Inside: Around Edmond, Shop Edmond, Field Trip, Sports, Events, My Home, My Yard
Christmas Cheer 90,000 Lights In Thornbrooke
Shop Edmond For The Holidays 5 Top Techno Gifts
V. 3, ISSUE 11, December 2011
EDMONDACTIVE.COM
advertising / editorial / publishing Sherri Hultner
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M editorial / layout / photography Chris Hultner contributors Haley Ray Melissa Cox Jessica Miller Merrill Jeffrey Taylor Jason Boag Find us on the web at: Facebook & Twitter @ EdmondActive Join the conversation online with15,000 Facebook & Twitter fans & 13,000 print issues per month! Advertise to get your business in front of over 48,000 Edmond consumers!
Hultner Publications is in no way responsible for claims made by advertisers herein. Advertising in Edmond Active Magazine does not constitute an endorsement by Hultner Publications or Edmond Active Magazine
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 4. Around Edmond
14. Metro Food & Drink
6.
My Fitness
16. Shop Edmond Holiday
7.
In Business
20. Field Trip
8.
EA Wishlist
22. Holiday Lights & Events
Sherri Hultner 405.315.7325 sherrih@edmondactive.com
Chris Hultner 405.315.6405 chrish@edmondactive.com All photography and editorial in Edmond Active Magazine is copyrighted (2009-12) material and may not be reprinted or used in any way without written permission from the publisher.
10. My Home
28. Locally Owned
12. My Yard
30. Events Calendar edmondactive.com 03
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Around Edmond
With a New Year Comes Change… Since July of 2009, Around Edmond has always been
that we will know how to respond to the rapid shifts in
readers know about events, people and businesses in the
you give us the opportunity to give you, the reader, what
a monthly print column & weekly online blog to let our area, as well as shopping events and opportunities in and
Around Edmond. Shop Local Edmond evolved from that in 2010 and has evolved into Shop Edmond. The number of print issues of Edmond Active increased from eight issues
your print and social media habits. From your answers,
you are looking for and not only what we think you may want, which has always been the way print publishing has worked.
The great changes we are ending this year on are based
in 2010 to 11 issues in 2011, the frequency of the online
on the emergence of mobile technology becoming one of
Nevertheless, with the popularity of Edmond Active
launched our digital magazine on a platform that makes
versions of Around Edmond has decreased to monthly.
online, in print and on social media steadily increasing
every single month of 2011, our social media presence has stepped up and has brought about more frequent social
media postings to give you more information that you are looking for.
In publishing, changes like this have always meant almost
instant publication suicide, because print entities cannot always keep up with such constant change and they cannot
usually afford the staff necessary to enable such change. We
are not a huge publishing company; actually, it is just my husband and I with some amazing contributors. We know
the most frequent ways we communicate. We have just
Edmond Active the only metro magazine that publishes
directly to their Facebook Page via a publishing tab, or that has the digital magazine available directly for viewing on any mobile device without the need for an app. Another big change is that Edmond Active is the first magazine to
offer a digital version that does not require flash to operate, which mobile devices do not recognize and the result is a
blank page where the digital reader should be. What this
means is that Edmond Active Magazine is truly the first publication metro wide that is accessible 24/7.
As well, we are developing a new website with our readers
that without you, our readers, that there is no reason for
being the most important thought in the development, and
with all of you, to make sure you are always getting what
constantly changing to be able to evolve with you and I
what we do and that is why we have such constant contact
you need from us. Our advertisers are directly the reason we are able to do what we do, so we incorporate them into
its entire purpose will be directly related to you. It will be have to say, I absolutely love this idea!
Thanks to all of you who add value to our magazine by
our information in ways that are entertaining and useful and
picking it up intentionally in record numbers each month,
This small shift with mobile devices & social media in
In addition, to our advertisers, which are probably some
it is really a lot of fun doing what we do in this way.
combination has changed how we bring you information this year, so we quickly moved the weekly event & shopping
information directly over to our Facebook Fanpage. The change that has occurred with EdmondActive.com and Facebook’s popularity this year has allowed all of you to share & discuss our content more frequently through our website and the Fanpage. It has resulted in record post views at our Fanpage and record traffic at our website.
Through several reader surveys, we have asked you to
share your online, reader and shopping habits with us so
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without you we wouldn’t have been able to get to this point. of the most fun people in the area, thanks for trusting us with our crazy idea from 2009 that one day print magazines
& social media would be equals, and for trusting that we are capable of such constant and drastic changes with confidence.
Merry Christmas to all of you and for the New Year, we
hope it’s another great opportunity for us all to change for the better!
- Sherri Hultner
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My Fitness
New Year’s Resolutions Melissa Cox, M.S. (The Shape Project)
Resolutions are synonymous with the New Year. This
increase range of motion in the joints. This can be done
get healthier” resolution will be declared by the masses.
known as resistance training, builds muscle and bone mass,
year, as every year, the ever-so-popular “I’m going to
How can you avoid being in the majority that abandon this resolution by February when most resolutions are forgotten? Create a game plan. Get organized. Prepare.
Whether physical activity is a new venture or you are
a seasoned gym rat, making the resolution to spend hours in the gym everyday is likely unrealistic for you. Going
through daily stretching or Yoga. Strength training, also helps to boost your metabolism, and plays a role is disease
prevention. No matter which type of exercise you choose
to tackle, it’s important to make exercise a priority. Even the busiest of us can find time to devote ten minutes to get moving.
If weight loss is your resolution, have a realistic and
from zero to sixty could increase the chance of injury, as
healthy goal of one to two pounds lost per week. Reject
workout schedule is to make a resolution to exercise three
essential nutrients. Instead, view weight loss as a lifestyle
well as zap your motivation. A better way to approach your or four times a week. If you are just entering the world of health and fitness, begin slow by walking or riding a
the quick-fix diet, which can prevent you from getting that includes calorie control and regular exercise.
Another factor to consider when developing your
bike for 15-20 minutes. Once shorter windows of activity
workout game plan is how you are going to keep it going.
to progress to the next level.
exercise journal can become your visual proof of how far
become a habit and you start to reap the benefits, it’s easier
Organizing your workout routine is essential to the
success of your program. While any kind of exercise
offers tremendous benefits to your health, different modes
of exercise focus on certain aspects. While making your game plan, you can choose to concentrate on one type of exercise or combine them to add variety and broaden
the benefits you want to achieve. Aerobic exercise, such as running or cycling, strengthens the heart and increases
One great way to do this is to record your progress. An you’ve come from where you began. Also, get inspired! Read articles and blogs about others who have been in
your shoes. Look at images of people who are healthy and fit to motivate you to move your body. Pinterest offers a
wide variety of health and fitness bulletin boards to spark inspiration.
Stay focused and don’t be discouraged with obstacles!
endurance. Flexibility exercise helps to prevent injury and
Now you can shop at Sears without heading to the Mall! Appliances • Tools • And Much More Locally Owned & Operated By Daniel & Susan Bercaw 3409 South Broadway, Suite 100 In Edmond
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(405) 286-3440
Follow Us On FaceBook & Twitter
In Business
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3 Things for a Great New Year By Jeffrey Taylor, Attorney at Law
I always love a new year. New Year’s presents the
opportunity to set goals; the chance to organize my life; and the ability to “let water flow under the bridge”.
spouse, which should equal or exceed your debt and yearly household expenses by at least two times.
Your insurance agent will be able to counsel you
Unfortunately, some of these New Year’s ambitions will
regarding your business and home insurance needs. Spend
candle. To be successful in your personal life or your
have enough insurance to cover your needs.
fail miserably, while others will sputter out like an empty business ventures in 2012, I suggest three must haves: HAVE AN ESTATE PLAN
a little planning session with him or her to make sure you HAVE A BACKUP
You can never predict what will bad occur, or when
Many of the people I counsel with don’t realize the
it will happen. The economy is so volatile and we hear
if applicable, children, should something bad happen. We
and defaults. You must have contingencies in place for
importance of having a plan for your money, property, and
all love to believe that we’re not going to be a part of the
statistic, but sadly, too many of the living relatives end up fighting over stuff when we pass on.
Having an estate plan helps to guarantee your property
gets disbursed as you want, and that your children get
countless reports of declining employment and rising debt handling rough times.
Having backups means creating a savings plan, acquiring
additional skills and knowledge, and even paying down debt.
When you develop a backup, you’re preparing for
placed with whomever you choose.
whatever problems could come your way.
The living will operates to enforce your wishes regarding
reason your 2012 won’t be great! As we leave 2011, and
survivors and doctors to care for your health needs as you
prosperous and exciting new year.
One important aspect of an estate plan is a Living Will.
healthcare and sustained life. The living will directs your see fit.
HAVE INSURANCE
For a number of reasons, too many people under-value
the importance of insurance. At a minimum you need auto,
home, and life insurance. Insurance acts as the security blanket for when things go wrong.
If you’ll get my three must haves in place, there’s no
embark on 2012’s adventures and challenges, I wish you a
Jeffrey Taylor is an attorney with Absolute Legal Services LLC, in Oklahoma City. He provides small businesses and individuals with answers to their legal issues. You can contact Jeff at (405) 748-0318 or via email at contact@ absolutelawfirm.com
This year, check your auto insurance coverage to
make sure that you have liability coverage, uninsured/ underinsured coverage (called UIM or UM), and medical payments coverage. Please also increase your liability and UM coverage limits to at least $50,000. Many people who
are injured in auto accidents have problems because there isn’t enough money to cover their damages. Don’t let this happen to you.
Talk to your insurance agent about your life insurance
needs, and the scope of your home insurance. I suggest that
you heavily consider your life insurance needs. If you’re
married, you should have policies that cover you and your
Come Join Our Bootcamp Every Monday, Call Haley Ray (405) 761-4790 Wednesday & 17200 N. May Ave. Suite 400 In Edmond Friday From 6 to 7 am www.blfit.com And Saturday From 8 to 9 am edmondactive.com 07
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EA Wishlist
Edmond Active Holiday Wishlist Every Holiday there are always new and improved items that come out to wow our senses, and this year is no different. At the rate technology is improving, these items will seem old hat to us within months, but for now, we think they are pretty cool (and affordable, too!).
1. iPhone 4/4s Lens/Tripod Combo Pack - $69.99
When lenses started showing up for the iPhone in 2010 we thought they were cool, but at $45 a lens we wanted to wait until they came down in price to try. After seeing photos taken with these lenses, they are amazing, and this combo pack is the perfect way to try the fisheye, wide angle and telephoto lenses for half that and you get a tripod! Go to www.usbfever.com to purchase this combo pack or for more info.! Great gift for the iPhone photographer in your home!
2. Bedol Water Powered Alarm Clock - $26.00
What a fun way to reduce your carbon footprint by replacing your existing battery/electricity operated alarm clock with this water powered clock! Water only needs replacing every six months and runs the clock off of the ions in the water. Go to www.Bedol.com to order or find out more! Great green gift idea!
3. Belkin iPad Chef Stand with Stylus - $39.99
The iPad/iPad 2 are being utilized in every way imaginable and as an erecipe book, as well! What a great idea this stylish chrome stand is and the stylus makes it even better so you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get cookie dough or marinara sauce on the screen! Go to www.belkin.com to purchase this or for more info.! Great gift for the foodie in your life!
4. StickyGram Instagram Photo Magnets - $14.99 per pack of 9 magnets
If you have an iPhone then you likely have the Instagram app on your phone, and in your app you may have hundreds of your favorite random photos! Now, with StickyGram you can order sheets of 9 magnets of your favorite Instagram shots! This is a really fun & unique gift idea! Go to www.stickygram.com to order your own StickyGram magnets or order them as a gift for your favorite Instagramer!
5. Mr. Coffee Frappe Maker - $79.99
The Mr. Coffee Frappe Maker is the only coffee maker on the market that will brew and blend a perfect frozen frappucino at home, just like your favorite coffee shop makes them and in only 3 minutes! You can find these online directly at www.MrCoffee.com or at your favorite discount or department store!
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BOOT CAMP LOCATIONS: Mitch Park Hafer Park Stars and Stripes Park
Contact Melissa Cox at 405-496-5891 www.shapeproject.com Email: shapeproject@cox.net twitter: @theshapeproject facebook:
www.facebook.com/TheShapeProject
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My Home
Shoe Space In the latest model, by Jeff Click Homes, Mello, the master
closet is the king (or queen) of built ins. This closet was
designed for the professional in mind who requires custom built ins to keep their things in line. The space and built ins are a
luxury seen in few homes at this price range and are one of the reasons people flock to the Jeff Click brand.
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My Home
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The Mud Room With fall passing and winter in bloom, a mud room is a
necessity and not so much a luxury. However, at this price
range, a mud room built in to the laundry area off of the
garage entrance is a luxury not found in most new models and is just whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needed by the family on the go to keep
winter wear organized, along with sports equipment, etc.
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My Yard
Stone Family Christmas Lights With it’s second year under it’s belt, the Stone Family Christmas Light display offers all of the light sensation, synced to music that we’ve all become accustomed to, but with a twist. This light display incorporates amazing music video, unlike any other display in the metro, featuring contemporary Christian music artists, adding the reminder of the reason for the season! And, that is why they are this years December Edmond Active My Yard.
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Metro Food & Drink
Cupcakes To Go Go Holiday Treats There is nothing more fun that some holiday treats and Cupcakes To Go Go on Santa Fe & 178th St. is the Edmond place to go! The selection of cupcakes is endless and you can order yours in 3 sizes: Mini, Regular and Jumbo. Too cold? Their drive thru is open till 7 Mon. - Saturday.
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Metro Food & Drink
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Jelly Belly Soda Who doesn’t love Jelly Belly’s? Ever since their introduction Jelly Belly’s have given Jellybeans a run for their money. With their interesting and different flavors Jelly Belly’s have changed the game. And now with the introduction of a new soda line up, Jelly Belly is set to make a big splash in that market as well. There are currently ten available flavors which have been expertly blended to match the flavor of their
corresponding Jelly Belly jelly bean. The current flavor line up includes: Blueberry, Crushed Pineapple, Green Apple, Sour Cherry, Lemon Drop, Juicy Pear, Strawberry Jam, Tangerine, Very Cherry, and French Vanilla. We have tried the sodas and they are awesome. In Edmond you can find Jelly Belly’s and Jelly Belly Soda at Sweet Peace on the corner of Danforth and Santa Fe, next to Buffalo Wild Wings.
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Shop Edmond
Renaissance Day Spa
RENAISSANCE SALON & SPA Renaissance Salon & Spa is the perfect gift of relaxtion for the holidays! This charming 100 year old farmhouse is located at 10440 N. Broadway Extension just off of Britton. Give them a call to make an appointment at 751-8888 or visit them online at SalonRen.com to order gift certificates from the comfort of your own home!
For professional piano lessons from an accredited instructor, contact Rebecca Yeager of Grand Scale at 405-317-8303 or send an inquiry to Grandscalestudio@yahoo.com. $20 off with the mention of this ad! What are you waiting for?!
Our Sisters’ Closet is a quality resale shop that supports the YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter. We are excited to be in Edmond where the community is welcoming us with open arms. You are invited to visit our “Resale Boutique” at 101 E. Hurd (3 blocks N of 2nd and 1/2 way between Broadway and Boulevard. Tues - Sat 10-5 348-2442 Whether you shop or donate, you will be welcomed. We recently moved our OKC location to the Walnut Square Center I-240 & Penn. If you enjoy quality resale shopping, we invite you to visit our South Our Sisters’ Closet Boutique.
I’m Just Sayin’ Gifts and More carries candles, home accessories and decor, housewares, handbags & jewelry and infants & toddler accessories, as well as full selection of seasonal accessories. You can also find amazing items from local artisans. Store hours are Monday - Friday 10:00a.m. - 6:00p. m. and Saturday 11:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. Stop in to this boutique in North Edmond located at 121 East Waterloo Road at the corner of Broadway & Waterloo for some of the most unique items in Edmond! If you’re looking for something specific, call at 285.7210 Be sure to follow at Facebook @Imjustsayingiftsandmore
Rebecca Yeagr is the owner and artisan behind Simply Twisted and she can be found at Facebook as well as I’m Just Saying Gifts & More. She creates beautiful beaded & vintage jewelry, hand knit scarves, and some of the most creative cards for everyday to holidays. You can visit her website at www.Simplytwisted.us for examples of her work. Edmond Antiques is located at 17 S. Broadway in Downtown Edmond. Stop in and say hi to Pam, she has some very unique antiques, estate sale items and home decor just in time for the holidays! Stock is always changing, so be sure to stop in often. Follow Edmond Antiques at Facebook and if you are in need of something specific, give them a call at 405-471-5555. Be sure to stop in to Edmond’s own locally owned Sears store on 33rd St., just next to Charleston’s, where you can find appliances (great sales with installation!), generators, electronics, treadmills, tools, tv’s, and more! If they don’t have what you need, they can order it for you! Stay in Edmond & save on name brands such as Kenmore, Craftsman & more! Follow them at Facebook @Sears Hometown Store Edmond, OK or at Twitter @ SearsHTEdmondOK
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Shop Edmond
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THE BEEF JERKY EMPORIUM The Beef Jerky Emporium is your grilling headquarters with 2 inch dry rubbed steaks, spices, rubs, cobbler fillings & more! Their giftbaskets make great hostess & holiday gifts! Stop by the Edmond store which is located at 810 Danforth, next to Hobby Lobby, for an amazing selection of anything you may need for the upcoming grilling season with family and friends! And check for them online at Facebook @TheBeefJerkyEmporium! LOTSA NOODLES Located on Memorial just south of the AMC Theaters Quail Springs Mall, Lotsa Noodles is a great place to stop with your family for a casual & fun dining experience. From their Kids Eat Free Mondays to the excellent selection on their menu at a terrific price, Lotsa Noodles will become a family favorite! Try the all new ravioli dish & pizzas! They also have catering available for your party or corporate needs! Their food is freshly prepared and they have anything from pasta, sandwiches, salads ~ You’ll the casual atmosphere! You can follow Lotsa Noodles at Facebook & Twitter @LotsaNoodles for daily upates & specials!
EDMOND WINE SHOP Whether you are looking for unique beer and wine selections for your upcoming holiday parties, or if your are new to selecting wines, the employees at Edmond Wine Shop are all very helpful and educated on every wine they carry, so don’t be shy, ask away! Keep your eye out for them at Twitter & Facebook @EdmondWineShop! Located on 15th & Boulevard and open Mon– Sat. till 9 pm!
SWEET PEACE Stop by Sweet Peace to see the amazing selection of cold weather gear from Peace Frog & tons of amazingly affordable gifts for all ages! Now carrying Jelly Belly Sodas in 8 flavors! Sweet Peace is located on Danforth Rd. just west of Santa Fe at 1333 N. Santa Fe Avenue, Suite 111, has a great selection of gifts & candy. You can also find jewelry, tshirts, hoodies & caps, stuffed animals & more! Great for corporate gift giving! Their hours are Tues - Wed: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Thurs - Fri: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm and Sat: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and don’t forget to follow Sweet Peace at Facebook!
Aaron’s Gate Country Cottages
Enjoy the holidays in the country at any one of the 5 amazing cottages at Aaron’s Gate Country Cottages located in Guthrie, just a few minutes north of Edmond. Located on a beautiful wooded 10 acre property, you can relax with the outdoor jacuzzi’s or just relax indoors in front of the cozy fireplaces and with a massage spa package, a candlelit breakfast and more. To book a reservation, visit Aaronsgate.com or call 405-282-0613.
THE MAKEUP BAR The Makeup Bar, on Western Ave. in Nichols Hills Plaza, is celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2011 and for good reason. You can find anything relating to beauty products or services and Alex Mendez, owner, prides herself with customer service to die for. And... she focuses on this daily! Stop in to see the fun high quality selection of products that are in stock... with tons of great affordable gift ideas.
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Shop Edmond
POLE POSITION RACEWAY Be sure to stop into Pole Position Raceway in OKC on 2905 N.W. 36th St. in Oklahoma City, OK to pick up your 2012 Season Pass, or give them a call at 405.942.2292 for track availability for personal or corporate parties! Great team building opportunity! Their hours are Sunday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. & Friday – Saturday 11 a.m. – Midnight
Paint Your Art Out is hands down Edmond’s party headquarters. This is a really fun place for your Girls Night Out, Kids Parties, Team Building exercises & corporate parties. Artist lead sessions mean absolutey anyone can be an artist! Visit PaintYourArtOut.net for their current calendar of paintings and to register online! Located at 100 N. Broadway right in the heart of Edmond!
MILLIES TABLE CATERING & More Millies is you holiday meal headquarters offering a complete Ham Holiday Dinner or be sure to stop in to pick up your sides and spend your time with family & friends! And don’t forget about Hot Meals to go on Mon., Tues. & Thurs.! Give Millie a call at 330-9156 by 2 pm and your meal will be ready to go between 5 & 6pm! Located at 1333 W. Danforth Rd in Edmond! For more information, visit her website at www.MilliesTable.com
Arcadian Inn Bed & Breakfast
Reserve your room at the Arcadian Inn Bed and Breakfast just in time for the holidays or order a gift certificate for an early Valentines Day gift, and stop in to see the unique finds at the Arcadian Gift Shop for unique holiday decor & gifts! Conviently located at 1st and University. To book a reservation, which usually book up quickly this time of year, visit ArcadianInn.com or call 405-348-6347.
We offer affordable & stylish accents, re-styled furniture, fun jewelry, unique decor & gifts for every room and every taste! Be sure to stop in to see the fun & original holiday items the vendors have in stock for Christmas and New Years!! Our Location: 917 E Danforth Rd, Edmond (Across from Ted’s Cafe Escondido) and you can call us at 405-340-8869
FUNKY MONKEY For Funky, Trendy, Fun Clothing for everyone in family, stop in to Funky Monkey at 14101 N. May Avenue Ste 113! Save every Monday with FB Tote Day and while shopping online at FunkeyMonkeyClothes.com With designer clothing by Flowers by Zoe, Juicy & True Religion and 7 for All Mankind for Men & Boys, there’s something for everyone with amazing sales going on! Open Monday through Saturdays from 10 to 6 pm! Be sure to follow along at Facebook and at Twitter at @Funky__ Monkey 18 edmondactive.com
Custom Gift Baskets!
Dry-Aged Steaks - Hand Made Tamales Herberts Cajun Specialties - Hot Sauces - Salsas Dry Rubs - Seasonings Holiday Giftbaskets Ready to Buy & Custom “And as always... THE BEST JERKY ON THE PLANET!” www.tbje.com 9346 N. May Ave Britton & May OKC, OK (888) 751-6275
810 W Danforth Danforth & Kelly Edmond, OK (405) 359-8200
Mon-Sat 10-6 4405 SW 3rd St. I-40 & Meridian OKC, OK (405) 949-9000
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Field Trip
Edmond’s Outdoor Ice Rink Looking for a fun , family activity this Winter? Well
then, look no further than
Edmond’s own backyard--or
Festival Market Place. If you haven’t been by the Festival
Market Place in the last month then you haven’t seen that
it been transformed into an outdoor ice rink.
Thanks to Dmitri Logoutine and his crew, we now have
our own outdoor ice rink just
like other big cities across the country. For just eight bucks
you can rent a pair of skates
and hit the ice while enjoying a nice Holiday vibe.
Dmitri Logoutine has an
amazing story of his own. He was born in Kazakhstan but
went off to Moscow when he
was 14 train as an ice skater.
In 1988 all of his hard work paid off as he was crowned
the Junior World Champion in
Ice Dancing. In 1994 he came
to Oklahoma City with the
Russian Ballet on Ice. Dmitri
ended up staying in the USA and made Oklahoma City
his home. Ever since he has
been teaching and training Ice Skaters as well as operating
several outdoor ice rinks around the state.
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Field Trip
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Holiday Lights & Events
Edmond Lights
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Holiday Lights & Events
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Holiday Lights & Events
Chesapeake Campus
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PATIO CREATIONS by MARK, INC. Mark A. Garvey (405) 751-6275
w w w. p a t i o c r e a t i o n s . c o m 9346 N. May Avenue Oklahoma City, OK
Visit Our Showroom at Britton & May Patio Covers - Screen Rooms - Arbors - And More!
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Holiday Lights & Events
Downtown In December
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Holiday Lights & Events
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Locally Owned
Chris Downham: Owner Of Flipd The Business Of Boarding As far as a core, action sports, board shops go in this area, you pretty much have a monopoly--besides whatever big-box stores or sporting goods stores decide to carry. In a way, yeah we do, because most big-box store are based off of impulsive sales. They’ll go dee in certain products. They will carry a wide variety of impulsive things that you would buy at the mall--a lot of clothing and sneakers, things like that. Some of the things they’ve let go of has been the board side of it--skateboards, longboards and snowboards. Working knowledge in those places isn’t what you find. The majority of your avid longboarders or snowboarders will go into a store like that and see right through it. We don’t really concern ourselves with competing against them. Once we get the customer in our store we introduce them to a more realistic vibe with what’s going on in the industry. As the industry has exploded on the big-box front, we have to find ways to compete, so we have to carry different things. Not necessarily something for the more advanced rider, but definitely something for the person that doesn’t want to go out there looking 28 edmondactive.com
like a kook. What percentage of your business would you say is snowrelated? Considering that there aren’t any ski resorts close to Edmond. It’s hard to say, exactly, because there are so many different departments and we look at each one and how they’re performing. Every year it changes. Typically November through March, a lot of it is snow. A lot of money the store makes is based on snow, because they are higher priced products. During the rest of the year the average ticket is $125.00. This time of the year the average ticket is $500.00. While it’s really a short season, the snowboard industry has made it much more difficult to do a six month season. Why is that? Well, what’s happened with the crash of the economy, consumer spending has dropped. When we go to our market, the brands look at the retail orders they’re getting and they project their year and build their products based on those projections. In the past we could go in and order enough product to get us through December.
Locally Owned
Then in January we would go back in and reorder for Spring Break. Well, they would give us terms to go 90 days before we’d have to pay for the inventory. A lot of the brands they we were dealing with in the past were open to giving us terms, because the economy and credit was good. Now, credit’s not readily available and it’s harder to get terms, and when you can get terms it might be 30 days. Some of those terms might be backed by a personal guarantee and if it doesn’t sell, they’re going to come and put a lien on your property. That makes it difficult for a small store like Flipd to go as deep into inventory. We have to be more focused on how quick the inventory is turning over. Things can’t sit around for six months, like they used to. Now that you are really the only core board shop around, you kind of have a responsibility to nurture the scene. How do you do that? I don’t know if it’s a responsibility as much as a direction we decided we’re definitely going to tap into. But one thing about skateboarding is, you have Fuel TV, for example, pumping up all these big brands and they are creating this image of skateboarding to these younger kids. Those kids naturally go into the big-box chain stores and they think “this is our shop, this is where we should go.” They go into those stores and try to get information, or they’ll buy a board and the guy won’t even put grip tape on the board. What they’ve lost is the service. They will get a big selection of certain things, but they won’t get a lot of the technical stuff--they’ve lost the service. What we’ve tried to do is capture the skateboarders and longboarders in the community and put on events in their favor. We do several different contests during the year. We’ll go out to the parks and toss out some free boards. We try to give them a community-based store where they can come to, hang out, watch DVD’s, pick up a new deck or special order something they want. It’s worked out extremely well for us, because we also give them the service they’re not getting elsewhere. How did the Boarding For Breast Cancer contest come about? Every year we have an Anniversary party for the store. Typically we’ve done it like an art show. We’ve brought in local artists and get some of their work up--whether it’s an art student at UCO or someone who has recently graduated and they’re trying to get a foot in the door with the art scene. The Oklahoma art scene is really growing right now. We’re just trying to give them another avenue to show their work. Artwork is very much associated with skateboarding. All the artwork you see on skateboards, at some point that was a local kid doing penand-ink drawings or painting and then they got hired on to do graphics for these companies. This year we were celebrating our 4-year Anniversary and we wanted to make a benefit for some greater good. There’s a company that’s directly involved with the snowboard and skateboard industry called Boarding For Breast Cancer. I called them up and said ‘I want to do this event and I would like you guys to be the recipients of whatever funds we come up with.’ They were stoked. We have one of our team riders who’s Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. So I thought this would be a great event and an opportunity to give something back for a great cause. So it wasn’t all about us. How many local businesses were involved and how much money did you raise?
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Local skater, Isaac Siems, sliding a rail during the Boarding For Breast Cancer skate contest at Mitch Park.
There were quite a few. The local support was great. And we raised approximately $1100.00. That was through donations, the skate contest, a raffle we did during the party and the artists we had here donated 30% of their sales. One of the skate companies is building a board that will have all of it’s proceeds going to Breast Cancer, but the board isn’t coming out until next year. We actually had them build us that board and send it to us for the raffle. So it all worked out great. BOARDING FOR BREAST CANCER SPONSORS: Hideaway Pizza Coop Ale Works Fiat of Edmond Flatire Burgers Louie’s Bar and Grill Blue 7 Kristen Adams Hair [bella strada salon] Dk Salon Cafe 7 Pinketzel Cupcakes Fringe [local women’s art organization] Madrid Skateboards Sole Technologies
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January 2012
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- Sleeping Beauty - Moscow Festival Ballet / Armstrong Auditorium
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Events Calendar
THURSDAY
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- Express Ice Skating Rink / Festival Market Place
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- Eagle Watch / Arcadia Lake
- Guest Artist: Kyle Ketelsen, Voice / Mitchell Hall Theater
Phone: 348-2442
Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 101 East Hurd, Suite F (1/2way between Blvd. and Broadway)
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