From the Publisher
ATC open for business 5 days a week
The last time I remember Around the Corner being open in the evening was in 1988 when we first moved to Edmond. We were looking at the first house I purchased and decided to discuss the large commitment of $70,000 we were making. I doubt you could find any house in Edmond these days for that amount.
ARE OFFERED AT NO CHARGE TO OKLAHOMA COUNTY RESIDENTS,” Oklahoma County Assessor Larry Stein said.
You can file your HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION by mail, or you can file electronically online on the internationally recognized assessor website www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor.
Ray Hibbard
Traveling through downtown Edmond we came upon a little y café that looked like so man that I had seen in small towns all around Oklahoma. It was Around the Corner, and it was owned by Charlotte at the time. It had a blue plate special for dinner Turned out to be a favorite. When I went to work for Ed and Marcia Livermore at the Edmond Sun in 1996, I told them working a block away from ATC was a selling point to the job in addition to being closer to my home.
They were not serving dinner and I never understood why it stopped. The good news is that current owners, The Weiss family, has it back opened for dinner five days a week. On Wednesday through Sunday, they are open from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and then the old hours of 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. The even better news is that you can order breakfast all day, which is perfect for Lisa and me. Having breakfast for dinner is one of my favorites but not so much for Lisa. She can order one of the perfect cheeseburgers from ATC while I enjoy a full pancake, bacon and egg dinner.
I talked to Nancy Weiss Meoli, co-owner, about the reason for the change and she said the family had been wanting to do it for a long time. This is a restaurant owning family, so they get the long hours. They also own Othello’s right down the street from ATC and in Norman. Another reason was that Frenzy Brewing Co. next door wanted folks to be able to order dinner from ATC and Othello’s.
Here is how it works. You feel like a cold adult beverage (although kids can come with you) so you wonder into Frenzy. There is a QR code at the table where you can order from either ATC or Othello’s, and they bring the food to you at Frenzy. How cool is that folks?
I love a small-town café. Lisa and I look for them wherever we travel ATC is the place in Edmond. I was so pleased when the Weiss family purchased ATC from Charlott when she decided to sell. They understood the importance of keeping it the small-town vibe that makes it “the” place for your favorite breakfast in Edmond. Generations have made it so including my children and now their children.
If you have not tried the famous cheeseburger with handmade onion rings, make plans to go soon and now you can do it for dinner folks. I receive no discount or free food for these comments, honest.
Save on Property Taxes
“File Your Homestead Exemption Application BEFORE MARCH 15th to save on your property taxes You can also file online to protect your property from fraud as well through the Oklahoma County Clerk’s Office. THESE SERVICES
“Some companies may offer filing the HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION and add a fee or service cost for ‘preparing and filing’ the document. There IS NO COST for filing the Homestead Exemption with Oklahoma County. Recently 190 applications were rejected by my office because a title company filed documents for Homestead Exemption which violated the state statutes regarding Oklahoma Tax Commission Approved Documents. Do NOT PAY for HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FILING, it is free, and our office staff will help,” Stein said.
Seniors Earning less than $89,500 Eligible for Assessment Freeze
“If you are 65 years of age and older and earn less than $89,500 you may be eligible for an assessment freeze on the value of your home right now. Homeowners who qualify have saved more than $20 million in lower property taxes with the Assessment Freeze---NOT A PROPERTY TAX FREEZE,” Stein said.
“Here is a list of all property tax saving options available. If you have a question, please contact our friendly staff by phone at (405)713-1236. When you call, you will be talking with a real person who will be able to answer any questions you may have,” Stein said.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
Homestead Exemption lowers your property tax bill on your home and can provide a property tax savings of $87 to $141 in Oklahoma County by exempting the first $1,000 of assessed value from taxation on your residential property and LIMITS ASSESSMENT INCREASES –NOT PROPERTY TAXES—to a maximum of 3 percent per year. For the property tax savings to be in effect for 2025, you must live in the house on January 1 and file by March 15, 2025, online at www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor, by mail or in person with the Oklahoma County Assessor's Office, 320 Robert S. Kerr, Room 315.
SENIOR VALUATION FREEZE
Senior citizens (65 and Older) earning $89,500 or less are eligible for the Senior Valuation Freeze which can reduce your property tax bill. This will freeze the taxable value of the property. For the property tax savings to be in effect for 2025, you must file by March 15, 2025, by mail or in person with the Oklahoma County Assessor's Office, 320 Robert S. Kerr, Room. 315. If you are currently benefiting from the SENIOR VALUATION FREEZE on your homesteaded property there is no need to reapply.
ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
An additional homestead will deduct another $1,000 from the assessed value of your home. This exemption will save you an additional $87 to $141 in taxes. Regardless of age, if the annual gross household income from all sources, received by all persons occupying the same household is
--- Obituary notice..........................................................................Page 5. --- Calendar of weekend events......................................................Page 6. --- Police booking report..................................................................Page 6. --- Comics........................................................................................Page 7. --- Senior news........................................................................Pages 8 & 9.
--- Columnist looks at recent election with 20 votes......................Page 10. --- George Gust and latest movie review........................................Page 14.
--- Crossword puzzle......................................................................Page 14.
---- Edmond favorites..............................................................Pages 15-18.
---- Church directory ......................................................................Page 19.
This, and so much more, in this week’s edition
It’s been almost 25 years since Edmond Life & Leisure premiered with local photographs and articles.
We’re still publishing local feature and news articles.
Please send local stories and photos to news@edmondpaper.com
For Advertising contact Alexx Reger at alexx@edmondpaper.com
$30,000 OR LESS you qualify for the additional exemption. Fill out both parts of the short application form and file it by mail or in person with the County Assessor by March 15th of the year in which the exemption will begin. You must file it annually with the County Assessor by March 15th as long as your income is $30,000 OR LESS until you reach the age of sixty-five.
100% DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
American military veterans who are 100% service-connected disabled may be eligible for a total exemption from any property taxes on their homestead property. This exemption also allows the un-remarried surviving spouse to continue enjoying the property tax break for as long as he or she owns the property. If you are a qualified 100% service-connected disabled military veteran or have a family member or friend who might qualify, please have them call the Oklahoma County Assessor’s Office at (405) 713-1236 or the USDVA at 1-800-827-1000 for help getting this important property tax savings.
Protect Your Deed ALERT.OKCC.ONLINE
Is someone tampering with the title to your property? The Oklahoma County Clerk’s Office is offering a FREE SERVICE at ALERT.OKCC.ONLINE . This service will notify you by text, phone or email if anyone files a document at the Clerk’s Office containing your name. Registered accounts will receive notification if a document is recorded in the Oklahoma County Clerk's Office. Common names may trigger an alert that may not be yours. If you have any questions, please contact the Oklahoma County Clerk’s office at (405) 7131540 or email them at property.alert@oklahomacounty.org
(Ray Hibbard, publisher of Edmond Life & Leisure, may be reached at ray@edmondpaper.com)
Edmond Electric giving back to city
SPOTLIGHT: Edmond Electric works to stay ‘plugged in’ to the community.
From City Source Edmond
Making sure residents have reliable electric service is just part of Edmond Electric’s mission.
“We are part of the community,” said Glenn Fisher, Director of Edmond Electric. “We are community owned and operated. Our employees not only work here, many live here and raise their families here. So, while our focus is on providing reliable service, we also take pride in giving back to the community in a numbers of ways.”
Oklahoma's largest communityowned electric utility, Edmond Electric has served the Edmond community since 1908 and, today, provides electric services to more than 95,000 residents within the City of Edmond corporate city limits.
And when Fisher talks about “reliable” service, he’s talking about the fact that Edmond Electric customers have electric service available to them on average 97.9797 percent of the time.
But, as a publicly owned power company and a City of Edmond department, Edmond Electric also reinvests in the community annually. That commitment in the community supports vital City services such as police, fire, streets and parks. Because of Edmond Electric's support, the Edmond community maintains a high quality of living.
“We do reinvest to help support services and programs that are vital to our residents and customers,” Fisher said. “But that reinvestment is more than just funding. It’s providing programs that help residents and customers benefit from efficient and cost-effective programs. It’s about investing in efficient and effective cus-
tomer service. It’s time and support for community events and programs like Luminance, or energy-saving trees.
“You give back because you are a part of the community, and when that’s the case, giving back just makes sense.”
Rebates and Programs
Edmond Electric provides outstanding reliability and high-quality electric services at a competitive price, which gives customers maximum long-term value on their investment. Part of that is providing programs that help customers get the most value from their electric utility. Some of the programs available to customers include: Heat Pump Rebate Program: The objective of Edmond Electric’s heat
pump rebate program is to encourage our residential customers to purchase and install energy efficient heat pumps.
Ceiling Insulation Program: This program offers financial incentives to residential electric customers who meet guidelines regarding energy-efficiency improvements accomplished with ceiling insulation in their homes.
Pure & Simple Wind Power Program: Edmond Electric has teamed up with the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA) to offer Pure & Simple, a program that provides a source of pollution-free power to the community.
Home Energy Audit: Edmond Electric’s Home Energy Audit is a free program to help make qualifying energy-efficiency improvements to
homes 10 years or older.
Learn more about all these programs have to offer at www.edmondok.gov/1271/Rebates-Programs.
Smart Choice
City of Edmond utility customers now have at their disposal a versatile tool that helps them better track and manage their utility usage as well as allow the City’s utilities to provide enhanced services and programs.
The Smart Choice program –which upgraded electric and water meters in both residential and commercial properties – now offers a new customer online portal: www.smartchoice.edmondok.gov. It replaced the former eCityExpress on-
See Electric, Page 4
Edmond Electric vehicle in the annual LibertyFest parade.
line portal and provides Edmond utility customers access to the most upto-date information on their water and electric service usage.
Next-day and historical hourly usage data for electric and water service are available to view and graph. Various tools will help customers track, compare, and monitor their usage so they can better control utility usage and costs.
The new portal also has various new features, including ways to report and track service outages. Still available is all the useful information about customer bills, payment options, and more found on the previous portal site, but the new meter and tracking technology will provide more up-to-date data.
Existing customers wanting to use Smart Choice have to re-register their
online account. To re-register, customers will need their customer account number, which can be found on their monthly utilities statement. Registration is required to access account-specific data, but payments can still be made without registration. Auto-draft and payment choices remain the same and no auto-pay settings previously in place with eCityExpress were not affected by the switch.
New customers or current customers who don’t have an online account can register at www.smartchoice.edmondok.gov.
Community Partner
Edmond Electric is a driving force behind many community-facing events and programs, as well.
Luminance: Edmond Electric is the
Obituary Notice
Melvin W. Decker
Surrounded by his five sons, Melvin Wallace Decker passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the age of 87 years. He was born on March 6, 1937, in Sparks, Oklahoma to Charles W. and Bonnie M. Decker. The youngest of five siblings, he graduated from Meeker High School in 1955. He attended Central State College earning a bachelor’s degree in business management. He earned his master’s degree in secondary education at the University of Oklahoma. Melvin began his teaching career in the Mid-Del School District, teaching at Del City Elementary for six years.
On October 23, 1958, he married Sheryl Joyce Holmes of Edmond, Oklahoma. Sheryl was also a teacher. Melvin and Sheryl would go on to raise five sons, Ron, Randy, Kevin, Kreg, and Spence. They would also be the proud grandparents of 17 grandchildren as well as 15 (and counting) great grandchildren. They were longtime members of Faith Tabernacle (OKC) until 1994 when they moved to Edmond and began attending Spring Creek Assembly of God. Melvin and Sheryl would be married for 44 years, until Sheryl’s passing in October of 2003.
During Melvin’s time as a teacher, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to purchase what became the Melvin Decker Insurance Agency, one of the largest independent agencies in Eastern Oklahoma county. He also had numerous real estate investments and as his business grew, he made the decision to stop teaching and go full-time six years later. In 1972, he would add a retail business, Decker & Sons TV and later expanded it to add appliances, ultimately expanding to two stores in the Mid-Del area. He would own and manage these businesses for over 30 years.
Melvin was a leader in the Midwest City/Del City community for many years, serving on the MidDel School Board for more than a dozen years and as a long-time member of the Rotary Club. He was a great motivator of kids and coached at Del City Elementary, as
well as many of his son’s teams over the years. He knew how to get the best out of his sons, other students, and athletes of all ages that he would teach and coach.
He returned to teaching in the 1990’s and taught at Classen 5th Grade Center (OKC) and Willowbrook Elementary (OKC) until he retired to care for Sheryl, whose health was failing. Sheryl passed away in October of 2003. He met and married Sharon Ann Warn in September of 2004 and they celebrated 20 years of marriage last fall and have enjoyed sharing in the addition of Sharon’s 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Melvin was a man of faith. Being the son of a pastor, he spent his life serving Christ and setting an example for his family. He had a way of connecting with people and making them feel special. Even in his short time at the Veraden Senior Living Center, he continued to establish relationships with the other residents and staff there.
Melvin’s family, and especially his sons, were his pride and joy. If they were doing something, he was there. He traveled far and wide to attend athletic games, musical contests, and other events for his children and grandchildren. He especially enjoyed the monthly breakfasts with his sons at Around the Corner Restaurant in Edmond for almost 25 years.
founding sponsor of the annual walkthrough holiday light display, which is open to the public in Mitch Park during the holiday season. Along with financial support, Edmond Electric personnel spend many hours setting up, maintaining and helping store and restore the nearly three dozen light displays. Learn more about Luminance at www.edmondlights.com/.
Energy-Saving Tree Distribution: Every spring and fall Edmond Electric teams with the City’s Urban Forestry group to provide residents with free energy-saving trees to those who reserve one. Lear more about that program at www.edmondok.gov/1722/EnergySaving-Trees.
Energy Education: Edmond Electric personnel visit classrooms for a safety demonstration using a special plat-
City of Edmond linemen giving a safety lesson to children.
form that simulates electrical currents. To learn more about that visit www.edmondok.gov/236/Energy-Education.
Learn more about what Edmond Electric does for the community and for information about your service at www.edmondok.gov/224/EdmondElectric.
“We’re your neighbors,” Fisher said, “and neighbors help each other. And while we know that providing quick, affordable and efficient power is the primary goal, being a good neighbor is something we really take pride in.”
Learn more about Edmond Electric at www.edmondok.gov/224/Edmond-Electric.
Learn more about what’s happening around the City at www.edmondok.gov/CitySource.
Sports gambling gets consideration
In an unprecedented move, the Senate Business and Insurance Committee last week passed three bills to legalize sports betting in Oklahoma.
The panel approved bills from Committee Chairman Sen. Bill Coleman, Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, and Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt.
Sen. Coleman, R-Ponca City, who has been working on this issue for several years, said this strategy opens several different avenues for the Oklahoma Legislature to legalize sports gaming this year. It also reflects the growing sense of urgency among Oklahomans who are eager to see mobile and in-person sportsbooks in this state.
Sen. Coleman also introduced new bill language that would allow Oklahoma’s Native American tribes and the Oklahoma City Thunder to offer mobile sports betting in addition to legalizing in-person sportsbooks at tribal casinos.
“As more states legalize sports betting, Oklahoma can’t afford to fall behind,” said Coleman. “With more Native American tribes and tribal casinos than any other state and a passionate sports fanbase, Oklahoma is uniquely positioned to transform this industry into a thriving economic driver. Legalizing sports gaming will generate millions in new revenue
and create new jobs across the state — it’s already happening in the 39 other states that have jumped on the bandwagon. I’m optimistic that this is the year Oklahoma’s tribes, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the governor and other stakeholders will come together to find a compromise everyone can get behind.”
The Senate Business and Insurance Committee passed the following bills:
Senate Bill 585 (Sen. Coleman) – allows Oklahoma’s tribes to offer in-person sports betting at their casinos and mobile betting on tribal land. It would also grant the Oklahoma City Thunder a gaming license to offer mobile sports betting on non-tribal land. The state would receive 10% of the net sportsbook revenues, which is estimated to be about $20 million annually.
Senate Bill 125 (Sen. Rader) - also modifies the terms of the model gaming compact to allow the tribes to offer mobile and in-person sports gaming while detailing exclusivity fees of 5% to 7%.
Senate Bill 164 (Sen. Murdock) - would authorize the Lottery Commission to regulate sports betting and allow tribal nations and non-tribal entities to apply for a “sports pools” license.
Baseball team having job fair on Saturday
The Oklahoma City Comets will host the team’s annual job fair for 2025 gameday staff on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 22 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Available positions include ushers, gate attendants, ticket window attendants, field crew, cashiers, cooks, quick service managers, in-seat servers, team store staff and much more. A full list of open positions can be found below.
“Our gameday staff has always been, and will always be, a vital piece of the fan experience at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark,” said OKC Comets President/General Manager Michael Byrnes. “The people we hire during our job fair are the ones on the front lines assisting fans and providing the level of unsurpassed customer service we pride ourselves on.”
The job fair will be held in the Legends Lounge
at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Interested job seekers should enter the ballpark through the glass doors adjacent to the team store located on South Mickey Mantle Drive.
The 2025 season begins April 1, with gameday employee training sessions throughout March. Those applying for any position must be available for all 75 home games as well as other events held throughout the year. All applicants must be at least 16 years of age.
Job seekers are encouraged to fill out an online application at okccomets.com before arriving at the job fair. Applicants should also be prepared to conduct an on-site interview. Resumés are encouraged but not required.
For more information on the 2025 OKC Comets job fair, visit okccomets.com or call (405) 2181000.
(Editor’s Note: The following arrest reports are provided by the Edmond Police Department. Guilt or innocence is determined in a court of law.
Also, CDS is controlled dangerous substance; APC is Actual Physical Control; DUI is driving under the influence.)
Feb. 3
Welford Fitzgerald Jarvis Jr. 54 of Oklahoma City. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.
Mauricio Juarez Jaramillo, 27 of Oklahoma City. Driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked, obstruction of police officer and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
Ernesto de Jesus Lopez, 22 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.
Dominique Oiajuwon Harris, 34 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.
Tristan Deoune Anderson, 37 of Oklahoma City. Expired tag – over three months, no proof of insurance and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.
Presley Ann Dotyrupp, 21 of Stillwater, Disturbing the peace, assault & battery on EMT and public intoxication.
Katie Elizabeth Paukie, 47 of Norman.Possess CDS.
Hayder Al Sherazi, 33 of Edmond. Domestic abuse assault (deadly weapon) and domestic abuse assault (strangulation)
Feb. 4
Darryl Eugene Orange, 55 of Oklahoma City. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked,
Feb. 5
Jason Timothy Snider, 49 of Oklahoma City. Misuse of forged, counterfeit or suspended driver license, property related —- using computer defraud/deceive/extort items of value and (felony value) obtaining by false pretenses, trick or deception.
Joseph Toma Abbo, 50 of Edmond. No proof of insurance, driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked, no tag – improper
tag and two counts of failure to appear.
Katie Faye Best, 36 of Edmond. Shoplifting –petit larceny and public intoxication.
Ashley Ann Franklin, 29 homeless. Two counts of failure to appear.
Feb. 6
Karthikeya Aditya Muppalla Venkata, 29 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.
Rashan Andre Walker, 25 of Oklahoma City. Driving without proper/valid driver’s license.
Alina M. Yarbrough, 32 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.
Miquel Don Ealom, 22 of Edmond. Robbery by two or more persons.
Richard Carl Morrison Jr., 48 of Edmond. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked and failure to appear.
Steven Gregory Mize, 32 of Edmond. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.
Romay Christopher Abdullahi, 31 homeless. Public intoxication.
Shailendra Neupane, 27 of Edmond. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.
Feb. 7
Emily Renee Barnes, 30 of Chatam, Va. No proof of insurance, expired tag – over three months, improper right turn on road and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.
Kendrick Fernel Warren, 33 of Oklahoma City. No proof of insurance, turning left at intersection, obstructed intersection/stop required, driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked and two counts of failure to appear.
Dante Rashaun Morrison, 28 of Edmond. Operating motor vehicle with improper equipment, no proof of insurance, driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked and two counts of failure to appear.
Carlos Danie Zavala-Dixon, 23 of Edmond. Operating motor vehicle with improper equipment, possession of marijuana, driving without
proper/valid driver’s license, improper left turn and no proof of insurance.
Jeff Owusu-Banahene, 32 of Edmond. Shoplifting - petit larceny.
Yani Marc Billmont, 21 of Edmond. Driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked and felony DUI.APC.
Elizabeth Ann Lewis, 65 of Edmond. Transporting open container of intoxicating beverage or beer and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.
Feb. 8
Rodney Loyd Anderson, 57 of Edmond. Public intoxication.
Arturo Saucedo-Lazos, 42 of Edmond. Public intoxication.
Ethan Guy Hao-Kaawaloa, 24 homeless. Public intoxication.
Denver Keath Melton, 41 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.
Lucas Erik Brent, 39 of Edmond. Public intoxication.
Emanuel Lopez, 20 of Edmond. Non-assault resisting officer, reckless driving and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.
Feb. 9
Kierra Nayeasha Wallace, 33 of Oklahoma City. Obstruction of police officer, carrying a weapon while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, transporting open container of intoxicating beverage or beer and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
Bryant Oneal Warner, 53 homeless. Misdemeanor warrant.
Michael Anthony Nix, 51 of Edmond. Public intoxication.
James Micael Cossey, 62 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.
Hollan Cherokee Taylor Corliss, 32 of Guthrie. Felony warrant.
Tavia Ladell Kellum, 25 of Oklahoma City. Misdemeanor warrant, false representation to an officer, possession of marijuana and shoplifting –petit larceny.
Damon James Harris, 22 of Oklahoma City. Two counts of failure to appear.
Weekend Calendar of Events Feb 20-23
Weekend Calendar of Events Feb 20-23
---- In the Gallery
---- Seen & Heard: Album Art Direction and Design by Carrie Smith
---- Indoor Edmond Farmer’s Market
---- Board Game Night
---- Karaoke Thursdays
---- Acoustic Nights
---- Beer + Yoga
---- Books + Board Games
---- Kingdom of David and Solomon
Discovered
---- UCO Jazz Lab
---- Lyric Theatre presents: “Waitress”
---- Oklahoma Shakespeare presents: Penelope
---- Oklahoma History Center Museum Open House
---- Bricktown Comedy Club presents: Darci Lynne
---- Aaron Lewis in Concert
---- “The Green Book: Guide to Freedom” Screening & Discussion Panel
---- Ryan Bingham & the Texas Gentlemen in Concert
---- American Bucking Bull Inc
---- Friends of the Metropolitan Library System Annual Book Sale
---- Girls Day Out
---- OKC Philharmonic presents: Symphonies East & West
---- Forever Yours Bridal Show
---- The Jones Assembly’s Mardi Gras
Extra Information
In the Gallery
Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute
Extra Info: Gallery is open Mon –Thu; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Free; Featuring artwork of local artist Brad McNeill; edmondfinearts.com
Seen & Heard: Album Art Direction and Design by Carrie Smith
Location: University of Central Oklahoma – Melton Gallery
Extra Info: through Fri, Feb 21; weekdays: 12 – 5 p.m.; Free; uco.edu
Indoor Edmond Farmer’s Market
Location: Festival Market Place and Farmers Market
Extra Info: Sat, Nov 9 – Sat, Mar 22; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Free; edmondok.com
Board Game Night
Location: MAC in Mitch Park
Extra Info: recurring monthly on the 1st Saturday through Sat, Dec 6, 2025; edmondokcivicrec.com
Karaoke Thursdays
Location: The Frosted Mug, 1333 N Santa Fe Ave, Suite 107, Edmond, Extra Info: Recurring weekly on Thursday; Free; 8:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.; frostedmugedmond.com
Acoustic Nights
Location: The Frosted Mug, 1333 N Santa Fe Ave, Suite 107, Edmond, OK
Extra Info: Recurring weekly on Friday; 8 p.m. – 1 a.m.; Free; frostedmugedmond.com
Beer + Yoga
Location: American Solera – Icehouse
Project
Extra Info: Recurring monthly on the 2nd Sunday; Free 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.; americansolera.com
Books + Board Games
Location: American Solera – Icehouse
Project
Extra Info: Recurring weekly on Thursday; Free; 7 p.m.; americansolera.com
Kingdom of David and Solomon
Discovered
Location: Armstrong Auditorium
Extra Info: Recurring daily until Thu,
Apr 10; Free; armstrongauditorium.org
UCO Jazz Lab
Location: University of Central Oklahoma – Jazz Lab
Extra Info: Thu, Feb 20 – Sun, Feb 23: $25; Musical Theatre: City of Angels (PG-13) Thu – Fri: 7:30 p.m.; Sun: 2 p.m.; uco.edu
Oklahoma History Center
Museum Open House
Location: Oklahoma History Center
Extra Info: Thu, Feb 20; 6 – 8 p.m.; okhistory.org
Bricktown Comedy Club presents: Darci Lynne
Location: Bricktown Comedy Club
Extra Info: Thu, Feb 20; Doors Open: 6 p.m.; Show: 7 p.m.; bricktowncomedy.com
Aaron Lewis in Concert
Location: Riverwind Casino
Extra Info: Fri, Feb 21; 8 p.m.; river-
wind.com
“The Green Book: Guide to Freedom” Screening & Discussion Panel
Location: Oklahoma History Center
Extra Info: Sat, Feb 22; 1 – 3 p.m.; okhistory.org
Ryan Bingham & the Texas Gentlemen in Concert
Location: Riverwind Casino
Extra Info: Sat, Feb 22; 8 p.m.; riverwind.com
American Bucking Bull Inc
Location: OKC Fairgrounds, Jim Norick Arena
Extra Info: Sat, Feb 22; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; abbireg.com
Friends of the Metropolitan Library System Annual Book Sale
Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park
Extra Info: Sat, Feb 22 – Sun, Feb 23; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; supportmls.org
FAI western exhibit set to open
Edmond Fine Arts (EFA) is proud to present “Hold Your Horses,” a dynamic gallery exhibition featuring new works by Lauren Florence and Jennifer Cocoma Hustis. The exhibition opens on Thursday, March 6, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., inviting the public to experience a collection of contemporary Western-themed art through diverse mediums, including drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed media.
work that is “immediately joyful, with narratives that give the viewer pause, pique their interest, and transport them in a positive way.”
Both artists bring unique perspectives to the intersection of Western imagery and contemporary artistic expression. Lauren Florence, a figurative painter, explores the intricate relationships between people and animals in her work. Often drawing inspiration from vintage photographs, she layers vibrant colors and elements to create compelling narratives. Florence aims to evoke moments of awe and wonder, crafting
A native of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Florence was deeply influenced by the art collections at Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Refuge. The wildlife and people of her home state continue to shape her artistic vision today. She holds a BFA in Textile Design from the University of Kansas and began her painting career in her early 40s.
Jennifer Cocoma Hustis is known for her expressive, large-scale paintings and drawings of horses and wildlife. H
er current work explores equine imagery and the symbolic role of animals as messenger
For more information, visit www.edmondfinearts.com.
Hi and Lois
Shoe
Zits
Family Circus
Beetle Baily
Blondie
Hägar the Horrible
Part of Jennifer Cocoma-Hustis’ work.
Seniors & sleep concerns
A good night’s rest can be just what the body needs to feel revitalized and ready to tackle a new day. Indeed, rest is important for people of all ages, including seniors.
The National Council on Aging notes the brain needs sleep to regulate the body, restore energy and repair damage. Recognition of that is vital for aging men and women, some of whom may be more vulnerable to sleeping problems than they realize. In addition to being more vulnerable to age-related health problems that can interrupt their sleep, thus affecting its quality, aging men and women may find their sleep routines change over time. For example, a 2019 study published in the journal BMC Geriatrics found that active elderly people reported it took them longer to fall asleep as they got older.
The NCOA says it’s a misconception that older adults need more sleep than younger people, noting adults of all ages require the same amount of nightly rest. However, things may change for seniors in regard to how much time they need to spend in bed. The NCOA notes this is because adults may be more likely to experience poor sleep quality and continuity. When that occurs, adults still need the recommended minimum of seven hours of nightly sleep, but they may need to spend more time in bed since it’s taking them longer to fall asleep.
It’s important that aging adults recognize that they can spend too much time sleeping as well. A 2019 study
published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that too much sleep is linked to the same health problems as too little sleep, issues that include an elevated risk for heart disease and falls.
Sleep issues affecting older adults also may be a byproduct of various contributing factors. The NCOA notes that frequent contributors to sleep concerns include:
• Pain that affects the back, neck, or joints
• Mental health issues, including anxiety and depression
• Neurodegenerative disorders that are more frequent among aging populations, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s
• Sleep apnea or disordered breathing at night
Restless leg syndrome, a condition that tends to worsen with age and is characterized by an urge to move limbs often
• Nocturia, a condition marked by a need to urinate at night
• Stimulating medications or medication interactions
• Decreased exposure to sunlight
• Sedentary lifestyle
Aging men and women who are experiencing difficulty sleeping should know that such issues are treatable and not something that needs to be accepted as a normal part of growing older. For example, individuals whose sleep is routinely interrupted by a need to urinate can avoid certain beverages, including alcohol and caffeinated drinks.
Inactivity & dementia risk?
Three seconds go by in a flash, but that’s enough time for another person to join the masses already diagnosed with dementia.
According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, every three seconds someone in the world develops dementia, a condition that more than 55 million people were living with in 2020.
The World Health Organization notes that various diseases and injuries that affect the brain can contribute to dementia. As menacing a threat as dementia presents, individuals are not helpless against it. In fact, exercise, which can help lower risk for heart disease, stroke and various other conditions, can be a valuable ally against dementia as well.
What is the link between exercise and dementia?
Dementia remains something of a mystery, but the Alzheimer’s Society notes that evidence is now strong enough to support the
assertion that lack of physical exercise increases a person’s risk of developing dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Society also notes that researchers have discovered improvements in thinking and memory and reduced rates of dementia among middleaged and older adults who exercised compared to those that did not.
Is cardio the most effective exercise at lowering dementia risk?
Speaking with CNBC, Silky Singh Pahlajani, a clinical professor of behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine, noted that cardiovascular exercise, often referred to as cardio, can provide the biggest benefit for brain health of any form of exercise. Cardiovascular exercise can increase heart rate, which helps deliver oxygen cells to the brain. The National Institutes of Health notes that oxygen shortages prevent the brain from working as well as it
Local news?
should, and a 2023 study published in the journal Redox Biology found that oxygen abnormality plays a crucial role in the occurrence and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
How should aging adults approach exercise if they have been largely sedentary?
Middle-aged and older adults who have not been physically active throughout their adult life but want to begin incorporating exercise into their daily routines are urged to speak with their physicians prior to beginning a fitness regimen. Preexisting conditions may make it difficult, if not impossible, to engage in certain forms of exercise. A personal physician can consider a patient’s unique medical history and then recommend certain exercises that won’t put him or her in jeopardy of suffering an injury or illness. A gradual approach to exercising is typically best for individuals who have lived a sedentary lifestyle.
Do you have a local news item or a local photograph? Share the good news with your neighbors and the community through Edmond Life & Leisure newspaper.
Simply e-mail the items to news@edmondpaper.com There is no charge.
Starting off slowly with a short walk or light physical activity like gardening can help the body acclimate to physical activity at a safe pace. As adults bodies’ become more accustomed to exercise, men and women can then gradually increase the intensity of their workouts, switching from walking to jogging on a treadmill when possible. There is no cure for dementia, but adults are not helpless against the various forms of the condition. Researchers have discovered that preventive measures like routine exercise can be an effective way to reduce dementia risk.
METRO News
Let’s look at voting
By Steve Gust
Elections are interesting and if you read this column very much, you know that I encourage people to exercise their right to vote.
Usually I’ll always try to get out and cast a ballot. In Edmond we had four candidates vie for the job of Mayor. My congratulations to each. That race, now with two candidates, will be decided April 1 in the general election.
I also like to look at results on the state election board web page. Sometimes the real winner is apathy – although that wasn’t the case in Edmond where thousands voted last week. The turnout could always be better.
There was one race in the state that got my attention. I won’t mention the town, because I don’t want them to think I’m picking on them. It’s a small town but it isn’t one of those tiny towns that doesn’t have a traffic signal light.
And I would imagine last November, for the presidential election, they got quite a turnout at the polls. But this race saw only 20 people vote in a race between two candidates. That was all. You’d think the candidates would have more family
members than that. So between three precincts they could only muster 20 votes. That must have been a long day for the election workers. If you are only going to get a few voters, then why not just have one precinct open? You don’t have to be an Elon Musk to realize the cost savings there. But like I said, I don’t want the town to think I’m unfairly singling them out. Many places have problems getting people to come vote.
In fact there is a bill in our legislature that would move school elections from February to November. The feeling here is that more people would vote. But just because you get more people voting – doesn’t mean they’re actively engaged in the process. The November ballot will get crowded for sure. It will be a front and back ballot. If the school election measure does pass, please try to keep up to date with issues and candidates and cast the most knowledgeable ballot you can. And if you don’t think you can, there’s no law saying you have to vote on everything.
(Steve Gust, editor of Edmond Life & Leisure, may be reached at news@edmondpaper.com.)
Lawmakers oppose Hiett & rate hike
Although on Monday, Feb. 10, the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed their appeal of an Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) order approving a $127 million rate increase for OG&E customers, saying it had been filed too early, Reps. Tom Gann, RInola, Kevin West, R-Moore, and Rick West, R-Heavener, quickly proved they were undeterred.
On Thursday, Gann, who is also a PSO customer, filed an appeal of the OCC’s recent order approving a historic $120 million rate increase for PSO’s ratepayers. Once again, the petition argues Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett violated state ethics rules by participating in the case involving an attorney with direct knowledge of alleged criminal conduct by Hiett.
On Aug. 7, 2024, The Oklahoman reported that two female OCC employees alleged they witnessed or experienced alleged criminal conduct by Hiett – including drunk driving and sexual harassment – during and after
a law firm reception at an Oklahoma City bar in June 2023. A November filing by then-Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony further revealed the women also told The Oklahoman Hiett had allegedly exposed himself. The filing also alleged one of the women may have received a "hush money" pay raise just weeks after the incident.
"Hiett has not denied any of the allegations against him, including drunk driving and indecent exposure," Gann told the Court in his petition.
Gann’s petition also argues that the OCC failed to provide a required audit of PSO’s $1.1 billion of ratepayerbacked bonds issued after the February 2021 Winter Storm. Extra charges to pay off those bonds are expected to appear on customers’ monthly bills for 20 years.
“We are not deterred by the court’s dismissal of our initial OG&E appeal,” Rick West said. “We appealed early to try to keep OG&E’s new rate increase refundable, which would have been worth hundreds of millions of dollars to customers. Waiting to appeal the commission’s final order can only impact OG&E’s rates going forward, but otherwise, the court was clear that waiting will not hurt our case.”
Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, last week commended the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control (OBN) for its dedication to dismantling illegal drug operations across the state. Through relentless enforcement efforts, OBN has successfully executed numerous drug raids, significantly curbing the influence of domestic and transnational criminal organizations.
Turner, a former Sheriff and a 22-year veteran law enforcement drug agent, applauds OBN Director Donnie Anderson for his commitment to combating organized crime and illegal drug activity in Oklahoma.
“Director Anderson has made it clear—there will be ZERO tolerance for these criminal organizations in our state,” said Turner. "Our OBN agents are on the front lines daily, taking the fight directly to these criminal networks. Their efforts to target and dismantle both domestic and transnational organizations operating within our state are not only commendable but essential to preserving public safety.”
Letters to the Editor policy Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side
“It seems our appeal already has had an impact,” Kevin West said.
On Tuesday, the OCC posted an amended agenda for its Feb. 18 meeting, including discussion about the OG&E rate case and possible votes to reopen the record “to determine whether discovery, further hearing, and/or additional testimony is necessary to address the issues raised.”
“Are they going to put one of their famous one-page ‘audits’ in the record before voting on the final order?" Kevin West asked. " Will Brian Bingman get involved in this disaster, or will Hiett violate state ethics rules and cast the deciding vote again? We’ll just have to see. At least they know people are paying attention.”
Bingman took over longtime Commissioner Bob Anthony’s seat at the OCC in January. Anthony voted against the OG&E rate increase in November, and Bingman abstained from voting on the PSO rate increase at his first OCC meeting in January.
In 2021 OBN created full-time Marijuana Enforcement Teams (MET) across Oklahoma to strategically target these criminal operations. The OBN MET Unit has served hundreds of Search and Arrest Warrants as part of numerous investigations over the past three years.
“By 2021, Oklahoma had over 8,400 licensed growers operating across Oklahoma,” said OBN Director Donnie Anderson. “We’ve linked many of these farms to transnational criminal groups from Mexico, China, Armenia, Russia and other countries. Additionally, our investigations into these organizations uncovered evidence of other crimes including labor trafficking, sex trafficking, homicides, fentanyl and precursor drug trafficking, underground gambling operations and world-wide money laundering.”
As a result, OBN registrations for growers dropped from 8,400 in 2021 to approximately 2,400 today.
“Oklahoma’s marijuana program is no longer viewed nationally as the so-called ‘wild west of
weed,’" said Director Anderson. "Oklahoma now has gained a proud reputation of having some of the most efficient and effective regulatory oversight and criminal enforcement of any medical marijuana state. The industry, itself, has expressed their support and appreciation for our combined efforts to protect the legitimate businesses and drive out the black-market.”
House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, also praises OBN, emphasizing their recent impact in his district.
“In just the past six months, three major raids have taken place in my district alone, leading to the shutdown of dangerous illegal operations," said Hilbert. "These raids send a clear message—Oklahoma will not be safe haven for organized crime.”
Rep. Turner reaffirmed his commitment to supporting law enforcement and ensuring that Oklahoma remains a place where criminal organizations find no safe harbor. “We will continue to provide the necessary resources and legislative support to ensure OBN can carry out its mission effectively. This fight is far from over, but with the continued dedication of our law enforcement agencies, we will win.” ——
Rep. Tim Turner, a Republican, represents House District 15 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Haskell County and portions of McIntosh, Muskogee, Le Flore and Pittsburg counties.
Rep. Turner reaffirmed his commitment to supporting law enforcement and ensuring that Oklahoma remains a place where criminal organizations find no safe harbor.
Metro tourism gets a big boost
By Elaine Warner Wow!
That’s the only word I can think of that comes close to my reaction to my sneak-peak at Okana, the Chickasaw-owned resort on the Oklahoma River near the First Americans Museum.
The name Okana is a blend of two Chickasaw words, oka’, meaning water, and inkana’, meaning friend. The massive complex, a 400 million dollar project, has practically everything you could ask for in a resort – except a golf course. Even then, you can still get your inner Scheffler on with golf simulators – just one of a plethora of electronic games. My host took me on a two-hour tour and I still didn’t see everything.
We started in the lobby, an immense open space with striking ceiling fixtures. Several colorful murals adorn the walls.
Walking down a glass-fronted corridor, I was able to see one of the rooms. The resort hotel has 404 rooms with a wide selection of options. We started in a first floor King Bunk Deluxe Suite with two bunk beds (four bunks), a king-sized bed and a patio with a river view. There was also a sleeper/sofa, so the room could actually accommodate eight guests. Many of the rooms have this option.
I also saw an Inkana’ Suite which featured one king bed, two queens and a sleeper sofa plus a living area. You’ll never miss your favorite TV program – these suites have three 65-inch TVs.
On higher floors, many of the rooms have balconies All of the rooms have views – either of the Oklahoma River or the Lagoon (more about that later).
The smallest of the rooms, the Junior Suite, has a king-sized bed and sleeper sofa and can accommodate four guests. All the suites are sweet –and all suites have artwork by First Nations artists.
Not all the artwork was up when I visited. The collection is being curated by Exhibit C, the Chickasaw Nation gallery, which was formerly located in Bricktown. Its new home is between the resort and First Americans Museum. The new facility will open on February 21.
Now let’s talk about the Lagoon. There’s water, water everywhere in the resort. The largest pool looks like a lake and is called the Lagoon. Surrounded by a sand beach, the depth goes from zero-entry to six feet. The outdoor waterpark covers four-and-ahalf acres. The Lagoon is the fourth largest pool in the nation.
That’s just one of eleven unique pools in the complex. Outdoors, you’ll also find Bounce Bay, a Wibit pool with floating obstacles for balancing, climbing, jumping and sliding; the Summit Splash for cliff jumping; the Zip and Dip, zip line and drop;– and, of course, giant slides.
My favorite areas include the adults-only Cabana Cove, a shallow, tanning pool surrounded by Cabanas and chaise loungers with access to an adults-only bar. I’ll have to wait; the outdoor waterpark won’t be open until swimming season.
While many of the activities in the resort are geared towards a young crowd, there has been attention given
to those of us who prefer quieter, gentler spaces. Even in the uber-stimulating indoor water park, there’s a giant soaking pool, Soothing Springs, with built-in seating and a bar area just for over-21s. And there’s a corner for younger guests, too – the Low Tide Pool has a lazy river, a gentle slide and splash features.
The 100,000 square-foot park features 15 water slides (you can see some of the tubes from outside the building). Names like Whipsplash and Tidal Twist tell the tale, while Wild Rapids combines slide and rollercoaster elements. There are side-byside racing slides – Racing Rapids and Aqua Duel. Flowrider simulates surfing while Okana Crossing challenges balance with leaps from lily-pad to lilypad. High Tide, the wave pool, and Enchanted River offer more serene experiences.
In the center of everything is Splash Falls, a multistory play structure complete with slides, splash zones and tipping buckets.
If all that activity makes you hungry, grab a piece of pizza at Pie Lab, try Asian street food at Kaya or choose a sandwich at Sliders.
You’ll never go hungry at Okana. There are 13 different restaurants or concessions ready to fill the bill – and your stomach. Josh Ellison, Restaurant General Manager, showed us through Jack Rabbit, one of three signature restaurants on the property.
The bar area has a spectacular view of the Oklahoma River and the downtown skyline. Some of the specialties here include braised beef short ribs with a merlot demi-glace (Josh says the meat falls right off the bone.) and Waygu chicken-fried steak.
The restaurant was open that day for visiting dignitaries (I wasn’t one of them!) and Josh had just ordered his own lunch. His appetizer was Irish nachos: house chips, pastrami, white Cheddar sauce and pickled red onions. His main course featured fish and chips with jalapeno tartar sauce and fennel slaw. He added an order of truffle fries with Parmesan and parsley. Everything looked wonderful and, after asking, I tried a French fry –yum.
Other signature restaurants: Chido (Mexican slang for “cool” or “awesome”) offers Mexican street food and premium tequilas. Smokehouse Social, a BBQ restaurant with sports simulators opens later this spring. More casual and fast foods are available throughout the complex.
I’ve run out of room and haven’t even mentioned retail spaces and the huge arcade area, the escape room, laser tag and more. Director of Fun Melissa Roberts and her crew were practicing origami – one of many craft and game activities that will be available.
There’s also a spa I didn’t get to see but looking at the spa menu, it’s comparable to any five-star resort – offerings and price-wise.
The Grand Opening for Okana is February 21. You can book now at a special discount rate. Room reservations come with two waterpark passes. Restaurants and waterparks are open to the public, not just hotel guests.
Trust me, this resort is a gamechanger. It elevates Oklahoma City to a new level of tourism attractiveness. Do yourself a favor – forget about airline hassles and crowded highways –plan a staycation at Okana now.
Okana resort opens Feb. 21 near First Americans Museum
Elaine
Items at Jack Rabbit, a gastropub, include Irish nachos and fish and chip
A panoramic shot from a window in the indoor waterpark shows the resort hotel and, in the background, the First Americans Museum.
Guests are welcomed to Okana in the spacious hotel lobby.
Lawmaker concerned over deed theft
Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant,last week passed legislation to crack down on deed theft across the state.
The Senate Local and County Government Committee approved Bullard’s Senate Bill 961 requiring notification to the original deed holder that another deed has been filed and working on a pathway to get ahead of the criminals who fraudulently file a deed.
“There have been multiple cases statewide where criminals file a falsified deed on someone else’s land, sell the property to make a lot of money and then leave the original property owner on the hook for the new loan,” Bullard said. “These criminals are preying on vulnerable, elderly homeowners who don’t realize their property is being sold out from under them. I’m working with county clerks on Senate Bill 961 to ensure homeowners are quickly alerted to any changes in their property status while also getting local prosecutors involved in suspected fraud cases before suspicious deeds are finalized. We must protect our landowners from this new and rising onslaught of crime robbing us of lifelong work.”
Bullard said SB 961 is still a work in progress, and that he is in talks with county clerks, abstractors, closing companies, land and title groups and anyone else with ideas on how to solve this problem. We must stop deed theft before it happens, rather than notifying homeowners after the fact, Bullard said.
This bill is now eligible to be heard by the full Senate.
National insurance meeting to be held in metro
Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready announced last week that the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has selected Oklahoma City as the host location for their 2029 Spring National Meeting. Commissioner Mulready and First Deputy Commissioner Brian Downs made a successful presentation to NAIC membership last week during the annual Commissioner’s Roundtable meeting.
Oklahoma City has been a finalist for several national meetings over the past year, competing with Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, Hollywood (Florida) and Kansas City (Missouri). In its 154-year history, this will be the first NAIC National Meeting ever held in Oklahoma.
“I am excited for colleagues and industry professionals from around the country to experience our capital city and witness the values of service, honor, and kind-
ness that make up the Oklahoma Standard,” said Commissioner Mulready. “This will also be a lasting memory for those that work in our department who protect and serve Oklahoma consumers every day.”
As part of the state-based system of insurance regulation in the United States, the NAIC is the standardsetting organization that is governed by the chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. NAIC provides expertise, data, and analysis for insurance commissioners to effectively regulate the industry and protect consumers.
The meeting will be held at the Oklahoma City Convention Center and will bring close to 2,000 attendees from every state.
Educator receives major recognition
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE),, has named Francis Tuttle’s Randa Pirrong to the 2025 class of fellows for its National Leadership Fellowship Program., Pirrong, who serves as Project HOPE administrator at Francis Tuttle Technology Center, is one of only 20 educators nationwide named to the program. ACTE is the nation’s largest not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing education for successful careers.
Francis Tuttle’s Project HOPE is a dropout retrieval program designed to help students who have left school earn their high school diplomas through an innovative, supportive and flexible learning environment. The program provides at-risk students the opportunity to complete their education and prepare for future success.
ACTE’s National Leadership Fellowship
Program identifies and cultivates leaders in career and technical education (CTE) committed to shaping the future workforce.
Over the course of a year, fellows deepen their understanding of leadership, professional development and advocacy, while contributing to building a prepared, adaptable and competitive workforce. Pirrong expressed her excitement about being selected, saying, “I am very excited about the opportunity to serve as a fellow representing Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Oklahoma ACTE, and the ACTE Administration Division. This leadership experience will strengthen my CTE advocacy skills and allow me to grow as a leader within our professional organization. It is a pleasure to share this journey with other fellows from across the United States.”
Randa Pirrong
Review of movie ‘Captain America: Brave New World’
Marvel film doesn’t have original magic
By George Gust
It’s been two years since the last capital “A” Avengers movie was released to cinemas with the disappointing critical and box office reception of “The Marvels.” And last summer’s “Deadpool & Wolverine” felt more like a turning of the page for the Marvel characters that used to show up in the Fox universe of superhero films. So the table is well placed for this new Captain America actor and film to set the universe up for future success.
“Captain America: Brave New World” ushers in a new era of Marvel movies and a new hero wielding the red, white and blue shield. Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), the new Captain America, finds himself in the middle of an international incident and must discover the motive behind a nefarious global plan.
Since the final chapter in the Infinity saga hit theaters in 2019, the Marvel universe has been trying to find its footing and had mixed results. “Captain America: Brave New World” continues this mixed feel with an entertaining film that hits on a lot of the beats you’d like to see in your superhero film but fails to be as satisfying as its predecessors. This film’s paranoid political thriller tone continues in the vein of the prior “Captain
America: The Winter Soldier” but falls flat in the third act as the overabundance of CGI fight scenes and choppy editing distract from the comic book action.
Mackey has big shoes to fill as he takes over the role made famous by Chris Evans for so many years, and he has a charming and engaging presence in this film. He has a genuine approach to the character that is reminisce to Evans, but the story and dialogue in this film are lacking in depth and don’t give the kind of gravitas that you’d like to see for this character. New sidekick character Joaquin Torres, played by Danny Ramiez (“Top Gun: Maverick”) give Mackie and
fun energy to play off of and showcase an entertaining chemistry that could be an interesting team moving forward. And the big showcase addition to the MCU is Harrison Ford as President Ross, who brings his patented movie star screen presence to the role that features a twist everyone could see coming.
Overall, “Captain America: Brave New World” is not a bad addition to the MCU, but it does lack some of the original MCU charm that has been fading ever since the cross universe team up of “End Game.” Hardcore fans of Marvel movies will enjoy being back in the universe and seeing some of the comic storylines, but for the casual fans, there’s little reason to rush out and see it on opening weekend. If you’re in the mood for fun comic book action this movie fits the bill, but it won’t live up to the high bar of the previous Captain America films.
“Captain America: Brave New World” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some strong language.
2.5 out of 5 stars.
(Contact George Gust for comment about these awards,, or any other motion pictures at gust.george@gmail.com)
Anthony Mackie puts his own spin
Captain America and steps out of the streaming world and into the cinemas in "Captain America: Brave New World"
Armstrong exhibit extended
Armstrong International Cultural Foundation announces the extension of its archaeology exhibit, "Kingdom of David and Solomon Discovered" through April 10, 2025. Since opening in February 2024, over 12,500 people have visited the exhibit at Armstrong Auditorium in Edmond, Okla.
The exhibit includes over three dozen artifacts from the period of the united monarchy in biblical Israel. It is presented and funded by the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation in association with Jerusalem's Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology, Israel Museum, Israel Antiquities Authority and Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
"Kingdom of David and Solomon Discovered" will be on extended display in the Grand Lobby of Armstrong Auditorium through April 10. 2025. Admission is free. Free guided tours are available upon request. For more information visit ArmstrongAuditorium.org/ exhibit.
The exhibit includes over three dozen artifacts from the period of the united monarchy in biblical Israel
EDMOND FAVORITES
EDMOND FAVORITES 2025
Weight training with a variety of options
By Brian Attebery
If you have been to a fitness center, you have seen there are numerous ways to build muscle tone. You see the traditional barbells, dumbbells, plates, and kettle bells that have been around for over a hundred years. You also see various cable machines with a multitude of attachments. If you don’t like that, there are what we called “selectorized” machines that simply involve you ‘’selecting” an appropriate amount of weight to use by inserting a pin in the stack. They all serve a variety of benefits. Which type of weight training should you choose?
I think it is important to understand the pros and cons of each. Traditional free weights, like dumbbells and barbells, are the foundation of weightlifting. They provide a variety of angles, and you are ultimately the one that determines the range of motion and angles by manipulating the ways you use them. Those benefits can also be the reason they can be more dangerous. They make you use more balance and coordination in your joints to stabilize the weights unlike machines do. This is a great way to “strengthen” the joints in a stability way and not just pushing the weights through a set range of motion. The same benefits of requiring stability create a risk of losing that stability and not being able to control the weights. If someone is very weak and especially uncoordinated and not very athletic, I would be careful on doing certain movements with free weights at first. It may make sense to start with some machines and get the basic muscle strength down before requiring more stability from muscles like your rotator cuff of your shoulder or core around your
spine. I like machines for the ability to push myself and not need a spotter. If you are using a machine and your muscles give out, then you simply let the machine back down to the starting position and it can’t fall on you. I also like this for my clients that have very specific limits to their joints and I can adjust the machine, the seat and the handles to force them into a better plain of motion that will be safer for their joints. For example, a common issue in shoulders is called impingement syndrome. Pain can be experienced in the shoulders when the elbows are too high and parallel to the shoulder when pushing. A simple way to assure that the shoulders do not get too high when pressing is to elevate the seat up that you sit on when performing a chest press on a machine. This forces the elbows to stay below the height of the shoulders and reduce the risk of shoulder impingement. Ma-
chines can be a great tool to lock your form into a certain position while reducing the risk of instability that can occur with a joint that may have some underlying injuries or inflammation.
Cable machines give us a smoother pressure on the joints that is more consistent than free weights. You can also change attachments to accommodate needed variations for joint comfort and simply alleviating boredom by having more of a variety of exercises to utilize by a few simple attachment changes. Certain muscles do better with cable attachments like the upper back and postural muscles. Cables are also less likely to need a spotter.
(Brian Attebery is a Degreed/Certified Trainer. He owns and operates Results Fitness and Nutrition Center, L.L.C. in Edmond. www.resultsfitnessusa.com)
Attebery
