Back in Green

I dropped the ball on this while scrambling furiously to publish UTW's Guide to Tulsa. My apologies. I'm ready to get back on track. I have one post ready to publish, and I'm hoping that those who committed to writing here will start sending their posts. Otherwise, this is just going to be about how I feel about sustainability issues in Tulsa, and I have a feeling everyone will get bored with that fairly quickly.

I do have two things to note, though. This Thursday, at SpiritBank, is a forum for citizens and city leaders (green and otherwise) to communicate about if and how to make Tulsa a Green City. Pertinent information:

Thursday, September 18th (9-18-08)
SpiritBank Community Room, 1800 S. Baltimore
5:30-7:30 pm
Lights snacks by Cherry Street Coffee House
Parking on 18th street just north of the bank

Interested in Tulsa becoming the next Green City? Should Tulsa’s next comprehensive plan to be sustainable? Let’s Green the (918) together! Mayor Kathy Taylor’s Green Team and Sustainable Tulsa invite you to Greening the (918). Visit with green leaders and concerned citizens as we discuss the sustainability issues ahead of Tulsa and how we can integrate these hopes and plans in the City of Tulsa’s comprehensive plan, PLANiTULSA.

The Issues:
Sustainable Economic Prosperity
Diverse and Healthy Communities
Alternative Transportation
Local Foods
Water Quality
Solid Waste Management
Reduce Poverty
Green Building
Green Energy
Green Space
Ecological Footprint-City Wide
Transparent Communication on Green Issues
For more information visit www.cityoftulsa.org or www.sustainabletulsa.org.

Also, I received an e-mail from someone from the Tulsa Health Dept. telling me about a series of forums over the next six weeks (one in each Tulsa County zip code) to discuss with citizens ways and opportunities to improve our health. Per Alicia Plati, THD Program Development Coordinator:

Pathways to Health is an opportunity for residents of Tulsa County to participate in the identification of health priorities and the development of strategies toreverse the health status and eliminate health disparities across Tulsa County. We are holding health forums in every zip code over the next six weeks to provide community members the health status of their region in Tulsa County. The goal of the health forums is to identify community activists who are committed to pushing this effort forward and helping to engage the rest of their regional communities. The hardest part of this process is going to be getting the word out to the community that the opportunity to direct healthcare services is in their hands.

The Pathways to Health Partnership that is being formed is comprised of nearly 60 agencies and elected officials. This partnership has agreed to listen to the community priorities and adjust programming and resources to reflect those priorities. If you would like more information regarding this initiative please check out our website: www.tulsa-health.org/community-health/pathways-to-health. Pathways to Health has been in conversation with PLANiTULSA staff from the onset, and we expect that Pathways to Health will offer an important health perspective to the effects our built environment can have on the ability of Tulsans to live healthy and productive lives.

The remaining dates and locations for the forums are:
Thurs., Sept. 18 at Collinsville Library, 7pm
Thurs., Sept. 18 at Kendall-Whittier Library, 7pm
Mon., Sept. 22 at Reed Community Center, 7pm
Tues., Sept. 23 at Owasso Community Center, 7pm
Owen Park Community Center, Wednesday September 24th, 6pm
Fri., Sept. 26 at the Tulsa Health Department, Expo Square, 1pm
Mon., Sept. 29 at Charles Page Library, 7pm

I can't vouch for the forums, but it'll be interesting to hear what is said and see if they're able to bring about any real, productive solutions. I would love to hear from people who attend the forums (the Greening 918 and healthcare forums). What are your opinions of what you've heard? Do you think the people involved in the forums will be proactive enough to encourage and stimulate change and productivity?

-Holly