5 Activities for Oklahoma Fall Fun!

Photo credit: @urban..farm.girl via instagram

Fall is in full swing, my friends and the weather is slowly coming along.

I wouldn't mind it dipping into the 60's like yesterday, but the festive spirit is definitely in the air and I am thoroughly enjoying it! Large pumpkins on beautifully decked out porches. Sprinkles of burnt orange and yellow leaves scattered about. PSL posts galore. And all the local, harvest oriented activities available that make family time so much fun this time of year.

Not sure which fall-themed events you should indulge in this year? Here are 5 activities that caught my eye that you and your family can go experience during this beloved and cozy season!

1. Harry Potter Festival in the Western Avenue District (Western Ave between 41st & 42nd St) 

When: October 16, 4-8pm

What's Happening: A themed festival for all ages with butterbeer, Quidditch, a sorting hat, potion-inspired shaved ice, a Triwizzard maze, shopping and more. Costumes are not required, but are strongly encouraged. Prizes will be award to the best-dressed witch, wizard or magical creature. 

2. Fall Festivities Fireworks at Orr Family Farm (14400 S Western Ave).

When: Oct 1-29

What's Happening: A fireworks show every Friday & Saturday all throughout October. Farm activities close at 8:45 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Free with admission.

3. Pumpkinville at Myriad Botanical Gardens (301 W Reno)

When: Oct. 7-23

What's Happening: A fall celebration for the entire family including crafts, games, imaginative displays, lots of pumpkins and more. Members, FREE; non-members, kids, $6, adults, $4. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., close at 3 p.m. on 10/22.

4. Fall Festival at Andy Alligator’s Fun Park (3300 Market Pl, Norman)

When: Oct. 8-31

What's Happening: A pumpkin moon bounce, pedal tractors, inflatable corn maze and more fun fall activities. $9.95 or FREE w/ purchase of a Unlimited Fun Pass. Friday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

5. Storybook Forest at Spring Creek Park at Arcadia Lake (7200 E 15th St, Edmond)

Source: Newsok.com

When: Oct. 23-30

What's Happening: A walk through the kid-friendly trick-or-treat path featuring storybook characters and scenes, as well as hay rides, games and a campfire for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. See website for details. 5:30-8:30 p.m.

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See more fall activities at Metro Family Magazine! 

Breathtaking Exhibit at the OKC Museum of Art: Matisse in His Time

Photo Credit: okcmoa.com 

It's back to school time!

I love this time of year. It's a time for enrichment and a reflection of gratitude that education is available to all of us here. Every chance I get, I like to combine fun experiences with exploration, learning, and conversation. That's why I adore the OKC Museum of Art. A now long-time fixture of downtown OKC, it's definitely a leisurely option locals can take for granted. Have you been lately? The contemporary Museum of Art makes for the perfect, culture-filled date with anyone - even kids! Enjoy an afternoon browsing an abundance of modern and periodical art, then enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner afterward at the sunny and posh, Museum Cafe.

The stand-out showcase right now is the Matisse in His Time: Masterworks of Modernism from the Centre Pompidou, Paris exhibit. Have you seen it yet? 

This European art experience features pieces from 19th/20th-century artist, Henri Matisse - known as "a prolific, curious, and social artist" and a fierce competitor to the artistic legend, Pablo Picasso. One of the most interesting aspects of his work is that it often became the center of many debates in its time. The OKC Museum of Art has teamed up with the Centre Pompidou of Paris to bring us a glimpse into the Matisse masterpiece collection featuring (for the first time outside of Europe) 50 of his paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints. The Matisse in His Time exhibit will be around until September 18th.  Go and check it out while you still have the chance! 

More info here.

Introducing: Heritage Hills Living Magazine

This summer has been truly sublime! 

I hope that you share in this sentiment and that this post finds you well, fulfilled, happy and ready for more of what this lovely season has to offer with family and friends. So what's new with Darian Woolbright Real Estate? You may have noticed that I have launched a magazine series titled "Heritage Hills Living." It is my pleasure to invite you into my latest listing, the monumental Johnson-Hightower Mansion located at 439 NW 15th Street. 

As I fell in love with this once in a century property, I imagined the roaring memories enveloped in its past and the undoubtable colossal gatherings of its future. It got me thinking about the perfect buyer for this mansion. Someone who is hospitable. A host extraordinaire. Someone who loves the thought of awakening the glamour of the early century. A time when conversation and cocktails were all the memorable entertainment one needed for an evening. Someone who is ready to own the house everyone is talking about. The person who came to mind was none other than the charming, Jay Gatsby of the classic novel, "The Great Gatsby." If only he wasn't an early century fictional character!  With that said, the mansion is available and ready for the Jay Gatsby or Daisy of the Midwest to carry on the charm of the days when gatherings were the talk of the town. Take an exclusive look inside "The Great Gatsby" Home of Heritage Hills and imagine the possibilities! Are you the person who will preserve this home into the next century?  Contact me today for a private showing of all 8,618 square feet. It would be my pleasure to give you a grand tour. 405.887.3007

Also in this issue: 10 Statement Pieces for Every Interior Design Style, An Exclusive Interview With David Reynolds-Owner of Red Eagle Construction, My Full Vendor Directory for Homeowners, & More. Thanks for reading! 

SUBSCRIBE to Heritage Hills Living Magazine!

Neighborhood Scope: Inside the Historic Heritage Hills

The saying, “the hills have eyes” is absolutely true in the case of Heritage Hills.

Located between NW 13th street and 23rd street, this area has been one of Oklahoma City’s most beloved historic districts since the early 1900’s and is naturally, an extremely popular area for locals to drive through to site-see to take in its majesty.
 
Its statuesque prestige and rich history was one of the very first to be acknowledged by the Historic Preservation Commission.  This community has heart and if you’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing it up close and personally via the annual Historic Homes Tour, you’re probably nodding in avid agreement. 
 
Getting to know the stories of the homes, taking in the artfully crafted interiors, and meeting the welcoming and kind-hearted residents has been one of my most treasured experiences as a realtor. If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out this vast neighborhood, let’s change that!
 
Here are 5 ways you can explore this residential heirloom now!
 
1. Take a drive.
It’s the perfect time of year to roll down your windows and take a scenic drive through a new area. You can begin your expedition on N.W. 13th anywhere between Broadway & Robinson “ooooh and ahhh” your way through the mansion-laden area with ease.
 
2. Drive by "The Great Gatsby" Home of Heritage Hills now on the market. 
Interested in moving to the area? I would love to show you an illustrious property featuring 6 bedrooms, 7.5 baths, with luxury living quarters in the back. Contact me to schedule your showing today!
 
3. Visit the Overholser Mansion
Built by Henry Overholser in 1903, the Overholser mansion is considered the actual first mansion built in Oklahoma City and is typically open for tours every Tuesday through Saturday from 10am-2pm. Get more information here!
 
4. Tour the award-winning schools
Wilson Arts Integration Elementary, Dove Science Academy, The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, Classen School of Advanced Studies, and the nearby Harding Charter Prep are all schools held in high regard. Schedule a tour to witness the amazing educational opportunities afforded to students in the area and while you’re in the neighborhood, take that drive we discussed!  
 
5. Plan on attending the next Historic Homes Tour in September 2016! 
The Historic Homes Tour has been an annual neighborhood tradition for 50 years! Get all the details for the September 2016 tour here. Tickets go on sale August 1st.

Eager to see inside some of the historic homes right now? I’ve got your covered! Check out the amazing photo gallery from the previous home tours.

Local Food Adventures: Pizzeria Gusto

OKC’s restaurant scene is having no issues keeping up with the booming real estate market and urban development!

As more local eateries open their doors, I along with the rest of the eager locals have been trying to venture out to try them all. My latest quest was to Pizzeria Gusto nestled just south of the thriving Uptown District off of 23rd and Walker. 

The environment, charming. The service, immaculate. The aromas, alarmingly alluring. And most importantly-the food, phenomenal! While the Yelp reviews mostly boast of Gusto’s “best calamari in OKC”, it was all the talk about ricotta donuts that ultimately peaked my interest. 

Here’s a peek inside my visit to the locally-doted on eatery. 

I arrived and was greeted immediately by the sweet and undeniably cool staff. Perusing the menu was an experience in and of itself as it featured a plethora of original dishes on a scale of fresh to sizzling savory. The choices in all of their promising glory made it tough to decide what to try-always the first sign of a new potential favorite eatery. Once I decided what to eat, I settled into Gusto’s pizzeria magic and enjoyed a slice of the lamb sausage pizza followed by the dessert I came for. So let’s get down to business. The ricotta donuts. These joy-filled marvels lived up to every single bit of their virtual praise! I’m not going to say that these donuts solved the budget crisis here in Oklahoma, but boy did they try. 

As I sat reflecting on the after-party in my tummy, I noted the community atmosphere and the eclectic energy cooly housed in Pizzeria Gusto. Perhaps it’s the natural vibrancy of the Uptown 23rd renaissance. Families with little ones, couples on date nights, comfortable parties of 1 seated at the sleek marble bar top-all enjoying their stare-inducing slice selections. Leaving, I didn’t feel like I just had pizza. I felt that I’d had an experience. Isn’t it the best when that happens? Pizzeria Gusto is creating a new vibe of pizza and I’ll be back to bask in it. 

Have you tried Pizzeria Gusto? 

What's To Come: The Wheeler District

 

The lofty plans for the Wheeler District are what summer dreams are made of.

With the ferris wheel officially up, the level of anticipation for this local attraction is only rising and the spinning is set to begin this summer! Now that’s progress.With all the buzz surrounding the Wheeler District, NewsOK recently published a much appreciated update on this whimsical development that will follow the ebb and flow of the Oklahoma River.

Here are 5 fascinating things I learned about the upcoming Wheeler District:

1. The Ferris Wheel currently being assembled is made from the very parts of the former Santa Monica, California ferris wheel. What a way to bring the vibes of the west coast to our city in the literal sense. 

Update: The Wheeler Ferris Wheel is now spinning! Go take the family for a ride and have a photo op in front of the amazing OKC sculpture!

2. A plan for the unit development was presented to the River Design Committee on April 7 and the Oklahoma City Planning Commission on April 28. 

3. Blair Humphreys, the founder of this project, is planning to completely renovate the Airpark terminal building and turn it into a community hub.  More details are to come about that according to NewsOK.

4. Phase 1 housing in the area will cover 15 acres and units will sell between $250,000 to $350,000 on average. The multiplex addition will feature 50 single family homes (both urban and multi-story townhomes), over 100 apartments and a 3-story office building. How does it sound to live or work right along the heartbeat and heritage of the beautiful Oklahoma River?

5. There’s so much good that will come from this project. Humphrey’s goal is to create a dynamic sense of community that will ultimately build up the surrounding neighborhoods with plans that include a bilingual school; opening up access from SW 15th; and a walker/cycler friendly urban template and will serve as a model for future city neighborhoods to come.  If you would like more information on this or any other Oklahoma City projects contact me today.

Follow the Wheeler District on Facebook for all the exciting updates! 

Source: NewsOK
 

Local Food Adventures: Cultivar Farm to Fire Mexican Kitchen

Do you like street tacos?

I have 3 words for you: farm to fire. Sounds curiously delicious, right? I am a big fan of Mexican food, so when I discovered Cultivar Farm to Fire Mexican Kitchen snuggled between 6th and 7th Street on Broadway, I couldn’t resist stopping in. Let’s talk about why you’ve got  to try the place that’s bringing the fuego to downtown Oklahoma City.

Cultivar is more than another restaurant to fulfill your Mexican food cravings, it is a 100% source-conscious breath of fresh air. Their no “frankenstein” food philosophy is, refreshingly, becoming more of a requirement for local diners and Cultivar is up for the challenge. Patrons can trust that when they walk through the door, they are going to enjoy honest, clean food that is as locally sourced as possible. In fact, most ingredients come from Cultivar’s very own farm.  Are you impressed yet?

The restaurant concept is much like walk in "burrito" chain restaurants, in that you order your food at the counter first, but the similarity ends there.  As I sat down to begin my experience at Cultivar, I knew that there was much about to happen on that wooden table seared with their name; and it all started with chips and queso, of course. The chips were thin and crispy and the consistency of the queso was just right. Not too watery, not too thick. This was truly liquid white gold. Loved it. While feasting on the appetizer, we awaited our craft tacos. And out they came, a large platter of corn tortillas served with exquisite rotisserie chicken, carne asada, grass-fed fire-grilled beef and pork carnitas with choice garnishes of avocado cream, radish, cabbage, red onion, and cilantro. No regrets. The food was so flavorful, seasoned just right with a freshness that almost took all the guilt out of the loads of queso consumed before the meal. 

If you are looking for authentic Mexican food and are in the downtown area, stop by and tell me what you think of Cultivar!

A Night of Luxury: VIP Preview Party in Heritage Hills

I recently had the pleasure of hosting a VIP preview party at 1525 Classen Drive, and what a time we had!

This property, nestled in the Heritage Hills neighborhood, stimulated an exciting conversation about the deep history of this prominent home and area. 

Over 100 guests attended to enjoy live music by classical guitarist, Alex Kendrick and naturally, it was a family affair! Kids and whoever pleased indulged in hand-crafted s’mores, hot chocolate and sno-cones from a local favorite, Snow S’more foodtruck.

It was a great night filled with amazing company. Prominent and influential professionals, neighbors and luxury agents all gathered to behold this impressive classic home. The design; the grounds; the magnificent interior; the sophisticated detail and brilliant craftsmanship are only the beginning of what makes this English-style cottage so captivating. 

Here’s a look back at the evening and a full home tour of this coveted property in the heart of the urban core.

We got an offer that night, and the home is currently under contract.  

Are you or someone you know thinking of selling a historic luxury home? Call me today for a confidential consultation. I have very motivated and highly qualified buyers for Heritage Hills. If you or someone you know has a house to sell in that area, please call me today. This may be the best market for them, I can help them get a great price, and quick sale.