Edmond Outlook NOVEMBER2010

Thunder Road

Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum

Pulitzer Prize

Oklahoma’s 2-Time Winner

Lighten Up

Having a Healthier Holiday

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24 departments

features

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ARTS & Entertainment Imagination Come to Life

24 Thunder on the Mother Road

Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum

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Letters from Louise Thoughts of Thanksgiving

28 Full Circle

Growing Up & Giving Back

10 Sports

Slap Shot: Hockey Returns 12 Best of Edmond

Platt College &

RRS of Oklahoma 15 Dining Guide

The Cow Calf-Hay 16 Creative Catering 18 Home & Garden

Rugged Design 22 Health & Fitness

Lighten Your Holidays 32 Around Town

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Shopping Guide Holiday Shopping & Events Pulitzer Prize Oklahoma’s Winning Journalist

online exclusive

Diabetes Month www.edmondoutlook.com

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Publisher

Managing Editor

Art Director

Advertising Director

Advertising Sales

Photography

Writers

Distribution

Edmond Outlook

Dave Miller Stacy Brasher Joshua Hatfield Krystal Harlow Laura Beam Randall Green Rachel Dattolo Louise Tucker Jones Lindsay Whelchel Nathan Winfrey Mindy Wood The Edmond Outlook is delivered FREE by direct mail to 50,000 Edmond homes and businesses.

Additional copies available at the Edmond Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau, & Back40 Design office.

13431 N. Broadway Ext., Suite 104 Oklahoma City, OK 73114 405-341-5599 Fax: 405-341-2020 Website: www.edmondoutlook.com E-mail: info@edmondoutlook.com

To Advertise Call 341-5599

Design Group www.back40design.com (Volume 6, Number 11) Edmond Outlook is a publication of Back40 Design, Inc. Š 2010 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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A rts & Entertainment

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by Mindy Wood

rcadia freelance photographer Londell McKinney finds the world a captivating place. Whether the scenes seem as ordinary as a wildflower or as extraordinary as a mountain top, McKinney sees through his camera lens what we often miss as we hurry along life’s hectic pace.

Adding to the fascination of his remarkably captured images is the fact that McKinney views the world’s beauty and depth with the use of only one eye.

A childhood accident forever altered how he perceives his surroundings, but it never changed the way he viewed himself.

“Where I grew up in West Virginia, you didn’t let things like that stop you.

If something was stacked against you, you just picked up and decided to make the best of the hand you were dealt,” said McKinney. “I can honestly say that even though it made things like driving a car more difficult, it’s a gift that has given me an ability to see the world the way no one else can.”

An eclectic photography style reveals his interests in everything from wildlife in Mexico to the waterfalls of Yellowstone. From covering everyday news and events, to finding himself in high demand for specialty equine and western photography, McKinney loves the variety.

His work appears in travel magazines throughout the nation. Locally, the OU Public Health magazine and the Oklahoma Dressage Society newsletter both

highlight his photography.

And just three years ago, he landed the cover of Appaloosa Journal.

The journey to full time photography was a winding road. After he graduated from the West Virginia Institute of Technology with a degree in education, McKinney was a band director and teacher for seven years. He went back to school and obtained a master’s degree in counseling, then moved to adult education and computers before starting his own software company. “At age 50, I decided to do what I really wanted to – pursue and start photography full time. My passion for it goes back to high school when my parents gave me a camera as a graduation present.

I’ve loved the sound of the shutter ever since,” he said.

McKinney was more than a hobbyist as he kept up with the extensive technological changes over the years in equipment and production. “I use Cannon equipment and converted to digital seven years ago. I actually use a raw format that mimics 35mm film because it allows me to have more raw information to work with,” said McKinney.

“The current state of photography is in constant change and the equipment is always evolving but the art of photography will never change. I use the same techniques with a computer that I used in the dark room to render pictures as I remember seeing them.”

“My parents gave me a camera as a graduation present. I’ve loved the sound of the shutter ever since."

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Lower Antalope Canyon,

photo by Londell McKinney

A spacious 800-square-foot studio holds an Epson Pro 9900 printer that allows him to print photographic paper up to 44 inches wide by 100 feet long. He does all of his own production, including frame work and canvassing. “I want to make sure the colors I have on my screen are those that are printed,” said McKinney. “As with a lot of artists, it’s important to me that my work is unchanged from the moment I finish it, to the moment I show it.”

His passion for photography is as much about art and production as it is his audience. “I took a shot of a street in New Orleans the year before Katrina hit.

It was early in the morning after Mardi Gras and the streets and buildings were vibrant with color because they had just washed the street. I often think about the fact that no one will ever be able to see that again” he said, noting that no two moments in time can ever be the same after such a devastating event.

McKinney only began his full-time life’s calling at the age of 50, so he doesn’t expect to slow down anytime soon. He looks forward to a busy career. “I want to bring people places I have been; places that they may never see. I have had the chance to see things that no one else ever will.”

To catch a glimpse of the world as McKinney sees it, visit www.nmihome.com.

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L etters from Louise

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by Louise Tucker Jones

love family traditions. When I was young my grandparents always spent Thanksgiving with us, traveling two hours from their home. My brother, Jimmy and I would run to meet them as soon as we saw their car pull off the road to our house. Grandmama would be dressed in her Sunday best, including wedge heels, necklace and earbobs.

She always smelled of sweet sachet. Granddad would unfold his six-foot plus frame from the driver side, revealing slacks, dress shirt and tie, while grabbing his jacket and hat before closing the door.

Jimmy and I, just 18 months apart in age, usually spent a week or more with our grandparents each summer. We marveled at their big yellow house on the corner with a bathroom and three kitchens. Our little country home had no indoor plumbing so we figured this must be a mansion.

Granddad would take us on his daily walk to the post office where he got mail in a tiny glass cubicle with a dial. Certainly different from our roadside mailbox. We met the local domino players then sauntered down the street for a double dip ice cream cone. Pure bliss! Having our grandparents spend Thanksgiving in our home was just as special.

My husband also grew up with the tradition of joining his relatives on Thanksgiving. After we married, we meshed both traditions. At noon, our little family joined the Jones clan for their annual family reunion consisting of more aunts, uncles and cousins than our kids could remember. That evening we descended on my parents’ home and met with my five siblings, their families and our grandparents. Thank goodness the gatherings were in the same town.

It was the best of times and we are all richer because of the lifelong relationships formed during those years and the wonderful memories we carry in our hearts. Family is so important. They love us when we aren’ t loveable and stand beside us when others walk away.

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Through the years, Thanksgiving traditions in both families dissolved. As grandparents, aunts, uncles and even parents passed away, so did our reunions. My husband’ s parents are deceased. He has no siblings and his relatives no longer gather for the holiday. Some of my siblings now live hundreds of miles away so we each hold traditions in our own homes with our families.

It’ s a different kind of holiday than I grew up with, but in our home we still roast a turkey and bake pumpkin pies, even though we have switched to microwave stuffing. We still thank God for our health, our bounty of blessings and for each family member, whether present or away.

I admit I miss those family gatherings. I miss my grandparents who made everything in life seem special and I miss my daddy who left this earth eight years ago. I also miss the camaraderie of family under one roof. The lyrical music of laughter, hugs and even tears on parting while knowing we would repeat this crazy chaos of family harmony the next year.

I cherish those memories but also enjoy this new stage of life.

No travel. No stress. Just sweet blessings falling from heaven. I pray the same for you. May you have a bountiful, memorable and blessed Thanksgiving!

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. Mother of four and grandmother of four, Louise resides in Edmond with her husband, Carl and son, Jay. Contact her at: LouiseTJ@cox.net or www.LouiseTuckerJones.com.

Louise’s grandparents, Charles & Marie Farrill

Mobile M ania:

control the craze

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re you like most American cell phone users who are never more than 2 feet from their phone? I bet you are – whether it’s in your pocket, in your purse, or riding shotgun on your commute to work, we seem to feel naked without our cell phone.

If you can’t leave home without it, then obviously the Mobile Movement has landed in Edmond. Is your company ready?

I hope so, because Mobile surfers spend less than 5 minutes on each website seeking the exact information they want. If you don’t have a Mobile-friendly website, then “on the go” Smart Phone users become frustrated quickly.

Got a Flash website? Mobile probably can’t display it. Even a basic website has too many words, and too many graphics for quick Mobile viewing.

When your website presents the wrong content, in the wrong order, with slow downloads, potential customers will leave your website in a hurry. Action items like “click to e-mail” or “touch to call” are imperative.

For a free, personal assessment of how your company website is seen on the latest Blackerry, Android, and iPhone devices, call 405-478-4080. Within 10 minutes, I can show you how to maximize your website for any Smart Phone – including limited text, graphics, and scrolling.

Visit www.back40design.com/mobile for Mobile-Friendly Website examples. Get educated. You won’t regret it.

JR Ross

Web Account Executive jr@back40design.com

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“W

hat are we going to do tonight?” Edmond families now have a new answer to this age-old question. The arrival of the Oklahoma City Barons has brought hockey back to the Metro.

Mere weeks into the minor professional ice hockey team’s inaugural season, the Barons are gathering fans like an out-of-control snowball because Hockey fans remember the Blazers, a Central Hockey League franchise that thrilled Oklahomans from 1992-2009.

“The Blazers had a great following here,” says Edmond resident and Barons Head Coach Todd Nelson.

The Barons are here to up the ante. “They shoot harder, they skate faster, and they hit harder than maybe [audiences] have seen in the past,” Coach Nelson says. “It’s a higher brand of hockey than people are used to here. These players are one step way from the NHL.” “When the puck is down, there is constant action,” says Josh Evans, UCO graduate and director of communications for the Barons. “From a hockey perspective, the pace of play is much faster, the athletes are much better, and there are fewer stoppages of play.”

Games last only 2-and-a-half hours, but there’s hardly a moment to slip away to the concession stand during the action. “It’s a faster brand of hockey. I think, from a fan’s perspective, it’s pretty exciting,” Nelson says.

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by Nathan Winfrey The team is comprised mainly of Canadians, with the rest of the players from the Czech Republic, Finland and the United States. Nelson credits a high degree of professionalism among the players.

They have no need for summer jobs, so instead of flipping burgers in the off-season, they’re working with personal trainers to hone their bodies and their abilities. “It’s a year-round job,” he says.

“They shoot harder, they skate faster, and they hit harder."

“A hockey-player is a different kind of athlete,” says Nelson. Fights in front of thousands of people are a constant possibility and, with that, a player’s manhood can be challenged at any moment, he says. “It’s a very humbling game, but it is a very exciting game.”

The impressive turnout for the Oct. 9 seasonopener against the Houston Aeros showed Oklahomans’ hunger for something new and, as Evans describes it, many were there to “kick the tires” to see what the new franchise is all about. “We want to help add to the culture and landscape of the OKC Metro area,” said Evans. “Opening night was outstanding.

Our crowd was 9,800, which is very good, and we are looking forward to building upon that.”

The Barons are the American Hockey League affiliate for the Edmonton Oilers, a National Hockey League team. Versions of the team with different names have existed in Nova Scotia, Edmonton and Springfield, Massachusetts. “Oklahoma City is a lot like Edmonton,” Evans says. “The two cities feel similar, except when it’s 40 below [in Edmonton], then it doesn’t feel similar.”

Nelson moved to Edmond from Atlanta, where he was an assistant coach for the Thrashers, an NHL team. He says Edmond reminds him of where he grew up — Prince Albert in Saskatchewan, Canada.

“It’s a smaller town,” he says, “and that’s what we like about it.”

Nelson says people are very friendly around Oklahoma City and especially in Edmond. “They have a great school system, and that’s why we decided to move out to Edmond,” he said. His son attends Edmond North High School and his daughter attends Cheyenne Middle School.

The Barons’ home ice is the Cox Convention Center. You can see the blue-and-copper warriors and their mountain lion mascot, Derrick, on game nights from now until spring. “It’s an opportunity to be entertained by a unique, fast-paced sport that’s also affordable,” Evans says.

The Barons enjoyed their first home win in mid-October, despite what most people would have accepted as a certain loss. “Any time you’re down 3-0, the game is pretty much over,” Nelson said. But the Barons defied the statistics by scoring four points in a row, tying the game with 1:20 left and pushing through to a dramatic victory.

The energy on the ice and in the stands that Saturday night was palpable and Barons fans were rewarded with an unforgettable turnaround. “The guys worked hard and we ended up coming back and winning the game.”

Season tickets range from $470 to $1,040 and single game ticket can cost $14 - $36, depending on which seats you buy. Group packages, six-pack tickets, and birthday tickets are sold at special rates. For more information, visit www.okcbarons.com.

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Best of Edmond

Career Training

by Rachel Dattolo

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erek Nettles graduated from Platt College and went on to become a chef at the Governor’s Mansion. In 2010, Marshall Brock used the training he gained at Platt to land a job as country singer Jason Aldean’s personal chef. He now travels around the country with Aldean on his tour bus.

These are only a few examples of how Platt College’s career training programs give graduates the experience to embark on a successful career, wherever innovative thinking can lead them.

Established in 1979, Platt College is one of Oklahoma’s largest private colleges, with 5 campuses across the state specializing in Allied Health, Culinary and Nursing programs. Kim Lamb, the director of admissions and marketing, says the college has now added technology career training to its list of longstanding successful careers.

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The family atmosphere and sincere interest in the outcome of their students is what makes Platt unique, says Lamb. Unlike most big colleges, Platt is able to offer an atmosphere that is much closer to a one-on-one training environment.

“We have a tremendous amount of hands-on training so that the students are more fully prepared and confident when starting their career,” says Lamb.

Lamb knew from a young age that she wanted to work in education. At Platt, she says, she says she loves most the “sense of accomplishment we have on a daily basis because we’re actually helping people find a direction in their lives, helping them to improve themselves, and them to graduate and go on to successful careers.”

Platt maintains open enrollment throughout the year and classes start quarterly. More information can be found at www.plattcolleges.edu.

Mollie Hager,

Executive Director of Platt College

Hammer & Nail

by Rachel Dattolo

R

emodeling & Restoration Specialists of Oklahoma can design and build any home improvement you can dream up. They pride themselves on putting together all aspects of your home project from the design phase through project completion. RRS of Oklahoma is a true full service design build firm.

RRS of Oklahoma is an organization that focuses on current design trends, out of the box applications, adding value to every project, and exceeding the clients expectations in all facets.

From the wood, to the tile and even the fixtures on your cabinetry – RRS of Oklahoma can create any customize any interior or exterior space from kitchens and baths to additions, even custom furniture. They also offer a full array of other services like decks, patios, roofs…

With over 50 years of industry experience between the three of them, Caleb, Chris and Steve Mandrino make business a personal affair.

“We establish a personal relationship with the customer to where we’re not just contractors. We become friends,” says Steve. “When we’re done, it’s our aim to wow the customer.”

Many clients continue to call RRS even after their project is over, seeking further advice and input on things like furniture trends and décor because they’ve grown to trust the brothers’ instincts. “We go the extra mile to make the finished project look better than they even imagined it would,” he said.

To view examples of their completed projects and scope of work, please visit www.rrsofoklahoma.com, or call 405-340-4533 for a free consultation.

From left to right,

Caleb, Steve, and Chris Mandrino

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Dining Guide

The Cow Calf-Hay

F

amily is business and business is family for the four Blevins brothers, who now live together with their families on 14 acres in Edmond after teaming up to create the City Bites chain of restaurants we all know and love.

Today, the four entrepreneurs – Brad, Gary, Mike, and Aaron – have City Bites smoothly running on autopilot so they can focus on their newest project, The Cow Calf-Hay. That’s right, even the “Café” name is quirky.

With the same atmosphere of peculiar fun found inside City Bites, The Cow continues to reflect the creativity and uniqueness of the Blevins brothers, from the saddle-shaped seats to the name itself.

In August, The Cow Calf-Hay (3409 Wynn Drive) opened in Edmond at 33rd and South Broadway. Famous for their big juicy burgers and giant onion rings, the

by Rachel Dattolo brothers proudly proclaim The Cow is for the “average Oklahoman – not the person who’s looking to get a little salad with no dressing,” says General Manager Beck Blevin.

The Cow dishes up certified Black Angus chuck hamburgers and the “world’s best onion rings,” says Blevin, who cooks the food right alongside the four brothers themselves. While the quality of hamburger meat and the classic items will never change, he also promises an “ever-evolving menu” to keep things fresh and interesting. “Once you’re there, you’ll always come back,” he promises.

The Cow Calf-Hay is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special Friday hours are extended from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. to accommodate live entertainment, played by any local Edmondite possessing musical talent and a hunger for a cheeseburger.

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D ining Guide

creative catering

by Krystal Harlow

“Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often."

— Johnny Carson

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Super Suppers

Tropical Cafe

Super Suppers (1333 N. Santa Fe) makes your everyday meal times simple and easy. Why not let them make your holiday plans effortless too? Preorder selections such as grilled honey-lemon tilapia with picante rice or French onion Salisbury steaks and pick them up at your convenience. Thanksgiving is a snap with their complete Thanksgiving Dinner package for 6 or 12 which includes traditional cornbread stuffing, herb gravy, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole all perfectly seasoned the way grandma would make it. Order your delicious homecooked meals by calling 330-9156 or order online at www.supersuppers.com.

The festive foods and gourmet touches at Tropical Café are real crowd-pleasers for holiday parties.

Delight your guests with a party platter loaded with crepe sandwiches, crab-stuffed mushrooms, hot artichoke spinach dip, homemade dessert crepes or a customized sushi sampling. Ask about buffetstyle lunch and dinner catering, featuring favorites like prime rib, bacon-wrapped shrimp, scallops and sweet and sour meatballs. Casual breakfast and lunch menus, appetizers and smoothies are also available. For large or small party catering, call 4173037, stop by 304 S. Kelly, or visit their website at www.oklahomatropicalcafe.com.

Paseo Grill

Nancy’s Kitchen

Running Wild Catering

Located in OKC’s historic district, the Paseo Grill (2909 Paseo) serves classic American cuisine with an international flair. Create a specialized menu for your wedding, holiday party or corporate event with selections like pork loin medallions, fresh asparagus wrapped in black forrest ham and cream cheese, smoked salmon or beef wellington. Be sure to check out Paseo Grill’s other two concepts, The Whole Enchilada Café and Sauced On Paseo for Mexican or Italian catering. Call Elise at 601-1079 for all your catering needs or visit www.paseogrill.com, www.theench.com, and www.saucedonpaseo.com to view their menus online.

Nancy’s Kitchen offers professional catering delivery and set up anywhere in the metro and specializes in luncheons, weddings, banquets, dinner parties and cocktail parties. Choose from coconut fried shrimp, smoked salmon, fruity chicken salad or smoked baby back ribs. For dessert, pair it with their amazing line-up of bundt cake flavors like lemon poppyseed, chocolate cream, apple cinnamon pecan or chocolate chip. To place a catering order, call 843-7878 or visit Nancy’s website at www.nancyskitchenonline. com. Don’t forget to check out Nancy’s 57th Street Lighthouse Restaurant, featuring live music and karaoke seven nights a week, at 5708 N. May.

With 13 years of service in the community, Running Wild Catering by Debbie Lowery (formerly known as Johnnie’s Catering) delivers the quality and service you’ve come to expect when planning a holiday party, wedding or corporate event. Fabulous food and creative presentations are still mainstays of this inventive catering company, whose diverse menu now features such delights as Savage Starters, Enthusiastic Entrees and Giddy Greens. Located at 8330-D Glade Ave. in OKC, Running Wild tailors the menu and service options to fit your needs.

Professional bar service, décor and entertainment assistance are also available. Call 751-0688 or visit www.runningwildcatering.com.

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H ome & Garden

Design I

by Rachel Dattolo

f you’re trying to brighten up a dull room, consider starting from the ground up by dressing your floor with the perfect area rug.

“You can find carpet or paint or stain color to match anything, but not so with things like area rugs or granite,” says Paul Kregger of Kregger’s Floors & More.

With his 16 years of experience, he often tells Edmond clients that when decorating a room, it’s much easier to start with the rug and build up from there, rather than trying to go the other direction.

Placement of your rug is key within any room design, according to Don Pekrul, who was raised in Edmond and has been in the floor-covering business his whole life. In 1995, he opened Don’s Floor Gallery to service the local community with everything from laminate to ceramic, and carpets to rugs. The floor gallery also supplies design services to help residents choose the right size, shape or style for their needs.

There are some logical things to keep in mind about the size and shape of a rug; however, the designers say there’s really no hard-and-fast rules as to what you can and can’t do. Common sense tells you a rug under a dining room table should be big enough to allow you to pull out your chair without it plopping off the end of the rug, for example. Also consider how the rug will look with the room: a big rug, for example will dwarf smaller furniture, while a small rug will make furniture look bigger.

Edmond businesswoman Anne McCarthy has always had a passion for home design and opened up 1st Dibs Home Furnishing and Design Center four years ago with

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business partner Patricia Fransen. Most of the rugs 1st Dibs sells are wool, and all are handmade. “People love our store because we are different,” says McCarthy. “We have things they don’t see anywhere else.”

When it comes to choosing a rug, before you consider color and pattern, you’ll want to consider the fabric it’s made from and the quality of rug you want. A denser weave has more knots per square inch, producing a higher quality rug that will last longer in high traffic rooms.

McCarthy advises that the synthetic nylon and polyester rugs are a lesser quality than wool rugs, but they resist stains well. So, if you want a rug for your kid’s bedroom which might get frequent spills, consider a synthetic rug as a cheaper alternative. The lower cost will help you change rug styles every couple of years as they grow older.

However, if you’re looking for a quality rug to be the center of attention in high traffic rooms for years to come, go with a longer lasting and better-quality wool rug, which can be either machine-made or hand-woven.

“A denser weave has more knots per square inch, producing a higher quality rug that will last longer in high traffic rooms.”

How can you tell if a rug is handmade or machinemade? Machine-made rugs will often have a backing on them, while hand-woven rugs are always openbacked, allowing you to see the individual knotting.

And in the rare case that a machine-made rug is openbacked, you will still be able to see the difference in the knotting of hand-woven rug, according to local experts.

McCarthy says an 8-by-6-foot wool rug takes a family about six months to make. She recently witnessed the production process of hand-woven rugs on a visit to India. In the factories where the rugs are made, piles of yarn sit more than a man’s height high while families sit together on the floor, meticulously weaving and tying each knot by hand, McCarthy says.

Rhonda Kauk, of Factory Direct Carpet, says a trendy customer choice includes picking any desired carpet to be made into a custom-sized rug. Pekrul agrees this method is especially popular with patterned carpet. “If you were to bind a carpet’s edges into a rug, the possibilities would be endless,” says Kauk. “You could have a rug made from regular, plush carpet all the way to a high-end, patterned carpet. Leopard-print, for example. Or, you could even do a cut out design if you wanted.”

This method is also great for customers that need a specific size or oddly-shaped area covered, says Kauk.

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Continued from page 19 She recommends that anyone needing two colors, consider splicing two carpets together. “For example, if you needed brown and baby blue, you could match a brown carpet with a stripe of baby blue around the outside and bind them together,” she said.

Wool area rugs are very elegant and very expensive,” says Kregger. “The problem is they have almost no stain protection.” The best alternative, he advises, is to buy high-end quality carpet (such as Eurolon) and have a rug made out of it. “Eurolon wears long and cleans well,” he says.

When choosing a rug, you want to pick one that “is pleasing to you and striking,” says Kregger. “When you see the right rug, you’ll know. Then build your room off of it.”

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H ealth & Fitness

by Lindsay Whelchel

L

et’s face it, no matter how much we love the cooler weather and bountiful merriment of the holidays, we all fear that as our hearts expand with holiday cheer, so too, will our waistlines.

Being more conscious about our health, doesn’t have to make us less satisfied when it comes to Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts.

Edmond chef, Shauna Petty, is a self-proclaimed butter lover. But even so, she does have a few tips for serving up healthy holiday food that is not only

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delicious, but is better for you. “Everybody equates holidays with huge meals,” said Petty.

One staple ingredient in those meals is potatoes, from baked to mashed to sweet. While potatoes are indeed a vegetable, Petty advises to stick with other fresh and simple veggie ideas, like taking common favorites such as green beans, buying them fresh and sautéing them with olive oil and garlic.

“For me, anytime I’m making something fresh, I feel like I’m doing something that’s better for myself and for my family,” she said. This tasty alternative will

have a lot less calories than the traditional canned green beans stewed with bacon fat.

Petty also cautions against the stereotypical use of green beans in a green bean casserole. “I would suggest that people stay away from anything that’s called a casserole,” she laughs. Petty insists that the value of these foods in their original state is much greater. “Vegetables can be delicious not deep fried or smothered in gravy,” she said.

One way to lighten the calories in your dessert recipe, is to spray the food with a no-calorie pan spray

instead of brushing the food with butter. Stacy Buzan is a Registered Dietician at Central Fitt in Edmond.

According to her, you can also substitute a non transfatty acid margarine (such as Smart Balance brand) or vegetable oil (such as canola oil) when a recipe calls for butter or shortening.

“Most people are caught between the decision of eating healthier or holiday eating, when there is a way to do both,” she said. To reduce calories, you can even substitute white sugar with Splenda sugar blend or even a brown sugar blend for another option.

It is important to keep in mind that 3,500 calories equals one pound, says Edmond Registered and Licensed Dietician, Joseph Holtzclaw with Transformation Fitness, who acknowledges that the during holidays, a person can easily pack on the pounds without realizing it.

“You’re going to be hit up with so many different things. Like at work, you’ll have two or three different little parties, plus people bring random desserts because everyone is baking… Then you’re going to get hit with family gatherings,” he said, as the list goes on and on.

This is how it becomes easy to eat an extra dessert two or three times a week during the holidays.

Suddenly, you’ve gained weight because your body is not used to the elevated calorie count, according to Holtzclaw, who preaches moderation with sweets.

“You need to pick which ones are most important, because if you eat them all, that’s what the problem is,” he said.

As for the ingredients within the foods you decide to eat, a lot can be said for pure and original.

Epicurean’s Pantry in Edmond is an artisan food store that seeks to give people healthier options when it comes to ingredients.

“One main philosophy I have, is that the foods should all be clean and pure,” said Leah Haskins, store owner. She said with her foods you can read all of the labels on the back without the words being too impossible to understand.

Epicurean’s Pantry carries many needed ingredients for holiday baking, including pure cocoa and vanilla as well as cinnamon. Haskins believes fresh spices help avoid the taste diminishing while in warehouse storage.

And if you’re still set on finding a way to make those sweet potatoes and green bean casseroles, Haskins said they have various options, such as mushrooms, olive oil and vinegar to ensure your original recipe can be twisted toward a healthy spin.

So whatever you plan to cook, and whatever you plan to eat, the key appears to be fresh and pure coupled with moderation. This way of eating can still be delightful to your taste buds and carry you lightly into a healthier new year.

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by Nathan Winfrey

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here’s perhaps no better icon of adventure personified than Route 66. The “Mother Road” carries dense history and suggests boundless freedom, and that’s why it’s fitting for the Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum to stand on this legendary strand of asphalt.

The squat, brick building has been many things since it was built in the 1920s, and it took Jerry Ries and Gerald Tims more than two years to restore and transform it into the museum they’d long dreamed of.

“Motorcycles have had a big part in our history, Being on Route 66, the two tied together quite well.”

The Seaba Station is a showcase of the modern age as well as a portal to the halcyon days of engine grease, ball bearings, and endless cruises through a brand new state not quite tamed. “Motorcycles have had a big part in our history,” Ries says. “Being on Route 66…the two tied together quite well.”

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The museum opened in June and is located in Warwick, about a half-hour drive up Route 66 from Edmond. Ries and Tims have amassed more than 80 motorcycles for the display. More than 70 of the bikes belong to Tims. He owns close to 100 motorcycles total, and he has been collecting for about 25 years.

“I’m just a motorcycle addict,” says the Bethany motorcycle shop owner.

The collection boasts a 1909 Triumph, a 1978 Harley-Davidson 250cc Motocross bike that’s never been used, a 1979 Triumph T-140 that is still in the crate, and a 1913 Pope board track racer. The oldest bike on display is a 1908 Indian. Some bikes are even signed by famous riders.

An Oklahoma Christian University graduate, Ries has been riding motorcycles since he was 13. The Pope bike, which is displayed on a banked, wooden race track segment, is his favorite type of motorcycle because of its uniqueness and its racing heritage.

“We have a wide variety and I think there’s something there that everybody would be interested in, even people who aren’t necessarily into motorcycles,” Ries says. The museum also displays old DX gas station memorabilia and machine shop relics. Antiques and a gift shop also add to Seaba

Station’s appeal. Ries says he and Tims hope to add a restaurant soon.

The building was originally a gas station, built

by John and Alice Seaba, then it became a machine shop until 1995, when it became an antique store.

Ries helped Tims remodel his store at two locations, and they often talked about building a motorcycle museum. Tims kept his collection upstairs at his shop, where no one could see it. When Ries noticed the antique store was closed, it wasn’t a far leap to see the building as the place to make Tims’ collection visible to the public. “I always liked the building,” Ries says.

He called the realtor with no intention of buying the building — he just wanted to see what it looked like on the inside. It had more space than he expected, about 5,000 square feet, and suddenly it looked like a real option. “We bought this building and it worked out pretty neat, being on Route 66 and having the old gas station frontage,” says Ries, who did most of the

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Harley Davidson, JD Model

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Gerald Tims,

Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum

Continued from page 24 renovation work himself. “The history of the building itself is what drew us to the building,” Tims says.

The Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum has enjoyed an influx of Route 66 travelers, many of them from overseas. “There is big European traffic up and down Route 66,” Tims says. From I-35 to Tulsa is one of the largest continual stretches of Route 66 and that makes the museum a prime destination, he says.

A series of breakfast ride-ins has drawn about 300 bikers each, and Ries and Tims plan to make the rideins a monthly occurrence in the warmer seasons. The museum is also available for group activities, poker runs, car shows, and club meetings. It has kitchen facilities and an outdoor grill.

Museum admission is free, but donations are accepted. In addition to monetary donations, Tims and Ries would appreciate donated antique gas station or DX items. Hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The museum is closed Wednesdays. If a group plans to be at the museum during closed hours, contact the owners to ask about special hours. For more information, visit www.seabastation.com.

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Growing Up & Giving Back

by Lindsey Welchel

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orn to drug addicted parents and stuck in a cycle of poverty, Edmond resident Amy Newberry was on track to become another heartbreaking statistic.

“By the time I was 15, I was on drugs and dropped out of school, hanging with a local gang and pushing grocery carts full time. I just kind of had this hopelessness about life,” said Newberry.

Then, friends from her grandmother’s church got involved, wanting to lead her toward a brighter future.

They helped Newberry regain focus. She got back in school, graduated, and even went on to Oklahoma State University where she met her husband and Edmond businessman, Joshua Newberry.

The couple have two kids and may have led a rather typical life if it were not for Newberry’s resolve to do for others, what her grandmother’s friends had done for her.

One year ago last November, Newberry officially filed her 501c3 non-profit status, developing a movement that hopes to lead others into a similar bright future.

“It was a really personal thing for me, partly because someone took the time to do that in my life. I was always on a quest, trying to find people and places where I could lift the burden of poverty,” she said.

That quest led Newberry to an area of Oklahoma City on 29th and Portland. Her husband had purchased a run down apartment complex and Newberry was expecting they would repaint, recarpet and have a nice retirement investment.

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But everything changed when she went to see the property.

“What he took me to was very different. It was just a really devastated place,” she said. The buildings were boarded up and littered. There were hypodermic needles and shoulder-high grass. For Newberry, this was the neighborhood of her past.

“The beauty of it is that it was planted in a neighborhood I had grown up in and around,” she said.

She felt a calling to get involved in the community.

Her first steps began as a food mission, inspired by shocking statistics from the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank that lists one in five children as facing hunger. “We would stand on the lawn and just cook a hotdog and make a friend,” she said.

“I’ve seen them give out of their poverty where I’m able to give and share out of my excess."

Then, they developed “street sheets” which listed nearby resources for food or healthcare for members of the community who did not speak English, or who did not have a high level of literacy.

This attempt to connect a woven community of resources for the neighborhood helped to form the basis of their non-profit: The Tapestry Project.

Beyond food and healthcare resources, Newberry quickly saw the need for housing as well. This was especially true for single mothers trying to get out of drug addiction or abusive situations.

They began to renovate the entire apartment complex her husband had purchased with the help of local churches and corporations. “We by no means did this on our own. This has just been a huge community development project,” said Newberry. “We looked up, and another building was done.”

The new housing options offer opportunities for a reduced cost of living with no deposits, based on a transition period for rent dues. The program requires participants to pass a drug test and go through an interview process.

The primary residents are single mothers from that specific neighborhood. “We felt like we were planted in this neighborhood for a purpose and we’re supposed to be an ‘on ramp’ for the women in this community,” she said.

In addition to the housing, the organization has developed an after school program for kids in the community. “We believe in making the community

Amy Newberry,

Executive Director of the Tapestry Project

livable again and we believe that starts with the next generation. So we’re pouring everything we have into these kids,” Newberry said.

Children and parents in the programs are connected to life coaches and mentors. Most of these volunteers are Edmond residents. Newberry says they constantly need more volunteers and there are many ways individuals can get involved.

As the holiday season rolls in, The Tapestry Project is collecting canned food to help provide a unique Thanksgiving opportunity to the community she discovered already knows so much about giving.

“They by no means need to be taught how to give. They are more generous than I’ll probably ever be, because I’ve seen them give out of their poverty where I’m able to give and share out of my excess,” she said.

So for Thanksgiving, instead of simply giving out food, the community can come and make a food box

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Continued from page 29 for themselves plus an extra one to take and give to someone else. “We’re driven by empowerment, so we want to serve our families with dignity,” she said.

Edmond residents can also donate to their toy drive which stocks their unique “Christmas store,” where parents from the community can buy quality toys at a reduced cost. If they can’t afford the cost, they can do a community cleanup effort to earn their chosen gifts.

To raise awareness for the canned food and toy drives, The Tapestry Project will host “City on the Hill” – a 5k run on Nov. 13. “It’s a race that I believe is going to inspire participation. We want people to come and meet our families and see what we’re doing,” said Newberry.

“Something takes place when you spend yourself on behalf of other people,” she said. Newberry can see change occurring for everyone involved on both sides of The Tapestry Project. “The movement has begun,” as she puts it. Newberry herself, is certainly proof of that.

For more information on how to get involved, visit www.thetapestryproject.org.

Amy with the community treehouse, built with the help of the residents of the Tapestry Project

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Prepare for Bedlam with your team’s colors! Buy fun tees with a little bling or trendy OU and OSU dresses only at Hip & Swanky!

1247 E. Danforth • 341-3066 (in Kickingbird Square) www.hipandswanky.com

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November 6 The Fall Showcase Marketplace supports women in small business. Come Saturday, November 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to the Downtown Community Center in Edmond (28 E. Main) for some holiday shopping. Enjoy cake, tea and coffee from Royal Tea. Free to the public.

November 7 Threads of Compassion OKC is hosting a work day Sunday, November 7 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Memorial Road Church of Christ for anyone interested in knitting or crocheting scarves for victims of sexual assault. Email Jessica@threadsokc.org or visit www.threadsokc.org for more information.

November 11 Attend a Girls’ Time Out Health Fair event at Mercy Hospital from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 11 to learn about bladder control treatment alternatives. Enjoy refreshments, prizes, and a chance to speak with urologist Dr. Basel Hassoun, M.D. Space is limited. To register, visit www.facingourmoments.com.

November 12 The History Center (800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive) located near the State Capital will host the GI Film Festival Friday, November 12 with a screening open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Screening is free to military veterans and $10 for the general public. This nationwide campaign educates local communities across America about the courage and selflessness of our men and women in uniform.

For more information, visit www.okhistorycenter.org or www.GIfilmfestival.com.

November 12 The Edmond Chamber of Commerce’s 2nd Annual Women’s Leadership Conference is Friday, November 12 at the UCO University Center from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Keynote speaker will be Edmond’s own Olympic Gold medalist Shannon Miller. To register, visit www.edmondchamber.com.

November 16-17 The 2010 Creativity World Forum will be held at the Cox Convention Center November 16-17 featuring an extraordinary lineup of over 65 speakers and presenters, 80 showcase organizations, hundreds of international delegates, and over 1,000 entrepreneurs, business leaders, educators, artists, students and policy makers. To purchase tickets, visit www.stateofcreativity.com.

November 27-28 Don’t miss the Bliss Holiday Gift Market happening at the Modern Living Building at the OKC Fair Grounds November 27 and 28. This spectacular event features the most unique holiday gifts, arts and crafts from over 100 vendors across the state.

Admission is free. For more information, visit www.montagefestivals.com.

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A nthony Shadid Oklahoma’s Pulitzer Prize Winner

by Mindy Wood

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he American Democracy Project at UCO welcomed Oklahoma City native Anthony Shadid to speak in conjunction with their celebration of Constitution Day recently.

The two-time Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author is a foreign correspondent for The New York Times.

Shadid covered the War on Terror from Iraq, bringing an eyewitness account of the conflict and the “unintended consequences” that emerged since it all began in 2003. In 2004, he won his first Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting and won again in 2010 for his coverage of the Iraq War. He is the author of two books, Legacy of the Prophet: Despots, Democrats, and the New Politics of Islam (2002) as well as Night Draws Near (2005).

“Shadid’s ‘just the facts’ honest approach to reporting mingle with the gift of a compassionate storyteller."

He spoke to a crowd of Edmond residents and UCO students about the Iraqi people’s suffering and provided a glimpse into the inner workings of a culture that was turned upside down at Saddam Hussein’s removal from power, their vulnerability to extremists and finally, the rebuilding of a nation.

Shadid’s “just the facts” honest approach to reporting mingle with the gift of a compassionate storyteller. Director of the Oklahoma

Journalism Hall of Fame, Dr. Terry Clark, who is also a professor of journalism at UCO, said he was proud to see Shadid restore a little faith in journalism.

“It makes me proud to be an American, but also a journalist because he is so dedicated to telling real people’s stories. He shows us how Americans and journalists can try to tell the whole story about what’s going on and how to care about people regardless of their religions, politics, or skin color,” said Clark.

“He’s what’s good about American journalism.”

Shadid’s philosophy of reporting proves refreshing to those who fear bias in the media. “My job as a journalist is to try to understand in the most powerful way what is going on around me,” he said.

“I’m proud to be an American, but I am first and foremost a journalist who tries to understand things as they are, not the way they should be. I’m not out to prove a point or make a statement but understand the reality as it is. Journalism helps us understand, rather than convince us of one point or another.”

As a UCO student and President of the American Democracy Project, Amanda Gamble was impressed when Shadid concluded his presentation by answering questions from the crowd about the war’s beginning, causes, and the future of foreign politics in Iraq as it relates to America’s interest and responsibilities.

“Anthony Shadid is a person that people can relate to and see another side of things first hand. It was a great opportunity to be able to ask questions and get honest feedback,” Gamble said. “His visit is an indication that we’re able to recognize the importance of understanding international affairs and it’s a step forward for UCO and Edmond.”

Shadid also talked about the influence that his home state had on his work. “Editors joke around with me about being from Oklahoma … one of them said, ‘You know, writers that come from Los Angeles

or New York don’t convey a sense of the real’,” said Shadid. “I got to grow up in a cross section of the country which is such a diverse state – a state I’m proud of – that has such a proud history. I’ve always thought it influenced my writing in some way.”

Catching up with Shadid anytime in the near future, might be difficult. Next year, he and his wife, who also works for The New York Times, will be stationed in Beirut. However, no matter where his reporting may take him, he will keep a close eye on the country that left a mark on his heart. “I keep going back to Baghdad and I don’t want to let go of that story. I was there in the beginning during the invasion and I want to stay there until the end of withdrawal next year,” he said.

Professor Clark believes Shadid’s work is a reflection of the quality in Oklahoma media. “We have some fantastic journalists in Oklahoma and they do some of the best writing and photography in the world, though not many of them are household names. It may not be optimistic times for traditional media, but journalism is alive and well.”

Anthony Shadid,

Pulitzer Prize winning author

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