🌱 Tom Hanks Is Coming To Tulsa + Beautiful, Emotional Ballet

Hey, everybody! It's me, Karena Garrity, your host of the Tulsa Patch newsletter. Here's all the local news you need to know right now. Today's briefing includes...

• Tom Hanks is coming to Tulsa.
• Thirty-two-year-old plead guilty to having sex with 14 year old.
• Emotional ballet.

But first, today's weather: Humid with a t-storm in spots. High: 84 Low: 68.

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Here are the top stories today in Tulsa:

1. Tom Hanks is coming to Tulsa! He will be at Magic City Books on May 13 at 7 p.m. for an exclusive in-person event to celebrate the release of his first novel, "The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece." (Tulsa Performing Arts Center via Facebook)
2. Thirty-two-year-old Carol Geiger Russell plead guilty and has received a 15-year suspended sentence. According to KOKI Fox 23 Tulsa, "[Russell] was arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 14 year old. Police said the woman met the 14 year old because she was a volunteer in an early education program, and even committed a sex act with the child in a church." (KOKI FOX 23 TULSA)
3. With a message of hope, now through May 14, the Tulsa Ballet will be performing its three-piece abstract Signature Series, staged at the Lorton Performance Center. According to KOKI FOX 23 Tulsa, '"It's a totally different experience to watch an abstract piece. You don't look for a story. You enjoy movement and music. You can laugh. There are no particular reactions expected from you in this kind of work. With the narrative, you always follow the story. So, it's a different kind of experience," said one of the three choreographers, Katarzyna Kozielska."(KOKI FOX 23 TULSA)

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Today in Tulsa:

• Track State — Will Rogers College Hs (All Day)
• Track @ State Tourn — Booker T. Washington Hs (All Day)
• Boys State Tennis — Booker T. Washington Hs (All Day)
• DJ SAMI at Soundpony — Tulsa Arts District (8:00 AM)
• 2023 May Coffee & Commerce — Bixby Chamber of Commerce (9:00 AM)
• MAYFEST in Tulsa Arts District — Tulsa Arts District (11:00 AM)
• Mayfest: FC Tulsa Stage at Guthrie Green (12:00 PM)
• Festception Art Festival at The Gypsy Coffeehouse (12:00 PM)
• LIV Golf — City of Broken Arrow (12:15 PM)
• Changemakers High Student Movie Night (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Tulsa Police Department: "This week, mechanic Pete Cheek was awarded the Michael P. Kier Tulsa Blue Award, which honors City of Tulsa employees who go above and beyond in serving their co-workers and the citizens of Tulsa." (Tulsa Police Department via Facebook)
• Tulsa Police Department: "The Financial Crimes Unit of the Tulsa Police Department is requesting assistance in identifying this person of interest. This individual is suspected of cashing multiple fraudulent checks around Tulsa, while using another's identity." (Tulsa Police Department via Facebook)
• Tulsa Fire Department: "Firefighters at Station 21 put their new truck in service today. They washed down and pushed their new truck into the station. The small ceremony is a remembrance of how firefighters used to put their horse-drawn fire apparatus back into the station after calls." (Tulsa Fire Department via Facebook)
• Tulsa SPCA: "Stray alert! This adorable cat was picked up at an apartment complex near 61st and Riverside in Tulsa. Her stray hold ends on May 16 at end of day. Please share within your circles! Let’s reunite her with her family!" (Tulsa SPCA via Facebook)
• Tulsa Fire Department: "2023 Bike Club Rally! 26 schools • 400 students • 100 volunteers • 1 amazing day! Days like today couldn’t happen without incredible partners, a huge shoutout to Two Men And A Truck Tulsa USA BMX Gathering Place River Parks Authority City of Tulsa Gov Tulsa Public Schools Tulsa Police Department Quickie-Mart This Machine Tulsa." (Tulsa Fire Department via Facebook)
• Oklahoma Alliance for Animals: "Urgent! Our pet food pantry is nearly out of dry dog and cat food. We desperately need help to restock it! Please consider donating to OAA's Pet Food Pantry! Here's how: 1. Purchase dry dog/cat food from our Amazon Wishlist." (Oklahoma Alliance for Animals via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next update!

— Karena Garrity

About me: Journalism is in my veins. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my community and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tulsa Patch newsletter? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com