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February 2012
20 ALL HEART
Being in the right place at the right time proved life-saving for one Edmond woman at the Deer Creek Classic.
FEATURES 22 From Fame to Faith
26 Give a Goat
Award-winning Daytime Soap star Marcy Walker-Smith tells of her journey to faith and to Edmond.
Local nonprofit fighting poverty over seas using goats as a sustainable way to provide for families.
24 Fully-Automatic
30 Minor Recovery
From AK-47s to HK-53s, Heartland Outdoors offers gun enthusiasts excitement and adventure.
New Sobriety Now program offers local teens support and the chance to change their futures.
DEPARTMENTS 6
ARTS
16 BUSINESS
Adrenaline Rush
8
SPORTS
The Edmond Generals
10 LOUISE
Dreaming About Vacations
11 SHOPPING
Sweet Finds
12 FOOD
Habaneros Something to Love
$
Profiles International Head Over Heels
18 HOME
Stagers Feel Right at Home
29 BEFORE & AFTER
Garage Innovations
33 MY EDMOND
OUTLOOK
Jacob Shuart, Singing Cupid
To advertise, call Laura at 405-301-3926
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13431 N. Broadway Ste. 104 OKC, OK 73114 Office: 405-341-5599 Fax: 405-341-2020 www.edmondoutlook.com info@edmondoutlook.com
PUBLISHER Dave Miller EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING MANAGER Krystal Harlow EDITOR Erica Smith ADVERTISING SALES Laura Beam Lori Cathey PRODUCTION DESIGN Tanner Yeomans Karen Munger PHOTOGRAPHY Marshall Hawkins www.sundancephotographyokc.com DISTRIBUTION The Edmond Outlook is delivered FREE by direct mail to 50,000 Edmond homes and businesses.
(Volume 8, Number 2) Edmond Outlook is a publication of Back40 Design, Inc. © 2012 Back40 Design, Inc. Articles and advertisements in Edmond Outlook do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Back40 Design. Back40 Design does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by Edmond Outlook does not constitute endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Edmond Outlook assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.
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ADRENALINE RUSH by Nathan Winfrey
G
etting married is difficult enough without fretting over minutia; that’s the territory of Justin Lawrence’s company, Adrenaline Entertainment. Lawrence wanted to offer brides a complete wedding solution so his company offers DJs, videographers and photographers. But this isn’t new territory for Lawrence. He started out as a DJ for fraternity and sorority date parties in 2003 while attending UCO. At the time, he worked at a music store and was familiar with PA equipment, so one day he bought some speakers and used his radio personality skills, honed by a regimen of broadcasting classes, to break into the business. “It was a natural transition for me,” he explains. There are 13,000 weddings in Oklahoma each year, and, at one point, Adrenaline Entertainment was doing about 450 events annually. “The more weddings I did, the more well-versed I became,” he remembers. “I’ve been to 1,500-plus weddings. I can say, ‘This works really well’ or ‘This doesn’t work so good.’” With all of these weddings come plenty of war stories, says Lawrence. Once, a bride’s dress flew up over her head while she was dancing with her dad to “Butterfly Kisses.” Another time, a bride’s hair caught on fire when a sparkler, copious amounts of hair product, and a tipsy reveler combined (she was fine). Lawrence has seen numerous “M.O.B.’s” (mothers of the bride) ruin weddings because they ended up smothering their daughters while trying to live vicariously through them. So with all that can go wrong, Lawrence urges
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couples to let professionals handle their special day, even in this era of “budget everything.” And it’s not just for peace of mind – almost everyone has a relative who is willing to document the event, but you never know what the quality will be until it’s too late to redo it. Your first dance with your spouse as a married couple is an elegant moment, and the sound of Cousin Ted eating bruschetta while holding the camcorder likely isn’t something you want to remember forever. Not to mention the fact that whoever is behind the camera doesn’t get to experience the wedding to the fullest. Also, if something goes wrong, it’s better to blame hired help than a family member. “I’ve seen relationships devastated,” he says, because someone ruined or
Once, a bride's dress flew up over her head while she was dancing with her dad. missed something. “It’s important that you capture it from the beginning and capture it right.” Lawrence married his wife, Erin, in 2008, and actually enlisted his Adrenaline Entertainment crew for his own wedding. They were nervous wrecks, working their boss’s wedding, but Lawrence says they did a fantastic job. “I’m the biggest bridezilla of them all,” he admits. “I had high expectations; I
Adrenaline Entertainment Owner, Justin Lawrence
knew what I wanted.” He’d been working weddings for five years before he experienced his own, and Lawrence says that changed the game for him from then on. “You never understand how big a deal it is for the bride and groom until you get married yourself,” he relates. While managing a stable of DJs, videographers and photographers, Lawrence also works full time as a worship leader at New Covenant United Methodist Church in Edmond. As a singersongwriter, he tours student ministries, camps, retreats, discipleship weekends, and other events across the region, often travelling out of state and hitting about 50 tour dates per year. “I get to travel and play music a lot, which is fantastic,” he says. Lawrence’s first album, Remind My Soul, was released in September and can be found at www.justinlawrencemusic.com or on iTunes. Even with his musical success and ministry, Lawrence hasn’t stopped handling wedding receptions. “It’s the best industry to work in the world. You are paid to go put on parties and make sure the parties are fun … we love doing it.” To learn more about Adrenaline Entertainment, go to www.okcweddings.com.
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PINNED by Grant Zellner
Wrestlers Connor Shanks and Paxton Rosen square off
I
t’s thirty minutes before practice begins, and already that familiar scent tinges the air – that odor of sweat that seems to come off the cinderblock walls; the faint rubber smell floating up from the cushioned floor. It’s a wrestler’s paradise. No windows, no place to sit. Just a wall-to-wall mat with a dozen circles painted on it, each beaconing a pair of grapplers to step in and see who the better man is … today.
Wrestling Coach Hardell Moore
Austin already has broken a sweat. Alone, he crouches low in a praying-mantis stance, roaming back and forth across the room. Two steps with the right foot, then a hard low drive with the left,
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sweeping his imaginary opponent’s feet out from under him for a lightning quick takedown. Again and again, Austin repeats the move, chin down, brow furrowed in focus. It’s intense. Austin is 5 years old. He smiles at his father, Sonny, who is standing nearby. “Do it again, buddy!” Austin is having a blast. And he’s not the only one. In half an hour, 75 boys,
“Wrestling is a very tough sport. If you can wrestle, you can do anything.” the “novice” group, ages 4 to 13, will fill the room. Then another group, the “open” class of experienced wrestlers, will take over the space. These are the Edmond Generals. Their motto? Leave it all on the mat. Fourteen years ago, Hardell Moore — twice an Oklahoma High School State Champion, and a two-time Big 12 Champion and All-American at Oklahoma State University — started the Edmond Generals. 10 to 15 youths formed the inaugural team. Now, more than 150 wrestle with the club, which competes from late autumn until early spring. In early January, 70 Edmond Generals competed in the United States Junior Open & National Team Tournament in Oklahoma City. 27 placed in the top
six of their weight class, with nine finalists. “Wrestling has opened a lot of doors for me. This was a way for me to give back to the sport, and in a way, to my parents for all they gave me,” says Moore. Moore, along with assistant coach Justin Rosen, teaches life lessons. These young athletes learn that effort is key, and giving full effort always pays off, though sometimes one must wait for the reward. The values of education, commitment and good citizenship are interwoven with pointers on the intricacies of the half nelson. “Wrestling is a very tough sport,” says Moore. “If you can wrestle, you can do anything.” Coach Moore’s whistle blares, and his group begins running their warm-up laps. The next 15 minutes are filled with the kind of exertion and stretching that would make most grown-ups tired and sore just watching. A seven-year-old flashes by, sporting a wrestler’s unique headgear. He’s ready to learn. Soon, Coach Moore and Coach Rosen will begin teaching him and his teammates the same techniques they will see college and even Olympic athletes use in every match. Often, a seasoned teammate of age 11 or 12 will jump in to demonstrate a new move or technique. But not all are on the floor. Around the edges of the room, several older, more experienced wrestlers have arrived before their scheduled practice time. Notebooks open, they’re doing their homework. And therein lies the off-the-mat focus the coaches
have promoted. These spirited athletes receive great encouragement. Many of the Generals are the children of wrestlers. It’s a tight-knit community, and a larger-than-expected number of parents stay throughout the practice. Connor and Paxton, both 13, are each in their ninth year of wrestling. Although they are in different weight classes — Connor weighs 78 pounds and Paxton, 86 — they often square off against each other on the practice mat. They are training for the upcoming Cliff Keen Tulsa Nationals, where more than 2,000 youth wrestlers from across the country will compete.
Coach Moore and Coach Rosen with the Edmond Generals
“I like wrestling because it’s a very aggressive sport,” says Connor. “But also, it teaches you discipline.” Meanwhile, Paxton likes the individual nature of the sport. “You are responsible for yourself. And, it keeps you in shape,” he adds. Practice is nearing its close now. In one circle, two boys of about 6 are learning that once you take your man down, you must keep him down (an escape can earn a point for your opponent). One youngster realizes that sitting on his adversary seems to be working … for now. Not to worry — coaches will quickly step in to demonstrate the proper escape technique. But it’s safe to say there will be no real escape for many in the room. Wrestling has captured them, and there is no doubt that future champions are among them.
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DREAMING ABOUT VACATIONS
About the Author Louise Tucker Jones is an award-winning author and inspirational speaker. Author and co-author of four books, her work has been featured in numerous publications. Contact her at: LouiseTJ@cox.net or LouiseTuckerJones.com.
by Louise Tucker Jones
W
inter has definitely arrived along with the first snow. I was hoping this would be our first winter without the white stuff and I apologize to snow lovers, but the past two years of snow and ice were enough to last me a lifetime. Cold winters make me long for a warm beach, and yes, I have a few favorites. Take Florida, for instance. I love the aqua water and sugar white sand of the panhandle but Cocoa Beach on the Atlantic side, with its white-capped surf is also a favorite. We made our first trip to Florida when our children were ages 6 to 14 years old. We
“The beauty of the islands was worth every hour on that plane.” were on the road before 6 a.m. with all three kids sleeping in the back of the van. On the way to our destination we stopped in Vicksburg, MS, to explore the historical area and got into Tallahassee late at night with no place to stop for food. Our downtown hotel had already closed the restaurant but sent crystal goblets of milk via room service to enjoy with our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches—a staple I learned to pack long ago. The next day we settled into
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our little condo on Cocoa Beach, our home base as we visited Walt Disney World, Sea World and Kennedy Space Center, leaving time to hit the beach most afternoons. We eventually spent vacations at other Florida beaches and traveled to several Texas shorelines, including North and South Padre and enjoyed them all, even with sea gulls swooping down and stealing our food. Then for my 39th birthday, my husband arranged a trip to the greatest paradise of all—Hawaii. As always, we took the kids along. Some of us had never flown before that 10-hour trip. Friends asked, “Don’t you want to take a short trip, just to see how you do on a plane?” (Okay, I was one of those who had never traveled by air.) Nope! No short trips! I was determined to get to Hawaii no matter what the flight was like, and of course it was fine and the beauty of the islands was worth every hour on that plane. The thing is, I’ve not been to a beach in years. Our son, Jay can no longer fly because of his heart disease. My husband and I discussed renting a motor home and driving to a sandy shore, but pancreatic cancer stole that trip. But I’m thankful we took some exciting vacations through the years and fulfilled many of our dreams. We drank from Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth, shopped Mexican markets, took a sunset cruise on the gulf and spent a week in a cottage on a beautiful Iowa bluff. We saw the sun rise and set over different oceans, traveled the Ozark Mountains
in the spring and fall and visited the French Quarters in New Orleans. We also did some crazy things along the way, like stopping at a snake farm to see an
The Jones' Hawaiian Vacation albino rattlesnake (oldest son’s request) and getting stuck in the sand at Padre Island. (Who in the world would drive a van onto the beach in spite of his wife’s caution? Guess!) I have beautiful memories of our vacations. So what does your dream trip look like? Maybe you would like to float down the Mississippi River on a raft or a riverboat, go fly-fishing, take a Caribbean cruise, travel by train to a remote region or ride a mule down the Grand Canyon. Go for it! Or perhaps you’re like me and just want to drive a motor home to the beach in this grief-filled winter of my life and hope a summer of joy will follow. Don’t put those dreams off too long! Time has a way of running out.
Shop, Support, Save a Life. Show her some LOVE this Valentine's Day with Corral or Old Gringo boots from Hip & Swanky! You'll also find an amazing selection of trendy tees, hats, jewelry, boots and accessories. Located at 1247 E. Danforth (Kickingbird Square) • 341-3066 www.hipandswanky.com
Love is in the air at the Lime Leopard with designer fashion, gifts and home decor from Citizen's of Humanity, Ella Moss, Tracy Reese & Patterson J. Kincaid. Open Mon-Sat 10-6 • 12204 N. May, in OKC (Northpark Mall) www.TheLimeLeopard.net 755-3456
SoyCandle Cottage Soy Candle Cottage offers the very best of nature for you and your home with our fragrant soy candles, body waxes and natural lotions and creams formulated with deep penetrating soy oil, sweet almond oil, aloe vera and Vitamin E. Discover what so many have been raving about! Visit us at An Affair of the Heart February 10-12 or at www.soycandlecottage.com.
Child Care Providers of Edmond
Our Sisters’ Closet is an upscale Edmond women's resale shop benefiting battered women and children receiving services at the YWCA OKC. Located 3 blocks North of 2nd, between Broadway & Boulevard at 101 E. Hurd. Open Tues-Fri 10-5:30 and Sat 10-5. • 348-2442 • www.ywcaokc.org Also in OKC at I-240 & S. Penn. (NW corner Walnut Sq.) Mention this ad for a Shopping Discount!
Anabelle’s Galleria
Anabelle's Galleria has amazing Valentine gift ideas like these Johnny Swain bracelets and cuffs. You'll also find designer jeans, gorgeous home decor, children's items, shoes & purses. Located at 1201 NW 178th (2nd & Western) Find us on Facebook! 359-1189
The Balanced Life Weight Loss Clinic
Lose 3-7 lbs. per week with the medically supervised Ideal Protein Protocol. Enjoy delicious foods designed to burn stored fat while maintaining muscle mass. The Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method is quick and healthy with proven long-lasting results. This method also naturally suppresses appetite and re-establishes pancreatic function. Call Tina, Accredited Ideal Protein Coach, at 330-6800 for a special 2 for 1 Consultation for the month of February! • 1015 Waterwood Pkwy, Ste.G, www.TheBalancedLifeClinic.com Find us on Facebook!
Beadle Dee Bead & Gift Shop
AFTER
Dads, create a gorgeous Valentine's bracelet for mom and a special memory with your daughter! Sign up now for the Father-Daughter bead class for ages 6-14 on Sat., Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. Stop by this unique bead boutique any time for a variety of exquisite crystals, pearls, glass, gemstones and other beads, plus supplies and gift items. Located at Danforth & Santa Fe in the 7-11 shopping plaza • 715-5820 Visit www.mybeadledee.com or find us on Facebook!
Kern's Interiors has moved! Come visit us at our brand new location, 3409 S. Brdwy Ste. 500, in the Market Depot, right next to Charlestons. Kern's offers furniture & accessories for all areas of your home, plus an outstanding design team ready to help you make the home of your dreams a reality. Call us at 285-2374 or come by today! Open M-F 10-6 and Sat 10-5.
Child Care Providers of Edmond offers FREE assistance to parents looking for home-based child care in the Edmond area. All child care providers are Oklahoma DHS licensed and are certified in CPR & first aid. For help finding quality care for your child, call 330-HOME or visit www.childcareofedmond.com.
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skinny and barely full. Ours are big, full, plump and round, and therefore full of great flavor.” Chris Hobson grew up in Deer Creek, and has been around restaurants most of his life. “(Opening his own restaurant) is something Chris has always wanted to do,” Hobson said. When the original location became available at the corner of Broadway and Waterloo Road, it seemed like a great fit — close to where they lived, and in an area that had no other eating establishments. The experience of owning their own restaurant has been like nothing else. “It’s been a lot harder than we expected,” Hobson said. “But great, too. We get to meet so many people. We have regulars that come in
General Manager Lance Phillips
HABANEROS
H
abaneros Mexican Restaurant, which advertises “off the beaten path but worth it,” has a new path. The Edmond restaurant known for its massively-sized burrito and chili rellenos has relocated to 251 E. Waterloo — right around the corner from where it has served customers for six years. “We felt it was time for us to improve the restaurant with a new look, new management and add some new flavor,” said Mandy Hobson, who coowns the eatery with husband, Chris. The new location offers a drive-through window for to-go orders, an outdoor patio and bar area. One thing that hasn’t changed is the Hobsons’ commitment to providing quality Mexican dining, with great service and a good price.
by Dena A. Edwards
“We have developed recipes through the years and are constantly trying new ones to keep our menu options fresh and new,” said Hobson, an Edmond native. A few original recipes created by their Mexican chefs are the Alambre — grilled marinated fajita beef, mushrooms, sautéed onions and bell peppers smothered with Monterey jack cheese and Hobson’s favorite specialty item, Pork Chili Verde — marinated pork slow-cooked in green sauce and salsa roja. These specialties are constantly evolving as the Hobsons encourage their chefs to experiment with new recipes and improve old ones. One traditional Mexican favorite has become a customer favorite at Habaneros — the chili relleno. “We use large roasted poblano peppers and stuff them full,” Hobson said. “So many chili rellenos you get at other places are
Owners, Chris & Mandy Hobson all the time, and it’s awesome to see those faces every week and to form new relationships.” The new location, open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, has different décor than their original restaurant. Stained concrete floors, granite countertops, arched doorways with brick paver eyebrows, neutral colors with pops of traditional Mexican heritage colors all set the tone for diners. “We want everyone to feel welcome when they come in,” Hobson said. “To feel accepted, comfortable, not feel out of place.” For more information, call 359-3319 or visit www.habanerosok.com.
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SOMETHINGTOLOVE by Krystal Harlow
Cimarron Grille & Casino
Edmond Wine Shop
Tropical Cafe
Tired of the same old song and dance for Valentine’s? Step up your game with a super-charged evening of food and fun at Cimarron Casino. February 14 from 3-6:30 p.m. a player will be randomly drawn every 15 minutes to win a Sweethearts Package. Package includes non-alcoholic champagne and glasses, candy, $50 Red Lobster gift certificate and two $25 play vouchers. Enjoy Cimarron Grille’s tasty starters, breakfasts, dinners, burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches. Save big with five great meals under $5! Located at 821 W. Freeman Ave., Perkins, OK. Call (405) 547-5352 or visit cimarroncasino.com.
Valentine's Day is all about perfect pairings and the expert staff at this impressive wine shop make it easy to choose the right bubbly for your celebration! Now through February 15, you'll find four select sparkling wines at a special 20% off. Delight your date with Barefoot Bubbly Pinot Grigio, Cupcake Prosecco, Francois Montand Brut Rose or Mirabelle Brut. You'll want to stock up at these great prices! Enjoy the vast selection of wines from around the world, too, complete with great note card descriptions of each. Stop by 1520 S. Boulevard or call 341-9122.
Millie's Table
Pops
Red Velvet Bakery
With the aroma of Millie's special Valentine's dinner in your oven, romance is in the air! Avoid the crowds and celebrate an unforgettable evening with your special someone over a gourmet entree of Chicken Wellington, Holiday Pork Loin or Orange Glazed Salmon. Order your Valentine's dinner for two, ready to heat and eat, complete with salad, veggies, potato side, rolls and a special dessert for just $53.88 (tax included). Or order your meal pre-cooked for just $63.88. Call 330-9156 or stop by 1333 N. Santa Fe for delicious take-and-bake entrees, soups and sides, too. Visit milliestable.com.
Rekindle your love for the Mother Road with a visit to one if it's most prized destinations. Pops' edgy blend of soaring architecture and nostalgic charm are a treat for all ages. Enjoy their signature delight, a 600+ selection of colorful sodas from around the world, along with delicious burgers, fries, desserts and renowned weekend breakfasts. Fuel up at the modern gas pumps and don't miss the gift shop or the shake shop with ultra-thick shakes in 10 different flavors. Your kids will love to mix and match their own soda 6-pack to take home.Visit them at 660 W. Hwy 66 in Arcadia or at pops66.com.
Take heart! Valentine's Day is the day to take a break from your diet and indulge in life's sweet pleasures. This cozy bakery's namesake is prided on its signature sweet--mini Red Velvet cupcakes crowned with delicately sweet cream cheese frosting. Pick up a box for parties or choose a variety of cupcakes, decorated cookies and brownies to share. Don't forget their delicious Mediterranean to-go foods and hearty beef and chicken dinner pies, ready to heat and serve six. Place your orders by calling 330-8127 or stop by 2824 E. 2nd Street. Watch for weekly specials on Twitter!
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Check out the new décor at this favorite Edmond hot spot. Plasma TV’s, relaxing music and spacious seating invite you to linger over a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner. Sushi, crepes, salads, grilled Panini and café sandwiches, plus sensational evening hibachi selections feed your appetite for variety with every delicious bite. Start your day with an espresso, smoothie, omelet or French toast and relax with friends after work over a glass of wine. Call 3408956 for special Valentine’s Day dining you won’t want to miss! Catering available, too. Stop by 304 S. Kelly or visit oklahomatropicalcafe.com.
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Profiles International Corporate Profile Solution Specialists by Melanie Phillips Clemens For many businesses, today’s decisions are tomorrow’s successes or failures. With the right resources, wise choices become smart business. No one knows this better than Brian Kelly, president of Corporate Profile Solution Specialists and a senior executive account representative for Profiles International. Kelly loves tackling problems with a solution that’s proven to work. “We provide business owners with information to make better decisions regarding their people issues. We help them identify top performers based on the company’s unique criteria and help them develop and retain those individuals, improving the client’s bottom line,” said Kelly. Profiles International serves more than 40,000 clients worldwide providing assessment tools that, according to Kelly, have made their services “high in demand.” “My business is based primarily in the OKC and Tulsa areas but (we) also service several large national accounts through our Enterprise Solutions Division. Typically those clients have 5001,000 employees minimum.” Kelly says their flagship
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product is the Profile XT (PXT) which provides information on learning index, behavioral traits and occupational interest. In addition to the PXT, the Checkpoint 360 Feedback tool measures 70 specific job skills which fall into eight universal management and leadership competencies and 18 skill sets. Kelly started Corporate Profile Solution Specialists, a subsidiary company of Profiles International, in 2005. After 17 years of coaching college football at universities across the U.S., Kelly was living in Illinois while his family was living in Edmond. “That wasn’t a good fit for my family. I literally answered an ad for Profiles International, traveled to their headquarters in Waco, Texas, and began partnering with them. In education, it’s all about test and measurement. I enjoy the science behind the testing and this is a nice complement to what I’ve done in the past,” he said. Kelly is enthusiastic and proud of the integrity of the company he partnered with almost seven years ago. “We perform reliability and validity testing on our products continuously and have set the industry
President, Brian Kelly standard for our products while remaining moderately priced. It’s one reason I chose to go to work for them. I can go to a business fully confident that we have the best possible products for them,” he said. “A lot of employers don’t realize what the cost of turnover is until they put pen and paper to it. An engaged worker produces about 60 percent more than an unengaged worker because they’re satisfied and enjoy being there. That’s different than someone who just clocks in and out,” said Kelly. “If a company has personnel issues, it’s worth it to pick up the phone and see if we’re a good fit for their company.” For more information, go to www.profilesok.com or call Kelly at 517-4791.
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Head Over Heels If the Shoe Fits...
by Melanie Phillips Clemens Let’s face it, most women love shoes. To some they aren’t just foot covers but a fashion statement completing each outfit. That is, unless the shoe doesn’t fit. According to the trained specialists at Head Over Heels Boutique in Edmond, “almost 80% of women are wearing the wrong size shoe.” Business partner Sue Krominga explained, “If a woman has a narrow foot, she may buy a smaller size to make it fit better. Most shoe stores carry mainly medium-width shoes but we try to carry more of the widths that you can’t find in a standard store.” Sue shared how her partners, Kelsey Krominga and Katie Cornman, used their previous experience and expertise to convince her that opening Head Over Heels Boutique was worth coming out of retirement for. “I’d been retired for four years and was busy with volunteer work when Kelsey and Katie brought me a business plan. They’re business students at UCO but both of them have worked for a specialty shoe store in the past. We felt like there was a niche for this kind of store here in Edmond. Although high fashion is a
little harder with specialty shoes, we wanted to offer fashion shoes in brands that make the slims, narrows, medium and wide widths.” Head Over Heels Boutique’s vintage décor and brands like VANELi, Clarks and Sesto Meucci could be indicative of a store found in Dallas and that’s one thing that customers love. “There’s a large number of people who drive to Dallas to buy shoes or they order them online. We have customers come from OKC, Norman and Enid specifically to come to this store. One lady called and has a friend from Georgia that’s coming in when she visits. Our customers tell us they like the friendly, comfortable environment and love the vintage theme.” Varying widths in high fashion isn’t the only thing that makes Head Over Heels a specialty store. Their full-service specialists are trained to help each customer find the perfect shoe. “When people come in with an odd-size foot, we bring them what we have in their size. We’ll walk out with six to eight boxes in their size and they’re shocked we have that many,”
Kelsey & Sue Krominga with Katie Cornman said Sue. “Our dream is to have more stores, in other cities and states. But our biggest success is to be able to fill a need and have people come in and share that with us.” Head Over Heels Boutique carries a variety of Brighton jewelry and handbags as well as FarmHouse Fresh products. The store also has new spring shoes in, including Cole Haan and Brighton. Head Over Heels Boutique is located at 1201 NW 178th Street (2nd & Western) in Edmond. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 285-1700, search for them on Facebook and Twitter or visit www.headoverheelsok.com.
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STAGERS FEEL RIGHT AT HOME by Dena A. Edwards
House Managers, Paul and Staci Swales
I
f something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. But at least one Oklahoma City company has a program in place that they claim is truly as good as it seems. Showhomes OKC matches vacant homes for sale with screened home managers — individuals or families who live in the homes during the selling process — to provide a win-win for all parties involved, said Showhomes OKC owner John Stockton. The homeowners and real estate agents win by selling their homes faster and for more money,
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and the home managers win by being able to live in homes that they might not otherwise be able to afford, or even homes that are the same level of home they are used to living in, but for a much–reduced monthly payment, Stockton explained. In 2008, a study conducted by the Real Estate Staging Association determined that filled homes sold 85 percent faster than vacant homes. And a 2004 survey of Realtors showed that homes filled with furnishings sold for 10 to 20 percent more. Showhomes OKC’s program has found a way to make sure the homes selling are full of beautiful furniture and accessories at no additional cost to the homeowner or real estate agent. They use home managers’ possessions. When home managers apply for Showhomes’ program, they go through a background check and an interview. Stockton makes sure they don’t smoke or have pets, and then evaluates their belongings to ensure they would be acceptable for staging the level of homes he helps sell. “Some (managers) qualify for a $300,000 house, while others qualify for a $700,000 house,” Stockton said. It’s based upon how much furniture they have to fill the different sized homes, as well as the quality of their furniture. Once those factors are determined, Stockton places the manager in a home that meets the size and style of their belongings. If the managers have children, Stockton keeps them in the school district where they attend. Showhomes OKC has a decorator who helps stage the home with the manager’s belongings, to ensure the home looks its best. The personal items, such as photos and mementos, go into boxes for storage in the attic or garage, as do any knick knacks or other pieces that don't work with the design scheme.
The managers in return pay their moving expenses and a set monthly fee to Showhomes OKC, which is usually about 30 percent of what the mortgage would be if they owned the home, Stockton said. They also are responsible for the costs of maintaining the yard and a pool if the home has one, as well as utilities. “I get a lot of (managers) who are in transition (in their lives),” he said. Newly divorced people are custom-made for the program, with their nice
“It allows us to live in properties we wouldn't otherwise be able to experience.” furniture but decreased income. Business families who are transferred into the city also enjoy the program, as it gives them a chance to familiarize themselves with their surroundings. “One gentleman is building a 3 million dollar home, and while it is being built, he is a home manager. This saves him storage costs and from having to live in a small apartment in the transition,” Stockton said. Paul and Staci Swales became home managers for Showhomes OKC about 10 years ago when Paul lost his job. At that time, they had two children, 8 and 1, and another on the way. The idea of keeping a home constantly “show ready” with young children can be daunting to most. Paul said it wasn’t easy. “It was very difficult at the beginning; we all had to learn,” he said. “But the kids have grown accustomed to having to live in a picked-up, clean, orderly environment.”
Within a few years of entering the program, the Swales had saved enough on monthly mortgage payments that they were able to buy a home of their own. Then about three years ago, Paul decided to start his own business, so once again, they became home managers. “We sold the house, and had a huge amount of furniture — enough to (stage) a 7,000-square-foot home — so we couldn’t go into an apartment. This (program) is tailor made for people in transition like we were,” he said. Combined, the Swales have been home managers for about seven years. In that time, they have lived in 14 different houses, ranging from a $225,000 home to their current $2.5 million home in Gaillardia — for which they pay $1,400 a month plus utilities. Their shortest stay in a home was five weeks, and the longest 14 months, although eight months seems to be the average. Moving that often is a headache, Paul said, but the benefits greatly outweigh the inconvenience. And in time, his family has learned to streamline the process, knowing how to pack and unpack efficiently. “You have to learn how to live (the home manager) lifestyle,” Stockton said. “Moving often means you don’t collect all the stuff you collect when you live years in a home. And your personal stuff stays in boxes. You live with what you need to and call it a day.” Home managers are generally given 30 to 45 days notice that they will be moving, and also have to give a 30-day notice if and when they decide to retire from being a manager. “We have had our favorite houses, but never one that we disliked,” Paul said. “That’s one of the benefits: experiencing different neighborhoods and additions. It allows us to live in properties we wouldn’t otherwise be able to experience.” And it allows home buyers to see the homes as such, rather than as empty houses, which in turn makes them sell faster and for more money. And with 15 years of experience dealing with hundreds of homes and managers, Showhomes OKC has proven that sometimes what seems too good to be true is simply just good.
www.edmondoutlook.com 19
ALL HEART by Lindsay Whelchel
2011 Deer Creek Classic runners at the starting line
M
elissa Huston has been running almost her entire life. She began when she was 15 and continued by taking a jogging class in college. As an adult, she ran regularly. Running was solitude for her; it was her time to think and work through issues, so normally she did it alone. Then, the Edmond mother of two turned 40 and decided
Huston woke up, got dressed and put on her running shoes. That's the last thing she remembers. it was time she entered her first race. With the goal of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in mind, Huston began to look for an opportunity. The shorter Deer Creek Classic was a perfect starting point. Huston began to train, making it up to seven miles on her runs at Mitch Park. The night before the race, she went with her family to pick up her registration packet. On March 5, 2011, Huston woke up, got dressed and put on her running shoes. That’s the last thing she remembers. Allison Garrison grew up wanting desperately to run. But, Garrison had a heart problem that restricted her activity levels. She also had a
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stubborn streak that propelled her to do something she was told she couldn’t do. So, with adulthood, greater awareness of managing her condition and discussions with her doctor, Garrison began to run. She started participating in races a couple of years ago and had a group of running buddies that included her young son. They made a routine out of entering the local races that led up to the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon and that meant this past spring, they would be running in the Deer Creek Classic. “That day, we actually very much debated about not running in the race,” Garrison says. The weather was bitterly cold and she explains that if she hadn’t had her group to hold her accountable, she wouldn’t have run. If she hadn’t, the day may have turned out very differently. During the race, Garrison kept pace with members of the military who were participating because, she explains, their group did cadence calls and it helped keep her motivated. This is how she happened to be near a young man who was having some trouble so she stopped to help him. Helping comes natural for Garrison, who is a physician assistant. “Medicine has been a part of my life since I was born essentially,” Garrison says. Her parents divorced when she was young and her mother is a nurse who worked long hours and
took her daughters along with her. “We basically grew up in a hospital and just hung out with the patients and got to know all of the different aspects of medicine.” Garrison is now the president of the Oklahoma Academy of Physician Assistants and works with students at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. After she had helped the young man, Garrison continued on the run. She was making her best time ever and she was almost to the end of the race. There was just one last turn to make, one last
Melissa Huston and Allison Garrison hill. It was at the top of this hill that Garrison saw someone lying on the ground. Huston was in great shape. There was no clear indication that an artery in her heart had grown
between her aortas when it should have grown around them. She had two fainting spells when she was young, once at a high school dance and then again in her jogging class when she was 19. Though the latter incident landed her in the emergency room, the doctors didn’t investigate further. “The doctors were like ‘we have no idea what’s wrong with her.’ They didn’t check my heart; they didn’t do any of that stuff. They just said ‘I guess it was just one of those things,’” Huston says and advises people to never ignore warning signs. Even though more than 20 years passed without incident, it actually wasn’t ‘just one of those things.’ Like a silent bomb waiting to go off, Huston’s condition is usually found in the autopsy after a person dies, she explained. When Garrison arrived on the scene, there were a few people crowded around Huston. They thought she had had a seizure because, as Garrison explained, a cardiac arrest can sometimes mimic a seizure by causing a person to shake. Garrison asked if Huston was breathing. No one was sure. Huston’s condition was deteriorating and that’s when Garrison took charge. She felt Huston’s wrist and her neck. There was no pulse. She began CPR with the help of, as fate would have it, one of her former students. The incident is a prime example of why everyone should know CPR, says Garrison. “It was one of those situations where everyone who was around her, they wanted to help but no one knew what to do and everyone was kind of looking for someone to take over,” she says. “They were just waiting for help to arrive and meanwhile she was dying.” Between breathing and chest compressions and with the arrival of the volunteer fire department and their equipment used to shock Huston’s heart, her pulse came back, intermittently. Garrison says she gives credit to God for helping her stay calm during the incident, because though she has dealt with all kinds of medical emergencies, never had she been faced with one outside of a controlled environment like a hospital or clinic. “I didn’t even realize what had gone on until it was over,” she says. “It just hit me all of a sudden what had just happened.” Huston and her family also see a higher power in what happened that day. “We all know that God was working in my life,” she says. “We all know that this happened at this particular time, on that particular day, with Allison running behind me, that was God’s perfect timing for this to happen.” Huston adds that it was a miracle she came out of the incident without brain damage. “They had told my husband that when I woke up, not to expect me to be the person that I was,” she says. Huston is thankful to Garrison, who kept in touch with her and visited her in the hospital. “I always call her my angel because that’s what I feel like she is. She is the angel that was put behind me in this race,” she says. Huston is now back to running up to four miles a day and emphasizes that what happened has made her even more determined to live a healthy lifestyle. For more information on heart health, visit www.heart.org.
www.edmondoutlook.com 21
Marcy playing Liza Colby on "All My Children"
Marcy playing Eden Capwell on "Santa Barbara"
LifeKids Pastor, Marcy Walker-Smith
FROM FAME TO FAITH by Heide Brandes
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od comes to people in deep and mysterious ways, and sometimes He arrives in a stamped envelope from New Jersey. Marcy Smith, formerly and professionally known as Marcy Walker, never knew faith or religion while growing up. She certainly didn’t find it on the daytime dramas she starred in while living in New York City or Los Angeles. She did, however, open a letter weekly from a woman in New Jersey who wasn’t a fan of the daytime soaps, but just a person compelled to write each week about God to a woman she never knew. “I wanted God in my life because of the gospel I heard through her,” said Smith, now a children’s pastor in Edmond. “I wouldn’t be here today, I wouldn’t have met my husband, I wouldn’t know Jesus as my Savior now if it wasn’t for her.” Former star of daytime dramas “All My Children” and “Santa Barbara,” Smith is a vital part of the LifeChurch.tv Edmond Campus, but her road to Edmond and faith was a weaving one that took her through starlet dreams, fame and finally, despair.
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Smith was born in Paducah, Kentucky but never stayed in one place long. The daughter of an aeronautical engineer, she went to many different schools before graduating high school in Illinois in 1979. “I say I’m from everywhere,” Smith says. “I was in Illinois thinking about college and was encouraged to go to a casting call for a PBS movie, ‘Life on the
Marcy moved to the Big Apple and landed her first role on “All My Children.” Mississippi.’ I went and they said that out of all the people who auditioned, I was the most perfect for the role of the sourthern belle because I was the most naive.” Because of her potential, beauty and talent, the casting director encouraged Smith to move to New York City. With the blessing of her parents, she moved to the Big Apple, got an agent and landed her first
role on “All My Children.” “I was happy beyond belief,” says Smith. “It was the answer to my hopes and dreams. I think whenever you are on a set, you are meeting a new family. You are a part of something, and you feel accepted in your part. But it was also a learning curve.” Smith played the roles of Liza Colby on “All My Children” from 1981 to 1984 and again from 1995 to 2005, and of Eden Capwell on “Santa Barbara” from 1984 to 1991. She was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1987 and 1988 for her role on “Santa Barbara” and won the Emmy in 1989 for her portrayal in which her character was brutally raped. “Being nominated for an Emmy was very exciting,” Smith says. “To be thought of as the best of the best was an honor and to win was fantastic. The recognition was not something I took for granted. It was pretty incredible.” Besides soap operas, Smith starred in several movies, including “The Return of Desperado,” “Terror in the Shadows,” “Bar Girls” and “Midnight’s Child.”
Yet, throughout her acting career and rise to stardom, something was missing. During that same time, a message was coming to her every week, but it was a message she wasn’t ready to hear yet. While Smith played her roles on daytime television, a housewife in New Jersey named Carolyn Guest was witnessing about her faith in God to a neighbor. She desperately wanted to find something in common with her neighbor in order to reach her with her faith. “This … neighbor was going out of town for a while, and this was before everyone had DVR’s for their television,” Smith says. “The lady asked Carolyn to watch her shows for her so they could have coffee when she got back and Carolyn could tell her what happened.” Happy to have a connection with her neighbor, that’s exactly what Guest did. The daytime show, ironically, was not the one Smith starred in. “I was in the show right before that one, but Carolyn would tune in early and catch the end of our show,” Smith says. “She said she felt compelled to pray and saw my face when she prayed. Her husband told her, ‘Actresses are people too, so what’s the harm in praying for her?’” Soon, the letters came. The New Jersey housewife reached out to the daytime star and told her the story of the neighbor and that she was praying for Smith. The letters came every week — sometimes they shared news about Guest’s children and family, sometimes they talked about life, but they always talked about her faith. “She wrote me every week for seven years,” says Smith. “I never wrote her back, but she didn’t seem like a fan, and she wasn’t a fan. I never think of her as a typical fan — just a person who came out of nowhere to fulfill a testimony to me.” At the time, she never saw how God was talking to her in each envelope. Life, however, can turn sour and dark. In New York City, Smith saw suffering and sorrow in her friends and acquaintances. She saw drug use, alcoholism, anorexia, cancer and AIDS. She was surrounded by death and questioned why. “I lost a very good friend to liver failure,” Smith says. “I said, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ Carolyn helped me understand that figure — God — in my life really wanted to be Lord in my life.” Finally, the letters hit home. Having not grown up with faith, Smith’s first impression of it was through the actions of a stranger. “She modeled who Christ was before I knew Christ,” Smith says. “It was 15 years ago that I gave my life to Jesus, when I said ‘I don’t want to be the lord of my own life.’” After accepting God into her heart, Smith said she all of a sudden wanted things that God wanted for her. She found a home church in Connecticut and met her future husband in Bible study. Two years later, she started teaching Bible school. “I loved teaching the children about how much God was there for them and how He loved them,” she says. “After a long time of praying, God told me that the scales had tipped, and I said I’m walking away from acting.” Smith married her husband after six months of dating, and Guest, the letter lady, was among her bridesmaids. Soon, Smith’s family and Guest’s family both moved to Huntersville, North Carolina and Smith went to work as a children’s pastor. “The experience I had in North Carolina was amazing. It was amazing what we were able to do, but God called me to something more,” Smith says. “I put my resume out there and I got a call from LifeChurch.tv asking if I’d come to Edmond, Oklahoma. I thought, ‘Oklahoma? Really? This isn’t part of the plan.’” What Smith found, however, was a home. As soon as she set foot in the church, she fell in love with the city, the people, the food and the welcoming atmosphere. “Six months ago we moved to Edmond,” Smith says. “For me, I wanted to go where God is, and God is here. God is at work in so many ways … and I love that I’m now part of this church family and staff.” To this day, the letters that a stranger sent for seven years straight are still a dear part of Smith’s life. “I hope my story encourages people to not give up on people they have hope for. It does matter, and what you say to others matters. Because of Carolyn, I took the leap … and look at how many lives she’s changed.”
www.edmondoutlook.com 23
FULLY-AUTOMATIC FRIDAYS By Heide Brandes
S
tanding in a dark cubicle with an actual 1928 A1 Thompson Submachine Gun — or as Hollywood calls it, a Tommy Gun — you feel like you need to be in a sharp pinstriped suit with a jaunty fedora sitting cockeyed upon your head and a fat cigar hanging off your lips like a curse. It’s a nasty gun, loud with a burst of fire out the end, and it kicks up like an unbroken and angry mare. There was a reason why Al Capone and other famous gangsters favored this fullyautomatic machine gun. It hit hard and sprayed wide. “In 1934, the government passed the law on machine guns because of this gun. Whenever you think of old gangster movies, this is the gun they used,” said Steve Hazelwood of Cold Hand Arms, a class 3 gun shop in Edmond. That A1 Thompson is the granddaddy of the other fully-automatic machine guns being shot at Heartland Outdoors, 1444 N. Kelly, in Edmond, on the first Friday night of each month. The smell of
burnt gunpowder, sweat and oil — not as unpleasant as it sounds — permeates the gun range as veterans, gun enthusiasts, beginners and even youth try out what very few civilians can try — shooting fullyautomatic weapons. Full Auto Fridays are a special event offered by the two-year-old gun range, and it’s one of the most popular nights of the month. From 6 to 10 p.m., $15 and the cost of ammunition grants you the chance to shoot anything from a bullish HK 53 to a surprisingly mild and friendly 9 mm Sterling fullyautomatic (favored by the British until the 1970s) to the wild and ugly Krinkov, the gun used by Osama Bin Laden. Because Hazelwood’s store has a special license to deal in fully-automatics as a class 3 dealer, he knows not everyone can have the chance to shoot a gun like an AK-47 — used famously by Russians, Vietnamese and Iraqis – or M-4s — the modified
version of the famous M-16. So, with a passion for shooting, he offered the use of his guns to Heartland Outdoors for the public to try out. “This is the only chance a lot of people have to try out a weapon like this,” said Hazelwood. “Because of games like Call of Duty, machine guns have become a lot more popular
The first boom of a gun makes you jump three feet off the floor, even with earplugs.
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Jared Harshaw at Heartland Outdoors
Heide Brandes shooting an A1 Thompson and a real attraction. So, first and foremost, we teach safety, and we do it in a safe environment.” Hazelwood grew up around guns, and he started working with guns as a hobby while taking care of his grandfather. Three years ago, he opened Cold Hand Arms, specializing in accessories for semi-automatic weapons. He has in his possession, however, some of the most impressive fully-automatics ever made. In March 2010, he approached Heartland about offering Full Auto Fridays. “We had a lot of people show up that first time. It was busy the whole four hours,” Hazelwood said. “The second month, we had 75 people. It was a line to the door.” Jared Harshaw, business partner at Heartland Gun Range, said machine guns have a taboo allure about them. “Not everyone has them,” he said. “We usually start beginners off with a smaller caliber submachine gun, like a 9 mm Thompson or an M4 9 mm. Then we’ll jump you up to an HK 308.” Black floors are littered with shell casings that gleam in a dull brass of all sizes. The first boom of a gun makes you jump three feet off the floor, even with earplugs. The range is filled with big guys and only a handful of girls, but the girls who are there are as enthusiastic about shooting as anyone else. Melissa Sullivan, an old schoolmate of Hazelwood’s, brought her 14-year-old daughter, Macaulin, to shoot. “This is the first time for us,” said Sullivan. “I’m not a gun enthusiast, but I know Steve and know about the company, so I thought I’d bring the kid out.” Macaulin tries her hand at the M4 9 mm. As she shoots, bullets fly out of the gun like angry bees, stinging with heat and landing erratically. “Hello!” Macaulin yelled out at the first kick of the gun. She lets fly a long burst of bullets. “Ah! The casings are hitting my head,” she yelled again, but she doesn’t stop. She keeps going until the bullets
are gone and only a huge smile remains. The HK-53 is a bully of a gun. It’s short and thick with a flame that shoots out the front, but it’s nothing like the M-4 Shorty Commando. Lining up for the first shot, the noise alone could kill a man. It’s like a bomb exploding and all you see is flying shell casings and a starburst of yellow flame. Everyone else at the range jumps when the gun booms, and heat rolls off of it in a brusque wind. “Yeah,” Hazelwood said. “That’s one scary gun.” The Kalashnikov AKS-74U (Krinkov) short assault rifle, another gun available at Heartland’s Full Auto Fridays, was used by police across the USSR and the post-USSR countries. The AKS-74U, or “Krinkov” as coined by Afghani Mujahidins during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s, is also the gun of choice in Arab countries due to its compact size, which allows it to be carried in cars or concealed under clothes. It is, however, limited on effective range and has poor accuracy beyond about 150 meters. In a beginner’s hands, bullets fly off the ceiling of the shooting range. “Those sparks were you hitting the ceiling,” Macaulin giggled. Everyone else on the range is as forgiving, and with big guns come big bonds. Everyone starts trading weapons, allowing a stranger to shoot a strange gun. Philip, of Edmond, owns the British 9 mm Sterling, an elegant and slender machine gun. Hazelwood lets visitors try the Heckler & Koch G36, which the Oklahoma City SWAT team uses. The beginning shooter may be nervous at first. “Once you shoot an automatic for the first time, there’s a release of tension,” Hazelwood said. “Afterwards, you get pumped up. It’s like firecrackers — everyone likes the boom and how much noise they make. The allure is the fact that you can’t have it. It’s against the law. But, you have to know how to control an automatic or it’s no good.” Harshaw expects the popularity of Full Auto Fridays to continue to grow. The enthusiasm brings more and more new faces to Heartland Outdoors on those Fridays, and everyone leaves excited. “You can expect big smiles. We aren’t making money on this, but it gives people an opportunity to do something adventurous. It’s exciting, and it’s a safe place to do it.” For more information, visit www.heartlandoutdoorsok.com
www.edmondoutlook.com 25
by Erica Smith & Radina Gigova
F
ighting poverty is a noble and often challenging mission. Sizable accomplishments require time, dedication and a good strategy. David Bowden knows this firsthand. The vice president of local nonprofit Give a Goat recently returned from his second trip to the Philippines where he and his wife, Meagan, connected with those who need their help the most. “I have been working with Give a Goat for over two years,” said Bowden. “Unlike my first trip, when I only visited for two weeks, this trip lasted three months. We decided we needed to have an extended presence in the field in order to build healthy relationships, gather reliable information, and connect more deeply with those we were helping.” Former Oklahoma Christian University student
“we heard story after
story about how goats are changing people’s lives for the better.”
Peter Cariaga founded the Give a Goat nonprofit on the OC campus in 2006 to teach his fellow countrymen how to raise goats as a sustainable way to provide for their families. Goats are given to the families, providing milk that can be used for food
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Vice President David Bowden visiting a school in the Philippines
or sold. Goat milk is especially suited for a lactose intolerant population like the Philippines. It can be turned into cheese, yogurt or butter. It also can be used for making soap, lotion and other products. Goat manure is a natural fertilizer that can help farmers raise healthier crops. When goats are no longer productive, they can be sold as meat. Goats reproduce often and families have the opportunity to raise their own herd. The Philippines is an archipelago comprising of 7,100 islands and has a population of about 94 million. According to the latest U.N. statistics, almost half of the population lives on less than two dollars a day and the poverty rate is projected to grow. “My wife and I lived on Lapu-Lapu. We resided in a small rent house in what is known as the ‘firework village.’ This village is filled with nearly 30,000 people who supply the Philippines with their stocks of fireworks by making every piece from scratch,” explains Bowden. “These hardworking people spend every second of daylight mixing black powder, rolling shells, drying wicks, stuffing mortars, and rolling explosives for around $1 to $2 a day. They live in a perpetual cycle of poverty. Loan sharks give them money to buy their supplies at extremely high interest rates. The workers buy their supplies and work long hours for pennies on the dollar.” The workers are left with barely enough to provide for their families. Many families pull their children out of elementary school to help roll
fireworks before they even finish the first grade. “My wife and I knew that we had to do something about this problem, and that giving goats was a wonderful solution,” said Bowden. One worker’s story especially struck Bowden and his wife. “We met a wonderful woman named MaryAnn. She was a hardworking mother of two and was struggling to get by. In between her work with the firecrackers she was doing manicures and pedicures for about 50 cents. Even with this extra income she was having a hard time providing for her family.” After about a month of conversations and training, the Bowdens bought the supplies and built Mary-Ann a goat house. “In about three days it was finished. We went and purchased two pregnant females and one male and gave them to Mary-Ann,” he recalls. “We told her that she did not have to be poor, and she did not have to be hungry. She now has six goats, can afford more food and clothing for her family, and is on track to send her children to school all the way through college.” The nonprofit distributes goats only to people who are willing to learn how to take care of them. The goats are considered borrowed and families are not allowed to kill them for food or sell them for money. They can keep the offspring and potentially double their income. So far, Give a Goat has distributed more than 1,500 goats and has helped 137 families. The target for the next five years is 10,000 goats, and in 10 years the nonprofit hopes to reach the 100,000 mark.
“It’s amazing the difference I’ve seen even in the one year between my visits,” said Bowden. “Give a Goat has boomed to nearly every major island in the Philippines, and each hub is more amazing than the last. Time after time, we heard story after story about how goats are changing people’s lives for the better. We saw sons providing medicine for their parents, parents providing education for their children, and families providing resources for their communities, all through the
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David & Meagan Bowden with Mary-Ann building a goat house gift of a free pregnant goat.” “These stories are compelling but there are always more families to help than what we have funds available,” said Give a Goat’s president, Bryan Clifton. He explained one goat costs about $50 and one of the biggest challenges for the organization is saying no to families because of lack of resources. Give a Goat partners with several local organizations, such as churches, clubs and schools and there are plenty of volunteering opportunities for those who want to get involved. To learn more about Give a Goat or to volunteer, go to www.giveagoatnow.com.
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klahoma’s unpredictable weather patterns make last minute garage clean-ups, for vehicle protection, a near impossibility. Fortunately more and more Oklahomans are finding solutions with custom garage makeovers from Garage Innovations. Jason and Jennifer Johnson opened Garage Innovations in March of 2004 after a futile attempt to outfit their garage with storage cabinets. “Jason was interested in self-employment and while we were looking into different business opportunities, we began building a detached twocar garage for his woodworking hobby. We started searching the internet for garage cabinet ideas and discovered an untapped market in Oklahoma,” said Jennifer. After further research, the Johnsons realized the potential an updated garage has in adding value to someone’s home. “The average house is worth approximately $80 to $100 per square foot and with the average garage being about 350 sq. ft, it makes the garages’ value around $32,000. Many homeowners park their $50,000+ vehicles in the driveway and use their garage for unorganized storage. That makes for some expensive storage space,” said Jennifer. From floor to ceiling and beyond, the design experts at Garage Innovations work with customers
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by Melanie Phillips Clemens
to find the right solution to fit each customer’s need. Utilizing every avenue available, ceiling and attic storage can be a unique part of the upgrade process. “If our client has a storage problem or simply wants to take their garage to another level, we have a solution,” said Jennifer. With a variety of product lines for cabinetry including steel, resin, powder-coated steel and wood cabinets, it’s simply a choice of size and color. Garage Innovations also manufactures their own cabinets, Simply Storage, with state-of-theart machining equipment. Also multiple flooring solutions allow customers to choose a beautiful industrial-grade Liquid Granite Flooring or a creative durable Race Deck Flooring that reflects customer individuality. Online testimonials indicate that customer satisfaction at Garage Innovations is truly
guaranteed. “Jason and I love working with people and the smile on their face when we’re done is priceless. Compliments like ‘I can’t believe I can fit my car in the garage now’ are things we love to hear,” said Jennifer. Perhaps the greatest compliment are their repeat customers and referrals. “When our customers move, they call us to outfit their new garage or to put cabinets or flooring in their businesses. We’ve done more than just residential garage makeovers. We’ve done airplane hangars, dental offices, car dealerships and veterinarian offices. With showrooms in OKC and Tulsa, customers have the ability to come in and look at our products firsthand,” said Jennifer. Garage Innovations is located at 7704 N. May. For more information call 405-286-3637 or visit www.mycustomgarage.com.
405-286-3637 mycustomgarage.com
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MINOR RECOVERY by Radina Gigova
T
he road to recovery from addiction is never easy at any age. But one program focuses on young adults. Sobriety Now is for those ages 16 to 20 who are recovering from substance abuse. The program is offered through Edmond Family Counseling free of charge and is facilitated by Darcy Eitzmann, LPC, LADC. “It’s simply a support group; it’s not a therapy group,” she said. “The purpose is to provide a site for adolescents and young adults who are interested in sobriety to get together regularly in a safe environment to give and receive support.” The community needs-assessment survey that Edmond Family Counseling conducts each year identified drugs and alcohol as the main issue of concern among residents. “Substance abuse is always the number one need in Edmond,” Eitzmann said. Sobriety Now is trying to address that. “Attending adult AA meetings — that doesn’t really work. You have 15-, 16-, 13-year-old girls attending meetings with middle-aged men, it’s not exactly comfortable.” Sobriety Now started in December and welcomes new members — young adults from inpatient and outpatient programs, teens who are referred to the program by a counselor and anyone who is coping with addiction at a young age. The group meets weekly and is discussion-based. Topics include factors of addiction, the process of addiction, emotions, triggers, shame vs. guilt, slippery people and places, coping, support and planning. Edmond Family Counseling works closely with the court system. Eitzmann said a lot of the teens
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are arrested on charges related to drugs and alcohol, including minor possession of alcohol, minor intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia and DUI. “There is a lot that goes on that people just don’t realize and it’s serious.” According to the latest report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, every day 2,500 teens ages 12 to 17 abuse a pain reliever for the very first time. The report also shows that prescription drugs were the drug of choice among 12- and 13-year-olds. The 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that during the 30 days prior to the survey, 42 percent of the interviewed high school students drank some amount of alcohol, 24 percent binge drank, 10 percent drove after drinking alcohol and 28 percent rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol. Young adults who want to make a change in their life and maintain their sobriety, Eitzmann explained, have to change their social settings. “Whenever you look at making a life change and you look at not using drugs and not drinking and not partying anymore, you have to change your friends and that’s very, very hard to do.” That’s where Sobriety Now steps in. A 16-year-old, who is part of the program, said it is a “cool place to meet other people who are trying to do the same thing — not drink and use drugs.” A 17-year-old female member said, “It has been good for me in making new friends and not
feeling alone in my recovery.” Eitzmann said that in today’s world where teens are overexposed to drugs and alcohol and where access is easy, the role of the parents is crucial. “What we see so much is the lack of parental involvement, the lack of parents knowing what is going on with their children.” She wants to encourage young people and their families to deal with the issues together and keep trying different approaches until finding what works best for them. “If you are unsure what to do, consult a professional. Unfortunately, these situations do not come with manuals,” she said. “My biggest reward is seeing young people grow in changing their perspectives and turning the course of their future.” Teens and young adults who are recovering from substance abuse also can find support by joining some of the other groups available in the Edmond area. Henderson Hills Baptist Church and Memorial Road Church of Christ offer The Landing, a series of classes that are part of the popular Celebrate Recovery program, designed specifically for young people. The sessions are based on several steps and principles, such as admitting that there is a problem and becoming aware of the need for personal change. The sessions are open for teens in any stage of the recovery process. They could be struggling not only with substance abuse but also with any emotional issue or bad habit. The topics are coordinated with the adult groups and the group for children ages 6 to 12, called Celebration
42 percent of the high school students drank alcohol and 24 percent binge drank.
Station, so that the whole family can take part in the recovery process. “Addiction is not just the addict. The addict might be the one that shows the signs of addiction, but it affects the whole family,” said Chuck Robinson, Director of Transformation Recovery at Henderson Hills. “From our perspective and from the perspective of Celebrate Recovery, the whole family has to get into recovery in order for recovery to happen.”
Darcy Eitzmann, LPC, LADC at Edmond Family Counseling “The Landing is a program where they can find people, friends, peers of like minds that are trying to find a place of belonging, a place of hope, purpose in life, all of those things,” said Micah Hobbs, Celebrate Recovery Ministry Leader at Memorial Road Church of Christ. For meeting times or locations, visit www.edmondfamilycounseling.org, www.hhbc.com and www.mrcc.org. Sobriety Now at Edmond Family Counseling meets Thursday nights 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 1251 N. Broadway, Suite C.
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MY EDMOND
OUTLOOK by Krystal Harlow
Name: Jacob Shuart, Singing Cupid This is your 6th year serenading people for charity. Do you write the songs or do people get to pick what you sing? I write a new song every year. That way I don't have to learn a kajillion songs and if I have repeat customers they get to hear a new song. How does someone get started in this endeavor? I'm not really sure...for me, I just had an idea in high school that dressing up as cupid and serenading people would be a great way to make money. That first year I ended up making $600 which was awesome. The next year, I was a freshman at OC and had a lot of friends raising money for their summer mission trips, so I thought it'd be cool to do it again and give the money away. And it's worked that way ever since. What charity are you supporting this year? Well, the songs are $20 a piece and the majority of the money will go to a charity called Give a Goat. It's a non-profit that gives goats to needy families in the Philippines. Then I'll give money to OC students raising money for mission trips. How do people normally react? Any funny stories? The typical reaction is always embarrassment. I probably sing to just as many men as I do women, and the men are typically more embarrassed, but the women can get pretty flustered too. I've sang to business men and women, old couples, kids in school, professors teaching class, etc. Once I sang to a 7th grade girl during lunch and she was so embarrassed she just put her head down and never looked up, even after it was over. And then one year I got a call from then governor Brad Henry's wife and she hired me to sing to him at the capital. He was pretty embarrassed, but took it well. Do you ever get embarrassed while performing? I'd say the assignments all have varying degrees of embarrassment for me, but I've done it so much now that I know no shame. I'm only uncomfortable when I sing to people around my age, but anyone older or younger I don't even think about it. It's just a lot of fun. How many of your performances are truly about love? Most of them are goofs laced with love. A lot of wives send them to their husbands and vice versa as a teasing "I love you," but sometimes I'll get lucky and get to sing to a cute older couple who just want to have me sing to them. Every year there's a man - in his 60's probably - who has me come sing to his wife and she always gets tickled and then gets tears in her eyes. It's the sweetest thing. Have you ever turned anyone down? Only a couple of times, but that's just because they were too far away and there was no way to make it work in the schedule. One was in Weatherford and the other in Florida. (haha, I have no idea what that guy was thinking.) How can people get in touch with you to sing for their loved ones? They can call me at 580-789-0225 or email me at jacob.shuart@gmail.com.
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