Biz Buzz

A Flying Burrito? The Crusty Croissant might have moved downtown and off of Brookside, but it's left room to welcome new additions to the neighborhood. The Flying Burrito, an Arkansas-based restaurant, has decided to move into the community and spice things up in the old building on Brookside. With burritos made fresh and exactly to your liking with its five-step system, the first Oklahoma franchise hopes to spread its legs and make an impression. The restaurant falls close to the lines of Qdoba and Chipotle, but they're offering two kinds of queso as well as "homemade food for a hometown feeling." With everything in the works, the restaurant hopes to open by the end of May. For more information, visit flyingburritoco.com.

Educational Direction. The direction of Monte Cassino School just got a little clearer as the school announced its new director recently. Matt Vereecke, current principal of Saint Pius X School, reports to duty July 1. "Matt was chosen through an extensive and thorough process," said Margie Warren, Monte Cassino School board chair and member of the search committee. "After interviewing many candidates from across the nation, we selected Matt because of his administrative style, his leadership skills, and his vision for Catholic education." Vereecke replaces Sister Mary Clare Buthod, who was Monte Cassino's school director for almost 40 years and resigned at the end of last year for health reasons.

Green Beer. Earth Day might come once a year, but the green initiative definitely does not end there. Eloté is proving that theory as it prepares to open T-Town's first "green" bar. Opening on Cinco de Mayo (check out page 37 for other around town events), the green bar will kick off its grand opening with live salsa music from Apowao, DJ Jezi and Luchador wrestling matches -- in an actual Mexican wrestling ring -- beginning at 9pm. To hold true to its sustainable roots, the bar was built entirely from 100 percent reclaimed lumbar as well as old fences and reused glass bottles to create the bar itself. The festivities as well as the bar continue until 2am. For more information, visit elotetulsa.com.

Fried Forties. While Lee's Famous Chicken might be an outside franchise, it's still a part of the Tulsa community, which is why it's time to celebrate the franchise's 40th anniversary. The Sheridan location, 902 S. Sheridan, has been open since 1970 and has exchanged family generations ever since. Now under the direction of the granddaughter of the original owner, Samantha Whitworth, the franchise hopes to only continue to flourish. "It's obvious Tulsa loves us, and the feeling is certainly mutual," Whitworth said. For more information, on Lee's or its history, visit leesfamouschicken.net.

Reporter

The Rhyme Game

Nimrod International Journal is calling for poetry lovers, readers and audience members for a twist on the "Favorite Poem Project," which was started by the U.S. Poet Laureate.

The gala spring event, also part of the National Poetry Month celebration, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 19, at 7:30pm at Harwelden, 2210 South Main St., home of the Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa and Poets House.

The reading will feature the spring issue of Nimrod: "A Map of Yearning" and works selected by the willing and inspired of Tulsa that tap into that theme.

Nimrod's "Map of Yearning" grounds us in a place we all have been and a place to which we will certainly return. It is a cartographer's sketchbook, absent of straight lines, drawn as he or she walks the mountains, rivers and roads, meeting entanglements, ferruginous, layered, yet seeded with promise. It is a map of all that we long for, and all that remains -- just out of reach.

Nimrod invites anyone and everyone who loves a poem or short piece of fiction that expresses this "yearning" to share it with the audience as Nimrod reads from its spring issue, "The Map of Yearning." Submit your favorite work that expresses this theme along with a note indicating your willingness to read it aloud on Wednesday, May 19, by May 10.

Call 631-3080 to submit your selection or email to HYPERLINK "mailto:nimrod@utulsa.edu" nimrod@utulsa.edu. Time, of course, is limited, but they will try to accommodate anyone who wishes to read and share his or her favorite "map of yearning," written by a published poet whom you might find on the shelves of "Poets House."

Testing, Testing.

Registration is now open for the June 12, 2010 ACT achievement test. Students who wish to take the college admission and placement exam must register before May 7.

The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement exam. It tests what students have actually learned in school, not their aptitude for learning. The ACT also measures what students need to know to be ready for entry-level college-credit courses based on ACT College Readiness Standards. Every student's results can be tied directly to these consistent standards.

The ACT has four sections -- English, mathematics, reading and science -- and takes about three hours to complete. Students who take the ACT Plus Writing complete an optional writing test that requires an additional 30 minutes. Unlike other exams, students are not penalized for guessing or answering all the questions on each test section. In fact, it is beneficial for test takers to answer all questions within the time allowed.

During registration, students may select up to four universities to receive their score reports. ACT scores are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities across the United States. ACT reports scores only when requested to do so by the student. Additional score reports are available for a small fee.

All students complete a detailed inventory of questions during ACT registration. Each test taker receives an ACT score report that includes a wide variety of information to assist with high school course selection, college readiness, career planning, and college admissions.

The cost for the ACT test without writing is $32. When combined with the optional ACT Writing Test, the total cost is $47. Students who qualify may apply for a fee waiver through their high school counselor.

The ACT website, actstudent.org, has helpful information, free sample items, and options to order inexpensive test prep materials to assist test takers get ready for the exam. However, the best preparation is to take rigorous core courses in school, study hard, and learn the academic skills needed in college.

Most students register online at actstudent.org. Students may also pick up registration forms from their high school counseling offices; these forms must be postmarked by May 7. Late registration is available until May 21 for an extra fee.