If the city’s Parks and Recreation Department does half as good of a job on the Sept. 12 2010 Oklahoma Bicycle Society Streak, as they did with the Cardboard Boat Regatta, then the town is in for a whale of a good time again.

The Oklahoma Bicycle Society Streak event is in its 25th year — but according to Parks & Rec.Director Jim Bowlin this is the first time the city will play such a key role in organizing it.

Bowlin said they are planning for about 500 riders in the Streak, which will be held at Mitch Park, 1501 W. Covell Road — between Santa Fe and Kelly.

He also emphasized that this is not a race — but a chance for bicycle fans to get together and participate in some fun rides. There will be a 100K as well as 40 and 25 miles routes. The event probably garnering the most attention will be the 10-mile free family fun ride.##M:[more]##

The excitement gets under way at 7:30 a.m. and it doesn’t matter if it’s raining or a perfect day, Bowlin said. The 2010 Oklahoma Bicycle Society Streak will go on as planned.

Behind a lot of this revelry is a good cause as well.

“Proceeds will go to Helmet$ for Kids,” Bowlin said. ”There are a lot of needy kids.”

The Helmet$ for Kids is a joint effort between the Oklahoma Bicycle Society and The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary. The goal is to provide a helmet for each child who will receive a bicycle this Christmas from the Salvation Army.

Bicycle safety is one of the No. 1 goals of the Oklahoma Bicycle Society.

For all participants in the Sunday Sept. 12 there will be a T-shirt.as well as a free lunch from FlaTire Burgers of Edmond.

In addition, Bowlin said there will be a musical band at 10 a.m. — the Tall Cotton String Band.

Everything should wrap up at 1 p.m.

Registration ranges from $10 for children to $25 for adults.

For additional information on the event, please log onto www.obsStreak.com or call Bowlin at 216-7639.

Yet if you’re really into thrills, spills and some laughter see this year’s Cardboard Regatta at Arcadia Lake.

It will be this Saturday at Edmond Park — off Second Street and east of Interstate 35. Look for the signs.

Or better yet listen for the some of the laughter. If last year’s inaugural event is any indication — it will be lots of fun.

The Cardboard Regatta is the brainchild of Diane Self — Recreation Program Director. She had seen the event in other cities and decided to bring it to Edmond when she was hired last year. (more)

We first heard about her as the girl who belted her way into the role of Broadway's Little Orphan Annie in the Tony Award-winning musical "Annie" back in 1977.

Andrea McArdle's stand-out performance as that wiry, little red-haired girl with the red dress and Mary Jane shoes and that enormous voice led to a lifetime of leading stage roles and concert performances.

Going strong three decades later, McArdle is scheduled to wow local audiences in the season premiere of the University of Central Oklahoma's Broadway Tonight series scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Aug. 27 and 28 at UCO's Mitchell Hall. (more)