Bringing Russian Sam to OKC

[Richard at Remax]

should have hitched a ride with the moscow basketball team

[Doug Loudenback]

Steve, hope this helps.

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=21946

I don't have time at the moment to do a timeline or research, but maybe this can help get someone started.

SkyWestOKC gives the link to the 1st thread here at OkcTalk, started by dmoor82 on May 26, 2010.

Skysraper City's 1st (of many) pages started by Russian Sam is here: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1088789 and they are shown to have begun on March 16, 2010.

On September 1, 2010, he started 2 other threads at SkyscraperCity ...

Midland, TX: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1206727

Tulsa, OK: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1206717

[Steve]

Thanks sir!
The next step, my friends, is to find out: how many of you want to see Russian Sam visit OKC?
If this is something you want to see happen, it probably wouldn't hurt the cause to email Creative Oklahoma (they are part of the effort to bring Elijah to OKC) and let them know.
Email Kathy Oden-Hall at k.odenhall@gmail.com

[workman45]

This is what I think of when I read the term "Russian Sam"
Attachment 638
Who/what are you talking about?

Your as bad as me MM. LOL! If I hadn't already known the answer, I would have thought the same thing.

[Doug Loudenback]

Thanks sir!
The next step, my friends, is to find out: how many of you want to see Russian Sam visit OKC?
If this is something you want to see happen, it probably wouldn't hurt the cause to email Creative Oklahoma (they are part of the effort to bring Elijah to OKC) and let them know.
Email Kathy Oden-Hall at k.odenhall@gmail.com

By your including her e-mail address in your post, the making and sending of such an e-mail by a simple click was painless and was just done by me. I hope that many others will do the same.

[Spartan]

Also, I would ask if I built a paper model of Moscow if you guys would pay for me to visit Moscow, but I'm afraid it'd be a one way ticket. lol

I'm down. Guys, I think it's a more pressing need to help move metro to Moscow. lol

[Doug Loudenback]

I'm down. Guys, I think it's a more pressing need to help move metro to Moscow. lol

Now, now, Nick ... both you and Steve (Metro) have had your feisty moments. I sorta suspect that the "two-o-youtz" may be related (no disrespect to either of you intended), but maybe not.

[Steve]

I'll have a story about this in Sunday's paper

[jmarkross]

Well done Steve...I'll go buy a copy....

[Steve]

I'm serious about giving OKC Talk its due on this and keeping you guys involved.

[HOT ROD]

Thanks sir!
The next step, my friends, is to find out: how many of you want to see Russian Sam visit OKC?
If this is something you want to see happen, it probably wouldn't hurt the cause to email Creative Oklahoma (they are part of the effort to bring Elijah to OKC) and let them know.
Email Kathy Oden-Hall at k.odenhall@gmail.com

Steve, would it be easier to do a poll on OKCTalk or your blog or the Oklahoman, or all three - and then send the results to CO? I think you might get better participation than just email requests. ....

[Steve]

No. Consider this like a job interview. And one of the things Russian Sam needs is the equivalent of reference letters - but in this case letters indicating there are people in OKC who want to meet him, etc.

[HOT ROD]

ah, I see.

I still think a poll would help the cause, so we expats could support.

[dmoor82]

This is very exciting and hope it happens!I would like to meet Elijah in person to tell him what an amzing artist he is and how much I enjoy his work! Here is a link for his DT OKC models from SSC http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1088789 and Steve Thank You for all your work and effort! Thanks http://newsok.com/article/3505221

[Steve]

Dennis Wells is doing much of the heavy lifting on this - I'll have an update tomorrow.

[HOT ROD]

yes indeed, BIG THANKS to Steve - the Ambassador of Downtown Oklahoma City (and OKCTalk!).

[metro]

OK not to be Debbie Downer here, but wanted to explore this thing further. I'm personally surprised no one has brought the flip side up either. I used to be totally for bringing him over. Right now I don't really have a personal opinion as I want to hear both arguments. What is the main purpose of bringing him over, to see his paper model in person? to get him to move here? to pick his brain? I haven't really heard the true goal other than to get him to the "World" Creativity Forum. This whole "World" Creativity Forum is a whole other discussion. It's more like an Oklahoma Creativity Forum with some of Oklahoma's brightest or most successful. It's not a true world-caliber forum like some other places have, but I guess you have to start somewhere. It just seems to me it's like a Chamber type buzz-word frenzy project du jour because everyone else is doing it, and because OKC is still big on yesterdays buzzword "World-Class". OKC is a "World Class NBA City, "World Class rowing facilities", we have the "World Creativity Forum", etc. etc. Again, you guys know I am a big cheerleader and supporter of OKC, but on this one I guess I'm missing the boat on it? Anyone else care to chime in on the other side of the fence?

[Steve]

For those who are interested, a Russian interpreter is now on board for the visit. I'll provide updates whenever possible. Curious - what areas of town do you think Russian Sam should see if he makes it to Oklahoma City?

[jmarkross]

I think if he is brought over...someone should give him info on things and see what he would like to do...bet he would like an OU or OSU home game...he comes from a very historic and beautiful place...St. Petersburg--probably would like the old west aspect like all the Germans do when they come...publicity should get him some good treatment and the keys to the city--he did something nice out of the blue for OKC from the other side of the world...we should give him something to tell his friends about for a lifetime.

[Steve]

Yeah, but if you get into choosing OU or OSU, aren't you just asking for trouble?


On a more serious note, I'd imagine he would be interested in the Memorial. But I could be wrong on that.

[dmoor82]

The Memorial,A Thunder game,Steve's employer,tour of dt and Bricktown,a basic tour and rundown of all development in OKC,like Devon or The OK river,and I think The heli ride over dt would be Awesome!

[Steve]

One question that hasn't been resolved yet is how, if he is able to visit, can the model make the visit as well.

[metro]

guess no one wants to take on my question. guys I imagine his time would be limited and besides I bet Dennis Wells and Steve would give him a tour and do just fine. It's not like we are NYC and have tons of touristy and hip local places to show him. He could hit about everywhere up in 2 days.

[okclee]

** Self Edit **

Please excuse my negativity today.

[Steve]

Those who want to be negative will be negative, and I can understand this story may interest some and others not so much. A lot of negativity could probably hamper this effort - and those who want to do that can think that through.