CRAFT MAGAZINE DEC 2019

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©2019, All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

Craft Magazine OK,LLC. is published monthly 2706 W. WASHINGTON PL. BROKEN ARROW, OK 74012 ben@craftmagok.com 918-398-6844 OWNERS / PUBLISHER BEN & ALISHA ALLEN EDITOR PETER BRENNAN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS BEN ALLEN • LEE BRENNAN BRYAN EDWARDS • MIKE HALL LACY RICHARDS • JOHN ROTHROCK JEREMY STRUNK • JEFF THOMPSON JOE HAUSE • CHRISTINA WINKLE MANAGING PHOTOGRAPHER & ART DIRECTOR BEN ALLEN CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHY: LEE BRENNAN • JEREMY STRUNK • CHRISTINA WINKLE VISIT CRAFTMAGOK.COM FOR THE ONLINE VERSION OF THE MAGAZINE AND TO CONTACT US FOR STORY IDEAS OR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES. FOLLOW US @CRAFTMAGOK ON:

About the Cover: Whoosh! 2019 has flown by so fast.

We have had such a great year talking about local business, and restaurants.

Getting a chance to peek behind the curtain of how they tick and make things happen each and everyday.

Making some new friends with business owners along the way. Seeing new beer brewed each day, week and month. Seeing new businesses open up and becoming part of the growing economy in Tulsa and surrounding areas. This month we have Celebrity Attractions on the cover. They are showcasing three different shows all at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center (Tulsa PAC). Miss Saigon is feature and sure to be exciting for guest to enjoy this holiday season. We are so excited to spend sometime with our friends and family for the holidays. We are also looking forward to a fun packed, exciting time for the magazine in 2020! From the Craft family to yours we hope you have safe travels and make great memories with family too! Cheers!

COVER PHOTO: MATTHEW MURPHY 6

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Eternal Desire

Above: Emily Bautista as ‘Kim’ and Anthony Festa as ‘Chris’ in the North American Tour of MISS SAIGON singing “Sun and Moon” Photo: Matthew Murphy

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ich in both the established culture of Vietnam and the depths of an aggressive war, Miss Saigon tells the tale of what it feels like to long for insatiable hope. This performance leaks light onto the often dark, yet lustrous underbelly of the setting at the time. Coming to Tulsa’s Performing Arts Center December 31 – January 5, you too can be immersed in a performance that carries the weight of its’ surroundings, heavy and passionate, elegant and aggressive- a beacon of the most basic desire: to feel safe and wanted.

BY: LACY RICHARDS

Emily Bautista plays Kim, the solidified female role that shapes Miss Saigon’s monumental story and cast around her, with a deep history and admiration for the performing arts paving her way.

Emily herself hails from Connecticut, but attended college in upstate New York, while later being mentored in Manhattan, when she initially began her role in Miss Saigon. Her time in school began in communications, but soon her talents caught up to her and became showcased within her freshman year of college, when she landed Kim on Broadway. Her role prior to Miss Saigon was CRAFT MAGAZINE OK | DEC 2019

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Eponine in Les Miserables, a formidable experience and role that bears similar story traits to her current role as Kim (both musicals were beautifully written by Schonberg and Boublil). Her roles have been centered around youthful characters, which is fitting since Emily is only twenty-two.

Emily’s talent is not just noticed as an actor, but her vocal abilities are powerful, and fill the room with whatever emotional outpouring she’s singing from. She is grounded in her role with a very supportive and family-like cast around her. Together the team has been traveling for a year and a few months, with a stop in San Jose when we chatted. Emily tells me about how since the team lives, works, and even eats together, such a strong bond has formed which helps them build trust not only for shows, but their everyday lives. Their positive and affirmative energy can be felt every time their feet hit the stage.

Baptism by fire is how Emily describes her launch into Broadway, and this term could 10

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also be the perfect description of Miss Saigon. Chris, an American soldier, meets Kim at her first night in a brothel house, hardly the place we’d find the beginnings of a typical love story. After meeting and falling in love, Chris and Kim wed, but the couple comes up against several of those who would attempt to come between them. Firstly, when the wedding exchange takes place, the brothel owner tries to include his own visa in the transaction that Chris initiates. Following this, Thuy, Kim’s “husband”, who’s ranked up in the North Vietnamese military, has come to take her home, since they are technically betrothed in an arranged marriage. The second half of the First Act depicts the fiery and dramatic scenes that illustrate the strife and discord between these groups. For several years, Kim remains in hiding, awaiting Chris’ return to Vietnam to take her and their since born son back to America, while the old brothel owner and husband search separately for her in scattered impoverished villages. Their lives are in danger when

Thuy hunts both her and the brothel owner down, and threatens to place them in re-education camps. When he learns that Kim’s child is Chris’, he attempts to kill the son, but Kim, the son and the brothel owner flee as immigrants to Bangkok.

More surprises are around the corner now that Chris has returned to America. Following his time in Vietnam, Chris marries an American woman, Ellen, but is eventually told he needs to find Kim and their son in Bangkok. We get a glimpse of Chris and Kims’ separation through “Kim’s Nightmare”, a flashback scene showing the night that all Americans were ordered to leave Vietnam, where Chris is pushed onto a helicopter whisking him quickly away from Kim during a frenzy of fear and conflict.

Emily recounts this as her favorite scene, depicting the emotional complications of their love through a masterful stage setting.

The remainder of the story indicates the depths of love and power that a lover and mother will move to, to protect even the

Above:The helicopter lands in ‘The Nightmare’ in MISS SAIGON Photo: Matthew Murphy and Johan Persson

thought of hope for those around her.

Aren’t the most powerful and moving stories sometimes the most chaotic and emotional? The depths of passion and hope are told in the swift and grounded story of Kim, Miss Saigon. This riveting performance shows how the life we have and the life we imagine can be worlds apart, yet both are worth our very lives.

Welcomed by Celebrity Attractions, MISS SAIGON comes to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for eight performances only December 31 – January 5. The performance schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased via phone 918.596.7111 or 800.364.7111, in person at the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office, or online at CelebrityAttractions.com. Groups of 10 or more may be placed by calling 918.796.0220.

Ticket buyers are reminded that for Celebrity

Attractions’ productions, the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office and Celebrity Attractions are the only official retail ticket outlets and the only way to guarantee that you are paying face value for legitimate tickets for all performances at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should also be aware that the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office and Celebrity Attractions are unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and are unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance.

Get social with Celebrity Attractions by becoming a fan on Facebook. com/BwayTULSA. Follow us at Twitter. com/BwayTULSA and Instagram.com/ BwayTULSA. Join in the conversation by using #BwayTULSA. MISS SAIGON is a part of the Celebrity Attractions’ 2019-2020 Broadway Season which also includes the spectacular new musical ANASTASIA; for the first time in

forever the first national Broadway tour of Disney’s FROZEN will make its Oklahoma premiere; Broadway’s golden ticket filled with “Pure Imagination”, Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY; and the season concludes with the remarkable new musical based on a true story, COME FROM AWAY, making its Tulsa debut. The season also features the special add-on productions of BLUE MAN GROUP SPEECHLESS TOUR and STOMP. Celebrity Attractions is proud to have KOTVNews on 6 and Tulsa World as sponsors for this amazing season. For more information, please visit CelebrityAttractions.com and miss-saigon.com.

Official show site: miss-saigon.com Facebook: facebook.com/MissSaigonUS Twitter:twitter.com/MissSaigonUS Instagram: instagram.com/MissSaigonUS

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TAKES THE STAGE AT TULSA PAC JANUARY 20-22

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t’s the same blue but the rest is new at this interactive experience perfect for the whole family. Under the helm of visionary director Jenny Koons, in her firsttime collaboration with Blue Man Group, the Blue Man characters embark on a fresh journey of discovery on this all-new tour, the result of more than 27 years spent observing humanity. SPEECHLESS features material that fosters communal moments, continues the evolution of tube-based instruments to support all new music, and includes large-scale audience participation.

Blue Man Group is the global entertainment phenomenon, known for its awardwinning theatrical productions, iconic characters and multiple creative explorations.

Blue Man Group performances are euphoric celebrations of human connection through art, music, comedy and non-verbal communication. Since debuting at New York’s Astor Place Theatre in 1991, the live show has expanded to additional domestic residencies in Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas and Orlando, an international residency in Berlin, and multiple North American and World tours, reaching more than 35 million people worldwide. Blue Man Group is universally appealing to a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds.

In addition to Koons, BLUE MAN GROUP Speechless includes an established and prolific creative team including costume design by Emilio Sosa (On Your Feet!, Motown), video design by Lucy MacKinnon (The Rose Tattoo, Spring Awakening), and set design by Jason Ardizzone-West (Jesus Christ Superstar Live, Next to Normal).

Above: Blue Man Speechless New Tour, photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade, 2019

performances at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should also be aware that the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office and Celebrity Attractions are unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and are unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance.

Get social with Celebrity Attractions by becoming a fan on Facebook.com/ BwayTULSA. Follow us at Twitter.com/BwayTULSA and Instagram.com/ BwayTULSA. Join in the conversation by using #BwayTULSA. Celebrity Attractions and Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust are thrilled to announce individual tickets for the Tulsa engagement of the all new tour of BLUE MAN GROUP are on sale now. The BLUE MAN GROUP SPEECHLESS TOUR features new and original compositions, acts, and instruments alongside iconic BLUE MAN GROUP moments based in joy, art, music, laugher and escapist absurdity. Tickets to the limited three performance engagement at the Tulsa PAC January 20-22 are available online at CelebrityAttractions.com, by phone 918.596.7111 or in person at the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office.

A part of the pop culture zeitgeist,Blue Man Group has appeared countless times on hit shows including Dancing with the Stars, The Tonight Show, Arrested Development, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Schlag den Raab (Germany), WOWOW ( Japan) and Caldeirão do Huck (Brazil). Additionally, Blue Man Group has served as the face of branding campaigns for Intel and TIM/Brasil.

Continuously identifying and developing new ways to impact the entertainment industry, Blue Man Group has contributed to various film and TV scores, and released multiple albums including the Grammy-Nominated Audio. The rock concert parody, “Megastar World Tour” played arenas across the globe. The book, Blue Man World, is a visually stunning anthropological exploration of the curious bald and blue character.

The BLUE MAN GROUP SPEECHLESS TOUR is presented in L-ISA Hyperreal Sound by L-Acoustics, the world leader in premium professional sound systems for live events. L-ISA is a ground-breaking audio technology which goes beyond traditional systems to offer extremely realistic, ultra-high definition sound.

This result is a deeper sense of involvement in the spectacular antics, music and mayhem that is BLUE MAN GROUP. Blue Man Group is owned and operated by Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. The North American tour is produced and promoted by Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group in partnership with NETworks Presentations.

Presented by Celebrity Attractions and the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust, BLUE MAN GROUP SPEECHLESS TOUR comes to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for three performances only January 20-22. The performance schedule is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased via phone 918.596.7111 or 800.364.7111, in person at the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office, or online at CelebrityAttractions.com. Groups of 10 or more may be placed by calling 918.796.0220.

Ticket buyers are reminded that for Celebrity Attractions’ productions, the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office and Celebrity Attractions are the only official retail ticket outlets and the only way to guarantee that you are paying face value for legitimate tickets for all

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RETURNS TO THE STAGE MARCH 6-8 AT TULSA PAC ABOVE: STOMP Created by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas © Steve McNicholas

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reated by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, STOMP continues its phenomenal run with four global productions: the ongoing sell-out production at New York's Orpheum Theatre, a permanent London company, and North American and European tours. Throughout its life, the show has continued to change by creating new material; next year/this year (depending on when release goes out), it will incorporate two new pieces. It is safe to say you will never again look at supermarket carts or plumbing fixtures the same way… or paint cans, or kitchen sinks or…

STOMP, an overwhelming success marked by rave reviews, numerous awards, and sell-out engagements, is the winner of an Olivier Award for Best Choreography (London's Tony Award), a New York Obie Award, a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatre Experience, and a Special Citation from Best Plays.

In addition to the stage shows, STOMP has been an overwhelming success marked by rave reviews, numerous awards, an Academy Award nomination, four Emmy nominations and one Emmy Award for their acclaimed HBO special Stomp Out Loud, noteworthy TV appearances including The London 2012 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony, The Academy Awards (produced by Quincy Jones), Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and a series of award-winning international commercials.

The performers “make a rhythm out of anything we can get our hands on that makes a sound,” says co-founder/director Luke Cresswell. A unique combination of percussion, movement and visual comedy, STOMP has created its own inimitable, contemporary form of rhythmic expression: both household and industrial objects find new life as musical instruments in the hands of an idiosyncratic band of body percussionists. It is a journey through sound, a celebration of the everyday and a comic interplay of characters wordlessly communicating through dance and drum.

Synchronized stiff-bristle brooms become a sweeping orchestra, eight Zippo lighters flip open and closed to create a fiery fugue; wooden poles thump and clack in a rhythmic explosion. STOMP uses everything but conventional percussion instruments - dustbins, tea chests, radiator hoses, boots, hub caps - to fill the stage with a compelling and unique act that is often imitated but never duplicated.

Critics and audiences have raved: “STOMP is as crisp and exuberant as if it had opened yesterday,” says The New York Times. The San Francisco Chronicle declares “STOMP has a beat that just won’t quit!” The Los Angeles Times exclaims: “Electrifying! Triumphs in the infinite variety of the human experience.”

“A phenomenal show! Bashing, crashing, smashing, swishing, banging and kicking – a joyous invention!” says the Chicago Tribune.

Ticket buyers are reminded that for Celebrity Attractions’ productions, the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office and Celebrity Attractions are the only official retail ticket outlets and the only way to guarantee that you are paying face value for legitimate tickets for all performances at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should also be aware that the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office and Celebrity Attractions are unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and are unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance.

Celebrity Attractions is thrilled to announce individual tickets for the Tulsa engagement of STOMP, the international percussion sensation will go on sale

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Monday, December 16 at 10:30 a.m. From its beginnings as a street performance in the UK, STOMP has grown into an international sensation over the past 20 years, having performed in more than 50 countries and in front of more than 24 million people. Tickets to the limited five performance engagement at the Tulsa PAC March 6-8 are available online at CelebrityAttractions.com, by phone 918.596.7111 or in person at the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office.

A special presale starts Monday, December 9 at 10:30 a.m. and runs through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 15, with $5 of every presale ticket sold (up to $3,000) benefitting Food 4 Kids. Presale tickets are available online only at CelebrityAttractions.com with the password HUNGER.

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How to Have a HAMY

ou may remember last month how we told you about the ham-azing food and service at the Hamlet restaurant on 91st at Sheridan. The Hamlet has gone through various iterations of lunch only, lunch plus dinner service, with a bar, without a bar, breakfast, etc, but the one constant has always been their delicious spiral-cut, honey-kissed hams and holiday turkeys.

By the time you read this, literally thousands of Tulsa families will have picked up their Thanksgiving hams and turkeys from one of Hamlets’ two locations. More than likely, even with leftovers, by. the time December 25th rolls around, there will be a whole new hankering for that succulent holiday meat. Good news for you, is that Tulsa’s Original Source for Holiday Hams and Turkeys does their meat magic all through the holidays.

I spoke with so many friends and Tulsa families who seem to agree that it just wouldn’t be the holidays without a Hamlet honey-kissed ham or Hamlet whole smoked turkey. My friend Drew McKenna calls Hamlet Honey-Kissed Ham “Meat Candy” because (in her words) “it’s so good you wanna eat it like candy. It's the best ham you've ever had.”

In fact, the more I talked about Hamlet with my friends, the more I learned that it’s truly a core part of the Tulsa landscape of holiday 16

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traditions. My good friend Mari Fry (who was recently engaged to her beau Ryan - congratulations, you two) says this about her holiday tradition- “I’ve been bringing them to Thanksgiving for the last 4 years. No one will cook a ham anymore because of how good the Hamlet hams are. Last year I didn’t realize that they closed at 3:00 the day before and I realized it at 3:15. I called and they let me come in and get it after they were closed. My brother said he hasn’t eaten ham since he knows how good Hamlet Hams are. It’s the only way to ensure that I bring something to Thanksgiving that tastes good.”

Perhaps my favorite story of the game-changing power of Oklahoma’s Original Honey-Kissed Ham is from Nicholas Corcoran, who is a meat virtuoso in his own right. “When I was in college, my mom splurged on a Ham from Hamlet for our family Christmas dinner. We ate what we could over Christmas break, I went to throw away the hock, leftover meat, and grissle that was left behind and my mom stopped me. She put the remnants in a bag, told me to go buy a bag of white beans and throw it all in a crock pot when I got back to Stillwater. It was my first introduction to homemade Ham and Bean soup. That soup fed a house of four dudes for damned near another week!”

Who knows, it may have been that ham-tastic soup that got Nico-

-Azing Holiday Season BY: JEFF THOMPSON

las into the culinary arts. We’ll never know.

You can reserve your Christmas Ham or Turkey either over the phone, or by using their fancy online reservation tool at hamlethams.com. I used the reservation tool for my Thanksgiving ham, and I was the hit at the Texas family feed! At least until we started talking politics…yikes!

The meat is amazing, succulent and moist, but despite how good their products are, what makes me feel so good about buying from Hamlet is that I know the owners. When you buy “a honey-kissed ham at the Haamlet…” (you know how the jingle goes, and now it’s stuck in your head!) you’re supporting a local family.

Their spiral sliced hams range in size from seven lb. half-hams for $60-ish to 18 lb. whole hams for around $130. Whole-Smoked Turkeys are about $4.75 a pound, and honey glazed breasts are about twice that. Compared to what I’ve seen, it’s a steal when you consider the quality and consistency.

You can pick up your ham or Turkey at their 71st and Trenton location during the following hours: Dec 2nd - 14th 10am - 5pm Sun: Closed

Dec 16th - 23rd 10am - 6pm Dec 24th 9am - 3pm CLOSED: Sun Dec 22nd; Wed Dec 25th -Thurs Dec 26th And always remember that you can not only pick up a ham or turkey from their 91st street location, you can grab an amazing lunch while you’re at it.

CHRISTMAS: Dec 2nd - 14th 11am - 3pm Sun: Closed Dec 16th - 23rd 10am - 6pm Dec 24th 9am - 3pm CLOSED: Sun Dec 22nd; Wed Dec 25th -Thurs Dec 26th When you pick up your ham or turkey, tell ‘em Jeff sent you and you will likely receive a quizzical look since only a few people there even know I exist, but it’s worth a shot. Maybe you’ll leave with a beautiful ham AND a crisp high-five. Either way, if you leave with a ham or turkey, you are sure to make someone’s holidays brighter.

And that’s what the holidays are about anyway, making the people we love happy. Season’s Meatings!

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RAK dude.be kind.

A

xe throwing has become a popular activity all over. There is something oddly satisfying about being able to throw a sharp axe at a target made of wood. Whether it’s the ability to unleash some primal ability long forgotten, or just the pure thrill of challenging yourself to build up your skill, the fact is that once you start you will be hooked. For some it becomes a weekend hobby, or something fun to do every once in

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By: Joe Hause

a while. However, for others it becomes much more than a past time, and turns into a lifestyle and a way of living. This is exactly what happened to Brad Durant and how The Rak (Random Axe of Kindness) was imagined and came into existence.

When Brad was vacationing in Vancouver British Columbia, he had no idea his life would be changed forever. While on vacation, Brad was introduced to competitive axe throwing for the first time and he instantly fell in love. He became so enamoured by it that he has to go back several times before his vacation was over. After he returned to Oklahoma, he realized that axe throwing was also a thing back home. While living in Muskogee for a few years, he was able to enjoy axe throwing in Tulsa, Broken Arrow,

ABOVE: BRAD DURANT, OWNER RANDOM AXE OF KINDESS (THE RAK)

and Jenks, which satisfied his love for axe throwing. While it was still just a hobby for him, his love for axe throwing was continuing to grow.

Brad moved to Arkansas at this point, where he met his wife, and after a few years there they moved back to Oklahoma. They both had a dream of opening their own business one day, although at this point they didn’t know what they wanted their business to be. Still having a love for axe throwing, Brad found Got Wood Axe Throwing Co. in Jenks. There Brad befriended the co-owner and operator of Got Wood, Jason Kearney. This new friendship allowed him a lot of insight into the business, and after seeing Jason’s passion for the business, it helped solidify his own desire to start his own place. After realizing what he wanted to do, all that was left was to move forward into making this dream come true.

At this point, Brad decided to open up The Rak (Random Axe of Kindness). The question now was where to open his business at. Living in Muskogee, he had heard many of the locals constantly say that if you

wanted to have fun, you had to go to Tulsa. Brad’s love for the community helped seal his decision to give the locals something fun to do without having to travel out of town. Brad’s plan was starting to come together- he knew what he wanted to do and where he wanted to do it. His dream was close to being realized.

Construction began in May of 2019, and through a lot of sweat and hard work, they were ready to open up only a few weeks later. Since opening, The Rak has become a family friendly event center that can host birthday parties, corporate nights, gender reveals, and so much more. They have developed a loyal group of regulars who share in the love of the sport and enjoy honing their skills, and love the company of others who share the same passion. Next time you are in the Muskogee area, take some time out of your day to swing by The Rak and try axe throwing for yourself. Who knows, you might find the same passion for it that Brad and so many other people have.

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So Much

gusto!

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remember the first time I saw Augusto’s Green Sauce in Reasor’s. They were clearing space on the shelf back in the dairy department as I went walking by. I always get intrigued by new product, especially local ones, that have found their way into distribution. I swung back around at the end of my grocery shopping so I could get a closer look at the jar and what the product was. The employee who was stocking it walks up and tells me that they tried some back in the break room with tortilla chips and that it was amazing! I thanked the employee and headed back up towards the checkout, grabbing a bag of tortilla chips on the way.

I made it home and got everything put away and immediately popped open the jar and opened the bag of chips. The smell of the sauce was amazing and unlike anything I have ever had before. I didn’t bother grabbing a bowl and just dunked the chip into the jar and then straight to my mouth. There are few things that can make me involuntarily smile- my face just lit up, followed by the heat in my mouth. It wasn’t a bad heat though; it was the kind of heat that makes you continue eating. The mix of

By: Joe Hause

the cold, creamy sauce and the heat was amazing. I was getting more and more sauce on my hand from the side of the jar, as the contents were getting lower and lower. I realized I had finished off half the jar. I begrudgingly put the jar in the fridge, knowing I needed to try Augusto’s Green Sauce many more different ways.

Over the course of the next week I tried Augusto's Green Sauce a multitude of ways. I tried it on everything from pizza, Frito chili pie, salad, and tacos. If it isn’t obvious by now, I had become a little obsessed. Over the years this has become what I take to almost every family or friends get together.

A little back story on how Augusto’s Green Sauce came to be.

Tracy and Augusto Furr had always loved cooking together for friends and family. One day about 13 years ago, Augusto called out to Tracy from the kitchen, and asked her to come try a new sauce he had been working on- needless to say, it was amazing.

They started sharing it with some friends and family, who all agreed that this new sauce needed to be bottled. Fast forward 5 years later, and the Furrs entered the Fiery Food Challenge in Fort Worth. Without knowing what they were getting into, or even having a business name, Tracy suggested Augusto’s Green Sauce, and they submitted their product. Little did they know going into this that they would come in first place the next three years in a row! After those wins there was no looking back.

Since bottling Augusto’s Green Sauce for sell, there has been even more products added to the catalog. Augusto’s Bloody Mary Mix has been added, and is available to purchase by the bottle or by the gallon.

There are also a line of Tracy’s Pickled Products, including pickles, garlic, asparagus, and more.

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FISH TACOS

CHECK OUT THIS OTHER RECIPE

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We had a contest on our social media last month for your favorite recipes using Augusto’s Green Sauce called #HowDoYouAugusto. The winner was Chris Marler for his fish taco recipe. Congratulations Chris, and enjoy your bottle of Augusto's Green Sauce. If you want to try this recipe for yourself here it is: Mix Panko with a bit of flour, enough to coat in a small bowl with your choice of seasonings. Use your preferred fish- Chris suggests using swai or basa. While you are cooking your fish, mix in Augusto’s green sauce with a bit of sour cream. Once your fish is cooked, place on a tortilla and top with your sauce and enjoy.

If you want a chance at winning prizes like Chris did, be sure to follow us facebook.com/craftmagok or instagram.com/craftmagok.

Augusto Green Sauce will also be at Mother Road Market Dec 24th & Dec 26th in The Vault.

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ABOVE: A PORTRAIT OF MIKE SAMARA, PREVIOUS OWNER OF CELEBRITY CLUB

A local legend gets some love I

f you have lived in Tulsa for any length of time, chances are you are familiar with a Tulsa staple. The Celebrity Restaurant, or as the locals would call it, Celebrity Club, due to it once being a private club. When walking into the club you are greeted by a hostess, then quickly behind her is the lounge, bar and baby grand piano. Just a bit further in is the main dinning room, followed by

Story & Photos: Christina Winkle

a private dinning room in the back. Even though the club recently went through a change of ownership, (now owned by the 3 Sirens Restaurant Group) and also a bit of an update, it still carries on with it the same feel. It’s different, but not so different that you can go through and point out everything that has changed. It’s a subtle update.

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Here is a bit of history on the place. Previous owner Mike Samara and a buddy of his met at the location of the Celebrity Restaurant, when it was just a bar, in 1963. The bar was for sale. His buddy Lou Abraham suggested Samara buy the bar. Story goes, he even told him, “ You know you could buy this bar and turn it into a private club.” It needed to be a private club because back then liquor by the drink was illegal.

Shortly after this meeting and conversations, Samara bought the bar. He expanded the space, and added a small menu. He named it the Celebrity Club, a private club that had no membership fee but required a membership card to enter. Sadly, two years later, it burned to the ground.

The Celebrity Club was rebuilt and carried on for decades. It was owned and operated by Samara for most of his life. He would greet guests, hug patrons. He was a popular staple at the restaurant. It could be argued that he was just as popular as the table side Caesar

salad or Cast Iron Fried Chicken, both of which are still on the menu today.

It remained a private club until 1984, when liquor-by-the-drink was legalized. Samara was issued the state’s first license and poured the first legal drink. During the heyday of the club, they had such notables as John Roosevelt (FDR’s son), Bob Hope, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Mickey Mantle, just to name a few, that made the membership list.

The restaurant was sold to the 3 Sirens Restaurant Group in November of 2019. Since they have taken over, they have only enhanced the club, not changed it. They wanted to bring life back to the place and let it breath again. Allow it to shine like it should.

So please Tulsa make your reservations and go support a Tulsa Icon!

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Take a Moment to Unwind and Rewind Craft Looks Back at a Memorable 2019 Story by Lee Brennan Photos by: Sage Brennan

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ey Green Country, is your head spinning yet? What a year! Our state has had some noteworthy happenings this year and, locally, some new laws have lent way to some exciting developments in our little bubble. Craft breweries and taprooms are blossoming and, in many ways, we are redefining the meaning of Green Country. Beyond that, entrepreneurial and philanthropic influence is changing the DNA of our great city and the world is starting to take note.

We are going to talk about the legalization of medical use marijuana, so it is worth taking note that late this year the State of Oklahoma, the state with the highest incarceration rate in the U.S., commuted the sentences of 527 people who were in prison for non-violent or low-level drug offenses. This comes on the heels of the state moving in the right direction with its liquor laws and the use of medical marijuana, laws which are changing the landscape, literally, of our area.

While these laws were changed in 2018, 2019 has been the year we have seen the momentum of these changes gain some impetus, and Craft Culture is truly starting to take shape. Historically, Tulsa has been blessed with a great beer culture, thanks 36

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to places like Marshall Brewing Company, and state-wide breweries such as Coop and Choc, not to mention events like Hop Jam Craft Beer and Music Festival, Oktoberfest and Wild Brew, among others. Long before this current renaissance, creative minds and passionate visionaries were helping us claw our own way out of the dark ages of the typical. Cheers to them all!

As you go through Tulsa now, and our outlying communities, local breweries are developing spaces and taprooms which are creating a cultural paradigm. Have you noticed it just feels good to go to these places? As if somehow, creating craft beer itself seems to ooze a vibe that creates a space where good life happens. Go visit the Kendall Whittier District if you’re looking for a great example. You can thank us later‌ Medical marijuana dispensaries are also changing the landscape in the area and that is a bit of a topic on its own. Currently, the big thinking point surrounds the sheer number of dispensaries open in the area. Not that we have any litmus to go by, but this seems pretty par for the course in our first year of this process.

It will be interesting to watch how this dynamic autocorrects itself. It will be even more interesting still, to watch how the

stigma surrounding marijuana progresses, as we become used to its legality, and more educated to its benefits.

But this year has been about so much more than beers and buds with your favorite people. Can we all just acknowledge this is an incredible time for Tulsa? The Gathering Place continues to amaze, as it has been honored among TIME Magazines Top 100 places, and named “The Best New Attraction in the Nation” by USA Today in 2019. Besides that though, it’s just an amazing place to go!

The Mother Road Market turned one this year and has already broken ground on an expansion project, Shops at Mother Road Market, to bring a stronger retail presence to the Route 66 corridor. Also breaking ground this year is the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture (OKPOP), celebrating the impact Oklahoma creatives have had on pop culture.

And what a creative culture we have here. We can’t get to all of what makes our community so enriching in this little article but, as 2019 closes out, we want to say we see you, local coffee shops and roasters, that continue to make coffee culture in Tulsa second to none. Our hats are off to you all of you chefs

and restaurateurs, who continue to amaze and impress with your unique concepts and incredible passion. You make life taste amazing and give us places to build memories that matter. To all of you artists and musicians out there, whose talents paint our air with sound, and gift our eyes, our spaces and our public places with your beautiful expressions, thank you! You are admired and are at the heart of what makes us great.

Finally, as we come to the end of a new year, we are gushing with gratitude for you, our Craft community. We turned one in 2019 as well, and it has been an incredible first year. Craft Magazine was born out of the creativity, generosity and drive that make our culture unique in the world. We work hard to tell that story, and to represent it in a way that matches the bloom it brings to our lives. It is a work that is done from the heart because we LOVE where we exist, and the people we exist with.

Thank you for enjoying this journey with us. Cheers to you all as you enjoy these holidays and Happy New Year!

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#NOLIMITWOMEN

Johnna Hayes of Three Sirens Restaurant Group

QUEEN BEE

Story & Photos: Christina Winkle

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ohnna Hayes, along with her business partners, Sara Day and Debrah Zinke, are building a small restaurant empire. Three Sirens Restaurant Group has created four, soon to be five, restaurants in and around Tulsa, OK. It all started off with Bramble, located downtown, which now calls 6th and Boston home. Not long after the relocation of the first Bramble, they quickly opened a second store out south at the Jenks Riverwalk. Not too much longer after the Jenks location took flight, their third restaurant opened, Bird and the Bottle, which is located at 31st and Harvard, in the Ranch Acres shopping center. Whether it’s insanity, or amazing drive and ambition, the Three Sirens just recently added another space to their portfolio. The Celebrity Restaurant, located at 31st and Yale, also known as Celebrity Club to Tulsa natives. As if they didn’t need to catch their breath, this occurred while in heavy construction on the third Bramble location in Broken Arrow. To say these three ladies have been busy is an understatement. And it could be argued that the one steering this ship is Ms. Johnna Hayes.

Johnna was born and raised on the Eastside of Tulsa where she attended East Central High. She began her career in the food and beverage industry when she was just 15. It might come as a shock to those that know her solely by the positions she held later in her career, but Johnna got her start at local stalwarts Goldies and Sonic Drive-In. When I asked her why the restaurant industry, she explained that it was at first just where she landed, but that it quickly grew into a place where she felt at home, and that it often gave her the fulfillment of family in times where she felt she lacked that at home. Even though Goldies and Sonic were her introductions into the industry, it wasn’t until she started working at Stonehorse Cafe that she felt she had found her career path. “Stonehorse is where I learned the most, and changed my life,” said Johnna.

Johnna Hayes, co-partner of Three Sirens Restaurant Group

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For those of you who have had the pleasure of working in the industry, you know that it can be stressful, chaotic, fast, slow, fun, grueling, rigorous, and the list goes on. But most of all, you go through these ups and downs with people who become family. It’s hard not to feel a connection with your fellow server, bartender, cook, hostess, dishwasher, when they are the only people who truly understand what you go through day in and day out and can relate so directly to why you keep showing up.

Johnna hasn’t just made a career in this unstable industry, she’s become a success in an industry that knows all too well how to chew people up and spit them out. I asked Johnna what advice she would have for anyone thinking about entering or currently

#NOLIMITWOMEN

Bramble Breakfast & Bar Pearl District

Bramble Breakfast & Bar Jenks Riverwalk

in the industry. “Hard work and kindness. People always downplay that second one, you have to be rough in this industry, and in a way I guess your skin has to be a little thick to take the hours, moody chefs and clientele. There is a seedy underbelly to this industry of fast cash, drugs, alcohol that can easily suck you in and take you down a rough road. But at the end of the day when you work hard and are kind to those who come to see you, who decide to share their off hours with you, you create something special, especially if it all aligns on a larger scale like I’ve been fortunate enough to do.”

When speaking with Johnna you could see how much this industry means to her, how passionate she is about it. It’s not just a job, it’s her life. A lot of folks go to work from nine to five and leave work the second that door shuts behind them. People in Johnna’s position don’t get that option. She owns and helps operate 5 different restaurants. She doesn’t maintain “normal” work hours. While you’re clocking out of work and walking out the door headed home or to happy hour, Johnna has been up since 7 working on putting out whatever new fire the day has brought on, and then most likely heading to the Bird and the Bottle or Celebrity Restaurant to work the dinner shift. This woman is always on the go. What fuels her? The relationships, not just with her staff, but mainly with the guests. Her regulars, some of which have been following her moves for over a decade.

“Regulars doesn’t mean money to me. Regulars mean family.

We eat together. We serve each other. We drink together. And in my case we have celebrated, mourned and grown togetherfellow staff and clientele. “ I asked Johnna one last question- I wanted to know what was her favorite thing about the industry. She said “ The community it’s gifted me, the friendships, the lessons, and even the heartbreaks. Which, if you’re in this industry, you know it can be hard. It’s given me almost everything I have. And I couldn’t be more grateful. It’s so special and unique and I don’t know where else in this world I would find it. A beautiful tribe of misfits is what this industry is built of.”

Bird & Bottle

Celebrity Restaurant

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#GRACIELANDTIPS “HAPPY HOWLERDAYS”

By: Mike Hall, Owner Gracieland Pet Resort

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e all consider our pets to be part of the family and we want them to have a Merry Christmas right along with us. Christmas brings lots of excitement with putting up the tree, hanging the lights, and not to mention the compulsion to indulge in gooey fudge and homemade candy!

Because of all the excitement surrounding Christmas, you may overlook the dangers lurking that may harm your pet. With a little attentiveness, you can help keep your furry friends safe from the seasonal craziness that is Christmas. Read on for some holiday safety tips to keep in mind for your pet.

Secure your Christmas tree to keep it from being knocked over onto your pet by being pulled on or climbed on.

If using a live tree, cover and protect the water basin your tree sits in. Your tree may contain fertilizer or bacteria that could make your pet sick if it were to partake in what he thinks is “Christmas Juice” laid out just for him! Hahahaha.

Tinsel Tossing may be a tempting game for your pets to play, yes, it’s a thing, lol. If you do have pets that may be able to reach the tinsel, maybe think about not using it. Your pet could possibly tangle itself in it, or could swallow it. Swallowing tinsel could leave your pet with digestive issues, and you with NoMoMo syndrome (No More Money), haha.

Keep Holly, Lilies, Mistletoe and Poinsettias out of reach from your pets. If your pet ingests any of these items it could make them sick or could possibly even be fatal.

If you plan to wrap up that Hickory Farms meat bonanza tray, placing it under the tree is NOT the appropriate place for it.

Your pets will sniff it out. A dog can smell up to 100,000 times more than a human! If you think you have it wrapped good enough that it doesn’t give off any odors, think again. Ever see a dog with the Meat Sweats? It’s not a pretty sight, haha.

Edible decorations like popcorn garland strands, salt dough ornaments, and gingerbread houses are fun to make. However, keep in mind that they should be kept out of reach of your pet. Due to the high salt and sugar content in these decorations, they could make your pet sick.

If you have candles burning during the holidays please, please, please keep a sharp eye on them. 60% of all candle fires between 2013 and 2018 began because of flammable surroundings, like the couch, or pillows, and curtains, according to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency). Make sure they’re sitting on non-flammable surfaces and kept out of the way of places your pets frequent. And as always, never, ever 42

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leave candles burning unattended.

Always have a safe, quiet place for your pets when you have guests over. If you’re planning on having a Christmas party, keep in mind your pet probably won’t like the noise and all the people invading her space. If things get to stressful for your pet, you already have a place setup for him or her to chill out and relax.

I hope these tips will help your family – furry or not. Enjoy Christmas and the Holiday festivities!

If your pet becomes injured or ill seek emergency help right away. Contact your local veterinarian, pet hospital, or emergency care center for assistance. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is an additional resource for animal poisonrelated emergencies.

Mike Hall is the owner and operator of Gracieland Pet Resort for over 12 years. His experience with pets give him a wealth of knowledge that he is eager to share. Follow Gracieland Pet Resort on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for his question of the day.

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BY: JEFF THOMPSON

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ere at Craft Magazine, we are moved and inspired by the growing number of craftspeople and artisans who are finding unique pathways to get products to market.

The internet has made this possible, but many times, people need to see, touch and feel a product and maybe even meet the maker and hear their unique stores to fall in love with their next treasured possession. At Tulsa’s Mother Road Market (located just off Route 66 at 11th and Lewis), there is a unique and special place, called “The Vault” where local makers can bring their products to sell and get them in the hands of Tulsans who’ve already demonstrated a passion for supporting local business. Thanks to the generosity of the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation, the costs for makers and artisans are a fraction of the usual market rate for a pop-up retail opportunity, and each month we have the privilege to feature one of the many upcoming (or recurring) local craftspeople who are in The Vault at Mother Road Market.

This month, we feature: Poetic Justice!

Poetic Justice is a nonprofit organization that facilitates restorative writing classes for incarcerated women. It began in Oklahoma in March of 2014 with a writing class for incarcerated women at the Tulsa County Jail. Poetic Justice has over sixty volunteers who lead classes every week for incarcerated women all over Oklahoma, and now in California as well as Mexico.

Poetic Justice classes empower women to change as they engage in self-reflective, therapeutic writing.

By using poetry, women who have never written in their lives find the confidence to write from their hearts. Since 2014, over 1,750 incarcerated women have been a part of the Poetic Justice classes.

Ellen Stackable adds, “We will also have art prints with quotes from the incarcerated women and watercolor images as interpreted by local artist Hanna Beller.”

Ellen was also excited about the Orange Solidarity Buttons that were the brainchild of incarcerated women. Each orange button represents the color of the correctional jumpsuit with the hashtag #notanumber. Ellen quotes the women of poetic justice, speaking on their behalf: “They can see our mugshots and arrest records but that’s not who we are, that’s not our whole story.”

We think this is an extraordinary opportunity to purchase a unique gift for someone on your list who appreciates the arts, or who has a passion for social justice. Or just come out to learn more about this extraordinary organization and meet the team. We hope to see you there!

All of the proceeds from the pop up will go to support the mission of Poetic Justice. Learn more at poeticjustice.org

Above: One of books of poems.

Poetic Justice Pop-Up Mother Road Market 1124 S. Lewis Ave Friday, December 20, 2019 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM motherroadmarket.com/events

This month, on December 20th, Poetic Justice will be popping up in the Mother Road Market vault, and will have a variety of Poetic Justice merchandise for sale, including t-shirts, notebooks, and anthologies of poetry written by women in our classes. Executive Director and Co-Founder

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Craft Talks Christmas Dinner and Cocktails with Lindsay from Mother Road’s Wel Bar by Lee Brennan

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ith Thanksgiving now a bit behind us, now is the appropriate time to start dreaming of the delectable delights coming our way for Christmas. While Thanksgiving is a great meal, Christmas is more of an event lasting over days. An event where we have the benefit of an “Eve” before the big show when we gather, break bread and give gifts. In that spirit, let’s look ahead and talk about some ways we can make the celebration a gift in and of itself.

Do you know what you are going to eat yet? What standards are your favorites? While most of us go with a traditional turkey or ham, others love to serve roasted beef, while there are many who choose to serve non-traditional faire to mix things up. There will certainly be sides where everybody brings their “A” game, and des46

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serts passed on from generation to generation, many of which we only get to sample this time of year. Certainly, there will be candy, pastries and treats galore bookmarking everything, but don’t forget the drinks!

I was at the Wel Bar in Mother Road Market and talked Christmas Cocktails with their incredible bartender, Lindsay Hart. With Christmas being a time to indulge a bit, I was curious about her recipes for dessert cocktails, and she did not disappoint. She led with a cocktail she called the Secret Santa: 1 oz whiskey ½ oz Kahlua ½ oz peppermint schnapps mixed with half and half small candy cane

“Give it a swift shake to give it a froth and top it with a candy cane,” she said. “It’s called a Secret Santa because people have this drink and go ‘what is in this?!’”

1 Cherry Once shaken, pour through strainer into glass, garnish with cherry, and enjoy!

I may have steered the narrative a bit from here. Because I love Bailey’s Irish Cream so much during the holidays, I asked her for her favorite recipes, and I loved what she came up with. “Bailey’s has such a sweet, velvety finish on its own, it can handle a little residual sweetness,” she said. “Bailey’s goes well with a dark rum, Frangelico, or with coffee and whiskey. You can add something non-alcoholic also, something like an all-spice or nutmeg. Then she brought out the big guns… Ladies and gentlemen, presenting Lindsay’s Chocolate Martini!

For main meals with a gathering, she recommended a buttery chardonnay, or a pinot grigio for a white, and said you can’t go wrong with a red zinfandel for a red option. Good advice and great cocktails from Lindsay.

Be sure to give her some kudos when you’re visiting the Wel Bar.

Garnish a martini glass with chocolate and mix ingredients over ice in a shaker 1 oz vodka (vanilla if you have it) 1 oz Bailey’s 3 oz half and half White or Dark Chocolate Liquor (she recommended Godiva’s)

Meanwhile, Happy Holidays from all of us here at Craft.

We wish you all of the enjoyment and warm memories that the season offers. Be well and Cheers!

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#MOODYFOODIETULSA

brought to you by:

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hristmas is awesome. I think very few want to refute that statement. But, do you remember Christmas as a child? Have any of you gotten to watch your children experience Christmas yet? Do you remember those early years? With my two-year-old, this year is magical. She can explain to me how incredibly overwhelmed she is with the magic of Christmas. Watching her look at down a busy city street as the white lights twinkle in her eyes as we pass by shops and restaurants is something I can’t describe. It’s transcendent.

Watching every care in the world fade from her face as she looks up at a towering lit tree is beautiful. Watching her mother experience this with me as well is glorious. As we go through the holidays this year, it’s very easy to get wrapped up in the hustle bustle, gift giving frenzy. Try to remember to take a brief second to look around at your circle and appreciate the magic of Christmas.

In the off chance you find it difficult to slow down and find some precious moments with your family, here are some excellent, upscale southern recipes that are sure to be a blast to cook in the kitchen and sure to have your family flock to the family table for some warm, delicious food.

Lastly, from my family to yours, have a wonderful holiday and a very, Merry Christmas.

In this dinner you will enjoy a unique Charcuterie Board for the appetizer. The dinner is an Aged Angus KC strip on a bed of creamy Polenta. This plate is topped with my BlackBerry Balsamic Sauce.

Aged Angus KC strip on a bed of creamy Polenta

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Creamy Polenta Ingredients: 9 cups water 1 tbsp salt 2 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal 1 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese 1 cup whole milk (room temperature) 1/2 heavy whipping cream (room temperature) 1 1/4 sticks butter (cut into cubes, room temperature) 1/3 fresh parsley 1/2 cup shredded gouda cheese 1 tbsp sriracha hot sauce Directions: Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. Next, add in cornmeal and continuously stir.

Reduce the heat to low until the cornmeal has become thick. This usually takes about 12-15 minutes.

Add in the butter, salt, cheeses, milk, cream, parsley, and sriracha. Mix until the butter and cheese are melted together. Now it’s time to enjoy your Creamy Polenta.

This Charcuterie Board is not your typical board you will order at any restaurant. I used many unique cheeses and meats to get a special blend that will satisfy any craving. Don’t even get me started on this BlackBerry wine. I might have enjoyed more than my fair share as I was creating this meal. Of course, you can mix and match and swap these with any of your favorite meats, cheeses, grapes or nuts! This one’s certain to get everyone Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree!

In this Charcuterie Board I used the following: Cheeses: Stilton/White lemon zest C&W, Ellsworth cheddar cheese curds, Cream line lamb chopper cheese, Gouda aged Rembrandt.

Meats: Sliced salami Milano, sliced salami calabrese, sliced salami Toscano.

Bread: California Garlic Baguette Nuts: Hatch green chili cashews, Dark chocolate espresso beans, and Chocolate peanuts.

Grapes: Green seedless table grapes and Black seedless grapes.

Aged Steaks Ingredients: Dry Aged KC Strip with a Blackberry balsamic sauce 2 KC Strips (Reasor’s Certified Angus Beef ) 4 tbsp butter 4 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp fresh rosemary (For flavor) 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp sea salt Directions: Melt down 2 tbsp of butter and 2 tbsp of olive oil in the pan. Season each side of steak with your salt and pepper. Next, add your fresh rosemary and steaks to the pan. Let each steak sizzle in your pan for about 60 seconds. Continue to rotate on all 4 sides until the steak reaches a internal temperature of 135°F-145°F(Medium). Pull these steaks off the heat and add 1 tbsp of butter on top of each steak. This will add a great deal of flavor.

BlackBerry Balsamic Sauce Ingredients: 1/3 cup BlackBerry Wine 2 tbsp cornstarch 1 cup cold water (for cornstarch) 3/4 Balsamic vinegar 2/3 cup ketchup 1/4 cup honey 2 sliced shallots 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1/4 season salt 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 1 tbsp sugar Directions: First, simmer the balsamic vinegar. Second, add the following together with the balsamic vinegar wine, ketchup, honey, shallots, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, season salt, salt, pepper, and sugar. Stir together on low heat for about 10 minutes. Next, strain the sauce into another saucepan. Take 1 cup of cold water and stir in your cornstarch. Once this is mixed well put your sauce back onto the medium heat. Stir in 1/2 cup of the cornstarch while whisking rapidly to avoid lumps.

Whisk together for about 1 1/2 minutes and only use the remaining 1/2 cup of cornstarch if the sauce is too thin. Now it’s time to enjoy a yummy sauce to bring some more flavor for your meal.

My name is Bryan Edwards. I’m a 25-year-old husband and father born and raised in small-town Coweta a little outside the Tulsa area.

I have a big, southern family that revolved around the kitchen. Every celebration, holiday, and everyday school nights were spent in the kitchen talking, doing homework and of course; cooking. Since it was always around, I never appreciated the art of cooking until my wife became pregnant and I started really paying attention to our nutrition and the quality of our food. This is when my childhood knowledge and memory really got to come alive in my adult life and my passion was re-ignited.

I’ve had a food blog for a little over 2 years now and already it’s taken on many shapes and forms, hence the name “Moody Foodie”. I think as people we naturally adapt over time, which ultimately affects one of the main aspects of our lives, food. My goal is to create a career where I can utilize my passion and talents and provide for my growing family.

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by: John Rothrock, CGCP

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t might sound totally crazy, but the first thing you should do when selecting a new dry cleaner is look at the quality of their laundered shirts. For a dry cleaner, a perfect dress shirt is the hardest item to consistently get right every time. For the customer, it is the easiest item to judge a dry cleaner's quality and attention to detail.

1. Shirt Quality Look for these quality points when inspecting laundered shirts.

• Whites must be white, and colors must be bright.

• Shirts should NOT have a buildup of body oil around the collar.

• Shirts should be finished (ironed) to perfection with no obvious wrinkles.

• Missing or broken buttons should be replaced for FREE! • The collar should be folded sharply along it's seam.

Tip: If you find a dry cleaner that consistently delivers a high-quality dress shirt, then they are probably doing a great job in all areas of the business.

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2. Dry Cleaning Solvent There are two essential questions to ask when selecting a reputable and quality dry cleaner: What type of solvent do you use?

How do you keep your solvent clean?

Without going into too much detail, most dry cleaners in the United States use one of three different dry-cleaning solvents: Perchlorethylene (Perc), Petroleum, or Silicone. In a future blog, I will discuss dry cleaning solvents in more detail.

Perc cleans clothes effectively, but has earned a bad reputation for its environmental impact and the health risks it presents to dry cleaners and customers alike.

Silicon is a solvent that is environmentally conscious but doesn’t clean clothes very well.

Petroleum solvents are a good balance of being environmentally friendly and actually cleaning clothes. You should select a dry cleaner that uses a petroleum solvent such as EcoSolve, DF-2000 or Stoddard.

Now that you know what solvent is being used, find out if the solvent is clean! In the dry-cleaning process, the solvent is recycled for every load of clothes. Since the solvent is recycled, it is imperative

for the dry cleaner to maintain the solvent’s purity.

The best dry cleaners will filter the solvent during the entire cleaning cycle. This ensures all the impurities are being removed from the solvent and thus not being left in the clothes. However, these filters must be changed on a regular schedule. Additionally, dry cleaners should distill their solvent on a regular basis.

the dry cleaner. Cost to clean a garment $6.50 x 10 = $65. In this example, the dry cleaner will not pay more than $65 for the item, even if it cost substantially more.)

Tip: Most one price dry cleaners have a very limited claims policy. Make sure to know their policy before dropping off your clothes.

Tip: If your clothes begin to smell after you put them on, then your dry cleaner is using dirty solvent. As your body heats the garment, the smell will become more intense.

3. Fair Pricing Pricing should be clear, upfront, and easy to understand. An honest dry cleaner will publish their price list in store or online and provide customers with a complete price list upon request. Pricing should never be based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status or age. A dry cleaner’s pricing should be based solely upon the costs of doing business, the expertise, and the time it takes to complete the requested dry cleaning or laundry service.

In general, you should expect the cost to dry-clean a shirt or blouse to be more expensive than having the exact same item laundered.

Tip: Look for button-down shirts and blouses made of 100% cotton or cotton/polyester blend if you would like to take advantage of the less expensive service. Only garments made from those materials can be professionally laundered.

4. Speed of Service What is the dry cleaner’s normal speed of service? Do they offer same day? Next Day? Or even worse, 3-day service? In the age of grocery delivery and movies on demand, you shouldn’t have to wait 3 days for dry cleaning! In reality, most dry cleaners have a similar process behind the counter and it doesn’t take 3 days. So, why should you wait so long for them to clean your clothes? Choose a dry cleaner that doesn’t make you beg for same day service.

Tip: You don’t have to have as many clothes if your dry cleaner’s turnaround time is same day or even next day. Clothes spend less time at the cleaners, so you can wear them more often!

5. Claims Policy We have all heard the phrase, “I got taken to the cleaners!” Nothing makes me cringe more than hearing someone’s dry cleaning horror story. Let’s be honest, we are all human, and we all make mistakes. Clothing manufactures, dry cleaners and consumers alike.

So, when a garment is damaged or lost, how will the dry cleaner handle the situation?

Every dry cleaner has a different policy. Look for a dry cleaner with the most generous claims policy. In the event a garment is lost or damaged beyond repair, you will want to avoid any dry cleaner that limits the value of the item to the price of cleaning times some multiple. (Example: Customer’s item cost $200 and was lost by

John Rothrock, CGCP John Rothrock is the President and CEO of Yale Cleaners, a local family business focused on providing high quality, same day dry cleaning with exceptional customer service.

He earned a degree in Business Administration in 2005 from The University of Oklahoma. John is a graduate of the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute and is a Certified Professional Drycleaner (CPD), Certified Professional Wetcleaner (CPW), and a Certified Environmental Drycleaner (CED). Having all three of these certifications makes him a Certified Garment Care Professional (CGCP), a distinction held by few people in the dry cleaning industry.

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An Inside Look at Okie Brothers Pharm

Green Country Gets a Fresh New Progression in the Growth, Processing and Dispensing of Medical Marijuana

by Lee Brennan

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ABOVE: (LEFT TO RIGHT) STEELE (CO-OWNER) , TERRI, CARL & STONE (CO-OWNER) SENSINTAFFAR, OKIE BROS PHARM (OBP)

n the early 1900’s, regulations against the use of cannabis began to take shape in the United States. By the end of the 1930’s, national regulations were in place, and in 1970, with the Controlled Substances Act, cannabis was fully criminalized at all levels, including medical usage. While many states have legalized the use of cannabis in recent years, from medical to recreational, Oklahoma finally voted to allow for medical use cannabis in 2018.

That being said, it is clear they work together cooperatively to what they referenced as a “cannabis cooperative”. This cooperative is taking an approach that is a step above what we have been seeing in the infancy of legal access to marijuana, and this is why their work is so important. Because…

As the state of Oklahoma rounds out it’s first full year of medical legalization, there has been a full-blown boom in the medical marijuana industry. Dispensaries continue to pop up everywhere, and options on how to consume cannabis continue to expand as well. Certainly, there is a great deal of excitement, and even some entertainment value, to the multiple edibles, oils and strands available, but there still seems to be a maturation process as we become adjusted to having legal access to cannabis.

Morally or otherwise, there is no rebellion in using marijuana, and stigmatizing its usage as such has become tired, as the laws have finally softened. Eventually, the laws will release their hold on recreational use as well because, ultimately, it is silly that people have been told to not use a plant. The changing of the laws is a natural progression of logic- it makes sense.

This is particularly true when it comes to the stigma that seems to remain as a hangover from when marijuana was illegal. For whatever reason, there seems to be a race to the bottom in terms of potency, assuming the content of THC is the only measure of value regarding the flower being sold. Moreover, the branding surrounding the growing and selling of cannabis seems centered around a party culture and, in some cases, it undercuts the nuance and dynamic represented in cannabis as a worthwhile product benefiting the mind and body as a whole.

Cue Okie Brothers Pharm (OBP), a new dispensary at 400 North Mission Street in Sapulpa, OK. Actually, while the dispensary may be new, the said “Okie Brothers” have been in the game from the beginning and, in some ways, before the beginning.

Steele and Stone Sensintaffar are two local brothers who have had a long passion for cannabis and its many benefits. OBP dispensary is the end result of a complete process that Steele and Stone are involved in towards bringing an excellent product to Green Country.

They also own and operate White Sage Horticultural Services, where their product is grown, and Blue Sky Labs, where the product is processed before being sold. The both of them are refreshingly cerebral young men who have a balanced approach to their operations and development. While Steele mainly oversees the management of OBP, Stone takes the lead on the growth and cultivation through White Sage.

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There is nothing wrong with using marijuana.

It also makes sense that holding on to the notion that marijuana is somehow edgy, or counter culture, is a distraction towards encountering the subtle and dynamic impacts it can have on those who choose to enjoy its benefits. There is likely a portion of the population that enjoys the somewhat cartoonish brand that some dispensaries have, and they strictly want the most THC as economically as possible and, honestly, more power to them.

But the adults in the room don’t want to take the equivalent of Jäger Bombs every time they touch THC, and they don’t want to feel like they are regressing to their crazy school days mentality, just by walking into a dispensary. In contrast, most of us just want to intersect with environments that compliment and value the standards we have set for ourselves. Purchasing cannabis should not make you feel like you are compromising that.

The facilities at OBP are fantastic. They have taken an old bank and converted it into a facility where walk in purchasing is available, along with scheduled drive through pharmacy services. Doctors will be available on site where you can be evaluated for your Medical Marijuana License (MML), and a full merchandising section is available as well, where t-shirts and hats representing Oklahoma and consumption apparatuses can be purchased. Moreover, there are CBD drinkables, topicals, patches, cartridges and edibles of all forms, providing an excellent variety for everyone.

to a point where it became plain what a great series of stories this was.

Namely that we need to get caught up with what it is we are working with here.

Since cannabis has been illegal through such a robust time of medical technological advancement we are, in a sense, at the beginning of something new. Steele and Stone referenced comprehensive research done in Israel, as well as referencing other educational resources, but it is high time we take this conversation to our own community.

For those looking for cannabis products containing THC, OBP is taking an exhaustive approach towards getting their clients the right options. When you walk into the lobby, there is a wall mounted flat screen with software called CANNABISCOPE, that walks you through the effect their clients are seeking, and it guides them through their inventory. Past that initial stage, each client will encounter a Budtender, a trained professional with exhaustive knowledge of the products available, who will guide them to the right choices in their purchases. Those purchases include expertly developed cannabis flower, concentrates, hash, solvent extracts, prerolls and cannagars.

Beyond this, Steele and Stone are taking the idea of the Cannabis Cooperative to the community at large. From its foundation, their cooperative is a family affair.

Their parents, Carl and Terri, are both involved in the business. “We could not have done this without them,” they both exclaimed when asked about the impact and influence their parents have had. “They have started many businesses. Dad loves projects, and before we ever got started, we worked together on the laws, and she (Terri) gets credit for the decorating.”

When I asked them how they found themselves taking on such a comprehensive vision as OBP, Stone said, “its always been in the back of our minds. I’ve always been super enthusiastic about plants, really a farm boy at heart. There has always been something special about cannabis that really just grabbed me. It’s been my main interest ever since, so when the time came, we just had faith in it.” Steele added, “We wanted to be confident in what we know. We (he and Terri) studied the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (O.M.M.A.) until we understood it fully and said, ‘ok, we can do this!’”

Beyond family, their cooperative mindset is on taking their product and vision into the community. “We’ll do consulting for growers and home growers,” Stone said.

“We will also do small classes on cannabis in general, and horticultural procedure.

A sterile, temperature and humidity controlled environment are important, and you have to trust in the products that are being sold.”

Steele added, “We want to be a cooperative. We are striving to set the bar for quality and consistency in the market, and we follow the science based on research. When dispensaries become better educated they sell better products.”

We believe them and we want to help spread that education. Over the next few months, Craft is going to dive in deep with OBP in an educational series that helps dissolve the hangover stigma surrounding marijuana by engaging in enlightening topics. Full disclosure, it turns out that I may not know near as much about cannabis as I thought I did, and I think that is likely true for most of us. I heard so many terms discussing the science behind this miracle plant, and its benefits, that I came

In the coming months, we are going to go through a series of articles talking candidly about recreational use, and openly discuss the medical benefits of cannabis, and compare the two. We are going to look at the processes of growing, cultivating and processing the plants to achieve the desired product. Through all of this, we will discover the chemical compounds found in cannabis and learn how they affect the body and mind.

The over all purpose being that it is too easy to judge things that you don’t understand. Don’t want to use cannabis in your own life? No big deal, but you will be much less likely to look down on someone who does, if you can lose the lens you saw cannabis through when it was illegal. You love smoking marijuana but you’re afraid the people in your family, friends, coworkers or the people you go to church with will think less of you? You don’t have to live that way. Learn the facts and lose the negative stigma through information, so you can confidently guide the people you care about into understanding your life choices. You don’t have any issue with cannabis, and no judgment, but are just looking for a great read on the subject?

Buckle in, because we think you are going to really enjoy this ride.

I do want to share a quick testimonial of sorts before we are done talking today. I am no stranger to marijuana but have, somehow, never before taken a CBD product.

I got a package of the peach CBD gummies from OBP and had some when I got home. They tasted great but I was shocked by the effect they had. I always sleep well, but I slept particularly deeply, a little longer than usual and so soundly. I work on my feet all day, and was surprised at how well my body felt throughout the day. I am overweight but felt lighter on my feet and moved better than usual. I’ll report back as to why that occurred from a scientific standpoint in another article.

In the meantime, you can find out more about OBP at okiebrotherspharm.com, but I highly recommend checking out their Instagram page at okie.bros.pharm. There you will find a beautiful showcase of what they grow and get a taste of what they offer that I just can’t verbally represent here.

Stay tuned and we will talk soon. Cheers!

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Local Craft Breweries

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Nothing’s Left Brewing Co - Deez Nuts Story: Jeremy Strunk Photos: Lacy Richards

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hen it comes to bold, flavorful beers produced here in Tulsa, Nothing’s Left Brewing Company should be at the top of any craft beer drinker’s list. Brewmaster Travis Richards prides himself on making beers that are often considered “out there” or not traditional. He has produced beers with ingredients that include everything from muffin tops and Pop Tarts, to wasabi and habanero peppers. Two of Nothing’s Left’s most popular year-round beers are also brewed with interesting ingredients. Their “Yabba Dabba Brew” is a sour beer made with Fruity Pebbles and is a huge hit with taproom patrons. My personal favorite of the core beers at Nothing’s Left is a peanut butter chocolate stout. The name of the beer is as attention getting as the delicious peanut butter flavor itself. The beer is appropriately (yet also inappropriately) named Deez Nuts.

Coming in at 8% alcohol by volume and featuring a name that begs to be yelled across the taproom bar, if not from a mountain, Deez Nuts is a perfect beer for the colder months, often referred to by craft beer fans as “stout season”. However, unlike many stouts, Deez Nuts can be found year-round.

Nothing’s Left recently expanded their brewing facility to include a building just to the East of the taproom, which is good news for fans of their beer. Plans are in place to get several of their beers into distribution to local liquor stores. Beers planned for 2020 distribution include Strawberry Blonde, Watermelon Gose, All Killer No Filler, and of course Deez Nuts.

Nothing’s Left has also become known for their presence at the annual Hop Jam held in the Tulsa Arts District each May. The line for their beer often eclipses national brands who attend the festival. Last year, two new beers were released at Hop Jam; Cotton Candy Chaos, an IPA with cotton candy flavor, and The PB Incident; a beer brewed with wasabi, peanut butter, and habaneros. That beer was quite literally the result of throwing darts at a board with ingredients listed.

Of course, the best way to enjoy craft beer is getting it straight from the source. Nothing’s Left is extremely pet and kid friendly, meaning there is no excuse to not stop in for a pint, or to get a growler or crowler fill togo. The taproom is open six days a week (closed Mondays) and they are very active on social media where you can stay up to date with the latest beer releases, events, and other news. Really, what better way to warm up this holiday season than with a taste of Deez Nuts? Swing by the Nothing’s Left taproom at 1502 E 6th St in Tulsa.

Jeremy is one half of the Pub Talk Podcast duo.

Check them out on social media @pubtalkpodcast or online at www.pubtalkpodcast.com CRAFT MAGAZINE OK | DEC 2019

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Year 3 IPA

American Solera

By Jeremy Strunk

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f there were an alphabet of Oklahoma Craft Beer, it would have to start both literally and figuratively with American Solera.

While American Solera is not Oklahoma’s first craft brewery by any means, owner, founder, and brewmaster Chase Healey has been around since the early days of craft beer in the state. You may also know him from his earlier foray into craft beer - a little brewery named Prairie Artisan Ales.

After selling Prairie to Krebs Brewing Co in 2016, Chase opened American Solera later that year. Originally located in West Tulsa, American Solera recently opened their doors to a beautiful, brand new taproom in the heart of the Pearl District, right between Cabin Boys and Marshall Brewing Company, and within a few minutes of several other craft breweries. The new taproom opened its doors at the end of September, and the move in and recovery process is still ongoing.

I had an opportunity to ask Chase a few questions about current events at American Solera. Regarding the move from West Tulsa to the Pearl District; “We originally set up shop in West Tulsa when direct sales and taprooms

weren't a thing. Once the laws changed, we knew we needed to move.

It took a couple years to find the right location, and then another year to renovate the building, so this is a long time coming. The biggest factor for us building a location like we did was quality of life. We wanted a location that was centrally located, fun to be in, and had lots of natural light. It’s basically the exact opposite of our old location.”

If you ever visited the West Tulsa location and have seen the new taproom, you know exactly what Chase means by opposite. While the old location had a taproom, it was built into a production facility out of necessity when the laws changed and didn’t offer the space and ambiance of many taprooms across the country that were able to be built specifically for the purpose of serving thirsty patrons fresh craft beer. American Solera’s new neighbors in the Pearl District, Marshall Brewing Company, had a similar issue and upgraded to a new taproom last year for many of the same reasons.

I asked Chase what the most exciting part of the new location is to him; “For me I feel like the building is an extension of our brand. It gives people a complete experience when they come in. I think it’s awesome that CRAFT MAGAZINE OK | DEC 2019

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there are so many breweries in the neighborhood too. People can spend a whole afternoon in this part of town and get 7 different experiences.”

As for the beer itself, American Solera is known for their big, bold stouts, for creative sours and wild beers, but what they are known most for is likely the fact that many of their beers are barrelaged and take months to mature to the point of being released to the public. It is that attention to detail and patience that lead to them being known as one of Oklahoma’s best breweries, as well as national acclaim. With recent releases such as their Year 3 IPA (a 7% alcohol by volume offering, with Enigma, Eukanot, and Simcoe hops), they also like to bring the hops. Regarding future releases as we close out 2019, Chase had this to say; “We are really just trying to get our feet back under us from the move.

The goal is to be 100% in the new space by end of year. People can expect fresh hops and hopefully one more stout release by the end of the year.”

As craft beer continues to reach new milestones of popularity, acceptance, and penetration in Oklahoma, one thing that I really love as a person who covers craft beer is when talking to owners, brewers, marketing people, etc., they all share a passion and an excitement for what they do that very few industries can claim.

This is evident even with those who have been around the business for many years, such as has Chase Healey. I asked Chase what most excites him about the craft beer business as we continue to see this big boom and looking ahead; “I think the most exciting part of craft beer is that there aren't really any rules as far as what beer has to look and taste like. Some would probably 66

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argue that it’s a big concern, but I think it’s fun to move beer forward and find new things to get people excited. I like making unusual beers and classics, I think all are welcome right now.”

American Solera’s new taproom is located at 1702 E 6th Street in Tulsa and welcomes patrons 7 days a week. Stay tuned to their social media for upcoming beer releases, events, etc. and check out americansolera.com for more info and current beer offerings.

Above: Chase & Erica Healey, Co-Owners, American Solera

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