Outlook February 2017 by Outlook Magazine

Outlook February 2017

February 2017

A Day Off and A Smile

I declared the 24th of this month a holiday of sorts. It’s one of the many perks you have when you have your own company. The holiday I invented - I’m calling it Back40 Founder’s Day. The day honors my late wife Sandy who slipped into the Divine last year on February 24th. Sandy was my partner in life and business. We started Back40 Design together 17 years ago. Like a lot of husband and wife start-ups we worked long hours, drove long commutes and had long conversations about our fledgling business. I did the creative and she ran the books. We struggled for a few years, got our balance and then things took off.

Starting a business can be daunting. It was for us. Every time I wanted to grow - hire another employee, buy equipment, get a nicer office or take on a project bigger than I should - she would suggest caution. We’d talk it over. Many times I wouldn’t take that action. I trusted her. And she trusted my vision. What a great quality in a marriage - and a business.

Full Court Fitness

An inside look at the Thunder Girls’ training routine

Sandy always knew how to have fun. She did that much better than me. So in her honor everyone at Back40 gets Friday the 24th off work. With one stipulation- everyone has to do something fun. Some of the Back40ers’ plans include going to a matinee, going to a day spa and using that Friday for a three day getaway weekend. I’m not sure what I will do on the 24th, but I plan to do my best to spend the day smiling.

8 Louise

FEATURES

The Love Month

11 Food

20 Special Delivery

Edmond’s first obstetrician

retires after 38 years and 8,000 babies delivered

Recipe For Hope with Edmond Mobile Meals

14 Business

Expressions in Quilting Reflections Dental Care

30 City

The Collective: A Shared Workspace for Women

24 What’s Going Up

Downtown?

What’s being built and what’s coming soon

28 Portrait of a Painter: Mike Wimmer Artist Mike Wimmer shares

the inspiration for his realistic portraits

Front cover photography by Marshall Hawkins Sandy, me & Jessica (our first employee), circa 2000

To advertise, contact Laura Beam at (405) 301-3926 or laura@outlookoklahoma.com

Dave Miller, Back40 Design President

OUTLOOK

PUBLISHER Dave Miller

80 East 5th Street, Suite 130, Edmond, OK 73034 Volume 13, Number 2

405-341-5599

Outlook is a publication of Back40 Design, Inc.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Adrian Townsend

PHOTOGRAPHY Marshall Hawkins www.sundancephotographyokc.com

ADVERTISING MANAGER Laura Beam

info@outlookoklahoma.com

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DISTRIBUTION 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.

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Louise

The Love Month

by Louise Tucker Jones

VALENTINE MY LADY

WOMAN

LADY FRIEND

MY MAN

BABY

SWEETHEART

BEAU

HONEY

It’s the love month! Hearts. Flowers. Candy. Romance. You So back to the question. How do you introduce your date? As know the routine. But did you ever wonder how all of this started? always, I went on a quest, searching for the proper term. I actually Being a person who ponders things, I did a little investigating via found a website that addressed this question. Some preferred terms the Internet. Not everyone agrees to the history and founder of were My Lady, Girlfriend, Woman, Baby, or Girl, along with My Man, Valentine’s Day, but being a romantic, I chose the most prominent Beau, Boyfriend, and Gentleman. legend to share. I even asked Siri on my iPhone. Saint Valentine of Rome She wasn’t much help so I turned was imprisoned for performing to friends and asked the same weddings for soldiers who question. Many responded to what were forbidden to marry and they had heard friends use. Lady for ministering to Christians friend. Gentleman friend. How about who were persecuted under the Significant other? Think that works GIRLFRIEND Roman Empire. According to better for married partners. What GIRL legend, during his imprisonment, about Sweetheart or Honey? You Saint Valentine healed the blind might call them by that name in your daughter of his jailer, Asterius, own privacy, but do you want to and on the evening before his her/him in this way? GENTLEMAN FRIEND BOYFRIEND introduce execution, he wrote her a letter Though I didn’t come up with an signed, “Your Valentine,” as a exact word for this dilemma, I think farewell. I have the perfect solution. For the Imprisonment and present time, why don’t you just call executions aside, would we all be that special person in your life your so eloquent in such a challenging Valentine? Whether it’s your spouse, moment? Would our hearts rule our actions? Would we care about boyfriend, girlfriend, fiancée, or simply a friend, who could resist the feelings of others? I think so and it was proven to me recently that title? when a friend who is widowed posed this question. “How do you Hope you enjoyed this little bit of history, humor and of course, introduce a person you are dating when you are both over 50 years romance. old? What word do you use in referring to the person?” Happy Valentine’s Day! Hmm. I suggested simply using the word friend. “This is my friend, ______.” Nope. He had tried that. Wasn’t quite special enough for the lady. And girlfriend? Well, that seemed a bit too juvenile. Brought up images of high school and college. We both agreed that over-50 dating is often complicated and introductions can definitely be awkward. About the Author Louise Tucker Jones is an award-winning And what about Valentine’s Day? Should you send flowers to author, inspirational speaker and founder of the someone who is little more than a friend? Take candy? Celebrate with organization, Wives With Heavenly Husbands, a wine at dinner? It takes a while to figure out this dating stuff. support group for widows. Email LouiseTJ@cox.net or visit LouiseTuckerJones.com.

Outlook February 2017

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Outlook February 2017

FOOD

Recipe For Hope

by Lance Evans

Edmond Mobile Meals Releases a New Cookbook

There’s an intoxicating aroma filling the air. It’s sweet, savory, warm, and flavorful. It’s a familiar scent that recalls memories of home. It engulfs you immediately upon entrance into Edmond Mobile Meals. Oklahoma’s bitter winter breeze even falls victim to the friendly faces and warm personas working inside. It’s appropriate that the facility’s main entryway leads you directly into the heart of the organization - the kitchen. Five volunteers are working alongside the organization’s chef and as various individuals enter the facility. They all stop and offer friendly hellos, anxious to offer any kind of assistance. Today, volunteers are preparing meatloaf for clients of Edmond Mobile Meals. After seeing their hard work in action, it’s easy to see that the nonprofit organization is serving so much more than just delicious food. Edmond Mobile Meals furnishes hot, noontime meals to Edmond’s homebound elderly, disabled, and convalescing adults. The nonprofit was established over 40 years ago and continues to be a savory beacon of hope for so many community members. This year, they are expanding their efforts with the release of a cookbook filled with original recipes that the nonprofit has become famous for making. The cookbook is just one page in Edmond Mobile Meals’ storybook history. For over four decades, they have thrived thanks to the hard work of community volunteers. “I was new to the area and saw a church bulletin that said that they needed volunteers,” says longtime volunteer Sheree Lambert. Sheree is the grandmother who every kid dreams of having. As she moves through the offices at Edmond Mobile Meals, her gracious mannerisms and spirit seem to make her float. Before you have a chance to offer her a greeting or salutation, she’s literally offering you a fresh homemade treat that she regularly brings in for the staff. If this story were a fairytale, Sheree would definitely have the perfect slippers for the role of Fairy Godmother. “We had five women at first and then we created a board,” Sheree says. Those early days were full of recipes made with tons of love and hope. The kitchen was old and outdated and they had fewer supplies and meals. What kept the women coming back to fulfill the mission was the great need that comes from the community. “Food companies weren’t interested in helping at that time,” she says. “We had different shoppers go to the grocery store weekly. We did about 25 meals a day.” “Now we do 220 meals a day,” Executive Director Cristi Twenter says. “It’s changed quite a bit.” A major component of Edmond

Sheree and her Norwegian Lemon Bon Bons. See recipe on page 12.

Mobile Meals’ success has been the comaraderie shared among staff members. When Cristi talks about the successes of the organization, it’s easy to tell that the small staff is much more like family. This mantra of community and family extends well beyond the confines of their office space. Through successful events like their annual street fair, EdFest, Edmond Mobile Meals has established itself as an organization that brings hope and triumph to the people of Edmond. They are continuing this trend with the release of the organization’s second cookbook. “It was a labor of love,” says Sheree. “This is a new version,” Cristi adds. “We first did one for the 35th Anniversary. We asked volunteers, clients, staff… anyone who had recipes that they wanted to share. Some of the recipes are from our chef, Tony, and some are used in our client meals. We have frequent calls from clients requesting our recipes. All of our recipes are made from scratch. There is a lot of love that goes into preparing the food.” Fundraising is an important factor in the service model at

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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RECIPE FOR HOPE CONT’D

Norwegian Lemon Bon Bons

Tony, Edmond Mobile Meals chef, prepares a meal.

Edmond Mobile Meals. “We are 100 percent privately funded,” Cristi says. The organization relies on grants, fundraising events, and private donations to provide the services they offer. The cookbook is just the latest in a series of thought-provoking marketing strategies helping Edmond Mobile Meals extend its reach within the community. Is there a more scrumptious way to give back? The new cookbook is available online today at edmondmobilemeals.org.

Outlook February 2017

1 cup butter 1 cup sifted flour + 3/4 cup corn starch 1/3 cup powdered sugar 1/2 cup chopped pecans Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend butter and sugar together until light. Add corn starch & flour. Mix well. Chill until easily handled, roll into balls. Roll balls in chopped pecans. Flatten with glass. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Icing: 1 cup powdered sugar 1 tsp butter Juice of 1/2 lemon Blend until smooth

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BUSINESS

Expressions in Quilting by Morgan Day Expressions In Quilting owner Wanda Pinkerton with partner John Yater.

Quilting hobbyists know the craft, with its various materials, machines and supplies, isn’t exactly cheap. That’s why Wanda Pinkerton of Expressions in Quilting goes out of her way to provide long-arm quilting services that can fit into quilters’ budgets. The longtime quilter (with more than 5,000 quilts under her belt) offers computer-assisted design and edge-to-edge long-arm machine quilting to a sew together customers’ quilt tops, batting and backing, and even assembles quilts from customers’ favorite T-shirts and memory quilts that honor the memory of a loved one who’s passed. Pinkerton’s average turnaround is about two weeks. “Most places are a penny-and-a-half per square inch for edge-to-edge quilting,” Pinkerton said. “Expressions has over 100 budget friendly designs for one cent per square inch for edge to edge quilting. We can even

customize designs too.” The business focuses on customer service, and Pinkerton prides herself on asking the right questions to ensure a quilt that fits customers’ exact needs. “We can design the quilts with a specific purpose in mind,” she said. “It’s really about customer service for us. We really care, and we get the job done. We give quality service and a quick turnaround time at an affordable price.” Pinkerton, a native of Wichita, Kansas, started Expressions in Quilting in 2005 in Wichita. Four years ago, she moved to Edmond to be closer to her daughter, Niki Robidou, sonin-law Matt Robidou and granddaughter Sydney Robidou. She has worked hard on growing the business all over again with her life partner and business partner John Yater. In the four years she’s been in the Edmond, Pinkerton says she’s created some lasting

relationships within the Edmond community, a place she considers upbeat and family-oriented. Right now is a great time for parents and grandparents to be thinking about the perfect gift for that graduating senior. “We can make a T-shirt Quilt from that pile of t-shirts that they have collected over their high school years. We can even customize the back of the quilt with sport themes and colors of their new college. This will give them two quilts in one. “We would like to give back to the readers of Outlook by offering as special deal. Anyone who schedules a quilt top to be quilted will receive Hobbs batting FREE with each quilt we do.” Expressions in Quilting is located at 17405 Copper Creek, Edmond, 73012 and is open by appointment only. For more information, visit expressionsinquilting.com or call 405-741-6569.

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Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care 2709 E. Danforth Rd, Edmond, OK 73034

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AL# Pending

Reflections Dental Care by Morgan Day Dr. Lance Schmidt of Reflections Dental Care

When new patients book an appointment with Reflections Dental Care, they’re guaranteed a visit with friendly, caring staff who, above all else, prioritize patients’ needs. For starters, patients won’t endure a lengthy wait, and that’s thanks to Reflections’ online patient intake form that front desk staff have helped them complete ahead of time. When they walk in, patients tour the facility, receive a new-patient gift and get as comfy as possible thanks to a “comfort menu” that offers free refreshments, neck pillows and blankets as well sedation options. “Our number one priority is always high quality care and treatment for all patients,” said Dr. Lance Schmidt. “There’s not a decision that’s made or a practice or process in place that serves the needs of the clinic or an individual above the needs of our patients.” Patients will find hanging above their

exam chair an iPad complete with bluetooth headphones and the capability to stream movies and TV shows. “It also goes back to our motto of ‘the new way to dentist.’ At Reflections, it’s all about the experience,” said Schmidt, who earned his bachelor of science degree from the University of Oklahoma and went on to earn a doctorate of dental surgery at OU’s College of Dentistry. Schmidt, a native of Oklahoma City, bought the practice in 2004 at 28 years old and worked tirelessly to build the business up from four employees (him, his wife Stephanie and two others) to 16 employees today, otherwise known as his “dream team.” In the early days, you could even find the OKC dentist mowing the facility’s lawn on the weekends. Schmidt was joined in 2016 by Dr. Kimberly Greenlee and Dr. Marie Bockus. “Dr. Bockus has a real passion for treating

children and helping them achieve the best oral health possible,” Schmidt said. “Both doctors add an additional life and energy to the team and each of us complements the other in our unique strengths.” On the Reflections Dental Care website, patients can get to know all three doctors as well as staff through videos and short bios. Reflections staff hope to do the same when interacting with patients. “We really take the time to get to know our patients on a personal level, too,” Schmidt said. “When you mix in genuine care about the patient, that translates into the highest quality treatment you can find.” Reflections Dental Care is located at 10924 Hefner Pointe Drive in Oklahoma City. Book an appointment by visiting http://reflectionsdentalcare.com/ or call 405-563-7174.

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Thunder Girls at One Healthy Bod

FULL COURT FITNESS Steve Clausen, owner of One Healthy Bod, trains the Thunder Girls When rookie NBA Oklahoma City Thunder Girl, Lauren, joined the Thunder Girls dance team, she thought she was in good shape. Small and fit, she started attending One Healthy Bod in Edmond, the Thunder Girls’ gym of choice, a week before prep class for all the athletes on the Thunder Girls squad and then attended the twice a week workouts with the squad. “I thought I was in shape, but these workouts were a wakeup call,” the Bartlesville native said. “It’s still hard for me, but I’m better at it. I’m not the fastest on the team, but I can definitely see a difference.” On a Tuesday night, the dancers sprinted five laps around the One Healthy Bod gym before lining up to do jumping split lunges, sprints, burpees and push ups. On some days, they have to run a 7-minute mile before the workouts even begin. Steve Clausen, owner and trainer at One Healthy Bod, said even the most dedicated CrossFit or bootcamp enthusiast would struggle to do the workouts the Thunder Girls do on a regular basis. He designed their 30-minute workouts to build strength and endurance, but said anyone looking to get fit like a Thunder Girl can modify the moves to fit their own fitness level. “This is our ninth year training the Thunder Girls,” said Clausen. “We promote a healthy lifestyle, not being just ‘skinny.’ These workouts are very high intensity. The average person wouldn’t be able to make it through them. The weakest Thunder Girl is still in better shape than most people you find in bootcamp.” With over 15 years of experience and a client list that includes

Outlook February 2017

by Heide Brandes

the Oklahoma City Thunder Girls, Golden State Warrior Dance Team, University of Central Oklahoma Cheer and Pom and more, Clausen knows how to sculpt bodies into peak physical shape. He, along with Thunder Girl fellow trainer Jessica, help people break out of fitness frustrations and faddish dieting to instead rely on sensible nutritional guidelines and fitness programs specifically catered to the needs of each individual to help them attain their goals. So what does a Thunder Girl workout look like and how can everyone else incorporate those exercises? It’s easier, and harder, than you would think.

We promote a healthy lifestyle, not being just ‘skinny.’

MIXING IT UP

“The workouts incorporate a lot of different moves. We constantly mix it up,” Clausen said. “These girls dance full out for two minutes at a time at games, so stamina is important. We do a bootcamp-style workout that includes push ups, burpees, sit ups, plate pushes, you name it.” Paige, dance team manager and choreographer, said the mix of cardio and muscle building helps challenge the girls to become stronger. “Steve changes the workouts all the time.

Sometimes we are running outside, sometimes we work on core muscle groups,” Paige said. “The workouts condition the girls to get through the games. All the workouts are hard.” Jessica, a trainer and senior member of the Thunder Girls squad, ripples with muscles as she does a hanging abdominal workout. Her favorite exercises involve speed and agility, but push ups are her least favorite. “We work out together as a team, and you push yourself because you don’t want to let the team down,” Jessica said. Rachel said her workouts were brutally challenging at first, but now she looks forward to them. “Cardio is the most challenging for me,” she said. “Keeping your heart rate up… I have trouble with that. My favorites are mountain climbers though. But everything we do can be done at home because the moves are things like push ups, sit ups, burpees. I suggest giving yourself a goal and increasing that goal each week.”

WORK OUT LIKE A THUNDER GIRL

Although every workout is different, Clausen said most people can incorporate his workouts for their own fitness level. For instance, while the Thunder Girls are expected to full-on sprint a 7-minute mile, others can warm up by walking fast or jogging for a mile. In the bootcamp-style workouts, the Thunder Girls do each exercise for a full minute before moving on to the next. From box jumps to sprints to plate pushes, the girls go through the whole series three times. “Instead of doing a full minute, maybe do 20 seconds,” Clausen said. “Then, the following week, add another five or 10 seconds.” Clausen’s suggested circuits include burpees, push ups, mountain climbers, lunges, reverse bridges, jump rope, box jumps, plate pushes and more. “Adjust to your level, but push yourself each week to get better,” he said. “For cardio, hop on a treadmill for 30 minutes at a pace where you can carry on a conversation. You’re still working and burning fat and calories. The next week, add another five minutes. Like anything, you build upon it.” But most of all, he said, have patience. “It’s hard for people to hear that,” he said. “You didn’t put that weight on overnight, and you’re not going to lose it overnight.” Lauren agreed. “We have two workouts a week and then two and a half-hour dance practice following it,” she said. “But everything we do can be done at home too.” Women wishing for a challenge can enter the OHB Train Like a Thunder Girl contest during the month of February for a chance to win training sessions with the Thunder Girls. For more information, visit OHB at onehealthybod.com.

Steve Clausen, owner of One Healthy Bod, coaching Thunder Girl, Jessica.

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Outlook February 2017

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SPECIAL DELIVERY

by Amy Dee Stephens

It’s hard to believe that back in the 1970s, Edmond was still a small “country town.” There wasn’t even a doctor who specialized in delivering babies—not until Dr. Daniel Tallerico opened up shop in 1978.

“I was completing my medical training in Oklahoma when I heard about a nice little town north of Oklahoma City that didn’t have an obstetrician. So I graduated and became the first one,” Dr. Tallerico said. When Dr. Tallerico opened his practice, he officed in downtown Edmond—back when the hospital was located on the second story of the current Othello’s restaurant. Edmond soon welcomed Dr. Michael Glass, and the two men served as the city’s only obstetricians for about 20 years. Now, Dr. Tallerico is a few weeks into his retirement, after having delivered over 8,000 babies during his 38-year career. “There is no greater calling in the world than delivering babies,” Dr. Tallerico said. “My fate was cast during my third year of medical school when I helped deliver that first baby. I thought it was miraculous.” The first baby he delivered in Edmond was from a patient who followed him from the university. She named the baby Daniel in his honor. Since then, he’s delivered three generations of babies—the children and grandchildren of his patients. “So, I’ve become a granddoctor!” Dr. Tallerico said with a laugh. His patients agree that he is a grand doctor, giving high praise for his down-to-earth care, sprinkled with humor. It’s a kind of humor that can’t always be shared publicly, since the process of conceiving and giving birth is rather private. As Dr. Tallerico puts it, “Suffice it to say, my business is filled with many joyful, crazy, funny moments that can’t be printed.” Angie Hesser, a patient of Dr. Tallerico, remembers when her fourth child was born. “We told him if it comes out to be a boy, we’ll name him Daniel. He delivered the baby and said, “You have a Danielle!” The Hessers laughed. After all, it was their fourth girl. “He’s a good ol’ boy with a good sense of humor, who Dr. Tallerico delivered over always wears cowboy boots,” 8,000 babies during his 38 Hesser said. “He’s the kind year career. of guy you can have a cup of coffee with as a friend, but professionally, he takes the absolute best care of you and your baby.” Another patient, Johnna Kirkland Doyle, remembers feeling terrified during pregnancy. Dr. Tallerico eased her fears, using a good dose of humor and practicality. “We were struggling to schedule our C-section. He said, ‘How about tomorrow morning at 6:30am?’ Of course, I was thinking of all the reasons why I wasn’t ready for that, but he said, ‘Do you want to sit around worrying about it, or do you want to have this baby?’ I had to laugh. It was exactly what I needed to hear,” Doyle said. Many of Dr. Tallerico’s patients became lifelong friends, which he finds so enriching. He frequently runs into patients around town, and he finds it gratifying to be introduced to “strapping young men or young ladies” that he brought into the world. For every daytime delivery, Dr. Tallerico can share the story about babies who decided to arrive in the middle of the night. His CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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SPECIAL DELIVERY, CONT’D

typical work schedule was 7:00am to 5:00pm, then he went home for the evening—until it was time to rush to the hospital for a nighttime delivery. “I got by on four hours of sleep for most of my career,” Dr. Tallerico admitted. “The adrenaline kept me awake.” Although he and Dr. Glass took turns being on-call at night, Dr. Tallerico tried to cover his own patients, feeling he owed it to them for trusting him to care for them through pregnancy.

he was with them when they lost their first baby. “A birth can be the happiest time in a couple’s life or the worst,” said Dr. Tallerico. “Unfortunately, a higher power decides differently sometimes, and those moments test all of your skill. Extreme happiness can go to extreme fear in a matter of seconds.” Hesser remembered when her second child required an emergency Caesarean-section. “I was a wreck, but he was the picture of calm. He was so reassuring that I knew I was in great hands.” “It’s a demanding job that turned my hair gray early,” Dr. Tallerico said. “I credit my wife, Mary Ellen, for being so supportive. In all those years, we never took a long vacation, because I committed to delivering my patients’ babies.” Now, a few weeks into his retirement— he’s still in shock that he’s not on-call every moment. He’s looking forward to traveling. Both of his children live out of state. James, a graphic artist, is married to Amanda, and they have three children in Texas. Otto is a sergeant in the Marine Corp. He and his wife Elisse are stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Dr. Tallerico and his wife plan to continue supporting civic efforts in Edmond. He’s been actively involved with many organizations, including Edmond’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Social Agency Commission. Mary Ellen was a founding member of the Edmond Women’s Club. On December 27, 2016, Dr. Tallerico delivered his last baby. It was a day of mixed feelings—but because he was assisting with the Baby Sam was delivered December 27th. Sam was the last baby Dr. Tallerico delivered. From left birth for a good friend, there was more joy than to right: Linda Vu Tran, Dr. Daniel Tallerico, Mary Ellen Tallerico, baby Sam, older brother Ellis, sadness. One thing he will certainly miss from Levi Nuckols, his career is seeing the reaction of new parents upon seeing their baby for the first time. “Edmond police came to know me well as I sped from my “It’s so remarkable to see the overwhelming joy and love in their house. Sometimes they would wave when I flew by,” Dr. Tallerico hearts at that moment,” said Dr. Tallerico. “The memories of things said with a laugh. At other times, they escorted him. that have occurred during my practice bring me great joy. I feel like Denise Griffin remembers the night she went into labor. She was I’ve made a difference.” disappointed to hear that Dr. Tallerico was not the on-call doctor that Make that 8,000 differences. evening. But just in time, he raced in, wearing his cowboy boots. “He rolled up his sleeves and said, ‘I wasn’t going to miss this one,’” Griffin said. The Griffins were particularly touched by this, because

Outlook February 2017

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What’s Going Up Downtown? by Dr. J David Chapman

There is a renaissance of sorts taking place in what used to be the sleepy little downtown, urban core of Edmond, Oklahoma. Awake and thriving, this hub of commerce and ingenuity is now attracting some of the area’s most notable new urban pioneers. Land prices have nearly doubled in the last few years in the downtown area and older, historically significant buildings are being

purchased at a premium – when they can be purchased at all. Local entrepreneurial developers are investing heavily in small-scale, mixed-use projects. Office and retail endeavors make up most of the new square footage yet some key residential innovators are creating urban-style townhomes and apartments downtown. Density is becoming the buzzword in the area. Leaders and

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Outlook February 2017

stakeholders are embracing the advantages that come with higher density environments, including modern amenities that attract our millennial children who once left for larger metropolitan cities. The University of Central Oklahoma is now becoming a choice of many high-performing high school seniors who might have chosen other schools in the past. Recent surveys indicate the new downtown experience is a contributing factor for the decision. If you haven’t been downtown lately, it’s time for a date night or a family outing in this energetic and expanding new hometown hub. You’ll notice some key developments and attractions fueling the Downtown Edmond renaissance.

Past Builds Presence

A significant year for the Edmond community, 2016 saw the completion of Campbell Corner at 130 N. Broadway. The 15,683 square foot upscale retail and office building was developed by Plaza USA, LLC owned by Saeed Zahrai and his son, Koorosh Zahrai. Their selective tenant approach, with retail occupying the bottom floor and office tenants on the second floor, has successfully attracted new businesses, including Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop, Mainstream Boutique and the recently opened Ellis Island Coffee and Wine Lounge. Efforts continue to attract office tenants for the second floor of the building. The 2016 relocation of the popular KatieBug’s Shaved Ice and Hot Chocolate from Midtown Oklahoma City to the NW corner of Hurd and Broadway, across the street from the newly built Campbell Corner building, adds synergy to these retail shops and value to downtown Edmond. Developer Pete Reeser added 5,896 square feet to downtown

Edmond by building two new residential-style buildings on Ayers Street. The buildings are leased to VIP Insurance, TOC Solutions, Inc., and Travis Garza Fitness.

On the Horizon

Even though last year’s changes were significant, 2017 is shaping up to eclipse that success. Larry Lambrecht recently purchased the SW corner of Campbell and Broadway across from Campbell Corner and has been granted approval to build a 30,000 square foot, three story, mixed-use building with retail on the bottom floor and office on the top two floors. Larry is also building a 7,461 square foot building at 14 W. Edwards for owner Roger Short who plans to market the office space as executive suites. Two significant factors have contributed to this downtown renaissance. First, local civic leader and President of Citizen’s Bank, Jill Castilla made a decision to invest in a monthly community festival called Heard on Hurd that has showcased music, art, architecture, and amenities in the area to thousands of festival goers. Secondly, Edmond’s decision to keep much of the city’s operations and employees in downtown Edmond by building the new 70,000 square foot Safety Center in the heart of downtown Edmond, which opened in September 2015, showed the City’s commitment to the success of our urban core. Dr. J. David Chapman is an Associate Professor of Finance & Real Estate at The University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu)

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Outlook February 2017

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Portrait of a Painter:

Mike Wimmer

by Amy Dee Stephens

Artist Mike Wimmer shares his inspiration for creating his realistic portraits. Mike Wimmer is a nationally-recognized artist known for his realistic portraits. He’s probably best known for his children’s book illustrations about historical Americans, but he has also produced artwork for major corporations, including Disney, Wranglers, Celestial Seasons Teas, Smuckers and more.

Story on Canvas

Wheelock Academy

Detail and historical accuracy are the trademarks of Mike Wimmer’s paintings. He approaches each project as if he’s a film producer. “I’m a historical biographer telling a story,” Wimmer said. “I start by imagining the best pose, focal point and composition. I’m the casting director, the lighting director, the cinematographer. I have to do it all.” He developed this approach by watching behind-the- scene clips about how movies are made—and he saw the similarity between his art form and movie production. Since then, he’s incorporated this idea of film making into his own “picture making.” However, his main influence as a storyteller came from his love of reading. “Books led me to illustrate,” Wimmer said. “As a kid, I was reading biographies, comic books, Louis L’Amour westerns, the kinds of books where heroes made themselves in many ways. I allowed that imagery to make me, to find my beliefs, what kind of morality I wanted to uphold, what kind of man I wanted to be. That was all instilled in me through books.”

Accurate Down to the Button

Many of Wimmer’s paintings, murals and children’s books depict historical figures, so he pursues historical accuracy with diligence. He does an incredible amount of research to assure that everything from a shirt button to a rope braiding is from the right time period. This January will be the release of Wimmer’s newest book on famous Americans. Since 1990, he’s illustrated the lives of Charles Lindbergh, Babe Ruth, Chief Standing Bear, the first astronauts in space and more. In 2002, he partnered with former Oklahoma governor and author, Frank Keating, to create the story of Will Rogers. Since then, they’ve worked on a series of children’s non-

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fiction picture books about three of the men carved into Mount Rushmore: Theodore Roosevelt, George Washington, and his latest, Abraham Lincoln. Wimmer’s research for Lincoln included a family road trip to each historical site where Lincoln is memorialized. “We called it our Lincoln pilgrimage. The whole family came along, whether they wanted to or not!” Wimmer said with a laugh. Their travel itinerary included Lincoln’s birthplace, summer home, law office, presidential library and Washington D.C. At each stop, Wimmer arranged to photograph reenactors dressed in period costume to pose in front of backdrops that might become part of the book’s illustrations. “Using live models helps me see how shadows play on someone’s face, what body gesture looks most believable or how someone’s hand looks holding a gun. The more believable my paintings are, the more I can immerse the reader into the story,” Wimmer said. During the Lincoln pilgrimage, several of Wimmer’s children posed as Lincoln at different life stages. He and his wife, Jimie, have four children, ranging from 12 to 30 years old, and a five-yearold grandson. “All three of our sons had the right proportions to represent Lincoln at different ages, as a young boy, a teenager and a young adult.” He is thankful to share his life with a spouse who has the same artistic interest and curiosity. Jimie is an art teacher at Edmond Memorial High School, and they both teach private lessons in their home studio. Wimmer says that the happiest aspect of his life is having such a like-minded partner. “Being artists is our life’s work. We enjoy sharing our profession together,” Wimmer said. “It seems like all we do is talk about art.”

Accidental Teacher

Teaching has become the secondary job that Wimmer never planned on or wanted. He just wanted to paint. But right out of school, he was approached about being an adjunct teacher for a few classes at the University of Oklahoma. Which led to some teaching at Oklahoma Christian University. Which led to more teaching at Oklahoma City University, where he is currently the artist in residence.

“I’m still primarily an artist, but an aspect of professionalism is that people want to learn about what you do—so you find yourself teaching and speaking,” Wimmer said. Now, teaching is part of his personal motto to “Learn it. Live it. Teach it.” Besides the craft of painting, Wimmer teaches his students the business of how to make a living as an artist. In turn, Wimmer’s students teach him by helping him to expand his skill set and try new approaches.

Through the Looking Glass

Since October, Wimmer has been a human tourist attraction. He is painting portraits from inside a glass storefront in downtown Oklahoma City at the historic Skirvin Hotel. As Artist in Residence for the hotel, he serves as a cultural attraction to visitors. For Wimmer’s year-long project, he is painting a cross-section of people, each holding a sign that describes his or her own personal mission statement. The idea developed as he observed the variety of people moving through downtown. He specifically noticed those holding cardboard signs with the phrase, “Will work for….” “So I wondered, ‘What do I work for? What do people believe in enough to give their time and attention to?’ I began asking that question to all kinds of people. Parents often focus on the future of a child, a drug abuser might be trying to resurrect his life. I’ve talked to homeless people, hoboes, ranchers, carpenters, celebrities and Fortune 500 business moguls. The answers are fascinating. They both unite us and separate us.” At the end of the year, the paintings will become an exhibit. In the meantime, Wimmer is also busy teaching college, giving private lessons and researching Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson for two additional children’s books. “I’m a biographer at heart,” Wimmer said. “I’m fascinated by the choices and circumstances that make people the same, different or what makes them into heroes. Working on this project for the Skirvin is very different than what I do as a commercial illustrator, where I’m meeting someone else’s deadline and expectation. This is all about me—exploring different art approaches and painting the biographies of some fascinating people.” Visit www.mikewimmer.com to learn more.

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