REPORTER

Arabian Horse Show Returns. October 19 -- 27, Expo Square will host one of the most prestigious equestrian shows in the nation, The 46th Annual U.S. National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show. The North American Championship features Arabian show horses of full, half-Arabian, and Anglo-Arabian lineage accompanied by both professional and novice handlers and riders. Competition centers around classic equestrian events such as halter, native costume, reigning, working cow, cutting trail, show hack, sidesaddle, park horse, driving and English, western and hunter.

The event will also feature a marketplace of equestrian suppliers, as well as veterinarians specializing in the treatment of horses, a regional farrier, and entertainment by trainer and performer Sylvia Zerbini. Visit arabianhorses.org for more information.

Cherokee Nation Receives Award. The Cherokee Nation was named Tribal Destination of the Year by the American Indian and Alaska Native Tourism Association during a national awards ceremony Sept. 25.

"The achievements of the Cherokee Nation are based on its cultural, historical, natural and recreational resources," said Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation Bill John Baker. "Our success further strengthens Oklahoma as a top tourist destination in the nation and provides a much needed economic benefit to communities throughout the state. Native American heritage and culture continue to be an asset for Oklahoma and we are honored to take the lead in sharing our history."

The Cherokee Nation tourism program was created in 2007 to help preserve and promote Cherokee history and culture. According to the Cherokee Nation, the endeavor has formed one of the most authentic and comprehensive Native American programs within the United States.

Republican Men's Club Announces Luncheon. The Tulsa County Republican Men's Club has announced its regular luncheon meeting for noon, Oct. 10, at the Hibachi Grill, 8110 E. 74th Place.

Speakers will include mayoral candidate Bill Christiansen, who will speak on the Vision2 proposals, as well as H-70 candidate Ken Walker, and former county clerk hopeful Dean Martin.

For information on membership, and meeting locations you may contact Acting President Bob McDowell at 918-451-1051.

South Lewis Avenue road construction. Believe it or not, I-44 between Riverside Drive and Yale Avenue was built before the creation of the Interstate system in the 1950s.

This little factoid may not soothe your mind much if you travel on South Lewis Avenue near the Interstate during the next 20 months or so.

Construction related to I-44 has shut down both north and southbound South Lewis Avenue traffic at the intersection "until further notice," part of an estimated 20-month project according to officials with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

Once finished, the project will widen I-44 to six lanes between South Peoria Avenue and South Harvard Avenue. Work is also being done to improve South Lewis Avenue ramps and highway frontage roads. The I-44 and South Harvard Avenue interchange will remain open, as will the I-44 and South Peoria Avenue interchange.

The project may result in additional temporary closures, with traffic advisory information available at okladot.ok.us.

Previous work on the project included installing a 1.25 mile long drainage structure between Riverside Drive and Yorktown Avenue, with that portion of work completed in 2010. Other work to improve I-44 was done near South Harvard Avenue and near Riverside Drive and South Peoria Avenue.

The South Lewis Avenue construction underway is considered the final phase of the I-44 project.