Edmond Life and Leisure - August 26, 2021

August 26, 2021 Vol. 22, No. 15

In This Issue FOUR SEASONS

EPS opens 18th elementary school

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.

Downtown Edmond Arts Festival Program Inserted in today’s edition

FRIDAY, August 27 Mostly Sunny High 95° Low 72°

SATURDAY, August 28 Mostly Sunny High 92° Low 73°

PHOTOS Photo by Eriech Tapia.

Redbud Elementary teachers (left to right) Aimee Copple, Brenden Cook, Hannah Duel, Carrie Townsdin and Rachel Brady pose for a photo before

PHOTOS Photo by Eriech Tapia.

the doors open on the first day of school at Edmond Public School’s

Redbud Elementary principal Evan Dargen and teachers Lauren Cluck,

Redbud Elementary.

Sylvia Long, and Jennifer VanHuss enthusiastically greet students on the first day of school.

SUNDAY, August 29 Mostly Sunny High 92° Low 74°

Redbud Elementary, Edmond Public Schools’ 18th elementary school, located at the corner of Douglas and Coffee Creek, opened its doors on August 12 to more than 500 students.

The school is the first school built by the district east of I-35, a sign of the tremendous student growth the district has experienced over the last decade.

Redbud incorporates themes of growing up as represented by the Redbud tree. Each grade-level pod takes characteristics from a part of the Redbud tree. Classes in the pods are arranged around a group area to encourage interaction between students and teachers. Redbud tree images are integrated throughout the school to reinforce growth.

The school, constructed with bond funds, is situated on the site to take advantage of the natural setting with views of the tree-lined site. The school was designed by The Stacy Group of Edmond.

Page 2 • August 26, 2021 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • August 26, 2021 • Page 3

PHOTO PROVIDED/ERIECH TAPIA

Charl Adair painting live in the June ‘Good VIBES’ Paint Off.

VIBES returns next week Edmond’s First Thursdays, the monthly open-air art walk event, is excited to bring more live art to Downtown Edmond at its Sept. 2 VIBES. For the September VIBES event Plein Air Artists from the local art community are invited to come out and create during the event. Plein Air Artists are artists that paint their surrounding typically outdoors. Attendees are encouraged to engage with the numerous artists located throughout Downtown Edmond observing their live painting techniques. The Plein Air Artist Call is still open. If interested please email savannah@edmondfinearts.com.

This month will feature some returning favorite performers as well as a new, special performances by the NrityaArpan Dance School in the driveaway of the Citizens Bank ATM from 7:30pm to 8:30pm. Local favorite, Edgar Cruz, will be playing tunes at the corner of 1st St & Broad-

way in front of Citizens Bank. The blues and rock group, The Bottom of the Barrel Band, will be at the corner of Hurd & Broadway, and catch the violin master, Joseph Messick, at the corner of Main & Broadway.

More than 40 Visual Artists will be set up throughout Downtown Edmond showing and selling their work in 36 businesses, including 18 restaurants, that stay open late and offer specials on VIBES nights. Come out to enjoy the 6th event of the VIBES season!

VIBES Edmond’s First Thursdays is a program of the Edmond Fine Arts Institute, Edmond’s nonprofit community arts organization providing visual and performing art classes for children and adults year-round and the 3rd and 4th grade Art in Schools Program for Edmond Public School students.

For more information, visit EdmondFineArts.com or call 405-3404481.

James Boggs executive VP for First National Bank & Co. First National Bank & Trust Co. welcomes James P. Boggs as Executive Vice President. Boggs has had a long and impressive career in the banking industry, and has proven himself to be a leader in the community. He brings to First National Bank more than two decades of experience in management and business development skills. Boggs has experience in branch development and other bank operations projects, prior to serving as a commercial relationship manager for the past 20 years and most recently as a Bank Market President.

“We are excited to have James as part of our team.

His diverse leadership and experience with businesses of all sizes in many sectors will help our community achieve great things,” said David Durrett, First National Bank & Trust OKC Market President.

As Executive Vice President, James will assist with the strategic growth of the bank, and continue to serve businesses in the commercial, industrial, real estate, medical, and oil & gas industries.

“The opportunity with First National Bank allows me to continue my efforts in serving others and growing jobs for Oklahoma businesses,” said James Boggs.

An Oklahoma native, Boggs was

Boggs raised in Okeene and was an honors graduate of Oklahoma State University. He holds a degree in Business from the Spears School of Business and serves on the OSU Foundation Board of Governors. Active in the community, he is the immediate Past President of the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, President of the Edmond Rotary Club, member of the Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors, and graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City Class XXV. He and his wife, Dayna, reside in Edmond and have two daughters, Lora and Ana Grace.

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

Payment is due upon submission by noon Thursday.

Social isolation can be deadly for seniors Research shows that babies need touch, connections and face to face communication. The same is true for older adults.

Social connections are more important to the health of older adults than flu shots, smoking cessation, and exercise.

Connection and purpose are vital keys to healthy aging. That’s where VillagesOKC can help.

We are a safe place where you can increase trusted friendships, locate trusted resources for support, and learn about the many man new options for aging. ur More and more matur adults are choosing connections through working and volunteerr-ing in organizations like VillagesOKC. This living with reciprocity can mean truly rewarding experiences which also

reduce social isolation.

Beginning with the GIFT (Gathering Information for Transitions) and a membership in VillagesOKC is a good first step while we each determine our own plan. GIFT attendees receive a one-year membership to VillagesOKC at an introductory rate of $199, compared with the normal $250 fee.

Led by trained facilitators, you’ll haave discussions about personal, medical, legal, financial, power er of attorney, living will, homee he health, hospice, downng g and real estate, care sizing plan, crisis plan, funeral pla preferences, digital connections and more.

To learrn morre about ViillagesOK KC or to enrro oll in the GIFT T, call or text 405.990.6637 or email nffo@villag o esokc.orrg. g inf

Page 4 • August 26, 2021 • Edmond Life & Leisure

From the Publisher

Arts Festival back Sept. 10-12 Since the first Downtown Edmond Arts Festival in 1978, the event has taken place the first weekend of May. Of course, in May 2020 everything was still in lockdown. May 2021 came and went, but Downtown Edmond remained open. Will we have to wait until 2022 for another arts festival?

The good news is no, we won’t. Ray Hibbard “The Arts Festival will return this year on Sept 10-12, before resuming our regular schedule in Spring 2022,” said Michelle Schaefer, one of the new chairs of the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival.

Once again, the official program for this year’s arts festival was awarded to Edmond Life & Leisure. It is inserted into this week’s edition and will also be available in businesses in the downtown Edmond. It is an honor to be entrusted with the production of the program and we thank all the advertisers in the glossy magazine for making it possible and for their support of the arts festival.

Sponsored by the merchants of the Downtown Edmond Business Association, the fall event marks the 43rd annual year for this award-winning event. “We attract top talent from across the nation to our show,” said Schaefer. The proceeds help the downtown merchants pay for marketing that showcases the unique businesses in Downtown Edmond.

Bryanne Wallace chaired the Arts Festival from 2007 until her last festival in 2019. She devoted many hours working to make it a successful event.

Bryanne passed away in April 2021. Schaefer said “Bryanne made the artists feel at home and valued.

That was probably her biggest legacy. We want to honor her memory by making this festival even better.” Both Wallace and long time downtown Edmond volunteer, Leah Kessler, are honored in this year’s program.

While you’ll see a lot of your favorite artists and food trucks, there are many new changes the committee hopes you will enjoy. “We revised the artist's booth layouts to break up the flow of visitors and provide more social distancing”, said Nancy Meoli, the other co-chair for the event. “The changes will also provide more visibility to the businesses along Broadway and create a more leisurely browsing experience with the artists.”

There will be 140 artists from 12 states participating, some from as far away as Florida and Wyoming, showcasing their talents in oil, acrylic, watercolor, jewelry, pottery, and photography. There will also be a special section on First Street for Artisan crafters, showing their skills in leather, wood, resin, glass, metal, and fabric.

Be sure and venture down First Street to the Festival Marketplace, where there will be a huge assortment of fun and games for all ages. The first stop will be a foam pit, where you can have the ultimate foam party. From there you can play on a 16 square foot chess board with 3-foot-tall chess pieces or play a game of giant checkers or Connect 4. There will also be giant stacking blocks, giant dominoes, ring toss and cornhole games.

Also in the open marketplace area will be a series of tents with children’s activities. Several businesses will have free “make and take” activities. Be sure and check the schedule to see when your favorite princess

FILE PHOTO/MELINDA INFANTE

After being gone for more than a year, the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival returns this Sept. 10-12.

Enjoy the music, food and especially the beautiful art.

and superheroes will be there!

Keep going to the covered pavilion where you can sit in the shade and listen to local artists, including Black Water Bridge on Friday night and Kyle Dillingham on Saturday night. Also under the pavilion will be the Greater OKC Pickleball Club, demonstrating this fast-growing sport.

There are also three street corner musical venues featuring local singers such as Edgar Cruz and Olivia Kay. Downtown merchants will donate gifts to put in a giant basket that will be raffled off, with the proceeds donated to Fostering Sweet Dreams, a local non-profit that provides beds, car seats and strollers to foster care placements.

With so many moving parts, you’re going to want to download the Downtown Edmond app to keep up with it all! Look for it soon in your Apple and Android store.

For more information on the Arts Festival or other downtown Edmond activities, go to www.downtownedmondok.com, or the arts festival Facebook page @DowntownEdmondArtsFestival.

This event takes an army of volunteers working hard to put on. This year has proven to be even more challenging, but the committee has risen to the challenge. We ow a special thank you to Michelle Schaefer and Nancy Meoli for being willing to take on the challenge of serving as co-chairs of this year’s arts festival and then being willing to turn around and do the whole thing again by May 2022.

Cox continues to help people connect A reliable internet connection can make all the difference by breaking down barriers and giving people the chance to participate in life more fully, even beyond their neighborhoods. That’s why Cox Communications is working again this year with local schools and libraries to help provide internet service through the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) program to help people get connected to what matters most.

The ECF program is open to students, educational staff and library patrons who would otherwise lack a sufficient connection to the internet for remote learning and remote library services. ECF will provide funding to schools and libraries to deliver internet services to individuals and families they determine need an internet connection. For those receiving program ap-

proval, Cox’s ECF offering will equip customers with internet service with speeds of 50 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload and a Wi-Fi modem.

The ECF program will subsidize costs for internet and equipment that the FCC determines are reasonable. Cox’s ECF offering will cost (per household) a one-time $20 equipment charge and $30 per month for internet service, with no term agreement, no deposit, and access to 3m+ Cox Hotspots nationwide until June 30, 2022.

“We immediately raised our hand to participate in this federal program that helps connect people to the internet,” said Pat Esser, President and CEO of Cox Communications. “Across the country, our teams are reaching out to school systems and libraries to ensure they’re aware of the ECF program so they can help consumers take advantage of the program as soon as possible.”

For more information on the FCC’s ECF program, visit cox.com/ecf.

Cox also offers additional support offerings to improve at-home learning experience. To further assist qualified families in need Cox offers Connect2Compete (C2C), which is the company’s low-cost internet solution for families with school-aged children who are enrolled in government financial assistance programs. C2C is designed to create digital equity for students and families that may have previously lacked internet access in their homes. Families can qualify for Connect2Compete by visiting cox.com/c2c.

In May 2021, Cox announced a permanent speed increase for the C2C program. The program now provides download speeds of 50 Mbps to support families who qualify.

Cox also participates in the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. Open to eligible Americans for a limited time, EBB is available to provide temporary financial assistance for internet service. Eligible families may qualify to receive up to $50 off their monthly bill based on their current internet service and equipment rental, or up to $75 if they live in a tribal area, for as long as government funds remain available.

For more information on the FCC’s EBB program, visit cox.com/ebb.

(Ray Hibbard, publisher of Edmond Life & Leisure may be reached by e-mail at ray@edmondpaper.com)

Check out what’s inside!

---- Police arrest report ......................................................................Page 6.

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

---- Violence at games out of control, columnist says ......................Page 10.

---- A look at a chili recipe ..............................................................Page 12.

---- Scenes from Heard on Hurd ......................................................Page 13.

---- George Gust reviews ‘Paw Patrol’ movie ....................................Page 14.

---- Crossword puzzle ......................................................................Page 14.

---- Business news ............................................................................Page 17.

---- Church directory ........................................................................Page 19.

This, and much more, in this week’s edition!

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

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

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

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

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

Publisher Ray Hibbard Jr. ray@edmondpaper.com Partner Christopher T. Hoke Editor Steve Gust news@edmondpaper.com Production Deanne York Advertising Director Alexx Harms alexx@edmondpaper.com Contributing Writers Mallery Nagle, Kacee Van Horn, Rose Drebes, and George Gust.

Photographer Melinda Infante

Cover Design Deanne York Legal Counsel Todd McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC Copyright © 2021 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 • August 26, 2021 • Page 5

YWCA notes leadership changes YWCA Oklahoma City is excited to announce new officers, the addition of two new members, two new ex-officio members, and 17 returning members to its 2021-22 Board of Directors The 2021-22 officers are: Debra Handy, Senior Commercial Relationship Manager, Intrust Bank; Jenna Byrnes, Senior Vice President, OKC Dodgers; Jennifer Davenport, Assurance Senior Manager, Ernst & Young; Lindsey Miles, Land Manager, Devon Energy, and Maressa Treat, Director of Development, GR Pro. New Members include: Mary Ellen Alexander, CEO & Owner, Eventures; and Melissa Barnett, Realtor, Keller Williams Elite.

Returning board members include: Peggy Kates, Comptroller, Midwest Wrecking Co.; Samantha Davidson Guinn, Policy Director, Governor Kevin Stitt; Lysbeth George, Attorney, Law Office of Liz George, PLLC; Brenda Hernandez, VP of Operations, Tango Public Relations; Nancy Hyde, Founder & CEO, Hyde & Company CPAs, P.C.; Marchi McCartney, Attorney and community volunteer; Tammy Powell, President, St. Anthony Hospital; Cindy Randolph, AVP Community

Investment, MidFirst Bank; Diana Rawdon, Director of Business Development and Finance, Republic Bank & Trust; Fawn Sachleben, Commercial Lending, Stride Bank; Melanie Thompson-Stillinger, Vice President, Business Development, Mosaic Personnel; Viki Tracey, Managing Director, Accenture; Alyssa Watkins, Human Resources Director, Global Security Corporation; and Barbara Young, Project Management Lead; Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc. Ex-Officio members include: Michael Brown, Life, Health and Disability Income Insurance Specialist, Michael O. Brown & Associates; Scott Inman, Chief Business Development Officer, Simmons Bank; Tom Lippert, Senior Vice President, Lippert Bros., Inc.; new members Jessica Pontious, Director of Human Resources, Inspire Brands and Molly Fleming, Communications Supervisor, Oklahoma City County Health Department; and YWCA OKC President and CEO Jan Peery.

“To lead our organization out of the pandemic, and into a strong future, it is essential we have a strong board who are committed and passionate about supporting YWCA Oklahoma City,” said Jan Peery.

Chamber Legislative Reception

Last week, the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce hosted an appreciation reception for lawmakers.

The sponsor of the event was AT&T. Addressing the chamber, and its guests, was Jan Moran, left of AT&T. Below, chamber members and others listen to some of the comments made at the chamber office near UCO.

Page 6 • August 26, 2021 • Edmond Life & Leisure

(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.)

Aug. 9 Courtney Marie Howard, 27 of Midwest City.

Misdemeanor warrant.

Dane Scott Holland, 35, of Warr Acres. Misdemeanor warrant.

Mia Summer Stockwell, 63 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

Isaiah Malik Rushing, 21 of Pauls Valley. Malicious injury or destruction of public property and public intoxication.

Tori Lorena Huckeby, 21 of Pauls Valley. Public intoxication.

Sarah Elizabeth Decker, 31 of Warr Acres. Misdemeanor warrant.

Trevor Allen Rogers, 24 of Tuttle. Misdemeanor warrant.

Darold Kirk Bailey, 49 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Courtney Marie Howard, 27 of Midwest City.

Misdemeanor warrant.

Todd Joseph Miller, 31 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant and failure to appear.

Aug. 10 Kaitlyn Rashelle Simpson-Flewelling, 21 of Edmond. Felony warrant.

Aug. 11 Kyle Lee Duff, 23 of Oklahoma City. Operate

(DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more and carrying a weapon under the influence of alochol.

Brittany Joanne Garrison, 31 of Choctaw. (Possession of a stolen vehicle) Unauthorized use of vehicle or implement of husbandry.

Duncan Chase Evans, 34 of Choctaw. (Possession of a stolen vehicle) Unauthorized use of vehicle or implement of husbandry.

Carrington Myles Scott, 36 of Edmond. Malicious injury or destruction of private property. Discharge firearms (at building or dwelling) shooting with intent to kill and (felony) use of body armor while committing a felony.

Matthew Isaac Hicklin, 40 homeless. Two counts of failure to appear.

Roger Maclevend Campbell, 42 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Aug. 12 Timothy Austin Attardi, 28 of Edmond. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked and failure to appear.

Mary Lindsey Flannery, 41 of Edmond. Possession of marijuana and failure to appear.

Roman Reyes, 30 of Perris, Calif. Possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and failure to appear.

Grant Wayne Ross, 41 of Oklahoma City. Expired tag over three months and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Aug. 13 Miquel Oscar Nunez-Bergolla, 42 of Guthrie.

Possess drug paraphernalia, possession of CDS. Tera Mychal Feemster, 30 of Edmond. Child en-

dangerment, Desaray Nicole Montesano, 19 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication (Lake only) Anthony Patrick Genone, 24 of Oklahoma City.

Public intoxication, possess of drug paraphernalia and possess CDS. Jonathan Leroy Guinard, 19 of Oklahoma City.

Possess of drug paaphenalia and public intoxication (Lake only) Elijah Warnale Hackney, 22 of Oklahoma City.

Public intoxication. (Lake only) Jennifer Torr Cleere, 52 of Oklahoma City. Allowing use of motor vehicle without ignition interlock device and felony DUI/APC. Nicole Jean Hinnenkamp, 42 of Augusta, Kan. Felony DUI/APC and obstruction of police officer.

Kylee K. Strader, 26 of Bethany. Felony warrant.

Aug. 14 Elizabeth Lina McClellen, 38 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

Tyler Ryan Summers, 25 homeless. Misdemeanor warrant.

Aug. 15 Stewart Lance Booker, 36 homeless. Failure to appear.

Frederick Lewis Brown, 41 of Oklahoma City.

Five counts of failure to appear.

Rennell Fred, 42 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Ashton Alan Willson, 42 homeless. Misdemeanor warrant.

Justin Aaron Hicks, 29 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Weekend Calendar of Events August 26-29 What’s Happening This Weekend Aug. 26-29 ---- In the Gallery: Jordan Tacker ---- VIRTUAL:: Edmond’s African American History ---- Art and Design Faculty Exhibition ---- Pint Night with Lazy Circles Brewing ---- Brian Gorrell & Jazz Company ---- Outdoor Edmond Farmer’s Market ---- Drawing in Different Styles ---- Signature Tour ---- Summer Music Series ---- Just Between Friends ---- Live from the Lawn presents: Scott Mulvahill ---- Sunday Twilight Concert Series Extra Information In the Gallery: Martha Turner Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute Extra Info: Free; featuring the art of Jordan Tacker; edmondfinearts.com VIRTUAL: Edmond’s African American History Location: Edmond Historical Society & Museum Extra Info: through Fri, Dec 31; edmondhistory.org

Art and Design Faculty Exhibition Location: University of Central Oklahoma – Melton Gallery Extra Info: Thu, Aug 26 – Thu, Sep 2; Free; 5 – 7:30 p.m.; calendar.uco.edu

Signature Tour Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Extra Info: Sat, Aug 28 & Sun, Aug, 29; 1 ---- 2 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Pint Night with Lazy Circles Brewing Location: The Patriarch Craft Beer House Extra Info: Thu, Aug 26; 5 p.m.; facebook.com

Summer Music Series Location: Riversport OKC Extra Info: Sat, Aug 28; 4 – 8 p.m.; riversportokc.org

Brian Gorrell & Jazz Company Location: UCO Jazz Lab Extra Info: Fri, Aug 27; $15; 8 p.m.; cfad.vbotickets.com

Just Between Friends Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park Extra Info: Sat, Aug 21 – Sat, Aug 28; okc.jbfsale.com

Outdoor Edmond Farmer’s Market Location: Festival Market Place Extra Info: Sat, Aug 28; 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.; edmondok.com

Live from the Lawn presents: Scott Mulvahill Location: Scissortail Park Extra Info: Sat, Aug 28; 8 p.m.; scissortailpark.org

Drawing in Different Styles Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Extra Info: Thu, Aug, 26; 6-9 p.m.; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Sunday Twilight Concert Series Location: Myriad Botanical Gardens Extra Info: Sun, Aug 29; 7:30 – 9 p.m.; artscouncilokc.com Send items to infante318@cox.net

If live music is your thing, then check out VIBES on Thursday, Sept. 2 in Downtown Edmond.

Edmond Life & Leisure • August 26, 2021 • Page 7

Receiving a mortgage free home is enough to make anyone happy, especially a deserving Marine vet, Major Tyler Tidwell. Included in the photo are Andrew McClure, National Community Engagement Coordinator for Tunnel to Towers Foundation as well as Major Tyler Tidwell, his wife Cassi Tidwell, and their three children.

Group presents home to Edmond Marine Tyler Tidwell & his family The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is proud to announce that it has renovated and paid off the mortgage for U.S. Marine Corps Major Tyler Tidwell’s home in Edmond.

A dedication ceremony was held recently to present the newly renovated home to Tyler and his wife, Cassi, along with their three children; Alexandria, Bobby, and Christian.

Deployed three times during his 13 years as an Infantry Officer for the United States Marine Corps, Major Tidwell followed in the footsteps of both of his grandfathers and his father in providing military service to our country. During his last deployment in 2018, he began experiencing symptoms, and in 2019 was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The disease has progressed rapidly, taking away Major Tidwell’s ability to speak, and the use of his arms, hands, and legs.

“It’s truly our honor to be able to ease the Tidwell family’s burden a bit,” said Tunnel to Towers representative Andrew McClure. “We’re fortunate to have extraordinary generosity from our sponsors and donors. We couldn’t carry out initiatives like this without the outpouring of support we receive throughout the country.”

While ALS has taken away Major Tidwell’s ability to speak, his wife, Cassi thanked those involved in the renovation. “Our family cannot thank everyone enough. Eliminating the mortgage and making the home accessible to Tyler are simply incredible – but they pale in comparison to the outpouring of support from these foundations, their partners, and everyone here today.”

“Unfortunately, ALS can strike anyone. Even someone like Major Tidwell, a Deer Creek High School valedictorian who played football at the U.S. Naval Academy and so ably served his country,” said City Councilman Mark Stonecipher, who spoke at the event. “Fortunately, there are people here in Oklahoma City and across the nation who care and are willing to put in the good work to improve the lives of veterans like Major Tidwell. We thank

Mortgage Free Home you for coming to our hometown and helping our hero.”

The customized smart home is designed to allow Major Tidwell to move around with greater freedom and be cared for with more ease.

“We are pleased to join the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in welcoming the Tidwell family into their new, mortgage-free smart home,” said Colonel Tom Manion of the Travis Manion Foundation, which provided a significant donation in support of this project.

In addition to satisfying the remaining mortgage on the home, Tunnel to Towers completely renovated the master bedroom and master bathroom, the latter to include a roll-in shower. The entryways to the home were widened and automated. Steps have been removed and replaced with concrete ramps, sidewalks have been added, and a tornado/storm shelter was installed.

The home also includes a new generator, automated lights, and a ceiling track system and lift in the master bedroom.

This year, as the Foundation marks the twentieth anniversary of the September 11th attacks and the Foundation’s inception, it has set an ambitious goal of delivering 200 mortgage-free homes by the end of the year.

Go to T2T.org to join us on our mission to support American heroes and their families by donating just $11 per month.

About Tunnel to Towers Foundation The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is dedicated to honoring the sacrifice of FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller, who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001. For 20 years the Foundation has supported our nation’s first responders, veterans, and their families by providing these heroes and the families they leave behind with mortgagefree homes. For more about the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and its commitment to DO GOOD, please visit T2T.org.

Page 8 • August 26, 2021 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Group receives $1 million grant Inasmuch Foundation recently awarded Sunbeam Family Services a $1 million grant to be used over the next five years. This grant will build Sunbeam’s capacity to help more Oklahoma children and families learn, grow and thrive.

“Sunbeam continues to be such an important and vital nonprofit organization in Oklahoma,” said Inasmuch Foundation Chairman and CEO Robert J. Ross. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to support Sunbeam and provide the funds they need to expand early childhood education to help meet the growing needs of our community. Congratulations, Sunbeam on this grant for $1 million from Inasmuch Foundation.”

Inasmuch Foundation’s partnership with Sunbeam dates back to the foundation’s founder Edith Kinney Gaylord, who served on Sunbeam’s board and was a passionate supporter of the nonprofit throughout her lifetime. Inasmuch Foundation continues her legacy by prioritizing children and families through partnerships with organizations like Sunbeam.

“Investing in early childhood education has been by far one of the most impactful and long-

lasting ways Inasmuch Foundation has been able to partner with our community to support women, children and families,” said Inasmuch Foundation Vice President of Programs Sarah Roberts. “Our investment in early childhood education has been magnified by Sunbeam taking our private dollars and investing them within the nonprofit’s infrastructure and for federal grant writing services. This has allowed them to secure millions of dollars in federal money each year to spend on our most vulnerable children.”

As an Early Head Start provider in Central Oklahoma, Sunbeam is a leader in early childhood education. The nonprofit operated its first Early Head Start program in 2004, serving 144 children.

Today, Sunbeam prepares more than 700 babies and toddlers for school and life success each year through Early Head Start at its early education centers and partner sites.

“We are beyond excited and grateful to Inasmuch Foundation for this $1 million grant to support our early care and education at Sunbeam,” said Sunbeam CEO Sarah Rahhal, LCSW, IMH-E®.

“This grant allows us to expand our reach to serve

children and families in new communities. Thank you for such amazing support.”

Access to high quality early childhood education is essential to the future success of babies, toddlers and their families. Scientific research shows relationships with adult caregivers build a strong foundation of neural connections in the brain by age three. With support from community partners like Inasmuch Foundation, Sunbeam’s early education centers and partner sites create a pathway for continued achievement and readiness for school.

Sunbeam staff are experts in providing comprehensive service delivery for young children. The nonprofit’s early education centers and partner sites have a low student to teacher ratio and provide wraparound support for families through Infant Early Childhood Mental Health services and by partnering with a family advocate.

Established in 1907, Sunbeam is one of Oklahoma’s longest-serving social service agencies.

Throughout the years, this nonprofit has evolved to meet the ever growing and changing needs of the community. For more information visit sfsok.org or call (405) 609-2311.

Okla. Medical Marijuana Authority names a new Executive Director Adria G. Berry has been named the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA). Berry will oversee OMMA operations, focusing on policy, regulations and relationship building.

“I’m honored and looking forward to working for citizens across Oklahoma who have been patient as the OMMA has worked to get its bearings after the passage of State Question 788 legalized medical marijuana in Oklahoma,” states Berry. “The staff at OMMA has worked tirelessly to address issues as they arise, and I’m eager to join the team and work along-side them to continue solving problems and implementing sound policy for all Oklahomans.”

Berry comes to the OMMA from The Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma where she served as the senior vice president of government affairs and public policy. Prior to her tenure with the Petroleum Alliance, she served as policy counsel for the Stitt administration and was the vice president of government affairs for the State Chamber of Oklahoma, where she helped interpret the laws and regulations of the OMMA from a business perspective and as a member of Governor Stitt’s senior staff.

“The Oklahoma State Department of Health welcomes Berry, and we look forward to the improvement and growth OMMA will continue to see under her leadership,” said Dr. Lance Frye, Oklahoma State Department of Health commissioner. “Her extensive experience in government and public policy will prove beneficial for the agency.”

“Adria and I have worked together on marijuana legislation and other business issues, where we’ve been able to shape a working relationship built on trust,” states Jon Echols, Majority Floor Leader Oklahoma House of Representatives. “I have the utmost confidence that Adria is going to be a tremendous addition to the OMMA team.”

Berry holds a juris doctorate in public policy and regulation from the University of Tulsa and received her bachelor’s degree in political science and government from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Current Director Dr. Kelly Williams will continue to work with the agency, providing her expertise and guidance. “I am appreciative of the credentials and experience that Ms. Berry brings to the agency,” said Dr. Williams.

Berry will begin her new role as Director on Aug. 30.

Edmond Life & Leisure • August 26, 2021 • Page 9

USAO writes off more than $721K of student loans

Joe Baxter

Musicians to collaborate for Elm Tree Concert Singer-songwriters Larry Spears, Dan Siebert and Joe Baxter will join forces for the Aug. 29 Elm Tree Concert at the Arcadia Round Barn.

Spears, a veteran of the Woody Guthrie Festival, has been a songwriter for more than 50 years with more than 1,000 songs to his credit.

Siebert, who lives in Stillwater, performs his original music as well as many othern songs from the originators of Oklahoma’s Red Dirt Music Scene such as Bob Childers, Jimmy LaFave and Tom Skinner.

Baxter, who coordinates the live music at the Round Barn, leads The Regular Joes, an original

rock band, as well as the Round Barn Ramblers, the barn’s house band, which plays every Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Baxter’s latest CD is entitled “Arcadia.”

Elm Tree concerts start at 1 p.m. beneath the shade of the giant elm tree on the north side of the barn, which is six miles east of Interstate 35 on historic Route 66. Admission is free but donations are accepted. The nonprofit Round Barn is owned and operated by the Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society.

For more information about live music at the barn, call Baxter at 405-833-1350.

Extra time for Fall Break

UCO giving students incentive to take the COVID-19 vaccine The University of Central Oklahoma announced the launch of a COVID-19 vaccine incentive program for students. The “Move the Needle” campaign offers students the opportunity to receive up to an additional three days off around the university’s fall break, currently set for Oct. 1415.

“We encourage all members of our campus community to get the COVID-19 vaccine—the single best defense we have against the virus. Getting as many members of the Broncho family as possible vaccinated protects our community and helps keep our campus running under normal operations,” said Patti NeuholdRavikumar, UCO president.

“We hope the possibility of extending fall break proves to be an enticing incentive to all students.”

If 50% of students are vaccinated

by Oct. 1, the entire student body will receive an extra day off before

fall break. If 60% of students are vaccinated, the incentive increases to two days before fall break. If at least 70% of students are vaccinated, the incentive increases to three days to include the Monday after fall break.

Students should report their vaccine to the university using the online form and include a copy of their vaccination card.

Students who were vaccinated last spring or during the summer also can report their vaccine via the online form to count for the campaign. Students who previously reported their vaccination should do so again using the new form to be counted in the incentive.

Central will offer nine on-campus vaccine clinics between now and Oct. 1. In addition, the university offers a list of city and state resources for getting vaccinated.

To learn more, visit go.uco.edu/movetheneedle.

Thanks to federal aid from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)—part of the COVID-19-related relief bills passed by the United State Congress—the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma has been able to eliminate more than $721,000 of outstanding student balances.

Including both current and former students who studied at the Science & Arts from the spring 2020 semester through summer 2021, these federal funds have allowed the university to cancel the debt of 383 undergraduates, a significant fraction of the institution’s student body. The outstanding account balances were money that students owed directly to the university, rather than private loans owed to a lender or federal student loans owed to the government.

“At Science & Arts, students are our No. 1 priority, and the past 18 months has been extremely difficult for them,” said President John Feaver.

“This funding has been instrumental in providing relief so they can continue their college education and focus on their studies regardless of any personal financial struggles due to the pandemic.”

As a novel coronavirus began to reach pandemic levels in early 2020, the federal government’s Office of Postsecondary Education was quick to understand the uncertainty that the crisis would have on institutions of higher education and the faculty, staff, students and parents involved with them. As part of the initiative to overcome this challenge, successive rounds of emergency grants to colleges and universities have been built into the three pandemic-related bills passed by Congress.

Page 10 • August 26, 2021 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side

Violence at games

By Steve Gust Last week I wrote about poor leadership in the nation.

Guess I didn’t know how really bad it could get until the debacle in Afghanistan.

What gets me is Steve Gust we elect people to the presidency who aren’t even qualified enough for other jobs, like the Edmond Planning Commission.

I think any of our council members or Planning Commissioners could do a better job than Biden. And I’m absolutely serious.

----What I really want to talk about today is some of the fan violence, which has been erupting at NFL preseason games.

I saw one last week where four guys held one man down and pummeled him. It was out in Los Angeles.

Four guys to hit one guy?

Wow. And then last weekend a lady and her husband got into a brawl with a

guy who sat in front of them.

I wonder what it is that sets some of these people off?

Maybe they’re just drinking too much and want to release some of that frustration. Yet fights at sporting events aren’t new.

I can’t believe anyone would get emotionally involved enough to want to punch someone out.

And by the way, what takes stadium security so long to catch up to these people?

Something else that gets me, are the number of people who take video of the fights. One fight in the stands may see 20 cell phones getting the video.

I remember years ago at one of my kid’s baseball games, a parent on our side wanted to go after another parent in the stand. He really wanted to hit the guy. Still hard for me believe.

Everyone needs to chill out and realize that sports just aren’t worth it.

Sports can be fun but they’re not worth hurting someone. It’s just wrong.

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

Let’s help out our hospitals and all get the vaccine EDITOR: My eight year old son started playing football this season and somehow I was talked into being an assistant coach. We’re a few weeks in and so far it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. It’s been great to spend more time with Max, and I especially enjoy the few minutes before practice when the kids are goofing off and getting to know each other better. We have 16 (energetic) boys on the team and each bring their own unique personality and talents.

Being new to coaching I had assumed the biggest challenge would be getting the boys to remember the

Letter to the Editor plays. Teaching 11 knuckleheads to move in the same direction, at the same time, at the same speed can seem daunting. I was wrong about that.

With some repetition we actually found that learning the plays was the easy part. Execution on the other hand, not so much. It was about halfway through the first practice when the other coaches and I realized that we hadn’t covered the most important point of all, Teamwork. Without each player understanding that their role was just as important as the other, we had no Team.

This last Friday I was

on the phone with one of our local hospital administrators. He sounded deflated and shared that their Covid unit was in crisis mode.

They were diverting incoming patients to other states while currently looking for a bed for a nine year old. At that time 100 percent of their Covid patients were unvaccinated.

We need to give our medical friends a break.

We need ambulance space. We need available ICU beds for children under 12 that can’t yet get vaccinated, much less all other emergencies.

We need to curb community spread so our children can stay in school and parents can work.

We need to stop the sadness that friends and family experience when a loved one is literally fighting for air.

If you haven’t been vaccinated at this point, I beg you to understand that each of us have a role to play in this community.

This crisis requires teamwork. Please have the conversation with your doctor or someone you trust about getting vaccinated.

Take care.

JOSH MOORE Ward 2 Edmond City Council Editor’s Note According to USA Facts, just over two million people in Oklahoma, or 51 percent, have received at least one shot of the COVID vaccine. Overall 1.6 million, or 42 percent, have received both shots of the vaccine.

Lankford, others allege IRS abuse

By Sen. James Lankford Senators James Lankford (ROK) and Ben Sasse (R-NE) led a letter to Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George requesting a review of the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) processes for making tax-exempt status determinations, and the apparent failure of quality con- Lankford trols in the case of the Christians Engaged religious organization. Lankford and Sasse were joined in sending the letter by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Todd Young (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and Marco Rubio (R-FL).

Lankford remains a leader in ensuring the IRS remains apolitical and receives and processes Ameri-

cans’ tax information with privacy, data security, neutrality, and objective fairness at the forefront. Lankford recently joined Senate Finance Committee Republicans to demand an investigation into the apparent massive leak of more than 15 years of legally protected, personal taxpayer information from the IRS to the media outlet ProPublica.

During his time in the House of Representatives, Lankford participated in oversight of the IRS surrounding the scandal of targeting conservative political groups through the Exempt Organizations Unit of the IRS, which was directed by Lois Lerner. Lerner was later found in contempt of Congress.

“Agents are trained to process applications in a neutral fashion, void of politics or agents’ personal beliefs, and with adherence to the law and the facts of each application,” the senators wrote in their letter to the Treasury Inspector General. “With this process in mind, our concern for the neutral and respectful consideration of all applications, particularly for those

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.

with a religious or faith-based mission in light of the perceived hostility toward Christians Engaged in the IRS’s proposed adverse determination letter, has grown. It is important to ensure that the multiple steps the IRS identified, including layers of ‘quality control’ review, are indeed based on law and fact, and absent extraneous and inappropriate commentary. As an agency within the federal government, the IRS should take care to ensure no decisions are based on bias for or against a political or religious viewpoint.”

You can view the full text of the letter below: Dear Inspector General George: Churches and religious organizations, like many other charitable organizations, qualify for exemption from federal income tax under IRC Section 501(c)(3) and are generally eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. Nevertheless, recent events surrounding the determination of tax-exempt status of Christians Engaged has focused our attention on the processes and procedures the IRS uses when determining whether a religious organization should be granted tax-exempt status, while simultaneously generating broad concern over the standard of the IRS’s neutral and respectful consideration of such applications.

Recently, some of our staffs participated in a productive discussion with IRS officials to walk through the processes and procedures the IRS has in place to ensure quality control when determining tax-exempt status. However, in the case of Christians Engaged, it appears that the quality control measures on which our staff were briefed have failed. The IRS outlined several steps in the process of determining whether an applicant legally qualifies for tax-exempt status, in-

See Lankford, Page 11

Edmond Life & Leisure • August 26, 2021 • Page 11

Care provider links mandate FAI to host Edmond artist to possible workforce disaster Care Providers Oklahoma, the association representing Oklahoma’s skilled nursing professionals and residents, today released the following statement in response to President Joe Biden’s announcement that all skilled nursing staff must be vaccinated: “Oklahoma’s skilled nursing facilities, through a combination of successful vaccination campaigns and rigorous safety protocols, are now clearly the safest places in Oklahoma for vulnerable seniors when it comes to COVID protection. In the week of August 8-14, for example, the state’s Epidemiology Report indicates that skilled nursing and long-term care (LTC) settings had just 44 new COVID cases among residents across over 600 facilities, representing just .28% of the state’s total portion of new cases. That number has fallen precipitously since the last week of December 2020, when skilled nursing/LTC reported 443 new cases among residents, representing 2.4% of the state’s total caseload. As the Delta variant continues to explode across the state and country, Oklahoma nursing homes have largely kept COVID under control and offered the most successful protection to their residents available anywhere.

“For that reason, it is extremely frustrating and disappointing to see the Biden Administration single out nursing homes as the only health care provider facing a federal vaccination mandate. More importantly, this mandate will transform the current workforce shortage in the skilled nursing profession (where administrators report upwards of 20% of jobs are going unfilled) into an untenable crisis that could result in facility closures and the complete abandonment of vulnerable seniors.

“Today, approximately 49% of Oklahoma’s skilled nursing staff and 82% of our residents are fully vaccinated, which significantly outpaces the state average of 42%. Our onthe-ground assessment is that a significant portion of the unvaccinated skilled nursing staff will refuse to be vaccinated and instead find other jobs. That is especially true given that the new mandate does not encompass other health care settings, including assisted living, hospice care,

or hospitals, all of which compete with skilled nursing homes for staff.

“Because of legally required staff to resident ratios, facilities that lose significant amounts of staff will need to close their doors or evict residents.

In either case, vulnerable seniors will be losing their homes. These seniors would normally be transferred to local hospitals. Given that local hospitals are full (mainly because of a surge of much younger COVID patients), it is unclear where these seniors would be discharged to or who would care for them.

“All of this suggests that President Biden’s new mandate is setting up the nursing home profession, vulnerable seniors, and the state of Oklahoma for an unprecedented catastrophe – worse, even, than the current danger of COVID, which is being successfully minimized in skilled nursing settings. If current workforce retention and recruitment does not improve, or if this mandate leads to rapid deterioration in the labor pool, skilled nursing facilities need state and federal assistance that must include: • Loosening regulations governing staff qualifications and training, comparable to the provisions in Governor Kevin Stitt’s previous emergency declaration; • Significant and sustained funding for vaccination bonuses and hazard pay bonuses allocated directly to staff; and • Development of plans to deploy the National Guard to assist in staffing skilled nursing facilities if significant employee attrition occurs due to the president’s new mandate.

"President Biden’s plan for mandatory vaccination still needs to go through a rule-making process and there will be no required changes in Oklahoma nursing homes in the immediate future. Our hope is that this proposal is significantly altered as it goes through the normal rulemaking process and bureaucratic vetting. In the meantime, Oklahoma’s skilled nursing facilities will continue to provide easy access to vaccines for both staff and residents, continue to implement pro-vaccine education campaigns, and continue to make significant investments in financial incentives and other rewards for vaccination."

Lawmaker says Biden mandate a possible constitutional violation Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, has requested that Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor review the constitutionality of the Biden administration’s threat to withdraw federal funding for nursing homes in the midst of a pandemic.

“This is the first time that the federal government has used funding as a threat against private businesses to force vaccination on their employees,” Roberts said. “This move by President Biden could lead to staffing shortages and closures at our nursing homes, and force Oklahoma seniors to go without the care that they desperately need.”

Recently, the Biden administration stated that nursing homes that do not require their staff to take the COVID-19 vaccine will have their federal Medicaid & Medicare funding cut.

"House Bill 1236 was passed and signed into law this year allowing the attorney general to review if the federal government is overstepping the bounds of the constitution," Roberts said. "I believe this is a prime example of unconstitutional federal overreach. Where there is risk, there must be choice, and the federal government cannot dictate medical decisions for our state's nursing home employees. I am calling on Attorney General O’Connor to address this federal overreach immediately.”

House Bill 1236, passed earlier this year, authorizes the attorney general to review federal actions for constitutionality concerns. Under the law, the attorney general can initiate a review independently or upon both legislative chambers taking action to request a review.

Lankford From Page 10 cluding initial review, optional engagement with the organization, acceptance for tax-exempt status or proposed denial, protest of a proposed denial, final approval or disapproval, and an appeals process. It is our understanding that numerous IRS agents, including those at the management level and higher, review each application. Agents are trained to process applications in a neutral fashion, void of politics or agents’ personal beliefs, and with adherence to the law and the facts of each application.

With this process in mind, our concern for the neutral and respectful con-

sideration of all applications, particularly for those with a religious or faithbased mission in light of the perceived hostility toward Christians Engaged in the IRS’s proposed adverse determination letter, has grown. It is important to ensure that the multiple steps the IRS identified, including layers of “quality control” review, are indeed based on law and fact, and absent extraneous and inappropriate commentary. As an agency within the federal government, the IRS should take care to ensure no decisions are based on bias for or against a political or religious viewpoint.

Join us at the Edmond Fine Arts Institute, 27 East Edwards, on Thursday, Sept. 2nd from 5 to 8 p.m. for an immersive gallery experience featuring artist Joshua “Dead Feather” Garrett’s. The opening entitled “Puyafeckv” (Spirit) includes Garrett’s two short films “Sunecke” (Journey) and “Porretv” (To Witch), a fashion show coupled with a poetry reading, and a Q & A session.

Garrett is a local Edmond resident and artist that uses a various mediums of art to tackle the subject of assimilation and the civilization process concerning the North American Indians, particularly the MvskokeCreek. His concepts apply elements of magic, spirituality and religion tying them to the sociopolitical arena of modern society and the historical desire for control over the masses and the environment.

Joshua “Dead Feather” Garrett is a native American who was born nearly deaf. He describes his background as "being born into the

lower spectrum of the social class ladder" and says his work is a result of his experiences. "The treatment of the Native American in their own land is nothing new.

From the arrival of Columbus to the beginning of the civilization process under Washington or the Battle of Wounded Knee to the recent treatment of Native Americans during the protests at Standing Rock, the concerning issue of assimilation for me begins with my grandfather and has

played a major role in shaping the style and content of my work." states Garrett.

This gallery opening is in conjunction with VIBES Edmond's First Thursday taking place throughout Downtown Edmond on September 2, 2021. The Edmond Fine Arts Gallery open daily for public viewing Monday – Friday or by appointment with support from presenting sponsor, Price Mortgage Group, LLC. and special September sponsor, Prosperity Bank.

Page 12 • August 26, 2021 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Who knew? Chilies

Fiery Chilies: No liar, liar our mouths ARE on fire

By Carol Smaglinski As two very young neighborhood fellows, Luke Sloan and Ashur Miller, ran through my yard to get to the back yard of their friends, they stopped and begged to try one of the still growing jalapenos Hey, (with my permission) they had already nibbled on all of the basil, plucked the peppermint off the vines and now were eyeing those fiery-hot jalapenos.

Oh, they are smart kids and knew there was going to be some pain to pay, but they had a passion for peppers. One crunch and they were screaming for water.

The hose water didn’t help. But between gulps of milk as the hot oils from the chiles spread in their mouths and throats, the boys took more bites lovin’ every second while they coughed and we all laughed.

Chilies are the basis of Mexican cooking, but take care as some can bite back. It’s all about the capsasium in the pepper that determines the heat content. Remove the seeds and veins.

The smaller they are, the hotter they are. Just compare a regular green pepper as big as a baseball to a dreaded lantern shaped Scotch bonnet pepper less than one inch long. So intense, they appear in yellow-green, red or orange.

Credit for determining how much heat is in a pepper was given to Wilbur Scoville (1865-1942), an American chemist working for the Parke Davis pharmaceutical company in the early 1900s. He discovered the pungency of capsicum and when organized, the scale was named the Scoville Organoleptic test, which is now a standard heat scale with heat units for each type of pepper. His scale indicated then that the Scotch bonnet was among the hottest with 200,000 to 325,000 units to zero for a bell pepper. So much for chillin’ out with chiles.

The recipe below makes use of Serrano chilies, which are extra spicy and up a notch from the jalapeno. The ends are pointed and as they mature, they turn color from scarlet red to yellow.

Fresh, canned or pickled, they have a garden-fresh flavor and are most popular in Mexican salsas for an extra edge. Be careful; if burned, chilies can release potent volatile oils that sting eyes and the nose.

Note that among the best store-bought salsa is under the label of Frontera, from talented Rick Bayless, the acclaimed chef from Oklahoma whose restaurant empire included Topolobampo and Frontera Grill in Chicago. Among his frequent diners was former President Barack Obama.

Whether you are conservative, liberal or far-out in your taste for salsa, adjust this for your preference.

Uncooked Salsa (Salsa Cruda) Makes about 2 cups 4 medium tomatoes ½ cup onions, finely chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, finely chopped 1 tsp. (or more to taste) finely chopped Serrano chile ½ tsp. salt and freshly ground pepper ¼ tsp. oregano Dip the tomatoes in boiling water Count 15 Mississippi’s. Place them in ice water and the skins will slip off. Squeeze out the seeds and juice and chop up the tomatoes.

Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix gently. Serve at once or it can be held under refrigeration for up to two days.

Edmond Life & Leisure • August 6, 2021 • Page 13

ABOVE The crowds came out again to enjoy the beloved street party Heard on Hurd. Left, Eloise McEntire (1 yr old) enjoys playing.

Right, Erika Cummins and Addie Gray enjoy the Bondi Bowls at Heard on Hurd.

The event is sponsored

by Citizens Bank of Edmond.

Heard on Hurd also featured live entertainment below, and games below.

Photos by Melinda Infante

Page 14 • August 26, 2021 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Review of film ‘Paw Patrol: The Movie’

Kids’ story works well even on big screen

By George Gust "Paw Patrol: The Movie finds Ryder (voice of Will Brisbin) and the pups on a mission to Adventure City to stop Mayor Hurndinger (voice of Ron Pardo) from turning the bustling metropolis into a state of chaos.

If you're a parent of a small child you've undoubtedly been exposed to the exploits of Ryder and his Paw Patrol pups, and now they're taking their rescue vehicles and high-tech gadgetry to the big screen for the first time. For most of these kind of TV to big screen kids' movies, the filmmakers want to Hollywoodize the tried and true formula of the show to justify the move to theaters. But "Paw Patrol: The Movie," is true to the formula that made it a smashing success with kids allover the world. And even that sounds like an uncompelling conceit for a theatrical release, this movie strikes to tonal balance for being a true kids movie, with upgraded visuals and an emotional story around of the pups that feel less like a long episode of the show and more like a big budget theatrical movie.

No job is too big, no screen is too small for "Paw Patrol: The Movie," as this film is available on both Paramount and in theaters. However, there are roller coaster like sequences that work best on the big screen and loud speakers. And at a brisk run time of 86 minutes, there is always an interesting event happening on screen and little room for the younger kids to get distracted, which is paramount when trying to entertain kids used to 15-minute episodes.

Overall, "Paw Patrol: The Movie" is a surpris-

ingly entertaining adaptation of the mega popular hit kids' series. This movie knows what it is and knows what its audience wants, and hits its mark directly on target. And while this movie isn't one parents will enjoy separately, "Paw Patrol: The Movie" avoids the pitfalls of other kids TV show adaptations. For instance they don't break up the paw patrol for silly reasons and they limit the meta "parent" jokes to a small among.

And they showcase what made the original such a success. As far as children's entertainment goes, "Paw Patrol: The Movie" is the kind of kids' blockbuster that checks all the required boxes.

3.9. out of 5 stars

To comment on this film review, or any other movie review, please e-mail George at gust.george@gmail.com Check out George’s Gust’s previous reviews on

www.edmondlifeandleisure.com

PHOTO PROVIDED

Ryder and the Paw Patrol answer the call on the big screen in ‘Paw Patrol: the Movie’ the theatrical adaptation of the mega popular kids show.

Summer market winds down Answers appearing on Page 19

The Arcadia Farmers Market will wrap up its outdoor summer market season on Aug. 28, but fall market days are planned for Sept. 25 and Oct. 23. Outdoor market hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Once the season ends at the outdoor pavilion at Division Street and historical Route 66, some vendors will set up booths on Saturdays at the Arcadia Farmers Market General Store at 212 Odor St., said Lori Seagraves, market manager. The year-round store is open from 10 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Most of the items sold at the outdoor markets and at the general store are grown or made in central Oklahoma, Seagraves said. Offerings include locally raised meat, whole milk from a family dairy, farm-fresh eggs, cheese, yogurt, local honey and home-canned pickles relish and jam.

Also available are seasonal produce, gourmet coffee, skincare products, gluten-free flour and bread mixes, Butcher Barbecue sauces and rubs, custom-made gift baskets, home baked deserts and maple and chocolate candy.

“As our fourth season draws to a close, we are appreciative of the vendors who have filled a need for fresh, high-quality food while helping to support their own families and healthy lifestyles,” said Linda Simonton.

Crossword Puzzle

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: Emmy Awards

ACROSS 1. *Emmy Awards attendees or celestial bodies 6. "He ____ and drank the precious words..."

9. Skier's transport 13. Move like ivy 14. What Alex and Lexington have in common 15. Power glitch 16. White condiment 17. Schiller's "____ to Joy" 18. Movie "The ____ of the Chicago 7" 19. *"Last Week ____ with John Oliver" 21. *"Lovecraft ____" 23. Excessively 24. Invitation request 25. Part of graduate's ensemble 28. South American indigenous people 30. Lung pouch (2 words) 35. Giannis Antetokounmpo's target 37. Stain on Santa 39. Take exception to 40. Highland tongue 41. Bar, legally 43. Tropical tuber 44. Time on the job 46. Grey tea 47. Make a picture 48. Satellite Navigation System, for short 50. Mr. Eugene Krabs, e.g.

52. X 53. *Compilation of nominees, e.g.

55. Uh-huh 57. *"Swingers" actor turned "The Mandalorian" director 61. *Ewan McGregor's role 65. Soviet entity 66. Flightless bird 68. Princess of #34 Down 69. Type of weasel 70. Lady or Tramp, e.g.

71. Improvise 72. Young herring 73. Printing unit, pl.

74. '90s TV sitcom "Boy ____ World" DOWN 1. Sing like Ella Fitzgerald 2. Jack, Janet and Chrissy from "Three's Company," e.g.

3. Long time 4. Rekindled 5. Faucet 6. Loads (2 words) 7. *Jason Sudeikis' role 8. Golden parachute recipients 9. U, on the road 10. One from Great Britain 11. Culture-growing turf 12. Bank on 15. Like an ignoramus 20. *Hugh Laurie's medical drama, nominated 25 times, that ended in 2012 22. Egg cells 24. Great Britain's anti-mob law (2 words) 25. *"The Queen's Gambit" game 26. Blood carrier 27. Suggest

29. *Drag ball culture drama 31. Retired, shortened 32. *"Get ____," Outstanding Comedy Series winer in 1968 and 69 33. Saintly glows 34. *Royalty chronicles, with The 36. Philadelphia's Ivy 38. Millimeter of mercury 42. "Vamos a la ____" 45. *What one needs to be nominated 49. Itinerary word 51. Old crone 54. Like Elvis's famous shoes 56. Digression 57. Much ado 58. Against, prefix 59. Violin's Renaissance predecessor 60. One less traveled 61. Os in XOXO 62. *The Handmaid's "story" 63. ____ top of ____ 64. Captures 67. *Allison Janney's show

Answers are found on Page19

Edmond Life & Leisure • August 26, 2021 • Page 15

Visitations during COVID-19

OU Health tweaks policy As conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to change, OU Health has revised its visitation policy.

OU Health understands the emotional support and comfort patients gain when friends and family members visit contribute greatly to the process of healing that restores health. However, it is essential to balance these important needs with the imperative to safeguard the well-being of all patients, their guests as well as staff members.

Effective now, all adult patients admitted to OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center or OU Health Edmond Medical Center may be visited by one guest at a time, with a maximum of two guests in any 24-hour period. Adult patients of an OU Health clinic are allowed one guest to accompany them to appointments. This includes clinics on the Oklahoma Health Center campus, OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, community and offsite clinics and University of Oklahoma Medical Center clinics. Guests must be over 18 years of age.

Patients who have COVID-19 may not receive visitors. However, patients under 18 years of age who have COVID-19 may have one guest. In addition, the highly vulnerable patients in the Autumn Life geriatric behavioral health unit at OU Health Edmond Medical Center may not have visitors.

At Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health, two designated guests for pediatric or perinatal patients will be allowed during the patient’s hospital stay. Pediatric patients of an OU Health clinic are allowed two guests to accompany them to appointments. This includes clinics on the Oklahoma Health Center campus, community and offsite clinics such as Southwest Pediatrics, Super Ninos, Kids’ First, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital clinics and the OU Health Prenatal Diagnostic Center.

OU Health continues to observe precautions deemed necessary to decrease the potential spread of COVID-19 to staff and patients, therefore, guests of hospital and clinic patients must: ---- Be screened for COVID-19 at an entrance or point of service. If screen results are positive, or if guests feel unwell and/or show any symptoms of COVID-19, they will not be allowed to stay.

----- Sign to acknowledge acceptance of terms contained in the Guest Expectations form.

---- Wear an approved mask at all times while in

OU Health continues to observe precautions deemed necessary to decrease the potential spread of COVID-19 to staff and patients. the facility, including the patient’s room. Acceptable masks include: - Cloth mask - Procedural/surgical-type masks - Neck gaiters, buffs, bandanas, scarves or masks with vents or exhalation valves are not allowed.

---- Stay in the patient’s room at all times, unless asked to leave by hospital staff for reasons related to safety or patient care. If asked to leave a patient’s room temporarily, guests will use a designated waiting area until notified by a care team member to return to the patient’s room.

---- Understand that failure to comply will require immediate departure; visitor may not return as the guest of a patient.

Waiting rooms and cafeterias are monitored, and appropriate physical distancing measures will be observed. Hospital guests are discouraged from coming and going throughout the day. If guests leave the hospital, they should discuss a planned return with department leadership.

End-of-life events are uniquely sensitive. Requests for family in-person attendance for a patient care conference require approval from the administrator on call at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center and Oklahoma Children’s Hospital or hospital administration at Edmond Medical Center.

-- For all OU Health hospital locations, the department director may approve up to three visitor exceptions for patients nearing end of life.

-- Requests outside of these guidelines require approval from the administrator on call at University of Oklahoma Medical Center and Oklahoma Children’s Hospital or hospital administration at Edmond Medical Center.

-- Visitors for COVID-19 patients must receive Just-In-Time Fit Testing from clinical coordinators for an N-95 mask and must wear appropriate PPE to include eye protection, gloves and gown while with the patient.

Edmond professor named to list of those making a difference Service Award & Silver Medal Oklahoma City Commufor her national public speaking nity College (OCCC) faculty and her statewide bridge-buildmember Dr. Nyla Ali Khan ing work. Dr. Khan is a memof Edmond has been named ber of the Oklahoma to an area publication’s“50 Governor’s International Team, Making a Difference” list for the Harvard-based Scholars the third consecutive year, Strategy Network, has served which provides the addion the board of Generation tional distinction of being Nyla Khan Citizen, is an active member of one of just six individuals the Women’s Interfaith Althis year inducted into The liance, and is a State Commissioner Journal Record’s “Circle of Excelon the Oklahoma Commission on lence.” the Status of Women. She has au"Through her experiences and inthored or edited six published books, sights, Dr. Khan introduces her stuand her articles and editorials have dents to ideas and concepts they may never come in contact with out- appeared in academic journals, newspapers and magazines across the side of the classroom," said Dr. Canworld. die D. McKee-Williams, a fellow "Professor Khan has very fortunate OCCC faculty member. "Professor Khan encourages her students to con- students," said OCCC Professor sider not only their own communities Stephen Morrow. "She brings an enand country, but also the often over- ergy to her classes that consists of individual care for her students, a looked parts of the world. Her students learn compassion and empathy mission to help each student find a voice grounded in critical thinking for self and others, leading them to and confidence, and the hard work become engaged, worldly citizens."

Born in Kashmir in the foothills of of helping each student improve his and her and their writing skills." the Himalayas, Dr. Khan attended With more than 60 majors to university in New Delhi, then moved to Oklahoma to pursue a Master’s in choose from, and more than 40 student-led clubs and organizations, Postcolonial Literature and Theory, and her Ph.D. in English Literature, at OCCC offers an affordable, accredthe University of Oklahoma. She has ited college education to around taught at the University of Oklahoma 17,000 students annually, and serves thousands more in non-credit classes and at the University of Nebraskaand programs. OCCC offers associate Kearney. Dr. Khan has received degrees, certifications and leadership statewide recognition for her human opportunities to all Oklahomans, rights work, and was recently honored as one of the Oklahoma League whoever they are, whomever they love, wherever they’ve been and of Women Voters’ 100 Trailblazers.

She’s received a President’s Volunteer wherever they’re going.

Page 16 • August 26, 2021 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Courtney Griffin, Ph.D.

Scientist new leader of international research group Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist Courtney Griffin, Ph.D., has been named president of the North American Vascular Biology Organization.

Founded in 1994, NAVBO is an international organization of scientists who study the function and diseases of blood vessels.

At OMRF, Griffin studies vessel regression.

When the body grows too many or too few blood vessels in places like the eyes and kidneys, they can disrupt the normal function of the organ. Griffin’s team works to understand ways to control abnormal vessels. She first joined NAVBO in 2006 as a postdoctoral researcher.

“Organizations like NAVBO help scientists connect with other researchers in our niche of biology,” said Griffin, a scientist in the foundation’s Cardiovascular Biology Research Program.

“In science, you can’t be an island and be successful.”

Griffin joined OMRF’s scientific staff in 2008 after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She earned her doctorate at the University of California San Francisco following her bachelor’s degree at Harvard University. At OMRF, she holds the Scott Zarrow Chair in Biomedical Research.

In addition to her position at OMRF, Griffin is

also the scientific director for the Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research and an adjunct professor of cell biology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

As president of NAVBO, Griffin will lead the organization’s global team of officers in education, outreach and advocacy efforts.

“We’re increasingly focused on younger students who are intrigued by vascular biology and making real progress in increasing involvement with underrepresented groups,” Griffin said. “It’s a joy and a privilege to build a scientific family that extends around the world, and, most importantly, it empowers science.”

Mental health care available during pandemic House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-OKC, released the following statement reminding Oklahomans of the mental health resources available to them during the ongoing COVID pandemic.

“As we continue to navigate the Coronavirus pandemic and watch what is happening across our country and abroad, all of it can become overwhelming and affect our daily lives," Munson said. "It is important to remember there are resources available in our time of need or when we are helping a loved one experi-

encing a difficult time.

“Our mental health is just as important as our physical health, and we should take care of both, especially during challenging times whether we are directly harmed or not.

“When you or a loved one needs help, or simply someone to talk to, call 2-1-1 to seek resources that will be most helpful to you.

“If you are a veteran or have a veteran in your life who needs help, please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-8255, Press 1.

Edmond Life & Leisure • Ajugust 26, 2021 • Page 17

OSU touts aerospace

PHOTO PROVIDED

Oklahoma State University President Kayse Shrum speaks to a crowd at the unveiling of the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education at OSU DISCOVER in Oklahoma City.

From OSU DISCOVERY in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University announced last week the creation of a new institute aimed at supporting aerospace industry growth in Oklahoma and beyond.

“Our mission is to drive cross-industry collaborations and innovation, which is exactly what brings us together today,” said OSU President Kayse Shrum. “Oklahoma State University offers a complete turnkey solution for Oklahoma’s aerospace industry needs. From K-12 enrichment and workforce development, through faculty and graduate research to groundbreaking innovations in industry partnerships, we are leading the state to advance this important economic engine.

“Today, we’re announcing the formation of the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education. Oklahoma State University is the clear leader in aerospace within our state.

We’ve had a partnership with NASA for more than 50 years. We’ve been training pilots for more than 80 years. Our depth and breadth of knowledge, faculty and research investments cannot be matched. We’re so proud of this very

long history in aerospace and aviation excellence.”

The Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE) will bring the state’s aerospace innovation economy together under one umbrella. OAIRE will support ongoing and future partnerships between university, commercial, military and government agencies, becoming a valuable resource for developing Oklahoma’s aerospace ecosystem. That includes generating high-tech jobs and cutting-edge research that brings commercial enterprise and military sustainment support to the state.

The comprehensive scope of OAIRE also includes K-12 outreach programs focused on STEM connections, building the Oklahoma aerospace workforce pipeline and promoting community involvement.

Dr. Shrum said OAIRE will allow OSU to connect seamlessly with industry and K-12 partners and elevate OSU’s leadership role in Oklahoma aerospace, inspiring the next generation of aviators and engineers while enhancing opportuni-

See OSU, Page 18

School nurse receives recognition The Heritage Hall Alumni Association (HHAA) has honored school nurse Jenny Campbell, RN, as the recipient of its 2021 Distinguished Faculty Award. Presented each August during the School’s annual Faculty Recognition Luncheon, the award recognizes a current faculty or staff member who has exhibited dedication and commitment to inspiring and educating lifelong learners.

In presenting the award on behalf of the Association, HHAA Vice President Ashley Stark Ford (Heritage Hall Class of 2002) noted Campbell’s diligence during a year unlike any other in school history.

“As we all know, this past school year was un-

precedented. Navigating daily life as a person was hard enough, but it presented unique challenges for both healthcare workers and teachers.

At Heritage Hall, a risk mitigation task force cochaired by Nurse Jenny was developed to plan a safe return to campus. As a result of their efforts, Heritage Hall was able to stay open the entire school year. While this result was a group effort, it would not have been possible without our school nurse,” Ford observed.

Visibly moved by the recognition, Campbell expressed her gratitude to the Association and to the school community. “What an honor! I am so thankful to Heritage Hall for the opportunities I have had to learn, lead, and serve.”

At Francis Tuttle Tech Center

Upcoming courses help teach effective personnel methods Francis Tuttle Technology Center will offer its Leadership Development Academy this fall, a five-session program with hands-on strategies for effective personnel management.

The course begins Sept. 14, with sessions scheduled every other Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The cost to attend is $350 per participant.

“Francis Tuttle’s Leadership Development Academy is for both new and experienced supervisors, as well as human resources professionals,” said Krista Scammahorn, Francis Tuttle workforce development consultant. “The program is designed to help employers train managers effectively for immediate application in the workplace.”

Classes include: ● Sept. 14 - Customer Service Mas-

terclass by Allyson McElroy ● Sept. 28 - Communication by Anna Irwin ● Oct. 12 - Managing Conflict/Crucial Conversations by Jim Friedemann ● Oct. 26 - Self Awareness by Sean Conrad ● Nov. 9 - Bring it Home by Anna Irwin For more information or to enroll, visit https://www.francistuttle.edu/L DA. Francis Tuttle Technology Center serves high school students and adults in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area with career-specific training, in support of developing and maintaining a quality workforce for the region. More information is available at francistuttle.edu or by calling (405) 717-7799.

Tickets sell out for Dream Home Tickets for a chance to win the Oklahoma City St. Jude Dream Home — all 9,000 — sold out in record time, eight weeks, raising $900,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, organizers said.

Shaw Homes of Tulsa built the 2,500-square-foot, three-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath home, valued at $495,000, at 14242 Fox Lair Lane in Fox Lair Estates at the northwest corner of N Pennsylvania Avenue and Waterloo Road.

The winner of the Dream Home and other prizes will be announced Thursday, Aug. 26, on FOX25.

Facts on St. Jude’s --- St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

--- Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is help-

ing their child live.

--- Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood survival rate from 20 percent when the hospital opened in 1962 to more than 80 percent today.

--- St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent in the next decade.

--- St. Jude has increased the survival rates for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) from 4 percent before opening in 1962 to 94 percent today.

--- St. Jude is where doctors often send their toughest cases, because St. Jude has the world’s best survival rates for some of the most aggressive forms of childhood cancers.

--- St. Jude creates more clinical trials for cancer than any other children’s hospital and turns laboratory discoveries into lifesaving

Heritage Hall alumna Ashley Stark Ford (Class of 2002) presents the 2021 Heritage Hall Alumni Association (HHAA) Distinguished Faculty Award to school nurse Jenny Campbell, RN, during the School’s annual Faculty Recognition Luncheon.

Page 18 • August 26, 2021 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Mortgage Matters

Prequalify before you start home shopping qualification letter. Check your expiration date and keep it in mind while you’re shopping for your future home. Prequalification letters generally are valid for 90 days. If you haven’t purchased a home by then, you can request a renewal by submitting your up-to-date financial information again.

Taking the time to go through the prequalification process for a mortgage has some distinct advantages. Once a lender gives you the green light, it can help you find a great property at a fair price, while eliminating a lot of hassle.

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.

By Kenneth Wohl If you’re shopping for a home, the first step you should take is to get prequalified for your mortgage.

Buying a home can be daunting, especially for first-time homebuyers. But having a roadmap can make the process easier. And Wohl that’s where a mortgage prequalification comes in.

By prearranging financing, you can save a considerable amount of time. A lender will examine your credit report, pay stubs, bank statements, etc., and be able to tell you what they think you’re qualified to borrow. Remember, you’re the only one who knows what you can afford based on your living costs. Rather than looking at a myriad of properties, you can narrow your search down to a handful of homes that fit a purchase price and mortgage payment you can make comfortably and examine those in great detail. You’re also less likely to be let down or become disillusioned when you fall in love with a property only to find it’s out of

your price range.

If you apply for prequalification and later decide you’re not ready to buy a house in your desired price range, it’s better to learn that before you start shopping for houses.

OSU

Weight control requires longterm commitment to the proper nutrition

From Page 17 ties for industry and defense partners in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Innovation Elizabeth Pollard echoed Dr. Shrum’s excitement.

“The Oklahoma economy is at an inflection point,” Pollard said. “Disruptive technology is changing the face of every industry and forcing all states to reassess how best to compete and remain relevant in a knowledge-based innovation economy. Innovation is the key driver to economic growth and prosperity. It is critically important to Oklahoma’s future. It will grow and diversify our state economy, accelerate our state’s competitiveness and create large-scale, high-paying jobs for Oklahomans.

“The Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education will be at the forefront of innovation in the aerospace realm, and I commend Oklahoma State University for their successful programs and continued partnerships with the state. Prominent research and development activity related to aerospace has been underway for decades at OSU and with their leadership in this dynamic industry, Oklahoma will be well-positioned to lead the ever-evolving aerospace frontier.

The state of Oklahoma has significant research and development strengths, and with OSU’s leadership, the vision to emerge as a leading region for growth in the autonomous systems and aerospace industry is imminent.”

Due to industry demand, aviation is one of the fastest-growing programs in the OSU’s College of Education and Human Sciences. To reach OSU constituents across the state, OAIRE will expand OSU aerospace research and course offerings in Oklahoma City at OSU DISCOVERY and in Tulsa at the Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center. This will allow students greater access to OSU’s undergraduate and graduate programs, which will be tailored to meet the needs of the aerospace sector in the surrounding area. Professionals seeking aerospace-related degrees can take aerospace or systems engineering core courses in Oklahoma City, Tulsa or Stillwater.

For K-12 schools, programming will include technical training, career placement and entrepreneurial opportunities for student engagement and retention. OSU will prioritize outreach to Native American and other underrepresented K-12 students with the goal of developing and retaining the talent pipeline for Oklahoma-based companies.

Dr. Cecilia Robinson-Woods, superintendent of Millwood Public Schools in Oklahoma City, said one of her major concerns is preparing students for future careers, especially ones from underserved communities and the school districts surrounding the OKC Innovation District.

Prequalification allows you to move quickly and shows you’re serious.

The housing market is booming right now.

Houses aren’t on the market for very long. If you want to purchase your dream home before someone else snatches it from you, you need to make sure you’re ready to submit an offer immediately.

When a seller is looking at multiple buyers with interest in their property, it’s important to stand out from everyone else. Say there were three other buyers, and you were the only one with a prequalification letter. You will have a much better chance of getting the seller’s attention because you have direct evidence of your ability to obtain financing.

This should reduce any skepticism or anxiety a seller may have.

Timeframe Once you get prequalified, you’ll receive a pre-

By Brian Attebery Losing weight and being on a “diet” can be very frustrating.

How many times have you started a plan that was supposed to fix all your weight problems only to crash and burn in a few short weeks or months? Did it Attebery work at first and quit working later? Did you do well at first but then couldn’t maintain it? These are all very common situations I have seen with clients over my career. Let’s explores some of the reasons you fail at this.

The first thing you must understand about weight loss is that it is going to take time and you must make it a lifestyle for it to stay off. The more extreme you are, the more likely you are to rebound and gain it all back.

Fads don’t work long term. There are some simple rules up front that work and always will.

Greasy fried foods and sugar are not something you can eat on a regular basis and expect to stay lean or lose weight. If you cut our certain foods that are bad for you, you must accept that to maintain those weight changes, you must continue to keep those foods out for the most part. Years ago I was consulting a college girl and explained to her that just one can of soda per day adds up to the equivalent of about 20 pounds of fat per year. She interjected that cutting soda didn’t work.

I asker her, “How is that so?” She explained that she cut those 2-3 sodas per day out a few years ago and lost 30 pounds. She said she gained it all back. I asked her if she added the sodas back and she stated

Opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of Kenneth Wohl and meant for generic illustration purposes only. For specific questions regarding your personal lending needs, please call RCB Bank at 855-BANK-RCB. With approved credit. Some restrictions apply. RCB Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and member FDIC. RCB Bank NMLS #798151. Kenneth Wohl NMLS #453934.

she had. My response, “Well, if you have a job and earn money, the money doesn’t keep coming if you quit…Does it?” If I lift weights and gain muscle, I must maintain some weightlifting to maintain muscle. The same applies to weight loss. You can’t cut sugar and exercise to lose weight and simply add it back and quit exercising. You will gain weight back.

I have also seen people start off with such great intentions each day only to blow it at the end of the day. For most people, they are not eating enough throughout the day. This can lead to your body (and mind) freaking out and you end up eating a lot at night in reaction to the starvation you are putting yourself through. Starving is not the answer. Women should NEVER eat less than 1,200 calories per day and men, 1,800 calories apart from extreme situations guided by a weight-loss Physician and in those cases, they are most likely not exercising. I believe in, “Doing more and eating more” of the right foods. We want our bodies to be fed with appropriate amounts of nutrient-dense calories and let the combination of exercise and restrictions of inappropriate foods do the job.

We all have seen weight loss occur at one level or another.

We also have seen plateaus hit.

That is when frustrations kick in.

I understand but this is going to happen. Weightlifters, runners, bicyclists and many other examples in life have this occur. The worst thing to do is quit trying. Reexamine your habits. Have you really been as strict or have you been cheating a lot on your diet? Have you been skipping the gym? Are your clothes fitting looser but the scale is simply not moving?

Quit hyper-focusing on weight alone. This is about being

healthy and weight loss is not the only factor for success.

It may be frustrating that you are “only” losing one pound every other week but that will lead to 26 pounds in a year! That is awesome!

Nutrition is not a fad. It is a lifestyle that needs to be learned. I enjoy pizza, burgers and Tex-Mex as much as anyone but I limit them to special occasions, or I modify those items with cauliflower crust, buffalo or turkey burgers and low-carb tortillas for my favorite fajitas.

These changes over time will lead to true success in weight management.

(Brian Attebery is a Degreed/Certified Trainer. He owns and operates Results Fitness and Nutrition Center, L.L.C. in Edmond. www.resultsfitnessusa.com)

Edmond Life & Leisure • August 26, 2021 • Page 19

Catholic Charities helping with Afghan humanitarian crisis Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City in partnership with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the U.S. government agencies is providing assistance to help Afghan evacuees finish their processing in Fort Lee, Virginia, before traveling to their final destination. As the Afghan situation continues to evolve this mission is ever-changing.

CCAOKC has been involved with resettling refugees in Oklahoma for close to 50 years. More recently, CCAOKC has done this formally with the USCCB as a reception and placement agency in the metro area. Traditionally, CCAOKC’s work begins when refugees arrive at Will Rogers World Air-

port after being thoroughly vetted through U.S. government agencies and approved for resettlement in the Oklahoma City area.

CCAOKC’s service to refugees includes such things as connecting them to housing, medical screening, registering children for school, employment and community inculturation. In recent years, arrivals have been primarily from Burma and Vietnam.

“The people most suffering are not the people involved in politics or religion; the people who are suffering are innocent women and children,” said Maleeha Siddique, a case manager at CCAOKC, who came to the U.S. as a refugee from

Afghanistan 20 years ago.

CCAOKC Executive Director Patrick Raglow said, “Due to our long history of successfully welcoming refugees into the Oklahoma City, we were asked to assist USCCB and U.S. government agencies to process recent arrivals from Afghanistan in Fort Lee.” Raglow said three CCAOKC employees have been approved to assist with these efforts and one has already arrived at Fort Lee. Although the U.S. government has not yet indicated that any Afghan refugees will be relocated to Oklahoma, that could change and CCAOKC is ready and willing to assist, he added.

Paseo Arts Festival set The long-awaited 44th Annual Paseo Arts Festival is just weeks away taking place on Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 4 and 5 from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. with live music until 10 p.m., and Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The festival, which usually occurs in May on Memorial Day Weekend, was moved temporarily due to COVID-19. All precautions are being taken following CDC guidelines. “We want the community to feel safe as best they can considering the current conditions. We support mask wearing, frequent hand sanitizer use and social distancing wherever possible,” says PAA Executive Director Amanda Bleakley.

Visitors will enjoy almost 100 nationally acclaimed visual artists, who fill the Historic Paseo Arts District with original artwork: everything from painting, ceramics and photography to woodworking, glass, sculpture and jewelry.

Voted Best Free Entertainment in Oklahoma Gazette’s 2020 Best of OKC, The festival is also famous for its more than 50 musicians

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Page 20 • August 26, 2021 • Edmond Life & Leisure