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Outlook August 2014
AND OUR #1 MISSION IS FIGHTING WOMEN’S #1 CAUSE OF DEATH
As women, we feel responsible for the well-being of our families, but keeping our kids healthy starts with our health. Many of us count calories, get regular exercise and never miss our yearly wellness exams, but you might have overlooked the largest threat to your health – heart disease. We tend to think of heart disease as a man’s disease, but the fact is it kills more women each year than anything else. And for women, the symptoms are different: in addition to chest pain, shortness of breath and upper body pain, unshakable fatigue and sleeplessness can also be signs of a heart attack. Whether you’re a patient of INTEGRIS Health Edmond or Lakeside Women’s Hospital, you have access to cardiologists from INTEGRIS Heart Hospital, and you can make an appointment now to see a cardiologist at either location. To schedule an appointment at the location most convenient for you, call 405.951.2277.
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Outlook August 2014
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Outlook August 2014
August 2014
Encouraging Words.
He looked me in the eye and said “Don’t worry,
you’re gonna do fine.” A simple act and simple words at a time when I needed them.
You never know when someone will say something that you’ll
remember for the rest of your life. Something that you’ll pull from
your memory, dust off and replay again and again. Something that will encourage you like no other greeting card sentiment or well-meaning, well-crafted Facebook post ever will.
24 Ride On
Those words were spoken to me in my sophomore year of design
school. At the time, I was struggling with my chosen major—industrial design. I had just completed a design presentation and endured
Local organization changes lives with bicycles for disabled children.
a rather scathing critique from my fellow students and visiting
professors. As I made my way to the back of the class, my Jr. Professor, Mickey Ackerman, leaned into me and quietly told me not to worry,
that I was going to do fine. I thought I had hidden my post-presentation despair well, but inside, I was questioning my whole choice of major. Those simple and, I believe,
8 Facts & Figures 10 Louise
divinely inspired words created
that special moment I recall often. I hear them when I’m unsure or
Dancing Through the Decades
13 Food
doubting myself.
You never know who
Interactive Eats
16 Business
needs a kind word. They
Dragon Kim’s Tae Kwon Do Margo Waldrop Real Estate Legacy Painting
don’t have to be prepared, metered or rehearsed.
They just need to be shared.
Years later, I recalled that
38 My Outlook
Debbie Curtis, Artist
moment for Mickey. I thanked him; he of course had no memory Encouragement is like that.
Front cover photo by Marshall Hawkins
Dave Miller, Publisher, Back40 Design President
OUTLOOK
20 Honestly Margo A 13-year-old with an eye for business and a taste of success.
27 Sole Success From shoe salesman to international entrepreneur, Casey Keller is stepping out.
33 Fast Times
in the Metro Have a need for speed and hairpin turns? Check out local car clubs’ driving events around town.
of the exchange taking place. No matter, I do. And always will.
FEATURES
36 Wood Carved Heart Daniel & Becky Woodall create wooden art to help fund their mission.
To advertise, contact Laura at 405-301-3926 or laura@outlookoklahoma.com.
80 East 5th Street, Suite 130, Edmond, OK 73034
405-341-5599
www.outlookoklahoma.com
info@outlookoklahoma.com
Volume 10, Number 8 Edmond & North OKC Outlook is a publication of Back40 Design, Inc. © 2014 Back40 Design, Inc. PUBLISHER Dave Miller
ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Laura Beam PHOTOGRAPHY Marshall Hawkins www.sundancephotographyokc.com
PRINT PROJECT MANAGER Bethany Marshall
Account Executive Emily Hummel
Graphic Designer Ryan Kirkpatrick
DISTRIBUTION The Outlook is delivered FREE by direct-mail to 50,000 Edmond & North OKC homes.
Articles and advertisements in the 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 the 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. The Outlook assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.
outlookoklahoma.com
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Where do you fit in? From 440sf to over 10,000sf, Edmond features homes in all shapes and sizes.
u
t
l o
o
k
f a c
t s
&
f
i
1,000 sq ft -
1,375 houses
1,000 sq ft +
11,896 houses
2,000 sq ft +
9,572 houses
3,000 sq ft +
3,667 houses
4,000 sq ft +
1,137 houses
5,000 sq ft +
411 houses
10,000 sq ft +
11 houses
Information courtesy the Oklahoma County Assessor, Leonard Sullivan’s Office
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#
The crayon ranks
on the list of most recognizable scents.
According to a study by Yale University
au·to·cross
ˈôtōˌkrôs; -kräs • n. a form of competition in which cars are driven around an obstacle course, typically marked out by cones. Learn more about local driving events on page 33.
The month of August was named after Julius Caesar’s grandnephew, Augustus, by the Roman Senate after he deafeated Marc Antony and Cleopatra and became emperor of Rome.
g
u
r
e
s
Around Town
Join Home Care Assistance of Edmond at their Open House Aug. 11-15 from 2-4pm for refreshments, door prizes and a meet & greet. 323 S. Blackwelder just west of Target. Learn more on page 11. Visit Carey Pet & Home Care from 10am-6pm at the OKC Pet Expo Saturday, August 23rd at the State Fairgrounds. Admission is free and leashed pets are welcomed. Colby’s Grill is proud to announce the opening of their second location, Colby’s Grill @The Station. Same great menu, plus some extras. Located at Covell & Air Depot. Celebrate New Covenant United Methodist Church’s new Children’s Building Sunday, Sept. 7th at 12:30. Enjoy free food, face painting, music by the Sugar Free Allstars, inflatables and more. 2700 S Boulevard in Edmond.
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8
Outlook August 2014
STYLES
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9
Louise
Dancing Decades through the
by Louise Tucker Jones
With August bringing a birthday my way, I started thinking about long ago celebrations. Suddenly, my mind was dancing through the decades. My first ten years were blissfully happy. Fun, childhood years on a farm, exploring creeks, pastures, junkyards and playing hide-andseek in the hay barn. Although I didn’t have birthday parties—unless you count my five siblings—Mama always baked a cake and spelled HAPPY BIRTHDAY on it using a toothpick dipped in colored icing. A blessed time! The second decade of my life brought “more changes than you could shake a stick at,” as my daddy would say. Teen years are tender. Everything changes, including boyfriends. I met Carl Jones when I was 18 years old and already engaged to my high school sweetheart. Some months later, I broke up with my fiancée, began dating Carl then married him at 20 years old. Sweet! Ah, the twenties, those young adult years when I was teaching school, having babies and learning about life. It was night school for Carl since his college education was interrupted by the U.S. Army. Then tragedy struck. Our son, Travis, died unexpectedly at nearly three months old. Youthful innocence gone forever. Then came my thirties. Start to finish, a great decade. I gave birth to our last baby at 30 years old and had my best birthday ever at 39 with a trip to Hawaii. These years were about working hard, raising children and teaching them our beliefs and values. I was surprised when the forties rolled around. Could I really be that age? Time was definitely moving faster. During those years
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Outlook August 2014
my oldest son graduated from college and my daughter made me a grandmother. Impossible! Then alas, here came the fifties. Oh my, not ready for that. I distinctly remember sitting on the sofa beside my husband till almost midnight then quickly begging, “Ask me how old I am!” It would be the last time I could truthfully say I was 49 years old. Suddenly, I was 50 with all its grit and glory. This decade brought five surgeries my way! So now here I am, sliding through my sixties and wondering how life moved so quickly. Carl and I had looked forward to these retirement years. We were going to lounge on the beach in Florida, sit on the deck of a vacation home in the hills of Arkansas and travel by motor home to any number of places. But instead, I am alone. Who would have guessed that in the middle of this decade my husband of 45 years would suddenly slip out of this life and into heaven? I thought we had at least 20 more years together. So now I ponder each birthday and wonder what the next decade will bring. Time speeds up. Years slip by and I want them to wait. To linger. I want time to meditate on all the good things in life. Time to list the gratitude of today instead of the pain of yesterday or worries of tomorrow. Time to forgive myself and others for any past mistakes. Time to recall all the sacred moments when God wrote love notes on my heart. Time to cherish life and love right now—in the present— because today is all that’s promised. I’m guessing you may feel the same. So today let’s dance through the beautiful memories of past decades and make new remembrances for the future. Not only will life be richer and happier for you and me, but also for those around us. Wishing you a Happy Birthday, no matter the date!
About the Author Louise Tucker Jones is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker and founder of the organization, Wives With Heavenly Husbands, a support group for widows. Email LouiseTJ@cox.net or visit LouiseTuckerJones.com.
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Outlook August 2014
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FOOD FOOD
Interactive Eats It’s date night, family night, Tuesday night. We know the drill and we follow with ritualistic fare. Soccer night chicken strips, salad with the girls, the obligatory steak dinner in a corner booth with dim lighting and meaningful conversation. But do we really want one more chicken strip or meaningful conversation? Or would a little laughter and entertainment bring new meaning to the table instead? If your idea of interactive dining is loading up your own plate at a buffet and pretending no one sees you hit the dessert bar twice, explore some lively new options with both a menu and mood for fun.
Dinner and a Show
Day or night, the tableside hibachi grill dining at Musashi’s Japanese Steakhouse is a dazzling show. Like masterful samurai swordsmen, the skilled
by Laura Beam
Teppanyaki chefs wield their knives and spatulas in a showy display of dexterity—tossing, dicing and slicing with the precision of a choreographed ballet. Aspiring cook or no, you can’t help but go home with a new appreciation of the magic of your kitchen utensils. The spacious, flat hibachi grill is like a stage and the steamy aroma of freshly grilled Kobe beef, New York Strip, Filet Mignon, lobster, shrimp and scallops fill the air with mouthwatering anticipation. Comedic banter is lobbed about as often as the flying rice bowls and spinning spatulas. And when the signature onion volcano is ignited in a blazing finale of spewing embers, a collective round of awe can be heard. David Hung, Director of Operations for the Western Concepts Dining Group, credits Musashi’s head chef of 12 years, Minh Nguyen, continued on next page
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Interactive Eats, cont.
with the consistently exquisite food and exceptional presentation. “The highly trained chefs are also hosts and entertainers. The show plays a very important part in the dining experience,” Hung says. Guests also enjoy a full service bar, sushi and Robata specialties— Tappas cooked on skewers over an open flame.
A wooden bowl sectioned with marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate pieces is served tableside with skewers. General Manager, Jeff Caillouette, says, “The center section of the bowl is lighted at the table and customers love the Lazy Susan turn-style access.” On Sundays, diners enjoy $1.00 off the reminiscent campfire treat.
Burgers and … S’mores?
Steaks and Stones
You’re never too old to re-live those carefree college days when a great burger, a little music and 20 of your closest friends made for the perfect day. Flatire Burgers near UCO is not only a hip hangout but a burger-lover’s paradise. Recognized as one of the first restaurants in the area to put eggs on burgers, Flatire’s Blowout burger with a fried egg is a must-try. Their Green Chili burger, made with in-house roasted and peeled Anaheim peppers, is another highlight. They also serve up the best fried pickles in town (again, revert back to your college days when you actually had a metabolism to burn off such indulgences). In addition to a full bar, live music, Thursday night trivia and a sprawling covered patio, Flatire also features make-your-own s’mores.
Enjoy the ultimate, delicious and healthy interactive dining experience. Café Icon’s Black Rock Lava Stone Grill is made from stones that originate inside a volcano. Stones are heated to 824 degrees in Café Icon’s specially designed black rock ovens and served right at your table. Cut one or two bite-size portions of your favorite hand-cut beef filets, fresh seafood or lamb and sear it to your personal taste. The black rock lava stone stays extremely hot for approximately 35 minutes so take your time and savor the experience. Complete with a creative combination of spices and sauces, it makes for the perfect night out. For locations, menus and hours of operation, visit musashis.com, flatireburgers.com and thecafeicon.com.
Laura Beam is a business and food writer and 20-year advertising and marketing executive in radio, newspaper and magazines. Share new business tips and trends with her on LinkedIn or email Laura@outlookoklahoma.com.
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14
Outlook August 2014
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BUSINESS
Dragon Kim’s Tae Kwon Do by Amy Dee Stephens Grandmaster Kim & Eric Harris with class Instructors
Grandmaster Kim could easily be the main character of a Tae Kwon Do movie. His life story and physical prowess are both astounding. “He’s a 62-year-old, 9th degree black belt from South Korea who moves like he’s in his twenties,” said Eric Harris, business and teaching partner at Dragon Kim’s Tae Kwon Do and Fitness. “He’s extremely strong and fast. I can hardly keep up with him at 29. He’s a living testament to the physical benefits of a lifetime of Tae Kwon Do training, but more importantly, he’s a phenomenal instructor. When it comes to teaching traditional Tae Kwon Do, he’s the real deal—as good as it gets.” According to Harris, despite his toughness, Master Kim creates a warm atmosphere that allows individuals and families to train together. Harris should know—he trained under him for many years before the two became partners.
“Master Kim and all of our certified teachers stress the Korean culture of mental skills as much as physical skills:—respect, discipline, self-control and perseverance. Training in Tae Kwon Do will naturally help students to develop coordination, speed, balance and power, but we focus just as much on developing young men and women of character,” said Harris. “We see progress in everyone—from the kid with an attitude who needs discipline, to the shy kid, like me, who gains confidence.” At Dragon Kim’s, individuals of all ages can attend fitness classes, although they’ve seen an increased interest from the 40s to 60s age group. It’s never too late to start, each person advances at his or her own pace, or, as Master Kim says, “little by little.” Although Master Kim’s specialty is Tae Kwon Do, which means “the art of hand and foot,” the newly-opened fitness school
located near 2nd and Coltrane, offers training equipment and techniques uncommon to other facilities. “We have beams for footwork and speed drills, stretch bars, knuckle training, and a gym for parents to use while their children attend classes,” Harris said. “We tried to design the premier martial arts facility in Oklahoma.” Harris, now a 5th degree black belt, grew up attending martial arts classes with his parents and has been an instructor since the early 2000s. He is honored to share the traditions he’s learned from Master Kim—who has become part of his family. “He has a really generous, caring personality. He treats me like a son. Actually, he treats all his students like his children. They love him.” For more information, call 341-1016, view their website at DragonKimsTKD.com or stop by their location at 2600 E. 2nd Street in Edmond.
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Outlook August 2014
Margo Waldrop Real Estate by Lance Evans Margo Waldrop with Churchill Brown Realty
The Kingston family was in a dilemma. After Mr. Kingston was transferred from his job in Iowa to a new position in Oklahoma, the family had a little over a month to move their entire lives to another state. Before packing up a lifetime’s worth of memories, they needed to find a new place to call home. Margo Waldrop of Churchhill Brown and Associates was up for the challenge. Over the course of a month, Margo showed the couple close to 40 properties before they found their dream home. While the task was at times overwhelming for the Kingstons, it was all in a day’s work for Margo. “I do it because I genuinely love it,” says Margo. She believes that real estate is more than luxury houses and big commissions. Margo may spend months showing clients prospective properties in Oklahoma City,
Edmond, Moore and Norman, but through all the time and energy expended, what drives her is the satisfaction of helping families find their new homes. Margo thrives for the moment when her clients—or friends as she calls them—fall in love with a new home. But, her favorite moment is when the deal is sealed. It’s those memorable minutes that she’s able to tell her new friends that their life-changing offer has been accepted. “My favorite thing is to be able to make the phone call to the buyers and sellers and tell them that we have a deal.” She enjoys hearing the immediate relief and excitement in her clients’ voices. After showing the Kingstons numerous homes, she was confident that the love-atfirst-sight moment would soon happen for the family of five. As the month flew by, they
eventually fell head over heels in love with a new property. Margo not only handled the business transaction seamlessly, but offered the Kingstons a support system and experienced insight into the world of real estate. “I wanted to make sure that we didn’t just find them a house, I wanted to find them a community.” Long after the offer was accepted and the closing agreements have been signed, Margo is still friends with the Kingstons. She not only offered them a house to call a home, but also a network of friends to call family. To experience stress-free real estate, contact Margo Waldrop with Churchill Brown Realty at 405.562-0820 or liveinedmond.com.
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Outlook August 2014
Legacy Painting by Austin Marshall Kevin Calmes, owner of Legacy Painting
Tired of your house looking lackluster? You would be surprised at what a simple painting update can do to the look of a home. Applying fresh coats of paint to the exterior of your residence every 8-10 years can improve property values. Kevin Calmes, owner of Legacy Painting, emphasizes his motto, “Paint before it peels.” Calmes has a passion for excellent quality and enduring results. As owner and operator of Legacy Painting, a full-service interior and exterior paint company, he has built a remarkable business that delivers professional, consistent results in the Oklahoma City area. Legacy specializes in a variety of projects for commercial and residential buildings. Throughout college into graduate school, Calmes did part-time painting to pay for his school and living. During an internship program at Integris, his supervisor saw his
passion in the construction industry and advised him to look into that field. Calmes later embarked on painting as a full-time profession in 1999. Regular touch-ups can mitigate the need for large-scale repainting and can do wonders for the aesthetic appeal of a home or business. Calmes recommends regular updates to existing paints to keep them looking crisp and neat. Legacy uses only the best materials in their work, including Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore Paints. Legacy Painting’s quality work can be credited to the expert standards Calmes holds for himself and his employees. “If you want the job done right, we are that company!” Each project Legacy works on uses a foreman, painter and project helper with extensive knowledge of their specialty, Calmes explained. Legacy spends time considering all aspects of the
painting process and that attention to detail is easy to see in the finished product. Calmes and his staff have decades of combined experience. Legacy has a team of employees who are all held to higher levels of education, product quality and customer service. Legacy is Oklahoma’s only accredited member of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA). PDCA certification is gained after two years of accreditation and offers distinction of superior quality in the painting industry. “It’s like we graduated from paint college—with honors,” said Calmes. Have questions? Calmes welcomes any potential client to visit with him about the benefits of painting. Project estimates are free of charge and can be scheduled by contacting Legacy Painting at 286-5863 or going online at legacypaintingokc.com.
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19
by Heide Brandes
In many ways, Margo Gianos of Oklahoma City is a lot like other 13-year-old girls—she likes to hang out with her friends, she plays soccer after school and she studies hard to make straight As. On the other hand, she’s anything but typical. Margo is the founder of her own company, Honestly Margo, and she’s making waves as a 13-year-old entrepreneur taking the world by storm with a mix of savvy business know-how, a family-based support system and a “never-say-die” attitude. It’s a winning mix for the pre-teen, who has started more companies in her youth than most entrepreneurs do in a lifetime. “I was always interested in making money,” said Margo. “When I was eight, I started a pet fashion business making cat collars, and I did stuff like beads on pipe cleaners. I basically tried to sell whatever I could.” The desire to create a business was born from watching her parents. Her mother Irene is a successful blogger and businesswoman in her own right, and her father owns a dry cleaning business and other businesses. Margo was born to run her own empire. “I watched
20
Outlook August 2014
and learned,” Margo said. “I wanted to start a business and sell. I Googled ways for a kid to make money, and I found lip balm.” With that in mind, Margo discovered the secret recipe of success. Now, Honestly Margo lip balms are selling in several states, and the teen business wonder is looking even higher.
NATURAL SUCCESS
“A lot of lip balms out there say they are all natural, but they aren’t,” Margo said. “On one popular brand, it even tells you to call poison control if swallowed! I learned that a lot of lip balm is not so healthy, so I wanted to make mine all natural.” Margo experimented with products from local health food stores, using oils and beeswax and other natural items to finally perfect a balm she was happy with. Her lip balm contains only four ingredients that help treat people with psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema. “We didn’t stop until we got a really good lip balm,” said Margo. “I learned a lot about chemistry. I learned about business in general. Since the beginning, I’ve learned how to grow a business,
how to market. Social media is a big part of that.” The first flavor was pumpkin cheesecake, and she sold 50 tubes to kids at her school in one week. She kept selling more and more to her friends at school until she had to make more. “Margo asked me, ‘Well, what should we name it?’ said Irene, Margo’s mother. “We were out at the craft stores to get stickers to put on the tubes, and I had a moment. I asked her, ‘Do we want to keep it small or do something big with it? Do you want to be the next big empire?’” At that point, the decision was made. The Gianos’ hired a professional graphic designer and began serious branding and marketing. Margo’s father helped her secure her federal tax ID number and business licenses, and Honestly Margo was born. “The first stores we were in were from referrals,” Irene said. Today, Honestly Margo lip balms are sold in 44 stores in nine states. Honestly Margo offers six different flavors—Pumpkin Cheesecake, Very Berry, Fruit Colada, Caramel Apple, Lemon and plain.
DAILY BUSINESS
“I would be nowhere without my mom and dad,” Margo said. “My mom is my biggest cheerleader and helps me with everything. I’ve always learned a lot about how to balance my life. School comes
first, then business, then soccer and then time with my friends. Sometimes I can’t go hang out with my friends because I have to do the business.” Honestly Margo isn’t in daily production, but when orders come in, they come in big. The whole family comes together to help create the batches of lip balm, and each batch yields 300 to 400 tubes of lip balm. Margo and her parents, as well as her brother and her grandparents, all pitch in to manufacture the lip balm, put stickers on the tubes and shrink wrap the orders. “We are at the middle point now where we need to decide if we need a manufacturer or not,” said Margo. “It depends on the demand. But, we make huge batches at home for now.” Balancing life, business and school can be difficult, but family support helps ease the work load. “As long as she is passionate about it, we will support her,” said Irene. “I want her to always have fun and enjoy it. But, I want her to be a kid, too, and enjoy that. Parents need to recognize and be supportive when their kids want to do something. They need to see what’s in front of them and encourage their kids’ dreams.” The future looks bright for the straight-A student. In a few months, she plans to announce an addition to the Honestly Margo brand, but for now, it’s a secret. “I want to grow this business,” said Margo. “I want to do this, and I want this company to be what I do when I get older. People go to college to learn about running a business, but I’m learning so much now. I’m going to college, but if you want to be successful, you have to dream big and believe in it.” Margo’s message to her peers and to entrepreneurs of all ages is to work hard and believe in success. “Anyone can do anything, whether you’re 10 or 100,” she said. “You put in the work, you learn a lot and you keep your eyes open. Learn from everything. I want to inspire other girls to do something big for themselves too.” For more information about Honestly Margo, visit www.honestlymargo.com. Honestly Margo products are also available on Etsy.
Margo with her mother Irene.
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(minimum of 300 sq. ft.)
Time to say out with the old tile and carpet and in with new wood floors. Are you dreaming of new wood floors, but dread the mess associated with tearing out your tile? Are you tired of your 70’s carpet, but the thought of working with unreliable installers stop you in your tracks? Kregger’s Floors and More is here to help. Not only does Paul Kregger and his crew offer outstanding friendly and dependable service, but they have also created a system that elimnates many of the hassles most associated with tile removal. Their new dust collection system minimizes the dust. Although their technique is not dust-free, Kregger says it is “light-years ahead of the rest.” With most companies, replacing tile can take a week or more. Besides eliminating much of the dust, with Kreggers, your floor can be free of tile and prepped for new flooring in no time. “Most people think that the task of replacing tile is more construction than they want to deal with. With our manpower and no ‘middle man,’ your tile can be gone in as little as one day!” said Kregger. The installers are what set Kregger’s apart. This ensures customers are getting someone who knows and shows skills he’s familiar with to install their flooring. “In some stores the installers are folks the store has known maybe a day, maybe a year. It’s hard to say. At Kregger’s all of our installers are long-time
employees or family members.” Edmondite Christy Dowell says, “We have a home full of Kregger’s floors! New wood floors, tile floors, rugs, a shower and soon to be carpet. Paul and Chris and the rest of their crew have been a pleasure to work with; always courteous, respectful and punctual. They are also very trustworthy. We left our home to them for a week and came back to beautiful wood floors. It seems to me that ‘satisfaction’ is their number one goal...and I am completely satisfied! I highly recommend Kregger’s Floors and More.” Kreggers is now offering an unbeatable $5.99 psf on genuine Mohawk hand-scraped wood
Must mention Outlook. Exp. 08/31/14 22
Outlook August 2014
floors installed. “What every customer is looking for is great quality at a great price. With our low overhead environment, they always get a great price and workmanship that’s second to none.” For more information call 348-6777 or stop by the store at 2702 S. Broadway in Edmond.
If wood’s not what you’re looking for, come browse through our amazing selection of carpet and tile! Also ask about our complete bathroom remodels.
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by M.A. Smith
School is out for the day for 5-year-old Kira Trosclair, and all she can think about is heading home to her bike and playtime with friends. Like any child, Kira loves to ride and play with her friends. But until recently, she was only able to watch the other children have fun. Her physical disability prevented her from participating in playtime and many other children’s activities. Kira has multiple duplications of chromosome 22r11, a disability that affects her motor skills. “Kira was almost 2 years old before she started crawling or sitting up,” said Sandy Trosclair, Kira’s mother. Sandy took her daughter to a physical therapist to help strengthen her muscles and improve mobility. Wanting to enhance Kira’s ability to play, AMBUCS, a national disability program that helps improve the lives of disabled people, stepped in. The organization’s local Edmond chapter, AmTrykes, furnishes custom-built bikes for people with disabilities. AmTrykes started when a physical therapist designed a bike for her own child, and has since grown into a national success. Tom
Hatcher, Edmond’s AmTrykes chairman, said every bike is custombuilt. “There are an infinite number of accessories designed for each child,” Hatcher said. “We look for the area where they need more help and design the bike to help improve strength and mobility.” AMBUCS designed Kira’s bike with hand-pedals. Her feet strap into the pedals at the bottom like other bikes, but she uses her hands to turn the pedals. The bike also has helped Kira improve other facets of her condition. “Even though she is pedaling the bike with her hands, her legs move below and she is getting exercise,” Kira’s mother said. “It really strengthens her legs.” The bike also has helped Kira come out of her shell and become more sociable with others. “She’s very friendly and wants to play with the other children,” Sandy said. The new toy has also helped strengthen her relationship with her sibling. “Kira is also able to ride a bike with her brother now. She wasn’t able to ride bikes with him before,” Sandy said. “Now she thinks she’s all that because she can ride too.” The next step for Kira is transitioning from the AmTryke to a standard bike. “This is the ultimate goal. And I believe she will be able to do it,” Sandy said. “Kira has made so much improvement. The AmTryke made that possible.” Children like Kira aren’t the only ones who receive help from the program. Hatcher said AmTrykes also provides bikes to wounded veterans returning from the war. “We have veterans who are double amputees, or they are paralyzed from the waist down,” Hatcher said. “We give them a bike so they can enjoy recreational activities with
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their families.” AMBUCS also helps people who are not able to afford medical equipment. Sandy is a working mom, and like many people, is on a tight budget. “There is no way I could have afforded the bike for her otherwise,” Sandy said. “AMBUCS really stepped in and helped us.” The program offers financial assistance to students as well by providing scholarships to students who want to work with disabled people. “The AMBUCS Scholars program represents the largest single private source of educational grants for therapists in America,” said June Cartwright, AMBUCS’ media coordinator. “Several of our AMBUCS scholarship recipients choose to pursue their therapy degree because their own families contain children or adults who are in need of speech therapy,” she said. “They have compassion for their patient and the desire to develop a very positive course of treatment.”
For more information on AMBUCS, visit its national website at AMBUCS.org.
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OPEN 24 HOURS, 7 DAYS A WEEK! 821 W. Freeman Ave., Perkins, OK 74059 405-547-5352 • LIKE US ON OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE IOWA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA. 26
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.com
by Mari Farthing
How does a mall employee start an international shoe business? Hard work. Determination. Knowledge. Capital. Patience. Casey Keller knows about all of these ingredients, lessons learned first-hand while developing his own line of shoes, KcLacs. “Growing up, I was always thinking of inventions. In high school, I would buy house shoes and insert insoles in them, allowing me to wear them outside and adding to the comfort of the shoes,” recalls Keller. But the ease of a slip-on, comfortable shoe came at a premium. “The bottom of the shoes would always wear out, and the materials were low-end.” Keller realized that to find the shoe he was looking for, he would have to go beyond his self-created shoe hack. “I would need to create my own product and company,” he says. “What interested me most was creating the most comfortable slip-on shoe possible. I looked at all different types of shoes, features and materials.” Not finding exactly what he needed— and understanding his own limitations—he found examples of the parts that would fit together to create his ideal shoe (such as a memory foam insole and a full air sole), Keller contacted designers through websites and his perfect shoe was drawn up. “I used to carry the first pencil drawings of my shoes around to show people, telling them I was starting a shoe company—I had no website, just an idea and a drawing,” he says. “I always looked past my slim odds of success—I had an idea and I wasn’t going to stop pursuing it. I had no other option.” Business books provided inspiration for Keller, most notably John Wiley Spears’ How Small Business Trades Worldwide, which opened his eyes to the world of international trade. Keller realized that combining his love of invention with international business was key for his future. “It offered the freedom to work from anywhere, along with the ability to travel the globe and collaborate with people all over the world,” says Keller. In 2009, Keller worked with a Vietnamese factory to create a rough prototype. “They were raw, no air sole and very low end, but at the same time, my first samples from a factory overseas,” says Keller. “At that time I was a full-time employee at a mall— probably making $10 an hour—and representing myself as the owner of KcLacs, International Shoe Company. I would always ask, ‘what’s the next step?’ and then pursue it until it was accomplished and I moved on to the next step.” After four years, Keller found the footwear manufacturer Otabo, and he knew that he had found the right manufacturer for his vision. “By the time I came across them, I had four years worth of drawings, factory specs and experience.” Keller had talked to several other factories previously, but found that Otabo could meet his needs. continued on next page
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Sole Success, cont.
And now, with his final pre-production samples in-hand, there is one final step remaining: Keller has brought on two business partners, Nick Ramirez and Charles Oaktre, to help fund his venture. “Over the past five years, I’ve worked fulltime and graduated in May 2013 from UCO with a bachelors in economics—and I have pursued KcLacs the entire time,” says Keller. “Throughout the process, I did all the work from my kitchen table—learning how to talk to factories, how to collaborate with designers and how to fund the project myself.” Keller is always looking toward the future, which may be another key to his success. “I would like to be involved in youth sports and gain NCAA licensing for KcLacs to represent collegiate sports teams.” If past history is any indication, there are no doubts that Keller will achieve this goal. Follow KcLacs on Facebook to stay informed on release and availability.
Get your computers ready for school! 29 W. Main in Downtown Edmond • Virus & Spyware Removal • Laptop Screen Replacement • Backup or Transfer Pictures, Music, Email & Contacts • Home & Office Wired or Wireless Networking
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State & National Power Tumbling Champs! NCA & World Cheer Champs! 28
Outlook August 2014
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Outlook August 2014
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Knight Wellness Center Dr. Kamla Knight, Chiropractor
405-285-9454 3209 S. Broadway, Ste 217
All major insurances accepted • Open MWF 9-5
32
Outlook August 2014
by Da ve Mi ll e r
The morning sun on your windshield makes you squint. Just a few seconds more. The flag drops and you accelerate forward, eyes looking where you want to go. As you shift into second gear your tires chirp and the rear of your car slides a little and regains traction. You floor the accelerator. Exiting the big sweeping turn as quickly as your car can hold the line and you see several police cruisers. You’re breaking some laws—if you were on the street that is… but you aren’t. You’re at the sheriff’s training facility in Oklahoma City and you’re at an autocross event. As you pull back into the staging area, your buddies razz you about clipping a cone. That’ll cost you a second off your time. You plot your revenge as you idle your car back up to starting line. Your mission: shave a full second off your last run—and don’t hit any cones. For some local car enthusiasts, there is no better rush than a weekend autocross event. They’re low key, low cost and a great way to improve your driving skills. Several local car clubs sponsor events here. This particular outing happens to be the OKC Porsche Club’s event. There are quite a few Porsches here, but there are also cars of other makes. Most of the local clubs are not brand exclusive. Today’s course starts off with a slalom, a wide turn, short straights and a hairpin turn opening up to a long straightaway. The course winds down with a series of tight turns flanked by dozens of orange cones. “There’s no way to get through that quickly—it takes skill, a lot of footwork and restraint to not take out a bunch of cones,” said Matt Herndon, the club Vice President and Autocross Chairman. He designed the course and seems pretty pleased with it. “When I set up the track I try and keep two different types of cars in mind—the high horsepower ones and the small wheel base ones. I try to set up the track the night before the event and hope I have challenged the drivers on everything.” The sheriff’s training facility is unique in design. It consists of a large paved area joined to multiple single and double wide lanes that wrap around turns. The layout offers the club’s course designers
You calculate how to cut a corner. It’s like math, but really fun math. continued on next page
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Fast Times, Con’t .
a variety of options for events as well as a realistic training ground for law enforcement. “Managing a high speed pursuit is something that must be learned. The track allows deputies the opportunity to operate their assigned vehicles in emergency mode,” said Capt. Anderson of the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Department. Currently, there are approximately 20 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies who utilize the facility at no cost. By the afternoon, the intensity is increasing. You’re calculating how to cut a corner tighter or what line to take through the big sweeping turn so you can exit quicker. It’s like math, but really fun math. And its all over in 79.24 seconds. Your best time of the day. “This is a place to push your car and understand its limits—not on the street.” explains Brad Edwards as he slips on his helmet and readies his modified Mazda in
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Outlook August 2014
for its next run. To be clear, this is not racing. Drivers only compete against the clock. At the end of the event someone will be the quickest, but for many of the participants that’s not the point. “I’m here for the seat time,” said Edwards. “More driving time… the better I get.” “Ferraris, Corvettes and Honda Civics. Some people even trailer in dedicated race cars, but we also have street cars, project cars and stock vehicles enter. Our events are for all levels of drivers, from beginners to more advanced. All car makes are invited. This year we are hosting events one Sunday each month from March through October,“ said Mark Cox, Oklahoma Z Car Club events coordinator. There are several local clubs that run events at the Sheriff’s track. The local BMW, Porsche, Corvette, Mustang and Z Car clubs run here. Each of the clubs’ websites outline the rules for participation. “This is fun and local. If you want more speed or a bigger track experience there’s always Hallett. That’s about an hour away.” Edwards is referring to Hallett Motor Racing Circuit in Jennings OK, just west of Tulsa. Hallett offers a program called High Speed Touring that utilizes their 1.8 mile technical road course. Edwards continues, “It’s a rush being on a real race track with other cars. They have novice and advanced groups—and ride-along instructors.” So if you you’d like to explore your car’s performance, there’s no need to do it on our local byways. Find a club and sign yourself up for some track time. Your car will be glad you did. Oklahoma Z Car Club okzcc.com | Porsche Club of America pca-warbonnet.org BMW Car Club of America sunbeltbmwcca.org | Oklahoma Mustang Club okmustangclub.com | Sports Car Club of America gasketgazette.org Hallett Motor Racing Circuit hallettracing.com
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by Lance Evans
Daniel Woodall knows exactly who he is. His tone lets you know that he is truly a man speaking about his passion. This isn’t just a spur-of-the-moment-endless-stream-of-consciousness that Daniel was relaying. It is his life, his faith. This is his foundation: “I’m all about God’s love and His grace,” he said. “It’s not about me. I’m just a vessel to be used by him.” Even without vocalizing it, Daniel’s warm heart and honest intentions are written all over him: it was in his laugh, his friendly tone and it’s present in every facet of his mission. Daniel’s mother was born deaf so he grew up around sign language. He ventured into professional signing in 2007. “It was instilled in me that life was more than just about investing in yourself.” He wanted to further his impact by finding ways to give back to the hearing-impaired community. “I feel that a lot of different people have the ability to talk, but not a lot of people have the ability to sign.” Daniel’s life has come full circle. When he was nine years old, his family moved to Sulphur, Oklahoma. His father started a summer camp for the deaf and built log cabins for campers. From an early age, Daniel was busy learning sign language while also working with wood for the camp. These two hobbies would continue to follow him later on in life. Currently, Daniel and his wife Becky are preparing for a mission trip to Moldova, a country in Eastern Europe.
This will be Daniel’s third time making the trip and his wife’s eighth. “We’re doing summer camps for the deaf,” he said. “The former camp director decided that it was time for her to do some other things. So now, my wife and I are the directors.” Daniel and Becky’s 10-day summer camp houses around 100 kids. When they’re not teaching in Europe, Daniel and Becky are both busy working as full-time interpreters. Daniel works for Edmond Public Schools and is also an interpreter for various agencies. In his free time, Daniel carves the state of Oklahoma out of reclaimed wood, along with other items, and sells his work online. He accidentally stumbled upon the idea of selling woodcarvings for missions. “My wife saw something online that she liked and said ‘Hey, can you make this for me?’” he said. “I made it and put it up in our house and she posted it on Facebook.” People immediately liked the work that Daniel was doing and started requesting for him to make more Oklahomas and even other states. Embracing the popularity of his designs while still following his calling, Daniel uses the money from selling the items to help fund his mission trips. While he has to put a price tag on his items online, he insists that the buyer decide the final donation amount. The art not only gives purchasers a chance to find interesting décor items for their home, but it also allows them to play an active role in fulfilling Daniel’s mission. Daniel said that there are a number of ways that people can help fund their mission. While the online retailer Etsy helps sell the items that he makes, Daniel said that they need one thing from people more than anything else. “Pray for us,” he said. “We need lots of prayers while we’re there.” Daniel also offered sound advice for anyone hoping to find their passion: “People spend their lives waiting for something to fall in their lap instead of going out and becoming a part of something.” While we all may not have the resources to travel around the world to help people, Daniel believes that your talent might be hiding right in your own backyard. “While you’re serving, loving and doing those things, you find your passion,” he said. “If you never get out there, you’ll never find it. Go find something to do and it may be right around the corner.”
Debbie Pybas, Ruby Berg, Larry Jones, new staff member Traci Sarani, & Johnnie Jones We are ready to help YOU with all your insurance needs
Come visit or give us a call today!
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Outlook August 2014
Call for Free Estimates!
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Check out Daniel’s work at woodbywoody.etsy.com. Donations can be given via PayPal at deafmoldovamission@gmail.com or by writing a check The Woodall Foundation (501c3) and mailing it to 2204 Rushing Meadows Edmond, OK 73013.
341-0000
visitingvetedmond.com 2825 S. Broadway
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MY outlook
Debbie Curtis, Artist
by Bethany Marshall
Have you always wanted to be an artist? How did you get started? When I was a teenager, my mom and I took an oil painting class together. This was a way for us to spend some time together doing something we had in common, and I could learn something too. I have always wanted to be an artist—always believed that I WAS an artist. Somehow, getting paid for my artwork validates what I do and refuels me to do more. In a way, I don’t think that it should. I am literally living my dream of being a working artist, earning my living this way. You’re famous for your Barbie paintings. Did you have a favorite Barbie as a child? I don’t remember having a favorite because I don’t think I had many, just one or two, and no Ken. But who needs Ken anyway, right? What made you focus on Barbie as a subject? Focusing on Barbie for my paintings happened by accident about 12 years ago. I wanted very much to get to the place within myself where I would discover what I was meant to paint—to express my art in a direct way that would not be related to deliberate thought, or approval or success at all, just to let it be whatever it is. So what I did was just a lot of free-form painting, some with my eyes closed. The paintings that came from this search were very primitive. One day, out of nowhere, I painted one that looked like Barbie! It was as if I had found what I had been looking for. So I just kept painting Barbie and I haven’t stopped yet! What about her inspires you? I am inspired by Barbie in a couple of ways. First, she is absolutely beautiful and perfect in my eyes. And of course, one thing about her that is very cool is that, just like us, she can do anything she sets her mind to do. I’m sure you are aware of the controversy about Barbie and body image, what is your opinion on the matter? As for any controversy about Barbie, I think it is because of her success. Sometimes people have to find fault in success or beauty. She can’t help being perfect! What is the problem with perfection anyway? In my opinion, people shouldn’t base their ideal body image on a doll. I think of her as art. Even before I painted Barbie, she was—and is—a beautiful piece of art to me. How do you use your art to make a difference? A benefit I enjoy from being a painter is that I get opportunities to give to charitable organizations at a level that I could not do monetarily. So now I am able to say yes when I am asked to help with fundraising. What a privilege that is! Tell us about your pet paintings... My Pet Portraits for Pet Charities is a branch of my art biz that focuses on helping the local pet rescues. It is great for people to get a painting of their pet, or get one for a gift for someone, and in so doing they are giving $50 to their favorite pet charity. So they not only are supporting local art (me!) but also getting a chance to help pets in need at the same time. Over $5,000 has been raised so far! What was your first love, pets or barbie? My first artistic love was Barbie, pets came later. I had painted one or two dogs for friends, and one day I walked into a pet retailer on a day that a Chihuahua rescue was there. I was so touched by those little dogs, and hated to think that I couldn’t take them home with me. That is what gave me the idea to launch my Pet Portraits for Pet Charities. Do you enjoy painting other subjects besides Barbie & pets? I do enjoy painting other subjects. I have done some abstract commission work, and I also like painting from old photos. Discover Debbie’s art at Blue Seven in OKC, The Paper Lion or Eye Candy Lash Studio in Edmond. They can also be purchased directly at at debbiecurtisart.com, or on Etsy. Debbie is happy to paint anything on request.
Transfer old Home Movies & Video Tape DVD
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Outlook August 2014
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80 East 5th St., Ste. 130 Edmond, OK 73034