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#91

Development & New Businesses / Re: American Heartland Theme P...

Last post by patric - July 27, 2025, 09:40:47 AM

Well, if anyone of them head to the Prayer Tower to meditate and boost funding, you know it's a scam.

The financial backer of the proposed $2 billion American Heartland theme park in Vinita has sued three individuals associated with the development, claiming the project failed after the three bilked him out of $60 million in part by sending encouraging texts and emails to him that purported to come from God.

Attorneys for Florida resident O. Gene Bicknell, 92, filed the lawsuit Friday in Tulsa federal court, naming Richard M. Silanskas Jr., Larry K. Wilhite and Stephen D. Hedrick as defendants.

"Silanskas and Wilhite executed a predatory conspiracy of psychological manipulation — convincing Gene, through fraud and impersonation, that God himself was commanding him both to finance the park's construction and to grant Silanskas and Wilhite two-third ownership over the completed venture, which was to be worth $2 billion," the lawsuit states.
Their efforts included sending Bicknell anonymous texts and emails that pretended to come from God and another religious figure.
"Silanskas and Wilhite made Gene believe that God Himself was commanding Gene to infuse ever more cash into the Project and to trust them completely with its management. For years, those electronic messages preyed upon Gene's devout Christian faith and admonished Gene to obey 'God's' will without doubts or second-guessing."
https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/crime-courts/article_c8c6bacd-1cb5-4b8d-8ea4-f1fa2ff340e6.html

#92

Local & State Politics / Re: Ryan Walters for Governor

Last post by patric - July 26, 2025, 08:16:39 PM

https://ryanwaltersforgovernor.com/
Personally, I would decline to hire him to lick up my toe nail clippings, but that's me.

Oklahoma's Trump-Loving, Bible-Thumping Superintendent Faces Porn Probe.
"I saw them just walking across the screen, and I'm like, 'no." I'm sorry I even have to use this language, but I'm like, 'Those are her nipples.' And then I'm like, 'That's pubic hair.' What in the world am I watching?

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/ryan-walters-oklahoma-superintendent-trump-bible-porn-1235394675/

#93

Other Tulsa Discussion / Re: Another Police Helicopter

Last post by patric - July 20, 2025, 12:43:28 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79AVq1Z2_QU

Considering digital flight authorization for drone flights. 

Because a helicopter flying without ADS-B has already killed an airliner full of people, but we should really be afraid of a hobbyists drone?  https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?4762991-Homeland-Security-Committee-urges-requiring-Digital-Flight-Authorizations

#94

Other Tulsa Discussion / Re: Another Police Helicopter

Last post by whoatown - July 20, 2025, 12:22:11 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79AVq1Z2_QU

Considering digital flight authorization for drone flights. 

#95

Entertainment / Re: Mazeppa R.I.P

Last post by heironymouspasparagus - July 18, 2025, 06:29:57 PM

Sad loss.   Always enjoyed watching the Uncanny Film Festival!  So many good times with that and other late night shows...!

#96

National & International Politics / Re: President Trump- The Impli...

Last post by heironymouspasparagus - July 18, 2025, 06:26:35 PM

"He's a looney MAGAT Conservative, anti abortion right wing neo Nazi Trump loving Facist." "He's an appointee by two Democrat Governors psycho left wing anti Trump biggot."

Truth is he's a nut job wacko with guns and ammo and it seems some manifesto with most of the Minnesota state senate and congressional members on a hit list who surprisingly didn't off himself or commit suicide by cop in an attempt to become some sort of martyr.

He's no hero, more a worthless waste of human flesh.

He should be feeding worms somewhere...just not near a garden it would contaminate.

#97

PlaniTulsa & Urban Planning / Re: Better Streetlights for Tu...

Last post by patric - July 18, 2025, 10:05:14 AM

Looks like these folks have a product to mimic a gas mantle light.
https://americangaslamp.com/gasglow-led/

Looking at the picture, its a set of LEDs in the shape of gas mantles that are not shielded or diffused in any way, which would only produce glare if it were the main source of illumination.
I would not recommend these for outdoor use.

#98

PlaniTulsa & Urban Planning / Re: Better Streetlights for Tu...

Last post by Red Arrow - July 17, 2025, 11:28:12 AM

Are bulbs available that would closely mimic the gas lamps so many people think are so great?

Looks like these folks have a product to mimic a gas mantle light.

https://americangaslamp.com/gasglow-led/

#99

PlaniTulsa & Urban Planning / Re: Better Streetlights for Tu...

Last post by Red Arrow - July 16, 2025, 09:15:46 PM

Why are "civic" groups still promoting glare-prone Acorn lights as the solution to everything "wrong" with downtown?

Are bulbs available that would closely mimic the gas lamps so many people think are so great?

 

#100

PlaniTulsa & Urban Planning / Re: Better Streetlights for Tu...

Last post by patric - July 16, 2025, 09:29:01 AM

Why are "civic" groups still promoting glare-prone Acorn lights as the solution to everything "wrong" with downtown? 


https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/fox23.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/7/e1/7e154ae7-7771-4ae0-9fb9-8cd8aa24cbec/68779bd251caa.image.png  The art is visually deceptive.

The Alleyway Activation program states it is designed to encourage walkability, increase visible public art and enhance the public realm with creative and unique lighting features that can promote safety and comfort in walkable alleyways. It hopes to create a network of inviting, creative, unique and interesting alleyways throughout Downtown to offer residents, visitors and employees improved walkability and expanded opportunities for artistic and cultural expression.

One location being highlighted is the alleyway on West 5th Street. It looks to integrate artistic lighting and engaging elements and convert "an underutilized urban space into a welcoming, interactive environment". https://www.fox23.com/news/alleyway-activation-program-seeks-to-encourage-walkability-in-downtown-tulsa/article_f2c2e2a1-4161-4486-94f9-d2a9b90d65e5.html

I consulted with TyPros when they did this same thing about ten years ago, and in they end it was PSO that decided "wallpacks" were the way to go (which are also glare-prone and pretty much the standard feature meant to keep people away from dumpsters).

Ironically, the project website shows a good example from Philadelphia sans-acorns, but somehow distinguishing between good lighting designs and capitulating to PSO's whims was lost.
https://downtowntulsa.com/about/programs-and-initiatives/w-5th-st-alley