There is an old saying that goes: “There is no problem a library card can’t solve.” Once you start to take advantage of all the great resources Oklahoma City’s amazing library system provides, that statement will ring pretty true.

The Metropolitan Library System serves more than 600,000 people through 19 locations in Oklahoma County. To get a card, you just have to live in Oklahoma County. And if your county is Cleveland, McClain, or Pottawatomie and you are part of the Pioneer Library System, you can still join in the Metropolitan Library System’s fun – our Oklahoma City-area libraries have a reciprocal service agreement with the Pioneer Library System, headquartered in Norman.

In addition to books, the library allows its members to check out and download eBooks (including indie and self-published works), audiobooks, magazines and music.  You can even stream video and other content from services like hoopla, Kanopy and more. The library also gives members access to online learning resources for kids and adults, with popular resources like Lynda.com and Mango Languages available at no cost. You may be able to even apply online to start downloading immediately. There are virtually no limits to the things you can learn and do as a card-carrying member of the library. Find a library near you.

The Metropolitan Library System has a long list of activities for those who want to connect with real people in the real world. Whether you want to join a book club, pursue a hobby like tai chi or art, get healthy with exercise classes or attend a story hour with your kids, you can find something that interests you at a nearby library. Check out the events calendar and sign up for one.

The first chapter in many renowned authors’ biographies takes place in Oklahoma City. Get to know your new hometown by reading the works of some of its more wordy residents.

• Ralph Ellison, author of the 1953 National Book Award winner “Invisible Man” and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree (1969), grew up in Oklahoma City. You can see a sculpture of him at the Oklahoma City library that bears his name or see a portrait of him at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Read more by checking out some of the books by and about him from the Metropolitan Library System.
• Award-winning mystery writer Carolyn Hart grew up in Oklahoma City and has written 58 books, and most recently published “Ghost on the Case” in October 2017. Her standalone novel “Letter From Home,” which is set in Oklahoma, won the Agatha for Best Mystery Novel of 2003 and was a New York Times notable book that year.
• Oklahoma City native and resident Lou Berney has written three critically-acclaimed, award-winning novels. One novel, “The Long and Faraway Gone,” is a mystery based in Oklahoma City and has won multiple awards including the 2016 Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original.
• Oklahoma City native Gena Showalter, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, writes young adult romance novels often featuring paranormal creatures.
• Chef Rick Bayless grew up in Oklahoma City (his family’s business was the barbecue restaurant called Hickory House) and now operates Frontera Grill in Chicago. He has written several cookbooks featuring the Mexican cuisine for which he is known. His brother, Skip Bayless, is a sportswriter and columnist and a television commentator for Fox Sports.

In many ways, the story of the Oklahoma River and the modern-day renaissance of Oklahoma City go hand-in-hand. The river and Oklahoma City had many ups and downs during their first century before the original MAPS program jumpstarted an unprecedented rebirth for both.

To help tell that story, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber launched a storytelling feature on www.greateroklahomacity.com/river depicting the rise of Oklahoma City’s river.

“A River’s Rise” walks the reader through the history of the Oklahoma River from the Land Run of 1889 to today. Each of the six chapters cover an important aspect of the river’s renovation, from its roots as an important water source for early settlers and a venue for entertainment offerings like Delmar Gardens at the turn of the 20th Century, to the more recent addition of the RIVERSPORT Rapids Whitewater Center and hosting the 2016 Olympic trials for whitewater kayaking.

Each chapter of the story offers the chance to engage with more contextual content, with links to news archives about Oklahoma City’s hosting of the Olympic Festival of 1989 and videos capturing the original vision for the boathouses that now dot the banks of the Oklahoma River, all to tell Oklahoma City’s story more fully.

So check out “A River’s Rise” and be sure to share it with you friends and family.

Tuesday, January 30
Cartoons & Comics: The Early Art of Tom Ryan; Regular Museum Hours; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Regular Museum Admission.
TobyMac Hits Deep Tour; 7 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; 602-8700; Ticket prices vary.
Propaganda; 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets prices vary.

Wednesday, January 31
Cartoons & Comics: The Early Art of Tom Ryan; Regular Museum Hours; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Regular Museum Admission.
Iowa Wolves vs. Oklahoma City Blue; 7 p.m.; Cox Convention Center; 602-8500; Ticket prices vary.
Mr. Carmack; 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets prices vary.

Thursday, February 1
Cartoons & Comics: The Early Art of Tom Ryan; Regular Museum Hours; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Regular Museum Admission.
Unlocking the Vault: Mysteries and Marvels of the Museum; Regular Museum Hours; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Regular Museum Admission.

Friday, February 2
Cartoons & Comics: The Early Art of Tom Ryan; Regular Museum Hours; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Regular Museum Admission.
Unlocking the Vault: Mysteries and Marvels of the Museum; Regular Museum Hours; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Regular Museum Admission.
Heisenburg; 7:30 p.m.; Civic Center Music Hall; Ticket prices vary.
First Fridays on the Paseo; 6 p.m.; Paseo Arts District; 525-2688; This event is free.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder; 8 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; 602-8700; Ticket prices vary.
My So Called Band; 9 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets prices vary.

Saturday, February 3
Cartoons & Comics: The Early Art of Tom Ryan; Regular Museum Hours; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Regular Museum Admission.
Unlocking the Vault: Mysteries and Marvels of the Museum; Regular Museum Hours; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Regular Museum Admission.
Heisenburg; 1:30 & 7:30 p.m.; Civic Center Music Hall; Ticket prices vary.
Judah & The Lion; 8 p.m.; The Jones Assembly; Ticket prices vary.  

Sunday, February 4
Cartoons & Comics: The Early Art of Tom Ryan; Regular Museum Hours; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Regular Museum Admission.
Unlocking the Vault: Mysteries and Marvels of the Museum; Regular Museum Hours; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Regular Museum Admission.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder; 1 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; 602-8700; Ticket prices vary.
Heisenburg; 1:30 p.m.; Civic Center Music Hall; Ticket prices vary.
R.LUM.R; 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets prices vary.

Monday, February 5
Cartoons & Comics: The Early Art of Tom Ryan; Regular Museum Hours; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; 478-2250; Free with museum admission.
Unlocking the Vault: Mysteries and Marvels of the Museum; Regular Museum Hours; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; Regular Museum Admission.

If there is one thing you can say about the Adventure District, it is that it lives up to its name and then some.

The Oklahoma City Zoo is one of the crown jewels of the city and features more than 1,800 animals spread over 119 acres. We recommend the Great escAPE (get it) exhibit where you can watch gorillas, orangutans and chimpanzees monkey around. The newest addition to the Zoo is a baby gorilla born on Dec. 13. The baby is a girl and her name will be revealed soon.  

Next door to the Zoo is Science Museum Oklahoma which has been entertaining and teaching generations of kids about science since the late 50s. The museum is home to a must-see Science Live performance and a planetarium. On Feb. 9, the museum is launching its first-ever Late Nite Lab.

Nearby is the world-renowned National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum where you can find exhibits on cowboy heritage and one of the largest collections of western art in the known galaxy. 

There is also fun to be had for sports fans at the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame & Museum. Not just a place for history, the Museum welcomes thousands each year for the annual Women’s College World Series.

Last, but not least, if you need a break from the kids head over to Remington Park Racing & Casino which is not only the region’s top race track, but the city’s only casino.

You can read more about the Adventure district here.

Dramatic changes in the past 15 years brought new life to the Plaza District. The district was first developed in the 1920s at the end of the city’s trolley line. For the next 40 years the area served as a bustling commercial district for the growing neighborhoods that surrounded it. The district started to decline through the 70s, 80s and 90s, but new development since has turned it into a thriving hub of creativity.

The Plaza District, located on NW 16 between Classen Boulevard and Pennsylvania Avenue, is one of the city’s most walkable corridors. The district contains art galleries, a tattoo shop, restaurants, collaborative work spaces and Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, which includes the Thelma Gaylord Academy and a performance space in the 1935-era Plaza Theatre, which has been newly rebuilt and is home to professional performance productions and other events. Lyric Theatre was one of the first entities to invest in the district, playing a crucial role in the Plaza’s rebirth.

The District is home to monthly events such as Live! On the Plaza and the Plaza District Festival in September. It is a popular place for visitors who want to find that unique gift, enjoy a drink and soak in an area that now has a hipster, modern vibe. Almost any night of the week you can find something interesting going on in the Plaza.

What do you get when you combine the oldest planned commercial shopping district in Oklahoma City with a creative community? The Paseo Arts District, of course. The winding streets and original Spanish-style stucco buildings are home for the art galleries and studios that give this district so much artistic flair. Perfect for a meandering walk, the Paseo Arts District is also home to some of Oklahoma City’s best restaurants and bars, including Paseo Grill, Sauced on Paseo and others. Its proximity to the Uptown 23rd District and the historic housing options available nearby, including single-family homes and apartments, make this a walkable neighborhood with a community atmosphere.

Each May, the district holds its annual Paseo Arts Festival which routinely draws more than 60,000 visitors to enjoy art, music and food. The 42nd annual Paseo Arts Festival will take place May 26 – May 28 this year.

On the first Friday of each month, the Paseo cranks up the hospitality with the First Friday Gallery Walk, in which more than 80 neighborhood artists show off their wares amid a blocks-long party of music, food and fun.

If you’ve read the blog before, you know we are guilty of bragging about the momentum and future of Oklahoma City from time to time. That might be true, but it doesn’t mean we don’t also like to embrace our past and heritage. Stockyards City is a place where that heritage comes alive.

The district was home to one of Oklahoma City’s first major industries, with a rush of meat processors and packing plants, and was known affectionately here as Packingtown. When the original plant closed in 1961, a cattle auction was added to secure the district’s future. The Oklahoma National Stockyards, the world’s largest stocker and feeder cattle market, is open to visitors so you can experience the action firsthand every Monday and Tuesday.

If you have cowboy needs (even of the urban cowboy variety), Stockyards City is the place to be as some of the businesses date back to the early 1900s. Boot and hat repair, western wear and even the Rodeo Opry make up the district.

Of course, talking about the district wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the world-famous Cattlemen’s Steakhouse. The steakhouse opened in 1910 and has been serving hungry ranchers and cattlemen ever since. Heck, if it is good enough for John Wayne and a sitting president, you might want to give it a try.

Tuesday, January 23
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder; 7 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; 602-8700; Ticket prices vary.

Wednesday, January 24
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
Margo Price; 7 p.m.; Diamond Ballroom; (866) 966-1777; Ticket prices vary.
There Will Be Blood; 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets are $10.

Thursday, January 25
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
Washington Wizards vs. Oklahoma City Thunder; 7 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; 602-8700; Ticket prices vary.
DK the Drummer with Sucre; 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets are $12.

Friday, January 26
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
Cirque Musica- Heroes and Villans; 8 p.m.; Civic Center Music Hall; Ticket prices vary.
An Evening with Keller Williams; 8 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets prices vary.

Saturday, January 27
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri; Noon; Tower Theatre; Tickets are $10.
Jonny Lang; 7 p.m.; Diamond Ballroom; (866) 966-1777; Ticket prices vary.
Cirque Musica- Heroes and Villans; 8 p.m.; Civic Center Music Hall; Ticket prices vary.
Reckless Kelly; 8 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets prices vary.

Sunday, January 28
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri; 1 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets are $10.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder; 5 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; 602-8700; Ticket prices vary.

Monday, January 29
Cartoons & Comics: The Early Art of Tom Ryan; Regular Museum Hours; National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; 478-2250; Free with museum admission.

On Feb. 13 citizens of Oklahoma City will have the chance to vote for Oklahoma City mayor and three seats on the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education. If you are not registered to vote in Oklahoma City don’t fret because you still have time. The deadline to register is this Friday.

If you aren’t eligible to vote ask yourself three simple questions:

• Am I 18 years old?
• Am I a U.S. citizen?
• Am I a resident of Oklahoma City?

If you answered yes to all three questions chances are you can register.

Also it is important to remember that even though your mailing address might be in Yukon, Edmond or another community, you may still actually live in Oklahoma City and are eligible to register. If you pay your trash bill to the City of Oklahoma City odds are you can vote.

To get your voter registration form visit the election board website. To read up on all the candidates be sure to read our election guide here.

While we are on the subject of voting we feel like an informed voter is a good voter. If you are new to Oklahoma City why not start with a brief civics lesson on the basics of our local government?

Check out more about how Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County and the state governments are structured on the site’s Government Page. The Chamber’s www.greateroklahomacity.com has a list of local municipalities surrounding the Oklahoma City area.

You can also go directly to these institutions’ home pages:

• City of Oklahoma City
• Oklahoma County
• State of Oklahoma

You don’t have to read our blog very long to figure out local districts are a big deal in Oklahoma City. Whether you are getting funky in the Plaza, living it up in Bricktown or getting adventurous in the Adventure District there is a corner of the city that is perfect for you.

We will be the first to admit that getting to know the districts in OKC can be a little overwhelming for newcomers. Getting to know your Midtowns from your Uptowns might take some time. Luckily that is why we are here. Over the next month or so we will be giving you in-depth looks at each district. Until then here is a quick snapshot of each district:

• Adventure District- the most aptly named district in OKC, home to the Oklahoma City Zoo, Remington Park, Science Museum Oklahoma, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and more.
• Asian District- a vibrant enclave of Asian culture in the heart of OKC. You’ll find some of the best Asian food in the region here.
• Automobile Alley- Just north of Downtown, this district used to be the primary location of the city’s car dealerships. Today it is home to local dining and shopping.
• Boathouse District- home to future Olympians, this district features stunning architecture and is an outdoorsmen’s dream.
• Bricktown- this former warehouse area is OKC’s prime entertainment district.
• Classen Curve- located in NW OKC this district features great shopping and dining.
• Deep Deuce- the center of urban living in OKC.
• Film Row- what was once home to the film distribution industry for the region is now one of the metro’s quickest developing districts.
• Midtown- the perfect mix of local retail and historic homes.
• Paseo Arts District- eclectic art and great restaurants are the name of the game for this district.
• Plaza District- the epicenter of funky local retail in OKC.
• Stockyards City- this district is a blast to the past and pays homage to the metro’s western heritage.
• Western Avenue- an eclectic mix of local restaurants and bars, retail shops and boutiques, antique and furniture stores and fine art galleries make up Western.
• Uptown 23rd- anchored by the historic Tower Theater, you'll find great locally-owned restaurants and bars, as well as fun boutiques

Some of the toughest cowboys and cowgirls in the world will convene in Oklahoma City this week for a couple of big-time events with some big-time money on the line. Whether you know exactly what a rank bull means or want to discover the rodeo for the first time, we promise you’ll have a blast at both events.

The International Finals Rodeo takes place Jan. 19- 21 at State Fair Park and will feature the top cowboys and cowgirls of the IFR competing for their share of $250,000 in prizes in various events.

On Saturday and Sunday the PBR: Built Ford Tough Series will make its annual return to the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The event features the best bull riders in the world matching up with the rankest bulls for their piece of a $140,000 payout. Both bull riding aficionados and novices will have a night they won’t forget.

Tuesday, January 16
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
John Hiatt & The Goners; 8 p.m.; Hudson Performance Hall; Ticket prices vary.

Wednesday, January 17
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder; 7 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; 602-8700; Ticket prices vary.

Thursday, January 18
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
Mono; 8 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets are $10.

Friday, January 19
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
Reno Bighorns vs. Oklahoma City Blue; 7 p.m.; Cox Convention Center; 602-8500; Ticket prices vary.
Madness The Sequel- Hip Hop Showcase; 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets are $12.
International Finals Rodeo; 7:30 p.m.; State Fair Park; Ticket prices vary.

Saturday, January 20
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
International Finals Rodeo; 1:30 & 7:30 p.m.; State Fair Park; Ticket prices vary.
PBR Express Employment Professionals Invitational; 6:45 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; 602-8700; Ticket prices vary.
Back to the Future; 1 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets are $10.
Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2; 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets are $10.

Sunday, January 21
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
International Finals Rodeo; 1:30 p.m.; State Fair Park; Ticket prices vary.
PBR Express Employment Professionals Invitational; 1:45 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; 602-8700; Ticket prices vary.
Memphis Hustle vs. Oklahoma City Blue; 2 p.m.; Cox Convention Center; 602-8500; Ticket prices vary.
Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives; 8 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets prices vary.

Monday, January 22
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
Enter the Dragon; 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets are $10.

So you recently moved to your amazing new hometown of Oklahoma City and you signed up for our little blog (on the left of the page). Now what? While we want to be your No. 1 source for living, working and playing in OKC, there are a lot of great resources that can help make you an OKC expert in no time.

If you really want to get to know a town and stay on top of the comings and goings, Twitter is a great start. Here is a good beginner list of accounts to follow. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. If there is anyone you feel we’ve left out, put them in the comments below for all to see.

General news, info and events
@BetterLifeOKC – Get the 4-1-1 on the 4-0-5
@okcchamber – Greater OKC Chamber
@VisitOKC – Oklahoma City CVB

Sports
@okcthunder – Oklahoma City Thunder – NBA basketball
@okcblue- Oklahoma City Blue – NBA Development League affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder
@okc-dodgers – Oklahoma City Dodgers – AAA Affiliate of the MLB Los Angeles Dodgers
@EnergyFC – Oklahoma City Energy – OKC’s USL Pro soccer team, affiliate of MLS Sporting KC

City stuff
@cityofokc – City of Oklahoma City
@MickCornett – Mayor of Oklahoma City
@okcpd- Oklahoma City Police
@okcfd- Oklahoma City Fire
@EMBARKOK- Oklahoma City Transit
@Maps3- updates on the MAPS program
@okcparks- Oklahoma City Parks & Rec
@ParkingOKC- All things parking OKC
@fly_OKC- Official account of Will Rogers World Airport
@okczoo- Oklahoma City Zoo

Media and Blogs
@AboutOKC – About.com’s OKC guide
@JournalRecord – Daily business news
@NewsOK – Daily news
@OKGazette – OKC alternative weekly news
@OklahomaRock – Local music news, shows, bands, more
@YelpOKC – What’s good in OKC

Did you know Oklahoma City was recently named a top city for millennials? Whether it is praise for our quality of life, affordable living, employment opportunities or even our romantic side, the national media takes notice of OKC.

It seems like every day a new accolade or honor is being announced and it is a daunting task to keep up-to-date with the latest news. You can check the Better Life website for an always-fresh list of accolades. Be sure to share with your friends and family to show them we aren’t the only ones singing the praises of OKC.

You’ve heard us talk about it before, but if you are new to our great city or even thinking about a move to Oklahoma City, you should check out www.abetterlifeokc.com. It is a great resource for everything you need to know about calling OKC home.

While we are on the subject of social media, dive into the resources page at www.abetterlifeokc.com/resources for more social media fun. You’ll find all kinds of handy links that will help you immerse yourself in Oklahoma City’s digital world.

For starters, that is where this adventurous little blog lives. Bookmark it (or, even better, sign up for weekly emails if you haven’t already) and share it with the world (or at least someone you know). You’ll also find links to some stunning OKC photography and video. The Community Links/Resources page highlights some great newspapers, blogs and social media accounts that will help keep you in the know and your finger on the pulse of all things OKC.

Just because the holidays are over that doesn’t mean the fun stops in Oklahoma City. Don’t just take our word for it though. Go check out the January in OKC video from our partners at the Convention and Visitors Bureau for a look at all of this month’s happenings. From Thunder basketball to the Color Purple and everything in between, the calendar is packed full this month in the 4-0-5.

Between the popularity of projects like ESPN’s “30 for 30” series, “Jim & Andy” on Netflix, Frederick Wiseman’s “Ex Libris,” Ken Burns’ “The Vietnam War,” “School Life” and others, one could argue that the documentary film scene has never been stronger or more varied. Get in on the action this Sunday, January 14, as you make your way to docLAHOMA, the state’s only documentary film festival. Appropriately located in OKC’s historic Film Row district at the Paramount, this free(!) festival features five different subject “blocks” of programming, with multiple docs in each. The fun begins (and the bar opens) at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, so don’t miss the chance to check out some of the newest, best indie docs to hit the screen!

More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/165978737346120/permalink/165979684012692/

Tuesday, January 9
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
Science Museum Oklahoma Augmented Reality Pop-Up Museum; Regular Museum; Science Museum Oklahoma; 602-6664; Free with museum admission.
Sole Expression: The Art of the Shoe; Regular Museum; Science Museum Oklahoma; 602-6664; Free with museum admission.
Portland Trailblazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder; 7 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; 602-8700; Ticket prices vary.
Lady Bird; 6:30 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets are $10.

Wednesday, January 10
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
Science Museum Oklahoma Augmented Reality Pop-Up Museum; Regular Museum; Science Museum Oklahoma; 602-6664; Free with museum admission.
Sole Expression: The Art of the Shoe; Regular Museum; Science Museum Oklahoma; 602-6664; Free with museum admission.
Lady Bird; 6:30 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets are $10.

Thursday, January 11
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
Science Museum Oklahoma Augmented Reality Pop-Up Museum; Regular Museum; Science Museum Oklahoma; 602-6664; Free with museum admission.
Uncle Lucius; 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets are $15.

Friday, January 12
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
Science Museum Oklahoma Augmented Reality Pop-Up Museum; Regular Museum; Science Museum Oklahoma; 602-6664; Free with museum admission.
OKC Boat & RV Show; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; OKC State Fair Park; 787-0787; Ticket prices vary.
Black Label Society; 6:30 p.m.; Diamond Ballroom; 800-514-3849; Ticket prices vary.
Coop Showcase; 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets are $10.
Live on the Plaza; 7 p.m.; Plaza District; This event is free.
Young Dolph; 8 p.m.; The Criterion; Ticket prices vary.

Saturday, January 13
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
Science Museum Oklahoma Augmented Reality Pop-Up Museum; Regular Museum; Science Museum Oklahoma; 602-6664; Free with museum admission.
OKC Boat & RV Show; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; OKC State Fair Park; 787-0787; Ticket prices vary.
Insamuch Foundation Classic Series- Joshua Roman; 8 p.m.; Oklahoma City Civic Center; 297-2264; Ticket prices vary.
Bijou & LO’99; 8 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets prices vary.

Sunday, January 14
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
DocLAHOMA Film Festival; All Day; The Paramount; Admission is free.
Science Museum Oklahoma Augmented Reality Pop-Up Museum; Regular Museum; Science Museum Oklahoma; 602-6664; Free with museum admission.
OKC Boat & RV Show; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; OKC State Fair Park; 787-0787; Ticket prices vary.
Dunkirk; 4 & 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets are $10.

Monday, January 15
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration; 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; $2 suggested donation for Peace Dove Craft.
Selma; 4 & 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets are $10.
Sacramento Kings vs. Oklahoma City Thunder; 7 p.m.; Chesapeake Energy Arena; 602-8700; Ticket prices vary.

Here at Better Life HQ our goal is simple. We want to help you get to know your new hometown a little better. Oklahoma City is a diverse metro with new pockets of development and events being added at the blink of an eye. Even for the most seasoned of OKC natives, staying on top of everything to do in our city can feel like an endless task.

We understand that moving to a new city can be overwhelming and intimidating. However, with a little knowledge (our part) and an open mind and an adventurous streak (your part), you will quickly find out OKC is a place where you can get involved quickly and make a difference.

The blog is posted to the website every Tuesday, rain or shine. In Oklahoma City, it is mostly shine though. You can also sign up to get the blog emailed to you each week here. Don’t worry, we don’t spam you consistently. Just one e-mail, every Tuesday. We pinky swear.

And of course we want to hear from you. Are you new to OKC? What kind of things are you interested in learning about? If you’ve lived here a long time what do newcomers need to know? Let us know in the comments below, shoot us an e-mail or get a hold of us on Facebook and Twitter.

P.S. Although we focus on people new to OKC, we love nothing more than helping people who have lived in our community for a while rediscover their hometown and find cool new things to do in OKC.

One more tool you need for your relocation arsenal is www.abetterlifeokc.com. A Better Life OKC is more than just an awesome blog about how cool Oklahoma City is; it is also a great and easy-to-use relocation site. The website goes into more depth for people who are moving (or at least thinking of moving) here. If you are curious about OKC there is a good chance the Better Life has the info you are looking for.

If you are moving to Oklahoma City, housing is important right? The website has information on everything from historic neighborhoods to urban, suburban and pastoral neighborhoods. There is even an apartment listing, a list of realtors and moving resources.

The site has everything you need to know about life in OKC, from educational options to employment and health. There is so much great content and data we can’t even begin to highlight all in this space. You need to check it out for yourself.

Besides our blog (of course), a great resource for new residents is the Oklahoma City Welcome Guide. What is a welcome guide you might ask? Well, exactly what it sounds like: A guide to make you feel welcome in Oklahoma City. It’s everything you could want to know about moving to OKC in one very handy publication. It has great info on housing, education, employment, health, weather and so much more (plus a lot of pretty pictures). The latest version of the guide can always be found here. Also be sure to check out our relocation video and be sure to share both with friends, family, peers, coworkers, pets … well you get the point.

Each year, we like to take a look back at some of our favorite posts of the past year. 2017 was a big year for our city and the groundwork was laid for several projects and initiatives that could shape our metro for decades to come.

• Tinker Turns 75- Tinker Air Force Base is a major driver of the OKC economy and this year it turned the big 7-5.
• Innovation District- Entrepreneurship has been in our city’s DNA since its founding in a single day. This year an effort in placemaking, centered around a proposed innovation district, took huge strides towards reality.
• Craft Beer Explosion- The craft beer scene in Oklahoma City has been on the rise for a while with some local breweries who have won big honors. However, recent efforts to modernize our state’s liquor laws have set the stage for local breweries to reach a whole new level.
• Various Venues- With the opening of several new venues, live music had a big year in OKC.
• Infrastructure Investment- This fall OKC residents voted yes on a landmark infrastructure package that will invest more than $1 billion in our roads, bridges and public safety.
• A River’s Rise- Check out our new storytelling feature on the rise of the Oklahoma River.

Tuesday, January 2
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.

Wednesday, January 3
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
The Color Purple; 7:30 p.m.; Oklahoma City Civic Center; 297-2264; Ticket prices vary.

Thursday, January 4
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
The Color Purple; 7:30 p.m.; Oklahoma City Civic Center; 297-2264; Ticket prices vary.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit; 8 p.m.; The Criterion; Ticket prices vary.

Friday, January 5
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
First Fridays on the Paseo; 6 p.m.; Paseo Arts District; 525-2688; This event is free.
The Color Purple; 8 p.m.; Oklahoma City Civic Center; 297-2264; Ticket prices vary.

Saturday, January 6
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
The Color Purple; 2 & 8 p.m.; Oklahoma City Civic Center; 297-2264; Ticket prices vary.
More than Human: A Celebration of David Bowie; 5 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets are $10.
South Bay Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Blue; 7 p.m.; Cox Convention Center; Ticket prices vary.

Sunday, January 7
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.
The Color Purple; 2 & 7 p.m.; Oklahoma City Civic Center; 297-2264; Ticket prices vary.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony; 7 p.m.; Tower Theatre; Tickets prices vary.

Monday, January 8
Devon Ice Rink; All Day; Myriad Botanical Gardens, 445-7080; Admission prices vary.