Swan Lake

By Will Noel

Swan Lake Tulsa OK.

Many people who grew up in Tulsa have visited or at least heard of Swan Lake. However, for those of us like myself who were not raised here in Tulsa, this place is not of familiarity.  Swan Lake is a historical location in Tulsa located on Utica Street and Peoria Avenue.

Swan Lake formerly known as Orcutt Lake was originally a watering hole until 1910 when it was developed into an amusement park consisting of a swimming pool and a roller coaster.  By 1917, the park became a residential area and the only attraction remaining from the amusement park is the lake itself.

 If you were to visit Swan Lake today, you would find this historical preservation is now surrounded by mansions built in the Twentieth century. These houses vary in style but all seem to have one thing in common.

When talking to a homeowner on Swan Lake she said, “We love living here, and the neighborhood is like a family”. Almost every house neighboring the lake has some sort of swan decoration whether that is a swan mailbox, swan statues, or other décor displaying swans. This neighborhood is very rich in culture and serves as a major focal point in Tulsa and one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. In 2011, The American Planning Association named Swan Lake a top ten neighborhood. 

918 Coffee Caters to Local Taste

By Benjamin Hatfield

Delicious Vanilla Latte

As I walked into this new and extremely retro coffee shop just down the street from TU on Eleventh Street, the scent of freshly brewed, hot coffee filled my nose and the room was warm and welcoming as if persuading you to sit down, relax, and enjoy a tasty, creamy latte. 

High ceiling and exposed ventilation

Pictures of Tulsa line the walls

The main room of the shop has high ceilings, allowing you to breathe easy and feel comfortable.  The coffee shop provides free wifi for easy internet access for those who would like to catch up on school work or business affairs.  The large windows provide the shop with vibrant, encompassing light and the view of bustling Eleventh Street makes you feel right at home in North Tulsa.  

The light fixtures are low hanging, circular, white cloth; simple, yet something I had never seen before, adding to the retro look of the room.  The ventilation system is exposed, giving the room a very natural feel and reiterates the appeal of a local coffee shop.  The walls are lined with pictures of the Tulsa skyline and various buildings many Tulsa natives recognize right away; paying tribute to the great city this coffee shop calls home.

The inviting front counter

The barista was pleasant and got me my drink quickly, bringing it to my table.  The vanilla latte I ordered was delicious, making any Starbucks a bit worried about local competition.  My latte had an elaborate design amidst the frothy cream atop the steaming coffee underneath waiting to be sipped with pleasure.  


“It is great working here," the barista told me. "There are slow days, but that is with any coffee shop.  We get a lot of local college students looking for a place to study and even an older crowd comes in every once in awhile to try it out.”

Inside 918 Coffee

Everything about 918 Coffee is similar to a mainstream coffee shop like that of Starbucks, but I can assure you, the local feel and the ideal, convenient location for TU students and Tulsans alike makes 918 Coffee unique and special because it emphasizes its loyalty to the city and caters to the taste of the people of Tulsa.

Dwelling Spaces sells local art, unique gifts

By Shiqi Gong

Outdoor of the dwelling spaces

An artistic shop called Dwelling Spaces is located in the Blue Dome District in downtown Tulsa at 119 S. Detroit St.

It sells T-shirts, postcards, some local stuff and artists’ paintings. It has been opened for seven years, according to Mary Beth Babcock, the owner of the shop.

Mary hosted a birthday party for her dog Molly, 15, in the Dwelling Spaces last month. She invited friends and took photos with Molly.

Dwelling Spaces holds a concert on the first Saturday night every month. I have enjoyed looking at the art and hearing the live music there.

A coffee bar called Joebot's is also located in the Dwelling Spaces.  

For more information, go to their website.

Nutritiously Slaughtered

By Israel Avila

Harvard Meats is exactly what an old-fashioned butcher shop should be like. The shop’s doors are heavy. The automatic sliding doors that we have grown accustomed to are nowhere to be found.

As I pushed the creaky door open, my eyes were immediately captivated by the vibrant colors. The color of freshly slaughtered flesh illuminates the glass in the showcase.

Product line includes beef, pork, poultry, lamb, and bison.

With a warm smile, the butcher welcomed me in. To assure that their product is healthier and more nutritious, he explained that the livestock was vegetarian fed and free from animal byproduct, growth hormones and antibodies.

When I left, I realized that big box stores have fooled me! They have masked their meat’s lack of freshness and variety with their automatic doors and conveniently prepackaged meats.

Harvard Meats is locate on the corner of 15th and S. Harvard in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They are open 7 days a week.

For some, donuts are a part of the daily routine

By Madison Price
Not every Tulsa restaurant expects a line out the door at 7 each morning. At the Daylight Donuts at 1917 S. Harvard Ave. however, the crack of dawn is where all of the action takes place.

 Open 5:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday, closed on Mondays

A typical morning at Daylight Donuts consists of a steady rush of customers from 6 a.m. to about 9:30, followed by the not-so-early risers that continue to trickle in until closing time just before noon. Customers range from neighboring Sidney Lanier Elementary students stopping for donut holes and chocolate milk with their parents to those headed to work with an assorted dozen for the office. No matter the occasion, good smells and pleasant smiles make the shop warm and inviting. 

Mia Kim, co-owner of Daylight Donuts at 1917 S. Harvard Ave.

Mia and Steve Kim have owned the store for three and a half years and say that business is booming. Having owned another shop in Dallas for 11 years before coming to Tulsa, they credit much of their success to their location at the intersection of 21st and Harvard Ave. "It's a great location," Mia said when asked about their success. "We get the obvious people, like the bank and St. John's Hospital, we have regulars that come in every day. We stay very busy...much better than we did in Dallas." 

Tulsa Restaurant Owner Opens Food Truck on Historic Route 66

By Caitlin Pond

As I waited in the long line at the trailer trying to decide what to order, I heard the man in front of me in line commenting on the menu. “The Okie Tonic is the best thing.” Well, that was enough convincing for me. Lola’s serves gourmet food right out of a food truck.

At the window, I ordered from Lola Palazzo herself, owner of Lola’s Gypsy Caravan. Lola formerly owned a restaurant in the Brady District, but gave it all up and bought a silver AirStream trailer instead.

I ordered the Okie Tonic (a lemonade with ginger), and the Shiny Bullet (a burrito named after the trailer). I sat under an awning with an eclectic group of people, and ate my lunch in happiness, looking out on Route 66. The best part was definitely the Okie Tonic.

Lola’s Gypsy Caravan is right off 11^th St. in Tulsa, right on the historic Route 66. 

Lola's AirStream Trailer off Route 66