Edmond Life & Leisure - January 9, 2020

January 9, 2020 Vol. 20, No. 33

In This Issue FOUR SEASONS

Also includes Hall of Fame inductions

CHAMBER BANQUET JAN. 24

Four Seasons, by Kevin Box, in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the UCO campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper.

Email contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing.

For more information, see page 4.

Janet Yowell

Compensation for college athletes?

See Page 9

Edmond Chamber office FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 Thundershowers High 56° Low 25°

SATURDAY, JANUARY 11 AM Snow Showers High 41° Low 29°

SUNDAY, JANUARY 12 Partly Cloudy High 53° Low 38°

Roger & Jeanie Webb, attended last year PHOTOS PROVIDED

This year’s Edmond Chamber Banquet will be held in two weeks.

Awards and recognition will be handed out.

The Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards and Hall of Fame Banquet is now just over two weeks away.

On Jan. 24 hundreds will meet at the Edmond Conference Center, 2833, Conference Drive, to celebrate one of the city’s premiere annual events.

This year the chamber will also be honoring five individuals making up the prestigious Hall of Fame.

Inductees include former Oklahoma Gov. George Nigh, who also served multiple terms as lieutenant governor as well as a stint as president of the University of Central Oklahoma.

Other honorees include Claudette Dills (posthumously), Edmond Life & Leisure publisher Ray Hibbard, Edmond city attorney Steve Murduck and Avilla Williams, president of Integris Health Edmond.

Inductions into the Hall of Fame

only occur once every five years.

Brittany Willison of the chamber said a video would be played for attendees highlighting each honoree.

The gala will get under way at 6 p.m. and is scheduled to last until 9 p.m.

The annual awards will also be handed out during the evening.

Longtime Edmond Economic Development Authority director Janet Yowell, has been selected as this year’s “Citizen of the Year.”

Yowell has been with the Edmond Economic Development Authority for more than 25 years, serving as the executive director for more than 15 years. She is responsible for planning, developing and implementing an economic development plan for the City of Edmond. A graduate of University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute (OUEDI) and Leadership Edmond Class VIII, she has served in multiple leadership

roles with the Governor’s Economic Development Team (GEDT). Janet is also a past president of the Oklahoma Economic Development Council (OEDC) and a past chairman of the Greater Oklahoma City Partnership, a 10 county regional economic development marketing organization. She is a member of the Francis Tuttle Incubator Advisory Committee and is also a Paul Harris Fellow with the Edmond Central Rotary.

Other award winners will be Kathy Wallis, Woman of the Year; Laura Butler, Volunteer of the Year; Evan Comer, Ambassador of the Year; Evans and Davis, Philanthropic Business of the Year and Sarah London, Young Professional of the Year.

The Small Business of the Year will also be announced at the banquet.

This year the finalists include Frost Auto, Trevor Randall Farmers continued on Page 3

Page 2 • January 9, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 9, 2020 • Page 3

Oklahoma schools not getting enough applicants

Teaching staffing problems persist When lawmakers passed historic tax increases in part for teacher pay raises in 2018, it was argued that schools’ reliance on emergency-certified teachers demonstrated the need for those actions.

Today, the narrative has changed.

Officials now say Oklahoma does not have a teacher shortage, but instead suffers from a shortage of teachers willing to work in Oklahoma schools.

And some officials say the state needs to increase its use of emergency-certified teachers and make it easier for teachers from other states to obtain jobs in Oklahoma.

At December’s State Board of Education meeting, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister noted the state labor force includes many traditionally qualified teachers who choose not to work in Oklahoma public schools.

“We know we have a number of teachers who continue to remain certified and keep that certification active every five years,” Hofmeister said.

She said state officials know “there are about 32,000 in Oklahoma who are certified but not teaching in an Oklahoma public school.”

Based on that figure, it appears Oklahoma’s teacher supply far exceeds job openings. According to a survey by the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, there were around 600 teaching vacancies statewide at the start of the current school year.

Yet reliance on emergency-certified teachers continues to climb, despite the availability of traditionally certified teachers.

When tax increases and pay raises were approved in 2018, state politicians suggested those changes would lead to an influx of traditionally qualified teachers. Since the 2017-18 school year, it’s estimated more than 1,700 classroom teachers have been added to the system. But it appears the majority of that net increase is due to emergency-certified teachers.

In the 2017-18 school year, there were 1,851 emergency-certified teachers working in Oklahoma schools. As of October this year, the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) reported there were nearly 3,000 emergency-certified teachers in state schools. Out of the reported overall net increase in teachers, nearly two out of three educators were apparently emergency-certified instructors.

However, a memo prepared by the OSDE staff shows that emergencycertified teachers defy some stereotypes touted in 2018. While the difficulties of attracting science and math teachers in higher grades is often discussed, the department’s records show 41 percent of emergency-certified teachers are working in elementary education or early

Joy Hofmeister childhood positions. The number of emergency certificates issued this year for elementary teachers exceeds the number issued for all major math and science courses combined.

Also, nearly 64 percent of teachers who have emergency certificates have traditional teaching degrees in another subject area. For example, in December the Eufaula school district asked the State Board of Education to authorize an emergency teaching certificate so a candidate with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education could teach an early childhood class.

One former schoolteacher now serving in the Oklahoma Legislature believes the state should increase and extend the use of emergency-certified teachers in public schools.

Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, has filed Senate Bill 1115 to allow school districts to extend emergency teaching certificates indefinitely. Under current law, emergency certificates can be issued to the same person for no more than two years. Sharp said the two-year restriction on emergency certificates “is causing us to lose educators, which increases class sizes and negatively impacts academic success.”

“Senate Bill 1115 will allow those who don’t wish to get their alternative certification to continue teaching if approved by their local school board,” Sharp said.

Under Sharp’s legislation, a school could continue renewing an emergency certificate without limitation and could continue paying the teacher at an entry level of the teacher salary schedule.

Another lawmaker believes Oklahoma should reduce the regulatory barriers that may discourage out-ofstate educators from applying for Oklahoma jobs.

“Even with the historic pay raises and budget increases, we’re still fac-

Cover From Page 1 Insurance Agency and Mugg and Winston.

As mentioned, the night of recognition is at the Edmond Conference Center, next to the Hilton Garden Inn, near Interstate 35 and Covell. If you haven’t purchased tickets, please call the chamber at 341-2808.

An individual member ticket is $125. For a guest ticket, the price is $150. A member table of eight is

$850 and a guest table of eight is $1,200.

The chamber is also requesting that those wanting to attend, please RSVP by Jan. 17.

The Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce is the voice for business.

It is a hundred-year-old, 1,000-member organization working together to create a strong local economy and to promote the community.

The Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce office on Second Street near the University of Central Oklahoma.

PHOTO PROVIDED

ing a teacher shortage. We’ve got to figure out a way to increase the potential pool of teacher applicants, and attracting out-of-state teachers is one way we can do that,” said Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond. “However, we need to get rid of some of the roadblocks that are keeping out-ofstate teachers from continuing their careers in our classrooms. Recognizing their teaching certificates and years of service is a great first step.”

When teachers move to Oklahoma from another state they must get recertified, which can require taking competency examinations and meeting other requirements. Also, Oklahoma gives credit for only five years of teaching experience to applicants from other states, regardless of the out-of-state teacher’s actual years of experience. Pugh noted that can significantly lower the teacher’s potential salary if he or she takes a job in Oklahoma.

Senate Bill 1125 would require the issuance of a teaching certificate to anyone who holds a valid out-of-state teaching certificate with no other requirements except a criminal history record check.

Senate Bill 1126 would grant a teacher credit for all years of out-ofstate or out-of-country teaching experience.

“We’re losing qualified teachers to

other states or industries simply because they have an out-of-state teaching certificate, and then we’re ignoring their years of service,” Pugh said. “This is especially hard for teachers in military families who are re-stationed to Oklahoma. We’re in desperate need, but these rules are not welcoming to these potential teaching applicants.”

While pay raises were touted in 2018 as a major solution to Oklahoma’s education challenges, polling of former educators at that time suggested pay alone was not going to dramatically change school dynamics.

In 2018, a survey of 7,546 teachers who had left Oklahoma classrooms found that “only 34% indicated they are not teaching because of pay or a better opportunity.”

Just 31 percent of those surveyed said they would return to the classroom if pay was increased, while 62 percent said it would take more than a higher salary to lure them back.

“For veteran teachers, classroom management and freedom to practice their craft were almost as important as pay,” the poll’s executive summary noted.

Hofmeister said the OSDE is following up on that 2018 effort and is “in the field with an additional poll” that will be “re-surveying those who completed the entire original survey.”

Page 4 • January 9, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

From the Publisher

What is our governor thinking?

Like most of you, I have been following the disagreement with Gov. Stitt and the sovereign tribal nations over the gaming compacts.

Did they automatically renew or not? Most legal opinions seem to fall on the side of the tribes.

Those of us who are not lawyers have to look at the legal opinRay Hibbard ions. All I know is that Oklahoma State Attorney General, Mike Hunter, has pulled away from the entire process. There is a message in there from Hunter without a doubt.

Gov. Stitt has been doing a bang-up job of bringing the legislature together and working to benefit Oklahoma. He has wiped away some of the waste and brought accountability back to the state capital. I think most Oklahomans would say they were pleased with the first year Gov. Stitt has been in office even though there is much more work to be done.

The big question I have is over his treatment of our Oklahoma Tribes. What the heck is he thinking? He is either got some other agenda that has not been revealed or he is getting bad advice. It could be both. Most folks, including the tribes, understand there is something specific he wants out of a new agreement.

He says it is about the money, but he hasn’t been clear in what he wants and for what purpose.

It would be like me going to one of our advertisers and saying, “We want you to pay more money, just because. We also don’t know how much more but trust us.” I don’t think that logic would go far with any of our customers.

He isn’t just asking for a “better deal” with the gaming compacts. The governor’s approach has been terrible. For a guy that has proved to be all business during his first year, he sure hasn’t conducted trying to renegotiate the gaming compacts in a business like or professional way.

Before you pick a public disagreement with 38 federally recognized tribes, a person might want to have their ducks in a row and be prepared just like a businessperson would before approaching one of your biggest suppliers of revenue.

From the outside looking in, the governor has seemed unorganized, unprepared and to not have specific plan. The odd part is that this seems to be the only issue that he has approached so poorly. I understand transparency is important, but all the good governor needed to say was that he would like to renegotiate the gaming compacts with the tribes.

At that point, he should have taken a specific plan or proposal directly to the tribes and not play it out in the mainstream media. We really don’t need to know how the sausage is made.

The disorganized approach makes me wonder if full consideration of all the tribes do for our state and their members has been taken into consideration. I’m just not buying the argument that other states have a better deal with their tribes so we should get like share as well. Do tribes in other states do as much as the tribes in Oklahoma? If they do, the governor has failed to make that case or even try and make the case that it is an equal playing field.

she added.

“What I don’t think a lot of people understand is how the tribes really fill that need so greatly in rural communities,” says Alison Anthony, president and CEO of Tulsa Area United Way. The tribes help fund everything from new fire trucks and transportation services to youth and elderly programs, housing and health care. “Without them, that would leave a vast hole that would affect thousands of Oklahomans.”

Here are some other figures that our governor should consider when comparing our state’s gaming contributions: n 13% of Oklahoma’s population is Native American n $61 million in community support via donations and sponsorships. n $1.5 billion paid in Exclusivity Fees n $4.6 billion in wages and benefits to Oklahomans. n 96,177 jobs supported in the state (tribal and nontribal employers) n $213 million paid in Medicaid expenditures at tribal health care facilities. Saved the state $88 million by requiring no state matching funds n $200 million invested in roads and bridges n Nearly 27,000 miles of highways and roads supported.

Decades ago, in Oklahoma the only news that was delivered on tribal administrations in Oklahoma was not so good. There seemed to be corruption, disorganization and the leadership of some of the tribes were not good stewards of money meant for their members. That was a long time ago and current administration for the tribes is professional, honest, responsible to their members and great contributors to the communities where they operate. Is there a finer person or leader in this state then Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation?

Communication from the tribes on the issues raised by the governor has been excellent. Here is some of what they offer up on their United for Oklahoma web page: Oklahoma tribes offer a helping hand to nonprofits on a regular basis. Statewide, nonprofit organizations are grateful to be on the receiving end of tribal generosity. It is millions of dollars in donations folks. “I would hate to think that, if we didn’t have that tribal support through philanthropy, what our nonprofits would look like in this state,” said Anne Clouse, vice president and executive director of the INTEGRIS Foundation. “They’re very passionate about taking care of all Oklahomans,”

The tribes make an excellent point when they ask how much our state would pay in incentives to bring in a new company that is going to bring in $12.9 billion worth of impact and create over 96,000 jobs.

The tribes are not asking for incentives. Instead they are willing to do their share and just want to be treated with respect. They are not saying that there should be no discussion on a new compact.

Just like any of us, they don’t like being threatened with the governor saying he will shut down a good portion of their gaming which benefits everyone or bring in out of state companies to take over the gaming. It makes no sense why Governor Stitt has taken this approach.

The tribes felt so threatened that they resorted to taking the issue to the federal courts. And, now the governor has hired high priced lawyers from out of state to defend himself.

Our editor, Steve Gust, has a great point when he asked me, “Why is it that a school system has to get a half dozen bids to purchase basketballs but the governor can go out and hire a law firm with no bid process?”

My dad used to say to “always dance with who brought you.” In this case, it would seem the governor’s approach isn’t taking that into consideration. I don’t want out of state independent companies to come into our state and conduct gaming.

It needs to be the tribes that now offer gaming.

I would hope, after some thought, he will find a way to get this out of the hands of lawyers and have a respectful conversation on specific issues with the gaming tribes. Just shouting that the state wants more money won’t cut it Gov. Stitt.

(Ray Hibbard may be reached by e-mail at ray@edmondpaper.com)

Check out what’s inside! n n n n n n n n n

Weekend calendar of events ........................................................Page 6.

Sports ..........................................................................................Page 9.

A new era for the county jail ....................................................Page 10.

George Gust reviews new Daniel Craig movie ............................Page 15.

Crossword ..................................................................................Page 15.

Think about decluttering home ..................................................Page 19.

Business News ............................................................................Page 21.

Jed Clampett’s mansion sold ......................................................Page 22.

Worship directory ......................................................................Page 23.

See if you can find ‘Four Seasons’ “Four Seasons” in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the University of Central Oklahoma campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper.

Please e-mail contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing.

Commissioned as a partnership between UCO, the City of Edmond and the Edmond Visual Arts Commission, “Four Seasons” was created by sculptor Kevin Box of New Mexico and was dedicated on the campus on March 24, 2011.

Kevin is a member of the National Sculptor’s Guild. His Box Studio LLC is a strong supporter of the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle concept, using recycled metal as part of the casting process for his sculptures. All of his work is 100 percent recyclable.

For more information on Edmond public art, please visit http://visitedmondok.com/public-art.php.

Publisher Ray Hibbard Jr. ray@edmondpaper.com Partner Christopher T. Hoke Editor Steve Gust news@edmondpaper.com Production April Burgess, Deanne York Advertising Director Alexx Harms alexx@edmondpaper.com Account Executive Bryan Hallman bryan@edmondpaper.com Contributing Writers Dave Farris, Mallery Nagle, Kacee Van Horn, Rose Drebes, George Gust.

Photographer Melinda Infante

Cover Design April Burgess Legal Counsel Todd McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC Copyright © 2019 by Edmond Media Publishing 107 S. Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 405.340.3311 (office) 405.340.3384 (fax) Mailing address: P.O. Box 164 Edmond, OK 73083 All rights reserved.

Material contained herein may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission from Edmond Media Publishing. edmondlifeandleisure.com facebook.com/edmondlifeandleisure twitter.com/edmondlifeandleisure instagram.com/edmondlifeandleisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 9, 2020 • Page 5

State Treasurer: Economy sound but likely slowing cantly below the prior Oklahoma Gross Reyear for four consecutive ceipts to the Treasury for months. Sales tax recalendar year 2019 paint ceipts have shown conthe picture of a sound, traction for six of the but slowing state econpast seven months. In omy, State Treasurer December, use tax colRandy McDaniel of Edlections on out-of-state mond announced earlier purchases dropped this week.

McDaniel below those of the prior Gross receipts during year for the first time in all of 2019 are 5.7 permore than three years. cent more than during 2018.

Tax records show the downThat growth rate is down from turn in sales and use taxes are re13.2 percent in 2018 compared flecting the spillover effect of to 2017. reduced oil field activity due to a McDaniel said the slowdown drop off in the buying of drilling becomes more pronounced equipment and related purwhen viewed on a quarterly chases. Drilling activity has basis. Growth in collections durplunged by more than 60 pering the first two quarters of cent in the past year. Natural gas 2019 reflected expansion of alprices are down by almost 30 most 10 percent. Third quarter percent and oil prices are off by growth fell to 4.2 percent, while almost 25 percent since this time fourth quarter receipts conlast year. tracted by 0.5 percent when compared to the fourth quarter Other indicators of 2018.

The Oklahoma Business Condi“Recent economic trends aptions Index for December rose pear to be primarily related to slightly to 48.4 compared to low oil and gas prices,” McDaniel said. “We are seeing both 47.8 in November. Numbers less than 50 are considered below a direct and spillover effect on growth neutral. The index has some tax collections due to supbeen below 50 four times in the pressed energy prices.” past five months, indicating exTax collections on oil and gas pected economic slowing production have been signifi-

through the middle of 2020.

The seasonally adjusted jobless rate for Oklahoma increased to 3.4 percent in November, onetenth of a percentage point above October’s rate. The U.S. unemployment rate decreased to 3.5 percent in November, down from 3.6 percent in October, according to figures released by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.

December collections December gross collections total $1.16 billion, up by $19.7 million, or 1.7 percent, from December 2018.

Gross income tax collections, a combination of individual and corporate income taxes, generated $428 million, an increase of $77.7 million, or 22.2 percent, from the previous December.

Individual income tax collections for the month are $318.8 million, up by $25.3 million, or 8.6 percent, from the prior year.

Corporate collections are $109.2 million, an increase of $52.4 million, or 92.3 percent. Wide monthly variances are not unusual for corporate income tax collections.

Engagement, Wedding notices Do you have a wedding or engagement notice? If so, please contact us at Edmond Life & Leisure, either by phone, 340-3311 or e-mail, news@edmondpaper.com. We will then send or fax you an engagement or wedding form.The cost is $35, which includes a photograph.

Payment is due upon submission by noon Thursday.

See Treasurer, Page 6

City seeks volunteers for new vets committee The Edmond City Council is seeking 11 volunteers to serve on a new committee.

The Veterans Memorial Advisory Committee (VMAC) will be charged with providing recommendations for the development of a new Veterans Memorial and to make additional recommendations regarding activities and other projects honoring veterans. The VMAC will continue the work of a former task force, which provided recommendations on the location and concept for the memorial.

Appointments to the VMAC will serve for a three-year team, with a maximum of two terms permitted. This is an intensive committee appointment that will require a firm commitment from all participants for the duration of their term.

The application is currently available at http://edmondok.com/1557/Veterans-MemorialAdvisory-Committee and will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17. City Council will consider appointments during the regularly scheduled Jan. 27 meeting.

Interested citizens that wish to participate on the VMAC must do the following to be considered for appointment: n Reside within the Edmond Corporate City Limits n Commit to attend up to two meetings per month for the duration of the appointment n Complete a brief application located at http://edmondok.com/1557/Veterans-MemorialAdvisory-Committee All VMAC meetings will be open to the public and are subject to the rules of the Open Meetings Act. For additional information or questions, please contact Natalie Evans, Management Analyst at 405-359-4545.

Page 6 • January 9, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Treasurer From Page 5 Combined sales and use tax collections, including remittances on behalf of cities and counties, total $468.5 million in December. That is $26.8 million, or 5.4 percent, less than December 2018.

Sales tax collections in December total $407.3 million, a drop of $20.9 million, or 4.9 percent from the same month of the prior year. Use tax receipts, collected on out-of-state purchases including online sales, generated $61.3 million, a decrease of $5.9 million, or 8.8 percent, over the year.

Gross production taxes on oil and natural gas generated $74.3 million in December, a decrease of $44.1 million, or 37.3 percent, from last December. Compared to November 2019 reports, gross production collections are down by $7.9 million, or 9.7 percent.

Motor vehicle taxes produced $70 million, up by $8.6 million, or 14 percent, from the same month of 2018.

Other collections composed of some 60 different sources including taxes on fuel, tobacco, medical marijuana, and alcoholic beverages, produced $123.8 million during the month. That is $4.3 million, or 3.6 percent, more than last December.

Calendar year 2019 collections Gross revenue totals $13.71 billion from calendar year 2019. That is $743.9 million, or 5.7 percent, above collections from calendar year 2018.

Gross income taxes generated $4.75 billion for the year, reflecting an increase of $354.7 million, or 8.1 percent, from the prior year.

Individual income tax collections total $4.18 billion, up by $281 million, or 7.2 percent, from the prior year.

Corporate collections are $573.5 million for the period, an increase of $73.7 million, or 14.8 percent, over the previous calendar year.

Combined sales and use taxes for the year generated $5.58 billion, an increase of $149.6 million, or 2.8 percent, from the prior year.

Gross sales tax receipts total $4.87 billion, up by $27.3 million, or 0.6 percent, during the year. Use tax collections generated $715 million, an increase of $122.2 million, or 20.6 percent, over the previous year.

Oil and gas gross production tax collections brought in $1.03 billion during the calendar

year, up by $38 million, or 3.8 percent, from the previous year.

Motor vehicle collections total $794.5 million for the year. This is an increase of $10.2 million, or 1.3 percent, from the trailing year.

Other sources generated $1.56 billion, up by $191.4 million, or 14 percent, from the previous year.

About Gross Receipts to the Treasury The Office of the State Treasurer developed the monthly Gross Receipts to the Treasury report in order to provide a timely and broad view of the state’s economy.

It is released in conjunction with the General Revenue Fund report from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, which provides information to state agencies for budgetary planning purposes.

The General Revenue Fund, the state’s main operating account, receives less than half of the state’s gross receipts with the remainder paid in rebates and refunds, remitted to cities and counties, and apportioned to other state funds.

What’s Happening This Weekend Jan 9-12 Thursday, Jan. 9 ---- In the Gallery ---- Roger’s and Hammerstein’s Carousel Friday, Jan. 10 ---- In the Gallery ---- Roger’s and Hammerstein’s Carousel ---- Stacey Kent – An Intimate Evening ---- Dinner and a Movie: True Grit ---- Neal McCoy ---- Oklahoma Boat & RV Show Saturday, Jan. 11 ---- In the Gallery ---- Roger’s and Hammerstein’s Carousel ---- Garrett “Big G” Jacobson ---- Learn to Curl with the Oklahoma Curling Club ---- The 411 Band ---- Oklahoma Boat & RV Show ---- OKC Philharmonic presents: Minimalism in a New World Sunday, Jan. 12 ---- In the Gallery ---- Roger’s and Hammerstein’s Carousel ---- Read the West Book Club: The Grapes of Wrath ---- Drop-In Drawing ---- Oklahoma Boat & RV Show ---- Round Barn Rendezvous Extra Information on Weekend Happenings In the Gallery Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute Extra Info: Featuring artwork of Jim Sharp; for information go to: http://www.edmondfinearts.com Roger’s and Hammerstein’s Carousel Location: Upstage Theatre Blackbox Edmond Extra Info: $12 & $18; for more information go to upstagetheatreokcom Stacey Kent – An Intimate Evening Location: UCO Jazz Lab Extra Info: $75; 8 ---- 11 p.m.; for more information find them on Facebook

The 411 Band Location: River Lounge, Riverwind Casino Extra Info: 9 p.m.; for more information visit then at riverwind.com Garrett “Big G” Jacobson Location: UCO – Jazz Lab Extra Info: $10; 8 p.m.; for more information go to ucojazzlab.com Learn to Curl with the Oklahoma Curling Club Location: Arctic Edge Ice Arena Extra Info: $25; 5 – 7 p.m.; for more information find them on Facebook Dinner and a Movie: True Grit Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Extra Info: 6 – 9 p.m.; for more information go to nationalcowboymuseum.org Read the West Book Club: The Grapes of Wrath Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Extra Info: 1 – 2:30 p.m.; for more information visit them on nationalcowboymuseum.org Drop-In Drawing Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Extra Info: 2 – 3 p.m.; for more information visit them on nationalcowboymuseum.org Neal McCoy Location: Showplace Theatre, Riverwind Casino Extra info: $30 ---- $40; for information go to riverwind.com Oklahoma Boat & RV Show Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park Extra Info: for more information visit okcboatandrvshow.com OKC Philharmonic presents: Minimalism in a New World Location: Civic Center Music Hall Extra Info: 8 p.m.; For more information go to okcphil.org

Round Barn concert on Jan. 12 Local musicians are invited to the first Round Barn Rendezvous of the year, set for noon to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Arcadia Round Barn.

Acoustic musicians are invited to bring their instruments and their songs for the monthly jam session in the beautiful loft of the barn. Admission is free, and coffee and cookies will be available for the musicians and their fans. Donations are accepted for the maintenance of the barn.

Midwest City singer-songwriter Joe Baxter, who coordinates live music at the barn, said the January Rendezvous is the first of many great musical offerings planned for 2020.

Baxter is busy scheduling guest artists for Morning Music, held every Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the downstairs museum of the barn. The Round Barn Ramblers, headed by Baxter, is the house band for Morning Music and will play through February, after which popular Oklahoma musicians such as Gypsy Twang, Marco Tello and Nellie Clay will appear on the schedule.

The Elm Tree Concert Series will be back for a second season of afternoon concerts beneath the giant elm tree on the north side of the Round Barn, featuring artists such as Terry Ware, And Then There Were Two and The Regular Joes.

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 9, 2020 • Page 7

Help available to quit smoking Oklahomans resolving to be healthier and quit tobacco in 2020 have a partner on their journey to being tobacco free. The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), provides free resources to Oklahomans who are thinking about quitting tobacco or ready to quit. Resources are also available to former tobacco users wanting to stay tobacco free and those who want to support loved ones, patients or employees.

The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline (1-800-QUITNOW) offers free customizable services including coaching over the phone or on the web, as well as text and email support to any Oklahoman, plus free patches, gum or lozenges to Oklahomans 18 years or older. These tools provide flexibility for Oklahomans searching for a way to quit that fits their lifestyle.

“Quitting tobacco is the single most important step someone can take to improve their health,” said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. “Quitting tobacco is also one of the most challenging changes a person can make, but they don’t have to do it alone. The coaches at the Helpline can help any Oklahoman develop a personalized quit plan that maximizes their chances of success.”

Those seeking to quit tobacco can also talk to their health care providers about receiving additional cessation benefits like nicotine replacement therapy or prescription medication.

For Oklahomans who are not quite ready to quit, the Helpline can provide information and resources to help prepare for a successful quit attempt.

More than 30,000 tobacco users registered for services from the Helpline between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019 and nearly 95% of recent user survey respondents reported satisfaction with the services they received. During a seven-month follow-up survey, 31.5% of those surveyed reported not using tobacco for one month or longer, exceeding the North American Quitline Consortium benchmark for quit rates of 30%.

“The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is an invaluable resource for all Oklahomans, no matter where they are in their quit journey,” said Paola Klein, Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline coordinator. “This New Year, consider calling the Helpline and giving yourself and your loved ones the gift of a healthier life.”

Call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit OKhelpline.com to explore all the free services and resources available to Oklahomans. Connect with the Helpline through social media by liking the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline on Facebook or following @OKhelpline on Twitter and Instagram.

The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is a free service for Oklahomans wanting to help themselves, loved ones, patients or employees live tobacco free.

Funding is primarily provided by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

State official welcomes law upping age to buy tobacco OSDH Supports Raising the Age to Buy Tobacco in Effort to Protect The Health of Youth and Young Adults In effort to protect youth and young adults from the harmful of effects of tobacco use, federal law raising the buying age for tobacco from 18 to 21 has been signed and is now in effect for Oklahoma. It is now illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco product, including cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco and e-cigarettes, to anyone under the age of 21.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) and Commissioner of Health Gary Cox applaud the effort and advise retailers to begin com-

plying with the new federal law immediately.

“Raising the age of sale keeps tobacco out of high schools, where younger teens often obtain tobacco products from older students,” said Commissioner Cox. “This is a step in the right direction in improving the health of our youth and reducing the harmful health effects on Oklahomans.”

Studies indicate 95 percent of adult smokers begin smoking before they turn 21, and about 80 percent start before the age of 18. Four out of five become regular, daily smokers before they turn 21.

Nineteen states already have laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco products under the age of 21.

Tobacco use continues to be the number one

preventable cause of death and disease in the United States. In Oklahoma, $1.62 billion in total medical costs are incurred each year from smoking.

OSDH reports indicate 9 percent of Oklahoma high school students are current smokers and the number of students currently using e-cigarettes or vaping devices increased to nearly 28 percent in 2019 from 16 percent in 2017.

For those wishing to quit tobacco, the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline offers free assistance and tobacco cessation resources. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at OKhelpline.com or 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669). Services are also available in Spanish at 1-855-DÉJELO-YA .

Page 8 • January 9, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Cat owners can make 2020 happy for their pets Providing a secure home environment and working with your veterinarian to identify any problems early will improve your cat’s physical and mental health.

To encourage a healthy feline lifestyle, the American Association of Feline Practitioners outlines five pillars of a healthy environment: Safety: Cats need a safe place to rest, sleep and hide. Place their carrier in an area where they like to rest. Furnish it with soft, familiar smelling bedding, and include treats, toys and catnip or synthetic feline facial pheromones. (Bonus: Your cat will associate the carrier with safety and comfort when they need to go for a checkup or head to the tornado shelter.) Cats also prefer vertical spaces, such as cat trees, to survey their realm from above.

Resources: Create an environment that provides each cat his/her own personal and separate key resources to help your cat feel safe and comfortable. a. Food and water: Provide individual food and

water dishes in separate locations. b. Litterbox: n proper size — 1.5 times body length n placement — out of high-traffic areas, but easy to access n litter type — unscented and clumping n number — one per cat, plus one extra n clean — scoop at least once daily n uncovered — no lid please c. Scratching areas: Scratching allows cats to stretch their muscles, sharpen and shed nails, and mark their territory visually and with scent. d. Resting area: Provide each cat his/her own place to retreat and feel protected.

Opportunity to play/hunt: Exercise reduces stress and allows you to bond with your cat. Make time for interactive play with your cat, and let them catch their “prey” intermittently. Frequently rotate toys to prevent boredom. Food puzzles are a clever way to get your cat to hunt for their meals.

Positive, consistent and predictable human interaction: Respect your cat’s preferences and never force them to interact with you or other people.

Respect for their keen sense of smell: Cats scentmark their environmental boundaries with pheromones and use their sense of smell to evaluate their surroundings. Unfamiliar and strong scents can be scary for cats. Using a synthetic feline facial pheromone spray, wipe, or wall outlet plug-in can help ease tension in some multi-cat households.

Cats are masters at hiding illness, and they age much faster than we do. Regular and thorough physical exams are crucial to your cat’s well-being.

Your veterinarian can detect changes that can affect your cat’s health before conditions become painful or more costly. Some suggestions for easing the trauma of a veterinary visit: Pre-visit: Preparing for your veterinary visit can make a huge difference in your cat’s (and your) stress level. Choose a cat-friendly carrier and make

it a normal part of his everyday environment. The carrier should have hard sides, a removable top half/top opening, front opening, and soft, familiarsmelling bedding inside. Synthetic pheromone spray or wipes can also help decrease travel stress for your cat. Give yourself adequate travel time and play soothing music during the ride. Communicate with your veterinarian if you feel that your cat would benefit from calming medications prior to the visit. Never give your cat any human medication without consulting your veterinarian; many human medications are toxic to our feline friends.

During the visit: Communicate any changes to your cat’s behavior, appetite or activity level. Work with your veterinarian to design a vaccination and parasite prevention protocol to fit your cat’s lifestyle. In Oklahoma, all pets need flea and heartworm prevention year-round, and outdoor cats need tick prevention as well. While you are there, ask to have your cat’s microchip checked so she can find her way home if she ever gets lost.

Post-visit: In multi-cat households, the return home can be stressful too. Ease the transition by using synthetic facial pheromones (Feliway®), allowing the returning cat some space upon arrival, and even placing the returning cat in a separate room for a few hours. Allow him to come out of the carrier on his own.

Cats often do not express easily recognizable signs of stress, pain or sickness. Being proactive and meeting appropriate environmental needs can help avoid stressors that can cause unwanted behaviors and impact medical health.

For more information on reducing your cat’s stress and creating a cat-friendly home, visit www.catfriendly.com and www.fearfreehappyhomes.com.

Article was written by Sarah Peakheart, DVM, an assistant professor of shelter surgery in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

In January there’s still lots to do in the garden

By Neil Reed OSU Extension Center Oklahoma City's coldest month is January when the average temperature overnight is 26.2°F. Despite cold weather there are still landscape tasks that need to be and others such as getting your tools cleaned and repaired that will prepare you for working outside when warm days come. Looking at plant catalogues and thinking back on your gardening successes and failures are good ways to prepare for the new year.

Trees and Shrubs: n If precipitation has been deficient, (1” of snow = 1/10” of water), water lawns, trees and shrubs, especially broadleaf and narrowleaf evergreens. Double check moisture in protected or raised planters. n Newly-planted (within the last year) trees and shrubs should be watered periodically if there hasn’t been much rain since they will not have as good a root system as established trees and shrubs.

Pest and Weed Management: n Check on supplies of pesticides.

Secure a copy of current recommendations and post them in a convenient place. Dilution and quantity tables are also useful. Check for expiration dates on garden chemicals. n If you did not treat young pines for tip borers in November, do so before March. n Control overwintering insects on deciduous trees or shrubs with dormant oil sprays applies when the temperature is above 40°F in late fall

Looking at plant catalogues and thinking back on your gardening successes and failures are good ways to prepare for the new year.

and winter. Do not use “dormant” oils on evergreens.

Tools and Equipment: n Check that gardening tools and equipment are in good repair. n Shovels, rakes and hoes can be cleaned using a wire brush and soapy water and then dried. If they are dull sharpen them. Rust spots can be removed with sandpaper. They can be hung on a rack in the garage or a shed or stored in a five-gallon bucket of dry sand or sand mixed with oil. n For pruners and clippers, check for rust and remove as needed. If they have some small nicks these can be removed with a fine file. Use a whetstone to sharpen.

Lawns: n Shade grass should be watered as needed during the winter. (Fact Sheet HLA-6420) n A product containing glyphosate plus a postemergent broadleaf herbicide can be used on dormant Bermuda in January or February when temperatures are above 50° degrees F for winter weed control.

Applications open for OMRF program Applications for OMRF’s 2020 Sir Alexander Fleming Scholar Program are due Feb. 1.

High school seniors, as well as college freshmen, sophomores and juniors, are eligible to apply. Students must be Oklahoma residents at the time of high school graduation to qualify.

The eight-week summer program allows the state’s top science students to enhance their research skills by gaining hands-on experience in a lab setting alongside some of the top researchers in their fields.

The application process includes submission of a long-form essay, letters of recommendation and academic transcripts. Students must be 16 or older to qualify. Once selected, Fleming Scholars are paid and may be eligible for housing.

The program is named for Nobel Prize-winning scientist Sir Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin and also dedicated OMRF’s first building in 1949.

For application information, visit omrf.org/fleming.

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 9, 2020 • Page 9

Sports

PHOTO PROVIDED

From left are coach Jason Loyd, Keith Cera, Parker Morgan, Ayden McClure, Alex Gee, 5 - Bodie Osburn, Adrian Genuzio, Jackson Heinecke and coach Joadel Genuzio. Unable to appear for the team photograph, but vital members of the Edmond Defenders are Blake Bowling, Miles Jackson, Cooper Johnson and Garrett Thompson.

YMCA ‘Team of the Week’

Coach reflects on team success (Editor’s Note: The following is an account from Jason Loyd on the time he has spent coaching the Edmond Defenders, a 12U Spirit League YMCA youth basketball team. He coaches with Joadel Genuzio.)

I myself started coaching basketball for the Edmond Y 25 years ago. I was just 20 years old at the time and was coaching a team of 16-18 year olds. After coaching that age group for a few years, the Y asked me if I could coach a younger team because of a shortage of coaches. Ever since then, I’ve been coaching mainly 12U. Our core group of this current Edmond Defenders team has been playing together for three seasons now. We went undefeated last winter in 10U and rather than continue to dominate kids our age, I challenged our boys to play up against 12 year olds this summer. We took some losses against the older boys, but we also got better from playing better competition. We’ve added some 11-12 year olds to our core group and are learning each other now.

As my long time dedicated assistant coach Randall Rogers took a break this season, I decided to take a young coach under my wing and give him the opportunity to coach at a young age. Our point guard Adrian Genuzio’s oldest brother Joadel is in his first year coaching at just 18 years old. I’ve always enjoyed helping our players to get better and enjoy the game, and now I’m enjoying helping Coach Joadel find his way as a young coach.

We’ve had early success this season thanks to our team defense and our willingness to share the ball. Great shooting by Bodie Osburn and Garrett Thompson have helped keep the floor spaced so that our point guard combo of Genuzio and Cooper Johnson can penetrate and find our big men Ayden McClure and Alex Gee. Keith Cera is our defensive specialist and sets Nick Collisonesque screens. Blake Bowling and Parker Morgan are newcomers who are making an immediate impact, and Jackson Heinecke and Miles Jackson do it all on the floor for us and are part of our core

group.

We have an amazing group of parents who are extremely supportive of the boys and our coaches.

I have to say, I’ve been coaching basketball for the better part of 25 years as well as baseball for Edmond All-Sports since 2012, and I’ve been blessed with amazing young men and some great parents, grandparents, and guardians. We also couldn’t do what we do without some dedicated referees and umpires who don’t get any credit and do a thankless job.

Coaching profiles Coach Jason Loyd: He has been coaching basketball and baseball for over 25 years. He has been coaching the Edmond Defenders for three years and is a very great and enthusiastic basketballminded coach who likes to include all of the players in his team strategies. He has plenty of brilliant plays and knows how to communicate his game plans to the team as a whole and to the players on an individual level. He wants his team to win games, but his main goal is to develop their skills and train them to reach their full potential.

Coach Joadel Genuzio (18 years old): This is his first year coaching basketball. However, he has played basketball for six years and is very familiar with the fundamentals and essentials of basketball.

He is thrilled in mentoring these players, developing their individual skills, and executing our game plan in an efficient and effective manner.

His view on the YMCA? “The YMCA is a great association for kids to play in the Thunder Basketball League because it is a healthy and safe environment. First and foremost, the YMCA does an excellent job at putting Christian principles and ethics into practice through their YMCA Pledge. This helps kids to mature spiritually, emotionally, and physically. As a coach, it is wonderful to witness this firsthand.

Furthermore, the Y gives kids the opportunity to develop their basketball skills, compete with other kids of the same age group, and create meaningful relationships with their teammates and coaches.”

Compensation for college athletes?

State Rep. Mickey Dollens (D-OKC) has introduced legislation that would allow Oklahoma collegiate student-athletes to be compensated for use of their image or likeness.

Dollens’ legislation, dubbed ‘Fair Pay to Play,’ would adopt the Olympic model for compensating athletes.

Olympians are allowed to secure endorsement deals, get paid for signing autographs, and be compensated for their name and image.

“The Olympic model would allow the NCAA to keep up the spirit of amateurism,” said Dollens who participated as both a Division 1 football player and as a member of the U.S. bobsled team. “It would also allow college student-athletes an opportunity to get paid at no additional cost to the school.”

State Rep. Monroe Nichols, a former Division 1 football player who has introduced similar legislation in the past has signed on as a co-author of Dollens’ bill.

“There may have been a time that a scholarship was adequate compensation for the revenue a student-athlete brings an institution,” Nichols said. “That time has passed. College athletics is a multi-billion dollar industry built on the work and sacrifice of student-athletes. If we in Oklahoma believe collegiate athletes have the right PHOTO PROVIDED to participate in the free market, then we need to pass Under one lawmaker’s plan, college super a bill in the legislature that embodies the Olympic stars, like CeeDee Lamb of OU, would be model.” compensated.

Page 10 • January 9, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side

Looking over headlines Looking at the news, it's safe to say the new year will be pretty much more of the same in the Middle East.

I truly hope, and pray, that the most recent tension doesn't lead to anything Steve Gust more destructive.

When that happens, some innocent people generally end up getting hurt and nobody wants to see that.

--Speaking of "more of the same," the impeachment saga continues.

The matter is a lot more about politics, than it ever will be about justice and the law.

But keep in mind, the liberals remind us that nobody is above the law, except of course for the Clintons and 20 million illegal immigrants.

This business about the House speaker trying to dictate trial terms seems out of line to me.

--Soon the Iowa caucuses will be upon us.

The debates among Democrats seeking the presidency have been interesting. For awhile it was a bit surprising hearing some of the

comments from the candidates. A few of their positions have just amazed me. The most surprising was a promise to give all illegal immigrants health care insurance coverage.

A few other campaign "promises," also had me scratching my head in wonder.

The political reality is that these people are trying to get the nomination for president. To do that they need the backing of the liberal wing of their party. Now let's say one of them is successful and gets the nomination and is elected. I think it would be hard for a lot of these measures, such as the medical insurance mandate, to be enacted.

At that time, the new president could come back and say, "I tried my best to help our undocumented folks," but the Congress, particularly the Republicans, wouldn't help me.

Elect more Democrats, my friends."

In other words, people can promise anything during a debate. Delivering is another matter.

Still the current crop of candidates is so far left, I wonder if Hillary or Obama would be considered too moderate now for the nomination.

(Steve Gust may be reached at news@edmondpaper.com)

It’s a new era for the jail

By The Oklahoman Editorial Board His recent interview with The Oklahoman’s Kayla Branch made it clear that Greg Williams considers the men and women locked inside the Oklahoma County jail as more than occupied beds or mouths to feed – that is, more than statistics.

Williams, who assumes duties as the jail’s first administrator later this year, makes it a point to see the human beings behind the numbers. That’s a focus that, if paired with adequate resources, could make a real difference.

Williams was selected as administrator in November in a unanimous vote by the nine-person jail trust. He comes to the job after a 36-year career with the state Department of Corrections, where he began as a corrections officer and most recently was deputy chief of operations.

Along the way, Williams told Branch, he came to believe that many of those who are incarcerated can change for the better.

“I could go on for hours and hours telling you about people that have transitioned from acting like scum, and their families have given up on them and society had quit on them,” he said. “But people turn around once they realize people love them and they have a future. That light can come on so quick. So every time you connect with people, it counts.”

Williams is taking over a building that has been dogged by problems since soon after it opened in 1991. Many of those issues have been structural, and they’ve been exacerbated by overcrowding — a scathing U.S. Justice Department report a decade ago cited 60 civil

rights violations including violence among inmates and violence between officers and inmates.

The crowding has been eased in recent years, in part due to police policy changes and other reforms. But Williams inherits a jail that still has considerable infrastructure concerns, such as leaky plumbing and mold, and has wrestled with highly publicized inmate deaths.

Employee turnover is a problem.

The jail also has been a primary focus of work by the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Advisory Council, a group of community leaders and government officials who back reforms intended to provide front-end help for offenders and thus result in fewer people being placed in the jail.

Williams’ approach would appear to be a good fit, and his long tenure with the historically cash-strapped DOC should be an asset.

He insists his top priority will be ensuring public safety. One way to do that, Williams says, is to turn inmates into citizens.

“The true side of success and purpose of all this, in my opinion, is to take a person that is struggling and dysfunctional and make them functional,” which is accomplished through faceto-face interaction, Williams says.

“I truly believe that the only thing that really changes people is other people,” he says.

And, he believes prisons and jails can be part of the solution.

“We can be seen as a social agency for change,” Williams says.

“We have 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year to do that work.”

It’s a new day at the Oklahoma County jail — and with any luck, an improved one.

Mentoring a must for at-risk youth

By Heather Zacarias Only 40% of students feel discipline at their school is fair, according to a YouthTruth student survey. Students are often left feeling confused rather than supported. Depending on the school and the surrounding environment, a school’s approach to discipline can be seen as ineffective or at worst hurtful.

After taking my first leadership role, I witnessed the pitfalls of school discipline. Students were regularly sent to my office. What shocked me, in the beginning, was that I was consistently seeing the same students, revealing the lack of efficacy in our approach. Over time I learned that many students were struggling with personal issues and their misbehavior in the classroom was a cry for help.

When I was able to change my role from disciplinarian to mentor, things improved not just for the

students but also for me.

Shortly after I joined John Rex Elementary School, it adopted Summit Learning, an approach that emphasizes mentoring and mastery-based learning. Expanding the program school-wide allowed not just teachers but all leadership and staff to serve as mentors. I was mentor to one of the students who was regularly in my office for disruptive behavior. We’ll call him James.

For years, James struggled to connect with others, regularly displaying disrespectful behavior. During our one-on-one conversations, I began to understand James for who he was as a human, not as a misbehaved student. I learned about his home life, his dreams and his opinions, and along the way, we built mutual trust.

After just a few weeks of meetings, James told me he was ready to take school seriously. Change

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Send mail to Letter to the Editor, Edmond Life & Leisure, 107 S. Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034, or fax to 340-3384 or e-mail to news@edmondpaper.com.

takes time, but gradually, we’re witnessing positive signs of transformation. His disruptive manners are dissipating and are instead being replaced by acts of kindness. I attribute this to the power of having an adult who cares about him and getting personalized attention that isn't focused on discipline.

Mentoring experiences for at-risk youth have proven to help reduce depressive symptoms and increase social acceptance, grades and academic attitudes. The change in James’ attitude is evident not just to me, but to his teachers and peers. This is just one bright spot in our school’s mentoring program, as many of our students are thriving thanks to mentoring. This level of change is possible for any school that chooses to prioritize mentoring.

Mentoring is an essential component of a child’s education that should never be left out. K. Brooke Stafford-Brizard said, “Relationships are the fuel for human development; they foster trust and belief, and are a buffer against stress.”

Building belief and trust is at the heart of mentoring. By cultivating a safe space where adults and students can hold productive conversations, students are encouraged to believe in themselves and act.

The shame and alienation inherent to school discipline often crush a student’s sense of agency.

Mentoring fosters transformation and shows students a path toward self-betterment. All educators should invest in mentoring and become a part of a life-changing experience for a child.

Zacarias is director of elementary education at John Rex Elementary School.

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 9, 2020 • Page 11

When it gets cold, keep home & car safe Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit clinic providing health and wellness services to American Indians in central Oklahoma, provides winter safety tips to stay safe and healthy this winter.

Winter weather brings with it snow, sleet, ice and cold temperatures. While it comes as no surprise, many of us do not prepare for its arrival.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if you are prepared for the hazards of winter, you will be more likely to stay safe and healthy when temperatures start to fall.

“Winterizing your home and car can prepare you for winter weather,” said Stephanie Harris, OKCIC Public Health Director.

“Quick and simple things can help you be more prepared, such as checking the batteries for your carbon monoxide detector or using wintertime formula in your windshield washer.”

To prepare for winter weather, here are a few tips suggested by the CDC.

Winterizing your home: n Check your heating systems by getting them professionally serviced to insure that it is clean, working properly and ventilated to the outside. n Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls. n Test your smoke detector batteries monthly and replace them twice a year. n Install a CO detector to alert you of the presence of the deadly, odorless and colorless gas. Check batteries when you change your clocks in the fall and spring.

Winterizing your car: n Service the radiator and maintain antifreeze level; check tire tread or, if necessary, replace tires with all-weather or snow tires. n To avoid ice in the car tank and fuel lines, keep the gas tank full. n Use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer.

Stay safe and healthy by planning ahead. Prepare your home and cars, for possible power outages, and any outdoor activity.

PHOTO PROVIDED/METRO SERVICE

It’s a good idea to have a professional check your heating system regularly.

Glenn R. Clure

How to organize your genealogical material Hit-or-miss, disorganized, haphazard – do any of these words describe the way you handle your genealogy information and artifacts?

Edmond Genealogical Society’s Jan. 20 speaker, Glenn R. Clure, Sr., will discuss ways to organize these materials. Clure will cover how he has taken control of stacks and stacks of retrieved information and ways he’s displayed heirlooms in and outside his home. He’ll explain how to catalog, preserve, and share this information with others. By controlling your archives, you can readily retrieve needed information and keep from covering the same research path again and again.

Clure has varied interests in genealogy and family history, geology, astronomy, paleontology, histories of the Civil War, WWI and WWII with physical hobbies of stained glass, woodworking, camping and gardening. He has very deep roots in Oklahoma, tracing family members back before statehood.

He is a member of the OHCE Ge-

nealogy Group, Oklahoma Genealogical Society, OGS Computer Special Interest Group, Edmond Genealogical Society, and the Oklahoma City Astronomy Club. He is a retired Electrical Systems Automation Robotics Electrician from General Motors.

EGS meetings are free and open to the public, beginning with social time at 6:15 p.m. Programs start at 6:30 p.m. If you have genealogical questions an EGS member will be available at 5:30 p.m. Edmond Genealogical Society meetings are held the third Monday of the month at the Edmond Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 1315 E. 33rd Street, Edmond, OK. Enter through the doors at the rear (north side) of the building. The church offers plenty of parking and is fully handicap accessible. For more information on EGS, go to: www.rootsweb.com/~okegs, or visit us on Facebook at Edmond Genealogical Society. The Feb. 17 meeting will be Miration Trails by Helen Lehman.

Page 12 • January 9, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 9, 2020 • Page 13

OMPA adds more wind to its resource mix The Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority officially added 40 more megawatts of wind energy to its resource portfolio on Jan. 1.

OMPA is the power supplier for the City of Edmond, as well as 41 other cities and towns around Oklahoma.

The new wind generation is the product of a power purchase agreement to acquire energy from the Grant Plains Wind Farm in northern Oklahoma. The farm was constructed in 2016 by Apex Clean Energy and includes 64 Siemens turbines in Grant County with an overall capacity of 147 megawatts.

The addition of more wind to OMPA’s resource

mix comes as it finishes 2019 with a record-high percentage of its power supply portfolio coming from renewable energy. Through November, the Authority had received 26 percent of its overall power from renewable sources. That is nearly twice as high a percentage as it was just three years ago.

OMPA had already been receiving power from two of the state’s wind farms – the Oklahoma Wind Energy Center near Woodward, and the Canadian Hills wind farm near El Reno. It also owns and operates the Kaw Hydroelectric Plant at Kaw Lake outside Ponca City, and has a power purchase agreement with a landfill-to-gas project in

Sand Springs.

OMPA expects its renewable portfolio to continue to grow beyond 2020, as it also recently issued a request-for-proposal with plans to enter into an agreement to purchase solar power. This would be the organization’s first solar project.

The Authority’s leading source of energy in 2019 was clean-burning natural gas, at 46 percent of the overall mix.

According to the American Wind Energy Association, in September of 2019, Oklahoma ranked third in the United States for wind energy production at 8,072 megawatts of installed capacity, just trailing Iowa. Texas ranks No. 1.

Page 14 • January 9, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

FAI preparing to host annual Juried Art Show Young artists, statewide, in first through 12th grades, have an opportunity to showcase their visual art talents at the 2020 Youth Impressions Juried Art Show.

Presented by the Edmond Fine Arts Institute and sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council and Kirkpatrick Bank, the show will run from Jan. 26 to 31 in the Downtown Edmond Community Center. The deadline for entry forms is Jan. 21. Registration is available online at edmondfinearts.com.

The Juried Art Show provides an opportunity for students to be recognized for their artistic talents. The students art work is exhibited with the possibility of winning $25 cash awards in Excellence and Recognition. Over 80 awards are distributed each year.

“In the same manner that musicians, dancers and drama students have numerous opportunities to display their talent through recitals, plays and competitions, visual art students also need a vehicle through which they can share their works,” says Shannon Price, Executive Director of the Fine Arts Institute. “The Youth Impressions Juried Art Show does just that.”

The Youth Impressions age categories include: first to third grades, fourth to sixth grades, seventh to ninth grades, and 10th to 12th grades. Media accepted includes pencil, ink, oil and soft pastels, watercolor, acrylic, oil, print media, photog-

PHOTO PROVIDED

From left are Mason Williams, EMHS head football coach Luke Orivs, and Bret Belindo.

raphy (digital and traditional), mixed media, pottery and fiber work. No jewelry will be accepted. Two dimensional works must be dry and matted ready for hanging. Size is limited to 30 x 40.” Frames with glass are not allowed.

Students may submit multiple entries for $3 per entry. Art will be received on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. until noon at the downtown Edmond Community Center, 28 East Main.

A reception will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. at the exhibit for the artists, family members, and other guests. Art must be picked up on Thursday, Jan. 30 between 2 to 5 p.m. For further information, call 405340-4481 or visit www.edmondfinearts.com.

The Fine Arts Institute is Edmond’s non-profit community arts organization offering educational enrichment for adults and children in the visual and performing arts.

Shelby Hudson stipends awarded Bret Belindo and Mason Williams, of Edmond Memorial High School, class of 2020, recently received the fifteenth annual Shelby Hudson Football Memorial Scholarship on late last year during their annual football banquet.

The $4,000 scholarship that each will receive may be used at the college or university of their choice. The stipend just increased this school year (2019-2020), $1,000 each to its current amount and the recipients do not have to play football in college.

The scholarship was established Aug. 2, 2005 in honor of Davis and Lisa Hudson’s son, Shelby who was a 2003 EMHS graduate, and is awarded annually to two players who displays the qualities and characteristics that Shelby exemplified as a Bulldog football player. These include personal motivation and character, heart and desire to excel, drive and determination to accomplish goals, and perseverance in the face of all obstacles.

“We are extremely pleased and honored to be able to make this scholarship available to these two outstanding young men. Both Bret and Mason had outstanding careers in

football as both are very competitive and will no doubt will be successful in life,” Davis Hudson said. Upon graduating from EMHS this spring, Bret plans to attend Oklahoma State University as a Finance major, while Mason is still weighing his options as to which college he will attend, but would like to continue his football career and get a degree in agriculture.

Shelby was participating in his annual training camp with the Oklahoma National Guard when he drowned in Lake Tenkiller on May 24, 2005, while working on a unit moral activity.

Since inception of this tuition based scholarship, 27 recipients have been awarded $83,000.00. States where recipients have attended college beside Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas. The Edmond Public Schools Foundation administers the scholarship and tax-deductible donations for the fund may be sent to 1001 West Danforth Road, Edmond, Oklahoma 73003. For questions contact Deanna Boston, Executive Director of the foundation, at 405-340-2819.

History Center site of African American Family Film Festival The Oklahoma Historical Society’s Black Heritage Committee will present the Oklahoma African American Family Film Festival and workshop at the Oklahoma History Center on Saturday, February 15, from noon to 5 p.m. This event will include a presentation of videos, films and, in some cases, raw, unedited footage that document the history and culture of the African American experience in Oklahoma. The event will also feature Oklahoma filmmakers and films pertaining to the Sooner State. There will be two screening rooms for the festival within the Oklahoma History Center — one called the “Aldridge Theatre” and one called the “Jewel Theatre.”

The Oklahoma Film + Music Office will also give a presentation about their consistent efforts to grow the film and music industries statewide. Learn more at okfilmmusic.org.

The majority of the films that will be showcased are inaugural efforts by Oklahomans interested in the state’s African American history and culture.

During the event, attendees can view the trailer for the new film “Black Wall Street Burning” (2020) and meet its creators, Dekoven Riggins and Marcus E. Brown.

Featured films include: – “A Cavalcade of Opportunity: Black Firefighters in OKC” (c. 1991), hosted by B. J. Glover – “Clearview, A Town of History, Searching for its Future,” produced by BC Productions in Salida, Calif.

– “I. W. Lane: Blacks Right to Vote,” a 1969 high school project that includes rare interview with Hellen Lane Wilson, Lane’s granddaughter – “Collective Visions: A History of African American Women in Oklahoma, 1833 to 1921,” produced by Dr. Dorscine Spignear Littles – “Inside Buffalo: The Story of African American WWII Soldiers of the 92nd Division” by Italian Fred Kuwornu The “Inside Buffalo” documentary includes President Bill Clinton’s White House ceremony honoring seven Medal of Honor soldiers. Staff Sergeant Ruben Rivers from Tecumseh, Oklahoma, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. This medal is currently on display at the Oklahoma History Center.

Historical theatrical performances include: – “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” (WPA Federal Writers’ Project), a radio play originally broadcast on KOMA on November 26, 1938. In 2004 it

See Film, Page 15

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 9, 2020 • Page 15

Review of film ‘Knives Out’

Finally, a mystery movie adults can enjoy

By George Gust When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair investigator Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is mysteriously enlisted to investigate.

From Harlan's dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan's untimely death in writer/director Rian Johnson's love letter to Agatha Christie stories, "Knives Out." Writer/Director Rian Johnson has had an intriguing career to this point. A handful of small-scale movies with interesting ideas, good performances and distinguished directorial style, and then the writing and directing the most divisive Star Wars movie in the illustrious series. "Knives Out" feels like the shower Johnson needed after taking all the heat of a rabid (and sometimes unreasonable) Star Wars fanbase.

"Knives Out" is a movie that feels like they don't make much anymore; there's no expectation of a sequel, not based on an existing property and wholly original idea from Johnson, and it’s a movie for adults. While "Knives Out" has a familiarity

with murder mysteries of the past, it stands on its own as a new take on the classic whodunnit style with a wry wit and tremendous cast of colorful characters. Without spoiling anything, Johnson was able to subvert the murder/mystery tropes while retaining the mood and the audience play along with the inspector aspect of this style of film.

Craig, as the debonair southern gentleman investigator, is nothing short of delightful in this film.

Also taking a break from a massively successful blockbuster series, Craig is given the opportunity to put on an entertaining southern accent and lean into the curious eccentric genius detective arche-

type (a la Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot) resulting in a performance that is loads of fun and plays well off of the disdain of the miserable family at the center of the film's crime. And while the film features fun performances from the ensemble cast, especially from Don Johnson and Toni Collette, the other real standout performance comes from Ana de Armas as Harlan's nurse caretake, Marta. Her character was given a quirk that is bordering on silly, but somehow Johnson's direction and Armas' performance the quirky circumstances fit into the darkly comedic tone.

Overall, "Knives Out" is a fun movie for adults by adults that’s not trying to be a prestige drama or Oscar contender, just good old-fashioned mystery storytelling with a winning comedic tone.

"Knives Out" features the hallmark twists and red herrings of the mystery genre, but the fun performances by the talented ensemble casts and slight subversions of expectations by Johnson make the film a fun one you'll want to revisit.

“Knives Out” is rated PG-13 for thematic elements including brief violence, some strong language, sexual references, and drug material.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Daniel Craig, as a southern gentleman Sherlock character, leads a talented ensemble cast in writer/director Rian Johnson's entertaining take on the classic murder/mystery film.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Film From Page 14 was revised and directed by Sharon Fisher.

– “Brown Skin Rich Girl: The Story of Sarah Rector,” written by Kathleen Watkins and directed by Alan Washington. In 1913 this 11year-old girl from Taft, Oklahoma, was declared “the richest Colored girl in America.”

The OHS is still accepting submissions for the film festival. If you have an interesting film or short cell phone video footage that you would like to submit for consideration, please contact Angela Spindle at aspindle@okhistory.or g or 405-522-0317. The festival is free and open to the public, but seating is limited.

The Oklahoma History Center is located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City.

The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people.

Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state.

Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit the web page at www.okhistory.org.

Crossword Puzzle STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: MOVIE CHARACTERS ACROSS 1. CuraÁao neighbor 6. Lungful 9. Not on a rolling stone 13. British unemployment checks 14. Schiller's famous poem, e.g.

15. "Will comply" in radio communication 16. Opposite of liability 17. Napoleon Bonaparte or Louis Vuitton, e.g.

18. Embedded design 19. *Teen with telescopic powers 21. *Adventurous professor with fear of snakes 23. *He played it in "Casablanca" 24. Sign of escape 25. Steampunk decoration 28. Thanksgiving tubers 30. Fear of flying, e.g.

35. Bun baker 37. "CliffsNotes," e.g.

39. Bound by oath 40. Nay, to a baby 41. Bread spreads 43. *She takes on PG&E 44. Sacrificial spot 46. Wedding promise?

47. Not yet final 48. Eats between meals 50. Blood-related problem 52. Ship pronoun 53. Diamond's corner 55. Be obliged 57. Name before X 61. *Orphan who wanted more gruel 64. Love between AbÈlard and HÈloÔse 65. Pitching stat 67. Nostrils, anatomically speaking 69. Pine 70. Fleur-de____ 71. Novelist Wharton 72. *Adopted orphan of Green

Gables 73. Auction set 74. Like a disreputable neighborhood DOWN 1. Palindromic title 2. CISC alternative 3. *Female Superman foe alongside General Zod 4. Afrikaners' ancestors 5. Off course 6. First-rate 7. Nuptial agreement 8. Version of a song 9. Mr. Bean's ride 10. Paella pot 11. Diagnostic test 12. Bean that rhymes with Goya 15. Distance from side to side, pl.

20. Insect in adult stage 22. Tiny bite 24. Most vital part 25. *A barbarian 26. Convex molding 27. Ladies and ____, for short 29. *a.k.a. The Mayor of Castro Street 31. *Hutch actor in 2004's

"Starsky & Hutch" 32. *Famous Frankenstein portrayer 33. Like Michael Collins 34. *One of Miss Hannigan's orphans 36. *Russell Crowe's Biblical role 38. ____ of the trade 42. Bar seat 45. Type of realistic baby doll 49. *Pizzeria owner in "Do the Right Thing" 51. Strings 54. Olfactory sensation 56. Avoid 57. Poet Angelou 58. Flock's affirmation 59. Bank's provision 60. Dry or salt 61. Brewer's kiln 62. Great Lake 63. Retired, shortened 66. Spanish river 68. Like a wallflower

See Answers Page 23

Answers Page 23

Page 16 • January 9, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Mold forces museum to close for a month The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) has announced that the Oklahoma Territorial Museum (OTM) will be closed this month for mold abatement.

“The museum has a mold problem and will be undergoing some serious and invasive housekeeping,” said Nathan Turner, OHS regional director. “No toxic or black mold has been found at the museum, but even nontoxic mold can cause a lot of damage to the building and artifacts, and it is not a healthy environment for the staff to continue working in.”

“The museum has undergone several facilities improvement projects over these past few years, including waterproofing the basement and repair of the Carnegie Library steps, thanks to the Long-Range Capital Improvement Fund created by the Oklahoma Legislature,” continued Turner.

Though mold is an unwelcome and unexpected problem, staff members are viewing this as an opportunity to continue with improvements. The roofers are already on the premises working to fix the leaks, and a professional mold abatement team will arrive in January and begin work on the interior walls of the Carnegie Library.

“This means the museum staff has to remove all artifacts to a safe location and clean every single item before rehousing and returning the item to the newly cleaned storage area,” said OTM Collections Curator Erin Brown. While the staff members work on cleaning artifacts, the mold

abatement crew will clean all office spaces. Furniture and other contents must be cleaned and scrubbed before returning to the fresh space to ensure that mold is not reintroduced.

“While all of this is going on, the museum staff will be unable to communicate quickly,” said Turner. “Once the offices are again set up and phones, computers and the internet are all up and running again, staff will respond to calls and emails as quickly as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience and will do our best to get things finished quickly. In the meantime we ask for your patience and understanding.”

The public can keep up with the progress of the abatement through the museum’s Facebook page and get a peek behind the scenes at www.facebook.com/OklahomaTerritorialMuseum.

The Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people.

Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.

Bill would help disabled State Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, has filed legislation to give a tax deduction to individuals and families contributing to an Oklahoma STABLE account, which is made possible by the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program.

Oklahoma STABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for eligible individuals with disabilities.

They have similar features to normal banking accounts but allow disabled individuals to save and invest money without losing eligibility for public benefits programs like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income.

Senate Bill 1190 would allow each individual taxpayer to take up to a $10,000 deduction for Oklahoma STABLE account contributions, or a $20,000 deduction for taxpayers filing a joint return. Deductions may be taken for contributions made during a taxable year and up to the due date of a taxpayer’s state income tax return.

“Those living with a disability should be able to contribute to an investment account and still reap the reward of a tax deduction, much like

529 college savings plans,” Pugh said. “I hope Senate Bill 1190 will encourage those with a disability, or caretakers for someone with a disability, to open an Oklahoma STABLE account and participate in an investment portfolio while enjoying the benefits of a tax deduction based on contributions.”

Contributions to an Oklahoma STABLE account can be used for any disability-related expense including basic living expenses, housing, transportation, health and wellness costs, employment training, education and more. An eligible individual for a STABLE account must have developed their disability before the age of 26 and must have been living with their disability for at least one year.

“Parents of those with disabilities and people with disabilities alike should be able to save for future expenses, just like parents who save for their children’s college education,” Pugh said. “Oklahoma STABLE accounts allow this, and this tax deduction will serve as an important incentive for future planning and investment.”

UCO opens registration for two-day Multicultural Education Institute Registration is now open for the 37th annual Multicultural Education Institute (MEI) at the University of Central Oklahoma, Feb. 21-22 at the Nigh University Center, located on Central’s campus.

Centered on the theme "20/20: Focusing on Unity," current and future teachers, paraprofessionals, bilingual professionals, and high school and college students will have the opportunity to learn the latest strategies to help improve educating Oklahoma's increasingly diverse communities. Registration is open through Jan. 24.

New to the institute this year, sessions will be held Saturday, Feb. 22 offering cultural competency training for community organizations.

"The Multicultural Education Institute was approached by several community groups recently who were interested in receiving cultural competency training," said Regina Lopez, Ph.D., UCO instructor and MEI committee co-chair.

"We are including special breakout sessions this year specifically for com-

munity groups and agencies to help meet this need."

Speakers for the event include Lhisa Almashy, an English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) teacher and education advocate from Palm Beach County, Florida; Lewis Diuguid, educational diversity activist, author and retired journalist from the Kansas City Star; and, Akash Patel, founder of World Experiences Foundation and Happy World Foundation, Inc. and current Spanish and exploring languages teacher at Dallas Independent School District.

MEI is designed to assist teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, counselors and community members to understand and implement strategies and programs that build crosscultural appreciation and academic success for all students. The institute was first co-sponsored by the university and Oklahoma City Public Schools in 1983.

For more information or to register, visit www.uco.edu/ceps/departments/cni/mei/ or call 405-974-5721.

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 9, 2020 • Page 17

A one-in-a five billion

Metro girl’s medical condition described as unique to world

Sydney, age 13

By Ryan Stewart When Mary Rutz first held her daughter Sydney, she thought, “She looks like a tiny doll.”

At 4 pounds, 9 ounces, Sydney couldn’t wear infant clothes. Even preemie outfits proved too big. So, for several months, Mary dressed her doll-sized baby in doll clothes.

As Sydney’s bones and skeleton developed, they did so in a way that differed from other children.

Her arms grew disproportionately long, as did her forehead and ears, while her jaw remained foreshortened. The bones in her spine twisted at an extreme angle, causing severe scoliosis. Her sternum began to protrude.

Sydney underwent genetic testing at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, where Dr. Patrick Gaffney discovered that Sydney had two mutations in a gene known as MBTPS1.

PHOTOS PROVIDED When he searched Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist Lijun Xia, M.D., Ph.D. medical literature, he At a height of 3 feet, 10 inches, she made onecould find no cases of a patient with a disruption half of a memorable stage pairing. “The guy who in this gene. Sydney, it seemed, was unique. played Hades is, like, tall,” Sydney said, giggling.

OMRF’s Dr. Lijun Xia and two other scientists in “We were really funny together.” his lab discovered that Sydney’s genetic mutation Still, Sydney faces challenges other teens don’t. had caused a failure in the cellular machinery reHer bones are prone to breakage. Her hips are sponsible for bone growth. compressed, and she wears a back brace to When the scientists published their work in counter the curvature of her spine. Pain sometimes 2018, the paper created a new disease classificaforces her to use a wheelchair. tion for a condition known as spondyloepiphyseal At OMRF, Xia and Gaffney are now working to dysplasia. develop a therapy for Sydney’s condition. They Sydney can’t quite pronounce the name of “her” hope it will also affect a wide range of other rare disease. “It’s a mouthful,” Mary said. But she’s nev- skeletal disorders stemming from similar genetic ertheless embraced it as part of her identity, as evi- variations. Still, Xia said, “It’s hard to know what denced by her username in her favorite online Sydney’s future looks like.” video game: Oneinfivebillion.

Recently, a nurse practitioner from Broken Arrow “I chose that name because I thought there were contacted Xia at OMRF. Her daughter had just 5 billion people in the world, and I’m the only one been diagnosed with an MBTPS1 mutation and with this condition,” Sydney said. “You have to showed many of the same symptoms as Sydney. own who you are.”

For Sydney, the news that she was not the only These days, that person is 13 years old, an one was, at first, a bit deflating. “But I told her to eighth grader at Yukon Middle School. She loves chill out,” Mary said. “You’ll always be the first.” drama class and singing in the choir and last year, she even acted in a production of “Hercules,” playRyan Stewart is media relations coordinator for ing the gatekeeper to the underworld.

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

Page 18 • January 9, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond’s Peggy Wisdom, M.D., center, and her Wisdom Family Foundation donated $100,000 to the Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience for translational research. With her are Beverley Greenwood-Van Meerveld, Ph.D., director of OCNS, and Calin Prodan, M.D., assistant director of clinical research for OCNS.

OU Health Sciences Center group gets $100,000 The Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, an interprofessional organization at the OU Health Sciences Center, has received a $100,000 gift to facilitate translational research in the neurosciences.

The donation comes from the Wisdom Family Foundation and recently retired OU Medicine and VA neurologist Peggy Wisdom, M.D., of Edmond, who continues her involvement in interprofessional activities on campus. The funds will be used to award seed grants to clinicians and scientists who collaborate on a research project.

“OCNS has both clinician and research members, and our role is to facilitate conversations between them,” said Beverley Greenwood-Van Meerveld, Ph.D., director of OCNS and professor of physiology in the College of Medicine. “When we bring them together to discuss common areas of interest, there is greater potential that they will develop a collaboration and work together to treat human disease.”

The concept of translational research is becoming increasingly important to healthcare. Scientists with Ph.D.s don’t always have the opportunity to interact with physicians and patients, nor do clinicians often interact with researchers. But when they begin talk-

ing about each person’s contribution to solving medical problems, their combined expertise sharpens their focus on the disease and potentially accelerates the pace toward discovering a new medical therapy.

Identifying common areas of interest is the foundation of such partnerships. OCNS research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, stress and anxiety disorders, stroke and cerebrovascular disease.

“For example, a researcher and clinician might each have an interest in traumatic brain injury,” said Calin Prodan, M.D., assistant director of clinical research for OCNS and a professor of neurology. “The physician could explain things from a patient standpoint, such as the potential for memory loss, stroke and seizures. The researcher would talk about how those complications could be studied at the cellular or molecular level. The conversation is a constant back and forth between the bench and the bedside.”

The Wisdom Family Foundation gift will be used to provide initial funding for projects that have been identified. Such seed grants are crucial because they allow a team to get a project off the ground. Once they obtain preliminary data, they can leverage those findings to apply for big-

ger state and national grants.

Proposals for OCNS seed grants are externally reviewed and identifying elements removed so that the process is as fair. In addition, applications are fairly short and no biosketch is required, which benefits junior researchers who have fewer publications and funding on their CVs. Once collaborators have generated data from their projects, they are required to present their findings at a seminar.

Because OCNS has members from all seven colleges at the OU Health Sciences Center, translational projects have the potential to be diverse. In addition to Ph.D./M.D. collaborations, partnerships might include physical therapists, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and others teamed with a basic science researcher.

“The OCNS has consistently encouraged and cultivated interprofessional translational research collaboration among the basic science and clinician researchers at the OU Health Sciences Center,” Wisdom said. “The Wisdom Family Foundation is pleased to initiate an endowment to enhance the ability of OCNS to cultivate more interprofessional collaborations.”

Officials reaffirm trauma center’s status The trauma center at The Children’s Hospital at OU Medicine has been re-verified as a Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons.

In 2001, the Trauma One Center was designated as Oklahoma’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, the highest national ranking a trauma center can receive. The verification process by the American College of Surgeons validates that trauma centers have all resources necessary for any type of trauma care.

“The renewal of our verification from the American College of Surgeons is gratifying because it confirms the commitment and hard work that our team delivers day in and day out,” said The Children’s Hospital President Jon Hayes. “We are able to provide the highest level of trauma care to children and young adults when an emergency arises.”

As a Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center, Trauma One offers comprehensive care to handle the most critical

emergencies. Trauma One provides 24-hour coverage by trauma surgeons, and quick availability of care in specialties such as orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, pediatrics, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery and more.

Operating rooms and trauma surgeons are available 365 days a year, and the air ambulance can be dispatched in minutes to airlift patients to Trauma One. Children are diagnosed and treated with age-appropriate technology and by physicians and other healthcare professionals whose specialty is children. Many have advanced certification in pediatric care, including Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification. Trauma One is also the only emergency room in the state with a full-time child life specialist to help children and families understand and cope with medical procedures.

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 9, 2020 • Page 19

In new year, own less, live more

By Marni Jameson I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough. Enough buying and spending, getting and giving, eating and, well, consuming in general. I am at a tipping point, and I am not talking about my scale, which is another problem altogether.

As I work my way through the annual holiday hangover, the words of born-again minimalist Joshua Becker call to me.

Own less, live more is his motto, and, dare I say, should be ours, too.

The author of several books and a popular blog on minimalism, and host of an online decluttering course, Becker’s advice feels like a juice cleanse right about now.

I called him for some ways to both minimize and maximize my life.

Becker, age 45, started by telling me about his tipping point 11 years ago. He was living in Vermont, working as a youth pastor, married with two young children. Over Memorial Day weekend, he and his wife decided to spring clean. He took on the garage.

The project — moving everything out, sorting, tossing, reorganizing, cleaning and moving much back in — took the whole day. During that time, he struck up a conversation with his neighbor.

“I was complaining to her about how much time this was taking, and she said, ‘That’s why my daughter is a minimalist. She keeps telling me I don’t need to own all this stuff,’ ” he said. “I had never heard the term ‘minimalist’ before.”

The concept struck him like a giant storage locker landing on his head.

In that instant, he looked back toward his house. On one side he saw his 5-year-old son joyfully swinging on the swing set, and on the other he saw all his stuff waiting to go back in the garage. The disconnect was glaring.

“I realized that not only were my things not making me happy, but also that they were taking me away from what did,” he said. “My things were taking up my time, money and focus, and taking me away from what mattered to me: my faith, family and friends.”

He went inside and said to his wife, “How about if we purposefully own less?” Having just spent her entire holiday cleaning out the kitchen, she hopped on board.

Over the next three years, they purged about half their belongings, and moved from Vermont to Arizona.

Their downsizing allowed them to buy a smaller house (from 2200 square feet to 1700) in a nicer neighborhood. As they transitioned toward leaner, cleaner living, he wrote all about it.

“Our culture is good at stirring up discontent in our lives,” he tells me as our inspiring conversation winds up.

“We see advertisements all day long that tell us our life isn’t as good as it could be if we bought or ate whatever companies are selling. We are constantly told we need to be consuming more in order to be happier and, without realizing it, we start to believe it.”

Rather than buy into society’s buymore mentality, do the opposite, he said: Resist. As you thin out your life, your wallet will get fatter, and you will be richer in many other ways as well.

While I have long written about the merits of downsizing, Becker takes that one step further preaching intentional minimalism. Here are some ways he suggests we can all live better with less. n Create a minimalist mindset. Ask what your life could be like if you weren’t weighed down with so much stuff. Consider this thought: “I desire to own less so I can save more money, feel calmer and more peaceful, travel more, and spend less time maintaining and housing my possessions.” Having that goal is what helps people follow through, he said. Also keep in mind this lifechanging principle: We don’t buy things with money. We buy them

A good place to start downsizing might be the closet. A little work every day can put the closet into order.

with hours from our life. n Start in an easy place. What’s tough to sort out differs for everyone. For some it’s their books, sports equipment, tools, hobby stuff or letters. Don’t start there. Begin in a place where you can easily finish and enjoy the results, like the bathroom, living room or bedroom. “I want people to start in a space where they can sit at the end of the day and feel the difference,” he said. As the momentum builds, and it will, move on to the more loaded spaces. n Lead by example. If your spouse isn’t on board with your minimalist ideas, show the way. Work on your own closet, tools and hobby supplies.

Before you ask your kids to thin out their toys, pare down your own. n Select keepsakes with care. Less doesn’t mean none, Becker said. “You don’t have to get rid of all your sentimental treasures, but when you own fewer of them, the ones you keep will have greater value.” After her grandmother died, Becker’s wife wanted to keep many of her grandmother’s belongings, but eventually came away with only three: Her grandmother’s favorite candy dish, a brooch and her Bible. It was enough. n Take five to cut 10. Go in your closet, and, in five minutes, remove 10 garments you no longer wear or need, and put them in a box for Goodwill. Feeling more ambitious?

Try Becker’s 333 fashion challenge: Choose 33 articles of clothing — not counting undergarments or athletic wear — and stash everything else away. Wear those 33 garments exclusively for three weeks. When he hears me gasp in horror, he adds, “People love this exercise more than they think they will.” n Find a home for everything.

Keep your desk, kitchen and bathroom counters, and tabletops clear.

Store kitchen appliances out of sight.

Put items on your desk in a drawer or file. Throw junk mail away immedi-

ately, and have a place out of sight for receipts and bills. The key word here is ‘keep.’ After you clear once, maintain the habit.

I’m feeling better already. Here’s to a cleaner, clearer, simpler New Year.

Syndicated columnist Marni Jameson is the author of five home and

lifestyle books, including Downsizing the Family Home — What to Save, What to Let Go and the forthcoming Downsizing the Blended Home — When Two Households Become One (Sterling Publishing, Dec. 2019). You may reach her at www.marnijameson.com.

Page 20 • January 9, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Gov. Kevin Stitt holds up a proclamation declaring ‘Sooner SUCCESS Day’ in Oklahoma.

Program honored that helps families with special needs kids Sooner SUCCESS recently received recognition for its comprehensive efforts to support children with special needs and their families. In a proclamation made by Gov. Kevin Stitt, a recent day was declared “Sooner SUCCESS Day” in the state of Oklahoma.

Sooner SUCCESS is a statewide program under the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics’ Child Study Center. It was established in 2002, to help make services more widely known and accessible to families of children with special healthcare needs. The needs may be behavioral, developmental and/or medically related. Often, the needs are multiple or overlapping, making coordination of services potentially more complex.

“For 17 years, Sooner SUCCESS has helped families navigate their way through a maze of sometimes disparate agencies and organizations,” said Aietah Stephens, executive director of the program. “We implement community programming that meets the unique needs of families that have a child or loved one with special healthcare needs.

We actively work on community coalitions to in-

crease awareness of needs and strive to create more inclusive communities.”

According to a national survey conducted in 2009-2010, Oklahoma has a higher percentage of children with special healthcare needs – 17.6 percent, as compared to 15.1 percent nationally.

The Sooner SUCCESS program provides oneon-one assistance to help families secure appropriate support resources for their children with special needs.

One area in which Sooner SUCCESS has seen excellent results is its commitment to connect caregivers to respite care services, identified as a top need of caregivers. A caregiver is an individual who may have full-time or nearly full-time responsibility caring for another person. Without some form of respite resource, caregivers compromise their own mental and physical well-being. In partnership with Oklahoma Aging Services Division, Sooner SUCCESS implements the Lifespan Respite Voucher Program.

“Respite is a vital resource caregivers can access for much-needed breaks,” Stephens explained. “We work in tandem with other statewide respite

voucher programs to connect caregivers to appropriate resources.”

In addition, Sooner SUCCESS works with community partners, including churches and other faith-based organizations, to implement community respite programs.

The vision of Sooner SUCCESS is to create more cohesive coordination of supports and resources so that missed opportunities are minimized, or ideally, eliminated. Sooner SUCCESS recognizes the importance of the family as a whole, including the loved one with special healthcare needs, their caregivers, siblings and extended family members.

Stephens said, “We seek to make Sooner SUCCESS a resource to other agencies and organizations for service navigation. Families of children with special needs face diverse situations. In an area where resources are so desperately needed, it makes sense to use those resources as efficiently and effectively as possible, eliminating duplication of effort and ensuring that families are better supported.”

Learn more about Sooner SUCCESS: https://soonersuccess.ouhsc.edu/

Hotline answers questions on state’s medical marijuana The Oklahoma Medial Marijuana Authority Call Center is open and welcoming calls. The call center is staffed with 14 operators trained to answer questions regarding Medical Marijuana in Oklahoma.

Authority Interim Director Travis Kirkpatrick says “it is a two tier system that will allow the operators to ask for help quickly while keeping customers on the line.”

Kirkpatrick says the current staff has undergone several weeks of training to learn the licensing process and the steps to allow them to effectively answer questions.

On average, 700 patient license

applications and renewals are being processed weekly at the Authority which also is working on business, processor, grower and lab licenses.

The call center staff will not be able to handle legal questions involving an individual or business.

Business questions regarding certificates of compliance should be directed to the city or county the business is located.

The call center number is 405-522OMMA (6662).

You will find attached video of the call center with Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority Interim Director Travis Kirkpatrick.

Rawhide Braiding workshop The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA), will host a three-day Rawhide Braiding workshop Feb. 26 – 28 at The Cowboy.

Students will focus on round, flat and square braiding techniques, with and without cores. String size and quantity as it relates to the core and string cutting will also be addressed.

This workshop is best suitable for those with an understanding of braiding and familiarity with basic techniques as well as advanced braiders wanting to expand their skills.

“The National Cowboy Museum is always proud to partner with the TCAA in its efforts to promote and preserve the traditional cowboy arts, which are such an integral part of the American West,” said Museum Presi-

dent & CEO Natalie Shirley. “Workshops like this ensure that the knowledge, skill and abilities of Western craftsmanship are preserved for future generations.”

The course will be led by Instructor Nate Wald, who has been braiding for 30 years. Wald was named Braider of the Year by the American Academy of Western Artists, has been inducted into Montana’s Circle of American Masters and is a former TCAA president.

Cost for the three-day workshop is $680 ($600 for National Cowboy Museum members). Instruction is from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily. For more information or to register for the workshop, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org/event/traditional-cowboyarts-association-workshop-rawhide-bra iding .

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 9, 2020 • Page 21

More growth for Paycom

By Dale Denwalt Oklahoman.com Paycom Software's rapid growth over the past year has put it squarely in the list of Oklahoma's top three biggest public companies.

The provider of human capital management services and software has seen its market capitalization more than double since this time last year, rising from just over $7 billion to about $15.3 billion. A company's market cap is the number of outstanding shares multiplied by the stock price and is used as an indicator of a company's size.

Paycom closed at $271.80 a share on Thursday. A year ago, its stock was trading at about $120.

Since June, Paycom rose from sixth on the list of biggest Oklahoma com-

panies as other businesses felt the squeeze of a struggling energy market. Both Magellan Midstream Partners and Continental Resources lost market cap and their spots on the list as Paycom grew. Continental shrank by nearly $3 billion in the past six months alone and now sits at less than $13 billion.

The Williams Companies is now the state's second-largest publicly traded business with a market cap of $28.12 billion after shrinking nearly $6 billion since June, or more than 17%.

ONEOK begins the year with the top spot, leaping over Williams with the biggest market cap gain of $2.75 billion over the past six months. The market value of the company's shares is about $31 billion, nearly twice as much as Paycom.

Analysts have seen positive signs of financial growth as Paycom beat its earnings estimates and reported positive revenue figures in 2019. Paycom also has continued its geographic expansion and has received positive feedback about new tools released for its clients. Wall Street's consensus trends toward a recommendation to hold the stock rather than buy or sell, but analysts' forecasts suggest the stock is expensive with a average price target below its current value.

Despite the overall growth, 2019 hasn't been a perfect year for Paycom investors. The market appeared to shift away from high-growth stocks in late summer. The company's stock price fell to less than $200 per share in October before bouncing back to its record-high value a month later.

Housing market on course for record year

By Brian Preston Again November saw the highest number of sales for six years for this month.

We are up 254 transactions above last years record setting year for Edmond. up 6.16 percent.

Active inventory fell to 1088 listings. A lot of these were in the upper price ranges. since Octm 1, there have been 260 listings expired with an average price of $419,500 and another 281 released or withdrawn from market with an average price of $428,000.

We will have to see if they come back in the spring to try again.

Unless December is off by more than 50 percent we should be setting yet another record year for 2019.

Happy New Year and a toast to yet another record for 2020.

(Brian Preston is an Edmond Realtor and issues regular reports on the Edmond housing market.)

Arledge and Associates will host networking event for the chamber Edmond accounting firm, Arledge and Associates, is hosting Off the Clock, a networking event in partnership with the Edmond Chamber of Commerce.

The event is Jan. 14 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and will be held at the Arledge and Associates’ offices at 309 N. Bryant Ave. in Edmond.

Members of Edmond’s business community are invited to attend, network and connect with other members of the Edmond Chamber of

Commerce. No RSVP is required and the event is free to attend.

Arledge and Associates, PC is a recognized leader in the accounting industry offering practical solutions in the areas of tax planning, auditing, consulting, accounting advisory services and client accounting.

Through its Gateway Executive Solutions division, Arledge and Associates offers outsourced CFO, controller and cloud-based accounting solutions.

Governor’s office retains legal help in dispute with the tribes compacts, the ChickaThe office of Goversaw, Cherokee, and nor Kevin Stitt anChoctaw Nations sued nounced last week the State through the that the State of Governor on New Oklahoma engaged Year’s Eve, alleging Perkins Coie law firm that his statements in December to advise that the Model Gamin its efforts to negotiing Compact would ate a revised gaming expire on Jan. 1, compact with Okla2020, violated federal homa gaming tribes. law and that the com“With Perkins Coie, pact automatically rethe State of Oklanews. Perkins Coie homa is well posiwill assist in defendtioned to work ing against that suit, towards a compact in addition to providthat protects core ing counsel regarding public services and Gov. Kevin Stitt compact negotiations. advances the future of The firm has extensive litigation our great state, its four million resiexperience, including successfully dents, and gaming tribes. challenging federal regulations inThe firm of Perkins Coie will also voked by a gaming tribe to circumrespond to and address the Chickavent IGRA’s compact requirement saw, Cherokee, and Choctaw Naon behalf of the State of New Mextions’ federal lawsuit filed on New ico in 2015.

Year’s Eve. While that litigation was pending, The legal experts at Perkins Coie Perkins Coie assisted the State in have successfully represented other states in Indian law controversies, to negotiating a new gaming compact with five other tribes whose cominclude the State of New Mexico’s compact dispute in 2015,” said Gov. pacts were also set to expire that year. Since that time, a dozen other Kevin Stitt.

New Mexico tribes opted into the Although the Governor remains new gaming compact. focused on negotiating stronger

Evan Comer

Chamber names top ambassador The Edmond Chamber is proud to name Evan Comer the 2019 Mercy Ambassador of the Year. Evan is a Team Lead at Get Beyond, which provides back office solutions for small businesses including credit card processing, payment acceptance, payroll, HR, employee management, point-ofsale, lending and more.

Evan serves as the chair of the Ambassador Council, a group of dedicated volunteers who mentor Chamber members and attend ribbon cuttings, events and special meetings. The honor of Ambassador of the Year is awarded to the Chamber Ambassador who is able to make the highest number of goodwill calls, ribbon cuttings and groundbreaking events throughout the year. The award is decided on a point-based system with participants earning points through their involvement.

Celebrate with Evan at the Hall of Fame and Annual Awards Banquet on Friday, Jan. 24.

Page 22 • January 9, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure

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“Weeeell, Doggies! – Beverly Hillbillies Mansion Fetches $150 Million” The over-the-top mansion seen in 'The Beverly Hillbillies' as the home of oil-rich Jed Clampett has sold for approximately $150 million. The 20,000-square-foot home on a bit over 10 acres has sold after several years on the market and set a new record for the most expensive home ever sold in California.

“Boris Johnson's 10 Downing Street” England's Prime Minister Boris Johnson lives at 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the Prime Minister of Great Britain since 1735.

Originally a medieval brewery, according to a local real estate agent, the home is worth about £5.3million ($7 million U.S.). Or perhaps much higher due to its famous history.

“Good Home News - Best Since 2007” New home starts in the U.S. increased by 3.2% in November while building permits were up by 1.4% the highest level since May 2007.

“Brad & Jen's Newlywed Mansion” It was going to be their forever love nest when Jennifer and Brad bought their mansion in Beverly Hills soon after their Malibu marriage.

One of Southern California’s most romantic homes with canyon views, dreamy lighted pool, stone courtyard, multiple fireplaces including the bedroom, dining room and bar, outdoor living room and an outdoor bedroom over the tennis court. The A-list couple owned the home from 2001 to 2006 and it is once again on the market priced at $44.5 million.

“Sarah Palin Sells Arizona Home” An Arizona home that was owned by an investment group with ties to Sarah Palin and was once rumored that she was moving there as a base for a presidential run has sold for $6.2 million.

“Home Prices Increase In Most of United States” According to the National Association of Realtors, single-family home prices went up in 93% of 178 U.S. metro markets in the third quarter of 2019. Median home prices increased 5.1% from 2018 to $280,200.

“Aaron Paul's Spanish-Style Home” 'Breaking Bad' star Aaron Paul's Spanish-style home he bought in 2012 is on the market at $2.198 million. The 1930's home has three bedrooms and views that span to downtown Los Angeles. It also has a den, movie-screening room, bar, and an outdoor seating area with a fountain and firepit. Located above Sunset Strip near Chateau Marmont, Brad Pitt also once lived there.

“Katie Holmes' L.A. Home” Katie Holmes has put her 6,040square-foot L.A. home on the market at $4.625 million. The European-style home has six bedrooms, a pool, two courtyards and an outdoor kitchen.

The Ohio-born Holmes spends most of her time in New York City.

“South Florida's Condo Inventory” According to one expert on the Miami condo market, 90 percent of the new construction since 2012 has already been purchased. Expect a new cycle of Florida pre-construction condo sales to start next year with completion in 2025 or later.

“Rachel Hunter's Hollywood Hills Manor” Model and actress Rachel Hunter has re-listed her Hollywood Hills home for $3.499 million. The English Country Manor-style home is situated just above the famous Chateau Marmont with mature landscaping and a gated entry. Additional features include views to Downtown Los Angeles, pool, spa, and remodeled kitchen and bathrooms.

For more celebrity homes and real estate news, visit TopTenRealEstateDeals.com.Clam

Edmond Life & Leisure • January 9, 2020 • Page 23

State’s First Couple to have inaugural Prayer Breakfast Gov. Kevin Stitt and First Lady Sarah Stitt are joining Oklahoma Capitol Culture in launching the first Oklahoma Governor’s Prayer Breakfast to be held on Feb. 18in Oklahoma City.

The inaugural event aims to unite Oklahomans through prayer for the state to thrive and for the leadership of Oklahoma and the convening legislative session.

"Sarah and I share a strong belief with fellow Oklahomans in the power of prayer,” said Gov. Kevin Stitt. “Prayer is a gateway for change; it calls us to action and it stirs our hearts and minds for justice and for mercy. Our hope is that the Oklahoma Governor's Prayer Breakfast will become an annual tradition of the state coming together to start the new year and a new Legislative session with prayer - prayer for elected leaders, prayer for our communities, prayer for the children in our state, and prayer for wisdom in the big challenges

we face."

The 2020 Oklahoma Governor’s Prayer Breakfast will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Feb. 18 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in the Sam Noble Event Center. The Oklahoma Governor’s Prayer Breakfast provides an opportunity for people of all faiths that pray to humbly ask God for wisdom and to bless the state of Oklahoma. The keynote speaker at the event will be Admiral Barry C. Black, Chaplain to the United States Senate, and will feature prayers and special messages from various other special guests.

“Prayer unites people, breaks down barriers and brings us closer together,” said Dr. Joel Harder, Steering Committee Chair for the 2020 Oklahoma Governor’s Prayer Breakfast and President of Oklahoma Capitol Culture. “The work done during the legislative session by our elected leaders is important, and the Oklahoma Governor’s Prayer Break-

fast provides people across the state an opportunity to set politics aside and pray for our leaders and for all of Oklahoma to thrive.”

Sponsorships for 10-person tables are still available and may be purchased at www.prayforoklahoma.com.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA CAPITOL CULTURE The Oklahoma Governor’s Prayer Breakfast is facilitated by Oklahoma Capitol Culture (OKCC), a 501c3 non-profit organization developing resources and creating opportunities that shape a culture of civility, integrity and servant leadership among Oklahoma policymakers through non-lobbying and non-political engagement. Governor Kevin Stitt selected OKCC to facilitate the Oklahoma Governor’s Prayer Breakfast in 2020. More information about OKCC can be found at www.capitolculture.com.

Edmond Electric at a glance Edmond Electric is Oklahoma's largest community-owned electric utility.

Edmond Electric has served the Edmond community since 1908.

Today, Edmond Electric provides electric services to more than 83,000 residents within the City of Edmond corporate city limits.

As a municipally- owned power company and a city department, Edmond Electric returns profits to the community annually. Their profits support vital city services such as police, fire, streets and parks.

Because of Edmond Electric's support, our community maintains a high quality of living. Additionally, Edmond Electric provides outstanding reliability.

Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi Good Shepherd Anglican Church (Traditional Episcopal) 1000 N. Broadway, Edmond •314-8715 Sundays - Holy Communion 8:00 & 10:00am Animal Friendly Parish “If you have people who exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have those who deal likewise with their fellow human being.”

St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)

www.anglicancgsedmondok.com 1928 Book of Common Prayer • anglicancgesedmondok.com

SCRIPTURE • TRADITION • REASON

Page 24 • January 9, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure