Kirk City-Garden Park.

Musicians such as Monica Taylor and Anna Massey entertained on the Triangle Park stage, including Sand Springs natives Janet Rutland and Shelby Eicher. 

Jack Younger was presented with the annual Hometown Hero Award by Vice Mayor Beau Wilson and State Representative Jadine Nollan. Younger recently retired as the Sand Springs Youth Football Association President after thirty years with the organization, which also serves basketball and cheer. 

The Sand Springs Museum was open throughout the event, showcasing a collection of collectible lunch boxes and aprons, as well as art by Sand Springs Public School students. 

OkieSpice added to the festivities with the first installment of what plans to be an annual tradition. Westival featured free samples of salsas, BBQ sauces, spices, and other OkieSpice products. OkieSpice suppliers traveled from far and wide to showcase their creations.

Pearl Snap Salsas held a challenge with their various volatile cocktails, culminating with the Atomic 12 which is certified at 79,100 Scoville Heat Units and requires a signed waiver to consume or purchase. Sand Springs's own Ruly Sanchez won the challenge.

Jack Younger named Hometown Hero at 29th Annual Sand Springs Herbal Affair

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Recently retired Sand Springs Youth Football Association President Jack Younger was recognized as the 2018 recipient of the Hometown Hero Award.

SEE RELATED: Rain hinders but can't stop 29th Annual Sand Springs Herbal Affair and Inaugural Westival

Vice Mayor Beau Wilson presented the award at the 29th Annual Herbal Affair & Festival Saturday at noon and Younger was given a commemorative key to the City. State Representative Jadine Nollan also recognized Younger with a citation signed by herself and the Speak of the House.

Younger spent thirty years with the youth sports organization which also supports youth basketball and cheer teams. Dustin Little was announced as Younger's successor in March.

 

Prattville QuikTrip reopens after five months of rebuilding

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The QuikTrip convenience store located at 2 West 41st Street in South Sand Springs reopened at 6:00 a.m. Thursday after being closed for nearly half a year. 

The store's expansion project began more than a year ago with major groundwork and the existing store was closed and demolished in the fall.

The new building is approximately 6,000 square feet, an expansion of nearly 1,800 over the previous facility. The store is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and boasts a large selection of hot foods from their QuikTrip Kitchens.

QuikTrip is a privately-owned company founded in Tulsa in 1958. It first expanded to Sand Springs with its 300th store in 1992. The company operates more than seven hundred stores in eleven states with more than 22,500 employees.

The company ranks 33rd on Forbe's list of largest privately held companies with a $9.7 billion value in 2017. It is the second-largest private company in Oklahoma. QuikTrip is number 22 in the nation on the Fortune list of Best Workplaces for Millennials. 

29th Annual Sand Springs Herbal Affair & Festival set for April 21st

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Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs announces its plans for the 29th Annual Sand Springs Herbal Affair & Festival in downtown Sand Springs. The event occurs on Saturday, April 21, and runs from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. This year's event showcases more than 100 plant, herb, arts, crafts, food and wine vendors from around the four-state area. In addition to all of the gardening enthusiast items, this Herbal Affair features a half-dozen live musical performers on the historical stage at Charles Page Triangle Park in the heart of the downtown district. 

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs 29th Annual Herbal Affair & Festival

"This year's event is slightly larger than in the past, with a few more vendors adding to the diversity of our event," stated Grant Gerondale, Community Development Director for the City of Sand Springs. "What began as a small gathering of gardening enthusiasts with Ruth Leib and Sandi Byerly in 1989 has grown into Oklahoma's premier herbal festival."

With the positive growth seen this past year at the City's Riverwest Development just south of downtown, parking options at that site no longer exist. Event goers should rely heavily on the free parking and shuttle service at Charles Page High School (500 N. Adams Road) and utilize on-street parking around the downtown area. The free shuttle service will run from 8:00 a.m. until shortly after 4:00 p.m.

Each year the Sand Springs Herbal Affair offers shoppers a unique variety of tomatoes, herbs, annual and perennial plants and an assortment of arts, crafts, foods and wines. Visitors also enjoy the announcement of the "Hometown Hero" award, presented to a deserving Sand Springs citizen each year on the stage.

"This year's event brings in some new items and also goes back to some of the traditional roots of the festival," Gerondale added. "We'll feature eclectic gardening features like worm soil casings, a soil amenity for your garden, and we'll also see trendy hydroponically grown tomatoes. On the musical side of things we'll have the traditional sounds of the Shelby Eicher Trio, but we'll also bring back Dulcimer Magic which played the event for years. To end the day we've added the Sand Springs Community Band which did a fantastic job during last year's Riverfest grand opening at the new Case Community Park. I really encourage locals to come out and enjoy this great live music."

When you do come out, you'll be joining nearly 30,000 other visitors who make the annual trek to Sand Springs to get their fill of outdoor gardening plants, arts, crafts, and good food. This year's event features nearly 20 food operations to satisfy hungry strollers. 

"Who doesn't like the Amish chicken and noodles, right?" asked Gerondale. "You'll find old standby herbal affair foods and treats like fresh roasted nuts, but you'll also see some offerings like succotash and pitas."

This is a family and pet (on a leash) friendly outing as folks mingle amidst the historic downtown triangle of Sand Springs. Parents will want to check out the kidz-zone on the west side of the event area. Church That Matters is again hosting a variety of activities including a Radio Control Car display, kids petting zoo, snow cones and the chance for some Home Depot wood building kit activities. All of those activities are free to children.

The Sand Springs Cultural & Historical Museum will also be open and offers a great walk-through for interpretative displays and features a fine example of 1920's art-deco architecture.  The museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Is there a wine lover in your home? You won't want to miss the small wine-garden located immediately across from City Hall. Five area wineries will have small taster samplings on hand as well as a variety of their products for sale.

The City of Sand Springs encourages all event goers to step into the fun-filled shops that line the downtown streets of Herbal Affair. Unique and hard to find antiques, apparel and small treasures can be found in many of our small businesses in downtown Sand Springs.

Want to learn more? Check out our Facebook page in the days leading up to the April 21 event to find informative Herbal Affair event videos and details.

For more information about the City of Sand Springs, please visit  www.sandspringsok.org and www.seesandsprings.com.

Business of the Week: YellowHouse Market & Boutique

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YellowHouse Market & Boutique first opened its doors in Sand Springs in October of 2015. Less than three years later, the locally owned and operated business is the model of success thanks to strong customer service and a heart for the community. 

"We started out with a booth in Vintage Stables," says owner Lisa Miller. "We started putting clothes in there and we would sell out right away. That's when we decided to open a store and give it a shot."

The boutique first opened up at Livi Lee's Corner and relocated to the historic downtown Chastain's building in time for their one-year anniversary. The relocation was a coming-home of sorts for Miller, who previously worked for the prior owner of the building. When Laurie Joslin decided to close DejaVu Decor, both she and Miller felt it was God's plan for YellowHouse to take over the location.

The business takes its name from Lisa and Mike Millers' first home, a yellow farm house in their hometown of Skiatook. The couple arrived in Sand Springs thirteen years ago with their three kids, each of whom has a hand in the family business. 

"We've been surprised by how well it has gone and how supported we've been," says Miller. 

YellowHouse is unique in that they carry Small through 3X sizes in almost all of their clothing. They also receive lots of praise for their customer service, and carry a nearly-perfect 4.9 star rating on Facebook with over 200 reviews.

Miller hopes to launch a new online store in the next couple of months, and recently purchased a mobile boutique to use at road shows and events like Chillin & Grillin, which will be held in Case Community Park this April. 

"When I opened YellowHouse I was really terrified that it would not go well, and as it has grown, I've learned to start telling God 'yes' instead of 'no, because I'm scared,'" says Miller. "The more I say yes, the more that happens. I want women to get over the fear of 'what if this doesn't work.'"

YellowHouse has hosted popup shops to help promote other small businesses. Jaden's Designs sold wooden signs and other calligraphy-related home decor, Jade Crawford held an art show, and All Blessings Boutique showcased their custom burlap pillows. They will have several small vendors in the shop during the Herbal Affair and Festival later this month. 

Miller was asked to join the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in January, and has helped organize a new Small Business Initiative to guide other local startups to success. 

"People really want small businesses and stuff like this in Sand Springs. It's evident in the way we've been supported."

YellowHouse Market and Boutique
918.720.8370
122 North Main Street
Sand Springs, OK 74063
http://yellowhousemarket.com/
Facebook
Instagram
Hours:
Sun: CLOSED
Mon: CLOSED
Tue: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 
Wed: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thu: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Fri: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 

Sand Springs Chamber launches new Small Business Initiative

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The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce introduced a new Small Business Initiative at their Monday afternoon luncheon. The three-year program aims to present new businesses with resources for opening, growing, and becoming profitable quickly.

"The Chamber recognizes and appreciates the vital role that small businesses play in our community," said Chamber President Kristin Valentine. "These businesses are the engine of job creation and economic growth for Sand Springs."

"The Chamber wants to ensure that all businesses are equipped with the resources they need to grow and prosper, by providing the right climate for entrepreneurial and small business owners to succeed."

Businesses that have been open for five years or less and that have ten or fewer employers are eligible for the program, which includes reduced membership rates and sponsorship opportunities. Additionally, the program has created a Small Business Advisory Council that will provide direction for acquiring loans, filing corporate taxes, applying for permits, etc.

Lisa Miller, Jo Wells, John Fothergill, Danielle Myers, and Valentine comprise the council. Miller is the owner of Yellow House Market and Boutique, Wells owns Coble Flowers, Myers owns Myers Marketing and We Are Sand Springs, and Fothergill represents the office of Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith, who is sponsoring the initiative. Fothergill is also a former Sand Springs City Councilman and Vice-Mayor.

"We are very excited about it," said Valentine. "It's already brought in several new Chamber members. The response has just been phenomenal from the small businesses here in town."

Sand Springs Progress Report: What's new and what's changing

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The Automatic Spotless Car Wash at 3300 South Highway 97 was demolished in January to make room for new development. The car wash opened in 1979 and was sold to Yocham Enterprises, a Sapulpa-based construction company, in 2011. 

A hardened-room storm shelter is under construction at the Case Community Center. City Council approved a $136,000 contract with Lambert Construction in November of last year, using funds generated by a public safety sales tax. Designed by Studio 45, the room is rated to withstand 250 m.p.h. winds with an occupancy load of 97.

Josh Butts Creative Services is wrapping up a new mural on the side of Yesterday To Now at 224 North Main Street in downtown Sand Springs. The City authorized up to $49,500 for two murals in March of 2017, with funding from the Economic Development Capital Improvement Fund. The first mural, at 11450 West Highway 51, has yet to be completed due to obstructive power lines. 

A new trail is under construction along Sand Springs Park Road, stretching from Adams Road to the Sand Springs Lake. The project is partly locally funded, along with a $620,000 grant from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. 

Atwoods Farm and Home Store at 730 East Charles Page Boulevard is undergoing an extensive expansion project after taking over the storefronts previously occupied by Stage Department Store and CrossFit 1055. The company opened its Sand Springs location in 2002. 

Colton's Steak House & Grill is opening for business Monday, March 26 at 32 West Alexander Boulevard in River West.  SEE RELATED: Colton's Steak House & Grill holds ground-breaking ceremony in Sand Springs

Ground work has begun on the new Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center at Sheffield Crossing. The 40,000 square foot facility will house the City's Police Department, north-side Fire Department, municipal courts, jail, Emergency Operations Center, and 911 Communications operations. SEE RELATED: New Sand Springs Public Safety Facility to be named in honor of war hero Billie A. Hall

Three new housing developments are under construction in Sand Springs. Rivercrest has twelve lots ranging from $200,000 to $300,000 at 3123 South 113th West Avenue. Teal Ridge offers 115 lots ranging from $270,000 to $400,000 on 41st Street. Capital Homes is developing 87 lots at 700 West 51st Street.

Framing has gone up at the new $1.5 million Fire House No. 2 at 4101 South 113th West Avenue. The building will replace an outdated adjacent station built in 1967. The project is funded with Vision 2025 sales tax and is slated to be completed in August. SEE RELATED: Sand Springs breaks ground on $1.5 million Fire Station in Prattville

Plans are underway for a Main Street Renovation Project that will connect Highway 97 to Main Street and add a frontage road connecting Main Street to the Highway 412 at the Lincoln Avenue on-ramp. The project is funded by a 50/50 agreement between the City and ODOT. Additionally, a G.O. Bond-funded road will be constructed atop the levee separating Case Community Park from Sheffield Crossing.

Sand Springs Flowers has relocated to 26 East Broadway in the old trolley station building next to Napolis. The century-old business was recently purchased by Jessica Hendricks. Coble's Flowers is renovating the old location at 206 North Main Street and is expected to move in this April. SEE RELATED: Sand Springs Flowers to relocate under new ownership

St. Francis Health Systems unveiled a new $2 million Warren Clinic facility at 102 South Main Street in River West earlier this month. SEE RELATED: New Saint Francis Warren Clinic receives blessing, opens in Sand Springs River West

Myers Marketing and We Are Sand Springs are moving into a new building at 118 North Main Street on the ground floor of a building housing Crescent Lofts and Doug's Rebuilders, the former location of Blush Hair Salon. They will hold their grand opening April 21st during the 29th Annual Herbal Affair and Festival. 

The QuikTrip convenience store at 2 East 41st Street is nearing completion and finishing the parking lot and sidewalks this week. 

The Braum's Hamburgers and Ice Cream shop at 3950 South Highway 97 is complete, and is currently hiring and training new employees before opening.

Sandlot Sno-Balls will be opening a new Prattville location at 3 West 41st Street this summer. 

ZegART Studios recently opened at 700 East Charles Page Boulevard and offers family friendly art classes in many different mediums. SEE RELATED: ZegART Studios opens in Sand Springs

The passage of G.O. Bond Proposal No. 3 last November paved the way for the construction of a visitor's center and observation tower at the Keystone Ancient Forest. City Council will also vote on whether or not to purchase twenty additional acres for the forest on Monday. The $100,000 property sits adjacent to the preserve's entrance.

Sand Springs Flowers to relocate under new ownership

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Sand Springs Flowers held a grand opening Thursday evening in downtown Sand Springs, but the business is anything but new. Though it has changed hands a few times over the years, the business traces its roots back to before the city was officially incorporated.

Jessica Hendricks took over the shop after previous owner Carolyn Short announced her retirement in December. Short ran the business for more than two decades before closing its doors in January. Hendricks opened them right back up.

Originally owned by Sand Springs founder Charles Page in 1908, the business was moved to its current location in 1987. Three decades later, the shop has plans to move once again. Hendricks is currently renovating a storefront previously occupied by The Book Box at 26 East Broadway in the building with Napoli's Italian Restaurant.

Sand Springs Flowers will continue to offer the same quality floral arrangements it has been providing for over a century, but also looks to add new opportunities for the community. 

"We're now offering an art journaling class," says Hendricks. "I'm in the works on getting a glass-staining class. We've talked about trying to get a calligraphy class going, a floral design class, we've got all kinds of things in the works right now."

The store is now an exclusive carrier of Glacier Confections, a Tulsa-based chocolate company. Their flowers come from Green Leaf Florists in Tulsa and they're also carrying hand-painted signs by Hendricks's sister-in-law.

The store caters to patrons of all budgets, with Valentine's Day candy and balloon bouquets as cheap as $5.00. The store will also deliver throughout Sand Springs and Tulsa. 

Sand Springs Flowers is currently located at 206 North Main Street and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The store can be reached at 918-245-9511.