OKC-area events, news: Tai Chi-A-Thon, new sports coming to Scissortail Park and more

Staff reports
·4 min read

2022 Statewide Tai Chi-A-Thon planned

Oklahoma Health Aging Initiative (OHAI) at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center will host its fourth annual Statewide Tai Chi-A-Thon 9 a.m. to noon, Sept. 23, as part of National Falls Prevention Week.

Tai chi is a series of gentle physical exercises and stretches designed for people of all ages and levels of health and can help reduce the risk of falling, while also increasing balance and flexibility. To register, go to www.ohai.org.

This event will be held at four locations across the state:

  • Catoosa Public, 105 E Oaks St., Catoosa

  • Ron Cross Senior Activity Center, 1421 Chuckwa Drive, Durant

  • Legacy Park, 1898 Legacy Park Drive, Norman

  • First Presbyterian Church, 502 W Maine St., Enid

For additional questions or accommodations, call 855-227-5928 or email ohai@ouhsc.edu.

Capitol Hill to host Fiestas de las Americas

Fiestas de las Americas parade and street festival is a celebration of Oklahoma’s rich multicultural heritage. The fiesta will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at Capitol Hill Main Street, 319 319 SW 25.

This year the festival includes a parade, vendor’s corridor, Artisan market, artist alley, children’s area, Travel the America’s Experience, the Miss Fiestas De Las Americas Leadership Development Scholarship pageant, live entertainment and more.

For more information or to sign up, call 405-632-0133 or go to https://www.historiccapitolhill.com/fiestas-de-las-americas.

New sports programming coming to Scissortail Park

Scissortail Park and YMCA of Greater OKC have partnered together to offer new adult and youth sports programming in the park’s newly built southern section, connected across Interstate 40 by the Skydance Bridge, is scheduled to open on Sept. 23.

The Scissortail Park branch will offer youth flag football, youth soccer, adult grass volleyball and adult flag football for the fall season. Enrollment for fall sports is open through Oct. 3.

Practice for youth flag football and soccer begins on Oct. 4 and 6; games begin Saturday, Oct. 8. Adult flag football and grass volleyball games begin Oct. 10 and 12. The fall season will run for six weeks.

For more information or to enroll, go to ymcaokc.org/programs or scissortailpark.org/ymcasports.

Oklahoma state agency's office relocated

The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) has relocated its vocational rehabilitation office from Shepherd Center to a new location at 5005 N Lincoln Blvd., suite 210, in Oklahoma City.

The vocational rehabilitation office serve adult job-seekers with disabilities and transition students with disabilities who are preparing for employment after high school. This office primarily serves northwest and northeast Oklahoma City, Lincoln County and eastern Canadian County.

The office for the blind and visually impaired is still at the Shepherd Center, 2401 NW 23 in suite 91.

For more information on vocational rehabilitation or services for the blind, call 800-487-4042.

Young artists invited to join Teen Arts Council

Arts Council OKC is looking for a committed group of passionate individuals between the ages of 14 to 18 going to school in Oklahoma County to share ideas and engage with the community through arts experiences.

Teen Arts Council (TAC) members will develop leadership skills, participate in workshops, and explore a variety of exhibits, performances and installations. They are also given volunteer opportunities and behind-the-scenes access to certain arts events.

The council will meet twice a month starting in October and ending in May, with an annual arts advocacy project or collaborative exhibit designed and implemented by council members. To apply, go to https://www.artscouncilokc.com/.

For more information about the Teen Arts Council, call 405-270-4848.

City of Norman sets fall cleanup

NORMAN — The Norman 2022 Fall Residential Fall Clean-Up will begin Oct. 8 and will follow the typical polycart service pickup day schedule.

All items are to be placed curbside no earlier than one week before and no later than 7 a.m. on respective collection days. The Transfer Station at 3901 S Chautauqua, will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on each listed Saturday at no charge to haul items independently. Must have a current city of Norman utility bill.

Solid Waste Collection is not able to accept yard waste of any kind, remodeling or demolition debris such as broken concrete, bricks, lumber, sheetrock, shingles, junk cars or any hazardous waste such as tires, batteries, paints, etc.

For residents in the rural area, disposal containers will be set up from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 22-23 at the American Legion, 156th Avenue NE and State Highway 9, and Alameda Market, 7500 Alameda St. Must be able to provide proof of residency through a copy of the city of Norman trash bill.

For more information, call 405-329-1023.

To be considered for this column, please email news and events with photos to DLindauer@Oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma City metro-area happenings: News and events