Lake Thunderbird continues to serve the metro as a major water source as well as a spot to relax and enjoy nature.

Norman hosts several free annual festivals and parades, giving it a legitimate claim to the moniker, City of Festivals.

Since February 2014, Norman’s convention and visitors bureau has branded itself VisitNorman to best reflect its mission and to make it more accessible to people who — you guessed it — want to visit Norman. In addition to University of Oklahoma sporting events, Norman has a number of festival…

Johnson Controls is the largest private business employer in Norman, coming in behind the University of Oklahoma (12,446 employees), Norman Regional Health System (2,962 employees), and Norman Public Schools (1,880 employees.)

The Assistance League of Norman’s primary goal is to help children in need. Every year, through its Operation School Bell program, it provides 1,600 students with school clothes. The organization achieves its aims through donations from the community and each year revels in the chance to giv…

While small town Oklahoma may still be all about chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes covered in gravy, Norman restaurants are catering to a broader palate these days. Norman eateries serve cuisine from around the world, from the German offerings of Das Boot Camp to a number of Asian sele…

The weather. In Oklahoma, as elsewhere, is a conversation starter, an ever-changing and wondrous phenomena, and a major factor in virtually all commerce, from transportation to communication to insurance.

Meteorologist Gary England has his own terminology when talking about tornadoes. While some call them twisters, he refers to the treacherous weather phenomena as “rotating tubes.”

As Norman Public School’s newest bond issue hits the one-year mark, many have been working behind the scenes to get major projects in the district rolling.

Norman is growing.

Brian Yeaman, MD, has spent most of his life near the corner of Main Street and Peters Avenue in Norman. Now it’s where he goes to work most days as CEO of Yeaman and Associates. Their headquarters is the entire top floor of the recently refurbished Financial Center, 111 N. Peters Ave.

Every year, the Builders Association of South Central Oklahoma (BASCO) opens hundreds of houses across the metro area for the public to tour as part of its Festival of Homes. Formerly the Norman Builders Association, Inc., the organization that got its start in 1949 includes Cleveland, McCla…

Music has been a major pillar of church ministry since before the time of Palestrina and Bach from faith-inspired works like Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” to “Amazing Grace.” Today, traditional church music still stands as the gold standard for services across most Christian denominations, bu…

Campus Corner is a compact slice of the Norman real estate business pie. Its scores of boutiques, eateries and service providers are confined to a few blocks on Boyd St., University Blvd., Buchanan Ave., White St., Asp Ave. and De Barr St. The Corner takes its name from riding the University…

Roof gardens, spaces that open to the outside, covered bike racks and cooperative learning opportunities are just a few of the likely characteristics of a future Norman library. Technology and cultural shifts are changing what services are wanted and needed, how people use the library, and h…

There’s something different about the Legacy Rotary Club in Norman. Its eclectic mix of members meet less often than traditional Rotary groups, and when they do get together, you might find them seated at a restaurant instead of a conference room.

Known for its rain garden initiative, Trailwoods housing addition is an example of the new direction Norman builders and developers are taking to meet increasing concerns about the environment, water conservation, pollution and stormwater runoff. 

Central Norman is home to some of the most unique houses and neighborhoods with history and architectural charm that stretches back more than a century. Some of them, like those in the Silk Stocking neighborhood, even predate statehood. Yet among the longstanding Craftsmen-style homes and hi…

As Norman resident Doyle Gadberry began to talk about recent modifications to his home, his tone of voice couldn’t have been mistaken for anything but happiness.

The concept of living above a business or store front isn’t a new one. In fact, it has roots reaching back to the 1800s, when bakers, butchers and barbers lived in the story above their businesses. It was a practical solution for urban living that provided a convenient means for business own…

Norman is a diverse community that is attractive to a variety of different populations. Obviously college kids like Norman, but the vibrancy of a university community is appealing to young professionals, families and retirees as well.

Home Creations consultant Brooke Russell is excited about the housing opportunities at Independence Valley, one of the new housing additions now building in southeast Norman. 

Entrepreneurs care about the success of their company. They want the best for the company — including the people that work for them and with them. Most are eager to sharpen their business savvy but have little time to spend in a classroom.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at OU is one of 120 similar institutes at university campuses across the nation designed to offer classroom instruction to individuals age 50 and above by university professors at affordable prices.