Coffee Geeks - A Day In the Life of a Head Roaster

By Skylar Fuser

I walk into Cirque Coffee Roasters, a bustling coffee shop in Tulsa, OK, on one of its renowned “roasting days.” I am greeted by a vibrant 25-year-old man named John Pierce, who has been happily roasting coffee beans by hand all morning. So young, yet an owner of this new, popular shop in Tulsa. 

He quickly picks out a “quaker,” a bean that is discolored and can give the coffee a rancid taste. I quietly watch as the experienced hands sort through the entire batch and listen as he tells me his story.

After gaining experience in roasting from a master in Kansas City, MO, John moved back to Tulsa. It was here that he encountered an old high school friend, Garrett O’Dell, and decided to pursue a shop of their own.

“We both quit our jobs,” John said excitedly.

What sets Cirque apart from the rest of the shops in Tulsa, and maybe in the entire state, is the amount of time and thought put into each drink.

“I know a lot about coffee, so it would be a disservice to my customers if I didn’t go through all the steps,” John said.

Each barista goes through six weeks of intensive training. Morgan Steele, who has worked at Cirque for around eight months, said she had “never felt more prepared for a job.”

All signature drinks are invented by the baristas. Morgan shared with me about her Chai, which she co-created with John. She worked to spice a house-made syrup for the drink, a very unique process that sets its flavor apart from all others.

One frequent customer, Louie Carreno, shared with me about his favorite drink at the time. Louie’s favorite drink was the “Ode to Arnold,” an interesting take on a classic Arnold Palmer.

“The flavors of the drink were sublime,” Carreno said of one of Cirque’s first signature drinks.

John also gave a glimpse as to the future of Cirque, which is about to experience a few renovations.

They have recently leased the unit next door to make space for training new team members and larger areas for roasting.  This will also allow the shop to expand customer seating and keep up with the ever-growing clientele.

If you would like more information about Cirque, or to shop its exclusive, specially-chosen coffees, visit http://www.cirquecoffee.com/.

Pancho Anaya Bakery: Your Local Sugar Fix

By Skylar Fuser

On the corner of Lewis and Admiral, Pancho Anaya Bakery fills the hungry stomachs of pastry connoisseur's all over Tulsa.

The take-and-go system is a pair of tongs and a tray. This was daunting to me, as I felt each slice of cake and morsel of cookie begging me to grab them.

There are countless delicacies to choose from. Glorias are traditional, cake-like loaves with raisins on top. Orejas are crispy, thin pastries shaped like a "U" with sugar both baked in and on top. Two pieces of traditional bread molded together in a sphere with sugar and a delicious layer of icing becomes a yoyo.

Finally, churros, which are bought with either Bavarian crème filling, strawberry filling, or no filling at all, are also local favorites. This is just to name a few.

Most of the customers are locals of Hispanic heritage, as opposed to me and my friends. The easy-going nature of the store allowed the three of us to feel comfortable grabbing tongs and jumping right in to the party.

Pastries are also labelled with their traditional name as well as an explanation of what the dish is. This helps inexperienced guests get excited about choosing the pastry they think sounds the most scrumptious.

Pancho Anaya is a family business and has been baking goods for five generations. Each hand-made pastry is evidence of the wisdom that comes with their experience.

For more information about Pancho Anaya's menu or other locations around Tulsa, visit http://panchoanaya/menu/.

Duncan man moves to Tulsa for work and finds much more

By Abby Hickman

Growing up in Duncan, just miles north of the Texas and Oklahoma border, Duane Harris moved to Tulsa three years ago to work at a local trucking company, but found love, friendship and happiness also.

After a year in northeast Oklahoma, Harris met his girlfriend who is a student at the University of Tulsa. Since they met two years ago, he has attended countless TU basketball and football games. He love taking his son, Malachi Harris, to the games. Malachi has previously been featured on the "Simba cam" during TU basketball games.

Harris enjoys spending his free time at local restaurants such as “Tacos Don Francisco,” “Tally’s Café” and “Ted's Cafe Escondido.” He considers “Woody’s Corner Bar” the best bar in downtown Tulsa.

When asked about future plans, Harris quickly said, “I’m not leaving Tulsa, ever.” His love for Tulsa does not sway his dedication towards the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners have his loyalty, but Tulsa seems to have his heart.

Duane Harris(left) and Malachi Harris(left) 

Tulsa's Haunted Mansion

By Israel Avila

Designed by noted Tulsa architect Nobel B. Flemming

The beautiful Italianate-style mansion that is home to the Tulsa Garden Center, is said to be haunted!

On my visit to the Tulsa Garden Center, 2435 S. Peoria Ave., I was given a private tour by the center's education and marketing manager, Michael Blake.

In 1923, J. Arthur Hull purchased the home. Soon after moving in, Hull’s wife, Mary, became increasingly ill and died. Her spirit is said to be responsible for haunting the estate.

Blake explained that, “because this was such an elaborate house, they did have her body lay in state so that friends and family can visit her before the funeral.”

It is said that the room stays cold throughout the year, despite its large windows

“I have to be honest, I personally don’t believe in ghosts,” admits Blake. “But I’m not going to make fun of people who do believe in them because everyone is entitled their opinion.”

Blake said that teams of paranormal investigators have toured the mansion finding evidence that the house might be haunted. The team used specialized tools to measure paranormal activity in the home.

Shadowy figures have been seen in the ballroom and upper elevator areas of the home.

While the Tulsa Garden Center is home to 30 affiliated organizations for horticultural and environmental activities, the Center can now include the exhilarating paranormal activities and history of Mary Hull.

Since 1954, well over a million people have visited Tulsa Garden Center.

Spooky Halloween decoration found in the attic.

Authentic Sushi but not Japanese Experience

By Rejie Shetty


In all of Tulsa you might be wondering where could one get an authentic Asian cuisine, well rest your worries as Tokyo Sushi and Hibachi located at 4942W. Kenosha St. in Broken Arrow,OK 74012 has the experience you desire.
    
"Eat much, pay less" said University of Tulsa Student, Mohamed Sharaiqi, who was there on a Saturday for lunch. "They have plenty of choices and varieties of Japanese cuisine but i really recommend the YO YO MAMA ROLL and the VOLCANO ROLL."
     
The restaurants operates all days of the week from lunch to dinner. They offer a buffet of all you can eat for around 20$.
    
"The sashimi was my favorite, it was really well done," said M.A Ghori, another student from the university of Tulsa. "All you can eat of sushi for under 20$, more rolls than i could have ever imagined." 
     
"The tempura, fried bananas with green tea ice cream are off the chain," said a regular who goes there on a monthly basis.

Over all most costumers are very fond of the food however quite a few have shown dissatisfaction with the service.

"We waited for what seems like forever, but the food more than made up for it," said Anh Nguyen. 

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/58/1681997/restaurant/Tulsa/Tokyo-Japanese-Sushi-Hibachi-Restaurant-Broken-Arrow#hours-base

For further information and reservations please call (918) 6153700

Tulsa: A Wealthy Place in Oklahoma

By Shiqi Gong

Tulsa is a wealthy place in the state of Oklahoma. 

According to Internal Revenue Service figures compiled by Mongabay.com, Tulsa ZIP Code 74121 is the wealthiest ZIP code in the state. The third, fifth and sixth highest income ZIP codes are also in Tulsa. 

Oklahoma is the 37^th-richest state in the United States, with a per capita income of $32,210 in 2006. 

The median household income of Oklahoma for2008 to 2012 was $44,891. The median household income of the United States, $53,046, is significantly higher than the median income of Oklahoma.

For more information, go to on wealth and income in Tulsa and around Oklahoma, click here: http://wealth.mongabay.com/cities/OKLAHOMA.html

Lisa Meehan: Back to Tulsa

Lisa Morgan

By Mason Morgan

Lisa Meehan was born in Tulsa and then returned to Tulsa after going off to school at the University of Oklahoma.

“I grew up here, you know?” That's what she said after I asked her why she came back to her hometown after college. 

“Everyone I knew just wanted to get away from here but I love it here, why should I go anywhere else?”