Jingling All The Way: Running through Brookside

Me and my friend, Kayla Ward, at the finish line of the Jungle Bell 5k Run.

The start line of the Jingle Bell Run was on 35th and Peoria.

By Emily Stern

The noises of Brookside Saturday mimicked the sound of Santa's sleigh. As we ran down Peoria Avenue, jingling all the way, the holiday spirit in the air made this 5k run easy to finish.

The annual Jingle Bell Run was held in Brookside on December 11. This run benefits the Arthritis Foundation and includes a 1k fun run/walk and a 5k run/walk, so everyone can join in on the fun.

The Jingle Bell Run is also known for dogs. The registration sheet even includes a place to register your dog. Also, nearly every dog that participated had some sort of holiday costume on, which made it even more entertaining.

Many of the runners of the race also went all out on their holiday costumes. I saw several Santa's and also quite a few Grinches. The joy in the atmosphere was contagious, and although it was a cold morning, the warm holiday spirit and complimentary hot chocolate made the weather bearable.

I ran the 5k run with one of my friends, Kayla Ward. We both decided to dress up in order to make the experience more enjoyable. With a small budget for our costume expenses, we decided to make clever shirts that reflected out holiday spirit.

After taking a while deliberating what our favorite holiday quote was, we decided on "All I want for Christmas...is to finish this 5k."

After participating in the run this year, we decided that we are going to make it an annual event, since it was such an great experience.

BNA Reelects Larry Bartley as President

The Brookside Neighborhood Association reelected Larry Bartley as president at its annual membership meeting on Monday, November 15.

Shannon Hall was elected vice president, Steve Barrett was elected secretary and Bonnie Huffines was reelected treasurer.

G.T. Bynum, District 9 city councilor, updated the group on city and neighborhood developments. Carol Bush of the Crime Commission also spoke to the association about crime prevention and safety in Brookside.

The meeting was held at Southminster Presbyterian Church.

Neighborhood Meeting Set Monday, November 15

The annual membership meeting of the Brookside Neighborhood Association will be Monday, November 15 at 6:30 p.m. The BNA meeting will be held at Southminster Presbyterian Church. See you there.

'Thriller' Comes to Brookside's BooHaHa Parade

Thanks to Heather Hall of Ida Red in Brookside for this video. And a hat tip to Tasha Does Tulsa for alerting us to it.

Tulsa's Newest Journal: This Land

It's not about Brookside, but This Land, a new monthly, is exciting journalism about Tulsa and all things Oklahoman. The newspaper-style magazine is certainly worth a read.

Issue three is out now with a range of stories and photos, including editor Michael Mason's first-person account of the Christian haunted house called The Nightmare, operated by GUTS church.

One of Mason's choicest comments: "The real goal of The Nightmare is to traumatize you into a paranoid state and then proselytize you. It's a straightforward, sincere affair meant to save you from hellfire, just like the Inquisition. Nobody in his right mind would want to go, unless you're in the mood to be degraded or offended."

Interesting, very interesting. Find out more about This Land at their website here.

District 9 Councilman G.T. Bynum Addresses Brookside Planning and Problems

By Toni Allen

Councilor G.T. Bynum has only represented Tulsa's District 9 for three years, but his vision of incorporating an urban feel into Tulsa’s small neighborhoods has already begun.

At an informal talk last week at TU, Bynum reminisced about riding his bike along Brookside as a child. Now he is working to keep family-friendly environments throughout Tulsa while increasing economic growth.

For the past two years, Bynum has been working to implement “PLANiTULSA,” a comprehensive plan to increase areas of Tulsa that have both residential and commercial opportunities. Brookside is the ideal model of this plan, Bynum explained.

“Brookside is unique within the city,” Bynum said. The neighborhood is one of the liveliest areas in Tulsa, he noted, because residents can live, work and play less than a mile from their homes.

Residents understand that living in such a popular and fast-paced neighborhood has its pros and cons. Bynum explains that it is a challenge to get the Brookside Business Association and the Brookside Neighborhood Association to come to an agreement.

The nightlife, for example, is continuously growing. Residents fought for more than nine months to dispute the new Ivey Lounge and its rooftop bar. They were upset that loud music and an open rooftop would interfere with their personal safety and daily lives.

Bynum finally reached an agreement with the residents and the owner of Ivey Lounge. The club would not use live entertainment on the rooftop and there would be a strict decibel limit for both the main floor and upstairs. Bynum has been contacted with several complaints, and he foresees more complaints in the future.

Another challenge for Bynum is the numerous parades hosted on Brookside. He tackled this problem head on by drastically reducing the number of parades and events. BooHaha, Brookside’s annual Halloween festival and parade, is one of the few left.

Bynum has always enjoyed the area he represents. He remembers the festivities such as BooHaha that he enjoyed as a child. With a family of his own, Bynum is aware of the potential on Brookside.

Henry Aberson sees the potential, as well. In the last seven years, Bynum said, Aberson has come in and spruced up Brookside by renovating and modernizing several buildings.

Tony Henry and Greg Hughes operate the north end of Brookside, Bynum added, and their vision of a modern and lively neighborhood has really come to life.

“There’s been a change in the evolution of stores on Brookside,” Bynum said.

“PLANiTULSA” has only been in effect for two months, and Bynum notices the improvements already. He plans to confront other challenges he faces as District Councilor.

Other challenges in District 9 area include river development, fixing Tulsa’s streets and paving the way for his proposed “Rainy Day Fund.”

Bands, Bikers and More: Scenes from the Boo Ha Ha Parade

Costumes were the order of the day for the Edison Marching Band at the Boo Ha Ha parade.
The Screaming Eagle Marching Band from Tulsa's Edison Prep.
Colorful four-wheelers in the parade, including one with an inflatable palm tree.
Loud pipes were blasting down Brookside during the parade.
Harley motorcycles were in full roar at the Boo Ha Ha, including a Harley ridden by this scary clown.

BooHaHa Parade Continues

Excited crowds await the parade.

The Tulsa Fire Department's pink truck.

Tulsa Fire Department.

An onlooker of today's parade said, "BooHaHa is one of the best parades Tulsa has all year. Events like this - that's what being a Tulsan is all about."

The Boo Ha Ha Parade Begins: Some Scenes from Brookside

A cheer squad in action in front of KJRH Channel 2 in Brookside.
Tulsa dog lovers parading their pets in today's Boo Ha Ha parade.
The Boo Ha Ha color guard cadets from Edison High School.
The Tulsa Police leading the Boo Ha Ha parade.

Trick or Treaters Descend on Brookside

The Brookside Business Association says Brookside is the place to be, a claim that was certainly true today as thousands of Tulsans lined South Peoria Avenue for the annual Boo Ha Ha parade.

Trick or Treaters Descend on Brookside

Decked out as the classical figure Medusa, Saidie, 9, was one of the many trick or treat children at the Boo Ha Ha Parade Saturday afternoon.
Part of the crowd along Peoria Avenue for Saturday's Boo Ha Ha parade.

Boo Ha Ha Brings Crowds to Brookside

Runaway Brides and So Much More: The Tulsa Run Takes to the Streets

By Emily Stern

As I drove up to Third Street and Boulder to reach the start of the Tulsa Run, I saw Snow White, a few fairies, and a man that looked like a goblin.

It's Halloween, time for the Tulsa Run, a race that is run on Halloween weekend every year.

One of the greatest parts of this race is the fact that so many people dress up in their Halloween costumes. I saw a few “runaway brides” who were wearing veils and running the race swiftly, one of my favorite costumes of the day.

This race consists of a 5k wheelchair race, a 5k race, a 15k wheelchair race, a 15k race, a 15k competitive walkers race, and a 2k fun run. This run has been going on since 1978, and it is the oldest run in Oklahoma.

This year the start time was at 8:30 a.m. for the 5k race, which is what I stood by and watched. The people running the race seemed to be having loads of fun, even though it was a chilly and early Saturday morning.

Although I wanted to run the race, I was told that day of registration isn’t allowed for this race because of how much they do for the runners. At first I was let down, but I as I watched the people run by in their various costumes I just chuckled and realize how much I was enjoying myself even though it was an early Saturday morning.

Next year I'll be sure to register early and I will most likely be dressed up in my Halloween costume.

For more run information, check out www.tulsarun.com

Goodwill Industries Opens New Brookside Donation Center

Brookside update from the NewsOn6. Details at the link below.

Goodwill Industries Opens New Tulsa Donation Center in Brookside.

Up Next: Stories and Photos from Brookside's Annual Boo Ha Ha Parade

Brookside's annual Boo Ha Ha Parade is Saturday, October 30, a day that begins with a pancake breakfast and ends with a festive parade down Peoria Avenue.

Other Boo Ha Ha events include a children's festival, trick or treating, a children's costume contest and a pet costume contest.

For more information, check out the Brookside Business Association's web page.

The Brookside Bulletin will be covering the festivities, of course, so check this site Saturday for stories and photos.

Councilor G.T. Bynum Speaks to TU News Class

Tulsa City Councilor G.T. Bynum spoke today to the TU students who are producing The Brookside Bulletin. Bynum represents District 9, which includes the Brookside neighborhood. With him is Toni Allen, one of the writers for The Brookside Bulletin.

Tulsa Councilor G.T. Bynum Will Speak to Brookside Bulletin Writers

The Brookside Bulletin staff will meet with Tulsa City Councilor G.T. Bynum on Tuesday, October 26, to discuss neighborhood ideas and issues.

Bynum, whose district includes Brookside, has held several recent town hall meetings with citizens and has started a quarterly mailer to update his constituents on issues in the district.

A story and photos from the class meeting will be featured later on this site.

Brookside Beat: We're Looking for News in Tulsa

The Brookside Bulletin is an experiment in hyper-local journalism—news about one of Tulsa's most interesting neighborhoods.

If you have a news tip or an idea for a Brookside story, let us know by writing us at this address: john-coward@utulsa.edu.