Oklahoma Magazine March 2019 by Oklahoma Magazine

MARCH 2019

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Home and garden Tips and trends plus SMART HOMES

Spring Fashion

Sooner State to Silver Screen Oklahomaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vibrant film and TV industry

Our breast cancer care is customized to the individual patient.

Warren Clinic breast surgeons Dr. Erica Hill and Dr. Chad Johnson believe there is no one set treatment plan for breast cancer, because no two patients or cancers are exactly alike. “We have the ability and flexibility to talk through the process and educate each patient,” Dr. Johnson said. “We take into account the genetics of the person as well as the genetics of the cancer.” At Saint Francis Health System, patients also can feel confident they are cared for by an entire team of breast cancer specialists. This clinical group meets weekly to discuss cases, medications and treatment plans, and a nurse navigator is on hand to guide patients through every aspect of their treatment. “Our specialists—medical, surgical, radiation oncology, plastic and reconstructive surgery—are truly a team,” said Dr. Hill. “I love the continuity of care that Saint Francis can provide for its patients.”

Chad Johnson, M.D. Erica Hill, D.O. BREAST SURGERY

You can’t see the Sooner spirit, but you can feel it. It’s the spirit of unbridled optimism. It’s seeing potential where no one else does. It’s hope. A hope that overflows in the trailblazers, the changemakers. It pushes champions to be bigger, stronger, and faster. The Sooner spirit strives every day to break through, and it is the same spirit that believes in a little magic and a lot of passion – to change the world, to love each other, and to do it all as one.

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Features MARCH

2019 Oklahoma Magazine Vol. XXIII, No. 03

38 Modern Appeal

Spring cleaning, along with sprucing up, can mean making a greater effort to modernize both the inside and outside of your dwelling spaces. Our annual home and garden feature covers in-home technology along with the season’s hottest gardening trends.

From Sooner State to Silver Screen Oklahoma is a hub of activity for the ﬁlm industry because of ﬁnancial incentives and ideal locations.

60 Summer Camp Directory

With the end of school just around the corner, consider sending your children to one of many quality summer camps in the region.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

VOTE NOW FOR THE BEST OF THE BEST 2019 AT WWW.OKMAG.COM

Home and garden Tips and trends

Read expanded articles and stories that don’t appear in the print edition. ON THE COVER:

plus SMART HOMES

Spring Fashion

Visit us online. MORE ARTICLES

MARCH 2019

Say goodbye to the dull winter and welcome the warm with pops of color and sleek silhouettes.

WANT SOME MORE? MARCH 2019

54 Spring It On

Sooner State to Silver Screen Oklahoma’s vibrant film and TV industry

MIXING THE TACTILE AND THE TECHNOLOGICAL, THE HOME AND GARDEN FEATURE COVERS THE ADVANCES IN HOME AUTOMATION AND TIPS AND TRENDS FOR GARDENING. PHOTO BY JOSH NEW

MORE PHOTOS

View expanded Scene, Style, Taste and Entertainment galleries.

MORE EVENTS

The online calendar includes more Oklahoma events.

Now you can schedule care on the go. Schedule online with Ascension care teams at St. John Health System

Departments

ALL THINGS OKLAHOMA

11 State 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Beekeepers in Oklahoma are passionate about their almost intoxicating hobby.

Recreation Sports Economics People Makers Artists History Community Insider

25 Life and Style 26 30 32 34 35 36

Interiors A midtown Tulsa house gets an open, geometric facelift that deﬁes the 61-year-old original ﬂoor plan. Destinations Health Outside the Metro Scene Gardening

65 Taste 66 68 69 70

Osteria in Nichols Hills blends homestyle Italian cuisine with locally sourced ingredients and a celebrity chef.

Local Flavor Chef Chat I On the Town Chef Chat II

73 Where and When 74 78

The Tulsa Botanic Garden welcomes back its annual event to commence springtime.

In Tulsa/In OKC Film and Cinema

80 Closing Thoughts

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

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LET TER FROM THE EDITOR March in Oklahoma is never quite as warm and spring-like as we want it to be, but we’ve got plenty of content to tide you over until the heat wave begins. Our annual Home and Garden feature, on page 38, blends the tactile with the technological. Explore the newest advancements with in-home and outdoor tech – like automated lawn mowers, advanced home security and the latest hubs – along with gardening trends that include creating your own meadow, installing fire pits and keeping your plants local. Don’t miss our funky spring fashion photoshoot on page 54. You’ll see the season’s hottest trends, including monochrome galore, all floral everything and streamlined silhouettes. You’ve probably seen a slice of home on your screen through popular movies or television shows. We’d like to think it’s because the rest of the world is finally catching up with how great Oklahoma is, but it’s a bit more complicated than that – and involves unique financial incentives. See our feature about it on page 50. The rest of our March edition isn’t too shabby either. Our State section covers the passionate beekeepers found in Oklahoma, rock climbers, “rage rooms,” and a businesswoman working hard to help those leaving incarceration. Taste is chock-full of tasty tidbits, from where to spend your St. Paddy’s Day to the newest restaurants opening up soon. April is just around the corner – don’t miss our annual 40 Under 40 feature, spotlighting young go-getters who give back to the state they serve. And don’t forget: Voting is still open for The Best of the Best; don’t miss your chance to voice your opinions on the best Oklahoma has to offer. As always, I’m available to chat at events@okmag.com. Mary Willa Allen Managing Editor

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OKMAG.COM Oklahoma Magazine sits down with Tom Ingram, Tulsa master gardener at the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, to discuss the season’s most popular gardening trends and his tips on keeping your outdoor spaces thriving all spring and summer long.

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State

ALL THINGS OKLAHOMA

Honeycomb Hither

WAX ON ONE OF DANE STRICKLAND’S HONEYCOMBS IS REMOVED TO GET TO THE HONEY. PHOTOS BY JOSH NEW

klahoma beekeepers wax poetically about the creatures under their stewardships. Dane Strickland, president of the Northeast Oklahoma Beekeepers Association, marvels at “how they achieve what they achieve” and he loves witnessing “the unity of the colony and the utmost devotion to their colony survival.” The ﬁnished product isn’t bad either. Strickland especially enjoys getting that ﬁrst whiff of fresh honey after cutting off the wax caps to collect it from the frame. “The aroma is intoxicating,” he says. “I can’t help but taste and taste

Beekeepers in Oklahoma are passionate about their almost intoxicating hobby. and taste. It screams at you, ‘Eat me.’” Tonya Wells, owner of Queen Bri’s in Oklahoma City, is equally descriptive about the aesthetics of beekeeping. “It has such a calming effect on me when I’m out in the hives,” she says. “In the springtime, the bees take pollen and mix it with honey and feed it to the baby bees. It has a yeasty smell, which is why we call it bee bread. It smells like baking bread, a comforting smell. And the buzzing of the bees is kind of like white noise. It’s relaxing.” Pat Tickel of Madill says he’s “the luckiest guy in the world” because he retired after 27 years with Peterbilt Motors and has time to “play with bees.”

Tickel, a former vice president of the Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association, has 48 hives ... and admits he’s in deep. “I got stung, I got infected, and now I have a fatal disease,” he says with a laugh. Tickel belongs to clubs in Ardmore, Ada, Noble and Guthrie. “I also belong to the Texas Beekeepers Association, so I crossed the river,” he says. “You learn from other beekeepers. I have a network of people I get advice from.” Tickel isn’t the only one with a hive mentality; Strickland says the Northeast Oklahoma group has about 400 active members, with 140 typically attending meetings. MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

The State

“We have socials; we make new friends,” says Strickland, adding that people ready to acquire a hive should ﬁrst attend a couple of meetings. “We teach at every meeting. We talk about tips and tricks and what is new and different on the market.” In 2008, Tommy Thornton opened his Oklahoma City apiary supply store, Beekeeping Etc., primarily at the request of fellow beekeepers. “There are probably three times as many beekeepers as there were 15 years ago, but not three times as many bees,” he says. That’s because most Oklahomans are hobbyists, he says, with fewer than 100 hives. Thornton, who lives near Newalla, once had 300 hives but now keeps it below 100. “I’ve had bees for more than 40 years,” he says. “I used to be president of the Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Association. I was on the board of the American Honey Producers Association for several years.” Association members conduct bee education in classrooms, at garden club meetings and with booths at agricultural fairs. Thornton can quickly fall into teacher mode. “The worker bee is the infertile female; she does all the work,” he says. “Most of the hive is worker bees. At different ages, they have different chores. First are the nurse bees because they feed the larvae. Some clean house; some make wax. Their last job is to go out in the ﬁeld and collect nectar and pollen and bring it back. They are really fascinating creatures.” People seek out beekeepers when swarms get inside their houses or gather in other places unsuitable for human or insect. Last year, Queen Bri’s won the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful environmental excellence award for this type of community service. “We do a lot of work chasing down bee swarms,” Wells says. “We removed 40 swarms from [metropolitan OKC] last year. It saves the bees from holing up somewhere they might not be able to survive the winter.” Tickel says Oklahoma, with its drastic weather changes, is not great for beekeeping. Hobbyists also battle disease and parasites. On a positive note, the state has plenty of nectar and pollen for small operations. One of the early blooms foraged by honeybees is the dandelion. 12

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

“Pumpkins, squash, watermelon and cantaloupe require pollination,” Tickel says. “Bees are very efﬁcient in pollinating those plants.” Wells, a business developer, is joined by her father, Paul Leathers, and daughter Briana, in running the business the family refers to as “our little hobby.” They sell honey, teach beekeeping 101 and offer an online class that attracts students from 16 countries. Their Facebook group has 20,000 members. Fresh by Bri is a business created by Brianna Wells, a Westmoore High School senior enrolled last year in the entrepreneurship program at Moore-Norman Technology Center. Her bath and body products use wax from the family’s 45 hives. “A lot of people are looking for products that are petroleum-free,” Wells says. “The beeswax helps bind everything together and keep it from becoming too soft.” Strickland, a health and safety manager for an industrial supply and service company, sees himself staying in the bee business for a while. He sells honey, bees and beekeeping supplies, and visits classrooms, where he allows kids to get a look at his protective gear, beekeeping equipment and a box of live bees. “After 10 years, my enthusiasm has not waned,” he says. KIMBERLY BURK

DANE STRICKLAND, PRESIDENT OF THE NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION, SAYS HIS GROUP HAS ABOUT 400 ACTIVE MEMBERS.

POSSIBLE

BEENEFITS

Dane Strickland started keeping bees in 2006 because his children had respiratory issues. “I became intrigued with the potential to use honey to help manage the allergies,” he says. “As a result of that, I got fascinated with bees. Honey is purported to have a lot of benefits, but it is diﬀicult to study because honey is not a consistent product. There is variance from year to year and from state to state. “I have to tread carefully with this. I’ve witnessed this help my kids, but I’ve read things by medical professionals that say it doesn’t work.” Strickland says studies suggest combining raw natural cinnamon with honey can help with arthritis. He thinks honey can help people with diabetes manage their sugar levels naturally. Tonya Wells, owner of Queen Bri’s in Oklahoma City, says bee pollen is “kind of a super food, with all sorts of vitamins and enzymes. I have a lot of bodybuilders who put it in their protein shakes. It has 40 grams of protein per teaspoon.” She says studies about using honey to fight allergies are inconclusive, “but I have lots and lots of customers who just swear by it.”

SPRING OVER TO OUR NEW SHOWROOM GRAND OPENING

Grand opening specials running through March

Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Thursday 9 - 7 | Friday & Saturday 9 - 6 | Sunday 12 - 5 www.luxetulsa.com | 10545 S. Memorial Dr. Tulsa, OK 74133

The State

R E C R E AT I O N

Rage Against the Machine

If you’re fed up with technology or have pent-up stress from life and work, smash rooms let you release the passions.

SMASH ROOMS OFFER A VARIETY OF OBJECTS FOR PATRONS TO DESTROY, INCLUDING OFFICE EQUIPMENT, ELECTRONICS AND AUTO PARTS. PHOTOS BY JOSH NEW

f you have you ever witnessed a toddler throwing a real temper tantrum – smashing plates on the floor, throwing forks, basically flipping tables like a tiny Hulk – you may have thought to yourself, “I really, really wish I could get away with that as an adult.” Now you can. Across the nation, so-called smash rooms allow both the stressed and the curious to take out their frustrations in a safe – and legal – manner. Cory Dohm and Liz Forssell, founders of the Smash Dohm in Oklahoma City, wanted to try sanctioned smashing after watching videos on the internet, but they couldn’t find any available smash rooms in OKC. Undaunted, they opened their own. “We bought a couple of supplies, refitted our garage and officially opened our doors on Feb. 17, 2018,” Dohm says. “We’ve really enjoyed the experience and learned a lot this past year.” For Rachel Anderson, co-owner of Smash Something in Tulsa, opening the business was all about stress relief. “Our inspiration was fueled by our own stress and just everyday stresses that we have seen our friends and family endure,” Anderson says. “We heard about these rage rooms in

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

Texas and surrounding areas and thought that would be a fun and enjoyable way to let it all go. We thought it would not only be therapeutic for our own friends and family, but we wanted to bring it to our fellow Oklahomans to enjoy as well.” Both the Smash Dohm and Smash Something offer a variety of packages, time frames and materials. Dohm says those wanting to re-create an office space can choose computers and other technology equipment. Customers can also go bigger … way bigger … like car bigger. Anderson even offers therapeutic sessions in which customers can write on objects with markers, then “smash their stress away.” “We’ve had a variety of people and motivations over the last year,” Dohm says. “For some, it’s beneficial and therapeutic – letting their anger out destructively over various frustrations from grief, finances or work environment. For others, it’s for fun and celebration. Some come in groups to watch each other breaking things and

laugh for team building. We have a few doing the tourist thing, celebrating anniversaries or birthdays, and some come out of sheer curiosity.” Anderson adds: “People are under so much pressure in this day and age, and we all need a safe outlet to relieve the stress. Smash Something is a place to come and be destructive with ‘safety ﬁrst’ being the No. 1 rule. It is almost therapeutic to go in and take a sledgehammer to a printer, especially when the printer at your ofﬁce has been acting up all week. “When we have a full house, all you can hear are the sounds of smashing and laughter. All of our smashers leave their stress at the door and walk away with nothing but smiles and fun memories.” TARA MALONE

ATHLETES OF ALL AGES ARE WELCOME TO TRY THE WALL AT CLIMB TULSA. PHOTOS BY JOSH NEW

SPORTS

Learning the Ropes

Rock climbing, whether in a gym or the great outdoors, provides a popular outlet for Oklahomans.

t’s not just about going up. It’s exploring the inaccessible … going places no one has been before, experiencing views that haven’t been seen. The sport of rock climbing encourages exploration and pushes you to your limits. While there is no single

reason that leads someone to start rock climbing, it does drive participants to face fears and solve problems. “Almost every climber has a different reason for pursuing the sport,” says Caleb Klugh, assistant manager at Climb Tulsa. “The mental and physical challenges of climbing, the community

[and] the lifestyle all attract and capture climbers.” Climbing isn’t easy, even with a harness. You have to use your own strength, balance and coordination to work your way up to the top of a wall or precipice. “Despite how it looks, climbing is not as simple as doing pull-ups,” Klugh says. “It requires a high level of body awareness, coordinated with situationdependent pull and push strength to complete every move. It forces the climber to be constantly assessing their position and balance and using their own muscle power to adjust their body.” Joining an indoor climbing gym is the easiest and safest way to start. It offers a semi-controlled environment with opportunities to learn from instructors, guides and experienced climbers. Klugh advises knowing your limits and always checking your gear and that of your partner. Bryan Prater, general manager of Summit Climbing in Oklahoma City, agrees on the importance of safety checks. He also encourages beginners to take it slow to avoid fatigue. “People assume you need a huge amount of upper body strength, so they will grab as high as they can and basically do a pull-up,” Prater says. “They’ll do that motion over and over, but if you’re climbing a 60-foot wall and doing 100 pull-ups, you’re going to get tired really quickly.” More experienced climbers take their skills to the great outdoors. “I’ve always enjoyed

hiking and being outside,” says Drew Nevius, a Broken Arrow resident and 9-year climber. “Climbing outside gives me a chance to be in nature.” Mason Mayhall, an OKC resident and 4-year climber, says he can rarely be found in a climbing gym. He lives for the adventure that outdoor rock climbing provides. “The Wichita Mountains are my go-to,” he says. “I ﬁnd myself there as often as I can to escape the city.” Mayhall and Nevius agree that acquiring basic techniques and knowledge in a gym is key to beginning your adventure. “Learn the terminology and knots,” Mayhall says. “Keep pushing yourself and you’ll be happy you did when you start climbing outside.” Anyone planning to pursue climbing should buy a chalk bag, climbing shoes, harness, ropes and a belay setup. If you’re interested in learning the ropes – pun intended – you can visit one of several climbing gyms in metropolitan Tulsa or OKC. Great outdoor climbing routes are found in the Wichita Mountains, Quartz Mountain State Park, Robbers Cave State Park and Tulsa’s Chandler Park. ALAINA STEVENS

MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

The State ECONOMICS

Dribbling to the Bank

Hosting March Madness games, as Tulsa does this month, can bring $10 million into a city in just a few days.

KANSAS PLAYS MICHIGAN STATE DURING 2017 MARCH MADNESS AT BOK CENTER. PHOTO COURTESY TULSA SPORTS COMMISSION

or college basketball aficionados, March Madness provides ecstasy and heartbreak. For employers, it often leads to lost productivity. And for cities hosting games this month, such as Tulsa, hoops hoopla produces a sweet sound – not the thump thump of dribbles on hardwood, but the cha-ching cha-ching of cash registers … to the tune of millions of dollars. Tulsa’s BOK Center has pulled a rare feat of landing first- and secondround games in both 2017 and this year on March 22-24. The half-dozen games in 2017 supplied a $10.3 million boost to Tulsa County, says Vince Trinidad, executive director of the Tulsa Sports Commission. Similarly, Wichita, Kansas, saw a $10 million economic boost while hosting first- and second-round games last year. Trinidad, low-balling his estimate, says another $10 million should come Tulsa County’s way this month. “The NCAA wouldn’t be coming back to Tulsa so quickly without such strong community support,” he says. “Having strong partnerships is critical, especially for us with the University of Tulsa as the host institution and

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

SMG [the arena’s venue manager]. Plus, the BOK Center is not a normal arena; it’s an award-winning arena.” Oklahoma City hosted first- and second-round games of the NCAA men’s tournament in 2016 at Chesapeake Energy Arena; those six contests generated a conservative estimate of about $3.3 million to the central OKC economy, says Sue Hollenbeck, director of sports business with the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitor Bureau. “Any time an event is at a specific venue, money is spent mostly around that space,” she says. Most sites are on a three-year or longer rotation. For instance, Tulsa had games in 2011, but no others until 2017. The earliest that OKC and Tulsa will get another chance to host is in 2022. Trinidad notes that competition between cities across the country is fierce when it comes to participating in March Madness. Hollenbeck anticipates that OKC will eventually get back into the March Madness mix because districts around the arena have continued to improve. “In 2016, we noticed that people really liked the walkability of downtown,” says Hollenbeck, adding that

nearby Bricktown, Automobile Alley and Midtown also beneﬁted from those contests. “Now we have more hotels and the streetcar for easier transport between districts.” Ease of getting around is also key to Tulsa’s success in hosting March Madness. Trinidad says ﬁrst-time visitors are surprised at how many notable destinations are 15-20 minutes from their hotels. “They can quickly go to the Arts District or Gilcrease Museum or Philbrook Museum or the Golden Driller at Expo Square or Cherry Street or the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks,” he says. “In really congested cities, you can’t do that.” Trinidad expects visitors will have an even better experience this month than in 2017 because of the opening of the Gathering Place just south of downtown and the addition of bicycle and scooter rentals. “Of course, it also depends upon the teams we get,” he says of Selection Sunday on March 17. “In 2017, we were lucky to get Kansas, the No. 1 team then. But we also got some on-thebubble teams. You want teams whose fans will travel anywhere. And we’re always hopeful to get the best teams.” BRIAN WILSON

PEOPLE

A Heart for Others

ESPN sportscaster and Tulsa native Dari Nowkhah transforms a tragic loss into helping others in need.

DARI NOWKHAH’S GRANDFATHER, DARWIN EATON, HAS A BLOOD DONATION CENTER NAMED AFTER HIM DUE TO HIS HIGH VOLUME OF BLOOD DONATIONS. PHOTO COURTESY DARI NOWKHAH

rom the inspirational legacy of a beloved baby boy to prolific blood donations of a grandfather, the family members of Tulsa native and broadcaster Dari Nowkhah personify Oklahoma with grace and generosity. Nowkhah – a familiar face on ESPN and voice on ESPN Radio with coverage of college football and basketball – and his wife, Jenn, founded the nonprofit Hayden’s Hope in memory of their infant son, who died of heart complications. “Hayden was born healthy on Aug. 12, 2011, but within his first days of life, contracted a virus that eventually impacted his heart,” the University of Oklahoma alumnus says. “He was placed on the heart

transplant list, but … passed away Sept. 20, 2011. We wanted to make sure his incredible spirit and toughness would never be forgotten and knew that there was a way he could help others. “Within days of his passing, we contacted the Children’s Organ Transplant Association and agreed to work hand-in-hand with them in helping families in these difﬁcult situations.” Hayden’s Hope has raised nearly $300,000 and assisted roughly 50 families with transplant-related costs. “Hopefully, their focus is placed more on the child who needs them than on the immense ﬁnancial strain that the hospitalization and medical needs have created,” he says. “We have become lifelong friends with some of these families, and it has allowed Hayden’s incredible legacy to shine brighter as these families learn of the inspiration behind Hayden’s Hope.” Although he reports on sports, Nowkhah says he didn’t play them while attending Union High. This makes his induction into the school’s athletics hall of fame (for contributions to sports) even more of a

personal honor – and that Oklahoma spirit is something he thinks of when he’s asked, “So, where are you from?” “I have lived the last 15 years on the East Coast, in Connecticut and North Carolina, and discovered there aren’t many people from Oklahoma out there,” he says. “There aren’t many people who know anybody else from Oklahoma. I take a great pride in being from Tulsa and Oklahoma, and try to represent the city and state [by] being kind, hardworking and appreciative of what we have as a family. Since so many people on the East Coast don’t have much exposure to or experience in Oklahoma, I often explain the great things the state and the city of Tulsa offer. “With the University of Oklahoma’s football success, people ask, ‘Why would these players want to go to Oklahoma for college? What’s there?’ I ﬁnd myself explaining that while the nation doesn’t necessarily look at … Oklahoma as a top 10 destination, great values and quality of life are what Oklahoma and Tulsa are about.” Giving back to society is a family tradition. Nowkhah’s grandfather, Darwin Eaton, was known as Big Daddy because his lifetime total of blood donations – 41¾ gallons – is believed to be the most in the history of the American Red Cross. “The donation center at 11th Street and U.S. 169 is named for him,” Nowkhah says. “He was … an incredibly generous man whose giving nature struck all of us. He is a reason we ﬁnd it important to give and to help others, with blood donation as well as pediatric organ donation with Hayden’s Hope.” TRACY LEGRAND

MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

The State MAKERS

Framing the Future

Environmentally conscious practices make Barnwood USA’s reclaimed wood products stand out.

J JEFF GREEN AND HIS SON KYLE WORK TOGETHER AT BARNWOOD USA. PHOTO BY BRENT FUCHS

eff Green has a specific vision for his company, Barnwood USA. It has a lot to do with his faith, a popular product, a healthy workforce and the community as a whole. “We want to make as much as we can and give away as much as we can,” he says. The product, as described by the website, is handcrafted rustic decor. Fifty percent of sales are picture frames of different profiles, finishes and colors, Green explains. Barnwood also sells decorative ladders, shelves and other home decorations. And they’re all built at its Oklahoma City location from reclaimed wood – a point of pride for Green. “Literally, per month, we keep tons and tons of wood out of the landfill,” he says. “Every item built by Barnwood USA is carefully handmade from reclaimed and up-

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

cycled wood to preserve its unique character and integrity.” While Green believes the company is doing a lot for the environment, he strives to do more. “We want to become a greener company as we move along and make changes with our cardboard boxes and bubble wrap in the future,” he says. Taking care of the environment isn’t the only way Barnwood USA gives back to the community. “I’ve always believed that we need to take care of the widows and the orphans and the prisoners,” says Green, adding that Barnwood donates 10 percent of its gross proﬁt to nonproﬁts working toward this goal. “Giving back is the gist of being a Christian. God gives us so much every day. I want everyone to have what I have.” This view extends to employees. “As long as people are genuinely working hard, we take care of

them,” he says. “And they want to stay and they want to recommend their friends and family. We have almost no turnover to speak of.” The company grew out of Green’s experience running the picture frame division at Hobby Lobby – he is the nephew of founder David Green – for 26 years. That division grew to include 300 employees. Green left in 2004, worked at several other places and started Barnwood in 2015. The company sells products nationwide through online sources. Green foresees a busy remainder of the year. The company, which bought seven acres in south Oklahoma City, has broken ground for a building opening soon. Barnwood also intends to offer customized frames. “We have some really, really big goals,” Green says. “We love to take care of our people, and we love to give the rest to God.” BONNIE RUCKER

ARTISTS

Brewing a New Medium Tulsa native Karen Eland re-envisions masterpieces by using coffee or dark beer like watercolors.

KAREN ELAND OFFERS HER TAKES ON GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING AND THE LAST SUPPER. PHOTOS COURTESY KAREN ELAND

FOR MORE OF

ELAND’S WORK, VISIT

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or Tulsa native Karen Eland, coffee is more than a pick-me-up in the morning; it’s part of her unique art. Eland, who resides in Oregon, paints with coffee. Her journey with this unusual medium began several years ago, when she patronized Nordaggio’s Coffee in south Tulsa. “I was painting a watercolor while sitting at the bar, where I could watch the beautiful, red-brown espresso coming out of the machine,” Eland says. “I thought it was a beautiful color, and that if coffee stains things, maybe it could be a paint. The barista encouraged me to try, so I did, and it worked.” For the next several years, Eland says she perfected her technique, often while at the coffee shop. The owner became a fan and commissioned several pieces, she says. A 4-foot-by-8-foot “caffeinated” take on The Last Supper is displayed there. “It’s still one of the largest pieces I’ve done,” Eland says. Painting with coffee can be

tricky and has its quirks, says Eland, who uses watercolor paper for the medium. “It’s very similar to watercolor paint, but will come back off the page if you press too hard in second and third layers,” she says. “It takes a delicate touch. “Since I already had experience in watercolor painting, coffee painting came pretty easily. My style is a more realistic one, so I have to go carefully and delicately to achieve good results.” Eland has become noted for re-creating classic works with her method. “Mona Latte was my first ‘real’ coffee painting,” she says. “I wanted to see if the coffee could handle the detail of a masterpiece, and the idea to have Mona Lisa holding a cup popped into my head. “It was a fun way to challenge myself and bring joy to the viewer. Then I realized how many famous pieces could have a coffee twist, and I set off on a long series, learning from the different master artists as I repainted their works. I don’t always include a direct coffee reference, but it’s exciting to find paintings that would work with a twist.” Every artist has a process, and Eland is no different. “I sketch the painting first, very lightly so the pencil doesn’t smudge with the coffee,” she says. She also likes to work from a reference, most often a photograph or print. “It helps me capture all the details. Some artists work mostly from their own imaginations, but I really enjoy the process of making something look like what I am seeing.” Eland has also developed a way to paint with beer, especially dark ales. “I started out as a colored pencil and watercolor artist, and currently still do oils, acrylics and watercolor paintings when I want a break from all-brown paintings,” she says. Eland starting painting when she was 15, when she took a portrait class at the former Triangle Art Supply store in Tulsa. For those interested in creating art or branching out to a new medium, Eland has nothing but inspiration to offer. “I encourage people to follow the spark of curiosity when it hits,” she says. “You never know where it will lead.” SHARON MCBRIDE

MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

The State

HISTORY

On the Road to Tipperary With an oil boomtown heritage and survival instincts, residents of tiny Shamrock look toward the future.

he Creek County community of Shamrock, some say, is nothing more than a ghost town, yet every Wednesday 50 or more kids show up for youth night at the Baptist Church. The St. Patrick’s Day celebration no longer attracts 5,000 people as the first parade did in 1916, when Shamrock was an oil boomtown. But it remains a lively day for the approximately 200 people who turn out … and a much-needed fundraiser for the volunteer fire department. The Rev. Brett Land and fire chief Keith Weaver appreciate Shamrock’s past, and they haven’t given up on its future. “When I was a kid, it was a 7- or 8-mile parade,” Weaver says. “I just would like to keep Shamrock’s history alive.” TOP TO BOTTOM: CHUCK STRICKLAND, WHO MADE Land cites examples of people HIS LIVING AS AN OILFIELD looking after others as evidence of DRILLER, IS INTERESTED the town trying to upgrade deterioratIN NATURAL HISTORY AND HAS SPENT MANY YEARS ing areas. SEARCHING FOR FOSSILS NEAR “We’re trying to do that every SHAMROCK. PHOTO BY KIMBERLY BURK year or two,” says Land, adding that the church recently installed a new A CLASS OF STUDENTS IN 1918 SHAMROCK SITS ON THE STEPS natural gas line for one member and OF THEIR SCHOOL. helped another replace her worn-out PHOTO COURTESY OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY/CHESTER COWEN COLLECTION mobile home. “There are some good solid people here – people who value ST. PATRICK’S DAY friendship, who value taking care of one another.” IN SHAMROCK Longtime fossil hunter • Firefighters start serving Chuck Strickland opened pulled-pork sandwich dinners the green-painted Shamrock at 11 a.m. Museum in 1999 because • The parade begins at 11:30 a.m. of his interest in natural • Live music starts after the history. The former grocery parade and continues until store also houses class pho4 p.m. tos from the high school, • The city museum which closed in 1961, and is open all day.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

storyboards created by retired educator Roy Willey, who returned to his family’s land 10 years ago. Shamrock was named in 1910 by its ﬁrst storekeeper after his hometown in Illinois. The town’s population soared to as many as 25,000 people living in houses and tents, Willey says. Dublin, Kilarney and Cork are Irish cities that became names of streets in Shamrock. “Tipperary was [and remains] the main street, and it was solid with businesses,” he says. When oil derricks were still made from wood, Shamrock boasted seven lumberyards. “I loved it when I found a 1923 map that shows every house, every stable, every outhouse,” says Willey, who searched old newspapers and census records and talked to lifelong residents to attach names to the buildings. As petroleum production slowed, Shamrock’s population dropped to less than 1,000 by the 1930s. The 2010 census listed the town as having 101 residents. For Shamrock native Millie Pittser, born in 1937, the place has shaped her with life’s ups and downs. “My daddy was scared of the tornadoes, so he took my mama and two sisters and me to Las Vegas,” she says. “Daddy was a gambler, and

Mama had a nervous breakdown and came back here to live with her parents.” Pittser missed her mother, so at age 14 she caught a bus back to Oklahoma from Nevada. She married at 17 and had ﬁve daughters. Her husband served as mayor and ran a salvage yard. She was widowed ﬁve years ago, and her kids want her to move in with one of them … but she doesn’t like the idea of leaving Shamrock. Neither does Ashley Alexander, a fellow member of the Baptist Church. “I don’t like change,” says Alexander, who feels safe in Shamrock and adds that the only aggravations are dogs running loose in a place that no longer has a city government. Willey, who helps out with the church rehabilitation projects, is optimistic. “A lot of places in this area look like bombed-out towns that have no future,” he says. “But there has to be a future because there are … people living here.” KIMBERLY BURK

COMMUNIT Y

A Haven for Second Chances

A Bixby restaurant hires those leaving incarceration … and makes delicious food, too.

ANGELA LANDRUM-ELLIS SERVES A BELGIAN WAFFLE, ONE OF THE FAVORITE DISHES AT LE JARDIN. PHOTO BY JOSH NEW

rriving at Le Jardin Eatery in Bixby, you’ll probably find the hostess in the midst of some impromptu dance moves. Leaving, you and others are likely to carry out a bag of baked desserts. It’s just that kind of place. It’s also a haven for both its founder and employees, all of whom are familiar with the rocky sides of life, because the restaurant hires those who have recently left prison. Angela Landrum-Ellis started the business about a year ago, but supporting those leaving incarceration has been a dearly held wish for decades. “My background is in manufacturing, but I wanted to do something from past times with my family, and use that love of cooking as a means to provide stable employment for people facing the challenges of coming out of incarceration,” she says. Precious, the first name of a former inmate, says her employment at Le Jardin helps her to provide for herself and her family and “has definitely made me feel better about myself. It has challenged me to believe in my skills and capabilities more.” The eatery’s name, French for the garden, is reflected in an abundance of hydroponic towers, laden with fresh herbs and greens. Popular menu choices include Belgian waffles and a steak-and-egg concoction featuring filet mignon. Landrum-Ellis, never incarcerated herself, describes humble, southwestern Oklahoma beginnings, an unplanned pregnancy in college and

knowing what it is like to overcome obstacles. “I had a lot of family support and education,” she says. “Later, as an adult working for the state of Oklahoma, I saw firsthand how difficult it could be to get work and take care of oneself after being in prison without the kind of help I had. I wanted to find a way to make a difference.” Her passion for food shows in that “almost everything in our kitchen is homemade – our sauces, soups, salad dressings, the marinades, our pastries and desserts,” Landrum-Ellis says. “We source local ingredients, and we make everything fresh, nothing frozen and reheated.” Her staff members, making new lives for themselves, have supplied suggestions now incorporated into the menu. “Our lead cook didn’t like that I used dried, gluten-free chickpeas instead of croutons,” she says with a laugh. “He created a fantastic recipe and now we have homemade, delicious croutons. And another of our gals did some research on classic

recipes and transformed our French toast into something just divine. We all have input, and enjoy doing what we do. We’re like a family here.” Employees feel that sense of community. “I’m thankful and blessed to be a part of [Angela’s] heartfelt mission – to reach out and help others,” Lisa Thompson says. Summer Dawn agrees. “The team effort of the staff can be very encouraging,” she says. “The more effort you put into it, the stronger the team pulls together, and that feeling is like no other.” Apart from running her business, Landrum-Ellis founded the nonproﬁt Life Food as a model to demonstrate the importance of nourishing the soul with education, positive social interaction and the dignity of gainful employment. About a dozen people are employed by Le Jardin with a waiting list for those who would like to join. Doors are also open to the public for regular Alcoholic Anonymous meetings. TRACY LEGRAND

MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

The State INSIDER

Western Swing Savant As an admirer of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys’ signature sound, Brett Bingham has grown from fanboy to organizer.

PART OF BRETT BINGHAM’S RECORD COLLECTION ARE THESE CLASSICS BY BOB WILLS.

PHOTO COURTESY BRETT BINGHAM

n February 1934, a Texas expatriate named Bob Wills brought his ragtag group of musicians to Tulsa, where they auditioned for a slot on a radio station. Fans of Oklahoma music know how that turned out. Broadcasting six days a week over the far-reaching KVOO and eventually making Cain’s Ballroom their base of operations, Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys forged and popularized the unique amalgam of country, jazz, blues, pop, fiddle and Mexican border music that became known throughout the world as Western swing. At one time during the big-band era of the 1940s, the Wills band was the top-grossing touring act in America and regularly bested the outfits of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Harry James at the nation’s box offices. That kind of popularity was impossible to sustain, but the cigar-chomping, fiddle-playing Wills reigned for decades as the undeniable king of Western swing. Even at the Cain’s, however, where Johnnie Lee Wills held forth with his own excellent outfit following brother Bob’s departure, Western swing went into eclipse during the rock ’n’ roll era – then bounced back in the early ’70s. Much of the nationwide rebound had to do with the then-red-hot Merle Haggard, whose 1970 album, A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World, brought Bob Wills and his songs back into the country music mainstream. Buoyed by this renewed attention, Wills began recording an album featuring many of his former Playboys, as well as Haggard, in late 1973. Sadly, early in the recording of what would be a multi-record set called For the Last Time, he suffered a major stroke and never performed or recorded again.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

But the music Wills had done so much to create and popularize remained on an upswing. Following Wills’ death in 1975, his widow, Betty, enlisted former Texas Playboys steel guitarist Leon McAuliffe to lead a touring and recording band of former Wills musicians, sanctioned by the estate, to be called Bob Wills’ Original Texas Playboys. Such was the rejuvenated popularity of Western swing at the time that the band got a deal with the giant Capitol Records, which released three new Texas Playboys albums between 1977 and 1979. After the dawning of the ’80s, the group moved to a smaller but more empathetic label, Delta Records out of Nacogdoches, Texas. And this is where Brett Bingham comes into the story. In the summer of 1981, Bingham was a high school student, not quite old enough to drive. I was a writer struggling to get established and working a deejay stint at Claremore’s KWPR (“The Voice of the Will Rogers Metroplex”) to support my writing habit. I was also a Western swing fan, and the Warren family, who ran the radio station, allowed me to play exactly one swing tune every day at noon. At the time, the Hank Thompson School of Country Music was still going at what was then Claremore College (now Rogers State University), with McAuliffe as director. He occasionally gave concerts featuring the school’s students, and it was at one of those – held at the college’s outdoor amphitheater – that I bought the Playboys’ ﬁrst Delta album, Faded Love, from Bingham in an effort to expand my noonday material. Born in Tulsa some 23 years after Bob Wills left town for what turned out to be a short stint in the military, Bingham had grown up around some of the best-known Texas Playboys. This upbringing was due to his father, Archie, and Archie’s Tulsa-based brother, Ray, one of the region’s top country music booking agents, producers and managers. “At this point, I was living in northwest Arkansas,” Bingham says. “Leon [McAuliffe] was running radio station KAMO in Rogers, and Smokey Dacus [Bob Wills’ ﬁrst drummer] was working there. I have these memories of going to Rogers with my dad to see them, and them coming by my dad’s upholstery shop, especially Leon, and just always being around them.” Yet his proximity to these men in no way lessened his sense of wonder about them and their music. “These guys were fascinating to me,” he says. “I’d go

as far as to say that they were to me what the Beatles must’ve been to other people. They were my idols.” It was because of his great regard for Western swing and the musicians who made it that an even younger Bingham had started a fan club for Bob Wills’ Original Texas Playboys, following a meeting with country legend Ernest Tubb and his fan club president, Norma Barthel. “In the ’70s, every country star had a fan club,” Bingham says. “I was so enamored of what Norma was doing with Ernest Tubb, and she encouraged me. I didn’t know if I could pull it off or not, but I said to Leon, ‘You guys need a fan club,’ and he said, ‘Well, yeah.’ “I don’t know if he thought I could pull it off, either. But I got a check for $50 from Leon’s wife, saying she wanted to be a charter member of the club. Then Betty Wills sent me a check for $50. And then my dad gave me a check for the same amount. So I had $150, by golly, and we are going to spread the cheer,” he adds with a laugh. Soon, thanks to his mother’s job at a votech high school with a print shop, Bingham was – in those pre-internet days – producing a bimonthly newsletter about the Texas Playboys and mailing it to the fan club’s members around the country. He also attended as many

Playboys shows as possible to recruit club members and sell albums McAuliffe provided him. “I just immersed myself in that culture,” he says. “I loved it. I loved being around all those guys. It’s always been something I’ve wanted to help keep alive.”

“These guys were fascinating to me. I’d go as far as to say that they were to me what the Beatles must’ve been to other people. They were my idols.” Through the years, Bingham has done just that by booking Western swing events – often working with his uncle Ray – and becoming involved with the Bob Wills Heritage Foundation. The Texas Playboys have persevered as well, most recently under the leadership of longtime Playboys vocalist Leon Rausch and Oklahoma music figure Tommy Allsup, a Bingham family friend. But Allsup died in 2017 just as Rausch approached 90. Last year, Rausch publicly passed the bandleader baton to Jason Roberts, a first-class fiddler-vocalist and Western swing

figure who, as a member of the group Asleep at the Wheel, actually played Bob Wills in the touring musical A Ride with Bob. Now the Texas Playboys continue, as did the originals, with a blend of Oklahoma and Texas musicians – the former including such longtime Playboys as Tulsa-based horn players Steve Ham and Mike Bennett, along with drummer Tony Ramsey and fiddler Shawn Howe. Unsurprisingly, Bingham is Roberts’ partner in this enterprise, booking the Texas Playboys with the blessing of the Bob Wills estate. “I knew who Jason was when he started with Asleep at the Wheel, but I was just a fan,” Bingham says. “I didn’t know him until after he’d been with the Wheel, oh, seven or eight years, but once we became friends, we understood we were on the same page. “We have a huge desire to perpetuate this. Obviously, he’s got the talent and the ability to do it musically – and I’ve got the desire, I guess.” Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys, under the direction of Roberts, are scheduled to make their first Cain’s Ballroom appearance March 2 while playing for the annual Bob Wills birthday celebration. The evening begins with a live broadcast of my public radio Tulsa show, Swing on This, from 7 to 8 p.m. For ticket information, visit cainsballroom.com. JOHN WOOLEY

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Life & Style

A M A P TO L I V I N G W E L L

One Man’s Trash ...

Flea market finds, prevalent in Oklahoma, can add visual and historical interest to your home.

Y TO B PHO

JOSH

NEW

f you’re a lover of all things vintage, flea markets are the perfect place to find the next quirky addition to your home or office. These are a great place to indulge in the primal thrill of the hunt – wading through hundreds, or even thousands, of items to find The One you can’t live without. And, once you find it, you get the added bonus of affordability – one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, after all. Along with the adrenaline rush and inexpensiveness of your new item, you can rest easy in knowing this like-new accessory is probably unique, handmade or even one of a kind. No mass-produced products for you, thank you very much! If you want to score your next lamp, book, record, jewelry item or accessory, Oklahoma has myriad options for you. The Tulsa Flea Market, a staple in Oklahoma for almost 50 years, is open virtually every Saturday at varying locations from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check tulsafleamarket.net for a schedule. You can also check out the Admiral Flea Market (admiralfleamarket.com), open Friday-Sunday weekly. For passionate flea market-ers in OKC, the Old Paris Flea Market is a popular option – with over 2,000 positive Google reviews. In true vintage fashion, this market is “off the grid” with no website, but you can call 405-670-2611 for more information. Mary’s Swap Meet (marys-swap-meet.business.site) opens at 5 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays and boasts everything from food and drink to clothes and even livestock.

MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

Life & Style INTERIORS

An Inviting Renovation

A Midtown Tulsa house gets an open, geometric face-lift that defies the 61-year-old original floor plan. By M.J. Van Deventer Photos by Scott Johnson, Hawks Photography

hen an unknown architect designed a particular home in midtown Tulsa in 1957, he couldn’t have predicted it would go through a magnificent transformation 61 years later. It’s doubtful now that he would even recognize the home’s interior from its original blueprint. When empty-nesters who love to entertain asked Kurt Barron of Barron and McClary General Contractors to look at the home, he quickly saw the possibilities of creating an open and inviting environment. Barron and Philip Doyle, the designer, envisioned moving some of the original architectural features that would enhance the homeowners’ flair for elegant entertaining. Their pivotal question to the couple was, “How do you live in the space?” Barron eliminated a step down into the large main dining/living area. He also removed an interior fireplace that blocked the expansive view of the swimming pool and surrounding wellmanicured landscape. With 3,500 square feet of living space to consider, Barron enjoyed the challenges the home presented. Doyle designed the updated floor plan.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

TOP: MOST OF THE CABINETS IN THE KITCHEN WERE ORIGINAL TO THE HOME; BARRY SUDERMAN MATCHED THE WOODS FOR NEW CABINETS. THE SLEEK RANGE HOOD MAKES A DRAMATIC STATEMENT. THE WALNUT DINING TABLE, HANDMADE BY MARK HAWLEY, SEATS 12.

MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

Life & Style

FROM TOP: THE SHOWER AND BATH COMBINE FOR A UNIQUE BUT INNOVATIVE MASTER BATHROOM. THE MASTER BEDROOM MIXES DARK WOODS AND CRISP TILING FOR A REFRESHING SANCTUARY. THE VIEW FROM THE DINING AREA INCLUDES AN EXTENDED VISTA OF THE RECTANGULAR POOL AND THE SURROUNDING LANDSCAPING.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

“We remodeled about 2,000 square feet of that space,” he says. “We completely renovated the kitchen, an adjacent utility bar and guest powder bath.” The project included taking out 30 feet of the exterior back wall to restructure that part of the home, along with the entry to the pool and patio. Throughout the home’s main areas, there is a strong influence of geometric design, particularly in the architectural expanse of floor-to-ceiling windows, accented with wooden dividers. The dining room chandelier is a large rectangle of circular lights, accenting the long table that comfortably seats 12. Wall-mounted shelves hold small, framed paintings and other design treasures. Several large contemporary paintings add artistic drama. A woven rug with a subtle pattern gracefully solidifies the furnishings in the adjacent, open living area. Complementing and contrasting with this streamlined theme is the softness of rounded corners in the living area furnishings. The circular coffee table is situated close to the leather sofa in the center of the seating area. Upholstered chairs in a pale aqua fabric provide design contrast and comfortable seating. This entire area would lend itself to an intimate dinner party, followed by dancing to the music of a small combo. It’s spacious but still has a warm, inviting character. Discreetly placed, small, canned ceiling lights repeat the circular theme throughout the kitchen and the living/dining area, where the rectangular planks of the red oak floors are a beautiful anchor. Barron says he felt at home while redesigning the kitchen because “I grew up in a home that had ribbon mahogany cabinets, just like those in this kitchen.” Barry Suderman of Woodmasters designed new cabinetry to match the originals. Barron used the combination of quartzite for the countertops and subway tile for the backsplash. A striking stainless steel hood blends well with kitchen appliances. The kitchen’s geometric theme is sleek and sophisticated. Accessibility was Barron and Doyle’s intention for creating efficient workspaces. While at the kitchen sink, the homeowners only have to make one turn and there’s the center island sink and counter. “This was definitely a collaborative project with Philip Doyle,” Barron says. “Tracy and Phil were also very involved in the project every step of the way. They have interior design friends who offered suggestions, too.” The result is an older home with a fresh, inviting new personality.

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Life & Style D E S T I N AT I O N S

Splendor in the Light

The Alhambra – a palace, fortress and township of long-ago Moors – exudes architectural symbolism in Granada, Spain.

nsconced in the Andalusian hills and bluffs of Granada is the imposing Alhambra. The last citadel of the Moors of southern Spain, with the Sierra Nevada cresting behind, must be on your list of

places to visit. The historic architectural stunner was an alcazar (palace), an alcazaba (fortress) and a medina (township) as well as a masterpiece of harmonious natural light, tones and effects. The brilliant union of three colors (depending on the time of day) reﬂects the iron hue of the structure. Red at dawn becomes gold during the day before turning to silver in moonlight. The word • Avoid the August heat so you can linger during hamra is Arabic for red. Tinges your tour. of orange and gold also appear • Buy a guidebook so you can read details (beon the towers and ramparts, as fore or afterward) and concentrate on visuals and well as an ochre oxidization of photography while touring. • Arrange for tickets early and beware of crowded the marble. The jalis (decorative grilles), parking and admission lines. Kuﬁc calligraphy and other • Read the first chapters of The Constant Princess stylistic treasures of Arabic by Philippa Gregory to imagine Katherine of script in white cursive of verses Aragon’s childhood perspective of the palace. (She and poems are inscribed within became the first wife of England’s Henry VIII.) the architecture. Geometric pat• Refamiliarize yourself with King Ferdinand terns create a celestial imagery and Queen Isabella’s commission of Christopher of stars and heavens within the Columbus’ explorations of the New World.

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mesmerizing carpentry. Some of the many sections of the estate include the Royal Bath, the Hall of Two Sisters, the Court of the Lions and the Hall of the Kings. Porticos are separated by arches of stalactites based on a fretwork rhombus. Marquetry, intricately carved plaster, vivid tiles and mosaics provide other decorative details. The seven heavens of the cosmos were symbolically arranged within seven levels for the royals, who once sat “shielded” beneath this canopy. The 23 towers and four gates, which loom over the Granada skyline, included prisons, carpenters’ homes, barracks, bathhouses, mosques and dwellings for (reportedly) 40,000 people at one point. This Moor ediﬁce became a Christian court in 1492 under Roman Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. During the 18th century and part of the 19th century, the Alhambra fell into neglect, with many sec-

LEFT TO RIGHT: THE COURT OF THE LIONS LIES IN THE HEART OF THE ALHAMBRA. PHOTOS BY GINA MICHALOPULOS KINGSLEY

THE PATIO DE LA ACEQUIA OF GENERALIFE IN THE ALHAMBRA PALACE BOASTS BEAUTIFUL FOUNTAINS AND LUSH GREENERY. THE PUENTE NUEVO BRIDGE IN RONDA, SPAIN, OVERLOOKS THE GUADALEVIN RIVER.

tions becoming dung heaps or taverns where thieves and beggars resided. Napoleon’s troops used the palace for barracks and towers, which were later blown apart. In 1870, protection and restoration turned the Alhambra into a national monument. Also notable is that American author Washington Irving – who traveled a few years later to what is now Oklahoma – lived there in 1828 to begin writing Tales of the Alhambra.

Generalife (Garden of Paradise)

The most famous garden in Spain, if not the world, was designed for tranquility and set in this country estate of the Nasrid kings (1230-1492), the last Muslim dynasty in the Iberian peninsula. The sultry gardens, composed of cypresses, patios, porticos, rosebushes and other trees, inﬁltrate the landscape. Budget the time necessary to experience this lofty paradise.

Side Trip to Ronda

An excursion to the whitewashed town of Ronda (west of Malaga) at the end of your trip is the perfect way to enjoy Andalusian cuisine amid a picturesque square of shops and cafes. El Tajo gorge, river valleys and a deep ravine enhance the vistas. GINA MICHALOPULOS KINGSLEY

MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

Life & Style H E A LT H

Not Catching Enough Zs

For many people, sleeping a full seven to eight hours each night is a challenge. Doctors have tips and techniques to help.

oor sleeping habits and sleep disorders disrupt more than just a good night’s sleep. For many people, a night of quality sleep is only a dream. An estimated 50-70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder, and insufﬁcient sleep has been described as a public health epidemic by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

Jonathan Schwartz, a sleep medicine specialist in Oklahoma City and medical director of the INTEGRIS Sleep Disorders Center of Oklahoma, says it’s not uncommon for a person to have more than one sleep problem. The most common disorders include insufﬁcient sleep, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome – conditions that carry myriad adverse health effects.

“Poor quality of sleep and inadequate sleep are associated with an increased risk of mood disorders, including depression and anxiety,” Schwartz says. “In addition, untreated obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease and stroke.” Suzanne Olive, a pulmonologist with St. John Clinic in Tulsa, says seven hours of sleep per night is recommended for adults, and busy lifestyles and distractions caused by technology, including TV, computers and mobile devices, leave many sleep-deprived. “Excess daytime sleepiness can lead to poor judgment, increased [risk of] accidents, loss of job productivity and mood disturbances,” she says. If you’re having trouble sleeping, Schwartz advises adopting good sleep practices. “People often aren’t giving themselves the best opportunity to sleep,” he says. “Having a regular bedtime and regular wake time is very important, as well as turning off electronics. However, if you’ve applied these practices and continue to have sleep problems, then you should see a sleep specialist.” Schwartz says obstructive sleep apnea affects up to 9 percent of women and up to 24 percent of men. Apneas occur when a person’s upper airway narrows during sleep and obstructs airflow. In addition, 5 to 10 percent of the population have restless leg syndrome – an overwhelming urge to continually move one’s legs while awake. “A sleep study is used to evaluate the quality and quantity of an individual’s sleep,” he says. “The study evaluates for breathing disorders of sleep, including obstructive sleep apnea, as well as movement disorders of sleep. In addition, a sleep study gives the ability to initiate CPAP [continuous positive airway pressure] to determine appropriate pressures to treat obstructive sleep apnea.” For insomnia, which includes habitual sleeplessness as well as difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, Olive says behavior modification, exercise, having good sleep practices and/or medication can help. Schwartz recommends cognitive-behavior therapy for insomnia (cbtforinsomnia.com), a five-week program that claims to improve sleep in 75-80 percent of patients. “The program helps people take an introspective look at their sleep habits,” he says. “It is cost effective and, when compared head-to-head to sleeping pills, it was found to be more effective over time than the medication.” REBECCA FAST

YOU SPOKE We Listened Year after year, Oklahoma Magazine’s 40 Under 40 classes continue to impress. Don’t miss the 2019 honorees in our April issue.

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Life & Style

FUN FACTS POPULATION 4,154 OLDEST TOWN? In addition to Fort Gibson, which didn’t incorporate until 1893, Choctaw, Salina and Vinita each claim to be the state’s oldest town. Also in the mix is present-day Spiro, which evolved from the ancient Spiro Mounds.

OUTSIDE THE METRO

‘Frozen in Time’ Calling itself the oldest town in Oklahoma, Fort Gibson is an ideal place to be a kid, says one of its most famous sons.

THE FORT GIBSON NATIONAL CEMETERY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1868.

ONLINE EXTRA

FOR ADDITIONAL PHOTOS AND INFORMATION ABOUT FORT GIBSON AND LEHMAN’S EXPERIENCES THERE, GO TO OKMAG.COM/

FORTGIBSON.

eenagers grab a late breakfast after hunting for waterfowl. Elementary-aged kids race their bicycles down Poplar Street. Adult walkers greet each other on Garrison Avenue. Anglers fish off the old bridge spanning the Neosho (Grand) River. Saturday mornings define Fort Gibson, where historic, idyllic and geographic realities collide in the self-proclaimed Oldest Town in Oklahoma. “It’s a perfect place to grow up,” says Teddy Lehman, arguably the greatest athlete to come out of Fort Gibson. “A lot of people don’t understand just how tight-knit a small community like that is.” It popped up as a settlement adjacent to the original Fort Gibson, built in 1824 as a garrison for fighting and removing Native Americans and “keeping the peace between the Osages and Cherokees,” according to the Oklahoma Historical Society. The organization oversees the fort, reconstructed in 1937 with Works Progress Administration money during the Great Depression. The fort sits on a bluff overlooking the Neosho, which converges with the Arkansas and Verdigris rivers a few miles downstream. Water and outdoors are essential to the Fort Gibson experience, Lehman says. “My friends and I got our first jobs picking corn in the river bottoms when we were in eighth grade,” he says. “We’d get up at 5 a.m. and work until about 8. Then we’d

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

blow all that we’d earned on breakfast. “You’re always near water. You’ve got the three rivers, all the surrounding lakes – Greenleaf, Tenkiller, Fort Gibson. We’d go skiing on the Manard Bayou, which dumps into the Arkansas. You can go hiking in the woods and hills; it’s like the Ozarks.” After an all-state football career with the Fort Gibson Tigers, Lehman was an AllAmerican linebacker at the University of Oklahoma and played four years professionally with the Detroit Lions before pursuing a sports-radio career. Lehman, who lives in Goldsby (south of Norman), returns to his hometown as often as possible to see his parents and visit with friends he’s known since he was 4. They keep him humorously humble. “It doesn’t matter if I went to OU and played in the NFL,” says Lehman, host of a daily program with Norman’s KREF and analyst during Sooner football games. “When I go home, I’m the kid who ﬂipped over the handlebars on my bike. Your friends are always going to remind you of your foul-ups. My life and my friends are frozen in time there.”

ARTICLE AND PHOTO BY BRIAN WILSON

STATE FIRSTS According to the Fort Gibson Genealogical and Historical Society, the town had Oklahoma’s first telephone, drama theater, steamboat landing, school for the blind, highway to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and interurban transit line (to Muskogee). TEXAS TURN Before he went south to help liberate and lead the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston married Talihina “Tiana” Rogers, a Cherokee whose family had befriended Houston. They settled near Fort Gibson. She refused to go to Texas and later married two other men. Houston didn’t remarry and was reputed to have never lost his love for her. She is buried at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery.

SCENE

Betsy Hendershot, Sheri Stinson, Billie Barnett, Bryan Hendershot, Susie Wellendorf, Janet Selser; Icons and Idols, Tulsa Ballet

Bill Andoe, Linda Watts, Mary Ellen Evans; Groundbreaking Ceremony, Emergency Infant Services, Tulsa

Stephanie Allen, Gregg Conway, Jack Allen, Jennifer Conway; Gift of Hope Celebration, Tulsa Boys’ Home Stephanie Carel, Jessica Lyle; Annual Banquet, Edmond Chamber of Commerce

Mousumi Som, Sherri Wise; Osteopathic Founders Foundation Scholarship Recognition Dinner, Osteopathic Founders Foundation, OKC

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Rand & Jeanette Elliott, Louisa McCune; Topping Out Ceremony, Oklahoma Contemporary, OKC

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Dave & Susan Bert; Tocqueville Society Gathering, United Way of Central Oklahoma, OKC

Tarah Warren, Gov. Kevin Stitt; Speakers Ball, Tenaciously Teal, OKC MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

Life & Style

GARDENING

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SPRING CLEANING, ALONG WITH SPRUCING UP, CAN MEAN MAKING A GREATER EFFORT TO MODERNIZE BOTH THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF YOUR DWELLING SPACES. READ ON TO LEARN ABOUT IN-HOME TECHNOLOGY ALONG WITH THE SEASON’S HOTTEST GARDENING TRENDS.

WORKING SMARTER, NOT HARDER

Advances have brought home technology into the mainstream. Here are some tips and devices to help streamline your home automation process.

BRIAN FREESE, A TULSA-BASED ARCHITECT, STRIVES TO CREATE AUTOMATED SMART HOMES AROUND THE CITY. PHOTO COURTESY BRIAN FREESE

Welcome to the home of the future. As the IoT, or Internet of Things, continues to proliferate this year, smart home technology has become better streamlined for, and more accessible to, the average consumer than ever before. With these continual advances, new tech can get confusing. Through it all, integration is key to having a smart home. “All of the products should work together to provide real automation,” says Josh Onley of Video Revolution in Tulsa. Rather than managing dozens of different applications for smart devices from your phone or tablet, you should aim to have your home itself adapt to technology by integrating the features you want and managing them with a hub device. This simplifies your life instead of adding complications ... lessening stress for you. Whether it’s home security, lawn care or mundane household chores, home automation can help. MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

NOTE THE SLEEK INTERIOR OF ONE OF BRIAN FREESE’S SELF-SUFFICIENT SMART HOMES IN TULSA. PHOTO COURTESY BRIAN FREESE

THE NEST GUARD TOUTS AN ALARM, KEYPAD AND MOTION SENSOR WITH GOOGLE ASSISTANT BUILT IN. PHOTO COURTESY NEST

Security

THE GOOGLE HOME MINI HAS LIGHT, THERMOSTAT AND LOCK CONTROLS ALL IN ONE PLACE. PHOTO COURTESY GOOGLE

Hubs

In order to achieve seamless integration in a smart home, you need an ultra-high-speed internet connection and a hub device (other than your smartphone or tablet) to pull everything together, especially if you blend devices from multiple manufacturers. Jeﬀ Sanders, of Dynamic Audio in Tulsa, preaches interconnectivity as a key to overall functionality. “Think of all the portable devices that we all have, not to mention all of the electronic devices that make up our entertainment systems and our smart home systems,” he says. “At the end of the day, the home network is key.” Smart home hubs help when you need remote access to all of your devices; you only need to control the hub from a smartphone rather than handling multiple apps for each product that you link to the hub. Some popular hubs include Samsung’s SmartThings, Wink and Harmony. Even Amazon Echo and Google Home have joined the trend. Just be sure that the hub you choose is compatible with the devices you want to link together.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

Security features are some of the most-sought-after components of a smart home. Global companies like Nest and Ring have upgraded the doorbell to a whole new level – adding HD video with crisp resolution, even at night – and security systems have evolved beyond a shrill alarm noise if someone is breaking in. For example, when an alarm is triggered, window shades can rise and outdoor lights flash to allow authorities to quickly identify your house. When systems are integrated, the benefits multiply. For instance, if a smoke alarm were to go oﬀ, a feature in your heating-air conditioning system could activate a pump to remove the smoke and prevent fresh oxygen from feeding a potential fire. Other advanced fire alarms can verbalize the issue – whether it’s just some smoke or a carbon monoxide scare. Smart locks, garage door openers and high-tech security cameras can all be programmed and integrated to smoothly and eﬀortlessly provide the highest levels of protection for your home.

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GOOGLE-OWNED NEST THERMOSTATS CAN BE CONTROLLED FROM YOUR PHONE WITH REMOTE TEMPERATURE SETTINGS, AND THE WEBSITE CLAIMS IT CAN PAY FOR ITSELF IN ENERGY SAVINGS IN TWO YEARS OR LESS. PHOTO COURTESY GOOGLE

Energy and water savings

One of the greatest benefits of a smart home is energy savings. The average household spends $2,000 each year on energy costs, but smart light bulbs, timers, remote lighting controls and motion sensors can cut those costs by directing energy usage to when and where it is actually needed. Amy Grogan, of Airco Service based in Tulsa, suggests installing a programmable thermostat. “[It] will further lower your utility bills by not having your system running as much when you are away,” she says. In addition, technologically advanced pool pumps and heaters, irrigation systems and a smart water heater can help you save on your water bill.

Health and fitness

Smart homes can help you track your ﬁtness goals, especially when health and wellness apparatuses are linked to a hub. The QardioBase bathroom scale tracks your body’s fat and body mass index, bone density and muscle mass – and even helps you chart a pregnancy. Sleep Number’s smart bed helps you get a better night’s sleep by tracking your sleep habits, positions and temperature and adjusting accordingly. For those wanting to keep an eye on an elderly relative, many smart hubs like Amazon’s Alexa can “drop in” on relatives, using technology akin to an intercom to ensure everything’s all good with those you love. THE QARDIOBASE BATHROOM SCALE CAN HELP YOU KEEP TRACK OF NOT ONLY YOUR WEIGHT, BUT BONE DENSITY, BMI AND MUSCLE MASS. PHOTO COURTESY QARDIOBASE

LOOKING TO AVOID THE SUMMER CHORE OF MOWING YOUR LAWN? JUST GET AN IROBOT TERRA HERO TO DO THE JOB FOR YOU. PHOTO COURTESY IROBOT

Outdoors

Even outdoor chores have been transformed with technology. Fully automated sprinkler systems can respond to the environment by turning themselves oﬀ if the weather becomes inclement. Automated pool vacuums and lawn mowers – with prices ranging anywhere from $200 to $5,000 – can robotically sweep up debris or cut grass on a schedule. In addition, outdoor tech has moved today’s living spaces from the indoors to the patio and garden. An outdoor-friendly, big-screen television, along with a sound system camouflaged throughout the backyard, extends the entertainment venues a home can oﬀer.

Household chores

LUTRON LIGHTING CONTROLS CAN DICTATE THE MOOD OF ANY ROOM – FROM BRIGHT AND CHEERFUL TO COZY AND RELAXED. PHOTO BY PAUL SCHIEFER

THE BELOVED ROOMBA CAN CLEAN YOUR DWELLING SPACES ON A SCHEDULE. PHOTO COURTESY IROBOT

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

Our grandparents likely never imagined that Instant Pots and shoebox-sized robots could cook and clean at the touch of a button, especially from a remote location. But nearly every home appliance has become automated these days. Vacuums – like iRobots and Roombas – can clean your dwelling spaces on a schedule. Kitchen tech has advanced drastically too. Stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers, pressure cookers, toasters, coffeepots, microwaves and many other appliances can be controlled via smartphone or a hub device – meaning you can preheat your oven, ﬁnd out what’s in your fridge, turn the coffee on or turn something off you forgot about ... all from afar.

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GARDENING

TRENDS

To keep your outdoor areas en vogue, follow these tips. • • • •

Consider Oklahoma’s mercurial climate when choosing new plants. Create an outdoor setting on your patio as inviting as your living room. Make a meadow in your back lawn. Brighten an evening with an outdoor lighting system to enhance your home and garden.

Those are the four major design trends to follow when embarking on your spring gardening journey. For starters, choose “Oklahoma proven” plants. These have been tested and shown to be hearty enough to survive the state’s unpredictable weather. Master gardeners suggest varieties of hellebores. Baby’s breath spirea is an old-fashioned Southern plant making a comeback in Oklahoma gardens … and hearty lantana is a must. Steve Owens, owner of Bustani Plant Farm in Stillwater, specializes in plants that thrive in Oklahoma. Bustani is also known for exotic plants, discovered by Owens on frequent trips to study in far-flung locales. He sees a growing interest in native plants, shrubs and trees, especially goldenrods and coneflowers. Owens suggests a new Marrakesh coleus plant, developed by an Oregon grower. Owens says it has unusual colors – reddish purple, apricot, tan – with unique scalloped leaves. Another new bedding plant is firefly cuphea, a vividly colored beauty. Bustani’s trademark is that Owens never sells a plant he hasn’t tested thoroughly to see if it will endure Oklahoma’s climate.

THE UNUSUAL COLORS AND SCALLOPED LEAVES OF THE MARRAKESH COLEUS MAKE IT A MUST-HAVE IN YOUR GARDEN.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

THE ‘GOLDEN FLEECE’ GOLDENROD DOES WELL IN THE OKLAHOMA CLIMATE.

PHOTOS COURTESY STEVE OWENS, BUSTANI PLANT FARM

THE BABY SWAN WHITE CONEFLOWER IS PERFECT FOR SPRING IN OKLAHOMA.

PURPLE CONEFLOWER IS NATIVE TO OKLAHOMA AND THRIVES IN THE MERCURIAL CLIMATE.

A LARGE CONEFLOWER – CALLED THE RUDBECKIA GRANDIFLORA – ATTRACTS BUTTERFLIES.

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JOHN MEADORS OF MGM LIGHTING REMINDS THAT A WELL-LIT HOME (INCLUDING THE YARD) IS A MAJOR DETERRENT TO HOME BREAK-INS. PHOTO COURTESY MGM LIGHTING

MAKING YOUR BACKYARD A PRIORITY MEANS INVESTING IN LANDSCAPING, POOL DESIGN AND LIGHTING ... AND EVEN A WATERFALL. PHOTO COURTESY CAVINESS LANDSCAPE

If you’re renovating your garden, Owens says, “don’t be afraid to toss out some of your old, tired plants. We throw out old furnishings in our home. Why not the garden?” David Hillock, a consumer horticulturist with the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, touts the merits of raised bed gardening as “a way to add visual interest and texture into your landscape. These are usually two to three inches above ground and can be a rectangular soil plateau or an elaborate bed framed in sturdy material. Gardeners tend to reap higher yields as the raised beds allow more garden space for other growing plants.” Dressing up your patio and pool area is one of the most exciting parts of creating an outdoor living space. Today’s patios resemble inviting living rooms and kitchens with all the comfortable amenities only found indoors previously. “In 2019, the trend for outdoor living is bright colors – reds, blues, greens, purples,” says Kathy Caviness of Caviness Landscape. “Weather-friendly fabrics and durable materials for furnishings – teak wood, cast iron, metal – are a must for this style of casual outdoor living. Plantings – especially native grasses, including pollinators milkweed, bunny grass, vervain and American hollies

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

A WELL-MANICURED, WELL-LIT LAWN IS THE KEY TO BACKYARD ENTERTAINING. PHOTO COURTESY CAVINESS LANDSCAPE

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KEEP THE PARTY GOING IN YOUR YARD WITH EXTRA LIGHTING ON YOUR GARDEN. PHOTO COURTESY PHILLIP’S HUE

CONTAINER GARDENS ARE A FUN AND EASY WAY TO SATISFY A GREEN THUMB.

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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

with red berries – are a must for attracting bees, birds and butterflies.” Fire and water are part of the outdoor living trend, too, Caviness says. Fire pits and fireplaces are important – big copper fire bowls line swimming pools or other defined areas. Sun shelves and swim-up bars are popular poolside features, inspired by highend resorts. Gardens are now divided into several landscaped areas, with pathways leading to more public or private spaces. Depending on the lawn’s size, a meadow – a quiet oasis for meditation, a fire pit, even a yoga class – is planted at the garden’s end, adding visual appeal and charm with little maintenance required. Many homeowners invest in their patio, pool and garden to enjoy “staycations” in lieu of short getaways. The final touch for your garden is ap-

DESPITE THE UNPREDICTABLE WEATHER, THERE ARE PLENTY OF FLORA THAT THRIVE IN OKLAHOMA.

propriate lighting. John Meadors, owner of Tulsa’s MGM Lighting, says manufacturers incorporate transformers into new, safe and efﬁcient LED lighting systems. They also add different color phases to lighting systems. “One color is a soft rose that makes skin tones look so much more appealing – and younger,” says Meadors, stressing the importance and value of a home’s foundation lighting. “A well-lit home is the single best deterrent to home break-ins.” Caviness emphasizes lighting, too, especially for the patio and pool. “Landscape lighting extends your time outdoors and helps balance the landscape design,” she says. Caviness also loves discreet lighting in trees and pathways to create a magical effect in the garden – something every gardener hopes to achieve season after season.

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Esther M. Sanders Sanders & Associates, P.C. 1015 S. Detroit Ave. Tulsa, OK 74120 • 918.745.2000 Telephone 800.745.2006 Toll Free

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

David Karimian, CFP®, CRPC® Prime Wealth Management A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial 7712 S. Yale Ave. Suite 240 Tulsa, OK 74136 918.388.2009 • David.x.Karimian@ampf.com www.primewealthmgmt.com Views expressed in the Professionals do not necessarily represent the views of Oklahoma Magazine, Schuman Publishing Co. or its affiliates.

Comprehensive and collision deductibles are a major part of the price you pay for auto insurance. The higher the deductible, the lower the price and the more you agree to self-insure in the event of a claim. Having a dedicated agent can not BRYAN SMITH only help you understand what you need, but this also ensures that you have the proper liaison if you ever have to make a claim. For questions, never forget to CallBryanSmith.com.

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Our son has been given a diagnosis of autism and is having severe tantrums at school that include screaming, throwing chairs and hitting others. Can Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) help with these behaviors?

My grandfather has Parkinson’s disease and is currently receiving hospice care. My mother is his main caregiver and I worry that she is overdoing it. Do you have any advice on what she can do to make time for herself?

Yes, your son may beneﬁt from ABA services! ABA therapy uses the leading research-based treatments to help bring about positive change in individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. ABA therapy focuses on decreasing/eliminating unwanted behaviors by teaching replacement behaviors. This is done by identifying the root cause of your child’s behavior and making an individual behavior plan with speciﬁc treatment goals just for him. Your son may need to learn some additional language or self-regulation skills to appropriately express his needs. During ABA therapy, we can work on increasing those productive skills and decreasing the unwanted behaviors. Our goal is to help your son master the skills he needs to learn and succeed in a classroom and interact with his peers.

I completely understand your concern for your mother. Caregiving is one of the toughest jobs that anyone can have. Hospice services should include a social worker that can help assist your mom in ﬁnding a paid caregiver. Hospice also offers a ﬁve-day respite program, which would allow your grandfather to receive professional medical care while your mother takes a few days off for some much-needed rest. Please give us a call at 918-744-7223 for more information. Grace Hospice is here to help!

BRIANNA BERRY M. ED, BCBA

Brianna Berry, M. Ed, BCBA Soaring on Hope Pediatric Therapy and Autism Center 4908 S. Sheridan Rd. Tulsa, OK 74145 918.984.9153 www.sohkids.com

CAITLIN EVERSOLE

Caitlin Eversole Admissions Supervisor Grace Hospice of Oklahoma 6218 South Lewis, Suite 1000 Tulsa, OK 74136 918.744.7223 www.gracehospice.com MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

From

Sooner State to By Tara Malone

Silver Screen Oklahoma is a hub of

activity for the film industry because of financial incentives and ideal locations.

f you’ve been in front of the big screen lately – or even the one in your living room – chances are you’ve caught a glimpse of home. More and more box office hits and television series are being filmed all over Oklahoma, from Enid and Harrah to Pauls Valley and Pawhuska. While many of us may be familiar with megahits the likes of Twister or August: Osage County, the director of the Oklahoma Film and Music Office describes other screen sensations shot here. “Oklahoma’s film industry has seen many recent successes, including last year’s hit theatrical release I Can Only Imagine, which made over $83 million at the U.S. box office,” Tava Maloy Sofsky says. “The film not only became one of the highest-grossing faith-based pictures of all time, but it is also one of the top-five largest grossing music biopics in history, surpassing such films as Ray and Coal Miner’s Daughter.” The movie was shot in and around Oklahoma City. Another recent project, Paul Dano’s Wildlife (starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan), was filmed in Enid. The western Painted Woman (2017) was shot in Guthrie, Norman, Oklahoma City and Ames, and To the Stars – released at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival – was shot in Wakita, the same location where Twister was filmed. Sofsky says the state has become a busy location for the TV industry, too. “The renewal of the state’s film incentive program has put Oklahoma in a position to recruit television productions, including hit shows like American Ninja Warrior in Oklahoma City, The Pioneer Woman in Pawhuska and Sweet Home Oklahoma in Oklahoma City,” she says. “Scripted television includes recent credits such as American Gods by Starz, which hubbed out of Tulsa and was filmed in Ponca City, McAlester and Little Sahara State Park in Waynoka. The state also hosted Season One of the forthcoming, faith-based streaming series The Beverlys (Pure Flix) and is in current discussions with Amazon to bring a series to the state.”

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

THE JURASSIC GAMES (2018) WAS FILMED IN SOME OF OKLAHOMA’S MOST SCENIC LOCATIONS. PHOTO COURTESY UNCORK’D ENTERTAINMENT

MANY SCENES FROM THE MOVIE WILDLIFE (2018), STARRING CAREY MULLIGAN AND JAKE GYLLENHAAL, WERE FILMED IN OKLAHOMA. PHOTO COURTESY IFC FILMS

OKLAHOMA IS A NATURAL FIT FOR FILMING WESTERNS ON LOCATION IN THE STATE. PHOTO COURTESY PRISCILLA TRAN

SCENES FROM TO THE STARS, RELEASED AT THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL IN 2019, WERE FILMED IN OKLAHOMA.

PHOTO COURTESY OKLAHOMA FILM + MUSIC OFFICE

MARCH 2019| WWW.OKMAG.COM

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE (2018) IS ONE OF THE HIGHESTGROSSING FAITH-BASED FILMS OF ALL TIME. PHOTO COURTESY LIONSGATE + ROADSIDE

ENID WAS CHOSEN AS THE LOCATION FOR MANY SCENES FROM WILDLIFE. PHOTO COURTESY IFC FILMS

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (2013) WAS BOTH SET AND FILMED IN NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA.

PHOTO COURTESY THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY

Part of what entices filmmakers and television producers is Oklahoma’s unusual incentive program, which, in contrast to many other states, offers a cash rebate rather than a tax credit. In addition to benefiting producers, the program provides financial boons for the state and its residents, with potential for the future. “Oklahoma’s incentive program does attract independent films,” says Yousef Kazemi, film and locations coordinator for the film and music office. “However, our office looks forward to the future, when we can also accommodate a longer-term TV series or larger feature films as our rebate program and local infrastructure grow. “When this happens, the statewide economic impact also increases, translating to more local jobs and new (or growing) small businesses, not to mention the indirect [costs] as filmmakers spend their paychecks shopping and patronizing our restaurants, retail stores, sporting events, museums and a variety of other businesses around the state during their days off.” Dylan Brodie, a freelance filmmaker who has worked on such projects as American Gods and local artist Sterlin Harjo’s film Mekko, agrees. “For our community, Oklahoma film means real jobs and a continuing education learned from the productions that utilize our state, all of which lead to continued growth for our industry,” says Brodie, adding that the state’s diversity of locations and hardworking crews also attract the film industry. Alison Naifeh, a location manager and scout for 20 years, grew up in Enid and was hooked on the industry after visiting the set of Dillinger as a child with her father. She has worked on multiple projects in the state, most famously August: Osage County, and she believes location can make or break a project. “I say this over and over – you cannot tell a story without a great location,” she says. “And most often, the location becomes a character itself.” Such is the case with places like the Boulanger

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

House (used in August: Osage County) and the Pioneer Woman Mercantile and Boarding House. Due in part to both locations, Pawhuska has seen a significant tourism boom, Kazemi says, as have cities like Bartlesville and Wakita, the latter being home to a museum commemorating that most iconic of Oklahoma flicks, Twister. Not to be overlooked is the Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa, dedicated to Francis Ford Coppola’s film adaptation of The Outsiders by Tulsa native S.E. Hinton. Visitors flock to all of these attractions to gain a glimpse of Oklahoma’s role on the silver screen, which boosts local economies. “The Oklahoma film and music industries are real businesses,” Sofsky says, “which create and sustain real jobs, real small businesses and real opportunities for Oklahomans. Whether someone is an electrician or an accountant, a caterer or a hairstylist, a music producer or promoter, these diverse skill sets are needed as the industries grow. “Oklahoma’s film and music industries are ripened for infrastructure development for businesses to showcase their assets. Results in new business mean that our major metropolitan areas and smaller communities will continue to glean from the dollars injected into their economies. Our oﬀice believes that now’s the time we will collectively move the needle for Oklahoma to become a top-10 destination in the United States for film and music production.” Dazzling memories, dollars and dreams – sounds like Oklahoma is Hollywood material indeed.

THE WESTERN PAINTED WOMAN (2017) WAS FILMED IN GUTHRIE, NORMAN, OKLAHOMA CITY AND AMES. PHOTO COURTESY PRISCILLA TRAN

MANY SCENES OF I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WERE FILMED IN THE OKLAHOMA CITY AREA.

PHOTO COURTESY LIONSGATE + ROADSIDE

THE PRODUCTION OF PAINTED WOMAN BOOSTED THE ECONOMY OF SEVERAL OKLAHOMA CITIES. PHOTO COURTESY PRISCILLA TRAN

MARCH 2019| WWW.OKMAG.COM

On Ina (standing): Aidan Maddox charmeuse and crepe jumpsuit, $245; Manolo Blahnik suede point toe pumps, $625, Saint Laurent patent leather chain wallet, $1,650, Saks Fifth Avenue. David Yurman suite: Wellesley diamond link earrings, $1,250; crossover diamond pendant, $1,950; six row cuďŹ&#x20AC; bracelet with diamonds, $2,400; Wellesley diamond link ring, $2,500, Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels. On Jade (sitting): Trina Turk Jazzy Naima two-tone jumpsuit, $328; Jimmy Choo Misty suede ankle-strap sandals, $725; Saint Laurent Toy Lou Lou crossbody flap bag, $1,190, Saks Fifth Avenue. Ippolita suite: door-knocker classico earrings, $395; folded classico ring, $350, Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

Spring Peter Millar collection stretch navy jacket, $898; Peter Millar wash cotton and linen longsleeved shirt, $149; GoodMan five-pocket pants, $198; Peter Millar O-Ring belt, $79; Peter Millar suede slip-on shoes, $278; Peter Millar collection sunglasses, $248, Travers Mahan.

It On

Say goodbye to the dull winter and welcome the warm with pops of color and sleek silhouettes. Photography by Nathan Harmon

Alice and Olivia Delaina snakeskin print crop top, $195; Alice and Olivia Cady shorts, $188; Manolo Blahnik Otawi snake sandals, $725; Balenciaga mini leather shoulder bag, $1790, Saks Fifth Avenue. David Yurman suite: black onyx cushion albion earrings, $1,100; ring, $1,100, Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels.

MODELS COURTESY BRINK MODEL MANAGEMENT HAIR BY SHAWNA BURROUGHS, JARA HERRON MEDICAL SPA AND SALON MAKEUP BY KELSIE LLOYD, SOUL BEAUTY CLOTHING, SHOES AND HANDBAGS COURTESY SAKS FIFTH AVENUE AND TRAVERS MAHAN FINE JEWELRY COURTESY BRUCE G. WEBER PRECIOUS JEWELS MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

On Ina (sitting): Scripted white polka-dot shirt, $225; Joe’s Wyatt high-rise raw hem ankle jeans, $208; Chloe suede wedge espadrilles in gray, $660; Marc Jacobs mini backpack, $350, Saks Fifth Avenue. David Yurman Madison chain bracelet, $1,050, Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels. On Jade (standing): Scripted black polka-dot shirt, $225; Joe’s Wyatt high-rise raw hem ankle jeans, $208; Chloe suede wedge espadrilles in tan, $660; Marc Jacobs snapshot leather crossbody bag, $295, Saks Fifth Avenue. David Yurman black onyx cushion albion ring, $1,100, Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

Peter Millar Collection wool and linen soft plaid jacket, $898; Stenstroms pocket square, $65; Peter Millar collection linen and cotton blend sport shirt, $198; Brax five-pocket pants, $200; Peter Millar O-Ring belt, $79; Peter Millar summer suede sneaker, $195; Peter Millar collection sunglasses, $248, Travers Mahan.

Haupt cotton floral sport shirt, $175; Meyer pants, $275; Peter Millar deck shoes, $195; Pig and Hen wristwear, $89; Peter Millar collection sunglasses, $248, Travers Mahan.

MARCH 2019| WWW.OKMAG.COM

Les Copains striped blazer, $765; Les Copains sheer navy tank, $325; Les Copains striped pants, $475; Manolo Blahnik patent leather crisscross mules, $625; Marc Jacobs The Box 20 bag, $350, Saks Fifth Avenue. David Yurman crossover diamond pendant, $1,950; Ippolita folded classico ring, $350, Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels.

Les Copains laced jacket, $1,150; Les Copains black trousers, $495; Manolo Blahnik patent leather crisscross mules, $625; Saint Laurent small Lou Lou chain strap shoulder bag, $1,950, Saks Fifth Avenue. Armenta suite: pave texture oval necklace, $1,145; texture circle enhancer with tourmaline, $3,500; blue-and-white quartz diamond ring, $2,100, Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels.

Les Copains white dress, $925; Le Copain patterned scarf, $350; Jimmy Choo Alanah Criss-Cross peep toe platform wedge sandals, $550; Marc Jacobs porcelain bucket bag, $395, Saks Fifth Avenue. David Yurman pearl and diamond five-row band, $2,950, Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

Cinq a Sept Juliet top, $395; Cinq a Sept sequin Giles pants, $395; Manolo Blahnik suede point toe pumps, $625; Balenciaga leather triangle duï¬&#x20AC;el bag, $1,790, Saks Fifth Avenue. Ippolita folded classico ring, $350, Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels.

TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM

OUR SPRING FASHION SHOOT, VISIT OKMAG.COM/SPRINGITON MARCH 2019| WWW.OKMAG.COM

Summer Camp Directory Warm weather approaches and school nears its end, so parents across Oklahoma scour the region to ﬁnd promising camps for their kids. Oklahoma Magazine’s Summer Camp Directory offers a view of some of the best camps in a variety of categories, including sports, music, art, faith, health and performance.

Camp Incredible, Tulsa

Hosted by the University School at the University of Tulsa, Camp Incredible brings a variety of themed day camps to students ranging from Pre-K to eighth grade (with a minimum age of 4). These one-week, co-ed adventures combine a variety of activities, including songwriting, treks in nature, math, yoga, academic bowl and painting, to foster a creative environment where learning comes easy. For information, visit utulsa.edu/ uschool.

Camp Loughridge, Tulsa

Combining faith, discovery, adventure and community, Camp Loughridge offers activities to kids ages 6-13. Escape the rigors of everyday life and enjoy an outdoor, weeklong adventure, chock-full of activities like archery, canoeing, ropes courses, court sports, hiking and swimming. Campers are sorted into small groups with counselors. Seven camps are scheduled. For information, visit camploughridge.org.

Camp Monte, Tulsa

Monte Cassino’s summer camps cover it all – science, sports, visual arts, drama and a full range of other exciting topics. Running for eight weeks from June to August, Camp Monte

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

combines day camp experiences for kids of varying ages and even brings in local artisans, catering to a diverse array of interests. Enjoy a welcoming atmosphere where creativity is encouraged. Campers can participate for one week at a time or for the entire summer. For information, visit montecassino.org/campmonte.

Wall Street in Tulsa. Along with spotlighting African-American entrepreneurs and business owners of the time, the camp teaches participants the basics to becoming entrepreneurs themselves as they learn about creating and marketing their own products. For information, visit greenwoodculturalcenter.com/programs.

Clark Youth Theatre, Tulsa

Kanakuk Camps, Branson, Mo.

Each two-week session includes classes on acting, dancing, singing and other performance skills. This is a great opportunity for children ages 8-14 who are interested in theater and the performing arts. Campers must complete second grade before visiting the camp. There are three performances for family and friends during the last two days of each session. The cost is $250 per session, which includes a camp T-shirt and a pizza party. For more information, visit clarkyouththeatre.com/education/ camps.

Greenwood Cultural Center’s Young Entrepreneurs Summer Program, Tulsa Held throughout June for kids ranging from 5 to 12, the Young Entrepreneurs Summer Program explores the history of Black

Since 1926, Kanakuk Kamps have provided premier summer camping experiences for boys and girls ages 6 to 18. Just outside of Branson, Missouri, Kanakuk gives children a break from the stresses of the fastpaced world of social media, electronics and school, and focuses on fun, safe, ageappropriate activities with the purpose of raising the leaders of tomorrow. Learn about the different options and customized experiences available for your child at kanakuksummer.com

Project Sew, Regionwide

B-Sew Inn Sewing and Software Center is once again offering Project Sew Summer Camp in Tulsa, OKC, Muskogee, Fayetteville, Ark. and Springﬁeld, Mo. The camp is open for girls and guys ages 9-16. Attendees learn the basics of sewing while stitching their own projects. With

the camp fee of $199, attendees get printed instructions, fabric kits and supplies and a sewing machine, valued at $299. For information, visit bsewinn.com/project-sewsummer-camp-2019.

Saint Francis Health Zone Summer Challenge, Tulsa

Get ready to get active at the Saint Francis Health Zone Summer Challenge. Available to campers ages 6-12, this camp is packed with indoor and outdoor activities, plus ﬁeld trips aimed at keeping campers active and entertained. Enjoy crafts, swimming, games and projects that challenge the body and mind. Sessions run from June 3-7 to Aug. 5-9 (with a break July 1-5) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, contact Jenni Rowe at jrrowe@saintfrancis.com or call 918-494-8214.

South Tulsa Dance Co. Summer Camp

Get ready to sing, dance and act at South Tulsa Dance Company’s summer sessions. Running in ﬁve-day increments with Disney themes, including Dumbo, Toy Story and Aladdin, this camp offers students the opportunity to learn a routine, practice improv and perform at the end of the week in front of the studio. Participants receive a snack daily and a performance T-shirt on Friday. To learn about the camp, visit southtulsadanceco.com.

Woody Guthrie Woody’s Weekend Workshop, Tulsa

For those with a knack or passion for music, Woody’s Weekend Workshops bring together music industry veterans who teach campers the basics of songwriting, recording and performing. Participants also learn about teamwork as they combine forces to form bands during the camp’s run. Woody’s Weekend Workshops are offered to students ages 12-18, and some musical proﬁciency is required. For information, visit woodyguthriecenter.org.

CAMP GUIDE

MONTE CASSINO SUMMER CAMPS

www.montecassino.org/campmonte Monte Cassino School

23575 B-Sew Inn.indd 1

23570 Kanakuk.indd 1

2206 S. Lewis

Tulsa

918.742.3364

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MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

small school University School

CAMP GUIDE

BIG RESULTS

SUMMER CAMPS FOR KIDS

2019

For more information, please call 918-494-1671 or visit saintfrancis.com/healthzone.

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Our mission: challenge gifted students with a dynamic curriculum in a nurturing academic environment. Tours: 918-631-5060 • uschool.utulsa.edu Educating Gifted Students Since 1982 The University of Tulsa is an EEO/AA institution.

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WHERE CHILDREN AND TEENS LEARN TO GRIEVE AND HEAL

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN AT THEGRIEFCENTER.ORG

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Camp Loughridge Day Camp is a place of faith, discovery, adventure and community for kids 6-13. Just five minutes west of Tulsa Hills, Camp Loughridge is a fun outdoor setting where kids can escape the noise of everyday life and focus on the voice of the Holy Spirit. Our summer camp programs are centered around the gospel of Jesus Christ, helping kids foster a living and loving relationship with God - and with each other!

clcamps.org for dates and registration.

1/28/19 4:17 PM

Find Your Voice at the Woody Guthrie Center Woody’s Weekend Workshop

Woody’s Weekend Workshop brings together music industry veterans to teach students songwriting, recording and performance while working together as a band.

• Ages 12-18

• April 11-14, with summer and fall sessions

Kids ages 12-18 can learn and play with professional musicians!

Than you, te k achers! Show y our sch o ID for f ree adm ol ission for you and a guest.

• Some musical proficiency required APRIL 11-14 , 2019 Spring enrollment ends April 5.

Learn the tools for performing in a band with this intensive workshop!

The Woody Guthrie Center offers students a chance to performing in a band while picking up advice from seasoned musicians and teachers from Tulsa and Nashville. The three days will help students with songwriting, musical recording and musical performance. The intensive environment encourages young musicians to think independently, work cooperatively and discover their own creativity.

Call 918.574.2710 for information

Program designed for students age 12-18 with some music proficiency Participants will learn to work together as a band Students will receive advice from musicians, producers, managers and others in the industry Get one-on-one guidance from professionals to improve skills and cooperation Opportunities to perform for the public, including the Center’s anniversary celebration Reduced (needs-based) tuition for WGC members For more information about the workshop or to register, contact jerry@woodyguthriecenter.org.

102 East M.B. Brady St. | Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103 | 918-574-2710 | info@woodyguthriecenter.org

102 E. M.B. Brady St., Tulsa • WoodyGuthrieCenter.org

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

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CAMP GUIDE

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2019 Summer Theatre Camp Each two-week session includes classes on acting, dancing, singing, and more. This is a great chance for children 8-14 who are interested in theatre.

Early Bird Enrollment Open March 2

Spring Break Camp March 18-22 ClarkYouthTheatre.com

COMING IN AUGUST

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Taste

F O O D, D R I N K A N D O T H E R P L E A S U R E S

Mom and Pop Meet Pizzazz

Osteria in Nichols Hills blends homestyle Italian cuisine with locally sourced ingredients and a celebrity chef.

THE COCCOLI PLATTER OFFERS PUFFED CRISPY DOUGH WITH PROSCIUTTO, STRACCHINO CHEESE, TRUFFLED HONEY AND HERB OIL. PHOTOS BY BRENT FUCHS

hen one of Oklahoma City’s most talented chefs and restaurateurs – Jonathon Stranger of En Croute, St. Mark’s Chop Room and Ok-Yaki – teams with celebrity chef Fabio Viviani, the result is … oh, just a little ol’ Italian joint with the auspicious name Osteria. The restaurant in Nichols Hills

Plaza grew from a casual conversation the once-acquaintances had while Viviani was in Oklahoma for a speaking engagement. The catch-up led to the question that inevitably comes up between all chefs: “What’s next?” “Fabio and I actually reconnected at the school of entrepreneurship” at the University of Oklahoma, Stranger says. “We met up after a talk with students in hospitality and, after a

while of conversation, decided it would be fun to do a restaurant together … which has now blossomed into a great partnership.” The Italian word osteria refers to a casual, mom-and-pop type of establishment. The Stranger-Viviani restaurant doesn’t appear to be of that variety; however, if you consider the basic elements of Viviani’s homey Italian cuisine and Stranger’s inclusion of local growers and producers, MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

LO C A L F L AV O R

the concept rings with authenticity. The restaurant, manned by executive chef Darshon Daines, occupies space that was once a Starbucks. It’s been beautifully renovated into an open room full of outdoor light – be it sun or moon – bursting with delicious smells and lively dining. Banquettes line open windows that look to outdoor seating, with plenty of space on the center floor for families. Daines and crew take pride in making all of their pastas by hand every morning: a squid ink garganelli (a flat noodle, handrolled into a tube); spaghetti; rigatoni; fettuccine; gnocchi; and agnolotti, tiny square pillows filled with ricotta and spinach. It’s what the chefs do with these delicious pastas that makes this portion of the menu exciting … and what has made Osteria the talk of the town. From the Roman delicacy cacio e pepe (spaghetti) to a whimsical rigatoni dubbed “carbonara in a jar,” all of the pastas are expertly cooked, dressed and presented. Because Osteria knows that humans do not live on pasta alone (although this reporter could make a good case for doing so when it comes to this restaurant), there are many other roads to travel when it comes to Italian cuisine. Locally sourced wagyu beef from the Iron Horse Ranch in the Pottawato-

mie County hamlet of Macomb, the pork chop (Milanese), the lamb (ossobuco) or a 12-ounce wagyu beef meatball appetizer nestled in tomato sugo and creamy housemade ricotta will knock you off your seat. The seafood is an absolute must, too. It’s ﬂown sea to table in 24 hours, courtesy of Osteria’s supplier. The braised/grilled octopus (yes, octopus) with fennel, romesco sauce and charred lemon has become one of the many stars of Osteria’s menu, along with the seared hake and toasted wheat berries. The expansive bar, which runs the length of the interior, is home to creative shakes and pours, plus aged grapes from Italy to the West Coast. Prosecco cocktails, wines from Chianti to cabernet … you can ﬁnd your poison for brunch, lunch or dinner, complete with a knowledgeable waitstaff and barkeeps who promise to keep your glass lively and the Osteria experience at a fabulous Cin-Cin. Brunch is not to be missed. Familiar favorites with an Italian twist are welcomed sights. House-cured salmon and egg pomodoro – along with Osteria’s brick-oven-baked pizzas, pastas and paninis – are the perfect match with a pristine cocktail. If you feel decadent, try the Chelsea’s Cinnamon Roll from pastry chef Chelsea Berry … delizia! Keep an eye out for the dynamic duo opening another restaurant this summer. Stranger says the joint is “not exactly Osteria 2, but there will ABOVE: ENJOY THE TUNA be a heavy, all-encomCARPACCIO AS A STARTER, WITH YELLOW FIN TUNA, passing Mediterranean CAPERS, PICKLED ONIONS, theme to the menu – ItalFRISEE, BREAKFAST RADISH AND BURNT LEMON ian obviously, Spanish VINAIGRETTE. and north African – in LEFT: JONATHON the old Urban Johnnie’s STRANGER AND FABIO VIVI- space downtown.” ANI HAVE JOINED FORCES TO CREATE OSTERIA.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

SCOTTY IRANI

Foolish Things Bar and Biscuit, tucked away in Tulsa’s Brookside area, feels curiously warm and welcoming, and the biscuit sandwiches would make owner Justin Carpenter’s mother proud. “My mother’s from a big Mexican family,” he says, “and she taught me that if you want to show people you care for them, you feed them well. [When I was] young, I wanted to change the world, but now I just want to create a space where people feel safe and can form a community.” Carpenter and crew experimented for months to create the perfect biscuit; it’s topped with skirt steak rubbed in coﬀee and brown sugar and cooked to order, with creme fraiche and a poached farm egg, or with gravy, made with sausage and milk from local farms. There are lots of other items: more than 40 cocktails, many inspired by hundred-year-old recipes; impeccably sourced fair trade coﬀees that vary with the season; and exquisite arrangements of flowers from local greenhouses. Carpenter has a passion for learning and an obsession to do everything perfectly. There’s already a community at Foolish Things. Ask Carpenter about any dish and he insists on giving credit to all the friends who helped design it. 3524F S. Peoria Ave., Tulsa; 918289-4156; barandbiscuit.com. BRIAN SCHWARTZ

PHOTOS BY JEFFREY METCALF

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Taste C H E F C H AT I

A Global Creator

New York-based Jamie Bissonnette, a James Beard Award winner, has passion, knowledge and humility.

SEE THE RECIPE FOR JAMIE BISSONNETTE’S TORO PAELLA ON THE FACING PAGE. PHOTO COURTESY JK FOOD GROUP

any chefs acquire a passion for food early in life. Jamie Bissonnette seemed to be born with it. Perhaps his earliest memory is of climbing drawers to reach the kitchen countertop and feasting on whatever he could find. “Every childhood memory I have is of food,” Bissonnette says. “I can’t remember who won my first soccer game, but I can still taste the oranges we got at halftime. I lived for flavor.” The dishes that Bissonnette cooks today are rich, earthy and sensual. Go to one of his four Boston and New York restaurants and find suquet de mariscos, a Spanish soup featuring warm lobster and cool sea urchin, adrift on an ocean of parsnip-infused milk … or fresh mackerel marinated in Thai curry … or fried croquettes accented by pig cheeks or (perhaps) tender lemoninfused bacalao. You’re bombarded by flavors from around the globe. However, Bissonnette’s voracious passion, his quest to eat the world, is tempered by rigorous discipline

and a perfectionist’s never-ending struggle to do it right. Ask him about paella and he takes you through Spanish history and shows you how ancient Rome’s invasion and Arab conquests converged to form this one dish. “Being a chef is about being a student,” Bissonnette says. “I’m constantly researching everything. When I meet a new thing, I want to learn all about it. I want to know every possible variation.” While much of Bissonnette’s repertoire comes from foreign lands, that doesn’t mean he finds a traditional recipe and slavishly copies it. “When I was young, I traveled,” Bissonnette says. “I respect authenticity, but it’s flavor that matters. Dishes are always changing – and they should. As we find new ingredients, we can play around. A Spanish dish calls for Seville oranges; why not try yuzu? That’s not sacrilege; it’s the way food should evolve.” Perhaps this sounds like youthful arrogance – it’s not. Bissonnette is endearingly humble. “I’m not Picasso,” he says. “I’m more like a plumber than a painter.”

Bissonnette doesn’t boss his line cooks. He listens to them. “We cook by committee,” he says, “and that’s how it should be. A line cook has an idea for a new entree, he or she brings it to all the cooks, and we tinker with it, try to make it better. It gives us all a feeling of ownership of the restaurant and the menu.” Bissonnette and his crew enjoy pushing the envelope. He won an award for snout-to-tail cooking (he’s received many prizes, including the Oscar of the restaurant world, the James Beard Award, in 2014), and his restaurants serve every part of the pig. When the cooks make spaghetti carbonara, they use sea urchin instead of cream. But Bissonnette never makes you eat anything you don’t like. “You like your steak well done? Well, who am I to say you can’t have it?” he says. “At the end of the day, my goal is to give my guests the best experience possible. Still, for me, the simple act of taking raw things and magically turning them into plates of wonder – that brings me joy. I love cooking. Always.” BRIAN SCHWARTZ

BISSONNETTE AT BOTANICAL! What Botanical! – a three-day exploration of the way food, drink and the land intersect – features a menu curated by James Beard Award winner Jamie Bissonnette. Day One is the Passport Dinner, a sit-down, six-course meal. Day Two is Viva La Vida, a tapas-centric re-creation of Spanish nightlife. Day Three is a tasting and question-answer sessions with chefs and sommeliers.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

When April 26-28 Where Tulsa Botanic Garden Tickets Go to botanicaltulsa.org or call 918-289-0330.

ON THE TOWN

TORO PAELLA 2 tablespoons garlic, minced 1 cup Spanish onions, diced and sauteed in olive oil 1/2 cup scallions, white parts only, diced 1 cup sliced Spanish chorizo 1 cup red bell pepper, diced Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 cup chicken breast or thigh meat 1/2 cup tomato paste 2 cups Calasparra or bomba rice 10 threads saffron 1 can conserva (optional) 1 1/2 cups lobster stock 1 1/2 cups chicken stock 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock 6 to 10 top neck or count neck clams 18 mussels 4 to 5 shrimp 1/2 cup English peas Olive oil, ¼ cup sliced scallion tops and lemon wedges for garnish

PHOTO BY EMILY HAGEN

Combine garlic, onions, white scallions, chorizo, red pepper, salt and black pepper to taste in a paella pan. Saute over high heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Add chicken, tomato paste, rice and saffron, and stir, making sure to evenly coat. Toast for 4 to 5 minutes. Add a can of conserva, if using. Evenly distribute and flatten out rice in pan. Add all stocks. Once boiling, add clams and cook 5 to 10 minutes, until they open up and rice grains

are clearly visible. Add mussels, and reduce heat to medium. Once the mussels open, add shrimp and peas. Cook over medium heat until shrimp and rice are cooked and have created a crispy bottom called socarrat. Add stock as necessary during cooking. Garnish with olive oil, scallion tops and lemon slices. HUNGRY FOR MORE? TO FIND CHEF JAMIE BISSONNETTE’S RECIPE FOR GALICIAN EMPANADAS, GO ONLINE TO OKMAG.COM/

BISSONNETTE

DRINKIN’ AND EATIN’ THE BLARNEY

Irish watering holes throughout the state know how to party on St. Patrick’s Day. Some make it a weekend-long celebration.

McNellie’s – OKC, Tulsa

The annual McNellie’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations – loud and crowded – are ready to rock. The Oklahoma City and downtown Tulsa locations get a head start on festivities with Patio Parties at 6 p.m. March 16. Their rollicking block parties follow the next day at 10 a.m. on the actual St. Patrick’s Day. McNellie’s south Tulsa pub has its Patio Party from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. March 17. 409 E. First Street, Tulsa; 7031 S. Zurich Ave., Tulsa; 1100 Classen Drive, Oklahoma City.

Saints – OKC

The Saints Pub makes an entire weekend out of St. Patrick’s Day with music, fun, and food and drink specials running March 15-17. Get $5 Guinness pints and Car Bomb specials, as well as $12 bangers, $9 fish and chips, $8 cabbage and mash, and $6 bread pudding. Special hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday. 1715 N.W. 16th St.

Kilkenny’s – Tulsa

In the heart of Cherry Street and one of Tulsa’s top brunch spots, Kilkenny’s Irish Pub goes all-out for its signature holiday. Irish dancers kick oﬀ the festive block party at 11 a.m. St. Patrick’s Day, with live music beginning around noon. Beer tents and trucks are set up next to the restaurant, along with tents for merchandise sales and a number of Irish house favorite dishes. Even the kiddos are included, with

activities planned for them, too. The party continues until midnight. 1413 E. 15th St.

O’Connell’s – Norman

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations began at O’Connell’s 51 years ago … and they continue today. Many gallons of green beer are oﬀered for public consumption, with collector beer mugs, T-shirts, beads and green derbies on sale. Karaoke, live music and other shenanigans go on all day. The fun starts at 7 a.m. March 17 with a bagpipe performance, followed by a breakfast of green eggs and ham. And if you don’t have anything green to wear, face painters are on hand to fix you up. The party continues until 2 a.m. 769 Asp Ave.

J. Farley’s Irish Pub – Claremore

Claremore’s relatively new Irish hangout, J. Farley’s, oﬀers a weekend of St. Patrick’s Day events, kicking oﬀ March 15 with an Irish-themed karaoke party. Live music begins March 16 and continues through March 17. Drink specials run all weekend long. On St. Patrick’s Day, enjoy green beer and a limited Irish menu. 609 S. Brady St.

Arnie’s Bar – Tulsa

Since 1956, the celebration at Arnie’s Bar downtown has been a favorite St. Patrick’s Day tradition. Join in all of the fun, including Irish traditional music, starting at 6 p.m. March 17. 318 E. Second St.

MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

Taste C H E F C H AT I I

A Graceful Balancing Act

Where there’s smoke, there’s the fire of Erik Reynolds, whose culinary background and work ethic infiltrate his latest ventures.

is tale is mesmerizing … idyllic. “I grew up in Manitou Springs, Colorado, right by Pikes Peak, but my best memories are summers at my grandparents’ Rhode Island farm. Me and my brother would spend the days tending the vegetable garden, picking the berries that grew all over. We’d eat half what we picked, and my grandma made the rest into a pie. “Sometimes we’d eat ‘cannibal sandwiches’ from a fresh side of beef, or drive to the sea and get lobsters fresh from the ocean. It was the best thing in the world.” Just before the dinner rush at the huge, glorious Smoke Woodﬁre Grill in Owasso (the original is in Tulsa), Erik Reynolds – a giant of a man, normally full of energy but tired now – takes a brief break and relaxes with

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

his happiest memories … food memories. It’s been a strenuous, exciting 18 months to navigate the thousand tasks, pitfalls and challenges involved in opening not one but two restaurants in a new, enormous, high-ceiling, downtown brick building. “Owasso has been fantastic,” Reynolds says. “We got 1,200 visitors in one month – 85 percent or more of what comes out of our kitchen is made from scratch, and that volume nearly killed us. “And wait till we open MAD next door – MAD means Modern American Diner. We’ll have breakfasts and street tacos and cool, fun appetizers. Fried chicken, champagne cocktails, local beers and ridiculously huge milk shakes. It’s going to be a madhouse.” It will be double the toil, and Reynolds is thrilled – he isn’t a stranger to hard work. “My ﬁrst job at 13 was dishwasher in a mom-and-pop diner,” he says. “I would have to hand-scrub dried egg yolk off each tine of each fork. I got $2.35 an hour, and it seemed like a good deal to me. But these days, I can’t do a 10-hour shift on the cooking line; my knees won’t take it.” Reynolds actually prefers working on the line. He took college courses in restaurant management when he was in high school and, by 21, he was a restaurant manager. He did that for

party

Bring the

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SMOKE SERVES CLASSIC STEAK AND ASPARAGUS. THE PORK BRISKET IS SERVED ON A BED OF SHARP CHEDDAR GRITS, WITH BRAISED COLLARED GREENS AND CREOLE PEPPER SAUCE. START YOUR MEAL AT SMOKE WITH THE BACON JAM THAT COMES WITH HERB GOAT CHEESE, ARUGULA, TOMATOES AND CROSTINI. ERIK REYNOLDS HAS OPENED A SECOND SMOKE LOCATION – IN OWASSO – WHICH HE DESCRIBES AS “FANTASTIC. WE GOT 1,200 VISITORS IN ONE MONTH.” PHOTOS BY JOSH NEW

five years in Wyoming and Oregon “and then I quit,” he says. “I just had to get back to the kitchen.” Even then, with his background and leadership talent (learned during two years in the Army), he usually ended up running the kitchen, where “it’s better to be on the line. You can learn more. You learn from each chef you work with,” he says. Midway through his career, he got a job at Jeffrey’s in Austin to work the line. That was his favorite job. He learned to cook with local ingredients, work with produce fresh from the farm (bringing back childhood memories), use fine ingredients like truffles and morels, and, most important of all, master the grill. “You can’t get full flavor unless you cook on live fire,” he says. “There’s something in our DNA that triggers primal feelings to fire. That smoke. That char. That’s the way we cook at Smoke, and I’ve had that grill so hot the pan melted.” In Austin, Reynolds also worked for an elite catering company. He cooked for President George W. Bush, his wife and his entire cabinet. He cooked for people so rich that every wing of their mansion had a huge, restaurant-quality kitchen. He cooked for “Willie Nelson, Prince, Hall and Oates, all kinds of people,” he says. But that’s another story, and it’s not really who Rey-nolds is. “I came from a poor family,” he says. “I got to where I am by working hard, being loyal and listening to people. I’m living the American dream.” Meanwhile, the restaurant has filled up. Reynolds goes back to work. He’s tired but content. BRIAN SCHWARTZ

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KAREN LARSEN

Where & When

G R E AT T H I N G S TO D O I N O K L A H O M A

Flower Power

PHOTO COURTESY TULSA BOTANIC GARDEN

The Tulsa Botanic Garden welcomes back its annual event to commence springtime.

egone, cold weather! The Tulsa Botanic Garden ushers in spring with its annual display of over 100,000 blossoms. The March 14-April 21 event, dubbed Tulsa Botanic Blooms, offers colorful and stunning bulbs, including daffodils, tulips, crocuses and perennials, spread across the garden’s 170 acres. Along with the ﬂowers, events abound. At 6 p.m. opening night,

guests can take a tour with Todd Lasseigne, the garden’s CEO, and discuss the blooms and planting patterns. On St. Patrick’s Day from 1 to 4 p.m., join the Clover Hunt, perfect for families with small children, and search for four-leaf lucky charms and leprechauns. The Full Moon Hike on March 20 is a 1.5-mile trek around the garden, along with s’mores, to round out the evening. Plus, live music is featured from 6 to 8 p.m. each Thursday, complete with food trucks and beer and

wine for sale. Because turbulent Oklahoma weather makes peak bloom times difficult to anticipate, the garden’s staff has planted a variety of early-, mid- and late-blooming flowers so guests can experience floral beauty throughout the event’s run. The garden is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Expanded hours welcome guests until 8 p.m. on Thursdays starting March 14. For details, visit tulsabotanic.org. MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

COMMUNIT Y

PHOTO BY STEVEN CHRISTY

PHOTO COURTESY MYRIAD BOTANICAL GARDENS

IN TULSA

PERFORMANCES

THEATRE TULSA PRESENTS: MY FAIR LADY Through March 3 Tulsa PAC

Professor Henry Higgins seeks to prove he can make anyone a lady – even the brash and bawdy Eliza Doolittle.

theatretulsa.org

CELEBRITY ATTRACTIONS PRESENTS: THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG Through March 3 Tulsa PAC Were Sherlock Holmes

CHOREGUS PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS: COMPAGNIE HERVE KOUBI March 5 Tulsa PAC Compagnie Herve

Koubi returns after its stunning performance at the first Summer Heat International Dance Festival. choregus.org

BRUCE BRUCE March 7

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Catoosa Comedian

Bruce Bruce performs.

PAC Being wild and wacky

makes Professor Smart unstoppable in performing his interactive and dynamic shows. tulsapac.com

PJ MASKS LIVE: SAVE THE DAY! March 14 BOK

Center The performance features preschoolers’ favorite superheroes and familiar songs from the popular show.

bokcenter.com

TULSA SYMPHONY PRESENTS: FRIDAYS IN THE LOFT CHAMBER MUSIC III March 15 Fly Loft Enjoy

and Monty Python to have a Broadway baby, you’d get The Play That Goes Wrong.

hardrockcasinotulsa.com

TULSA BALLET PRESENTS: PETER AND THE WOLF

tulsasymphony.org

WORLD STAGE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS: BEST OF ENEMIES Through

Ballet’s family-friendly children’s series debuts with a brand-new performance.

Emmy Award-winning and Grammy-nominated Wayne Brady continues to deliver powerful performances for his work on screen and stage.

celebrityattractions.com

March 3 Tulsa PAC Based

on the best-selling book by Osha Gray Davidson, Best of Enemies is a true story about

the relationship between C.P. Ellis, a Grand Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan, and Ann Atwater, an African-American civil-rights activist. tulsapac.com

March 9 Tulsa Ballet Tulsa

tulsaballet.org

TULSA PAC TRUST PRESENTS: PROFESSOR SMART March 14-15 Tulsa

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

an intimate evening of music.

WAYNE BRADY March 23 River Spirit Casino Resort

riverspirittulsa.com

PUDDLES PITY PARTY

March 24 Cox Business Center

The Sad Clown with the golden voice has heartfelt anthems and a suitcase full of Kleenex. bokcenter.com

AMERICAN GIRL LIVE March 28 BOK

Center Experience American Girl in an all-new musical. bokcenter.com

FELLOWSHIP FOR PERFORMING ARTS: THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS BY C.S. LEWIS March 28-31

Tulsa PAC In an eerily stylish

office in hell, one of Satan’s senior tempters, Screwtape, meticulously schemes to capture the soul of an unsuspecting human on earth.

tulsapac.com

TRUTV IMPRACTICAL JOKERS March 29 BOK

Center The Tenderloins, a New York-based comedy troupe, perform. bokcenter.com

CONCERTS BOB WILLS’ TEXAS PLAYBOYS March 2

Cain’s Ballroom When Texas Playboys front man Jason Roberts steps onto a stage, Western-swing fans know they’re seeing the embodiment of a tradition dating to 1933.

ZOMBOY

MARGARET SINGER AND BARBARA MCALISTER

cainsballroom.com SWITCHFOOT March 14 Brady Theater The

cainsballroom.com

March 6 Tulsa PAC Brown

Bag It is a free concert series offered the first Wednesday of each month. tulsapac.com

March 13 Cain’s

Ballroom Electronic dance music star Zomboy performs.

popular rock band Switchfoot performs.

bradytheater.com

PHOTO COURTESY TULSA BALLET

Irish or not, you can enjoy a pot o’ St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Oklahoma’s metropolitan areas. If you want to celebrate with some pints in Tulsa, visit McNellie’s, Kilkenny’s or Arnie’s on March 17 for green beverages and Irish grub. For a family-friendly day, head to Guthrie Green for the Tulsa Irish Festival on March 1516, or try the Luck of the Irish 5K at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino at 1 p.m. on St. Paddy’s Day. Green brews abound in and around Oklahoma City, too. Try Saint’s, Sean Cummings’ Irish Pub or Norman’s O’Connell’s Irish Pub. The O’City St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. March 16 downtown, or visit the Myriad Botanical Gardens on March 17 for its Go Green event with musical performances, lawn games and crafts.

PHOTO BY KENNETH M. RUGGIANO COURTESY MCNELLIE’S

JONESING FOR SOME MARCH MADNESS OF YOUR OWN? READ ON FOR OUR TOP CHOICES FOR ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH.

PHOTO COURTESY GUTHRIE GREEN

Where & When

GO GREEN

PERFORMANCE

‘PHIL’-ED TO THE BRIM

PHOTO COURTESY OKC PHIL

The Oklahoma City Philharmonic boasts three concerts in March. The Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel hits the Civic Center Music Hall stage March 1-2, with re-creations of the duo’s hits songs, including “Sounds of Silence” and “Mrs. Robinson.” A change of pace brings Rachmaninoff on March 16 with pianist Stewart Goodyear. Bring the whole family to E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in Concert on March 29-30. The movie is screened and accompanied by philharmonic musicians playing the score by John Williams.

JOHN MELLENCAMP

March 16 Brady Theater The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer brings The John Mellencamp Show to the Brady. bradytheater.com

WEEZER AND PIXIES

March 27 BOK Center

Following a successful tour last year, Weezer returns to the road with Pixies. bokcenter. Ballroom Known as one of the best Sublime tribute bands, Badfish rocks the venue.

cainsballroom.com

NEEDTOBREATHE March 30 Brady Theater See the

Visit the Tulsa PAC March 29-31 for Tulsa Ballet’s Tchaikovsky. The performance tells the story of this proliﬁc composer as he navigates life in 19th century Russia and struggles between his public and private personas. For more information, visit tulsaballet.org.

108 Contemporary Textiles

serve as the language for communicating personal stories in this exhibition featuring nationally recognized artists Jane Dunnewold and Mary Fisher. 108contemporary.

org

RICHARD BARLOW Through

May 19 Philbrook Downtown

Through May 19 Philbrook Downtown Joel Daniel Phillips

chooses images charged with history. The physical and emotional labor needed to create his graphite drawings is part of what pulls the viewer into the work. philbrook.org

PEGGY WEIL: 88 CORES

Through May 19 Philbrook In

Peggy Weil’s video 88 Cores (From -1 Meter to -3051 Meters), the viewer experiences a descent into the Arctic ice sheet and back through time.

philbrook.org

MAKING MODERN AMERICA Through May 26 Philbrook Museum This exhibition

offers audiences a fresh perspective on Tulsa’s founding while sparking ongoing conversations about energy, the environment and our irreversible impact upon it. philbrook.org

artist Sharon Louden creates site-specific installations fostering interaction between the art, the space and the viewer. philbrook.org

AMERICANS ALL! Ongoing

Gilcrease Museum Americans

All!, drawn from Gilcrease’s permanent collection, showcases the many positive contributions immigrants have made, and continue to make, to American life and culture.

gilcrease.org

THE EXPERIENCE Ongoing

Ahha Tulsa The Experience is an artist-driven, large-scale, fully immersive installation that invites participants to explore a fantastical multimedia environment. ahhatulsa.org

UNIVERSITY OF TULSA SOFTBALL March 1-3, 10, 20,

This year-round, monthly event features works from galleries, artists, studios and museums.

thetulsaartsdistrict.org

JANE DUNNEWOLD WORKSHOP March 11-15 108 Contemporary

Understanding the symbolic nature of archetypes and working with them as inspiration for artwork are at the heart of this workshop. 108contemporary.org

THE CHISHOLM KID – LONE FIGHTER FOR JUSTICE FOR ALL Through March 17 Gilcrease Museum This

exhibition pays homage to the many black cowboys who drove cattle on the Chisholm Trail out of Texas, across Indian

9-10 BOK Center See some of

the top wrestlers in the nation as the Big 12 Conference holds its annual championship.

bokcenter.com MARCH MADNESS March 22, 24 BOK Center The Road

OKLAHOMA PINTO 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SHOW

philbrook.org

ART FIRST FRIDAY ART CRAWL

BIG 12 WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP March

JOEL DANIEL PHILLIPS

SPORTS

March 1 Tulsa Arts District

tulsahurricane.com

to the Final Four stops in Tulsa when the University of Tulsa hosts first- and second-round games during the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

band on its acoustic tour. bradytheater.com

3 Reynolds Center Cheer the Golden Hurricane against East Carolina in its last regular-season home game.

Acclaimed artist Richard Barlow creates monumental, temporary and site-specific drawings of the natural world with chalk on blackboard paint.

Nov. 3 Philbrook Multimedia

com

THE MAN BEHIND THE MUSIC

gilcrease.org

SHARED REFLECTION: JANE DUNNEWOLD AND MARY FISHER Through March 24

SHARON LOUDEN Through

BADFISH: A TRIBUTE TO SUBLIME March 27 Cain’s

DANCE

Territory and into Kansas.

29-31 Collins Family Softball Complex See the Hurricane compete. tulsahurricane.com TULSA ROUGHNECKS March 2, 9, 23, 29 ONEOK Field The

Roughnecks play a friendly at the University of Tulsa (March 2) against the Golden Hurricane, then settle into their regular season. roughnecksfc.com

OILERS HOCKEY March

2-3, 30-31 BOK Center See the Oilers host other teams in the East Coast Hockey League. bokcenter.com

bokcenter.com

March 23-24 Expo Square

Enjoy majestic pinto horses and their riders. exposquare.

com

GREEN COUNTRY SPRING

FLING March 29-31 Expo Square Hosted by the

Green Country Arabian Horse Association, this event is a treat for equestrian fans across Oklahoma. exposquare.com

COMMUNITY AKDAR SHRINE CIRCUS

Through March 3 Expo Square Enjoy all the fun of the

circus with friends and family.

exposquare.com

TULSA GRIDIRON March 1-2 Cox Business Center This comedic roast of newsmakers is an annual journalistic tradition. coxcentertulsa.com

TULSA TOWN HALL PRESENTS: PLATON

March 8 Tulsa PAC If every picture tells a story, Platon has a treasure trove of tales to share with the audience. tulsatownhall.com

SECOND SATURDAY ARCHITECTURE TOURS

March 9 Tulsa Foundation for Architecture Each month,

the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture offers popular walking tours highlighting some of downtown’s architectural treasures. tulsaarchitecture.org

TULSA BOTANIC BLOOMS

March 14-April 21 Tulsa Botanic Gardens Enjoy the start of

spring at this peaceful park.

tulsabotanic.org

TULSA FLEA MARKET

March 16, 23, 30 Expo Square

Find hidden gems from all around the city.

exposquare.com

CHARITABLE EVENTS 25TH ANNUAL ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION MEMORY GALA March 1 Cox Business

Center This event celebrates the accomplishments and victories of all those who support, volunteer and make strides against this devastating disease. memorygala.org

RED RIBBON GALA March 2 Cox Business Center This

March 2 Reynolds Center TU

event is the largest fundraiser annually for Tulsa CARES, dedicated to creating a community where all people with HIV/AIDS have equal opportunities for healthy living.

UNIVERSITY OF TULSA MEN’S BASKETBALL March

BRAINIAC BALL March 9

UNIVERSITY OF TULSA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

plays its last regular-season home game against East Carolina. tulsahurricane.com

redribbongala.org

Cox Business Center This night

MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

Concerts and basketball comprise a month of madness at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. OKC Thunder games run throughout the month, with opponents including the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors. P!nk makes a stop on her Beautiful Trauma World Tour on March 23. Mercy Me visits March 30. And don’t miss the Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Women’s Basketball Championship on March 8-11.

of team trivia, an auction, a dinner and dancing helps out Family and Children’s Services. brainiacball.com CARNIVALE March 30 Cox Business Center Carnivale

benefits the Mental Health Association’s nationally recognized housing programs and critical services for the one in four Oklahomans living with mental illness. bestpartyintown.org

IN OKC

PERFORMANCES OKLAHOMA SHAKESPEARE ON THE PASEO PRESENTS: TWELFTH NIGHT Through

March 2 Shakespeare on the Paseo Head to the Paseo

District for a delightful evening of theater with a production of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. oklahomashakespeare.

com

OKC BROADWAY PRESENTS: A BRONX TALE March 5-10 Civic Center

FA M I LY / K I D S

MUSIC

REWARD YOUR EARS For musical experiences outside the realm of a normal concert, Signature Symphony brings Power of Diversity on March 16 to Tulsa Community College’s VanTrease PACE, with Ruben Rengel, a 22-year-old Venezuelan native and the winner of the 2018 Sphinx Competition. Visit the Fly Loft on March 15 for the Fridays in the Loft Chamber Series hosted by Tulsa Symphony, or head to the Tulsa PAC on March 2-3 for the lauded Gryphon Trio, hosted by Chamber Music Tulsa.

Broadway’s hit crowd-pleaser takes you to the stoops of the Bronx in the 1960s. okcbroadway.com

Music Hall

ARMSTRONG AUDITORIUM PRESENTS: CELTIC NIGHTS – OCEANS OF HOPE March 11 Armstrong

Auditorium, Edmond Playing

to sold-out audiences across the globe, the tour-de-force Celtic Nights brings its spectacular performance to Edmond for the first time.

CONCERTS SCOTTY MCCREERY March 1 Riverwind Casino, Norman

With his third album, the singer takes a huge creative step forward. riverwind.com

STRFKR March 1 Tower

Theatre See the electronic/

indie group STRFKR.

towertheatreokc.com CLINT BLACK March 8 Riverwind Casino, Norman

See country star Clint Black at the Showplace Theatre.

armstrongauditorium.org

riverwind.com

17 Lyric at the Plaza Jump

native Tulsan and indie artist Ben Rector perform.

LYRIC THEATRE PRESENTS: GIRLFRIEND Through March back to a time to when flannel was the height of fashion and mix tapes were the language of love. lyrictheatreokc.com

OKC BROADWAY PRESENTS: WAITRESS

March 19-24 Civic Center Music Hall Jenna, a waitress

and expert pie maker, dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage.

okcbroadway.com

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

BEN RECTOR March 8 Jones Assembly See

thejonesassembly.com MT. JOY March 9 Tower Theatre See the indie singers of Mt. Joy. towertheatreokc.com DONNA MISSAL March 17 89th Street OKC See crooner

Donna Missal on tour. 89thstreetokc.com

BLUE OCTOBER March 28

Tower Theatre Blue October

is a Texas-based band known

for its shimmering melodies and heartstring-pulling lyrics. towertheatreokc.com

ART FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY WALK March 1 Paseo Arts

District More than 80 artists

and more than 25 businesses, all within walking distance, stay open late the first Friday of every month. thepaseo.org

KATELYNN NOEL KNICK AND BROOKE ROWLANDS SHOW Through March 3

DNA Galleries See two talented artists showcase their most recent works.

Instead of handing the kids a smartphone, take them to the LEGO BrickUniverse Fan Experience on March 16-17 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. “BrickUniverse OKC has grown to become one of the largest and most exciting LEGO events in the United States,” says Greyson Beights, the event’s founder. “We’re excited to be returning for a third year. We have some special things planned for attendees.” Kids and adults alike can enjoy LEGO building areas, merchandise and goodies, along with brick-building competitions.

a teepee or an artist’s canvas, minted on a nickel or seen grazing in Yellowstone National Park, the image of the bison conjures deep loyalties to the North American landscape. nationalcowboymuseum.org

ANSEL ADAMS AND THE PHOTOGRAPHERS OF THE WEST Through May 26

OKCMOA In 1916, a 14-year-old Ansel Adams began to capture the beauty of the American West. His subsequent body of work – 40,000-plus photographs – influenced the practice of countless photographers. okcmoa.com

dnagalleries.com

COWBOYS IN KHAKI

Galleries See photographers

from across the American West played critical roles — both “Over There” and on the homefront — in helping the Allies win World War I.

OKLAHOMA PHOTOGRAPHERS EXHIBITION March 7 DNA

including Sarah Black and Ian Spencer at this exhibit. dnagalleries.com

ANCIENT. MASSIVE. WILD. THE BISON EXHIBIT.

Through May 12 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Whether painted on

BUILDING A GREAT TIME

Through May 12 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Men and women

exhibit features more than 30 sculptures from the museum’s permanent collection.

okcmoa.com

HORSEPLAY Through July 14 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum The

museum’s Dickinson Research Center is home to more than 700,000 photographs and 44,000 books, and (perhaps unexpectedly) at least 1,000 horses. nationalcowboymuseum.org

SPORTS SHOWSTOPPER DANCE COMPETITION March 1-3

Cox Convention Center Enjoy some of the best dancers around the state at this event. coxconventioncenter.com

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA BASEBALL

March 1-3, 5, 12, 15-17, 22-24 L. Dale Mitchell Park, Norman

nationalcowboymuseum.org

Batter up! Enjoy OU games at the start of the season.

May 12 OKCMOA This

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA SOFTBALL

OFF THE WALL: 100 YEARS OF SCULPTURE Through

soonersports.com

PHOTO COURTESY LEGO BRICK UNIVERSE

HITTING THE PEAK

PHOTO COURTESY CHESAPEAKE ENERGY ARENA

PHOTO COURTESY CHAMBER MUSIC TULSA

Where & When

A BIT OF EVERY THING

CASINOS

CASINO CHAOS

PHOTO COURTESY HARD ROCK HOTEL AND

CASINO

It’s a bustling month for Oklahoma casinos. River Spirit Casino and Resort in Tulsa welcomes Chris Young on March 14, Wayne Brady on March 23, and Paquita la del Barrio and Angela Aguilar on March 29. Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Catoosa features comedian Bruce Bruce on March 7, the quirky Carrot Top on March 14, and 3 Doors Down on March 28. Don’t miss Scotty McCreery on March 1 and Clint Black on March 8 at Riverwind Casino in Norman. WinStar World Casino in Thackerville hosts Lionel Richie on March 1, Earth, Wind & Fire on March 8, and Brad Paisley on March 29. Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant presents Dai Nhac Hoi – The Music Show on March 10 and Chris Stapleton on March 15-16. ART

1974, BURST OF JOY, SLAVA VEDER/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. PHOTO COURTESY GILCREASE.

PHOTOS THAT MOVE YOU A comprehensive collection of Pulitzer

Prize-winning photographs comes to Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa from March 29 to July 14. The exhibition presents images of every prize-winning entry since the award’s inception in 1942 – ranging from moments of political unrest (Protest in Ferguson, 2015) and global tragedy (Oklahoma City Bombing, 1996) to childhood innocence (Journey of Hope, 2003). The exhibition was developed by the Newseum, headquartered in Washington. It works to increase understanding of the importance of a free press and the First Amendment.

celebration, the garden offers free admission to the Crystal Bridge. myriadgardens.org

SHRINE CIRCUS March 28-31

State Fair Park Enjoy the magic of the circus with friends and family. statefairparkokc. com

OKC RAILROAD EXPO

March 29-31 State Fair Park

Enjoy this unique train show. statefairparkokc.com

GARDENS MONTHLY WALKING TOUR March

30 Myriad Botanical Gardens

Expand your knowledge of Oklahoma plants and find inspiration for your own garden with this free educational event. myriadgardens.org

CHARITABLE EVENTS

the Sooners take on conference and non-conference foes. soonersports.com

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA MEN’S BASKETBALL March 2, 5 Lloyd Noble Center, Norman The Sooners finish

their Big 12 Conference home schedule. soonersports.com

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP March 8-11 Chesapeake Energy Arena

The winner of this event usually has a good showing in the NCAA tournament.

chesapeakearena.com YOUTH EXPO March 12-22 State Fair Park For nearly

hunters can find everything they need at this event.

statefairparkokc.com

GREEN GROW EXPO March 2-3 State Fair Park Visit

JURASSIC QUEST March 15-17 State Fair Park Jurassic Quest has the only “dinosaur babies” in North America. This is your chance to interact with these playful animals.

Oklahoma’s premier medical cannabis trade show.

statefairparkokc.com

NORMAN MARDI GRAS PARADE March 3 Downtown

Riversport Adventure Park

statefairparkokc.com

a century, Oklahoma youth have brought their livestock to compete with the best their generation has to offer.

Celebrate Mardi Gras in style.

O’CONNELL’S ST. PAT’S 8K RUN March 16

should bring a yoga mat and water to this all-levels class.

RIVERSPORT ADVENTURES SPRING BREAK March 16-24 Enjoy indoor and outdoor water adventures. riversportokc.org

statefairparkokc.com

normanmardigrasparade.com YOGA TUESDAYS March 5, 12, 19, 26 Myriad Botanical Gardens Each participant

O’Connell’s Irish Pub, Norman

myriadgardens.org

16, 18, 20, 27, 29, 31 Chesapeake Energy Arena Watch the

oconnellsnorman.com

Taft Stadium See the Energy take on the Las Vegas Lights.

LIVING SHOW March 22-24 State Fair Park If you

chesapeakearena.com

Cox Convention Center The title of the event stands For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology as middle schoolers and high schoolers compete in robotics challenges. firstinspires.org State Fair Park See beautiful automobiles of every make and model. statefairparkokc.com

Botanical Gardens The Myriad Botanical Gardens opened to the public 31 years ago. In

March 2 Lloyd Noble Center, Norman OU ends its Big 12

Conference home schedule against Texas Christian University. soonersports.com

OKC THUNDER March 3, 13,

state’s only major professional sports team take on NBA foes.

OKC BLUE BASKETBALL

March 3, 6, 15, 17, 19, 23 Cox Convention Center The Blue

is the state’s only NBA G League team and an affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

coxconventioncenter.com

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with an exciting run.

ENERGY FC SOCCER March 16 energyfc.com

COMMUNITY BACKWOODS HUNTING AND FISHING EXPO March 1-3 State Fair Park Anglers and

FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION March 6-9

OKC AUTO SHOW March 8-10

GO GREEN, ST. PATRICK’S DAY March 17 Myriad

Botanical Gardens Guests can enjoy food trucks, vendors, Irish stepdancing, fun fiddling tunes and other performances. myriadgardens.org

OKC HOME AND OUTDOOR want to make changes to the interior or exterior of your home, you can’t miss this expo.

statefairparkokc.com

MYRIAD GARDENS’ 31ST BIRTHDAY March 25 Myriad

MIAMI LITTLE THEATRE PRESENTS: SHREK THE MUSICAL Through March 3

Duncan Little Theatre Based

on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek the Musical is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale.

duncanlittletheatre.com

DAI NHAC HOI – THE MUSIC SHOW March 10 Choctaw

Casino and Resort, Durant

Enjoy a cultural performance with music and acting.

choctawcasinos.com

CHEFS’ FEAST March 1

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Enjoy

beverages and delicious food from 25 of Greater Oklahoma City’s finest chefs and restaurants to benefit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. chefsfeast.org

12TH ANNUAL ‘A BAG FULL OF WISHES’ LUNCHEON

March 5 Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club The

luncheon begins with a silent auction featuring handbags and gift packages. Later, fabulous live auction items are presented while patrons enjoy a delicious meal with friends and hear Make-A-Wish stories.

oklahoma.wish.org

RED TIE NIGHT March 9

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Hosted

PJ MASKS LIVE! SAVE THE DAY March 15 Central

National Bank Center, Enid PJ

Masks Live! returns with a super-heroic musical show. cnbcenter.com

CONCERTS KEEPIN’ IT COUNTRY WITH CHRIS JANSON March 1 Grand

Casino Hotel and Resort, Shawnee

Enjoy a concert with Chris Janson. grandresortok.com

LIONEL RICHIE March 1 WinStar World Casino and

Resort, Thackerville Taking the stage with grace and soul, multi-platinum musician Lionel Richie comes to the Global Event Center.

winstarworldcasino.com

DAVIS-WALDORF PERFORMING ARTS SERIES PRESENTS: GOITSE March 7 University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Chickasha

by the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund and touted as OKC’s most opulent party, this event has provided more than $12.5 million in grant funding for community-based HIV/ AIDS service organizations throughout Oklahoma.

Named Live Ireland’s traditional group of the year and the Chicago Irish American News’ group of the year, Goitse has become a leader of the new generation of traditional Irish ensembles. usao.edu

SPEAKER IN THE CITY: MOLLY RINGWALD March 24

WinStar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville See one

redtienight.com

Farmers Public Market This event, hosted by the Junior League of OKC, features a conversation with Molly Ringwald, star of such movies as The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles.

speakerinthecity.org March 1-3, 5, 8-10, 20, 27 OU Softball Complex, Norman See

Through March 2 Pollard

Theatre, Guthrie Welcome to Almost, Maine, a town so far north that it’s almost not in the United States – it’s almost in Canada. And it almost doesn’t exist. thepollard.org

DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN DINNER March 26 Skirvin

Hilton Hotel The Last Frontier

Council honors Dick Sias and his family for a lifetime of significant contributions to scouting and the Oklahoma community with this year’s E.C. Joullian Distinguished Citizen Award. scoutingrocks.tv

AROUND THE STATE PERFORMANCES POLLARD THEATRE PRESENTS: ALMOST, MAINE

EARTH, WIND & FIRE March 8 of the 1970s’ most iconic bands.

winstarworldcasino.com

CHRIS STAPLETON March

15-16 Choctaw Casino and Resort, Durant Award-winning

country singer Chris Stapleton takes the stage.

choctawcasinos.com

CTAC LIVE PRESENTS: FAREWELL ANGELINA

March 16 Simmons Center, Duncan The Chisholm Trail Arts

Council sponsors a performance by Farewell Angelina.

chisholmtrailarts.com

ART PERSONAL SPACE Through March 1 Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR Personal

Space looks at depictions of space within modern and contemporary art, including sculpture, photography and installation. crystalbridges.org

FOR MORE EVENTS IN

TULSA, OKC AND AROUND THE STATE, HEAD TO OKMAG.COM. MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

Where & When

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Stillwater’s annual indie fest brings the heat with a wide range of features, shorts, music videos, micros and student work.

Around Town

While the film festival circuit doesn’t truly take the winter off (Sundance was in the frigid cold of Utah in January), projectors start to heat up once spring rolls around. March features the return 4/24/18 9:05 AMof the Red Dirt Film Festival, taking place March 1-3 in Stillwater. This is an indie fest distilled to its essence, packed full of films you won’t find in theaters. Red Dirt offers a nice variety in the types of films it offers, including shorts and features in both fiction and documentary categories, some intriguingly labeled “micro films,” music videos and student work. Red Dirt also features screenplays that have yet to be produced – good networking for the screenwriters. From just the titles, this year’s fare captures all the quirkiness of American indie films, especially the featurelength Bardo Blues and The 2/12/19 10:44 AM Further Adventures of Walt’s Frozen Head. With VIP passes for the festival costing about the same as a basic pass at many other festivals, the price is right at Red Dirt.

At Home

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One of the ﬁlms to get the most buzz from critics in 2018 was Burning, a mystery from South Korean director Lee Chang-dong that has made many top 10 lists for its existential meditations and twisty, interpersonal relations. Like many foreign ﬁlms, it received a blink-and-you’llmiss-it theatrical release in the

9/28/18 11:21 AM

Midwest, so its DVD release, scheduled for March 5, is welcomed. Based on a short story from acclaimed Japanese author Haruki Murakami and co-starring the charismatic Steven Yeun (of Walking Dead fame), the ﬁlm looks equal parts entertaining and provocative, and should spark a good conversation with your co-viewers.

In Theaters

The Marvel cinematic behemoth returns this month with one of its more intriguing entries, Captain Marvel. Starring Brie Larson and helmed by the indie directing team of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the film should be a nice addition to the sometimes-numbing world of superhero films, whose big spectacles are usually best tamed by a smaller, offbeat sensibility, which Boden and Fleck should provide. I’ve stated before that I’m not the biggest fan of horror films, but every once in a while I find myself intrigued enough to check one out. That’s definitely the case with Jordan Peele’s second film (after the wildly successful Get Out), Us. Produced by Blumhouse – the studio behind some of the best recent horror films – and with a loaded cast that includes Elisabeth Moss, Lupita Nyong’o and Tim Heidecker, the film centers around a family and its sinister doppelgangers. A creepy trailer promises some big scares, and Peele will no doubt imbue the film with his usual wit and social conscience. ASHER GELZER-GOVATOS

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… and the obstacles.

Financing is one of the major issues we ﬁnd business owners face, as well as having limited information needed around the markets the business will serve. While we do not provide ﬁnancing through our programs, we are very good at assisting the client in preparing their plan for a lender. Most small businesses do not have the cash to get the kind of market data the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center can provide.

… helping women and minorities.

Michele Campbell

ichele Campbell, director of the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center since 2014, has worked in higher education for more than 30 years. A Leadership Oklahoma graduate, Campbell has attended numerous leadership academies. She is working on a doctorate from Swansea University in Wales. We caught up with Campbell and got her thoughts on …

… helping small businesses.

The Oklahoma Small Business Development Center is a statewide network, assisting small-business owners and entrepreneurs through free, conﬁdential advising. Our intent is to grow Oklahoma’s economy, one small business at a time. The success of our organization is measured through the number of jobs we create and help sustain, the number of businesses we help start up, the amount of

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2019

capital infusion our work pumps back into the economy, as well as the number of clients we serve.

… the benefits of opening a small business in Oklahoma.

[Along with] low corporate tax, multiple shipping options for goods (ports, rail, etc.), a good highway system, affordable utilities and the abundance of natural resources, most importantly, we are a resilient people with a great work ethic.

… the future of Oklahoma small businesses.

Small business is the backbone of our economy, and it is important to continue to put the tools and resources entrepreneurs need in their hands to start, and stay, in business. As a state, we need to not limit ourselves to traditional industries and markets, but look to how we can expand internationally, through innovative technologies, as well at ways to diversify our agriculture and oil and gas industries. We have had the opportunity to match some of our client’s products with the Department of Defense, the FBI and Homeland Security as a result of a [small-business] matchmaking project with tech scouts from those entities. We are assisting the Defense Department in helping the war ﬁghter in the ﬁeld with innovative technologies. We must stay open to those opportunities. The future is bright for Oklahoma.

PHOTO BY BRENT FUCHS

CLOSING THOUGHTS

We observed an increase in our statistics from 2017 to 2018 in serving women-owned ﬁrms. We partnered with the Small Business Administration, the REI Women’s Business Center, Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s John Massey School of Business and the Don W. Sands Lectureship in Business Administration to host a Women’s Entrepreneur Seminar last fall. The Oklahoma Small Business Development Center pushes hard to work with not just women, but minority-owned businesses and veterans through training opportunities, advisement around government contracting and events focused on those speciﬁc populations … to give them the tools they need to be successful.

B I L L A N O A T U B B Y, G O V E R N O R

W W W. C H I C K A S AW. N E T

united we

Oklahoma Magazine March 2019

Articles inside

Michele Campbell

Red Dirt Quirkiness

Photos That Move You

Casino Chaos

Building a Great Time

Reward Your Ears

Hitting the Peak

The Man Behind the Music

'Phil'-ed to the Brim

Go Green

Flower Power

A Graceful Balancing Act

Drinkin' and Eatin' the Blarney

A Global Creator

Not Foolin' Anyone With These Biscuits

Mom and Pop Meet Pizzazz

Summer Camp Directory

Spring It On

From Sooner State to Silver Screen

Modern Appeal

Frozen in Time

Not Catching Enough Zs

Splendor in the Light

An inviting Renovation

One Man's Trash ...

Western Swing Savant

A Haven for Second Chances

On the Road to Tipperary

Brewing a New Medium

Framing the Future

A Heart for Others

Dribbling to the Bank

Learning the Ropes

Rage Against the Machine

Honeycomb Hither