January 16, 2020 Vol. 20, No. 34
In This Issue FOUR SEASONS
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.
New restaurant at Okla. Christian See Page 16
PHOTO PROVIDED
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17 Rain High 62° Low 36°
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 Mostly Sunny High 48° Low 27°
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19 Mostly Cloudy High 46° Low 31°
The board of the Edmond Women’s Club prepares for the upcoming Hollywood Nights Gala, which will benefit many non-profit groups helping the needy. Imagine not knowing where to turn to in an emergency. What if you couldn’t provide a winter coat for your child? Or, what if you didn’t have the means to get yourself a meal? These are real issues that affect so many individuals within Edmond. That’s where Edmond Women’s Club (EWC) comes into action. Edmond Women’s Club is a volunteer organization comprised of spirited women whose mission is to provide monetary assistance through fundraising efforts to qualified organizations and scholarship recipients, to provide volunteer participation in various community projects and educational opportunities for Edmond. A special event, designed to help fund this work, is set for next month. Join EWC on Feb. 15 at 6 p.m .for its annual Hollywood Nights Gala
to be held at the Hilton Garden Inn located at 2833 Conference Drive in Edmond. This year’s A-list event includes delicious cuisine, dancing, Vegas style gaming, silent/live auctions as well as featuring world renowned “motion” artist, Bill Patterson. EWC is delighted to welcome back Joleen Chaney, KFOR-TV news anchor, as its guest emcee. Tickets are $125 and can be purchased at www.ewc.org. “It’s so exciting to see the community come together for an inspiring and entertaining evening to help raise money for many deserving not for profit organizations all over Edmond” said Denise Roberts, President of Edmond Women’s Club. This year’s auction boasts more than 70 items, including a Caribbean trip, Thunder tickets and a pedigree puppy. “There will be something for everyone” Roberts said. Over the past 36 years, Edmond
Women’s Club has awarded close to $3.5 million in grants and scholarships to non-profit organizations and students all over Edmond and the surrounding community. “The gala is our largest fundraising event and is an extremely vital part of our ability to reach our fundraising goals,” said Roberts. “We help with the basic needs of life,” explained Roberts. “Food, clothing and shelter in addition to other needs of the community.” Local non-profits that have benefited from EWC fundraising efforts include UR Special Ministries, Edmond Mobile Meals, The HOPE Center of Edmond and WINGS. For a full list of the 2018-2019 grant recipients, visit www.ewc.org/community. The 2019-2020 grant recipient list will be revealed in April. To sponsor the Hollywood Nights Gala or to donate to Edmond Women’s Club, visit www.ewc.org.
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Lawmakers concerned over ‘surprise’ medical billing State Reps. Marcus McEntire (R-Duncan), Chris Sneed (R-Muskogee) and Tammy Townley (R-Ardmore) commented today on the ongoing discussions to eliminate surprise medical billing in Oklahoma. A surprise medical bill is a bill an out-of-network health provider issues to a covered insured person for health care services in an amount greater than the patient’s cost-sharing obligation that would apply for the same services by an in-network provider. What makes these bills surprising is the patient has no knowledge the provider rendering his or her health care services is out of the patient’s network. "Surprise bills commonly occur when a patient receives care from an out-of-network physician in an in-network hospital," McEntire said. Negotiations about surprise billing between the Legislature, the Oklahoma Insurance Department, health care providers, and health insurers occurred in earnest last session, but neither consensus nor a compromise could be reached before the session
‘Surprise bills commonly occur when a patient receives care from an out-of-network physician in an in-network hospital.’ Marcus McEntire, lawmaker ended. “After the last session, we were discouraged about the pace of the surprise billing negotiations,” McEntire said. “However, we are extremely pleased with the pace of negotiations over the interim. We are happy to announce an agreement with health providers and insurance companies to hold enrollees harmless to surprise bills and prohibit the practice of surprise billing. Both the insurance companies and health providers emphatically stated in our meeting that patients should be held harmless.” Townley said, “It was wonderful to see health insurance companies and health care providers come to the table in a positive environment and work on
Governor Stitt weighs in on tweaking refugee laws By Gov. Kevin Stitt When President Trump was sworn into office, he promised to strengthen our national security and bolster policies that prioritize the needs of American citizens. One of the first areas he tackled was the United States’ refugee resettlement program, a program first established in 1948 by the U.S. Congress. A large majority of refugees assigned by the federal government to Oklahoma in the past 15 years have come from Myanmar, a southeast Asian country ranked by Open Doors USA as #18 for extreme persecution of Christians. In the past year, President Trump directed the State Department to strengthen the vetting process for refugees and he reduced the cap on refugees coming into the U.S. to 18,000 for 2020 – a historic low for our nation. I am a supporter of President Trump’s refugee policies and his administration’s efforts to strengthen the security review of applicants, a process that now includes social media checks and gives more authority to adjudicators to deny refugee applications. I also appreciate that the President’s executive order, issued on Sept. 26, 2019, empowers states with a mechanism to further speak into the United States’ resettlement program. As the President outlined in the executive order, I submitted consent for Oklahoma to continue to receive refugees, for the time being, and I will leverage the State’s consent authority to ensure the number of refugees entering our state does not exceed roughly 220 individuals this year, or 1.2% of the United States’ refugee intake, a size consistent with Oklahoma’s history on this matter. A “refugee” is a term used for indi-
Commentary
Gov. Stitt viduals fleeing dire political or religious persecution in their home countries and are eligible to legally relocate after a thorough vetting process by national security agencies. Oklahomans have long extended a compassionate hand towards refugees. This was most recently demonstrated in a letter my office received from more than 100 Oklahoma faith leaders and by outreach from faith-based non-profits who are committed to the task of helping a refugee become a productive, contributing member of our society. I respect and appreciate Oklahomans who stand ready to assist those fleeing persecution, and I will continue to support President Trump’s efforts to close loopholes across our immigration system and tighten security processes, as this gives much-needed assurance to Oklahoma’s communities about the integrity of the refugee program.
UCO to mark King holiday In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the University of Central Oklahoma will host King Week with events commemorating the legacy of King Jan. 20 and Jan. 22. Although Central will be closed Jan. 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, students, staff and faculty are encouraged participate in the MLK Day of Service, co-sponsored by Central’s Volunteer and Service Learning Center (VSLC) and Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Volunteers will be assigned to one of the VSLC’s partner sites to serve from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. “MLK Day of Service is one of the Volunteer and Service Learning Center’s biggest events,” said Brian Belvins, VSLC coordinator. “This is not a unique event to UCO but a part of a nationally recognized day of service. Each year UCO goes out into the community to give back and reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s courageous efforts towards civil rights for all. This year UCO will be serving with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, City Rescue Mission and Myriad Gardens.”
Interested faculty, staff and students can register through the VSLC’s Org Central page at https://uco.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/vo lunteer-service-learning-center. For more information, contact Blevins at 405-974-2622 or bblevins7@uco.edu. Beginning at 2 p.m. Jan. 22 in Central’s Nigh University Center Ballroom, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, along with event sponsor Enterprise Rent-A-Car, will host the 10th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Enterprise Oratory Competition. Eric Wall, a freshman marketing major from Owasso, Oklahoma; Day’Quann Ervin, a sophomore psychology major from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and, Christian Coleman, a junior international business major from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, will deliver speeches based on the quote “There comes a time when silence becomes betrayal.” The event is free and open to the public. For more information on the oratory competition, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 405-974-
the legislation for surprise billing in Oklahoma. Our goal from day one was to take care of our Oklahoma consumers! I am so proud of the efforts that have been made in regard to surprise billing.” Sneed added. “We are excited to be moving forward for Oklahomans with surprise medical billing this session. The majority of parties involved have been to the table numerous times during the interim to work on the issue.” McEntire said, “We intend to run a bill prohibiting surprise billing during the early part of the upcoming session, but there is still hard work and tough decisions ahead. The difficult challenge is to find an agreed-to method for insurance companies to compensate out-of-network providers. We have encouraged health care providers and insurance companies to negotiate a fair system of compensation or a mediation process and bring it to us. We want to see a payment system on which both sides can agree and a system that does not cause insurance premiums or the cost of health care to rise more than it already is.”
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From the Publisher
Business plans for 2020 During the holidays, small businesses are focused on showing appreciation for their customers and staff. Once the new year dawns, it is a time for us small business owners to look at how Ray Hibbard we will improve our services and products for the next year. Ever since smart phones were unleashed on the market, those improvements are sure to include technology. Edmond Life & Leisure will be making some changes for 2020. It will affect how we are delivered to our readers and improve what we can do for our customers. While the principles of being your only locally owned community newspaper will continue, we will be making some changes in order to grow our product and enhance your experience with our newspaper. Of course, it will include changes and improvements in technology. For help with all thing’s technology, we often turn to our marketing partners at Cox Business. They do an incredible job and offer many products we will be taking advantage of this year. Since I am the last person that a small businesses owner should be taking technology advice from, I found an article from Cox Business written by Perla Jones that should help small businesses owners begin thinking about improvements they might want to make. The Top Small Business Technology Trends to Watch in 2020 By Perla Jones Small Business Tech Trends How will advancements in technology affect your small business in 2020? From building trust to enhancing customer experience, tech tools allow your organization to stay productive and competitive. Spiceworks reports, “88% of businesses expect IT budgets to grow or stay steady over the next 12 months.” Companies with less than 100 employees will designate: 35% to hardware 31% to software 22% to hosted and cloud-based services 11% to managed services As organizations increase spending on tech tools, it’s critical to understand how small business technology trends impact your company while finding ways to implement agile solutions. 1. A Complete Mobile Experience is Required Let’s face it; if your website isn’t mobile-friendly and accessible, then it’s tough to stay competitive. While mobile online use won’t slow in 2020, you can expect to see more consumers accessing information and payment options in brick and mortar stores. Mobile Payments In-Store. Instead of searching for a credit card, customers want to use their phone to
make in-store payments by holding their phone up to a terminal or scanner. Mobile Payments Online. One-click online checkouts using mobile wallets gain popularity due to a better conversion rate. Solutions include Apple Pay, PayPal, One-Touch, and Visa Checkout. Mobile Marketing. Companies increasingly leverage in-store mobile marketing to meet consumer demands since “32% of shoppers changed their minds about purchasing items after checking out the product information on their mobiles within brick-and-mortar stores,” according to Invesp. 2. Small Businesses Turn to Artificial Intelligence as a Service In 2020, more SMBs will invest in artificial intelligence as a service (AIaaS) with Tractica finding “the total global revenue for AI software is expected to grow from $9.5 billion in 2019 to as much as $118.6 billion in 2025.” A rise in third-party services allows companies to outsource tasks via a monthly subscription leading to an increase in productivity. 3. More Automation Investments Without Extra IT Staff Pressure across several areas continues to push small business owners to consider ways that automation can help their bottom line. While these technologies aren’t new, many SMBs struggled to implement solutions without a full IT team. Modern tools provide seamless integrations with existing software so that less techsavvy companies can adopt automation. Business leaders seek solutions for processes like: Accounting Data management Email marketing Customer service 4. Data Analytics Fuels SMB Strategies Access to data is vital for business growth. However, the sheer amount of information is challenging to sift through and analyze. Fortunately, Deloitte reports, “Cloud-based cognitive services are increasing adoption by reducing the investment and expertise required to get started.” Instead of using data to inform marketing and sales plans, more small businesses will use technology to inform their strategy at the granular level. 5. Social Media Remains Challenging but Necessary From a drop in organic reach to consumer privacy concerns, social media management is difficult. Plus, it consumes a small business owner’s time and marketing budget. To balance the needs of customers without massively increasing costs, SMBs will focus on data-driven decisions. Key areas to keep an eye on in 2020 include: Social proof remains paramount to consumers. Organizations that provide value while increasing trust outperform the competition. Ways to do this include sharing customer interactions, leveraging employee advocacy, and building online communities. Alternate channels intrigue users. From Pinterest to TikTok, you can expect to see other options besides
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.
Facebook and Instagram attract attention. Consider where your target audience plays and shops, as their tech use changes. Customer service on social platforms grows.45% of consumers head to social media when they have a question. SMBs who support clients across social channels develop trust while enhancing brand visibility. 6. Collaboration Tools Improve Workplace Communications As more small business leaders rely on a remote workforce to scale their business, collaboration software becomes vital. These tools connect inhouse staff with contractors across the globe, resulting in increased productivity. With Gensler’s U.S.Workplace Survey reporting that 43% of respondents consider the “best workplace” as one that promotes team building and collaboration, silo’ed offices and communication gaps are not an option in 2020. Instead, small business owners will develop strategies based on how their staff interacts, what their pain points are, and will find ways to deliver data that is relevant to all sides. 7. Small Business Owners Rely on HR Technology The tight labor market, gig economy, and tech-savvy generations lead to more employers investing in technologies for human resources. Cloudbased HR tools provide real-time data for decision-making, while employee self-service apps offer staff members a sense of control over their data. More small business owners will invest in HR technology that creates a better overall experience for staff, including: Recruitment Onboarding Employee engagement Health and wellness Ongoing training 8. SMB Websites Focus on Voice and Chatbot Enhancements From vehicles adding voice technology on infotainment systems to algorithm changes favoring a customer-centric approach over keywords, more small business owners will pivot to technologies that gear their website to user’s specific needs. A conversational tone with natural interwoven keywords beats fluffy keyword-stuffed content. The importance of user experience leads to user-friendly content and AI chatbots that solve everyday problems. 9. User Reviews Provides Data for Personalization Customer reviews remain vital in
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
2020. Data from current clients provide social proof along with information on competitors, and keywords used in natural language. Affordable technologies help small business leaders glean more data from reviews. With so many ways to use reviews, including the boost to SEO and web traffic, more small businesses will encourage reviews across multiple platforms then use the information to develop data-driven strategies. 10. Blockchain Remains a Topic of Interest Continued investments by FedEx, IBM, Wal-Mart, and Mastercard show that the interest in blockchain isn’t subsiding. Although small businesses may not move into selling or purchasing with bitcoin, they may turn to blockchain to help secure sensitive transactions. Features of interest include blockchain’s use in smart contracts for finance and real estate along with assistance in supply chain management. In 2020, consumers will face ongoing security concerns, and the adoption of blockchain may help alleviate some of these current issues. From cloud technologies to new sources of information, small business leaders who develop data-driven strategies will differentiate their organization from competitors and increase revenue. Deep insights, traditionally only feasible at the enterprise level, become standard in 2020. This standardization results in meeting employees, customers, and stakeholders at their platform of choice, at the right time, and with applicable information, propelling business growth for years to come. 11. Managed Services Managed IT services offer a lot of things that simply aren’t possible with a smaller IT department: 24/7 monitoring, enhanced data security and resilience, and the scalability to keep up with your growth. With data breaches and identity theft at an alltime high, and hackers increasingly going after SMBs, expert help to safeguard and protect your business is critical. 12. VoIP Business Telephone With VoIP, you can bring your telephone setup to the cloud, uniting your entire business with a single, advanced, cloud-based, hosted telephone system featuring business-class service. Using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), you can stay connected to your office and customers, no matter where you work.
(Ray Hibbard may be reached by email at ray@edmondpaper.com)
Cover Design April Burgess Legal Counsel Todd McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC Copyright © 2020 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 16, 2020 • Page 5
The will be four sessions of rodeo action available to the public this weekend. It’s all at the Lazy E.
Rodeo at the Lazy E The 50th Annual International Finals Rodeo, presented by Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, has a new location to crown its world champions. IFR50 kicks off Jan. 1719 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie. Rodeo fans will have the chance to watch the top rodeo athletes in the International Professional Rodeo Association from the U.S., Canada and Australia, all vie for world championship titles in eight action-packed events including: bull riding, bareback and saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping and cowgirls barrel racing and breakaway roping. FOUR IFR PERFORMANCES Friday, Jan. 17 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 1 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 1 p.m. *Kids Day 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. In addition to the great rodeo action, the week of festivities includes
the Miss Rodeo USA Pageant, the Gold Buckle Gala, contract acts showcase, Simon Bucking Stock Sale and the International Miniature Rodeo Association (IMRA) World Finals which is made up of cowboys and cowgirls from 6 to 17 years old. Not only can fans catch some of the best rodeo talent, they will also find the best western fashion at the IFR Trade Show held in the arena concourse prior to each rodeo performance. Vendors range from horse tack to western wear and apparel. Prior to the Championship Sunday performance of IFR50, Jan. 19th, it’s OG&E Kids Day where rodeo's youngest fans have the opportunity to learn the ropes. Kids interact with rodeo athletes, play games and experience the best of the west. Doors open at 11 a.m. For more information, visit IFRodeo.com. Tickets are available by visiting Ticketmaster or contact Lazy E Arena at (405) 282-RIDE (7433).
Check out what’s inside! n A politician in power for one day only ......................................Page 10. n Weekend Calendar of Events ......................................................Page 11. n Garden show this weekend ........................................................Page 12. n Sen. Lankford helping to confirm judicial candidate ..................Page 14. n George Gust reviews ‘Little Women’ ..........................................Page 15. n Crossword ..................................................................................Page 15. n Senior news ....................................................................Pages 17 to 19. n Business News ............................................................................Page 21. n Worship directory ......................................................................Page 23.
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Museum gardening series to start
A student experiences hands on training in gardening techniques.
A new 7-part gardening series perfect for those who want to start a home garden, who have a “black” thumb, or who simply want to learn more about gardening is kicking off on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Science Museum Oklahoma in the lead up to the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in April. Part of the SMO Gardens “What’s Growing On” program, “Gardening 101” is taught by the SMO Gardens education team and will cover everything from soils and seeds to roots and stems and will include a handson component at each event. The allages series is included with general admission and is free for museum members. “Guests that are able to attend this series will walk away with the basic knowledge to become a successful gardener, but they’ll also have a deeper appreciation for nature and the importance of sustainability in everything we do, especially as we look toward the 50th anniversary of Earth Day,” said Barry Fox, gardens and grounds manager for SMO. “We’ve designed this program to cover the basics of gardening – it’s a great entry point for anyone who wants to start a garden but isn’t sure how, or for someone who has a garden but needs guidance on how to keep it healthy and thriving.” A 30-minute talk on each subject will start at 11 a.m. on select Saturdays through April at the Sideshow Science stage on the museum’s first floor, while the hands-on activity will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. or while supplies last in the SMO Gardens, weather permitting. Dates, topics and activities are:
n Jan. 18, Soil and Composting: Get the dirt on the minerals in top soil, how to improve a garden’s soil and find out what plants need to grow, plus make a worm home and find out how to start home composting for your garden. n Feb. 1, Roots: Uncover the different types of roots, how to establish a healthy root system and find out which plants have the deepest roots, plus explore what is growing in the SMO Gardens through nature weaving. n Feb. 15, Seeds: Dig up information about the different types of seeds, how seeds develop and how to start seeds of all kinds at home, plus make a “seed bomb” to take home. n Feb. 29, Stems: Not STEM, stems! Learn about different stems and surprising stems like potatoes as well as the purpose and parts of stems, plus decorate sticks with yarn and garden elements to take home. n March 28, Leaves: Learn about the importance of leaves, their parts and purpose, and what leaves have to do with water intake, plus explore different leaf textures through leaf rubbings. n April 4, Flowers: There is more to flowers than their good looks — explore the four parts of a flower and what they do, the importance of flowers, plus use flowers to make a painting. n April 18, Fruit: All flowers make fruit — learn all about fruits that float, fly and taste great, plus create an art piece from the colors in various fruits. For more information about Science Museum Oklahoma’s gardens, visit www.sciencemuseumok.org/gardens.
Oak Tree National designer Pete Dye dies at age 94 Last week world-renowned course architect Pete Dye passed away at the age of 94. Alongside his wife Alice, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 91, Dye created some of the most iconic golf courses in the game over a period of six decades. Dye and his wife, who were married for 69 years, designed over 100 courses in their time, some of which included TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium Course, Kiawah’s Ocean Course, Harbour Town, Whistling Straits’ Straits Course, Crooked Stick Golf Club, The Honors Course and Pete Dye Golf Club, as well as many more. He also designed Oak Tree National in Edmond. The Oak Tree project started in 1974 when Ernie Vossler and Joe Walser Jr. asked Dye to build a court in Edmond, that would test elite golfers. “And he did that,” Oak Tree pro Scott Verplank told The Oklahoman newspaper in 2013. “At times it probably was looked at as being too hard and severe. But it wasn’t that crazy. He built a great golf course in the Oklahoma prairies. He did a masterful job.” In a statement on Dye’s death released by the PGA Tour, commis-
sioner Jay Monahan stated “Pete’s influence is far-reaching, leaving a global imprint on both the amateur and professional games. He designed some of the best-known golf courses in the world, though none more recognizable than The Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. It was here that Pete masterfully brought Commissioner Deane Beman’s revolutionary stadium golf concept to life, melding Deane’s vision with a brilliantly designed course that is celebrated annually as one of the game’s great strategic courses during The Players Championship.” “Pete, though, was always quick to credit his beloved wife, Alice, with his success, including the concept for his most famous hole, the 17th island green at TPC Sawgrass. Together, Pete and Alice made a formidable team in golf and life.” In 2008 Dye was honored for his body of work by being inducted into golf’s World Hall of Fame. His last project as a course designer was a family project which resulted in this year’s opening of The Links at Perry Cabin in Saint Michaels, Maryland. Dye is survived by his two sons who are also course designers, Perry and P.B.
Pre-K application process announced for the EPS Edmond Public Schools will open its online application period for 2020-2021 pre-k programs Feb. 17March 6. By state law, children who are four-years-old, but not older than five-years-old, on or before Sept. 1, 2020, are eligible for the programs which are available on a space-available basis. The application process is not first-come, first-served. All applications are weighted equally regardless of when the online application is submitted. Applications can be accessed by going to the menu on www.edmondschools.net and looking under Programs. All applications must be received before 4:00 p.m., Friday, March 6. Once the application window closes, a random drawing will be held to fill the available spaces. Parents of children who are placed
into a pre-k program will be notified on April 2. “Once the application period closes March 6, we will take a detailed look at the number of applicants and compare that with our available classroom space and staffing and make any adjustments we can to serve as many students as possible,” said Price Brown, executive director of elementary education. Pre-k programs are free but transportation is not available. Parents are responsible for their children’s transportation. Information on pre-k curriculum, objectives and immunization requirements can be found on the district website. For more information, contact Dana Elkins at dana.elkins@edmondschools.net.
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Oklahoma families and Science Museum Oklahoma members are invited to experience crime scene science from 6-10 p.m. on Feb. 7 during SMO’s Late Nite Lab: Crime Scene Investigation. Museum members get a free child admission with the purchase of an adult admission to the after-hours family program, with up to three free child tickets. Pictured, guests attend a previous Late Nite Lab.
Crime-solving sciences comes to metro museum The science of solving crimes will come to Science Museum Oklahoma from 6-10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, during SMO’s next sensory-friendly family night out – Late Nite Lab: Crime Scene Investigation. “Many of us are captivated by the work of investigators and all that goes into solving crimes – there’s so much science in the work of detectives and their counterparts in the crime lab. This Late Nite Lab will have fascinating hands-on experiences just like you might find at the scene of a crime and back in the laboratory once all of the evidence has been collected,” said Greg Miller, director of education and training for SMO. The evening of intrigue will include fingerprinting, DNA extraction, blood typing, and creating codes and secret messages as families work together to learn the science behind solving crimes alongside SMO’s museum educators. Museum members get an exclusive discount on tickets — members receive one free child admission with the purchase of an adult admission,
with up to three free child tickets. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 3 and up, and children under age 3 are free. Ticket sales end at 7 p.m. on the day of each event. While SMO’s Late Nite Labs are not exclusively for families with children with sensory processing disorders, they are sensory-friendly evenings ideal for a family that wants a quieter experience than may be available during a typical day at the museum. In addition to themed activities, the full museum will be open and will include shows in the museum’s Kirkpatrick Planetarium at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. and a Science Live show at 9 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, firstserved basis for all shows. For families who need a snack or a drink, the museum’s café will be open from 6-9 p.m. SMO’s Late Nite Labs take place at the museum located at 2020 Remington Place in Oklahoma City. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.sciencemuseumok.org/late-nite-labs or call 405-602-3760.
Science Museum Oklahoma will be offering labs for junior crime detectives.
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PHOTO PROVIDED
Claire Holloway will do a demo for the Edmond Arts Association.
Meeting set Jan. 27
Edmond Arts Association names January art guest The Edmond Arts Association (EAA) is pleased to announce the program for its January meeting will be a demo by Claire Holloway, professional wildlife artist. Claire will provide a demo on wildlife painting to the members and guests of the EAA on Monday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Edmond Fine Art Institute, 27 E. Edwards Street in Edmond. Claire Holloway is an emerging wildlife artist studying at the University of Oklahoma’s School of Visual Art as well as the Oklahoma Academy of Classical Art. Since Claire is fascinated with the emotions, grace and power of animals, her paintings revolve around the stories of wild species. Particularly, how humans and animals interact. Although humans live in a separate constructed world than animals, the world these two species exist on is fundamentally the same. The stories created from these beneficial, symbiotic and even detrimental interactions are the main subject of Claire’s work. In the summer of 2019, Claire was an intern for the wildlife artist Ed-
ward Aldrich at his Colorado studio, and in a collaboration with her brother, hosted a concert series combing classical guitar and visual art. She is an assistant teacher at the Oklahoma Academy of Classical Art. In addition to wildlife, she is a pet portrait artist and creates portraits year-round. For more information on Claire – visit: https://clairehollowayart.wixsite.com /claires-art/gallery The EAA meeting is open to the public for a $5 charge. The EAA meets on the fourth Monday evening of most months, with speakers on subjects of interest to artists of all media. Membership is open to anyone interested in the arts. For more information please visit www.edmondart.org and like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/EdmondArtAssociation/ Next month’s meeting will feature photographer Donna Caughlin, on Monday/2-24-2020, who will present How to Photograph Your Artwork and Knowing When to Use Professional Imaging Services.
Carpenter Sq. Production
Charlotte’s parents are shocked when Charlotte shows them a picture of her new girlfriend in ‘The Mystery of Love and Sex’ by Bathsheba Doran playing at Carpenter Square Theatre running until Feb. 1. Pictured left to right are Amy Tucker, Hannah Youngblood, and Ed Spinelli. The production is rated R for strong language and adult situations. For tickets, call 405232-6500 or email csttix@coxinet.net. Visit www.carpentersquare.com for more information
Edmond Life & Leisure • January 16, 2020 • Page 9
Stitt wants school superintendent appointed By Carmen Forman Oklahoman.com Gov. Kevin Stitt wants Oklahoma's state schools chief to be appointed, a move that would give the governor more control over public education. Under the current system, Oklahoma voters elect a superintendent of public instruction — the state's top public education official, who leads the state Department of Education and serves on the state Board of Education. To change the current structure, legislators would have to refer to the ballot a constitutional amendment asking voters to decide whether Oklahoma’s state superintendent should be appointed instead of elected. Riding high after the Legislature expanded his power last year, Stitt has shifted his focus to re-envisioning the state's education structure. At least one high-ranking member of Oklahoma's Republican-controlled Legislature supports changing how the state superintendent is selected. In an interview with The Oklahoman, Stitt said he's frustrated by his limited ability to affect education policy. Oklahomans expect the governor to make education reforms, but don't understand the governor's hands are tied, he said. “When the governor’s elected by all four million Oklahomans, the people think that he or she’s supposed to be able to go in and make some different moves on education to get outcomes,” Stitt said. “That’s just common sense. That’s what I thought when I was sitting in Tulsa in the business world. That’s what people in Oklahoma think.” Of nearly 4 million Oklahomans, 644,579 voted for Stitt to become governor. Asked directly if he would like Oklahoma’s state schools superintendent to be appointed, Stitt did not mince words. “Yes, 100%,” he said, noting he has discussed the issue with some state legislators. Stitt did not specify if he would want to be able to appoint the state's top schools official himself or if he would want that power vested with the state Board of Education, which is almost entirely made up of gubernatorial appointees. Oklahoma is one of about a dozen states that elects its state superintendent. Most states allow the governor or the state Board of Education to appoint the state superintendent. Stitt does not want any changes to affect Joy Hofmeister, Oklahoma's current superintendent. Hofmeister, whose office declined to comment on the governor's remarks, was elected to her second and final term in 2018.
Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, said allowing Oklahoma's governor to appoint the state superintendent could drastically shift the balance of power and take power away from the people. "This would be a major shift for our state," she said. "I think as we continue to make improvements and get ourselves back on the right footing with the budget as well as with (education) policy, this would remove the voice of the people from that process." Oklahoma’s constitution spreads executive branch power among several statewide elected officials instead of solely with the governor. State legislators have tried before to change that structure. In 2011, Republican legislators advanced a bill to let the governor appoint the state superintendent, treasurer, insurance commissioner and labor commissioner, who are elected. Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, who now serves as the Senate pro tem, tried again to consolidate power under Oklahoma’s governor with legislation he introduced in 2013. Neither measure made it to a statewide vote. Treat still favors expanding the governor’s appointment power to include executive branch officials who currently are elected, and he has discussed the issue with Stitt, said spokesman Aaron Cooper. “The current office holders are doing a fine job, but Senator Treat believes this model works well at the federal level and in other states and would work well in Oklahoma, too,” Cooper said. Last year, Oklahoma's Legislature set a precedent of granting more power to the governor by giving Stitt direct oversight of five additional state agencies. Treat and House Speaker Charles McCall have said they plan to continue that trend this legislative session. If residents are unhappy with the state of education in Oklahoma, they should consider giving the governor the power to reform the state's education system, Stitt said. "I’m just trying to point out the hindrances, the reason that I believe that we’re not performing up to where other states are," he said. Oklahoma's Legislature and governor already have oversight of the state Board of Education, said Provenzano, a former teacher and public school administrator. In addition to getting to appoint six of the seven board members, the governor has a cabinet secretary devoted to education. The governor gets the final say on any education bills legislators approve, and the Legislature and governor also determine
Current school superintendent Joy Hofmeister
how much money to allocate to the Department of Education. The state superintendent is not to blame for years of education underfunding, Provenzano said. "The state of education in Oklahoma, and the work that we’re going to have to do to even get it back to where it once was, is a direct result of severe underfunding by the state Legislature for well over a decade," she said. "That does not fall at the feet of the state superintendent of education. That falls at the feet of the budgeting entities, which are the House, the Senate and the governor." In recent years, other states have taken steps to change how their
state superintendent is chosen. In 2018, South Carolina voters refused to give up their power to elect a state superintendent. But in Indiana, the state's Republican-controlled Legislature recently gave Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb the power to appoint the state's next schools chief in 2021. Oklahoma voters used to elect more executive branch officeholders and heads of some state agencies, but that has been pared back over the years. In 1975, voters approved a ballot measure to allow the governor to appoint some officials, like secretary of state, who used to be elected.
Page 10 • January 16, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure
Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side
One day of power I think I have to disagree with President Trump on a recent statement. He said that Nancy Pelosi was the most ineffective Speaker of the House ever. She might be, but I Steve Gust have a hard time seeing how she could be more ineffective than Theodore M. Pomeroy. In 1869 he succeeded Schuyler Colfax as Speaker of the House. And Mister Pomeroy's reign in the esteemed halls of Congress lasted for all of one day. It seems that Colfax was going to be sworn in as vice president on March 4 and he resigned on March 3, giving Pomeroy his shot at power. By March 5 there was yet another new House Speaker. When your tenure in an office is only one day, it's a bit tough to say how effective or ineffective you were. Pelosi may not be the most ineffective speaker, but she seems to be the most political. I for one, am not happy with divisive politics has become. That probably won't be changing anytime soon. Along that line, the presidential candidacy of Michael Bloomberg has
been interesting. Apparently money is no problem for him. He's already spent millions of dollars, and apparently that's just the tip of the iceberg. There will be at least one $10 million Super Bowl ad. On top of that, Bloomberg is pledging $1 billion to the Democratic nominee, even if it's not him. Bloomberg is redefining deep pockets. What's odd about that is a recent appearance Bloomberg made in Texas over the weekend. Even with the star power of Judge Judy, he was only able to draw 45 people. You'd think Judge Judy alone could have drawn more people than that. Seems to me, Trump has motivated the billionaires of the world to seek high office. They figure, if Trump can do it, anyone can. It is true that having money doesn't hurt your chances of being elected. Then again, a strong message is important as well. If that message connects with voters then it's as good as gold. A few Super Bowl ads don't hurt, but it takes more than just money to get people to vote for you. I believe Mr. Bloomberg is going to find that out. (Steve Gust may be reached at news@edmondpaper.com)
Public’s help is needed for foster care challenge By The Oklahoman Editorial Board The latest critique of the Department of Human Services’ child welfare practices provided considerable positive news and one particularly distressing concern. Our hope is that the latter can be addressed while improvements continue in the other areas. The report issued last week came from three out-of-state experts who monitor the state’s compliance with a 2012 agreement that settled a federal class-action lawsuit against DHS. The experts file two reports per year. Their previous one was mostly positive, and said DHS had made good-faith efforts to make substantial and sustained progress in 29 of the 31 target areas. The latest report also included several
highlights. These include a 37% reduction in the number of children abused in foster care settings during the most recent reporting period, reductions in worker caseloads, fewer uses of children’s shelters and the recruitment of 810 traditional foster homes. A primary concern cited by the monitors, however, was a continuing slide in the number of therapeutic foster homes, which cater to children with behavioral health needs. The overseers have warned repeatedly that Oklahoma needs more such homes, yet their number has fallen 82% since reforms began. The monitors said kids who need therapeutic foster care (TFC) aren’t getting it “either because of a lack of available TFC homes or a determination by the Oklahoma
Health Care Authority (OHCA) that they are ineligible for this level of care based on the criteria established by the state of Oklahoma.” The report highlighted problems DHS has had trying to get authorization from the Health Care Authority to place children in therapeutic foster care. Monitors also said DHS seemed to make problems of its own when it tried to create a new category of foster homes to take care of kids with greater behavioral needs than children already authorized for TFC placement. The report also criticized DHS for adding trauma to about 50 TFC kids by placing them in short-term placements for a brief time while trying to identify more suitable placements — a practice monitors said was ended soon after Justin Brown became DHS director in June. Brown wasn’t in charge during most of the period covered in the latest report, and says his team has put considerable work into fixing the TFC problem. DHS officials also say the agency’s work and communication with the Health Care Authority have improved in the past several months. That’s encouraging. Meantime, the head of DHS’s child welfare division, Deb Shropshire, made two important points in commenting on the latest report. The first is that the decline in TFC homes has occurred over many years. The second is that reversing the slide will require help not just from other agencies, but from Oklahomans willing to serve as foster parents and therapeutic foster care parents. The agency needs the public’s help, though. If interested, visit okdhs.org or call (800) 376-9729.
Higher age for tobacco a good start By Julie Bisbee, TSET Executive Director Last month, President Trump signed legislation that increased the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 years old. That move, one advocated for by TSET and other organizations, is a great first step toward decreasing youth tobacco addiction, but more remains to be done. A higher purchase age could prevent 223,000 premature deaths and 50,000 deaths from lung cancer nationwide, according to a report by the Institute of Medicine. Ninety-five percent of adult smokers began smoking before they turned 21. If we want to reduce adult smoking, we need to ensure that fewer young people start. We must also be vigilant in enforcing those laws. The adolescent brain develops until age 25 and our youth should not enter adulthood ham-
A higher purchase age could prevent 223,000 premature deaths and 50,000 deaths from lung cancer nationwide, according to a report by the Institute of Medicine. Ninety-five percent of adult smokers began smoking before they turned 21. pered by addiction. Stemming the tide of youth vaping should also be a priority. On Jan. 2 the FDA issued guidance that restricts flavors for cartridge-style vaping products – JUUL being the most popular. The new rules would stop the sale of flavored cartridge-based vapor products. Like most policies
Letters to the Editor policy We love mail, especially mail from Edmond Life & Leisure readers with complaints, compliments or comments about what they read here. The rules, even for e-mail letters: 1) You must tell us your full name; 2) You must give us your complete address and phone numbers (but we will identify you only by name); and 3) We reserve the right to edit letters for length, clarity and taste (our taste). 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.
– read the fine print. The flavor restrictions will apply only to cartridge-based e-cigarettes, not vape liquid for tank-style devices. JUUL and other makers of vaping cartridges can still sell menthol, a close cousin of JUUL’s best-selling mint flavor. State policies can take these protections further. Some states and communities have instituted bans on flavors including menthol, which has been shown to make tobacco products more attractive to children. Oklahoma lags in protecting workers from secondhand smoke and state leaders could pass a comprehensive smoke-free policy in Oklahoma. Current clean indoor air laws include exemptions that expose 30,000 workers to the hazards of second-hand smoke, not to mention making it harder for current smokers to quit. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in Oklahoma and across the country, and it costs every Oklahoman $545 each year, whether they smoke or not. Tobacco Stops With Me, a program of TSET, outlined a seven-point policy plan to reduce the smoking rate by half in ten years and keep kids safe from nicotine addiction. We should build on this momentum to protect young people from tobacco and create a healthier Oklahoma. Visit StopWithMe.com to learn more.
Julie Bisbee is executive director of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), a voter-created grant-making trust devoted to preventing cancer and cardiovascular disease, Oklahoma’s leading causes of death.
Edmond Life & Leisure • January 16, 2020 • Page 11
What’s Happening This Weekend Jan 16 -19 Thursday, Jan. 16 ---- In the Gallery ---- David B. Hooten, Trumpeter: The Legends of Dixieland ---- OKC Broadway presents: Miss Saigon Friday, Jan. 17 ---- In the Gallery ---- Souled Out ---- International Finals Rodeo ---- OKC Broadway presents: Miss Saigon ---- Oklahoma Winter Bead & Jewelry Show ---- Oklahoma City Home & Garden Show Saturday, Jan. 18 ---- In the Gallery ---- International Finals Rodeo ---- Equilibrium ---- Hello Kitty Kids Sugar Cookie Decorating Class ---- Llamas & Cactus (Beginners) Sugar Cookie Decorating Class ---- Chris Tucker ---- Tyler Lee Band ---- OKC Broadway presents: Miss Saigon ---- Oklahoma Winter Bead & Jewelry Show ---- Oklahoma City Home & Garden Show ---- Repticon Reptile & Exotic Animal Show Sunday, Jan. 19 ---- In the Gallery ---- International Finals Rodeo ---- Llamas & Cactus (Beginners) Sugar Cookie Decorating Class ---- OKC Broadway presents: Miss Saigon ---- Oklahoma Winter Bead & Jewelry Show ---- Oklahoma City Home & Garden Show ---- Repticon Reptile & Exotic Animal Show ---- PJ Masks Live 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 David B. Hooten, Trumpeter: The Legends of Dixieland Location: Armstrong Auditorium Extra Info: $23 ---- $48; 7:30 p.m.; for more information go to armstrongauditorium.org Souled Out Location: UCO Jazz Lab Extra Info: $20 cash or check; 8 p.m.; for more information find them on Facebook
International Finals Rodeo Location: Lazy E Arena Extra Info: $20; for more information go to ipra-rodeo.com Tyler Lee Band Location: River Lounge, Riverwind Casino Extra Info: 9 p.m.; for more information visit then at riverwind.com Equilibrium Location: UCO – Jazz Lab Extra Info: $10 cash or check; 8 p.m.; for more information go to ucojazzlab.com Hello Kitty Kids Sugar Cookie Decorating Class Location: Sweets on the Side Extra Info: $25, 11:30 a.m.; for more information go to sweetsontheside.com Llamas & Cactus (Beginners) Sugar Cookie Decorating Class Location: Sweets on the Side Extra Info: $55, 6 p.m. & 3 p.m. on Sun; for more information go to sweetsontheside.com Chris Tucker Location: Showplace Theatre, Riverwind Casino Extra info: $30 ---- $40; 7 p.m.; for information go to riverwind.com OKC Broadway presents: Miss Saigon Location: Civic Center Music Hall Extra Info: for showtimes and tickets go to okcbroadway.com Oklahoma Winter Bead & Jewelry Show Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park Extra Info: for more information visit aksshow.com Oklahoma City Home & Garden Show Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park Extra Info: for more information and tickets visit oklahomacityhomeshow.com Repticon Reptile & Exotic Animal Show Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park Extra Info: for more information and tickets visit repticon.com Oklahoma Gun Show Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park Extra Info: for more information and tickets visit oklahomagunshows.com PJ Masks Live Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena Extra Info: for information go to chesapeakearena.com If you have an item for the Weekend Calendar, please send it to Melinda Infante at infante318@cox.net. There is no charge.
Resident to seek state office Edmond resident, Randall Thompson announced last week that he is running for Oklahoma State House District 96, which encompasses portions of Oklahoma County and represents all or portions of Arcadia, Choctaw, Edmond, Harrah, Jones, Luther and Oklahoma City. “I believe Oklahoma is on the right path to be a top-10 state. There is still a lot of work to do. Government transparency, along with deregulation for business growth, are some issues that need to be tackled,” Thompson says. “Also, we will do more to help law enforcement agencies as well as current and former military personnel. We will find a creative solution to those affected by increasing mental health afflictions. Mental health is not only a public health crisis, it is also costing our state millions in tax dollars.” With his business acumen, vision and well-rounded experience, Thompson is a promising leader eager to serve his home state. Thompson was born and raised in Snyder, Oklahoma. He attended Guthrie High School and Redlands
Community College in El Reno. He served as a sheriff’s deputy and police officer for over four years and is a former councilmember and mayor of Crescent, Oklahoma. Randall began a career in the oil and gas industry in 2006 and currently holds the position of Chief Development Officer for Endurance Lift Solutions GL Division, a company that supplies artificial lift analytics and applications throughout the country. “I believe in public service and giving back to the community,” Thompson says. “I am confident that together we will strengthen Oklahoma’s turnaround. We will collaborate and innovate to find creative solutions for the challenges we face. In doing so, we will take a position of being proactive to prevent these challenges from resurfacing in the future. We can do this together.” Thompson, 39, is married to his wife Amie of 13 years. They have three beautiful children: Cassidy (19), Nate (10), and Mark (7). He serves on several industry boards and committees and participates in various hobbies.
Page 12 • January 16, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure
The State Fair Park will again be host for the annual Home & Garden show this weekend.
This winter make plans for a beautiful garden Take a break from the chill of winter and step inside the warmth of Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show. With full-size landscapes, colorful flowers and plants and the newest home products, the show will brighten the season and help you look forward to spring. This year’s show will be Jan. 17-19 and will feature more than 400 exhibitors and experts in landscaping, gardening, remodeling and home décor. Show highlights include: n Dee Nash – Oklahoma’s own garden writer and speaker, beekeeper and butterfly rancher will share her vast knowledge on gardening and growing in our unique state. n Landscaper’s Lane – More than 3,000 sq. ft. of the Bennett Event Center will be transformed by three metro landscapers into a lush landscape of trees, plants and flowers. Enter to win a prize by voting for your favorite landscape design. n Ask a Designer – The latest styles will be showcased in a design lab space by Decorating Den Interiors, and interior decorators will offer consultations on how to create a design for any home.
n Workshop Stage – Visit the Centennial INSPIRATION Building to hear presentations and see demonstrations from local experts on home décor, gardening and remodeling. Top professionals will also offer advice for all your questions. n Baby Boomer Boulevard – Exhibitors will showcase the latest trends and innovative ideas to help and encourage people to live in their homes longer. Visitors can learn more about specialty products, remodeling ideas and thoughtful innovations to help make their home, or a loved one’s home, more comfortable and livable. n Wine Village – Stop in the Bennett Event Center to sample and learn about some of the best wineries and vineyards in the region. n Garden Market – Find inspiration for spring among the fresh plants and garden accessories in this abundant market. n Homegrown Marketplace – Local artisans will showcase hand-crafted items from unique home décor and specialty food to art pieces and other one-of-a-kind finds. n Trades Day – Friday, January 17 will celebrate men and women who work in the skilled trades in-
dustry. Wear your uniform or bring an industryspecific business card to the box office to receive free admission. n Hero Day – Active and retired military, firefighters and police officers can attend free on Sunday, January 19 by showing a valid service ID. The Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show, held Jan. 17-19 at the State Fair Park, offers national and local professional advice for gardening and home improvement, as well as the opportunity to shop, save and compare on home and gardening products. The show will be held in the Bennett Event Center and the Centennial INSPIRATION Building. The show will be open Friday, 12 to 9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission for adults is $12 at the box office or $10 when purchased online at www.oklahomacityhomeshow.com. Seniors tickets are $9 on Friday. Attendees can also receive discounted tickets at the customer service desk at Buy For Less and Uptown Grocery locations. Children under 12 are free. For more information or questions about the events or tickets, visit the website or call 321-662-4796.
Edmond Life & Leisure • January 16, 2020 • Page 13
GRAPHIC PROVIDED
The newly elevated University of Central Oklahoma School of Design is launching a capital campaign for the renovations of the UCO-acquired St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, located just west of Central’s Campus. Artist renderings created by UCO School of Design faculty depict the building and classroom space after the renovations.
On former property of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
UCO School of Design to launch capital improvement campaign By Carla Hinton Oklahoman.com The University of Central Oklahoma will house its new School of Design on property it purchased from a local church several years ago. University leaders said the School of Design is launching a capital campaign to renovate the St. Mary's Episcopal Church property just west of campus at 326 E First. Steven Akins, director of marketing for the UCO's College of Fine Arts and Design, said the School of Design formerly was known as the Department of Design. He said the university recently completed the process to elevate its status from an academic department to a school. The announcement about the campaign brings an end to community speculation about the university's use for the church property. The church and university agreed to swap properties in 2016, with the church paying the school a sum of money in addition to the land exchange. The St. Mary's congregation agreed to swap its 3 acres of property adjacent to UCO in exchange for 23 acres of property near Broadway and Covell Road, plus $1.4 million.The agreement was designed to give the landlocked church an opportunity to move closer to its affiliate school, St. Mary's School at 505 E Covell Road. The move also was expected to alleviate parking concerns for the congregation. At the time of the property agreement, UCO leaders agreed to lease the First Street property to St. Mary's for up to three years to give the congregation time to move. University leaders had no specific plans for the St. Mary's property at the time of the agreement.
A look inside at the classroom.
The Rev. Mark Story, the church's rector, said his congregation initially was given until the end of 2019 to vacate the church complex. However, the university extended St. Mary's time to move when plans for the church's new building were stalled. Story said leaders with the city of Edmond wanted to discuss more details about the church's new building site, particularly its compliance with the city's tree requirements. Story said the congregation now plans to move out in April. The rector said the church will move its office to St. Mary's School, 505 E Covell Road and hold worship services there as well until its new church building is completed. Meanwhile, Akins said the St. Mary’s property will allow the School of Design to consolidate into a single, larger space, which will help enhance fac-
ulty communication and collaboration and allow classes to be scheduled based on students' needs. Currently, the school has three design labs spread out among three buildings, three sets of faculty offices spread over two buildings and class schedules that run from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. due to the lack of available classrooms, Akins said. "Most universities, there's almost always a shortage of space," Akins said. "From the College of Fine Arts and Design's standpoint, we're very happy that the university made our needs a priority. Really, there are so many things that could have been done with this property." In a news release, Steven Hansen, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Design, said funds have been saved for renovations to the church property and the college is hoping to augment costs through fundraising and philanthropy.
Page 14 • January 16, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure
U.S. Judge nominee Senator James Lankford (R-Edmond) last week introduced Oklahoma attorney, Mr. John F. Heil, III, at his nomination hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee to serve as a US District Judge for the Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Oklahoma. Heil was nominated by President Trump last year. From left to right: Mr. John Heil, III, Mrs. Melanie Heil, and Senator James Lankford For more information about Senator Lankford, visit: www.Lankford.Senate.Gov.
PHOTO PROVIDED
From left are Grant Brannum, IRS agent, Paula Spadaccini, Newcomer president, and Kevin Markey, FBI agent.
Federal agents share safety advice with club Grant Brannum and Kevin Markey recently gave safety tips to Edmond Newcomers Club. Brannum of the IRS and Markey from the FBI worked together for the last 20 years closely monitoring the financial crimes task force for the U.S. state attorney’s office. Markey stressed tips to help thwart identity theft. Using different passwords, verifying and authenticating safety codes and questions were stressed. Passwords are important- the more difficult the better. Brannum’s tips were to never ask program apps to save your password, use different browsers for different activities, do not use apps on phone and never use public wifi. Be sure to update your virus protection, use debit cards sparingly, and use informed delivery from the post office. This educational program with its timely tips should be of interest to all citizens. Newcomer members greatly
appreciated this educational. Newcomers is not just for new citizens of Edmond. The social club is focused on anyone who would like to meet other people in Edmond. Newcomers of Edmond provides a quality of life through socializing and meeting other women through a variety of events and interest groups. These clubs meet once a month and would love to have you join: Bridge, Bunco, Book Club, Discover Oklahoma, and Mah Jong. Each group is looking for new participants. Newcomers is all about socializing. Monthly meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month at 10:00 am at the First Christian Church in downtown Edmond at 201 East Second Street. Educational begins at 10:30 a.m. Several go out to lunch after meetings. Contact information for the club is Paula Spadaccinni at 405-285-8075. We would love to have you attend.
Edmond Life & Leisure • January 16, 2020 • Page 15
‘Little Women’ cast phenomenal By George Gust “Little Women” finds itself in the cannon of the classic period novels of the likes of “Pride and Prejudice” “Great Gatsby” and “Jane Eyre.” And much like the ebbs and flows of comic book characters in recent times it seems every generation has a new adaptation for a new audience providing a familiar platform for fresh talent in front of and behind the camera. 2019’s “Little Women” is written for the screen and directed by the critically acclaimed filmmaker Greta Gerwig (“Lady Bird”) and starring her frequent collaborator out characters that have distinctive perspectives on and perpetually Oscar nominated Saoirse Ronan womanhood in their time that echoes to today. (“Brooklyn” “Lady Bird” and now for her performThis film is the kind of movie you can watch again ance in “Little Women”). and again with your focus on a different sister and Jo March (Ronan) reflects back and forth on her get a different experience that is satisfying. life, telling the beloved story of the March sisters "Little Women" is mainly a movie featuring peo(Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen) ple talking to each other in rooms, but every scene four young women each determined to live life on brings an interesting visual element. Whether it’s their own terms during and shortly after the Amerthe soft 'natural' lighting or compelling camera ican Civil War. movements, the film can gives you the nostalgic In a Hollywood system dominated by men, Gerwarm and cozy feeling of the time while also being wig stands out as a strong voice for women. While able to coldly take you through some of the you might look at adapting "Little Women" as a harsher realities of the time period. safe choice for her directorial follow up to the critiFrom the compelling performances, cozy setting, cally acclaimed "Ladybird," but with her adaptation and dynamic storytelling style of Gerwig, "Little she has brought a timelessness to the familiar story Women" is an utter delight. Now Oscar nominated that hits on timely themes in an organic and powfor Best Adapted Screenplay, Lead Actress (Ronan), erful way. Gerwig, along with the immensely talSupporting Actress (Dern and Pugh), and Costume ented cast, brought the beloved characters to life Design "Little Women" is a movie well worth the in a way that leaps off the screen during a time in price of admission. history that you normally only see in dusty text“Little Women” is rated PG for thematic elebooks or faded black and white photos. ments and brief smoking. The performances of "Little Women" are phe4.8 out of 5 stars nomenal across the board, from the supporting cast to the three main leads. Laura Dern (Oscar nominated for this role), as the matriarch of the Marsh family, and Chris Cooper, as the wealthy neighbor, are richly drawn as supporting characters, and feel like wellrounded characters that are given only fleeting moments of characterization, but are compelling even though they are brief. And the three main leads of Ronan, Watson and Pugh, all turn in Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson and Florence Pugh bring to life Louisa May performances that are imAlcott's classic characters in writer/director Greta Gerwig's sweetly warm pressive and create fleshed adaptation of ‘Little Women.’
Stipends available The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation (OCF) is eager to distribute more than $23,000 in scholarships to students in 2020. The scholarships are available for current college students at an Oklahoma college or university with definite plans to continue in the fall or graduating high school seniors who have an interest in the beef cattle industry. "The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation is dedicated to preserving the heritage of the West and the viability of Oklahoma's beef cattle industry through research and education," said Taylor Shackelford, OCF Coordinator. "I cannot think of a better way to preserve our industry than by investing in young people who display a sincere interest in cattle and Oklahoma ranching." Students fill out 1 application to apply for multiple scholarships by the March 12 deadline. The electronic application can be found at okcattlemen.org. Winners will be notified in late spring to make travel arrangements for their respective award ceremonies. The first half of scholarship presentations will take place during the 68th Annual Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association Convention and Trade Show in Norman with the remainder being recognized during the 36th Annual OCA Ranch Rodeo
Crossword Puzzle STATEPOINT CROSSWORD
cal
THEME: SUPER BOWL
DOWN 1. Angler's enemy 2. Type of cotton fiber 3. Sound of pride 4. Do like a good citizen 5. Family subdivisions 6. Contributes 7. *54 8. Lemur from Madagascar 9. The only one 10. *Ronde to Tiki or Maurkice to Mike 11. *Gambling ____ 12. Pirate's "yes" 15. Echo 20. *Popular stadium snack 22. Nile reptile 24. Clergy house 25. *Halftime show sponsor 26. "Encore!" 27. *What halftime performer does 29. 43 Across residents
ACROSS 1. Wheel stopper 6. "Stinging" Muhammad 9. Greek portico 13. She turned to stone, mythology 14. Loud noise 15. *Like many football fans 16. At full speed 17. VHS successor 18. Omit 19. *Miami ____ 21. *They won their first two Super Bowl appearances 23. Time division 24. Do like phoenix 25. "Swan Lake" steps 28. It often follows tooth or back 30. What oars do 35. Part of a jousting outfit 37. Dickens! 39. Donkey in Mexico 40. Glazier's unit 41. *Like Bud at a party 43. Farm structure 44. Fraternal letter 46. Miso bean 47. Make wet 48. Unmoved 50. Agitate 52. Tasseled hat 53. Colloquial approval 55. Opposite of paleo 57. *Tonowanda ____, shortestlived team in NFL history 60. *Hard Rock ____ 64. In the buff 65. Rapscallion 67. It's common? 68. What time does 69. Lawyers' league 70. Load carrier 71. Extend credit 72. Noncleri-
73. Roommate annoyance
31. "That hurts!" 32. Measure of alcohol 33. Jagged, as a leaf's edge 34. *Halftime performer 36. Highway hauler 38. Boxer's last blow 42. House coat 45. Not seeing eye to eye 49. Tiny Tim's guitar 51. To the lowest degree, pl. 54. Relating to axis 56. Theater to Socrates 57. Leafy green 58. Similar 59. *Hall of Famers Ed or Andre 60. Neuter 61. Division word 62. ____ agreement 63. BÈbÈ's mother 64. *Super Bowl owner 66. Wharton degree
See Answers Page 23
Answers Page 23
Page 16 • January 16, 2020 • Edmond Life & Leisure
The Branch, Oklahoma Christian University’s new cafeteria, serves freshly prepared food, often made-to-order.
OC welcomes The Branch a new cafeteria on campus Oklahoma Christian University opened the doors to The Branch, a new cafeteria that elevates the quality of food served and features an all new menu in a space flooded with natural light. Students have highly anticipated the upgrade in dining. “It’s always nice to have good food, but adding a view makes me want to come here earlier,” said sophomore Amelia Stanford. Typically, Amelia grabbed something for breakfast on her way to class. Today she ate eggs and veggies at a table with friends and waved to other classmates as they walked outside by the windows. A freshman entering college, who graduates in four years, will eat about 2,880 meals Kurt’s Court, located near the entrance to the new cafeduring that time. Fami- teria, honors a lifetime of friendship, leadership and lies rarely consider the service of Kurt and Debbie Hermanson of UDining. quality of a campus cafeteria when selectmajor gift from a former OC Presiing a university although nutrition af- dent and First Lady, Alfred and Judy fects each student’s health and Branch inspired the name. academic performance. The impor‘The Branch’ continues a long histant role of food in a university stutory of generosity from the Branches dent’s life has been President of to the university. The new name was UDining Kurt Hermanson’s primary revealed at a pre-opening dinner focus for 40 years. where Alfred Branch reflected on col“This new cafeteria sets the stanleagues and mentors from whom he dard for culinary excellence in higher learned generosity. education,” said Hermanson. “Our “Giving is a blessing we should all staff interacts with students more experience and something I’m intenthan anyone else on campus. We see tionally teaching my children. For us, them multiple times a day and have it must be something important, opportunities to know them individu- something we can create a passion ally and impact their life. We serve around and something that impacts high quality, nourishing food and cre- the community and the kingdom of ate a space for them to develop com- God,” said Alfred Branch. munity around a dining table,” said OC worked with trusted contracHermanson. tors and vendors who have a history Hermanson launched fund raising with university building projects. GSB in 2015, when he donated $1 million Architects designed the vibrant new earmarked for the dining facility. space that was built by Smith and Harry and Brenda Patterson, Richard Pickel Construction. Ricca Designs and Pat Lawson, Mark and Beth planned the kitchen flow that is outBrewer, Benton and Paula Baugh, the fitted by Oswalt Restaurant Supply. Gaylord and Mabee foundations and The modern sitting arrangements many other friends of the university came from Copeline’s Contract Furnimade it possible to build the new ture. Other key contributors include kitchen and dining space without Basement Contractors and Newman using any tuition revenue. However, a Development.
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ID’ing a condition that affects millions By Dr. C.V. Ramana More than 30 million Americans suffer from chronic venous insufficiency, but only 10 percent seek treatment for it, according to the Society for Vascular Medicine. The symptoms of venous disease can vary greatly. Venous symptoms can often be so insidious that, after treatment, patients are surprised to realize how much chronic discomfort they had accepted as “normal.” Common symptoms include burning, swelling, throbbing, cramping, and leg fatigue. Physical examination of the lower extremities is often useful in the diagnosis of venous disease. Some people will notice swelling, changes in the color and texture of the skin, dry scaling, itching skin, visible spider veins or bulging veins in the calf and thigh. Others will experience more serious soft tissue changes that develop as the disease progresses which include chronic inflammation or cellulitis,
varicosities that bleed without warning, or wounds that come up like small blisters and take a long time to heal. The most serious complications from chronic venous insufficiency are blood clots and non-healing wounds that become infected – sometimes spreading to bone or into the bloodstream. Understanding venous disease means understanding the function of the venous system. Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart and lungs to be replenished with oxygen. To reach the heart- blood needs to flow upward, against gravity, from the veins in the legs. The contraction of the muscles in the legs help to squeeze the veins and push the blood upward. Veins contain one way valves to keep the blood flowing up and prevent backflow. Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when these valves become damaged allowing blood to leak backwards and pool in the veins
of the lower extremities. Over time, this malfunction of the valves causes weakening of the vein walls. Pressure in the veins and vein wall injury cause a chronic state of inflammation which result in the progressive clinical changes discussed previously, such as swelling, bulging veins, skin changes or the more serious risk factor, blood clots. Blood clots that form in the deep veins of the legs can travel to the lungs and cause serious injury, even death.
Risk factors of this condition include: n Family history of the problem n Overweight n Damage to extremity due to injury, surgery, or previous blood clots n Prolonged sitting or standing n Multiple pregnancies n Lack of mobility or exercise In order to diagnose CVI, a com-
See Condition, Page 18
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Condition From Page 17 plete medical history as well as a physical examination of the patient's legs are required. A vascular ultrasound may also be useful to examine the blood flow in the legs. Like any disease, CVI is most easily treated in the early stages. Treatment strategies include avoiding long periods of standing and sitting, regular exercise, weight loss, elevation of legs at night, practicing good hygiene and treating active skin infections. Properly fitting, medical grade support hose called compression stockings are a common treatment option from a conservative approach. Compression stockings come in different lengths and compression strength. To ensure a proper fit, compression stockings should be prescribed by a health care provider. Endovenous thermal ablation is a relatively new technique that uses a laser to create heat in the af-
fected vein causing it to collapse. This technique is minimally invasive, can be done in under an hour, involves less pain than traditional therapies such as ligation and stripping, and allows for a quick return to normal activities. Sclerotherapy involves injection of a solution directly into the vein that causes the vein to collapse and disappear. If you recognize signs or symptoms of CVI, it can be discussed with one of the many specialists who offer treatment options – including cardiologists, vascular surgeons, and interventional radiologists. You are also welcome to call our Vascular Center to discuss the case or make a referral. You can contact us at 405608-8884. (Dr. Ramana is an interventional radiologist and works for Naadi Healthcare.)
Bracelet helps to keep tabs on those with impairments Sunbeam Family Services provides safety and security to individuals in the metro are prone to wondering. Care Trak, a bracelet that contains an emergency locator transmitter, emits a radio frequency that can be picked up by a receiver. This program is open to Oklahomans who have been diagnosed by a doctor with Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, Down syndrome, a traumatic brain injury or any cognitive impairment. “Care Trak gives peace of mind and can take some of the stress off of a caregiver,” said Talena Ford, caregiver fundamentals program manager. “When a family discovers their loved one is missing, the Care Trak bracelet can help their loved one within a matter of minutes. The mobile receiver picks up the radio signals from the person’s bracelet, which is registered with the Oklahoma City Police Department or Norman Police
Department. This bracelets pinpoints the individual’s exact location, like a store in the mall.” Nationwide, Care Trak has found thousands of missing persons since its inception in 1986. The bracelet, which is worn 24 hours a day, looks similar to a watch and can be worn on the wrist or ankle. “We work with families to ensure Care Trak is affordable,” said Ford. “After the placement of the device, the bracelet is available at a low cost of $3 per month to replace the batteries, with no contract and can be returned if not the right option for your family.” For more information visit sunbeamfamilyservices.org/care-trak or contact Talena Ford at tford@sunbeamfamilyservices.org or 405.609.6551. Established in 1907, Sunbeam is Oklahoma’s longest-serving social service agency.
Don’t let glaucoma catch you off guard Vision should never be taken for granted. Appreciating one's sense of sight involves scheduling routine eye exams and taking steps to protect one's eyes. But safeguarding vision also involves understanding the various conditions that can affect eye health. Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that can lead to progressive damage to the optic nerve. People who experience glaucoma can lose nerve tissue and eventually suffer vision loss. Understanding what contributes to glaucoma can help people take the steps necessary to reduce their risk. The American Optometric Association says that glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness for people over the age of 60 - although it can occur at any age. The Mayo Clinic states that many forms of glaucoma produce no warning signs and changes in vision may occur so gradually they are not detected until the condition has reached an advanced stage. There are various types of glaucoma. However, primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form, affecting about three million Americans, indicates the Glaucoma Research Foundation. Primary open-angle glaucoma occurs when the eye's drainage canals become clogged over time and fluid cannot drain out of the eye. As a result, intraocular pressure rises and damages the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting signals from the eye to the brain. People with a family history
of glaucoma, African Americans over age 40 and Hispanics over the age of 60 have an increased risk, says the AOA. Those with thin corneas, which is the outer layer of the eye, also are at an elevated risk of developing glaucoma. A less common type of glaucoma is called acute-closure glaucoma, which occurs due to an abrupt and rapid increase of eye pressure. This is an emergency situation that requires prompt care to prevent vision loss. An eye doctor will conduct various tests to determine if a patient is at risk for glaucoma. The Mayo Clinic says tonometry is commonly used to measures intraocular pressure. During this test, the eye surface will be anesthetized with special drops. A tonometer will be applied lightly to the cornea, indenting it slightly. The resistance will be measured and calculated to determine if pressure is present. Other tests include the following: n imaging tests that look for optic nerve damage that involve a dilated eye examination; n visual field tests to check for areas of vision loss; n pachymetry, which measures corneal thickness; and n an inspection of the drainage angle of the eye. The effects of glaucoma cannot be reversed, but glaucoma can be caught early.
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Challenges seniors face with transfer trauma When an individual residing in a nursing facility must move or be transferred, the experience is stressful, but trauma can be minimized with expertise to guide the transition and reduce the disruption caused by change. Change can be thrust upon individuals living in nursing facilities, often without consent or preparation, and the consequences can be dire. Moving is difficult for everyone. Even when desired, a move from one nursing facility to another is always challenging. Individuals must adjust to new places, faces, and routines. A move can be more stressful for those individuals who may have no desire to move or little choice about where they will be moved to which can be dependent upon available beds, level of care and proximity to those involved in their lives, personally and professionally. When a facility to closes its doors and all residents have to be relocated, stress is inevitable. When the move is necessary, the experience may be bewildering at best, and traumatic at worst. But trauma isn't inevitable. When individuals transfer to good facilities and transition expertise has guided the move, distress will be minimized and will ease with time. A Cluster of Symptoms Symptoms of transfer trauma may occur before, during, and for several months after a move and may be mild or severe depending on the individual and the circumstances. The reactions to a sudden move can be evidenced in mood, behavior, and physiological symptoms. Mood symptoms include feeling sad, angry, irritable, depressed, anxious, or tearful because often the individual does not know or fully understand what is happening to them. The individual may wonder if they have done something to cause this sudden move when in reality, the move and the circumstances surrounding the move, are out of their control. Behavior-related symptoms include combativeness, screaming, complaining, and generally challenging behaviors. They might wander, shut down, withdraw, refuse care, isolate themselves, and refuse to take their medications. Physiological symptoms can include confusion, pain, falling, rapid heartbeat from anxiety, sleeplessness, poor appetite, weight loss or gain, drug seeking, and increased coping through a bad habit such as drinking or smoking, she says. In addition, there may be other physiological complaints such as a sudden onset of irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion,
or nausea. Some residents may make statements such as "I want to go home. Why did they put me here? How do I get out of here?" When a move is initiated suddenly or the change is not welcome, the symptoms may be multiplied. If unaddressed, the consequences of transfer trauma can be severe, potentially resulting in an erosion of cognitive and physical functioning. There's the possibility that the person will elope from the facility and get hurt or lost as well as the possibility that behaviors can escalate to the point at which the safety of another resident or a staff member can be compromised. Who's at Risk? Any time there is a move, there's the potential for transfer trauma. The risk is greater for individuals with dementia who can't participate in decision making and have difficulty assimilating new information. At the core of transfer trauma is fear, loss of control, loss of choice, and lack of the familiar. Those most at risk for transfer trauma are individuals with Alzheimer's/dementia who have trouble adjusting to change. In the early stages of dementia and even after, persons with dementia retain strong long-term memory, but
their limitations in short-term memory and new learning memory disrupt their ability to cope with change. The unknown and the unfamiliar cause fear and anxiety that may remain until they are able to forge new relationships, get better acquainted with a different physical environment, and gradually adjust to change. Transfer trauma reactions can occur in individuals whether or not they are cognitively challenged, but the degree to which symptoms will occur is likely to be less in those without those challenges. Distress can occur in anyone and is often unrecognized or acknowledged, individuals who do not have dementia may be misdiagnosed, their transfer trauma symptoms being attributed to delirium or dementia when in fact they're simply confused by waking up in a new place that they may not have been involved in choosing. Choice is a significant factor influencing risk of transfer trauma. When a sense of self-determination is diminished, trauma is more likely to occur. There is sometimes a correlation between the level of agreement to move with the reaction to the move. Those who don't find the move necessary, or those who are adamant about wanting to remain where they are, often take more time to adjust. In addition, when individuals perceive that they're being bossed around and they have a loss of choice and control, their symptoms may be exacerbated.
The nature of the setting can also be an indicator of the degree to which individuals may suffer. Long term care communities that don't truly deliver person-centered care and those that treat residents more like a disease than a person will see the greatest amount and severity of transfer trauma. Prevention — How Social Workers Can Help Social workers, by advocating for their residents, are key to helping to prevent transfer trauma. Social workers can advocate for the right placement in the right level of care, involving the residents to the highest degree possible, and devote themselves to whatever they can do to help the resident adjust, encouraging the highest possible level of communication among all parties. It's key that clients with dementia are placed in settings where people understand dementia care and appreciate the challenges and can help residents navigate a new environment. The only good way to prevent transfer trauma is to involve the individual in the decision as much as is possible. For those individuals who truly are incapable of fully making decisions concerning transitions, social workers must ensure that caregivers are able to speak on the resident’s behalf with the resident’s best interest in mind. To ease their journey through the adjustment period, help new residents establish quality relationships with staff and other residents, reduce their fears and anxiety.
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Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist Scott Plafker, Ph.D.
Researchers study link with MS drug & the loss of vision Scientists at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation are investigating how an FDA-approved multiple sclerosis drug affects one of the most common symptoms of the disease: vision loss. MS is a complex autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissues. The disease attacks myelin, the protective layer that covers nerves throughout the body. Myelin loss damages the nervous system’s ability to carry signals to and from the brain, causing a wide range of symptoms. At some point, more than 50 percent of all MS patients will experience optic neuritis, which occurs when the myelin protecting the optic nerve is stripped away, resulting in temporary blindness. “MS flares cause worsening of this vision loss, but when the flares resolve, the vision usually comes back,” said OMRF scientist Scott Plafker, Ph.D., who led the study. “In some cases, though, repeated flares lead to permanent vision loss. We need to come up with strategies to prevent this.” In the search for better ways to treat, or even potentially thwart, optic neuritis, Plafker and a team of researchers looked at a drug called dimethyl fumarate, or DMF, which was approved for treatment of MS in 2013. “DMF is one of many compounds approved for MS treatment, but there had never been reports of whether this compound worked — in mice or human patients—for resolving optic neuritis,” said Plafker. “We decided to take on that project.” His lab revealed that DMF had more positive effects on reducing motor deficits in mouse models but only modestly lessened the severity of optic neuritis. To better understand how DMF works in humans, Plafker teamed up with physicians in OMRF’s Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence in a retrospective chart analysis of MS patients using DMF. “We looked exclusively at patients who never got off the medication to get a better grasp of how it impacted optic neuritis,” he said. “Of the 52 patients we studied, only two ever had a single episode of optic neuritis while taking DMF. That is an incredibly exciting aspect of this study.” Plafker said DMF appears to be stopping the recurrence of optic neuritis in these patients, which could potentially help prevent the pain and blindness that occurs with flares, but it may also stop long-term damage or permanent blindness. “This is potentially very important clinically, because a patient and a doctor would want this kind of information when coming up with a strategy to combat patient-specific MS,” he said. Other OMRF researchers who contributed to the findings were Katarzyna Zyla, Chelsea Larabee, Constantin Georgescu, Ph.D., Chelsea Berkley, M.D., and Tania Reyna, M.D. The work was supported by funding from the National Eye Institute, a part of the National Institutes of Health, as well as the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) and the Presbyterian Health Foundation.
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5,366 homes built last year
A look at metro builders By Richard Mize Oklahoman.com For bar betting and general purposes, here are some major year-end homebuilding stats for the metro area, compiled by Dharma Inc. in Norman for its Builder Report. Builders were busy in 2019. Last year ended with 5,366 new homes started, 10.6% more than in 2018. The Builder Report tracks construction in Oklahoma City, unincorporated Oklahoma County, Bethany, Blanchard, Choctaw, Edmond, Midwest City, Moore, Mustang, Newcastle, Noble, Norman, Shawnee and Yukon. Builders in north Oklahoma City, still with land for building, built more than builders in south Oklahoma City, which has less undeveloped property. n North: 2,017. n South: 1,055. Edmond built more than Norman. n Edmond: 474. n Norman: 400. Moore and Mustang built more than Midwest City. n Moore: 191. n Mustang: 185. n Midwest City: 160. Yukon built more than Choctaw, which built more
than Noble, which built more than Shawnee. n Yukon: 43. n Choctaw: 35. n Noble: 28. n Shawnee: 27. n Also ran: Bethany built six. n Didn't run at all: Blanchard, Del City, Tuttle, Warr Acres, zero, zero, zero and zero, respectively. Most homes built last year, as usual, were in the $100,000$150,000 range, 1,508, compared with 1,277 in 2018. Next was the $150,000$200,000 range, 897 in 2019 compared with 814 in 2018. Then came a tie — 727 homes were built in both the $200,000-$250,000 range and the $250,000-$300,000 range. What's interesting is that number was down 2.7% for the $200,000-$250,000 range, and up 20% for the $250,000-
$300,000 range. That could reflect rising home prices, which go up in tandem with rising materials and labor costs. At the high end, builders started 298 homes worth $500,000 or more, compared with 264 in 2018, an increase of 13%. Most homes had between 2,000 and 2,500 feet: n In size, the 2,000-2,500square-foot range had the most: 1,367, compared with 1,228 in 2018, an increase of 11.3%. n At the luxury end, 103 homes had 6,000 square feet or more, compared with 130 in 2018, a decrease of 20.8%. n The busiest subdivision was The Grove, in northwest Oklahoma City, by Ideal Homes of Norman, with 104 homes started. The busiest builders were: n Home Creations: 517 starts. n Taber Built Homes LLC: 513. n Ideal Homes: 440. n Rausch Coleman Homes OKC: 438. Taber and Rausch Coleman are giving Home Creations and Ideal Homes a run for their money.
Metro economy benefits from events at Fairgrounds What a way to ring in 2020! The OKC Fairgrounds kicked off the New Year with exciting sporting events that featured competitors from across the country. In addition to the tremendous array of activities going on throughout the city, Oklahoma City’s own OKC Fairgrounds hosted thousands of visitors who spent the first weekend of 2020 in the metro. Recently, the Bennett Event Center played host to over 3,000 volleyball players, coaches and officials during the Redlands Rendezvous. In its third year, this volleyball tournament featured 238 teams from Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and other states, playing on the 30 courts that were set-up in the BEC. This large number of outof-town visitors to Oklahoma City created quite a boom to local hotels and restaurants.
While volleyball was going on in the Bennett, the Jim Norick Arena played host to the two-day 2020 United States Junior Open Wrestling Championship. There were 2,539 entries competing on 16 mats set-up across the Arena floor. The competition featured both boys and girls in the open divisions, along with novice brackets. Participants traveled to OKC from more than a dozen states as far as California, New Jersey and Minnesota. Also taking place this past weekend at the OKC Fairgrounds were the Oklahoma Bridal Show in The Pavilion and the Midwest Arms Collector Gun & Knife Show in the Centennial Building. In all, these four events accounted for approximately 30,000 spectators and participants at the OKC Fairgrounds over the past weekend.
Randy Taylor is retiring Editor’s Note: The following announcement was made recently by long time Edmond photography buisness owner Randy Taylor. By Randy Taylor We are happy to announce that as of Jan. 1 we have combined our business with J. Holland Photography. The new J.Holland Photography at Taylor Made offers a state of the art studio, a beautiful outdoor portrait garden as well as a full time staff. Randy Taylor of Taylor Made Photography is retiring after 42 years in the photography business and has turned his studio over to J.Holland Photography to run and blend both businesses. By combining our two like-minded studios, and by building on both of our companies’ strong commitment to serving our clients, we see an incredible opportunity for us to continue the legacy of professional photography that has always been associated with this location in Edmond for many years.
The new J. Holland Photography studio is located at the old Taylor Made location at 1130 W. 15th in Edmond. All existing phone numbers, websites and emails for J. Holland & Taylor Made will remain the same for the time being, but we will keep you informed as we work to consolidate our resources. We are very excited to introduce our clientele to our new owners Johnny and Carrie Holland. They are a great addition to our family and we all look forward to doing great things together. Moving forward, we will maintain our commitment to delivering the same quality photography and providing the same customer service we always have. We are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for J. Holland and Taylor Made clients alike. If you have any questions please let us know Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones soon!
Boeing a part of massive sale Richard Tanenbaum, CEO of Gardner Tanenbaum Holdings (GTH), announced last week one of the largest commercial real estate transactions in Oklahoma City history. Effective Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Boeing Oklahoma City campus was sold by GTH for $124,735,000 to OKC Aerospace 1, LLC. The transaction comprises the entire Boeing OKC campus consisting of three office buildings. The property is located directly west of Tinker Air Force Base and 10 miles southeast of downtown Oklahoma City’s Central Business District. “GTH has developed more than one million square feet of aerospace real estate in Oklahoma,” said Tanenbaum. “I continue to anticipate a bright horizon for the Oklahoma aerospace industry. Substantial investments from the west coast, such as this transaction, show that the nation is taking notice of the aerospace industry’s dynamic growth in our state.” After purchasing the 33.25 acres, Tanenbaum invested in developing three buildings specifically for Boeing in 2007, 2011 and 2012. The buildings currently accommodate more than 3,155 Boeing employees and contractors who work with Tinker Air Force Base personnel performing support and modernization programs for U.S. defense aircraft. “This transaction shows the importance of Tinker, Boeing and the continued diversity of the economy in Oklahoma City,” said senior vice president of Newmark Grubb Levy Strange Beffort, Brett Price. “The Boeing OKC campus is the fastest growing Boeing site in the United States throughout the past five years. With the $14.3 billion contract awarded by The Department of Defense for Boeing to service US Air Force aircraft and the first of 14 maintenance hangars for Boeing’s KC-46 Pegasus nearing completion, Boeing’s Oklahoma City workforce will continue to rise.” Mark Beffort and Brett Price, as part of the Newmark Grubb Levy Strange Beffort brokerage team represented the buyer and seller for this historic transaction. The OKC Boeing campus is located at 6001 S. Air Depot Road in Oklahoma City.
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Mortgage Matters
Protect your home in the new year By Kenneth Wohl RCB Bank This year, make an important and unusual New Year’s resolution. Commit to your home by ensuring your homeowners insurance, warranty and inventory are all up to date. Homeowners Insurance Wohl Buying a house is hectic. In the hustle and bustle, you may have forgotten the specifics of your homeowners insurance. The mortgage company only requires you to cover what you owe on your home, but your house may be worth more now than when you originally purchased it. If you do any major renovations, such as update the kitchen or build an addition, the value of your home should be adjusted in your homeowners insurance. Upgrades to the roof, plumbing or electric in your home may also lower your premiums. Liability coverage can also be added in the event that someone gets hurt on your property. You may
Part One want to add coverage for natural disasters such as flooding or earthquakes. This generally requires coverage separate from your homeowners insurance. This is also a good time to shop around for another insurance policy. You may be able to find a better price for the same policy. Home Warranty You likely received a home warranty for one year as part of the purchase of your home. However, appliances break down and repairs are needed beyond year one. A home warranty offers peace of mind. If a major repair or replacement is needed, you usually pay a small deductible and the warranty covers the rest. This could potentially save you thousands of dollars on air conditioning units, water heaters and appliances. Create or Update your Home Inventory No one wants to think about losing their entire home and all their belongings. Yet, it happens every day. If you have a complete inventory of
Why YOU matter in fitness program By Brian Attebery It is the first of the year and like many, you realize you need to get in shape. You have let life get busy, made excuses and ultimately you did not take care of your health for months Attebery or even years. Welcome to being a normal, average American. How do we break out of that habit? How does one make it a lifestyle? How do we stay motivated? What “program” or “diet” is going to be the “key” to your success? Throughout my 22 plus years as being a fitness expert, I know the #1 reason people quit the gym is due to lack of prioritization. I also notice when people have an event in life like a reunion, vacation to the beach or are recently single, they amazingly find time. Yes, life is busy but ultimately you make happen what is most important to you. There should never be any doubt that your health must come first. Even those of you that “sacrifice it all for your kids and family” must understand that if YOU are not healthy and alive, you can’t do “anything” for your family. Did it ever occur to you that being an example of health and self-care is also doing amazing things for your family? You are showing them that it matters and hopefully, you are instilling in them a lifetime of health for their own habits and self-worth. Now that you have your mind wrapped around the fact that this must be a priority, how do you incorporate that into your life? Look at your schedule and see what two days you can make it happen. Don’t say, “Brian, I don’t have 23 days per week.” Yes, you do. We open at 5a.m. It is not fun but either is diabetes, heart disease and arthritis…just a few of the 33 major illnesses that are associated with obesity. Have you checked your body fat levels? Did you know that 25% or over is “obese” for men and 33% and over is for women? You may be surprised you are or very close to it. It is not just the 500 pound person you see that is obese. If you
workout at 5a.m. on Wednesdays and then get a workout in on Saturday and Sunday, you are going to make a major change in your life and it only involved getting up early only ONE DAY during the work week. Saturday and Sunday come in later in the day. If you burn off an additional 1,500 calories per week at minimum, you are burning off approximately two pounds per month. If you eat properly in addition to that, you can see that number double or quadruple. There are a number of ways to go about achieving fitness goals. You must incorporate weight training, cardiovascular exercise and stretching to maximize your results. Muscles strengthen your body, joints and raises your metabolism. Cardio like walking, biking, elliptical, stair climber and aerobic classes will burn fat, condition your heart and they both relieve stress. Flexibility is vital for proper range of motion, joint protection and the #1 way to keep your lower back healthy. Yoga and Pilates are great ways to take stretching combined with core strength to another level but simple hamstring, quadricep and hip flexor stretches can be performed between sets in your weight routine and is my personal choice. I call it “active rest.” You are resting between sets for the weights but using that time to stretch. A 30 minute weight routine that incorporates stretching followed by 30 minutes of treadmill and your done. That simple. People tend to have “all or nothing” responses to diet and exercise. They are either totally into it or totally not. That is not a healthy attitude. I generally like to exercise because it makes me feel and look better but I also make myself do it many days when I don’t really feel like it due to those benefits. It is a choice. You simply must make it happen. If you fall off the exercise or diet wagon, get back on. Don’t wait until your schedule is free or life is not busy because it will never happen. Do it now because it needs to be a very important part of your life. (Brian Attebery is a Degreed/Certified Trainer. He owns and operates Results Fitness and Nutrition Center, L.L.C. in Edmond. www.resultsfitnessusa.com)
what is in your home, filing an insurance claim will be less stressful. Create a spreadsheet that lists your items and their value. You can also take a video of your home while you explain what you have and the values of those items. Even if you don’t get it all done at once, an incomplete list is better than no list. It’s also a good idea to store or save a copy of your inventory outside your home. Stay tuned. Next month we will discuss refinancing, property taxes and emergency funds, plus how to do an energy audit. I am here to help, even if you are not an RCB Bank customer. Feel free to call me at 405.608.5291 or email me at kwohl@bankrcb.net.
Opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the author and meant for generic illustration purposes only. For specific questions regarding your personal lending needs, please call RCB Bank at 855-BANKRCB. With approved credit. Some restrictions apply. Equal Housing Lender, Member FDIC. RCB Bank NMLS #798151. Kenneth Wohl NMLS #453934.
Ag conference set next month The sixth annual Oklahoma Farmers Market and Agritourism Conference is taking place Feb. 10 to 12 at the Hilton Garden Inn and Edmond Conference Center located at 2833 Conference Dr. in Edmond, OK. The conference’s focus is to increase the availability of local food in Oklahoma communities and strengthen farmers markets and agritourism sites through education and networking opportunities. Featured speakers include Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Blayne Arthur, Oklahoma Conservationist, Gary O’Neill, nationally recognized farmer and author, Michael Kilpatrick, along with many more influential speakers. The conference is being facilitated by the ONIE Project, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma Agritourism and key stakeholders from agricultural, community and public health
agencies. A variety of in-depth workshops will take place on Feb. 10, including grant writing, produce safety training, marketing, and plasticulture. The full conference day will take place on Feb. 11 followed by an agritourism rolling workshop and innovative farm tour on Feb. 12. Prices for the workshops and full conference day range from $0 to $25, and registration is required for each event. The conference has four tracks addressing topics of special interest to market managers, growers and producers, agritourism producers, and community support organizations. Topics will include accepting SNAP/EBT, farming technology, marketing to the public, small agriculture advocacy and more. A locally sourced meal will be provided to all registrants. Registration is open online at www.onieproject.org/okfmac and will close on Feb. 3 at noon.
Veterans will have art display Artwork by Veterans enrolled at the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System (OKC VA HCS) will be on public display at the OKC VA Medical Center on Feb. 7. This exhibit is in preparation for the annual National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. "The OKC VAHCS works to use various types of art and recreation to assist Veterans in achieving their goals in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, said April Reynolds, Recreation Therapist. "Our local competition is an opportunity for Veterans to share their progress and highlight their achievements in their recovery." Veterans enrolled at OKC VA HCS are invited to submit their works of art, music, dance, drama, and creative writing to the OKC VA HCS Creative Arts Competition. A wide range of original works are accepted in each of the major creative arts divisions. Entries to must be submitted no later than noon on Friday, Jan. 31. For more information about the OKC VA HCS Creative Arts Competition, and to submit entries, please contact April Reynolds, CTRS/L, at 405-456-3813 or Mary Jo Fleming, MACAT, at 405-4563918. All first-place winners at the local competition will be entered in the National Creative Arts Competition to compete with award-winning work from VA’s across the nation. First-place winners in the national competition will be selected to attend the 2020 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the American Legion Auxiliary partner in supporting the national competition and festival every year. Information about the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (including helpful information about art divisions and categories, rules, guidelines for judging, process for submission) can be found at: www.creativeartsfestival.va.gov
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Food bank hits milestone The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma recently celebrated the millionth pound of protein repackaged and distributed through its Protein Packaging Center. The Protein Packaging Center, which began operation in 2016, takes donated bulk protein (like chicken and pork) and repackages it into family-friendly sizes. The protein is then distributed to the Regional Food Bank's network of communitybased partner agencies in 53 counties in central and western Oklahoma. "Protein is one of the most requested items from our neighbors living with hunger," said Katie Fitzgerald, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. "We are so grateful to the generosity of our
donors and community partners who helped make this milestone possible." The Regional Food Bank was the first food bank in the country to have an on-site USDAcertified facility capable of handling large quantities of donated meat products. The Protein Packaging Center has enabled the Regional Food Bank to increase the amount of protein it provides for the one in six Oklahomans living with hunger. "We are so proud of the hard work and innovation by Regional Food Bank employees to make the Protein Packaging Center a reality," said Fitzgerald. “The millionth pound milestone would not have been possible without the dedicated volunteers who work along-
side the staff.” Volunteers are integral to the success of the Protein Packaging Center and are needed to help repackage protein products Tuesday through Friday at the Regional Food Bank. Both morning and afternoon volunteer shifts are available. Visit rfbo.org/volunteer to help provide this important source of nutrition to those living with food insecurity in Oklahoma.
Randee Morris, Regional Food Bank clean room manager, and Andrea Ownbey, Regional Food Bank quality assurance and process improvement specialist, pose with Steve Kullberg, Regional Food Bank chief operations officer. The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma celebrated the millionth pound of protein repackaged in their Protein Packaging Center last week during a special celebration.
Please help the needy
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
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