Oklahoma Magazine March 2021 by Oklahoma Magazine

MARCH 2021

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HOME &GARDEN Welcoming spring with tips and trends

TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS

Showcasing talented professionals

THE WORLD OF REALTY

Prepping to buy or sell

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WARREN CLINIC 24/7 VIRTUAL URGENT CARE No matter what time it is or where you are in Oklahoma, you can conveniently connect to a locally-based Saint Francis provider through Warren Clinic 24/7 Virtual Urgent Care. Through a simple video visit, adult and pediatric patients with minor illnesses or non-emergency conditions can be evaluated and provided with a treatment plan. To access Warren Clinic 24/7 Virtual Urgent Care through your smartphone or computer, visit saintfrancis.com/urgentcare or sign in to your Saint Francis MyChart account to start your visit.

*If you are experiencing severe illness, a major injury, symptoms of a heart attack, stroke or shortness of breath, please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.

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T U L S A’ S T R U S T E D J E W E L E R F O R O V E R 6 0 Y E A R S 1 5 2 3 E A S T 1 5 T H S T R E E T, T U L S A , O K 74 1 2 0 | B R U C E G W E B E R . C O M

TABLE OF CONTENTS

M A R C H 2 0 21

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE

V O L . X X V, N O . 3

State

A variety of Oklahoma creatives made the most of life in isolation.

10 12 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Philanthropy Entrepreneurship Crafts Education Hobbies Infrastructure History Makers People Insider

26 The importance of one’s own space, whether indoor or outdoor, has been emphasized in the last year. In our home and garden spotlight, learn about ways to make your dwelling and outside respites even better. Tips and helpful info abound on starting your gardening journey, growing your own food, making your front yard pop, smart-home advancements, interior design trends and organizational excellence.

Local Flavor Chef Chat/Local Flavor II Tasty Tidbits

Where and When Welcome the springtime with activities galore.

71 72

Film and Cinema Closing Thoughts

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MARCH 2021

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

perched atop the new Vast Bank building in Tulsa, takes its beloved culinary favorites to new heights.

MARCH 2021

Trends Taste In the Raw Vu,

ON THE COVER:

Fashion Health Outside the Metro Scene FYI

63 64 65

The World of Real Estate

Special Section: Top Real Estate Agents Listing

tional dwelling near Kingston offers stunning lakeside views and unique architecture.

60 62

While the majority of business sectors suffered last year, many in the real estate game thrived. We explore the booming Oklahoma housing market, learn how to find (or even become) an agent, discuss what buyers and sellers in the biz are looking for, and offer tips to those taking the home-buying plunge.

Destinations Interiors An intergenera-

32 34 35 36 37

Home Sweet Home

Life and Style

24 26

HOME &GARDEN Welcoming spring with tips and trends

TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS

Showcasing talented professionals

THE WORLD OF REALTY Prepping to buy or sell

IN THE ANNUAL HOME AND GARDEN SPOTLIGHT, WE HIGHLIGHT WAYS TO MAKE YOUR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR HANGOUTS POP – WITH ADVICE FROM GARDENERS, INTERIOR DESIGNERS, EXPERT ORGANIZERS AND MORE.

Here to Help You Rebuild Your Life® The Importance of Exhibit Books at Trial

Most divorce and family cases settle before trial. To achieve this, parties should aim to send a settlement offer. It makes sense in most cases to settle once the terms are within the margin of error versus litigating a case where there is nothing to be gained. However, not all cases settle. Some parties are unable to reach an agreement that makes sense for them both. In other cases, the parties’ viewpoints on what is reasonable are so opposite of the other that settling is impossible. When parties cannot settle, the only way to resolve the case is to try it. Organization at trial can go a long way in helping a party receive a better result. Judges hear lots of cases, so to obtain the best chance at a positive result, it is vital to present the case in a coherent manner. One way to be organized is for a lawyer to have an exhibit book put together before trial. An exhibit book generally involves all exhibits being bound in a three-hole binder before trial. The exhibits are then topically organized, marked by letter or number, and bate-stamped. A cover sheet at the front of the exhibit book denotes whether the exhibit was offered, admitted, or rejected.

In most cases, it makes sense to organize the exhibits topically. In a divorce, there can be many issues like property and debt division, child custody, child support, spousal support, attorneys’ fees, and even marital misconduct. Having all exhibits of a specific topic next to each other is more organized. Presenting witnesses in the general order in which the exhibits are in the exhibit book can also be considered. The last exhibit on each topic should entail a bookend exhibit where the judge can clearly see what the party is requesting. This includes child support calculations, proposed custody schedule or parenting, proposed property and debt division, etc. Organization is key at trial. Having a lawyer who carefully considers the order and manner in which evidence is presented and submitted is important. Having copies of exhibit books for the witness stand, opposing counsel, the guardian ad litem, and judge can also help. The lawyer can refer to the exhibit number and page number of an exhibit when a witness is on the stand. By doing this, everybody in the courtroom can reference the relevant page. Judges can also take these books with them after a trial. As a judge weighs a case, it can be a useful tool for them to have all the exhibits organized in a bound book. The easier a lawyer makes this for a judge, the better. An exhibit book can also shorten the trial time. Time is wasted in court when parties struggle to figure out which exhibit is being referenced and its page number.

Having an organized book helps eliminate confusion in the courtroom. When a trial takes less time because a lawyer is organized, most judges are happier. Clients also incur less in legal fees the less time a trial takes. Stange Law Firm, PC limits their practice to family law matters including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, guardianship, adoption, mediation, collaborative law and other domestic relation matters. Stange Law Firm, PC gives clients 24/7 access to their case through a secured online case tracker found on the website. They also give their clients their cell phone numbers. Call for a consultation today at 855805-0595.

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WWW.STANGELAWFIRM.COM The choice of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Stange Law Firm, PC is respsonsible for the content. Principal place of business is 120 South Central Ave, Suite 450, Clayton, MO 63105. Court rules do not permit us to advertise that we specialize in a particular field or area of law. The areas of law mentioned in this article are our areas of interest and generally are the types of cases which we are involved. It is not intended to suggest specialization in any areas of law which are mentioned The information you obtain in this advertisement is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results afford no guarantee of future results and every case is different and must be judged on its merits.

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LET TER FROM THE EDITOR Emerging from February’s snowpocalpyse, now’s a great time to look towards the promise of springtime. Our annual home and garden segment kicks off with a variety of tips for those hoping to cultivate a green thumb. Learn about vertical gardening, great pollinators to help the environment, plus advice on growing your own food. We also talk to experts about interior design trends, staying organized, home automation and ways to make your backyard the envy of the neighborhood (page 38). March is often a busy time in the world of real estate, and while a lot of business sectors suffered in 2020, those in the realty game thrived. We sit down with a handful of Oklahoma’s top real estate agents and discuss the state’s hottest neighborhoods, what buyers and sellers are looking for, how to find the right agent and mastering the art of curb appeal (page 48). In our State section, we catch up with Oklahoma artists and explore the avenues they’ve taken to stay creative during the pandemic (page 7). We also take a look inside local food banks to see how they’ve been helping the disenfranchised over the last year (page 10). Don’t miss our write-up on the brand-new, sky-high In the Raw Vu in downtown Tulsa (page 62) and our stunning Interiors piece that takes us around a unique property at the edge of Lake Texoma (page 26). Stay safe out there, Oklahoma. Mary Willa Allen Managing Editor

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Don’t miss online bonus content from some Oklahoma creatives in conjunction with our State cover that explores artistry in quarantine. We also talk with Tulsa-based personal trainer John Jackson about some meditation tips to find your zen.

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CREATIVITY IN QUARANTINE

A variety of Oklahoma creators made the most of their lives in isolation.

Photographer Cody Giles got an enthusiastic response when he pitched the idea of ‘pandemic portraits’ to the Norman community. Pictured here is Susan Miller on her front porch. Photo by Cody Giles

ulsa musician Branjae and Claremore artist John Hammer created expressive works about today’s political climate. Photographer Cody Giles made dates with Norman families on their front lawns. Devin Levine, executive chef for the BOK and Cox Business Convention Centers, turned braised meat, crème fraiche and puff pastry into a little something he called the ‘Pork Belly Pop-Tart.’ And Cheyenne and Arapaho artisan Krista Blackwolf, working in her home studio in El Reno, found “pandemic peace” by crafting Native American earrings. Members of Oklahoma’s creative community have not had it easy since COVID-19 arrived in March 2020. Concerts and art openings were canceled, and many of the festivals that artists depend upon to market their work were not held last year. But in the midst of heartache, they

reached outside of themselves to bring cheer to their neighbors. They learned new skills, took some risks and stepped up the timetable on long-delayed projects. “I thought it would be cool to do pandemic family portraits,” says Giles. He created a Google sign-up sheet, offering to go to people’s houses, stand at the edge of the lawn and grab a photo. “I figured I would get 20 to 30 families, just people I know who wanted to humor me. I got 190.” Some people who signed up for the free digital photo appeared in costume. Others dragged out furniture or camping equipment to create sets. “It was really cool to connect with the community during a time when it was so scary,” Giles continues. “I wanted to literally create a snapshot of what it was like to be quarantined.” Giles says his portraits became

part of an exhibit, Between Art and Quarantine, held at MAINSITE in Norman. Norman artists Joshua Bodyston, Brad Stevens and Shevaun Williams were also featured in the show with their versions of quarantine creativity. Branjae, a funk and soul artist, knew she could only stay in her house for so long. “I’m definitely an entertainer,” she says. “I thrive on shows.” So, backed by two- and three-piece bands, she graced Tulsa neighborhoods with “On a Porch Somewhere” concerts on lawns and back porches. Blackwolf, who has always loved Native jewelry, says she decided three years ago that she had watched enough how-to videos, and that it was now time to buy some supplies and give it a whirl. She posted a photo of her first design, a pair of bright yellow beaded hoop earrings, on social media. A friend told her to

MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

T H E S TAT E | S TA R T I N G O F F

Tulsa-based funk and soul artist Branjae performed porch concerts to keep fans entertained and in high spirits. Photo by Josh New

let her know when she was ready to start selling her work, and soon, BlackwolfBeadz was born. Blackwolf is a Modoc Nation employee who had not been in a hurry to grow her side business. But when COVID-19 arrived, she found that beading was good for her state of mind. Her earrings have now gone out to 17 states, along with Canada and Japan. One online retailer sold 20 pairs in two hours. Blackwolf says her four children are also learning to bead; her 10-year-old even wants to launch her own line. “That’s the whole reason we do this, is so we can pass it on and they can pass it on,” Blackwolf says of Native American traditions. During a summer marked by unrest, Branjae says that “there have been many things to write about.” Her new single, “Free Facts,” looks at what she calls willful ignorance. “We refuse to look at the facts, and just gather information that supports our individual biases,” she says. “As a culture,

TO LEARN MORE

ABOUT THESE CREATORS: Clockwise from left: Artist John Hammer created a variety of protest pieces to start commentary on social issues. Art by John Hammer Norman families prepared their front lawns for pandemic portraits. Photo by Cody Giles Krista Blackwolf used quarantine to pursue a long-postponed dream of creating jewelry. BlackwolfBeadz is now up and running. Photo courtesy Krista Blackwolf

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

JOHN HAMMER: thehammerstudio.com BRANJAE: linktr.ee/branjaemusic KRISTA BLACKWOLF: facebook.com/ 1blackwolfk CODY GILES: Instagram: @CreativeGiles

we should be more driven to know the information.” At the BOK Center and Cox Business Convention Centers in Tulsa, Levine says he revamped his banquet menus during the downtime brought about by canceled events, and focused on creating grab-and-go snacks and meals for socially-distanced functions held at the two venues. There were some unexpected opportunities. “We got a call last year in July from a film crew that was doing a movie shoot in Tulsa, and they needed catering for the actors and the extras,” says Levine. With safety measures such as Plexiglas and individual packaging in place, he and his team catered meals at filming sites around Tulsa and Bartlesville. “We fed 50 to 75 people, twice a day for six weeks,” he says, and that led to other gigs feeding film crews. And Hammer says that the turbulence of 2020 inspired him to create protest art. Using his skills in screen printing and letterpress, he created Fifty Ways to a Better

World. Each of the 50 pieces addresses a global issue Hammer says needs to stop – like racism, domestic violence, global warming and police brutality. “So many things become sound bites and are almost forgotten after the news cycle,” he says. “We still need to focus on all of these things that need to stop, not just what is in the news right now.” The 50 originals were exhibited last summer at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center in Tulsa. Hammer would like to find a permanent home for the collection. KIMBERLY BURK

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FEEDING OKLAHOMA

Food banks have worked around the clock to ensure Oklahomans don’t go hungry.

Food banks have been integral in keeping Oklahomans fed during the pandemic. Photo by Greg Raskin, courtesy Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma

man rolled down his window to accept boxes of food from a local food pantry worker. He wanted to say more than just “thank you.” He wanted to share his story. He wore a suit and tie to work every day, he said, and took home an executive paycheck that allowed him to give to the pantry for hungry Oklahomans. Then, COVID-19 hit and his job evaporated. “I never would have dreamed that we’d be in this situation,” he told the worker. His family suddenly had to choose between paying the mortgage or lining up for free food. Oklahoma’s food banks report that first-timers account for about 35% of people showing up at food pantries and soup kitchens. “I think this pandemic has shown that it could be any one of us at any time,” says Lori Long, CEO of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. Coronavirus began rolling through the heartland in March, about two weeks before Long joined northeastern Oklahoma’s largest food assistance program. Like most people, Long believed COVID-19 would be relatively short-lived. She was optimistic. “It would be just a few more months,” she thought. But things only got worse. Coronavirus shut down businesses, ended jobs, closed schools. Hunger was

nothing new in the nation’s fifth hungriest state, but the addition of freshly minted poor and food-insecure people made the fight against hunger even more daunting. That meant the community food bank and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, serving central and western Oklahoma, had to run faster to source, store and deliver food to local groups, such as soup kitchens and food pantries. By the end of fiscal year 2020, Oklahoma food bank distributions hit a record-breaking 89.4 million pounds of food, more than 9 million pounds greater than the year earlier … and growing. The harsh reality of falling donations amid heartbreaking demand continues to batter the state’s food banks. “Early on, as the food supply chain was throttled across the country due to high consumer demand, the Regional Food Bank had to purchase more food than is typical to ensure we had enough food to meet the increased need,” says Stacy Dykstra, who became Regional’s CEO in September 2020. Food bank leaders say the government’s coronavirus food assistance program helped the food banks’ increasingly desperate mission. They say the first phase of former President Donald Trump’s $19 billion emergency program helped when it launched in early April. So the food banks had plenty of food ready for packaging and distribution in April. However, volunteers and all but the essential food bank staff had been told to stay home. “Then Stitt activated the National Guard,” says Long. In late April, Gov. Kevin Stitt activated two National Guard teams to work a month to fill in the gaps left by absent volunteers. Long says the no-nonsense, 25-member teams set records for loading pallets and packing emergency food boxes. More staffers are now gradually returning to work and more volunteers will be needed at the food banks, where federal safety measures are in place, says Long. Donations, hosted food drives and advocacy efforts are appreciated, Long says, though more government assistance may come through President Joe Biden’s recent executive order to help restaurants partner with nonprofits for food distribution. Anything is welcome relief in Oklahoma, where a Map the Meal Gap study shows Great Recession-like food insecurity exists and nearly one in three children may go to bed hungry in the wake of the pandemic. Despite the formidable task, Long focuses on the mission with her trademark cheerfulness. “I’ve coined a term for it,” she said, “I’m an optimarealist.” SONYA COLBERG

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

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T H E S TAT E | E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P TIPS FOR ENTREPRENEURS: • Build a network through comments and questions on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. • Bounce the concept around at local groups, like the rotary club, chamber of commerce, alumni association, sports groups and neighborhood associations.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS ...

... by really trying. Business owners, investors and other pros give advice.

laudia Chambers Beach was sick, jobless and wondering how to pay the mortgage when someone knocked on her front door six years ago. It was the repo man. But rather than taking something, the repossession agent left something with the Beach family: the impetus they needed to turn Beach’s jam-making hobby into a real business. Today, Beach operates Country Girl Jam by Kayterra Farms in Durant. She overcame financial despair to develop a commercial food business serving Oklahoma City, Tulsa and the Cherokee Nation’s 20 travel plaza stores. The Durant manufacturer has sold nearly $400,000 worth of handcrafted natural jam and pickles since 2018. “I remember the day I sold $330 worth of jam for the first time,” she says. “I was over the moon. That meant we could pay the electric bill.” Long before she ever thought about starting a business, Beach was building the foundation. First, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. Business icons like Steve Jobs, Walt Disney and Bill Gates dropped out of college, but experts say degrees or classes such as marketing, entrepreneurship, business, accounting, management and writing can help aspiring business owners. After college, Beach held down supply chain management positions and continued perfecting her jams. Her business plan

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

• Ask potential customers for honest feedback. • Google “entrepreneurship resources.”

came long after the repo man showed up. “First thing is to start thinking about your business plan and get some help, somebody to bounce your ideas off of,” says Larry Weatherford with the Oklahoma district of the U.S. Small Business Administration. “That doesn’t cost you a dime.” Choctaw Nation Small Business Services helped Beach write her plan. The SBA, SCORE, National Minority Supplier Development Council and Emerging Young Entrepreneurs are also good resources. The business plan should explain who will buy the product or service, and what’s so special about it. Obstacles and marketing plans need to go into the plan. Above all, the main question you need to answer is this: how will the business make money and grow? “The most important part is the numbers,” says Weatherford. “What separates a business from a hobby is the ability to earn money.” The SBA says entrepreneurs should be prepared to spend $2,000 to $5,000 to start a small business and set aside six months to two years of living expenses. “You’ve got to be ready to be broke for two years and work 80 hours a week,” says Kevin Ducey, president of Whiteboard Mortgage CRM. Funding is tough. Many lenders require six months to a year

of revenue history to fund a business, according to Guidant Financial. Beach, who hasn’t taken a paycheck in three years, would like help with growing the business and has applied twice for a spot on the entrepreneurial-themed reality TV show Shark Tank. “I don’t have quit in me,” she says. “You don’t fail until you quit trying.” Such bulldog tendencies play well when entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to investors. “We want to see entrepreneurs who have passion, drive and grit,” says Nathaniel Harding, managing partner of Cortado Ventures. Unfortunately, he says, the Oklahoma City-based venture capital firm turns down about 95% of the break-through tech companies that seek funding. But Harding has some tips that might help improve the odds. “Explain the problem now, and how you’re uniquely situated to solve it,” he says. He advises that entrepreneurs should detail their response to the massive market, offer a polished pitch deck and respond quickly to emails. “Do not give the excuse that you can’t do anything until someone fully funds you. There is a lot you can start doing for cheap or free,” he says. “And that scrappiness and creativity is what early-stage investors look for.” SONYA COLBERG

• Market to investors interested in your business sector. • Expect raising capital to be hard. • Understand your industry. • Deliver more than expected. • Stick with it. (Sources: Small Business Administration; Bruce Barringer – Oklahoma State University’s School of Entrepreneurship; Brad Rickelman – Meridian Technology Center for Business Development; Denise Parris – University of Oklahoma Price College of Business, Entrepreneur.com.)

ENTREPRENEUR MUST-READS: The Power of Broke – Daymond John and Daniel Paisner Crushing It! – Gary Vaynerchuk Launching a Business, The First 100 Days – Bruce Barringer Tribes, We Need You to Lead Us – Seth Godin Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill The Introvert’s Edge – Matthew Pollard Radical Candor – Kim Scott

OKC-based Oklahoma Venture Forum is a champion for small businesses. Photo courtesy OVF

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THE NEXT PAGE Book restoration, a complex task, is handled by a few pros around the state.

Artur Niebieszczanski works diligently to restore and rebind books at Artur Bookbinding International in Fort Gibson. Photos courtesy Artur Niebieszczanski

klahoma’s bookbinding community is maintaining history and creating masterpieces. For repairs and bibles, a local family-owned business in Fort Gibson is a hot-spot. Artur Bookbinding International was opened in 1992 by Zbigniew Niebieszczanski, or as the locals call him, “Dr. Bible.” Artur Niebieszczanski, his son, eventually became co-owner and carries on the family legacy. “I came along in 2015 to work full time with my dad,” says Artur. “As a kid, when he worked for a bindery in Muskogee, I would enjoy going to work with him because I was fascinated with what he did and bookbinding in general.” Zbigniew left that bindery in Muskogee to open his own business and named it after his son, as he knew he would follow in his father’s footsteps one day, Artur says. The process of bookbinding and refurbishing is dependent on the age and amount of damage to the book. “Regular study bibles generally are fairly easy to fix,” Artur says.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

“When it comes to restoring old books and bibles, the skill level is significantly higher and requires several years of education or apprenticeship to learn.” The binding process can consist of sewing in or gluing loose pages, determining what kind of book cover is needed, choosing the correct leather and hot stamping titles and names on the cover, he says. “The average price for study bibles and books that need a new cover is around $200,” says Artur. “Average cost on a large family bible is around $1,500 to $2,500, or even higher depending on how much work is being done.” Besides trade bookbinders, there are some who enter competitions to showcase their skills within the craft. One such competitor is Sean Richards, a restorer based in Norman. Richards opened his business, Byzantium Studios Limited, in 2003 after returning from his apprenticeship in the Czech Republic. “This work is extremely challenging and interesting,” he says. “I have been fortunate to travel to

many different countries in this profession.” The book restoration and binding process is something that can take anywhere from a few hours up to a few months. “Repairing a spine of a book is usually the most common request, but I have also taken part in washing an entire book, which took several months to complete,” says Richards. Book repair is only a fraction of what bookbinders do. Richards also designs bindings for collectors and celebrities. “My design bindings are between $5,000 and $15,000, and are sold by a select group of dealers on both the east and west coasts of the states, England, the Netherlands and Spain,” he says. “I’m extremely selective about the work I take on.” Bookbinders find many books of different ages to restore, but the oldest book Richards has ever taken on was centuries old. “The oldest was a 12th century Manuscript, but the most valuable was Galileo’s Sidereus Nuncius, valued at $3 million,” says Richards. KAYLIE COTTEN

2021

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T H E S TAT E | E D U C AT I O N

MESSAGES FROM BEYOND

Look closely at gravestones and you’ll likely be able to decifer much about the person laid to rest there. Above photo courtesy Jan Beattie, left photo courtesy Luanna Waters

Gravestone markers can tell much about those who have passed on.

eople who buried their loved ones during the 1600s and 1700s tended to fear death, which often came too soon. Tombstone carvings leaned toward symbols such as weeping willows and the skull and crossbones pairing; epithets often warned survivors to get their spiritual lives in order. “In the 1800s, people started celebrating life more than fearing the Grim Reaper,” says Edmond genealogist Jan Beattie. “There were more positive images, celebrating death as a part of life.” Beattie visits cemeteries to learn more about her own ancestors, but she’s also broadened her knowledge of history and how people once expressed their philosophies of life by studying graveyard symbolism. “If you are trying to learn about your ancestors, you can learn what their religious beliefs were, and what organizations they belonged to, such as the DAR [Daughters of the American Revolution] or fraternal organizations,” says Luann Waters, who teaches classes about cemetery symbolism and is a member of the Association of Gravestone Studies. Tombstone carvings might also show ancestors’ hobbies, such as fishing; what branches of the military they served in; and how they earned their livings, says Waters. She also mentions that some people wanted to have the last word on their grave markers, such as: “I told you I was sick.” “You might see an hourglass, as a message to people that your time does run out,” she says. Waters graduated high school in Hugo, where the Mt. Olivet cemetery is the final resting place of circus performers and other employees who wintered there. She says she and her girlfriends respectfully visited

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

the cemetery during horseback rides, and it sparked her interest in graveyards as a place to learn about history and culture. Beattie has also visited that section of the Hugo cemetery, known as Showman’s Rest, where one grave is marked with a replica of the Big Top and another with an elephant. Guided tours are available on request – visit paulsvalley.com for more info. Some markers relate family stories. Members of one of Beattie’s ancestral families died while migrating from Tennessee in a covered wagon, and descendants erected a monument that describes how they drowned while trying to cross the Mississippi River. Flowers are significant when it comes to cemetery symbolism, says Waters, whether planted in the ground, left as bouquets at the gravesite or carved on a tombstone. “On older stones, you might see a fully opened rose representing a good, full life,” she says. “A rosebud, if the stem of the flower is cut, lets you know they died young.” Century plants represent immortality, and daffodils are symbols of hope, joy and new beginnings. Dogwoods are symbolic of divine sacrifice and the resurrection, as is the Easter lily. Buttercups suggest cheerfulness. Hollyhocks represent ambition, says Waters, and honeysuckles suggest affection and generosity. Many cemetery symbols suggest virtues possessed by the departed or virtues that mourners should strive for. The beehive is the symbol of human industry, often used by Freemasons and Odd Fellows. Cedars represent strong faith. One of the meanings of a butterfly carving is “Christian metamorphosis.” KIMBERLY BURK

T H E S TAT E | H O B B I E S

STRIKING GOLD

Coin collecting can be a captivating and lucrative activity.

ayne Gretzky does it. So does Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, along with legend Sir Paul McCartney. Stars from every genre and period can be found in the Hall of Fame of their own respective specialties, but many are also playing in the big leagues of numismatics. Defined as “relating to or consisting of coins, paper currency and medals,” numismatics may seem like something you’d only see retirees enjoying. However, coin collecting is a hobby that people of all ages can appreciate. A large percentage of collectors start with one specific find, which leads to a drive to complete full sets. Others take a shining to the activity from an enthusiastic relative. “My dad had a coin collection when I was growing up,” says Tulsa collector Scott Hannaford. “I always admired it.” Hannaford, who now has a young son of his own, hopes to pass down his growing collection and his love of coins. “The U.S. Mint releases collectors proof sets every year,” he says. “2019 was the first year that every coin was struck in .999 silver. The whole collection is about 1.65 ounces of silver.” After this set was released, Hannaford started focusing on coins with both silver content and historical significance. His favorite piece thus far is his 1888 uncirculated Morgan Silver Dollar from the New Orleans Mint, which was also part of the Great Southern Treasury Hoard. Will Miller, owner of Absolute Diamond and Gold Buyers in Oklahoma City, had a wealth of information. His first piece of advice is simple. “Never clean your coins,” he says. Even wiping what you see as a smudge of dirt can permanently diminish the coin’s value. “Cleaning can cause micro-scratches to the surface of the coin, cutting the value of the coin by as much as half,” he says. Coins can range from face value to sky-high, says Miller. He tells a story about a young woman who was gifted a coin when a loved one passed. She had no idea she had something valuable, and went from hoping to get $10 to realizing she had a highly sought-after coin that would go for over $1,000. “It’s a treasure hunt,” says Miller. JOIN IN THE FUN There is always the risk for counterfeit coins, but he says that modern coins are For those looking to foster a much harder to fake. With a coin grading syssense of community in the tem, and following exacting measurements, numismatic world, clubs meet it’s not terribly easy to pass off a fake. around the state. The Okla“Older coins from about 1964 and before homa Numismatic Association are about 90% silver,” he says. “We check meaoutlines ten on their website, surements from all angles to ensure that what oklahomanumismatic.org. we have is, indeed, real.” From Fort Smith, Ark., to As part of spring cleaning, it may be time Lawton, Weatherford and to check out the coin jar you’ve been saving Enid, you’ll be able to find a for a rainy day – you never know what kind of club near you. treasure you’ll find. ERIKA BROWNING

MARCH 2021| WWW.OKMAG.COM

T H E S TAT E | I N F R A S T R U C T U R E

A PALACE FILLED WITH HISTORY

Constructed as a solider’s dream home, Castle Falls now offers its decades of stories to the general public.

Above: In the 1940s, Bill Blecha built this castle in OKC, fashioned after one he saw in France during World War I. Photo courtesy Amy and Ralph Rollins Bill Blecha (right) and his brother Tony pose in Western attire. Photo courtesy the Blecha family

ill Blecha became infatuated with a medieval castle while in France, serving in the U.S. Army aviation initiative during World War I. He vowed that when he returned home, he would build a replica in Oklahoma. After the war, Blecha became a manager for Manhattan Construction Co. during the 1920s and ’30s urban renewal of downtown Oklahoma City. With duties involving demolition and disposal, he accessed a plethora of architectural pieces and squirreled them away so he could one day build his dream home. Blecha, an accomplished carpenter, married Opal, a seamstress specializing in wedding dresses, coats and hats. Together with their daughter Willia Dee, they could make – or do – pretty much anything. And in 1945, they began constructing the 5,500-square-foot castle, doing most of the work themselves. In 1950, their home was complete. Engulfed by OKC, the threelevel castle oversees five acres just north of I-40. Except for the 24” thick concrete walls, almost all of the castle had a former life ... including a prehistoric mammoth tooth embedded in a fireplace. The citadel is essentially a museum dedicated to OKC’s past. Many of the doorknobs are marked with “C.C.,” Charles Colcord’s initials. (Colcord was the developer for the Colcord Hotel,

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

completed in 1910 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.) A Veazey Drug hutch; Oklahoma County Courthouse wood railings; the Capitol Hill High School gym floor; rounded glass storefront pieces; and OKC Downtown Airpark pieces are all woven into the castle’s eclectic tapestry. Born in 1895 in Oklahoma Territory, Blecha’s life is a testament to the past. During the 19th century,

his parents emigrated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s Czech or Bohemian region – and their OKC land became the Czechoslovakian National Cemetery at 2437 S.W. 44th St. A math whiz, Blecha was a Miller Brothers 101 Ranch paymaster, and apparently performed in Hollywood movies – probably linked to the ranch’s Bison Film Company. He also mined for gold in Costa Rica. A picture of Bill’s brother Tony still hangs in Yukon’s Czech Hall, because Tony played his accordion as part of the band that played the first polka dance when the hall opened. Blecha’s relatives now saturate Canadian County and sprawl across the U.S. Willia Dee, a Putnam City High School graduate, attended Oklahoma A&M – now Oklahoma State University. Hers was the castle’s first wedding, held in 1956. The dwelling’s third owners, Amy and Ralph Rollins, embarked on extensive restorations in 2004. They morphed the landscape into luscious gardens and built a huge medieval event venue – the Grande Hall. Renaming the location “Castle Falls,” they masterminded all three castle levels into unique dining experiences. As part of OKC’s dynamic core, Castle Falls has nabbed over a dozen awards, one being inclusion in Diner’s Choice Award’s “100 Most Romantic Restaurants” for three consecutive years. An evolving piece of historical art, Castle Falls has witnessed innumerable marriage proposals and hosted hundreds of weddings and other celebrations. Free castle tours are available. CAROL MOWDY BOND

T H E S TAT E | H I S T O R Y

A TREASURE IN THE WICHITAS The Holy City offers tourists a peaceful respite.

n a tranquil setting nestled in the Wichita Mountains in southwestern Oklahoma, the Holy City of the Wichitas has told a story for nearly 100 years. The structures are made of local granite and bear a striking resemblance to the ancient city of Jerusalem. These structures are intended to tell the story of Jesus Christ – from his birth and ministry to his death and resurrection. For many visitors, this attraction is more than just a tourist hotspot. “This is an important place for people to come to and have a little bit of peace, to get rid of some anxiety and stress and to know in their own hearts that there’s always hope,” says James W. Britt, president of the Holy City’s board. While the city is open year-round, the main attraction every year is the Easter pageant. Scores of volunteers gather to perform a play depicting the life of Christ for hundreds of audience members, spread out across what has become known as Audience Hill. “It’s one of the oldest traditions in the nation of passion plays,” says Larry O’Dell

with the Oklahoma Historical Society. The 2021 Easter pageant will be the 96th year. According to records, the Holy City has already seen more than 40 million visitors. The play has quite a history. The Rev. Anthony Mark Wallock, newly-installed at Lawton’s Congregational Church, decided to host a passion play for Easter in 1926. Five cast members put on the performance, which drew hundreds of attendees to the show near Medicine Park, shares O’Dell. “It caught on really fast and they kept having it every year,” says Britt. Over the coming years, the performance continued to draw hundreds ... then hundreds of thousands. In the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the current Holy City installation in its present location. By 1936, WPA workers had built dozens of structures out of local granite, including the temple court, Pilate’s judgment hall, Calvary’s Mount, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Lord’s Supper building, Herod’s Court, a chapel, and other amenities, according to an article by O’Dell. “[The Easter pageant] was already a tradition, so they decided to enhance it,” he says. And enhance it did. In its permanent

home, the Easter pageant became even more popular. By the end of the 1930s, the cast had swelled to more than 300, with an audience of more 200,000 people in 1939, according to Britt. “When the multitude of angels came down, there were hundreds of angels on the hillside,” he says. Through the intervening years, the Holy City and its annual pageant have experienced many twists and turns. Attendance peaked in the 1940s, but has slowly declined, holding steady at several thousand since the 1980s. The pageant was originally held overnight with the resurrection scene happening at sunrise. Now the production takes place on two Saturday evenings in the spring. The Holy City has experienced hard times recently, when weather and COVID-19 concerns have restricted performances. The pageant is free, but the Holy City relies on private donations for funding. People continue to show their support by stepping up with private donations, and Britt is grateful for the support. “People are so generous who have a heart for the Holy City and a desire for people to know about Jesus,” he says. “And that alone is one of the greatest blessings you can take away from the place.” BONNIE RUCKER

The Holy City, nestled in the Wichita Mountains, is a popular tourist destination. Photo courtesy the Holy City

MARCH 2021| WWW.OKMAG.COM

T H E S TAT E | M A K E R S

ABSTRACT EVOLUTION

Artist Christie Owen wants her pieces to be a slice of tranquility within the chaos of everyday life.

n late January, Edmond-based artist Christie Owen sold an abstract piece she created in 2014. Neither the curator nor Owen knew the buyer, yet the painting’s new owner was moved enough by the work itself to purchase it. “You cross this threshold where people are interested in your work just because of the work. They don’t know you,” says Owen. “That’s always absolutely floored me that I could do that, that I could reach somebody that way.” Like most artists, Owen’s journey didn’t start with strangers purchasing her pieces. After graduating college with a Bachelor in Fine Arts, she became a graphic designer and ushered her artistic abilities into a desk job for two decades. When she returned to painting in her mid-30s, Owen started with animals and landscapes before moving to abstract expressionism. After encouragement from her family, friends and other local artists, she displayed her art publicly for the first time in 2009. She says she hopes her work evokes a sense of tranquility, calmness and balance. In examining her paintings or sculptures, viewers can disconnect for a moment from technology and the rush of modern life to lose themselves in the shapes and colors of the art. “I make art just to be a human being,” she says. Creating offers an outlet for Owen to return to the moment and to her humanity. Her practice is both intuitive and intentional. She says sometimes she likes to go in with a plan for every detail – a strategy she learned during her sculpture apprenticeship with David L. Phelps. Even so, Owen says there’s nothing like letting your spirit go. Many of her pieces are built using layers of paint and other media. For her, the adding and subtracting of these layers is calming. So far this year, Owen has had opportunities to lean into both the intuitive and intentional sides of her work. Her biggest painting – literally – is a 10-foot by 14-foot diptych commission for BC Clark Jewelers. The piece, Radiance, is part of her Sugar Moun

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

Christie Owen stands in front of a piece from the Sugar Mountain series. Photo by Ever Kai Owen

tain series in which Owen applies acrylic paint and modeling paste into a grid of colors. Named for a Neil Young song and the frosting-like texture of the paint, the Sugar Mountain series is Owen’s most popular to date. “I think people tend to gravitate towards the Sugar Mountain paintings because they’re intricate,” she says. “The work is different from the other abstract pieces I do.” Outside of commissions for retail and hotel spaces, Owen creates work driven by her intuitive process. She is preparing to send pieces to a gallery in Bentonville, Ark., an endeavor she’s been coordinating since March 2020. For this project, Owen is creating a new series called Switch, which incorporates physical pieces from her past works. Owen says this is a new way of working that asks her to embrace the idea that the first choice might be the best choice. The assemblage becomes an ongoing puzzle that constantly requires her to ask herself if she can find contentment in what she has created. “I don’t like doing the same thing over and over again,” she says. “I’m always trying to push myself and evolve my work.” LAUREN MIERS

T H E S TAT E | P E O P L E

CLOWNING AROUND

Oklahoman Jim Hill spent decades as a rodeo clown – an unusual, dangerous and exciting job.

Jim Hill tangles with a bull in the arena. Photo courtesy Jim Hill

nid native Jim Hill had his own horse before the age of two. And upon meeting the iconic rodeo clown Andy Womack, he was enamored with the whole family’s rodeo lifestyle. So, by age four, Hill decided to be a rodeo clown. Holding onto his dream, he rode in rodeo events and launched a 36-year, hair-raising career. But what does a rodeo clown do, exactly? Bull riders have a rope wrapped around one hand, with the other end wrapped around the bull. Sometimes the rider gets tangled in the rope – and that’s where Hill and other rodeo clowns come in. “The rider can get pinned; the clown goes in and gets him free,” says Hill. “To untie the guy that’s hung up ... there isn’t anything that compares with it.” After a 1976 incident, Hill was pronounced dead. “I was 26. The last thing I remembered was locking arms over the bull’s horns,” he says. He’s got plenty of stories like this. “Another time, the bull threw me in the air, and waited for me to come down. Twice! The pickup rider got a rope and pulled him off, or he’d have done it a third time. It’s just another day at the office.” Hill moved on, spending 11 years as a barrel man, distracting bulls from inside a barrel so riders could escape. “Working the barrel, I had broken noses and black eyes from being too slow,” he says with a chuckle. “One bull got his head stuck in the barrel and I pushed it out.” While he worked rodeos in over 40 states, Canada and Mexico, Hill’s family stayed home. “I had a dog, a camper and pickup truck,” he says. But he totaled over 80 broken bones, including 53 rib breaks, and titanium alloy implants in both

knees. Riding a buffalo cost him his scalp, leaving two rows of stitches and 28 staples on his head. But he’s undaunted. “As long as I wake up hurting, I know the good Lord gave me another day,” he says. “It was the ultimate rush. If I could survive, I’d be on the road now.” And Hollywood called. Hill fought bulls in the 1972 rodeo movie Junior Bonner starring Steve McQueen; the 1974 Oscar-winning documentary The Great American Cowboy; and the Nat Geo documentary The American Bullfighter. Hill earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Phillips University, although he sometimes left school for the rodeo circuit. For 23 years, he taught high school and college during the school months, with rodeo life restricted to the summer. Teaching in Navajo and Choctaw schools, and at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, he says he “encouraged my students to learn their native language. If you lose that, then you lose your culture, then your individual identity.” Overall, Hill worked five years in amateur rodeo, 10 in the Rodeo Cowboys Association, and 21 in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. In 1997, Hill nabbed the Andy Womack Memorial Award for rodeo clowns. He was interviewed for the 2009 Rodeo Historical Society Oral History Project in partnership with OKC’s National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. And in November of last year, he was inducted into the All Cowboy and Arena Champions Hall of Fame. Now, Hill attends Emmanuel Enid Church and lives in Major County with his horses and mules. “I had such joys in the classroom,” he says. “And I got hooked on rodeo.” CAROL MOWDY BOND

MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

T H E S TAT E | I N S I D E R

STRIKING GOLD

100 years ago, filmmaker Richard Norman created Black-led silent movies right here in Oklahoma.

The Crimson Skull was one of two movies filmmaker Richard Norman created in Oklahoma in 1921. Photo courtesy the John Wooley Collection

his year marks the 100th anniversary of a crimson blot on Tulsa’s, Oklahoma’s, and America’s history – the Tulsa Race Massacre of May 31-June 1, 1921, one of the worst explosions of racial violence the country has ever seen. Many people outside of our area first became aware of this horrific event only last year, when the HBO alternative-history series The Watchmen began with graphically recreated scenes of violence that had played out in Tulsa’s streets nearly 100 years earlier. And more movies are on the way. Among the announced or proposed projects, most set for release in 2021, are a standalone documentary from CNN Films (in conjunction with LeBron James’ Springhill Entertainment), a documentary series called Terror in Tulsa (with the involvement of another NBA superstar, Russell Westbrook); and a scripted TV miniseries from the Canadian-based Cineflix. Considering all the movie activity surrounding the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre, this might be a good time to look at another film-related 100th anniversary – one that commemorates the first features for Black audiences ever shot in Oklahoma. Those two pictures, The Bull-

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

Dogger and The Crimson Skull, were made during that same year of 1921, and they owe their existence, at least in part, to the scurrilous depictions of African-Americans in the 1915 Civil War epic Birth of A Nation – one of the most technically brilliant and most racist pictures ever made. Birth of A Nation could be seen as America’s first blockbuster movie, a three-hour-plus feature in which director D. W. Griffith rode herd over thousands of actors and extras and popularized a number of new cinematic techniques, including night photography and montages, that are still in use today. It was a huge hit – and hugely off-putting to Black filmgoers, who desired movies that showed positive images of African-Americans. Soon, dozens of film companies had arisen to serve those audiences, turning out comedies, westerns, dramas, musicals and comedies with all-Black casts, all shown to African-American movie fans in the segregated theaters of the time. That’s where a white entrepreneur from Florida named Richard E. Norman comes in. If you’ve read my book on Oklahoma filmmaking, Shot in Oklahoma (University of Oklahoma Press, 2011), you may remember

Norman as the filmmaker behind The Wrecker, a 1919 movie shot in Tulsa that starred such personages as Tulsa mayor Charles H. Hubbard, oilman R. M. McFarlin and lawyer/politician M.A. Breckenridge. The Wrecker was what author Barbara Tepa Lupack calls – in her 2014 Indiana University Press book Richard E. Norman & Race Filmmaking – an example of a “home talent” motion picture. Something of a fad in those days, these movies were made by traveling filmmakers like Norman, who would come into a town or city with a script and an offer to make a movie with the locals, giving them the benefit of his time, expertise, stock footage (in the case of The Wrecker, a spectacular train crash), and a finished short film – in exchange for their money. The Wrecker, which ran about 20 minutes, played to packed houses in Tulsa during an August 1919 engagement; versions of the same film were shot in Oklahoma City and many other places across the country, using, essentially, the same script and different actors. It’s not clear exactly how Norman decided to create his Blackcast pictures The Bull-Dogger and The Crimson Skull in Oklahoma, but the reason surely has to do with a couple of discoveries he made, probably while shooting his home-talent movies here. One was the African-American cowboy Bill Pickett, the man credited with inventing the rodeo sport of bulldogging, who was at the time employed by the famed 101 Ranch around the north-central Oklahoma town of Bliss (now known as Marland). Pickett was a relatively famous performer at the time, thanks to his trick-riding and bulldogging with the touring 101 Ranch Real Wild West Show. The other Oklahoma factor that must’ve attracted Norman was its all-Black towns, created by freedmen – former slaves of the Five Tribes that had come to Indian Territory. Perhaps the most prosperous of these communities was Boley, an hour or so southwest of Tulsa and a similar distance east from Oklahoma City. To a movie maker creating a film with an all-African-American cast,

Colored Drama.” And, while Pickett was certainly a draw for those audience members who knew about his rodeo skills, Bush was the big name in the cast, a renowned New York-based stage and vaudeville artist then with the well-known Lafayette Players at the Lafayette Theater in Harlem. Bush and Pickett returned – or, actually, probably stayed in Oklahoma – for the second Norman picture, shot in late 1921. The Crimson Skull, filmed entirely in Boley, is an all-out western reminiscent of the Saturday afternoon serials and B-budget westerns that would come along a few years later. While the film is presumed lost, a shooting script (reprinted in Lupack’s book) exists, along with promotional material, which calls it “An Epic of Wild Life and Smoking Revolvers.” The Crimson Skull revolves around a band of costumed outlaws, The Skull and His Terrors, who are bedeviling

the potential extras available in an all-Black town must’ve been a real inducement. In the summer of 1921– only a couple of months and a few dozen miles away from the Tulsa Race Massacre – Richard Norman began shooting footage for The Bull-Dogger, the first of his Oklahoma-lensed pictures. Most of what he initially got was footage from various rodeos, featuring Pickett and other African-American cowboys in competition. Like so many other silent pictures, shot on highly combustible nitrate film, the full-length Bull-Dogger is presumably a lost film; all that we have is about 30 minutes of rodeo footage from the movie. However, a portion of an early shooting script indicates that there was a plot involving Pickett’s onscreen daughter and her beau, who captures a “Mexican desperado” named Manuel Vandalo. Pickett’s daughter was played by Anita Bush, promoted then as “The Little Mother of

the peace-loving town of Boley. Along comes Bob Calem, foreman of the Crown C Ranch (played by Lawrence Chenault, another Lafayette Player and major actor in the early Blackmovie scene), who’s in love with the rancher’s daughter (Bush), to try and effect the gang’s capture. In an interesting bit of casting, Boley’s actual sheriff, John Owens, ended up getting the part of the sheriff in the movie – after Richard Norman became concerned, according to author Lupack, about Bill Pickett’s acting ability. (Pickett had been the original choice to play the sheriff; he ended up in a role as a deputy.) Although Norman planned a third Oklahoma movie, to be shot once again in Boley, he instead returned to his home base of Florida, where he continued making pictures for AfricanAmerican audiences. A few years later, he did come back to our state for his swan song, an oil field picture shot in Tatums,

another Black Oklahoma town. Black Gold was released in 1927 – the same year that Hollywood came out with its first real talkie The Jazz Singer, signaling the end of silent films. The Black film market, which depended upon about 120 African-American theaters along with white movie houses that devoted certain days and/ or times to Black pictures and audiences, had never been particularly robust, and with the advent of sound – and the increased cost of making talking pictures – Richard E. Norman retired from the feature-film business. One hundred years ago, however, during the same year that the heinous Tulsa Race Massacre unfolded, that white Floridian made his own kind of history, creating a couple of escapist pictures for Black audiences an hour away from the site of the massacre that changed Tulsa forever. JOHN WOOLEY

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LIFE & STYLE

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

A SOUTHERN PARADISE

Cabo San Lucas offers a tropical oasis with sunset cruises, luxury lodging and delicious eats.

lthough slang has abbreviated it to “Cabo,” the full moniker is Cabo San Lucas, or the Cape of Saint Luke. This writer’s personal description is “the Beverly Hills of Mexico” due to its luxurious flair. While some travelers enjoy repeated vacations there, they might not know that this slice of paradise was once called the “Land’s End.” Legend states that the first sailors and pirates to discover the area considered it the last point before reaching Antarctica. Identified by the stunning “El Arco,” Cabo’s arch was formed by a millennia of tidal forces causing those dangerous waves. Cabo is not for playing in the waves – it’s a look but don’t touch approach in the world’s second longest peninsula. At this the one year mark of the pandemic’s onset, travel restrictions keep adapting. This writer’s first flight in almost a year yielded the following observation and advice:

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

Lodging: •

RIU Palace

•

Esperanza

Dining: •

Cocina del Mar (in Esperanza) is cliﬀtop, al fresco dining supreme.

•

JM Steakhouse (Italian) is delicious and the Parmesan crisps basket is the best part.

•

Panchos is a local favorite of authentic Mexican cuisine.

•

Cabo Wabo is Sammy Hagar’s cantina, which Americans flock to in pride and pilgrimage for its homey touch.

Cabo San Lucas oﬀers an alluring respite from everyday troubles. Photos are stock unless overwise marked

Photo by Gina Michalopulos Kingsley

• Patience and organization are necessary virtues for present travel. • Pack extra masks. • You’ll be filing out more forms (online and hard copy) than before. • Bring reading material for the planes, since there are no magazines on flight. • Passengers receive baggies of snacks and water bottles as opposed to individualized service. • Sanitizing wipes are dispersed as you embark the plane. • TSA Precheck and Global Entry are recommended as they expedite the sloweddown process of security. • Many resorts have 50% capacity, so dinner and activities reservations are necessary. • Sanitizing measures and temperature checks are present pretty much everywhere. Logistics aside, our hospitable neighbor to the south demonstrated “bienvenido” graciously, as always. Travelers needing to escape 2020’s malaise are in for a treat, as Cabo whisks you away from it all. Blazing vermillion sunsets provide your backdrop for photos. Pack a sweater, as nights are chilly. Sleep with the doors open to enjoy the crashing waves lulling you to sleep after bountiful feasts. Slowly wake up on your balcony watching seabirds glide, swoop, skitter and land on isolated boulders in the ocean. No matter what, the world turns, the tide rolls in, and we all need the palpable sensations of knowing that life goes on. Self-care is the new mantra. GINA MICHALOPULOS KINGSLEY

Photo by Gina Michalopulos Kingsley

L I F E & S T Y L E | D E S T I N AT I O N S

Shopping and Excursions:

Eclectic Array boutique has gorgeous items made by artisans supporting those in poverty. Camel Excursion by Cabo Adventures is a delight and includes an eco-farm tour and a seaside camel ride. You’ll enjoy lunch by the sea while watching tortillamaking, sighting humpback whales and enjoying a tequila tasting. Driving through the desert out to Tierra Sagrada, the towering cacti and earthy aloe vera comfort and humble you as you depart the glamour in the hilltop resorts. For a sunset cruise, the La Princessa

catamaran is the ideal journey – a 5-7 p.m. sojourn with onboard dancing to harness the exuberance around the arch. The energy changes as you approach the distinctive rocks with their seabirds and sea lions. The sublime luminosity of the arch summons you to the Land’s End. The Rooftop Bar at The Cape Hotel is an understatement of all things chic – dancing and drinks among incredible decor is topped oﬀ with the vision of the unique desert moon. Enduring short flights while masked and vacationing by noon – with no jet lag involved – is the best part of this destination.

MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

LIFE & ST YLE | INTERIORS

A HOME FOR ALL SEASONS

An intergenerational dwelling near Kingston offers stunning lakeside views and unique architecture. By M.J. Van Deventer

ans and Torrey Butzer of OKC’s Butzer Architects and Urbanism worked from a simple sketch to design and build this distinctive home on Lake Texoma near Kingston. The dwelling, noted for its unusual architecture, offers three gabled sectors, arranged along two ridgelines that descend towards the Lake Texoma edge. Dubbed La Niña, the home’s name is an ode to Christopher Columbus’ three-masted ship of the same name. “One guideline that directed us during the design and building process was to deliberately take advantage of the various Lake Texoma views,” says Hans. This intergenerational haven houses Seth and Nina Wadley, their two children, and Nina’s parents. Hans mentions that Nina was very involved in the project, as the cottage that he designed for her parents is linked to the two-story main

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

Clockwise from top left: The three gabled sectors of the home point towards the alluring views of Lake Texoma. Floor-to-ceiling windows and an open floor plan make the kitchen, dining and living areas blend seamlessly. Unique lighting fixtures and diﬀering textures and seating options making this open area visually interesting. Near the water’s edge, the family relaxes at the pool. Photos courtesy Butzer Architects and Urbanism

MARCH 2021| WWW.OKMAG.COM

L I F E & S T Y L E | I NT ER I O R S Unique sleeping lofts provide respite for the family’s guests.

residence by a large, angled wall on the patio breezeway near the outdoor fireplace and wood-lined outdoor living room. (The breezeway’s length matches that of the deck on La Niña.) “Nina chose many of the materials and had a voice in the paint colors, too,” says Hans. “She chose many of the interior design fabrics, and she definitely wanted bright colors.” The design and build project was five years in the making. Hans met Seth in 2016, and there was some conversation about the project – but it was a year before the building actually began. The dwelling took four years to complete, with the Wadleys opening the front door to this grand new home in late fall 2020. The project offered 6,700 square feet of building space, not counting the terraced landscape. The Butzers molded it expertly. “Working from the Wadleys’ vision, we literally had to sculpt the dramatic lakeside views,” says Hans. “So a portrait of the lake became a feature of every room. We also had to consider how the sunlight would affect every room. We even designed and built the landscape to complement the home and cottage, and also had to consider the slope of the land for the two homes on the property.” The house includes floor-to-ceiling windows that capture every possible view. Hans and Torrey were conscious of maximizing efficiency and utilizing every square inch of space, which is particularly evident in the pristine kitchen,

The alluring outdoor living area bridges the main house to the grandparents’ cottage.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

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L I F E & S T Y L E | I NT ER I O R S overlooking the patio and pathway to the grandparents’ home, along with the fourcar garage and sleeping lofts for the kids’ friends or other guests. The stunning backyard, which includes the outdoor living room, offers an impressive pool and steps leading down towards the lake. Hearths made from stacked local sandstone offer warmth in the colder months. A tennis court nearby offers ample outdoor entertainment. Looking back on the recently completed architectural and design project, Hans says he favors the prevailing concept of open design this home represents. It’s a smooth transition from the main living area to the kitchen and dining spaces, making this a perfect setting for entertaining. “This home is an expression of the relationship Torrey and I developed with this family while designing and building their home,” he says. Torrey adds: “Architecture is about people and how they live. It’s a social profession. Architecture has the opportunity to tell a story.”

The upstairs master bedroom captures lake views to the south.

HANS BUTZER Growing up in Germany, Hans Butzer was surrounded by distinctive European architecture. This influenced the way he saw, and continues to see, his American architectural projects, which have made a name for him in the U.S. After graduating from Texas Tech University, Hans received a graduate degree from Harvard. He may never have made a home in Oklahoma had he not won the national competition to design the Oklahoma City National Memorial all those years ago; that monument is now one of the most celebrated and emotionally touching visitor sites in the world. Hans and Torrey, who is an interior designer headed toward a degree in architecture, live in OKC with their three children. The couple resides in Mesta Park, one of OKC’s historic older areas that blends European and American architecture – a fitting neighborhood for this couple.

The sleeping loft overlook provides pops of color in furniture and even more views.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

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L I F E & S T Y L E | FA S H I O N

THE POWER OF CREATIVITY

Designer Marshall Taulbert pays homage to his hometown of Tulsa in his clothing brand.

A-list celebrities including model Irina Shayk (middle) and Lady Gaga (top right) are fans of the Danzy brand. The line is designed by Marshall Danzy Taulbert (immediate right), a Tulsa native. Photos courtesy Marshall Taulbert

outh Tulsa, California, isn’t a destination you can visit. But it is the home to Danzy, a Los Angelesbased clothing brand started by Oklahoma-native Marshall Danzy Taulbert. Taulbert started Danzy in 2018 after deciding his previous line, Product of Privilege, wasn’t what he envisioned for the future of his brand. He wanted something that could stand the test of time, like Fendi or Chanel – a one-word name that was easily recognizable. “I was walking around Barney’s [in L.A.], and they had the designer’s name on the floor, and I couldn’t picture Product of Privilege there,” he says. “It didn’t seem like it fit. Danzy is my middle name – it’s one name, it’s kind of off-beat, you don’t really hear it, it’s strong, and it’s short. That’s it. I made the [legal] change and switched it over.” A self-taught designer, Taulbert describes his clothing as “stylishly comfortable.” He seeks to provide people with casual-chic attire to wear to work or out on the town. “I want the Danzy girl to be in my sweats all-day ... and then wear that same sweatsuit out at night, but paired with a heel or a cool leather jacket and still being comfortable,” he says. “She can even come home, order her favorite food and hop into bed.” Some ‘Danzy girls’ include high-profile celebrities like model Irina Shayk and pop icon Lady Gaga. You’ll know you’re wearing an original Danzy piece by the green emblem logo on the sleeve or pant leg, but that isn’t the only thing that makes the clothing unique; Taulbert adds his own personal touch to each item. “The one thing with my tie-dye is I brush it on like an artist or painter,” he explains. “I paint a different design on every single piece I create.” Danzy is inspired by Taulbert’s family and his Oklahoma roots in more ways than one.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

“It’s the basis of everything,” he says. “It started with calling it Danzy – it’s an old family name on my mom’s side.” The primary colors Taulbert uses in his fashion line and logo are cream, green and blue. He says they were evoked by his childhood home and his dad’s – author and speaker Clifton Taulbert – constant reminder that “you always need a Navyblue blazer.” His hometown of Tulsa and his new home of California are ingrained in his fashion line through a “city” of his imagination. While it may not be an actual location, it’s his way of paying homage to the two places he feels raised him. “On every piece of clothing that goes out, the [logo] says ‘Originated 1981 South Tulsa, California,’” he says. “There are people all over the world wearing South Tulsa on their arm, thinking it’s in California, Googling it and finding out that it’s in Oklahoma.” Taulbert’s parents and weekly trips to the local mall played an influential part in the Danzy brand. “My parents inspired me more than they realize,” says Taulbert. “My mom was the most stylish, classy woman I knew. Her being stylish was a big thing, and I never really knew how much it rubbed off until I started designing things.” Knowing his dad would work every day to make his dream come true – and not someone else’s – impacted Taulbert’s entrepreneurial spirit. “I saw from a very early age what creativity can truly do and where it can take you,” he says. You can shop for Danzy clothing by visiting danzyus.com. ALAINA STEVENS

MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

L I F E & S T Y L E | H E A LT H

UNDERSTANDING ANEURYSMS While this can be a lifethreatening condition, treatments are available if symptoms are caught early.

“A

neurysms are an enlargement of a blood vessel in the body,” says Beau Hawkins, a cardiologist with OU Health in Oklahoma City. “They most commonly aﬀect arteries, which are vessels that distribute blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body.” Hawkins says aneurysms can affect any blood vessel, but most often occur in the aorta and the brain. “Aneurysms in the abdominal aorta are “It’s very different probably most from a migraine or well known and tension headache. are commonly There’s no build up to referred to as it. It’s intense, comes AAAs, abdominal aortic aneurysms. out of nowhere and But ... aneurysms is often associated can also occur with light and sound in the chest, in sensitivity.” the heart arteries (coronary aneurysm) and other organs of the body, such as the spleen and kidney,” says Hawkins. When an aneurysm grows bigger, Hawkins says it can cause pain. “For example, if an aneurysm is in the brain and enlarges, it can cause a headache,” he says. “If an aneurysm is in the abdomen, they can cause stomach or back pain. If they

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

enlarge and burst, then bleeding results which is usually life-threatening, or fatal when not treated.” Mohammad Kalani, a neurosurgeon with Ascension St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, says patients who have had a brain aneurysm describe it as the worst headache of their lives. “The classic description is a thunderclap headache,” says Kalani. “It’s very diﬀerent from a migraine or tension headache. There’s no build up to it. It’s intense, comes out of nowhere and is often associated with light and sound sensitivity.” He says ruptured brain aneurysms can be devastating, resulting in immediate death or disability. “Fifty percent of patients die as a result of the rupture or shortly after the rupture, and of the fifty percent who survive, half of those patients are left permanently disabled,” he says. While some brain aneurysms are genetic – Kalani says those of Nordic or Japanese ancestry have a higher incidence than the general population – other risk factors include older age, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking and a history of drug use. Also, women are three times more likely to get brain aneurysms than men, and women are three times more likely to have multiple aneurysms.

“The decision to treat an aneurysm is not a cut and dry one,” says Kalani. “It depends on the aneurysm’s size, location, the patient’s health and wishes, and risk of treatment. My job is to take all the information and provide the best possible treatment plan.” Kalani says there are two courses of treatment for brain aneurysms: surgery, such as a craniotomy, and endovascular treatment using interventional tools. “It’s very important to seek care where both treatment options are available,” he says. “When an aneurysm has ruptured, there’s no choice in treatment, but today we’re detecting more and more unruptured aneurysms. Each aneurysm is unique and needs to be treated in a way that doesn’t make you worse oﬀ than you were before treatment.” Hawkins says most aneurysms are treatable when detected early. “If anyone is having problems or symptoms that can be potentially due to an aneurysm, they should be evaluated by a physician,” he says. “Often times, simple testing can be performed to determine if an aneurysm is present, and then treatment can be administered to prevent the aneurysms from enlarging or rupturing.” REBECCA FAST

L I F E & S T Y L E | O U T SI D E T H E M E T R O

BIGFOOT’S STOMPING GROUNDS

Along with its Sasquatch lore, Broken Bow offers myriad outdoor activities to kick off springtime in Oklahoma.

FOR MORE

INFORMATION: McCurtain County Tourism visitmccurtaincounty.com Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce brokenbowchamber.com 580-584-3393 Beavers Bend State Park Park oﬀice: 580-494-6300 Lakeview Lodge: 580-494-6179 How to get there: From Oklahoma City: Take I-40 east to Henryetta; the Indian Nation Turnpike south to Antlers; and State Highway 3 east to Broken Bow. From Tulsa: Take State Highway 75 south to Henryetta; the Indian Nation Turnpike south to Antlers; and State Highway 3 east to Broken Bow.

proposal that went before the Oklahoma legislature this spring to establish an official season for hunting Bigfoot drew a tepid reaction in the mythical creature’s supposed McCurtain County digs. “We do not condone the hunting of any endangered species,” says Matt Farley, an Oklahoma City account executive whose firm promotes tourism on behalf of the McCurtain County Tourism Authority. Farley says that a state representative’s idea of designating a season to hunt down and possibly capture the iconic creature is entirely unnecessary to draw folks to Oklahoma’s southeastern-most county. Visitors who make the approximately 200-mile trip from either Tulsa or Oklahoma City, traversing one of Oklahoma’s most scenic regions, will find outdoor recreation, lodging and nature’s wonders in abundance, he says. He notes that during the past year of COVID-19 isolation, McCurtain County and Broken Bow have proven to be popular getaway destinations. “We feel like McCurtain County is a safe place to be; we promote luxury isolation,” says Farley. “People can come here and be socially distant. They can hike inside the [Beavers Bend] state park and stay safe.” Farley says the area offers visitors a variety of ways to relax while maintaining social distance, pointing out that lodging taxes are up more than 100% from the previous year. “We’ve seen people cancel their European trip and their Colorado trip and come here instead,” he says. The 2020 fall season that offered visitors a spectacular glimpse of changing foliage colors was especially good. Charity O’Donnell, executive director of the McCurtain County Tourism Authority in Broken Bow, offered her own invitation to visit the area.

Broken Bow provides outdoor entertainment, luxury accommodations and other tourist hotspots. Photo courtesy Insight Creative Group

“Spring is a wonderful time to come explore McCurtain County, as we have lots of great hiking trails and streams to explore,” she says. Broken Bow is the McCurtain County seat, with an estimated population of about 4,200. The Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce notes that the area is known for luscious green forests and an abundance of clear water that offers canoeing, boating, hiking, biking and other types of outdoor activities. Just north of Broken Bow lies Beavers Bend State Park, a 3,482-acre oasis in the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains, along the shores of Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River. The state Tourism and Recreation Department touts it as an “outdoor lover’s paradise.” The park maintains 47 cabins with kitchenettes, 393 campsites and more than 50 tent sites. Its 40-room Lakeview Lodge overlooks Broken Bow Lake. In nearby Hochatown, a renovation of the challenging Cedar Creek Golf Course is nearing completion, with an anticipated re-opening this month. With its heavily pined fairways and views of Broken Bow Lake, the course is one of Oklahoma’s most scenic golf layouts. The Hochatown Rescue Center and Petting Zoo offers another draw for tourists. Farley says the Rescue Center’s mission is to rehabilitate and return animals to their native habitat. But if hunting down Bigfoot is still your thing, McCurtain County is certainly the place to be. Farley notes that Bigfoot is the county’s unofficial mascot, and that they lead the state in supposed Bigfoot sightings. The nearby town of Honobia in LeFlore County stages an annual Bigfoot Festival each October. HENRY DOLIVE

MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

LIFE & ST YLE | SCENE

Leann Fiore, Tiara Johnson, Wes Mitchell, Rachael Achivare Hill, Lindsay White; Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges award recognition, Tulsa Community College

Jeromee Scot, Ashlie Casey, Kelly Kruggel; Virtual 211 Day, Community Service Council, Tulsa

Garrett & Madison Graves; Brainiac Ball preparations, Family & Children’s Services, Tulsa

Bob & Jill Thomas; Brainiac Ball preparations, Family & Children’s Services, Tulsa

Mike Murphy, Courtney Rasmussen; U.S. Cellular backpack donation event, Tulsa Boys’ Home

Mark Hustis, Jennifer Cocoma Hustis; February gallery opening, Edmond Fine Arts Institute

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Grace Hospice will work with you and your family to take care of your mother. The most important question at this point is eligibility for our services. Your mother is eligible for hospice care if your doctor believes that she has six months or less to live in the natural course of her illness. Our patients can receive nursing care, medications and medical equipment for weeks or months at a time, depending on if the patient is eligible and how much support is needed. Remember, hospice focuses on comfort, dignity and emotional support for the patient, their family and other loved ones. We can also help take the stress and burden off you and your brother so you can enjoy more quality time with your mother. Please call us at 918-744-7223 to have your questions answered. We are here to help.

1. Get organized. Make several copies of your spouse’s death certificate, as you’ll need it as proof when closing/changing ownership of accounts. You’ll need your spouse’s Social Security number, your marriage certificate, life insurance policies, bank accounts, creditors and a DAVID KARIMIAN CFP®, CRPC®, APMA® copy of your spouse’s will or estate plan. 2. Settle the estate. If your spouse has a will, it’ll determine the distribution of property. When there is no will, probate court will decide who gets what. 3. Transfer ownership or close accounts. You’ll need to notify banks, loan companies and other creditors of your spouse’s death. If your spouse owned an IRA, you’ll need to determine whether to roll over the assets into your own IRA or keep them where they are. 4. Pay the bills. If you are unable to, contact your creditors and explain your situation. 5. File taxes. You are responsible for filing taxes for your deceased husband or wife. 6. Sort out finances. A trusted professional can help you look at your overall financial picture.

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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST What is the difference between Botox and dermal fillers? If you are thinking of getting some anti-aging treatments and are not sure where you should start, then this very well may be your first question. Botox and dermal fillers are used for different patients, depending on a person’s individual MALISSA SPACEK aesthetic and anti-aging goals. Botox temporarily freezes muscles to stop creases and wrinkles usually made by facial expressions – for example, those wrinkles inbetween your eyebrows. Dermal fillers are to fill-in or add volume to areas that have lost volume and smoothness. You can use one or the other, or a combination of both, to achieve their goals. To schedule your complimentary consultation, visit us online at baweightspa.com or call us at 918-872-9999.

Dr. James R. Campbell D.O. and Malissa Spacek, Founder BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center 510 N. Elm Place Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012 918.872.9999 www.baweightspa.com Views expressed in the Professionals do not necessarily represent the views of Oklahoma Magazine, Schuman Publishing Co. or its affiliates.

LIFE & ST YLE | F YI

THE JOURNEY TO BETTER BALANCE Yoga and strength training can help keep people stable and centered, both physically and emotionally.

ith warmer weather on the way, many are looking forward to outdoor activities in the sunshine. But after months of pandemic isolation, our bodies might not be quite up to the challenge. Luckily, a variety of trainers are at the ready to help willing participants strengthen their cores and stay steady. “Yoga is wonderful to help create better balance, both physically and mentally,” says Allison Candelaria, owner of Soul Yoga in Oklahoma City. “The way we use our bodies in yoga strengthens the outer hips in connection with the inner thighs to create better overall hip stability, which is a big key to creating better balance.” Candelaria continues: “Centering your core comes from looking at the muscles which surround your lumbar spine, not just working on your abdominal wall. Crunches just won’t cut it.” According to Candelaria, creating three-dimensional support, including deep muscles that surround your center, is the key to success.

“The center of your core bridges the upper and lower halves of the body,” she says. “In yoga, we do mindful, as well as strengthening, poses to tone your core in a very intelligent way, giving you better control over the entire body.” In yoga, one uses the core to hold poses as well as to transition to new poses with ease. “Not only do we practice specific balancing poses and core exercises, yoga also teaches you to be less reactionary and more mindful, which in turn, also balances the mind,” she says. Just how important is balance? Intuitively, it’s clear that a loss of balance impacts stability, and the resulting falls lead to numerous injuries as one ages. While a tumble can seem fairly simple, falls in older adults can become permanent disabilities, and that’s why getting stabilized at any age can be life-changing. “To achieve balance and become centered, several factors must be considered that require being assessed by a licensed clinician,” says John Jackson, personal

trainer and owner of Impact Fitness in Tulsa. “Balance limitations could be based on age, weight, injury or health-related issues such as core weakness, stroke and vision. It’s important to know why your balance is limited, and if it’s not, then you can do movements to enhance balance.” Jackson goes on to say that the biggest misconception about strengthening one’s core is that you have to work towards a sixpack. “This is aesthetically pleasing, and usually apparent in younger men and women whose metabolism is running at an optimal rate,” he says. “As aging adults, we must take a different approach to core strength – and that is being focused on function over looks.” The core, Jackson says, involves not just the front mid-section but also the sides and the back. “The key is strengthening all of the areas with functional movements like planks, glute bridges and suspension movements,” he says. DEBI TURLEY

MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

t e e w SHome Home By Tracy LeGrand

The importance of one’s own space, whether indoor or outdoor, has been emphasized in the last year. In our home and garden spotlight, we explore ways to make your dwelling and outside respites even better. Enjoy tips and helpful info on starting your gardening journey; growing your own food; making your front yard pop; smart-home advancements; interior design trends and organizational excellence.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

The Gardening Basics

Learning to garden doesn’t have to be impeded by the lack of an experienced friend or family member to help. Gardening classes, clubs and tutorials abound online, and local sources such as Master Gardeners are ready to share their wealth of knowledge. “One of the best ways to make that most important human connection around gardening is through your county’s Master Gardener program,” says Allen Robinson, a Master Gardener for more than a decade. “They are typically connected to your county’s Cooperative Extension Office, and every county in Oklahoma has one. Master Gardeners are a community of gardeners for all ages. They voluntarily participate in an array of horticultural education outreach program, from schools to senior living centers, as well as community events, gardening shows and many more. Currently, most programs are being conducted virtually, but expect to return to more in-person events later this year.” If you’re just looking for a quick tip, the internet, as always, has your back.

All-Natural

Along with a focus on selfreliance, many people in the last year have begun to think more critically about the food they put in their bodies. Enter the rise of organic gardening. Organic gardening results in: cheaper-compared-togrocery prices; the satisfaction of being a good steward for the environment; the utilization of little to no pesticides; and, of course, tasty, fresh-off-the-vine produce, says Robinson. The basics are the same as regular gardening: finding soil rich in nutrients with good tilth

Growing Your Own

With many folks staying close to home over the last year, self-reliance became more popular; this resulted in an interest in growing one’s own food. Robinson’s tips include getting earlier crops by starting seedlings indoors with grow lights, and choosing disease-resistant varieties that grow well in Oklahoma. He advises that February plantings should focus on onions, carrots, lettuce, turnips, spinach and cabbage; March on beets, broccoli, potatoes, green peas, asparagus and radish; April, after last frost, on corn, tomato, peppers, beans, cucumber, squash, eggplant; and May on okra, sweet potatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe and southern peas. Conserve water with a drip irrigation system, and utilize mulch to control weeds and regulate soil temperatures. Visit your garden daily to check for potential problems.

and drainage; regular application of organic-based compost; choosing seeds and plants that are pest and disease resistant; and proper watering, weeding and mulching. The use of sweet alyssum, dill and other small-bloom plants attracts natural predators like ladybugs and parasitic wasps, which dramatically reduces the need for synthetic pesticides. Bacillus thuringiensis – also known as Bt – is a naturally occurring bacteria that disrupts the digestion of caterpillars and other leaf-eaters. It can be found at most nurseries. POLLINATOR GARDENS LOOK BEAUTIFUL AND ALSO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT. PHOTO COURTESY OSU EXTENSION OFFICE

Pollinator Gardens

If you’re looking to enrich the environment and save the bees, creating a pollinator garden is a great way to start. “Three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about a third of food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce,” says Robinson. “Honeybees do the heavy lifting, accounting for 80% of the pollination on over 100 fruit and vegetable crops.” To start a pollinator garden, do the usual preparation and nutrient additions to tilled soil, such as humus, and then choose plants that attract pollinators, like colorful blossoms and plants like milkweed (host plant to Monarch butterflies), fennel, dill, rue, bee balm, raspberry brambles, coneflowers, elderberries, mountain min, goldenrod, ironweed and ornamental grasses. MARCH 2021| WWW.OKMAG.COM

Curb Appeal Looking to create an enticing lawn? For a memorable front yard, the year-round pop of evergreens is a good choice, along with differing heights, textures and colors of plant materials to create a dramatic and welcoming effect, says Kelly Caviness, president and principal designer for Caviness Landscape Design. He advises to consult a local nursery or a landscape designer for suggestions for your particular spot’s sun, shade and direction variations. For sun and partial shade, try evergreen canarti junipers and the eye-catching variegation of sweet flag acorus and blue pacific junipers for ground cover. For shade, consider gold dust acuba or a sango kaku Japanese maple.

Going Vertical

Whether you’re short on space or just wanting to add upward variation, vertical gardening allows plants to grow on a – you guessed it – vertically suspended panel, which can either be freestanding or attached to a wall, says Robinson. A variety of designs are available online, or you can build one using common materials like a trellis. With vertical gardening, you’re able to grow more plants in a limited space. It’s also physically easier to maintain, since you’re working at eye level. Other pros include improvement of air quality, less exposure to chemicals and disease, and, of course, the aesthetic appeal. Initial material costs range from $150 to $300. Challenges include the potential to promote root rot if plants are over-watered, so use a drip irrigation system. You’ll need to increase water and fertilizer maintenance due to the drying effects of the wind and sun, and remember to prune regularly.

Tips and Tricks

Novice gardeners learn quickly that soil matters. “One of the most important aspects of successful gardening is to ensure the soil you are using has the proper pH and nutrients,” says Robinson. For healthy, thriving plants, a soil test is required, and the OSU Soil Testing Lab performs tests for $10 per sample. It

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

takes about two weeks to receive the diagnostic report with a list of what nutrients are needed and instructions on how to rectify any issues. Free of charge, Tulsa Master Gardeners answer gardening questions online at tulsamastergardeners.org; by phone at 918-746-3701; and via email mg@tulsamastergardeners. org.

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Enhancing Your Space

Fooling the eye, optimizing a room – there are always ways to enhance one’s décor, and Tulsa-based interior designer Laura Ellis Barnes says to start with scale and choose furniture that is appropriate in size for the space. Be sure to declutter and use mirrors and cohesive colors and designs, maintaining clear walkways. Creating gallery walls and hanging pieces asymmetrically can be an interesting feature, achieved through grouping photos and art together that are different in size but with the same visual weight to create balance. For optimal color use, start with a piece you love – whether a piece of furniture, fabric or piece of art – and build around it from there. “I love using color,” says Ellis Barnes. “It allows for less decoration or art on the walls because it creates visual interests. Makes a space more inviting, warm and interesting.” SAVANT systems help to create a cohesive smart home hub. Photos courtesy SAVANT

Smart-Home Advancements

The more technology grows, the larger the uptick in home theaters and all manner of home automation. Jeff Bezdek, president of OKC’s Vox Audio Visual, says there’s increasing use of intuitive, interfacing, one-app home technologies such as SAVANT, a small computer hub that controls much more than security, lights and thermostat. Perks like coordination with window coverings to regulate home temperature, and establishing differing audio zones for multiple occupants, are just two of numerous examples, as anything electric can be automated. In this hub-type system, connected devices are orchestrated and operated at home and remotely. As a night out at the movies isn’t really an option right now, Bezdeck has seen more reinvesting in home theaters. The prices have come down as technology has evolved into a conversion from large TVs to laser projection systems, with no-bulb LED technology for the centerpiece of any theater: very large images.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

INTERIOR DESIGNER LAURA ELLIS BARNES SAYS THAT POPS OF COLOR IN ROOMS ALLOW FOR LESS DECORATION ON WALLS, CREATING A CLEAN, STEAMLINED SPACE. PHOTO COURTESY LAURA ELLIS BARNES

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A Back Yard Oasis

Outdoor living is huge right now, says Caviness. Creating another ‘room’ outside as a retreat can increase the value of your home. Privacy screens or evergreen plant material can create ‘walls.’ For larger yards, pathways leading to a destination spot can create intrigue. Create outdoor spaces that can be destinations: A water feature can bring a sense of calm and is proven to lower heart rates. For covered patios, electric heaters that can be mounted on the ceiling, or even standing propane heaters, can extend the outdoor living from early spring well into late fall and winter. A fire pit can redeem almost 100% of the cost if you resell, according to real estate professionals. Pricing can start at around $200 for propane heaters and go up from there. Misters can provide respite from the heat for patio areas, and ceiling fans for covered porches can offer a breeze ... and also help with mosquitos and flies. KELLY CAVINESS, OWNER OF OKC-BASED CAVINESS LANDSCAPE DESIGN, SAYS FORGING PATHWAYS THROUGHOUT THE YARD TO DIFFERENT DESTINATIONS CREATES INTRIGUE. PHOTO COURTESY CAVINESS LANDSCAPE DESIGN

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

Interior Design Trends

With people staying home now more than ever, interior design interest is skyrocketing. Influences for 2021 include what Ellis Barnes calls ‘classic traditionalism’ or ‘grand Millennial,’ with traditional elements brought back into the space, using colors, patterns, and antique and sturdy crafted furniture, along with carved moldings and detailed woodwork making a revival. This ode to old school involves a meeting of pattern and texture, while embracing comfort and tradition. Think skirted side tables and silk accessories. Trending away from colder color tones and powdery pinks, warm colors like red are back, along with purple and deep pink, says Ellis Barnes. Wallpaper has been, and remains, in for 2021. More on the outs of current aesthetics are the all-white palette. Instead, mix wood tones, stained cabinetry and countertops for more color and warmth. Gold and mixing metals is still au courant, while all-grey is out.

The

Organization Game

To optimize the at-home lifestyle, clutter is the enemy. Enter Becky Marple, licensed and insured professional organizer and owner of BeeNeat. To begin your organizational journey, Marple advises starting with the home’s hub – the kitchen – to dump expired, duplicated and little-used items. Other tips include putting donations in the car’s front seat to get rid of them quick; organizing like items together; and not buying organizing products until measuring spaces. “The less we have, the less we have to dust, move, think about, spend time moving and organizing,” she says. “Once a client sees that they have seven spatulas, or 18 nearly identical tank tops, they begin to see that they don’t need quite that many, and that is what is causing their space to feel cluttered, tight and difficult to keep organized. I encourage clients to shave off the excess.”

BeeNeat Organizing, helmed by Becky Marple, helps Oklahomans de-clutter and get their homes back to optimal organization. Photos courtesy BeeNeat

MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

Tulsa’s Top Realtors

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ELITE REALTORS

BRANDI TRUE

LINDSEY MORRIS

AMY PROSSER

GAYLE ROBERTS-PISKLO

SHAWN PETERS

AMANDA DUDLEY

MISSY HAGIN-PITTMAN

BARBARA STATEN

LAURIE JENKINS

JACK WALLACE

BRAD BOREM

JUDY STOCKER

ALLISON SHEFFIELD

CARRIE DEWEESE

ALLISON HAYES

SUSIE GENET

ALICIA PARKER

BROOKE CHANDLER

KELLEY WARD

JAYBEE HAWKINS

BETSY SWIMMER

THE HAND TEAM

MEGAN FOREHAND

ASHLEY ELIZONDO

CODY ADDINGTON

JENNIFER MILLER-MORROW

TIFFANY JOHNSON

TONYA ELLISON

PATTY CONTRERAS

NATALIE RICHARDSON

CCOK LAHO M A.CO M

TAYLOR BAY

LORI MOODY

S.C. CLIFFORD

JEANETTE BAGROSKY

AMANDA HOUTMAN

JESSICA FORD

JENNIFER WYKOFF

VAL GAUDET

CHRISTINA GNOSE

LINDSEY GIBSON

CAROLYN BOLDING

CINDY RODGERS

TARA WILLITT

MONTSE TORRES

BLAKE MONTGOMERY

RONDA BUTLER

KIM & JANET HOMES

KRISTI REED

TWO Billion DOLLA RS

DONNA POSEY

MARC BULLOCK

BUTLER TEAM

IN 2020 ANNUAL SALES

Integrity • Professionalism • Trust CCOKL AH O M A.CO M

The

Real Est World of

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

tate By Kimberly Burk

Getting Started

Buying or selling a home is tough, no doubt about it. But experts are in your corner. Bryan Sheppard, president and CEO of Tulsa’s Coldwell Banker Select, offers some counsel for those embarking on the home-buying journey. “Know what you can afford,” he says. “Most buyers can borrow more than they can afford. It’s important to know how much you have in your budget.” And, he says, “don’t let emotion trick you into overcoming some of the negatives on a home. Make sure you buy right.” Sherry Lewis, operating partner with Keller Williams, offers some advice on the selling aspect. “Select a Realtor you like and trust,” she says. “The Realtor will make an appointment to view your home, discuss the pricing process and the marketing process. You will discuss the importance of

Finding an Agent

One of the first steps in a home buying or selling journey is finding the right Realtor or estate agent to add to your team. “Ask your friends who have recently purchased or sold a home,” says Sheppard. “Ask them about the experience they had with their agents.” He also suggests checking online reviews. Peter Walter, founder of Tulsa’s Walter and Associates firm, says it’s all about asking the right questions. “Interview them and talk to

staging.” The agent will then introduce the marketing plan and the pricing process. “After that, the marketing begins,” she says. “Right now, we have a housing shortage, so houses are selling pretty quickly.” Sheppard agrees. In today’s market, “you need to be ready to buy. Have your pre-approval ready to go,” he says. “Your Realtor can put you in touch with a reputable lender to make it happen.” Tulsa agent Gannon Brown, part of McGraw Realtors’ Brown and Company team, says those in the market should familiarize themselves with real estate terms that will inevitably come up during the process. For buyers, these include conventional financing, preapproval, earnest money and TRR (treatment, repairs and replacements). Sellers should understand concepts like appraisal, dollar per square foot, and abstract and comparative market analysis.

them about your house and that particular market,” he says. “The important thing is if they have knowledge of that neighborhood.” Sheryl Chinowth, CEO of Chinowth and Cohen, says some of the questions to ask a prospective agent include: “What type of training have you had?” “How many homes have you sold?” “What type of support do you receive from your company?” “What type of marketing is at your fingertips for sellers?” MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

Curb Appeal Real estate agents agree that curb appeal reigns supreme when it’s time to put a house on the market. “Curb appeal is first,” says Chinowth. “Brush up the landscape. Have a welcoming front porch and front door.” Flower beds should be wellgroomed and trees trimmed, and walkways should be kept clear. After capturing that curb appeal, de-cluttering comes

What it Takes

Perhaps you’re not in the market to buy or sell, but instead to become a Realtor or real estate agent yourself. The first step toward launching a real estate career is to attend the 90-hour pre-licensing school, says Brown. The course is taught by several online-only firms, and local brokerages offer real estate schools that combination in-person and online learning. Graduates then take a state exam, and once licensed, are required to work for a licensed brokerage. Successful agents are possessed of knowledge, integrity and professionalism, says

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

second, experts say. “Think minimalistic … especially on countertops and closets,” says Chinowth. “Beyond that, ask your Realtor what things need to be attended to – that will help the sale of the home.” Chinowth says she often uses a professional stager. “We go room by room and make a list of what needs to come out or be moved to another room,” she says. “You might need to take a lot of personal effects out.”

Chinowth. They also need good math skills and an ability to learn, “as the market and real estate law are both constantly changing,” she says. A typical day for an agent includes generating leads and serving clients, says Lewis, who mentions that people who enter the field should be prepared to work at night, meeting with prospective clients and showing properties. “If you are full-time, you are on call all the time,” agrees Walter. He says real estate agents need “energy, stamina, focus, persistence and knowledge.”

What People Want

It’s not just the living spaces that are attracting home buyers these days, nor is it just low interest rates. Oklahoma is an increasingly desirable location. Philip Churchill with OKC’s Churchill Brown and Associates says that “Oklahoma life and culture is really registering on the map right now as a place where people want to live. And you can get so much for your money right now.” The pandemic has sent many buyers in search of more indoor and outdoor space, says Chinowth. “We are also seeing a lot of people moving from Texas and California, from high-density areas to what they feel is a less dense area,” she says. In his day-to-day, Brown is noticing some trends in buyers’ design taste. “Mid-century modern seems to be very popular right now,” he says. “And farmhouse transitional, which has the warmth of a farmhouse but more of an industrial feel.” Modern design with clean lines and a minimalist vibe “seems to be creeping up in popularity,” he says.

A Look at the Market

Oklahoma is currently in a seller’s market. “There are more buyers than there is inventory, and prices are on a steady increase,” says Churchill. A buyer’s market “means a lot of inventory and decreased pricing.”

Congratulations! to our top agents

top agents 2020 Joanna Ford

John Pellow

Trish Allison

Paula McGuire

Kirstin winton

jay miller

Janice Koss

Shannon Nunneley-Grimshaw

suzanne mobley

Melanie Coon

ashley wozniak

Britney Smith

Teri Sherwood

bonnie gross

beverly jeans

lee ann kreps

brad ramey

sharon leach

julie roberts

carrie ballard

top teams 2020 Maureen Kile Team

G7 Group

Rainwater Vining Team

alice slemp team

Kevin Rhoades Team

McGuire Cooley Team

The Vermillion Group

Corrie Egge Team

tiffany martin team

The jiles team

Pollard-Sams Team

david roberts team

the red door group

brain kirk team

the realty sisters

jeb perry & associates

the wilbourn group

the gardner home team

The mary carter team

918 sold sisters

Low interest rates are the primary reason for the home-buying frenzy, experts say. “Another reason for the active market is that people are realizing, due to the pandemic, that their activities are mostly located in their homes, and that has created a new demand for a different type of home,” says Lewis. “Some are looking for home offices, others for homes with recreation areas or bigger backyards.”

Oklahoma’s Hot Spots

When asked to identify “hot spots” in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa markets, real estate agents emphasized that every neighborhood is getting a piece of the pie. “There’s no cold spot in any market,” says Sheppard. “This is the hottest market that I’ve seen in the decade that I’ve been in the industry,” agrees Brown. “Bixby and Broken Arrow are absolutely exploding. In Tulsa proper, Lewiston Gardens is very popular right now. The Pearl District is rehabilitating and blossoming. There’s a lot of residential development going on downtown – lots of vertical living.” In the Oklahoma City metro, Piedmont, Yukon and Edmond are as busy as ever, says Sheppard. “All the historical areas are doing really

well,” seconds Churchill. “And the $400,000 and under properties in Edmond. Nichols Hills is doing really well.”

Downsizing Dilemma

Looking to downsize? Before making the decision, analyze what your future looks like, says Lewis. “Will their grown children live locally, or will they move outside the state and come home for holidays?” she asks. “If children and grandchildren are coming to spend the night, they may need to maintain the home.” People who want to travel a lot might need to live in a gated area. “They should consider how much property they want to take care of,” she says. “Every person has to try to forecast out how they will be living.” Churchill says some baby boomers are downsizing, but the pandemic has caused others to decide differently. “Some are buying bigger and moving family members in with them, as opposed to going to a care facility,” he says.

Realtor vs. Real Estate Agent

Real estate agents and brokers who belong to the National Association of Realtors are known as Realtors. The NAR was created to promote the real estate profession and foster professional behavior in its members, according to its website. “Being a Realtor member means they abide by a code of ethics, and adhere to certain guidelines,” said Lewis. A real estate agent can be licensed but not a Realtor due to lack of access to a national association.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

OKLAHOMA

TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS

LISTING

Despite a hard year, real estate production soared in 2020. Oklahoma is brimming with talented agents, and many are included below in Oklahoma Magazine’s Top Real Estate Agents listing. We compiled this list by reaching out to agencies in Oklahoma’s two major metros. They provided us with their top producing agents and highest performing teams, along with contact information and total financial volumes for 2020.

TULSA

Beth Gragg

Paul Wheeler

Stacey Dobbs

Accent Realtors 918-665-8559 $26,022,626

Century 21

(Around the State) Kristin Bell

First Choice Realty 918-636-0799 $17,796,563

Patsy Clinkenbeard Clinkenbeard Agency 918-869-7504 $10,848,100

Amy Hall

Homestead Realty 918-649-7121 $10,618,675

Monica Medley

Clinkenbeard Agency 918-704-5101 $9,439,067

Cindi Knippers

First Choice Realty 918-694-8920 $7,551,200

April Vaughn

First Choice Realty 918-696-1617 $7,076,395

Justin Young

Clinkenbeard Agency 918-820-2946 $6,171,300

Darla Cantrell

Clinkenbeard Agency 918-869-6547 $6,069,104

Charlotte Swenson First Choice Realty 918-629-0973 $5,833,177

Kelsey Mink

First Choice Realty 918-706-0819 $5,774,210

First Choice Realty 918-260-6379 $5,522,765 Clinkenbeard Agency 918-816-6702 $5,335,201

Eric Sherwood

First Choice Realty 918-829-4747 $5,248,400

Larrin Rudy

Amy Prosser

Brooke Chandler

MSE Home Team

Suzanne Mobley

Gayle Roberts-Pisklo

Kelley Ward

Team Walenciak

Melanie Coon

Shawn Peters

Jaybee Hawkins

Team Regan & Regan

Ashley Wozniak

Amanda Dudley

Chinowth & Cohen (Teams)

Ivy Key Team

Britney Smith

Rehm Team

Teri Sherwood

The Watts Team

Bonnie Gross

Coldwell Banker Select

Beverly Jeanes

918-805-9713 $29,991,300 918-269-7035 $27,019,410 918-808-2239 $24,142,090 918-520-6514 $22,328,709

First Choice Realty 918-520-0102 $5,197,155

Missy Pittman

Sarah Payne

Barbara Staten

First Choice Realty 918-760-7340 $4,183,915

Chelsey Seibold

Clinkenbeard Agency 580-678-7105 $4,024,700

Michelle Denton First Choice Realty 918-636-4934 $3,812,342

Jacob Bowlin

918-955-8626 $20,915,012 918-257-2012 $20,464,240

Laurie Jenkins 918-951-4663 $20,319,875

Jack Wallace

918-740-0464 $20,184,000

Brad Borem

918-605-6086 $19,908,228

Clinkenbeard Agency 918-360-3709 $3,675,750

Judy Stocker

Carla Weaver

Allison Sheﬀield

Clinkenbeard Agency 580-280-0715 $3,635,736

Andrea Dickerson Clinkenbeard Agency 918-636-1911 $3,350,855

Chinowth & Cohen (Individuals) Brandi True

918-688-4581 $50,902,427

Lindsey Morris 405-205-7830 $41,790,717

918-605-0998 $19,282,593 918-951-7000 $18,989,077

Carrie DeWeese 918-605-6172 $18,536,000

Allison Hayes 918-855-5868 $18,169,574

Susie Genet

918-809-8296 $17,606,872

Alicia Parker

918-231-5995 $17,031,291

918-810-2471 $16,436,023 918-906-1492 $15,990,432 918-404-1416 $15,362,449

Lindsey Morris Homes Team 405-205-7830 $41,790,717

Jenkins Team 918-951-4663 $20,319,875

Chandler Homes Team 918-810-2471 $16,436,023

The Hawkins Home Team

918-404-1416 $15,362,449

The Hand Team 918-724-1089 $13,614,573

American Home Team 918-894-3434 $12,235,253

Butler Team

918-740-1000 $8,072,600

Harwell Home Team 918-863-7000 $6,458,125

Burke Home Team 918-730-3076 $5,390,035

KLD Team

918-500-4830 $5,155,688

Haslett Home Team 918-724-3711 $4,845,250

918-960-1185 $3,408,717

918-808-5576 $12,075,349

918-638-0805 $2,884,860

918-521-1990 $11,228,940

918-740-5415 $2,444,400 918-606-7341 $1,295,900

918-402-5164 $10,915,350

918-557-0569 $1,205,000

918-691-0258 $10,262,872

918-521-7404 $1,101,499

918-695-8487 $10,217,001

(Individuals)

918-931-9434 $10,114,450

Lee Ann Kreps

Joanna Ford

918-691-5915 $9,915,150

918-381-2555 $28,956,153

Brad Ramey

John Pellow

918-671-4276 $9,789,374

918-697-5237 $16,051,700

Sharon Leach

Trish Allison

918-214-1400 $9,746,550

918-260-7653 $14,088,965

Julie Roberts

Paula McGuire

918-630-3340 $9,509,693

918-625-1750 $13,892,350

Carrie Ballard

Kristin Winton

918-630-4380 $9,466,800

918-346-9213 $13,832,123

Coldwell Banker Select

Jay Miller

918-230-9876 $12,825,196

(Teams)

Janice Koss

Maureen Kile Team

918-694-9918 $12,794,450

918-605-4150 $84,569,635

Shannon NunneleyGrimshaw 918-899-4747 $12,427,100

918-232-8052 $10,999,423

G7 Group

918-381-5656 $40,425,736

MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

OKLAHOMA

David Roberts Team

Kara Folkins

Michelle Bausch

Heckenkemper Team

Homes the Wright Way

The Red Door Group

Andrea Barbour

Dathel Golden

Private Label Team

918-810-4530 $5,704,850.01

918-238-4355 $24,237,481

MBH Group

Brian Kirk Team

Jamie Goodnight

Scott Morse

Baynebrook Group

Chelsea Meek

Aussie Real Estate Team

Rainwater Vining Team 918-370-8147 $38,079,824

Alice Slemp Team 918-260-3735 $27,456,359

Kevin Rhoades Team 918-260-9072 $22,184,476

McGuire Cooley Team 918-639-2590 $19,133,778

The Vermillion Group 918-230-1915 $17,897,955

Corrie Egge Team 918-230-8433 $17,299,780

918-695-6979 $12,155,456 918-396-9888 $11,606,073

918-510-0887 $8,236,996.68

The Realty Sisters

Jennifer Sanders

918-804-2714 $10,522,632

Carol Pankey-Davis

The Wilbourn Group

Apryl Pritchett

918-284-0664 $10,209,599 918-798-1808 $10,035,290

The Gardner Home Team

918-430-8247 $9,773,399

The Mary Carter Team 918-637-7961 $8,990,267

918 Sold Sisters

The Jiles Team

Keller Williams Realty Advantage

Pollard-Sams Team 918-519-4297 $13,515,050

(Individuals)

Kathryn French 918-720-5663 $11,359,598.94

24622 Shannon Nunneley-Grimshaw.indd 1

918-829-5200 $7,599,717.62

Jeb Perry & Associates

Tiﬀany Martin Team

918-258-2298 $14,715,750

918-644-9950 $8,494,016

918-869-7080 $11,526,306

918-245-6641 $8,626,480

918-852-2326 $15,078,966

918-636-4628 $9,376,138.97

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

918-712-2252 $7,385,609.67 918-291-2425 $7,161,519

Qi Ying

918-904-3283 $6,971,565.67

Darla Koetter 918-625-0786 $6,928,961.65

Holly Berry

918-781-2563 $6,481,266.65

Amy Calmus

918-850-0242 $6,411,734

Amy Dennis

918-712-2252 $6,369,062.33

Amberly Bell

918-241-7653 $6,165,794.30

918-645-6676 $6,031,718.34

918-710-1139 $5,656,783.34 918-640-5018 $5,618,455.33

Adam Callaway 918-810-9879 $5,612,399.94

Dalene Wells

918-381-8883 $40,491,545

918-409-2762 $20,544,495

918-282-3451 $19,418,306

Amber Davis Home Team

918-521-8417 $18,320,575

918-277-1881 $5,268,801.67

Jessica Scott Team

Royce Ellington

Proﬀitt Premier Home Team

918-638-6318 $4,911,441.99

Keller Williams Realty Advantage

918-361-0104 $17,257,821 918-605-9707 $15,000,525

The Gobbo Group 918-496-3535 $12,525,425

918-712-3600 $6,464,100 918-973-0087 $6,290,900

Rosencutter Team 918-845-8885 $5,883,787

Christensen Home Team

918-527-9758 $4,754,400

Smith and Giles 918-855-2905 $4,420,900

House Hounds 918-645-3101 $3,729,700

Keller Williams Realty Premier – Owasso (Individuals)

(Teams)

Dream Maker Homes

918-691-7007 $88,880,880

918-948-5666 $9,762,889

918-630-6692 $10,470,142

Peck Real Estate Group

Ashley Dailey

Reynolds/ Kennedy Team

Holly Bolay

Ary Land Co.

Rise Home Team 918-519-9227 $46,324,663

Wolek Group

918-550-9243 $43,274,404

918-645-6633 $7,660,420

918-637-7411 $7,597,900

Chaera Bartel

918-760-1487 $8,895,850 918-724-5439 $8,847,999

2/18/21 4:01 PM

Juli Edwards

Gary Wayne O’Dell

Laura Bryant

Jody Grubbs

Charlyn Terry

Mike Keys

Kevin Abbott

Dustin Moseley

Heather Caputo

Molly Jordan

Deanna Maxwell

Laura Hawkins

Angelia St. Gemme

Richard Thompson

Cathy Schaefer (Grand Lake)

Mary Richardson

Kaleb Branham

Julie Shew-Dikeman

Cheryl Wackenhuth

918-260-7661 $8,811,615 918-798-7271 $7,889,250 918-244-9706 $7,645,805 918-520-6015 $7,497,300 918-520-0907 $6,577,100 918-697-2707 $6,573,612 918-282-1295 $6,497,312

Karen Wells

918-698-9382 $6,362,770

Ronica Warden 918-343-8186 $6,266,123

918-688-5999 $9,900,000 918-810-4630 $9,000,000 918-549-0303 $8,300,000 918-500-5122 $8,00,000 918-230-4566 $7,600,000 918-693-3535 $7,600,000 918-798-3593 $7,400,000

Keller Williams Realty Preferred – South Tulsa (Teams)

Tara Hargrove

918 Home Team

918-521-9457 $6,019,664

918-269-1988 $65,000,000

Sara Alexander

Rentz Team

918-557-9062 $4,741,277

918-859-5840 $48,800,000

Shelby Fisher

Brian Frere Real Estate Team

918-272-0809 $4,641,800

Keller Williams Realty Premier – Owasso (Teams) The Ross Team 918-852-5250 $40,051,723

The Colt Realty Group 918-808-7522 $24,673,267

The 5 Star Group

918-298-6900 $48,300,000

Hometown Home & Ranch Team 918-647-0715 $35,000,000

Ellis Real Estate Team 918-732-9788 $34,500,000

Hill Team

918-760-6565 $13,800,000

Cochran & Company Realtors

918-798-7271 $19,269,822

918-697-1200 $13,500,000

Shields & Co.

Tulsa Premier Home Team

918-798-5581 $16,369,769

918-805-9315 $13,300,000

918-693-2961 $23,400,000 918-808-4780 $19,000,000 918-237-9340 $14,800,000 918-260-7885 $14,600,000

918-787-7625 $14,300,000

Jacki Crews

918-232-7179 $13,300,000

Stephanie Joy 918-760-6235 $13,200,000

Don Burns

918-607-2434 $13,000,000

Frankie Harkey 918-230-6315 $12,000,000

John Smucker 918-261-7355 $12,000,000

David Palik

Larry Harral

918-231-4455 $11,000,000

Gini Fox

918-625-5102 $11,000,000

Sue Ann Blair 918-813-3477 $11,000,000

Summer Ratzlaﬀ 918-850-6306 $18,800,000

Baharak Ranjbar 918-340-4361 $16,300,000

Diana RileyPatterson (Grand Lake) 918-629-3717 $32,200,000

Curt Roberts

918-231-0691 $30,000,000

Neil Dailey

918-853-7337 $28,200,000

918-214-6800 $10,000,000

918-388-9588 $176,000,000

918-313-1786 $20,200,000

Donna Skelly (Bartlesville)

Unlock Tulsa Team

(Individuals)

918-850-2207 $10,000,000

Keller Williams Realty Preferred – South Tulsa Heidi McMurray

2/9/21 4:18 PM

Allison Jacobs

918-863-4130 $11,000,000

(Individuals)

918-724-5008 $11,000,000

$13,837,450

McGraw Realtors

OKLAHOMA

24617 McGraw Realtors.indd 1

Sherri Sanders

McGraw Realtors (Teams)

918-549-5388 $10,400,000

mcgrawrealtors.com

918-812-2757 $11,000,000

Mobley Team

First Family Home Team

McGraw REALTORS® is Oklahoma's longest-standing real estate ﬁrm. Founded on a tradition of excellence, we have been helping people successfully buy and sell homes for more than 80 years. With 16 oﬃces in Oklahoma and 3 in Arkansas, McGraw REALTORS® is here to serve you. When it really matters, choose McGraw.

BR AD B O R EM

CHINOWTH & COHEN

McGraw Multifamily Team

Brown and Company 918-376-3860 $85,000,000

Hawes, Houchin, Collins 918-645-3790 $37,000,000

Laura Grunewald and Associates 918-734-0695 $31,000,000

Bingham, Case, Lassman 918-630-4434 $26,000,000

Brad Borem has been serving Tulsa home buyers and sellers with Chinowth & Cohen for many years. Born and raised in Tulsa, Brad understands and loves the local market, allowing him to provide a professional and reliable experience. Stand-out performance when it comes to marketing and contracts along with extensive knowledge in new construction and running sales with Brumble Construction has led BRAD BOREM Brad to become a (918) 605-6086 multi-million dollar BBOREM@CCTULSA.COM producer in the area. BBOREM.CCOKLAHOMA.COM Contact Brad today! SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

1004 Brad Borem.indd 1

MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

2/25/21 9:38 AM

OKLAHOMA

Janice Sizemore

Mary Fitzpatrick

Terri Boushon Team

The Red Team

Jim Miller

Jim Oliver

Jennifer Lacatus

K O Realty Team

The Duncan Gals

Melissa Sharp

Debbie Durkee

Leslie Lynn

The Rognas Team

Andrea and Chad Sampley

Keller Williams Realty Elite

918-982-5780 $1,811,634.39 918-428-8329 $1,074,300 918-724-8201 $1,000,000

Luxe Real Estate Team 918-740-2103 $25,000,000

Ragan Group

918-629-4656 $23,000,000

Woodward Group 918-629-3965 $19,000,000

Lawrence & Roberts Team (Bartlesville) 918-440-0819 $12,000,000

Sandberg-Hutto Team 918-698-3800 $12,000,000

Rhynes-Evans Team

405-250-6999 $3,500,746 405-627-9153 $3,233,994

918-804-8528 $16,182,775

405-203-4663 $126,742,542

405-250-3778 $42,000,000

Danielle Mize

OKC

Chinowth & Cohen

Karen Blevins

Kermit Brown and Shana Allen 405-990-3000 $40,048,750

Mandy Renee and Jason Wilke

(Individuals)

405-514-9397 $23,307,890

405-203-4663 $126,742,542

Chris George

Karen Blevins Kermit Brown Team 405-990-3000 $40,048,750

405-528-4698 $20,401,505

Andrew Thomas and Ann Cox

Pinnacle Realty Group

Chris George

405-528-4698 $20,401,505

405-826-5717 $7,356,100

918-409-5195 $74,388,226

Philip Churchill

Cyrus and Heather Idell

Casey Grippando 918-899-3825 $14,816,949

John Broostin 918-859-2453 $8,786,465

Marie McManus 918-607-7975 $7,603,877

Brett Friesen

918-235-4661 $6,507,555

Kristy Kowalski 918-550-9506 $5,646,094

Pamela Nichols 918-271-1183 $5,445,006

Jennifer Olson 918-404-2692 $4,901,600

Jeﬀ & Joyce With 918-734-1703 $3,935,615

Kelsi Gaither

918-237-0497 $3,630,437

Shawnna Summers 918-613-1299 $2,996,000

Mary Cain

918-853-7084 $2,858,367

Herb Factory

918-231-4103 $1,877,000

405-850-2293 $7,639,778

Hamilwood Realty

Amy Denner and Randy Coleman

RE/MAX T-Town

405-812-4205 $8,470,145

Chinowth & Cohen (Teams)

Mandy Renee

David DuMont

405-922-9504 $8,965,511

Sprik Realty Group

405-888-6400 $7,504,725

918-606-3913 $11,000,000

405-694-8164 $3,663,800

405-514-9397 $23,307,890

405-250-1281 $9,213,500

405-412-3343 $6,646,572

Lynne Hamilton

Judy Bachman and Cathy Pritchard

405-808-3936 $8,471,092

Breann Green

Ryann Shannon 405-962-8402 $16,000,000

Keller Williams Realty Central Oklahoma

Markus Smith

Andrew Foshee

Bart Terrell

405-888-6948 $6,000,000

(Individuals)

405-323-5313 $37,807,950

Brad Reeser

405-705-7749 $37,017,842

Teresa Favors

Cathy McCown 405-833-8913 $5,982,700

Jana K. Lowry 405-306-4436 $5,790,055

Monty Milburn 405-412-7335 $5,566,161

Judy J. Veazey 405-823-7621 $5,488,540

Meg Stamatis 405-476-8219 $5,249,000

Ken Hutmacher 405-204-9052 $4,831,765

Brittany Ella

405-763-9919 $4,594,950

Kelsy Webb

405-308-7302 $4,274,800

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

405-204-2560 $32,499,574

(Individuals)

405-323-5313 $23,317,052

405-640-4700 $11,779,290

Greg Roberts

Joanne Keeter 405-922-2939 $9,989,814

Jim Webb

405-206-3117 $9,497,000

Terri Pace

405-596-3317 $6,788,750

Tamela McSwain 405-230-0613 $6,623,039

Peggy Absher 405-410-8671 $6,479,390

Lisa Bailey

405-708-8733 $5,875,411

Coldwell Banker Select (Teams) Blue Avenue Real Estate Team 405-550-5635 $10,048,431

405-205-0867 $18,628,048.88

Darian Woolbright

Amy Denner

405-833-5512 $10,347,244

Leesa Williams

Rachel Payne

405-535-8300 $9,000,000

Ryan Litz

405-412-3343 $6,646,572

(Individuals)

Simon Shingleton

Coldwell Banker Select

Kimberly Reed

Keller Williams Realty Elite

Ryan Young

405-996-0957 $10,000,000

405-888-6400 $7,504,725

Cyrus and Heather Idell

405-826-0167 $14,176,977

Terry Courtney

Tracy Thomas

405-826-5717 $7,356,100

405-830-8983 $19,061,385

Brett Watson

405-245-1250 $2,480,320

Andrew Thomas and Ann Salyer Cox

405-474-4774 $27,809,030

405-330-2626 $22,922,266

Leisa Davis

405-696-3272 $17,002,530 405-314-7856 $16,191,048 405-887-3007 $15,154,706 405-443-6783 $13,255,668

Makinsey Zacker 405-476-6284 $10,609,058 405-517-3377 $9,924,041

Chad McKamie

405-637-7960 $6,011,911.08 405-213-5147 $5,847,096

(Groups)

Wyatt Poindexter Group 405-250-1213 $107,760,334.01

The Hart Home Selling Team 405-990-4569 $55,423,510

Brett Boone

405-818-0773 $55,132,890.40

Your H.O.M.E. Team 405-816-0046 $38,274,819

The Kinney Team 405-760-3455 $30,463,932

The Shelby Cummings Team 405-641-5120 $25,659,421

The Tom Hall Group 405-209-9612 $18,443,777.40

The OKC Real Estate Team

405-306-8998 $8,181,209

405-823-8690 $16,792,949

Phillip Kitchen

The Schroder Real Estate Team

405-519-0250 $8,124,720

Joanna Haley

405-570-2337 $7,926,875.13

Melissa Hooper 405-824-9556 $7,788,990

405-850-5065 $13,621,764.99

Dobson & Associates 405-255-3302 $12,777,445

Christie and Russell Davis

Christy Stanley

405-326-2566 $10,675,937

Ann Ballew

The Whitten Real Estate Team

405-503-3201 $7,090,000

405-414-2864 $8,978,280

Gina Stephens

Brad and Rachel Boone

405-819-7331 $6,815,040

405-620-7778 $8,765,357

Judie Schwerdtfeger

Ouren and Associates

405-210-3623 $6,808,500

405-630-4695 $7,257,857

Julia Assef

The Abby Mathew Team

405-824-7136 $6,704,788

405-203-8558 $6,301,158

Keller Williams Realty Central Oklahoma (Teams)

Melissa Barnett

Brent Holliday

405-834-9145 $6,673,997

405-788-1708 $6,223,431.83

Home Team 405

Lauren Wright

405-833-5743 $33,956,950

405-406-4899 $6,658,374

Ethan and Lauren Patton

Thomas Real Estate Team

Laura Kosters

405-637-6611 $21,636,596

Seth Bullard

405-650-7676 $17,896,328

Kadee French 405-535-6399 $15,245,436

Anne Wilson

405-820-8139 $14,516,727

Joe Brown

405-659-6037 $10,196,250

405-414-5070 $28,137,936

405-640-5543 $7,533,756

405-706-4485 $6,405,950

405-479-9111 $5,952,416

ANW Real Estate Team 405-590-3384 $4,963,534

OKLAHOMA

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

HEIDI MCMURR AY

K E L L E R W I L L I A M S R E A LT Y P R E F E R R E D Closing over $20 million in property sales for 2020, Heidi McMurray has the expertise and experience to earn the confidence of her valued clients, sellers and buyers alike. Her tenacious commitment to client values is what truly sets her apart. Heidi’s ability to resolve challenges puts her clients at ease through the stress that often accompanies the sales process. She has the behind-the-scenes toughness that results in a streamlined transaction, so clients can focus on the many tasks required to make their sale successful. Negotiating client goals, executive concierge service and making dreams come true is cause for a winning day at the closing table! A Luxury Agent, Heidi consistently achieves market leader status in Oklahoma. A Realtor since 1991 and Broker Associate with Keller Williams Preferred since 2003,

Heidi is a consistent Top Agent in property sold, often outproducing entire realty teams. Heidi’s high ranking within Tulsa’s Top 100 Realtors as a solo agent, alongside consistent placement as a Top 1,000 KW Agent for the U.S., proves she is here to stay as a trusted resource even through tumultuous economic seasons. With a bachelor’s degree in business from ORU and executive experience launching a national advertising franchise, Heidi knows what it takes to negotiate successfully and provide innovative HEIDI MCMURRAY strategies to 4745 E. 91st St ., Tulsa procure buyers (918) 313-1786 for her listed HEIDISHOMES@KW.COM properties. WWW.HEIDISHOMES.KW.COM

MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

OKLAHOMA

The Manandez Team 405-802-2504 $4,826,125

Arends Real Estate Team 405-505-6226 $3,137,450

Keller Williams Realty Platinum (Individals)

Paula Beauchamp

512-201-3875 Keller Williams Platinum (Broken Bow) $33,000,000

Dawn Hibben

580-743-3174 Keller Williams Platinum (Broken Bow) $18,000,000

Brian Rush

405-420-2499 Keller Williams Platinum $16,000,000

Michael Carter

405-219-2433 Keller Williams Platinum $14,000,000

Jenny Burns

405-473-4931 Keller Williams Platinum $12,000,000

Sharon Ferguson 580-612-5111 Keller Williams Platinum $12,000,000

Evelyn Warren

580-236-0124 Keller Williams Platinum (Broken Bow) $10,000,000

Ashly Kuma

918-640-5535 Keller Williams Platinum (Broken Bow) $7,000,000

Bruce Short

580-612-6659 Keller Williams Platinum (Broken Bow) $7,000,000

Kory Ellis

405-413-7793 Keller Williams Platinum (Piedmont) $6,000,000

Monte Monroe

405-708-8692 Keller Williams Platinum $6,000,000

Andrew Payne

405-761-7422 Keller Williams Platinum $6,000,000

Andrea Jalaﬀ

405-889-6501 Keller Williams Platinum $6,000,000

Phil Boevers

405-642-5029 Keller Williams Platinum (Piedmont) $6,000,000

Jeﬀ Hart

405-623-4646 Keller Williams Platinum $5,000,000

Keller Williams Realty Platinum (Teams)

Landry Home Team 405-210-5800 Keller Williams Platinum $12,000,000

Matt Tilley Next Level Team

Almaraz/ Aduddell Team

405-476-1802 Keller Williams Platinum $9,000,000

405-348-4422 $12,000,000

Frank Greer Team 405-354-5243 $10,000,000

Buckelew Team 405-708-7010 Keller Williams Platinum $7,000,000

The Edge Home Team 405-348-4422 $9,000,000

Bailee Edwards Team 405-326-4832 Keller Williams Platinum $7,000,000

RE/MAX First

Christi Turrentine and Dana McGuire Team 405-843-8448 $8,591,000

Buxton Team

Traci Thompson 405-843-8448 $7,244,000

Chelle Greene 405-843-8448 $6,468,000

Mark Calhoun 405-843-8448 $6,112,000

Holly Clifton

405-843-8448 $5,423,000

Natalie Bratton 405-843-8448 $5,376,000

405-816-3600 Keller Williams Platinum $6,000,000

Alice Dahlgren

Richard Hauschild

Susan Citty

Leanne Toth

McGraw Realtors (Teams)

405-843-8448 $7,968,000

Joe Forrest

Melinda Compton

405-843-8448 $8,219,000

Super Sarah Homes (Enid)

405-843-8448 $7,845,000

580-278-4330 $22,000,000

Leah Brown Team

405-843-8448 $4,856,000 405-843-8448 $4,739,000 405-843-8448 $4,605,000

David Dobson 405-843-8448 $4,470,000

405-414-2433 $16,000,000

OKC Home Sellers Team 405-348-4422 $15,000,000

OKLAHOMA

HE ATHER C APUTO M C G R A W R E A LT O R S

Heather Caputo of McGraw Realtors is dedicated to helping her clients achieve their real estate goals. She provides a true, professional real estate experience with top notch listing services, total buyer assistance and homeowner resources for residential, land, and new construction clients. She has proven herself to be a top producer in the Oklahoma real estate industry. Heather was born and raised with small town values, right here in Oklahoma. Her service in the United States Marine Corps and ten years in corporate America have developed her principles, knowledge and extensive resources that provide the total care experience her clients have come to expect. Heather Caputo loves helping people, she loves Oklahoma and she loves Turning Dreams into Keys. Congratulations HEATHER CAPUTO on being a Greater 524 S. Main St ., Broken Arrow Tulsa Metro’s Top (918) 237-9340 100 Realtor! HCAPUTO@MCGRAWOK.COM Connect with WWW.TULSAHOMESHOP.COM Heather today. 1003 Heather Caputo.indd 1

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

2/18/21 11:02 AM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

OKLAHOMA

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

THE B AYNEBROOK GROUP

K E L L E R W I L L I A M S R E A LT Y A D V A N T A G E & KW COMMERCIAL Meet The BayneBrook Group of Keller Williams Realty Advantage and KW Commercial, a team of experienced, dedicated agents serving the Tulsa Metro and surrounding areas. The foundation of the team is combined credibility, proven track records, and sound guidance, keeping the best interests of their clients front and center. “We focus on our clients’ wants and needs to achieve the best outcome on each transaction and strive to ensure that the process is as easy and stress-free as possible,” says Holly Brumble, founder of The BayneBrook Group. The passion for Real Estate is evident at The BayneBrook Group, as their impeccable communication skills, market knowledge, and professional approach when working with buyers and sellers is incomparable. Each member brings a unique perspective to the team, both professionally and personally, which allows for all agents to shine and offer incredible insight. The size of the team and internal structure offer the ability to serve clients at the highest level. They can be readily

available to move quickly, with expertise in Residential, Commercial, and Land transactions. The team culture is supportive and client-focused; if a team member is unavailable at a desired time, another team member steps in to make it happen. The BayneBrook Group is proud to have an in-house marketing specialist who is dedicated to showcasing homes in the most aesthetically pleasing way on multiple media platforms to reach the desired audience. The BayneBrook Group offers state-of-the art technologies, from the syndication of listings to over 350 websites, stunning HDR photography and videography, drone footage, 3D house scans, virtual staging, remodeling and de-staging. Also available is an interior design team to stage and highlight the best listing features to maximize sales in price point and time frame, and also assist THE BAYNEBROOK GROUP on the purchase (918) 409-2762 side in design and HOLLY@BAYNEBROOKGROUP.COM accessorizing WWW.THEBAYNEBROOKGROUP.COM the home.

MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

Blake loveless 918-645-4662 || BLAKE@LOVELESS.COM

HOME & GARDEN | TRENDS

WHAT’S HOT IN THE KITCHEN

•

24 Years of Experience as a Leading Agent in the Tulsa Real Estate Market

•

Results-Oriented with a Long History of Repeat Clients

•

Dedicated to Client Satisfaction Photos courtesy KitchenAid

Stay on trend with new appliances.

RETURN OF RETRO COMING IN MAY

2/23/21 2:58 PM

Photo courtesy Miele

24626 Blake Loveless.indd 1

Women BUSINESS

OKLAHOMA in OKLAHOMA

Advertising opportunities available. Contact advertising@okmag.com 918.744.6205

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

Women in Business 1/4.indd 1

Color palettes from the ‘70s are back and better than ever. Try KitchenAid’s ‘scorched orange,’ ‘avocado cream’ or ‘yellow pepper’ colors to spice things up.

OKLAHOMA 2/26/21 1:46 PM

THE POWER OF STEAM FOR HEALTHIER COOKING OPTIONS Miele’s Combi-Steam Oven gives you the strength and perks of a traditional oven but adds a new element: preparing your foods using steam. Cooking with steam yields healthier options and adds more convenience. After all, multiple foods can be prepared at the same time without any transfer of odors. The combination function lets you program up to six cooking steps, allowing you to bake, roast and broil to your heart’s content.

Photos courtesy Big Chill

enAid urtesy K itch

You’ve likely not given much thought to the plugs in your home, but new outlets have USB portals for added convenience. In your next remodeling project, consider updating your outlets.

A HINT OF COLOR Sterling silver or all-white appliances can get boring ... and fast. To rectify the issue, KitchenAid oﬀers colorful kitchen equipment, like mixers and blenders, in a variety of colors, including the above ‘honey’ hue. Adding pops of color to your cooking haven will make time creating culinary treats even more fun.

To keep things fresh, use Miele’s vacuum-sealing drawer with the Combi-Steam oven. This enables you to prep food to cook sous vide. Even better, you’re able to set the sealing level and duration – keeping fish, vegetables, meats and more fresh for longer. The vacuum-sealing drawer can also be used for resealing bags, dividing and portioning, food storage, canning, and creating vacuum-sealed snacks for trips.

Photo courtesy Miele

ALL ABOUT VACUUMSEALING

Photo courtesy Miele

TIME FOR AN UPDATE

If you’re in the market for a new refrigerator, why not go bold? Big Chill, an appliance company that creates kitchen goodies right here in the U.S., touts a variety of fridges, ovens and other appliances in classic, pro and retro styles. With several colors, shapes and styles, you’ll find something that fits your unique taste.

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Photo courtesy Leviton

SPICE THINGS UP

JUST PRINT IT For the coffee obsessed, Miele offers the 3D4U Coffee Clip, which keeps your coffee grounds and beans as fresh as possible. Even better? This and other convenient appliances can be 3-D printed!

MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

TASTE

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

SKY-HIGH CUISINE

In the Raw Vu, perched atop the new Vast Bank building in Tulsa, takes its beloved culinary favorites to new heights.

“I

Clockwise from top: Sushi is the main event at In the Raw Vu – and many opt for the decadent Chef’s Choice roll. Those on the hunt for sashimi should try Margie’s salmon sashimi with garlic vinaigrette. Co-owners Angelo and Paige Cuzalina, Greg Hughes and Ashley Bode put a lot of thought, time and love into the design and menu of In the Raw Vu. Enjoy the Weak in the Knees cocktail, which includes Empress gin, fresh lemon and lavender syrup. Appetizers abound, including the crispy rice tartar. Photos by Stephanie Phillips

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

was full of fire back then,” Greg Hughes told an Oklahoma Magazine interviewer in early 2018, recalling the days when he dared to open a sushi restaurant in a decidedly meat-and-potatoes town. During that time, he spent sleepless nights prepping, cleaning tables, waiting for customers who never came ... until a few months later, when they did come, making In the Raw one of Tulsa’s greatest culinary success stories. “Now, I’m content with my three daughters,” said Hughes back then. “If I ever wrote a book, it would be called How to Open a Restaurant: DON’T!” And yet, just two months after that interview, Hughes found himself agreeing to do just that: open a new restaurant. It was to crown the gleaming new Vast Bank building in Tulsa, which would anchor the downtown Arts District. The bank agreed to build an extra story just so In the Raw could have the penthouse. “And I grew up with [Vast Bank CEO] Tom Biolchini, so I just couldn’t say no,” says Hughes. Work started in the summer of 2018. In April 2019, a secret wedding was held in the empty space on the sixth floor; there, Hughes married his fiancée Ashley Bode. “There were no walls,” Hughes recalls. “We had to wear hard hats.” Bode is an interior decorator and caterer; it’s a perfect partnership. James Boswell, who has designed all of Hughes’ restaurants, created a soaring yet whimsical interior with sleek benches and elaborate ceilings, while Bode designed the furniture and interior groups, including bubbly chairs the color of wasabi, salmon-colored benches (yes, there’s a sushi theme here) and strange yet memorable chandeliers with wavy cloths that drift

TA S T E | F I R S T BIT E overhead like anemones. “There was so much less stress this time,” says Hughes. “We’re a good team.” Of course, Hughes downplays the obstacles he overcame. Delays happened. COVID-19 happened. Even during the lockdown, Hughes managed to convert his other restaurants to take-out and have his servers do delivery, meaning that no one lost his job. Everyone involved with the new In the Raw uses the word “elevate,” and it’s not just because the restaurant soars almost 100 feet above its neighbors. They’ve taken the old In the Raw concept – food to satisfy everybody, be they carnivores (delicious steak), taco lovers (Bajainspired fish tacos), or connoisseurs of traditional sushi – and, well, elevated it. Taken it to the next level. At the bar, all gleaming steel and tile, you can get such rare Japanese whiskies as Fukano, Ohishi and Matsui, as well as American treats like High West Midwinter Night’s Dram. Nearby is the lounge, with comfortable, plush, brightly colored leather benches and those wasabi chairs. “Everyone asks for a view or a booth,” says manager Matthew Paul, “and we have both.” It’s the view, of course, that makes the place shine. Bright, endless skies by day and then, when night falls and they dim the interior lights, the soaring downtown skyline dominates. “Yes, it’s exciting,” says Paul. “We want the wow factor.” And he gets it. On weekends, the place is fully booked. (There are 220 seats, but far fewer can be used now

because of the pandemic.) People come from midtown. People come from Texas. “Up here, you could be atop any big metropolis,” says Bode. “People can’t travel now, but they can come here. It’s an escape. You could be anywhere.” Paul adds: “You feel like you’re on top of the world.” Right near the entrance is a small sushi bar, staffed by veteran chefs. “Jackie, how long have you worked for us?” Paul asks one of the sushi chefs. “Six years,” he replies. Behind the bar is a large kitchen. There are even saute and fry stations – yes, some of the sushi rolls involve cooked lobster tail with a classic French sauce atop it – and, of course, a sushi area where, on a busy night, six sushi chefs are at work. They’re headed by Cody Stell, who’s been working for ITR for almost 20 years. The menu has all the old favorites, but there are some stunningly presented new ones as well, including steak nigiri with quail egg and ahi tuna sashimi with honey soy sauce. One memorable platter features a fishtail bowl with cubes of tuna tartare, six rice cubes in the middle, and a cup shaped like a shark’s mouth holding a sweet dipping sauce. Showy, perhaps ... but also really good.

Above: In the Raw Vu is Tulsa’s newest dining and cocktail hotspot, with stellar views of downtown. ITR’s cotton candy martini is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. Photos by Stephanie Phillips

BRIAN SCHWARTZ

Photo courtesy O’Connell’s

TA S T E | L O C A L F L AV O R

TASTE OF THE IRISH

Merriment takes on an Irish green hue at O’Connell’s Irish Pub and Grille, and never is the atmosphere as festive as on Saint Patrick’s Day. Owner Jeff Stewart presides over a 39-year tradition in his establishment, with patrons collecting each year’s custom-printed liter mug to celebrate the day – and the green suds. “We have the souvenir mugs, and this year’s T-shirts, for as long as they last,” says Stewart. On Saint Patrick’s Day, O’Connell’s opens at 7 a.m. for green eggs and ham, and the first of eight bands kicks off at noon, with more music until midnight. The usual menu is condensed for the day to burgers, sandwiches, appetizers and chicken wings

“until they run out.” Customers have shared that the fish and chips are “better than they’ve had in Europe” says Stewart of his signature entrée of crunchy, crisp, fresh and flaky Atlantic cod, handbreaded in unique beer batter with homemade tartar sauce and choice of chips. Also featured on this festive day is a dish called Irish medallions – hand-cut potato rounds cooked golden brown, brimming in melted cheese and topped with bacon chips and green onions. “Come and see us,” says Stewart. “There’s merriment and fun all day along – and everyone is green for the day.” 769 Asp Ave., Norman; facebook.com/ oconnellsnorman TRACY LEGRAND

MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

TA S T E | CHEF CHAT

TA S T E | L O C A L F L AV O R I I

BARKEEP

Sean Cummings has provided traditional eats to OKC for over a decade.

nyone familiar with the Oklahoma City dining scene has likely heard the name Sean Cummings over the years. The chef and restaurateur, who moved from Kansas City to Oklahoma more than two decades ago, has been synonymous with classic Irish pub fare for years. This year, Cummings – whose wife Cathy owns another OKC staple, Vito’s Ristorante – celebrates his third St. Patrick’s Day in the new location of Sean Cummings Irish Restaurant. Now located at 7628 N. May Ave., the joint first opened its doors twelve years ago at 96th and N. May before moving next door to Vito’s for a time. This year will undoubtedly be a much different type of celebration, with most of the crowd activities happening outside. Still, inside diners are able to find their favorite Irish classics. Starters like Guinness-infused wings with house-made blue cheese and harpsteamed mussels and clams with a beer cream sauce lead to traditional main courses like bangers and mash, Boxty filled with beef or fish, fisherman’s pie and, of course, fish and chips. In addition to the Irish specialties, other pub staples like burgers and sandwiches round out the menu, and a selection of Irish beers, whiskeys and cocktails quench any thirst. Be sure to keep up with the restaurant on Facebook (@SeanCummingsIrishPub) because menu specials are published frequently, as well as videos and information on radio engagements by both Sean and Cathy. Food isn’t the only Irish specialty you can find at the restaurant; live music is also a constant. In a time when many larger concert venues remain closed, you can enjoy local talent while you indulge and imbibe. I asked Cummings about his desire to open an Irish pub in Oklahoma after working in notable white-tablecloth restaurants in Kansas City (he previously owned The Grille on Broadway). He told me that his primary goal was to open a

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

“working man’s Irish pub – someplace where you can feel just as comfortable coming in wearing jeans as in a suit.” One challenge he found in opening the restaurant was finding staff who had even been in an authentic Irish pub. Cummings says that he and many of his employees traveled around the state to give them a feel for the concept. With his parents coming from two different parts of Ireland, Cummings says it was vital for him to provide Oklahoma with an authentic experience that even some of us of Irish descent might not truly understand. That manifests in dim lighting, traditional Irish music and a scattering of Irish memorabilia over the walls. A warm, welcoming environment –where everyone feels like a regular – is another perk that adds to the restaurant’s appeal. One of Cummings’ most exciting projects to date is a cookbook, and he’s happy to share some of the recipes. Stay tuned for informaSean Cummings creates tion on a publicatraditional Irish eats at tion and release his pub in OKC. Photos courtesy Sean date. And for upCummings dated information on the restaurant’s ONLINE St. Patrick’s Day celSEE CUMMINGS’ ebration, follow the RECIPES FOR crew on Facebook. SODA BREAD AND Safety protocols will BREAD PUDDING be of the utmost AT OKMAG.COM/ importance. CUMMINGS AMANDA SIMCOE

Since opening Barkeep Supply in 2018, Julia McLish has provided liquor lovers the tools, ingredients, drinkware and accessories to create cocktails they could find in Oklahoma City’s most stylish lounges, right in their own homes. With a seasonally rotating libations menu, Barkeep Supply is the perfect place to relax with a drink, made with one of the many unique and sometimes hard-tofind ingredients they offer in the shop. Barkeep offers cocktail classes in small groups for those looking to polish their skills and impress guests at their next party. Follow them on Facebook (@ barkeepokc) to see when they’ll offer in their next “Cocktail Box” – which comes with everything you’ll need (except the spirits themselves due to the law) to create select spirits at home. Visit the shop for the perfect glassware and accessories – they are open Tuesday through Saturday from 12 to 8 p.m. With St. Patrick’s Day on the way, McLish offers up a deliciously simple and refreshing drink recipe, Irish Gold, to make at home. AMANDA SIMCOE

Irish Gold

1.5 oz. Irish whiskey .5 oz. Cointreau .75 oz. rich honey syrup .75 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice Shake until chilled and combined, then strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a mint sprig. For the rich honey syrup, follow the 2:1 ratio of honey to water. Heat and stir to combine. Store in a covered container and refrigerate for up to two weeks. Photo courtesy Barkeep

BRINGING THE IRISH TO OKIES

TA S T E | TA S T Y T I D BI T S

THE LOKAL YUKON

Photo courtesy Lokal Yukon

For the love of all things Oklahoma, travel the legendary Route 66 to the Lokal Yukon for Okie food, wines and craft beer. Start with the delectable decadence of fried deviled eggs or bison meatballs in blueberry bourbon barbecue sauce. Entrées include the Lokal Bison Burger topped with lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle and American cheese or ribeye grilled to order. Consider farm-raised catfish, either fried or blackened. Side dishes include asparagus, house-made chili, fried okra, grilled vegetables and more. Make a meal out of salads like the Lokal Salad with pecan crusted chicken, mixed greens, strawberries, blueberries and blue cheese crumbles, served with house vinaigrette. 10 West Main St., Suite 165, Yukon; thelokalyukon.com

2020

Ti Amo Mediterranean Market is now open!

Visit the Ti Amo Market for the freshest meat and dairy, a wide variety of starches, or our special house-made sauces and soups. Dine in at our seating area or patio or pick up something from our menu or a family-style meal to go. View the menu at TiAmoTulsa.com Ti Amo South 918.499.1919 6024 S. Sheridan

Ti Amo Downtown 918.592.5151 219 S. Cheyenne

24275 10767 Ti Amo.indd 1

10/15/20 10:38 9:51 AM 12/16/16 PM

THE LOUNGE IS NOW OPEN

TUES-SUN 6-9 P.M. FEATURING MUSIC BY MARK BRUNER

NEWLY RENOVATED Photo courtesy Papa Dio’s

OUTDOOR SEATING + HEATERS

PAPA DIO’S

Considered the longestrunning family-owned Italian joint in the state, Papa Dio’s is manned by three generations of staff, serving the creations of owner and chef Bill Bonadio. The casual, family-side dining room is perfect for signature dishes like fried pizza or your favorite classic pasta. The award-winning wine bar side is anchored by antique wood and comfortable luxury, perfect for a chef ’s special from the Tuscan fusion menu.

Start your meal with an appetizer like calamari grand filets, proudly made with strips of squid – “no rings and tentacles here,” says the website – and served with house cocktail sauce and marinara. Decisions abound among entrées; perhaps you’ll enjoy the veal al dio sauteed in olive oil and simmered in marinara sauce with diced onions and mushrooms. Desserts include freshly made cannolis. 10712 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City; papadiosokc.com TRACY LEGRAND

WWW.POLOGRILL.COM

2038 UTICA SQUARE | (918) 744-4280 Hours: T-Th 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 10AM-9PM | Brunch: Fri-Sun 10AM-3PM

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MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

10/19/20 10:11 AM

CAMP GUIDE

Camp Loughridge Day Camp

3 Years - 10th Grade Register at www.csjcc.org

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!

Charles Schusterman JCC - 918.495.1111

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clcamps.org for dates and registration.

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Summer Camps Ages 5-12 | June 1-Aug. 6 • Themes include creative robotics, DJing, ceramics, comic design and more • Socially distanced outdoor and in-studio instruction and experiences • Led by professional teaching artists Member registration opens April 5

General registration opens April 12

405.951.0000 | 11 NW 11th St, OKC, OK 73103

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

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CAMP GUIDE Emily was abandoned by her mother.

So were her three sisters.

They live in four different foster homes.

Westminster School admits students of any race, color, religion, or national and ethnic origin. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, or national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, ﬁnancial aid program, athletic, and other school-administered activities.

For more information, contact Rebecca Skarky, Director of Admissions, at 405-524-0631 ext. 123

lunteer o V A S CA E. n HER Steps i

Pre-K through eighth grade 600 NW 44 Street, OKC 405-524-0631 westminsterschool.org

And will likely never see each other again.

A LOVING FAMILY L. ADOPTS THEM AL

SUMMER CAMPS at the

Be the Difference. 918-584-2272 www.tulsacasa.org

Westminster School admits students of any race, color, religion, Westminster School admits students of any race, color, religion, or national and ethnic origin. It does not discriminate on the or national and ethnic origin. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, or national and ethnic origin in basis of race, color, religion, or national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, ﬁnancial aid administration of its educational policies, ﬁnancial aid program, athletic, and other school-administered activities. program, athletic, and other school-administered activities.

mation, ca Skarky, missions, at ext. 123

For more information, For more information, contact Rebecca Skarky, contact Rebecca Skarky, Director of Admissions, at Director of Admissions, at 405-524-0631 ext. 123 405-524-0631 ext. 123

Pre-K through through eighth eighth grade grade Pre-K 600 NW NW 44 44 Street, Street, OKC OKC 600 405-524-0631 405-524-0631 westminsterschool.org westminsterschool.org

DETAILS & REGISTRATION ymcatulsa.org/camps

Pre-K through eighth grade 600 NW 44 Street, OKC 405-524-0631 westminsterschool.org

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CASCIA HALL OUR TRADITION DEFINES US AND WE LIKE IT THAT WAY Tradition is the foundation of all aspects of life at Cascia Hall Preparatory School. Students become part of our educational success which dates back to 1926. Honoring tradition at Cascia Hall teaches students that a respect for the past can inspire excellence. Learn more at casciahall.com/admissions

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MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

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

IN TULSA PERFORMANCES

CHAMBER MUSIC #7

March 4 Virtual Artist director finalist Robert Franz curates this concert of Signature Symphony musicians, featured in a more intimate and personal setting, allowing them to perform safely with physical distancing guidelines in place.

MARCH IS MUSIC AND DANCE Enrich your March with some forays into the arts. Online, Signature Symphony presents Chamber Music No. 7 on March 4. Artist director finalist Robert Franz leads the Signature Symphony musicians in a variety of rousing performances. Register at signaturesymphony.org. The dancers at Tulsa Ballet have been hard at work to perfect Signature Series 2021, running from March 5-14 at Studio K. The show includes two world premieres and another piece created just for Tulsa Ballet dancers. In Oklahoma City, the OKC Phil oﬀers two re-scheduled concerts: The Inner Realm on March 13 and A Beethoven Birthday Celebration on March 20, both at Civic Center Music Hall. The first explores works from Rautavaara, Johannsson and Sibelius; the second celebrates one of the world’s most lauded composers. At the Inasmuch Foundation Theater, OKC Ballet presents many things that make Tulsa such a special place to live. gilcrease.org

FROM THE LIMITATIONS OF NOW March 14-Sept. 5

Philbrook Bringing together

March 5 Fly Loft Enjoy performances that feature works from Haydn, Prokofiev and Dohnanyi. tulsasymphony.org

local artists and artists working across the country, From the Limitations of Now reflects on the important ways art and literature allow us to examine America’s past, present and future.

SIGNATURE SERIES 2021

VIEWS OF GREENWOOD

signaturesymphony.org

FRIDAYS IN THE LOFT

March 5-14 Studio K Two

brand new world premieres and a piece created just for Tulsa Ballet … it doesn’t get much better than that.

tulsaballet.org

CONCERTS STONEY LARUE March 5

Cain’s Ballroom This country

crooner performs two shows on March 5. cainsballroom.com

philbrook.org

March 14-Sept. 5 Philbrook

Views of Greenwood presents nearly fifty photographs of the Greenwood District by three Oklahoma photographers. philbrook.org

Tulsa Community Gallery The photos in this exhibition were taken during a five-week cell phone photography class.

ahhatulsa.org

RANDALL KING March 19 Cain’s Ballroom Country

WEAVING HISTORY INTO ART: THE ENDURING LEGACY OF SHAN GOSHORN

artist Randall King performs at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

ART ASSIGNMENT TULSA

March 5-July 4 Gilcrease This

exhibition, through the art of photography, showcases the

AMERICANS ALL!

Ongoing Gilcrease Drawn

from the Gilcrease Museum permanent collection, this exhibition showcases the many positive contributions immigrants have made, and continue to make, to

Through March 22 ahha

13 Cain’s Ballroom Donahew performs twice on March 13.

cainsballroom.com

Tulsa This completely new art environment continues ahha’s tradition of large-scale, semi-permanent, interactive art. ahhatulsa.org

108contemporary.org

cainsballroom.com

THE EXPERIENCE: IMAGINE Ongoing ahha

explores the way coded information relates to its visual representation.

EXPRESSING YOUR VOICE THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

CASEY DONAHEW March

millennia, Indigenous people shaped the Americas, from the Arctic to the southern tip of South America. gilcrease.org

FACETS Through March 21 108 Contemporary Facets

THE DAMN QUAILS March 12 Cain’s Ballroom See the band live for one night only.

O N T H E S TA G E

Through March 28 Gilcrease

There’s something about having a message in a vessel shape that makes people curious and engaged. gilcrease.org

ENDURING SPIRIT: NATIVE AMERICAN ART Ongoing Gilcrease For

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

2 FROM THE LIMITATIONS OF NOW

Future Voices – A Choreographic Showcase on March 18-21. This fast-paced and eclectic program of dance will be sure to impress. At the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Lawton, the Holy City of the Wichitas Easter Passion Play runs March 27-April 3. And you can visit the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts in Stillwater to enjoy Canadian Brass on March 28.

SIGNATURE SERIES 2021

ART

FROM GREENWOOD TO PICTORALISM

Art exhibits abound this month. Gilcrease Museum presents Assignment Tulsa from March 5-July 4, which showcases the many things that make Tulsa a great place to live and work through the art of photography. Stick around Tulsa for two new exhibitions at Philbrook: From the Limitations of Now and Views of Greenwood, both running March 14Sept. 5. Limitations brings together both local and national artists to reflect upon the ways art and literature help us examine America’s past and hope for a better future. Views of Greenwood presents nearly fifty photographs of the Greenwood District by three Oklahoma photographers who have explored change, loss and resilience within the neighborhood over the last 50 years. In Norman, Momentum runs March 3-7 at MAINSITE Contemporary Art Gallery. The Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC) presents this showcase of innovative works by young Oklahoma artists. Also in Norman, Long Exposure runs at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art through June 27. This show demonstrates the style of Pictorialism and its lasting influence on amateurs, art photographers and Hollywood portraitists. Arcmanoro Niles (American, b. 1989). My Heart is Like Paper, 2018. Oil, acrylic, and glitter on canvas, 75 x 50”. Courtesy of the artist and Lehmann Maupin, New York, Hong Kong, Seoul, and London. Photo: Stan Narten.

Photo by Kate Luber

READY FOR AN EXCITING MARCH? READ ON FOR OUR TOP CHOICES THIS MONTH. DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, MANY EVENTS ARE CANCELED OR POSTPONED. CHECK INDIVIDUAL LISTINGS FOR UPDATES.

American life and culture.

March 5 Cox Business Convention Center World

MASTERWORKS FROM THE GILCREASE COLLECTION Ongoing

coxcentertulsa.com

gilcrease.org

Gilcrease Beauty, fame,

craftsmanship, historic significance – there are many qualities to consider when defining a masterwork in a museum collection. gilcrease.org

SPORTS

of Wrestling presents the 2021 Youth Duals.

BIG 12 WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS March

6-7 BOK Center The

championship marks the sixth neutral-site conference championship for the sport and the fifth in Tulsa. bokcenter.com

TULSA OILERS March

NEOKLA AUTOCROSS EVENT March 21 Expo

Square Autocross events

abound at Expo Square.

neoklascca.org

COMMUNITY FOOD TRUCK WEDNESDAYS March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Guthrie Green Every

Wednesday, grab some tasty eats and gather on the grounds of Guthrie Green. guthriegreen.com

FIRST FRIDAY ART CRAWL

3-7 Expo Square Equine

ROUTE 66 MORGAN CLASSIC HORSE SHOW

exposquare.com

See beautiful Morgan horses and their riders at this exciting show.

Since 2007, the Tulsa Arts District has presented the community with rotating art displays as part of the First Friday Art Crawl. travelok.com

enthusiasts can’t miss this week-long event.

WORLD OF WRESTLING 2021 YOUTH DUALS

Hockey is back at the BOK Center. bokcenter.com March 17-20 Expo Square

exposquare.com

March 5 Downtown Tulsa

CONNECTING THE DOTS #11 March 9 Virtual

the Dots series, Signature Symphony musicians act as virtual hosts, guiding you through a variety of musical topics. signaturesymphony.org

OKC PHIL PRESENTS: A BEETHOVEN BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION March 20

Civic Center Music Hall

Enjoy the works of one of music’s most prolific composers at this concert.

IN OKC

okcphil.org

improve your home and garden at this annual show.

OKC PHIL PRESENTS: THE INNER REALM March

Civic Center Music Hall Two

TULSA BOTANIC BLOOMS March 18-April 18 Tulsa Botanic Garden Enjoy

Enjoy works from Rautavaara, Johannsson and Sibelius. okcphil.org

tulsabotanic.org

OKC BALLET PRESENTS: FUTURE VOICES – A CHOREOGRAPHIC SHOWCASE March

GREATER TULSA HOME AND GARDEN SHOW March 11-14 Expo Square Get prepped to

14, 20, 21, 31 BOK Center

OKLAHOMA REINING HORSE ASSOCIATION RIDE AND SLIDE March

Through the Connecting the Dots series, Signature Symphony musicians act as virtual hosts, guiding you through a variety of musical topics. signaturesymphony.org

exposquare.com

fresh fragrances and a kaleidoscope of color when more than 120,000 blossoms usher in spring.

CONNECTING THE DOTS #11 March 23 Virtual Through the Connecting

PERFORMANCES

13 Civic Center Music Hall

18-21 Inasmuch Foundation Theater A fast-paced,

eclectic program of dance awaits you. okcballet.org

PAINTED SKY OPERA PRESENTS: LA SERVA PADRONA AND SERVICE PROVIDER March 25-28

one-act comedies – one classic and one new – come together in this operatic romp exploring modern relationship dos and don’ts.

okcciviccenter.com

CONCERTS THE FLAMING LIPS

March 11-14, 19-21 The Criterion One of Oklahoma’s

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W H E R E & W H E N | ENT ER TAI NMENT COMMUNIT Y

Photo courtesy PorchFest

most famous bands, the Flaming Lips, take over the Criterion for two weekends. criterionokc.com

WEIRDLESQUE BY TERRE ROUGE March 13 Tower

Theatre Enjoy a fun

BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS AND PORCH CONCERTS

burlesque show at Tower Theatre.

towertheatreokc.com

Usher in springtime at Tulsa Botanic Blooms from March 18-April 18 at Tulsa Botanic Garden. You’ll see a kaleidoscope of color when more than 120,000 blossoms bloom over the next few weeks. Stay at home to enjoy Signature Symphony’s Connecting the Dots series on March 9 and 23. During these events, Signature Symphony musicians guide you through a variety of musical topics. The Bricktown St. Patrick’s Day Block Party is happening March 13 in Bricktown. Enjoy live music, green beer, barbecue and shopping. The Red Dirt Film Festival at Stillwater Community Center returns March 12-14. Mingle with filmmakers from around the world and enjoy screenings all weekend. In Eufaula, PorchFest at Carlton Landing runs March 13. During the festival, porches become stages for a fun and safe festival experience fit for the whole family. And you won’t want to miss OKC’s Spring Break at the Orr Family Farm from March 15-20. Enjoy outdoor attractions, hay mountains, giant slides and so much more.

CASTING CROWNS

March 28 State Fair Park

A parking lot concert welcomes one of contemporary Christian’s most famous bands. okcfairgrounds.com

ART MOMENTUM March

3-27 MAINSITE Contemporary Art Gallery, Norman The Oklahoma

Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC) highlights innovative works by young Oklahoma artists at Momentum, a multimedia, interactive art event. ovac-ok.org/momentum

OK/LA Through May 7

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Norman This exhibition

Photo by Kate Luber

features the work of six former Oklahomans who left the state in the late 1950s for Los Angeles. ou.edu/fjjma

SPIRO AND THE ART OF THE MISSISSIPPIAN WORLD Through May 9 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

This exhibition answers the questions: How did these incredible works of art and other treasures from all over North America end up hidden for hundreds of years, and why?

PORCHFEST

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS: WESTERN WILDLIFE

Through July 11 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum The

animals of the American West are as iconic as the landscapes they inhabit.

nationalcowboymuseum.org

MOVING VISION: OP AND KINETIC ART FROM THE SIXTIES AND SEVENTIES Through May

16 OKCMOA This exhibition

highlights one of the great strengths of the museum’s permanent collection – the extensive, high-quality holdings in op (optical) and

kinetic (movement) art.

LONG EXPOSURE Through

FIND HER WEST Through

Museum of Art, Norman This exhibition demonstrates Pictorialism’s lasting influence on amateurs, art photographers, Hollywood portraitists and photographers of the American West.

okcmoa.com

May 16 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum The

American West is diﬀicult to define and far more complex than stereotypes suggest.

nationalcowboymuseum.org

June 27 Fred Jones Jr.

SPORTS OKLAHOMA YOUTH EXPO March 8-19 State Fair Park

OK Youth Expo is recognized as one of the largest youth livestock events in the state.

RENEGADES: BRUCE GOFF AND THE AMERICAN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE Ongoing

okcfairgrounds.com

School refers to the imaginative school of design

FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY WALK March 5 Paseo

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Norman The American

ou.edu/fjjma

and practice that developed under the guidance of Bruce Goﬀ. gibbs.oucreate.com

COMMUNITY

Arts District Visitors

can enjoy art openings, wine tastings, live music and other activities. Over 80 artists and 25 businesses participate, all within walking distance. thepaseo.org

BACKWOODS HUNTING AND FISHING EXPO March 5-7 State Fair Park

Get everything you need for springtime activities at this exciting show. okcfairgrounds.com

OKC AUTO SHOW March 5-7 State Fair Park Enjoy

SPORTS

The BOK Center is a hotspot for sporting events this month. Don’t miss the Big 12 Wrestling Championships on March 6-7, where some of the best college wrestlers in the game compete for top prizes. Then, the Tulsa Oilers also take on Wichita, Allen and Kansas City this month on March 14, 20, 21, 31. Visit Expo Square for the Route 66 Morgan Classic Horse Show, running March 17-20. Equine enthusiasts won’t want to miss this display of grace and athleticism. In OKC, the Oklahoma Youth Expo, running March 8-19, is one of the largest youth livestock events in the state. Visit State Fair Park to join in on the fun. And if you haven’t had enough of rodeo fun and equine adventures, the PRCA Xtreme Bulls Ultimate Challenge runs March 27 at Chisholm Trail Expo Center in Enid. Expect heart-pounding, high-octane bull riding.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

Photo courtesy PRCA

WRESTLING, HOCKEY AND HORSES

PRCA XTREME BULLS ULTIMATE CHALLENGE

W H E R E & W H E N | F I L M AN D CINEM A

WH E R E & WH E N | ENTERTAINMENT okcfairgrounds.com

BRICKTOWN ST. PATRICK’S DAY BLOCK PARTY March

own pace. travelok.com

SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY RODEO

13 Bricktown District Enjoy

March 18-20 Durant Riding Club Arena Held in the

bricktownokc.com

gosoutheastern.com

live music, green beer and barbecue while shopping for St. Patrick’s Day beads and t-shirts.

AROUND THE STATE

PERFORMANCES

THE CEMENT OPRY March 6

410 N. Main, Cement The Cement Opry is a monthly live variety show. travelok.com

HOLY CITY OF THE WICHITAS EASTER PASSION PLAY March 27-April 3 Wichita

Durant Riding Club Arena, this three-day event features a healthy dose of exciting college rodeo action.

PRCA XTREME BULLS ULTIMATE CHALLENGE

March 27 Chisholm Trail Expo Center, Enid Come

see bull riding at its best. cnbcenter.com/bull

COMMUNITY CARDEN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUS March 4 Stephens County Fair and Expo Center, Duncan Get ready for some

Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Lawton The annual Holy City

mesmerizing circus fun as Carden International Circus stops for two shows in Duncan. travelok.com

travelok.com

March 12-14 Stillwater Community Center The Red

of the Wichitas Easter Passion Play is a narrated dramatization of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

CANADIAN BRASS March 28 McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, Stillwater Established in 1970, Canadian Brass has enjoyed 50 years of international success.

mcknightcenter.org

ART AFTER THE LAST SUPPER Through March 28 Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Ark. This free focus

exhibition puts a spotlight on a single work from the Crystal Bridges collection.

crystalbridges.org

CRAFTING AMERICA

Through May 31 Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Ark. Featuring over 100

works, Crafting America presents a diverse and inclusive story of American craft. crystalbridges.org

STATE OF THE ART

Ongoing Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Ark. Crystal

Bridges opens the new decade with the opening of the Momentary, and the debut of State of the Art 2020. crystalbridges.org

SPORTS ULTIMATE CALF ROPING

March 13 Stephens County Fair and Expo Center, Duncan

Watch as ropers show oﬀ their skills. travelok.com

MUSTANG MAKEOVER VIRTUAL 5K SHAMROCK RUN March 17-31 Virtual

Lace up your tennis shoes and embark on a run at your

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

RED DIRT FILM FESTIVAL Dirt Film Festival welcomes filmmakers from around the world to Stillwater for a weekend of screenings and industry talk.

reddirtfilm.com

PORCHFEST AT CARLTON LANDING March 13 Carlton

Landing, Eufaula This spring,

road trip over to Carlton Landing at Eufaula for the PorchFest music festival, where front porches become stages. carltonlanding.com

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION March 13

Downtown Durant Come try

your luck in the Pot of Gold Giveaway, then stay for live Irish music and foods, green beer, face painting and pub crawls. durantmainstreet.org

OKLAHOMA BIGFOOT SYMPOSIUM March 13-14 CC Camp, Stilwell Explore

the lore surrounding one of Oklahoma’s most mysterious creatures. travelok.com

SPRING BREAK AT THE ORR FAMILY FARM

March 15-20 Orr Family Farm

Bring the whole family to Orr Family Farm in Oklahoma City to play on the farm’s outdoor attractions, from the farm fun yard and hay mountain to the giant slide and play areas. orrfamilyfarm.com

SUNNY SIDE UP FILM FESTIVAL March 19-21 103

N. Main St., Miami Located on the historic Mother Road, this three-day film festival welcomes the whole family out for a fun weekend in the four state area of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. brenrockproductions.com

FOR MORE EVENTS IN TULSA, OKC AND AROUND THE STATE, HEAD TO OKMAG.COM.

MARCH’S BEST BETS A coming-of-age dramedy, a Disney release and a bizarre Nicholas Cage flick round out the month’s cinematic offerings.

t looks like the movie train is ready to roll during the month of March, and I couldn’t be happier about it. The list is both theatrical and online streaming – some films opting for both – so hopefully one of these will be up your alley. If not, Netflix plans to release movies every week this entire year, so I’m sure you can find something to enjoy. First up: the Amy Poehler directed comedy-drama Moxie. Adapted from the book of the same name, the story follows a Texan teenage girl who, after being fed up with the sexist standards of her school, decides to anonymously pen a feminist zine, which sparks a new kind of revolution. Starring Hadley Robinson in the lead role, this one looks to cover heavy topics with Poehler’s ever-socomical flare. This also isn’t her first time in the director’s chair, so I’m expecting this one to be fairly well received for its timely content. It releases to Netflix on March 3. For the animation fans, Disney releases Raya and the Last Dragon. Heavily inspired by the cultures of southeast Asia, like Thailand and Vietnam, the film is set in the fictional land of Kumandra, where Raya, voiced by Kelly Marie Tran of the new Star Wars trilogy fame, must track down the elusive last dragon to save her land from destruction. The computer animation looks absolutely wonderful as always, and the action shown in the trailer should hopefully be a fun sight for all ages. Awkwafina voices Sisu, the

a variety of vehicles at the OKC Auto Show.

story-centered final dragon, so expect a healthy dose of comedy injected into the story. It releases both theatrically and on Disney Plus on March 5. Over at HBO Max, Zack Snyder is getting another chance to fix his tepidly received superhero blockbuster, Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Production on the 2017 version of this film was filled with issues – due in part to the tragic passing of Snyder’s daughter. This led him to (understandably) hand off the reins to an unprepared Joss Whedon, who mostly followed Warner Brothers’ misguided attempts at steering the film away from its original intent. This time around, Snyder has full control, adding effects, score, editing and newly shot footage to the tune of $70 million. Originally thought to be released as a four-part miniseries, HBO Max plans to roll it out as a single – likely very, very long – film on March 18. Count me in as extremely curious. This last one is…odd. Titled The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, it stars Nicholas Cage as a cash-strapped version of himself who accepts a $1 million offer to appear at the birthday of a Mexican billionaire super fan, played by Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian). As of this writing, there isn’t a trailer out, but I imagine this will be an insanely self-aware parody of all things Nicholas Cage when the innocent birthday party plot inevitably hits the proverbial fan. It should be out on March 19. DREW JOSEPH ALLEN

MARCH 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

CLOSING THOUGHTS

RAY HOYT

s the president of Tulsa Regional Tourism, Ray Hoyt spends his work days creating long-term strategies for tourism development, sales and programming for VisitTulsa; the Tulsa Sports Commission; and the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts and Culture within the regional chamber. His tenure began in 2010, and for the last decade, he’s worked to promote and sell Tulsa as a destination to people around the world. Currently, Hoyt is working on the implementation of Tulsa’s first tourismbased improvement district, while also working on multiple vision projects like the USA BMX National Headquarters, the Cox Business Convention Center renovation, and destination development strategies for the future. We caught up with Hoyt and got his thoughts on ... Like many others in the tourism industry, ‘normal days’ are challenging to define, as we really serve so many stakeholders. Over the last couple of years, I’ve focused on running the business rather than doing it. That shift required attention to building out my leadership team and getting people in the right places organizationally. My leadership style is on the inspirational and servant end of the spectrum – I like to dream big and think about the future and how that can be turned into vision and then a reality. I have a very talented team that is dedicated and committed to turning a lot of those dreams and visions into reality.

... COVID-19’s impact on tourism.

While the pandemic landed a huge blow to tourism in Tulsa, and we’ll be recovering for many months, I am grateful to say I believe we can recover in months and not years. Our team focused on continuing to sell the future, and on the shoulders of our CARES Campaign, “Tulsa Safely Recovery” Pandemic Partnership, we were able to relocate a record-breaking ten events to Tulsa in-year and safely held more than 70 events in Tulsa in 2020. The mantra we seized early in 2020, when things started closing in March, was “Crisis is the Mother of Innovation.” We lead with that for every discussion and it has served us well. We also prioritized supporting our creative class and cultural scene during

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021

Photo courtesy Ray Hoyt

... his day-to day.

the pandemic. This is where our thinking helped us re-imagine and create opportunities for live music, film productions and sporting events that happened through the lens of social distancing, temperature checks and many more elements that were foreign concepts ten months ago, but common place today.

... making the city a professional sports hub.

As you’ve probably seen, we’ve successfully attracted some serious sporting events to Tulsa lately. From Ironman choosing Tulsa as its national championship site to being selected to host the 2023 NCAA Wrestling Championships, we have a winning combination with our top-notch facilities, services and partners for major sports events. Long-term, Tulsa will need to work closely with the USL Soccer Club ownership, as a stadium should be a public/ private partnership in the coming years for downtown. There is a master plan for the Arena District, and this is important, as Tulsa has a plan to follow and act on

for the future. Even though it’s a very long-term vision, its like many things in Tulsa – when the community decides to make it a reality it will happen ... but on Tulsa time! With USA BMX opening their global headquarters in Tulsa next year, we look forward to enjoying the expansion of that sport in our region. We also believe that BMX will add to the fabric of cycling and extreme sports already being hosted here.

... Tulsa in the next 10-15 years.

I like dreaming and visioning, as it makes me excited for the future, imagining Tulsa as a city for all. The Arena District is going to be critical to filling out our downtown, and it will be hard, but worth it. The Arkansas River corridor could very well be the development area that brings aquatic activity to our market, which could spur tourism investment and development and bring millions of new ONLINE visitors to our FOR MORE, VISIT community. okmag.com/ray_hoyt

HOW EMERGENCY CARE SHOULD BE.

More caring… More personal… More convenient. Tulsa ER & Hospital was created to bring 24/7, concierge-level, quality emergency care to the Tulsa community. We strive to provide our patients with the best experience, short wait times and personalized care in an up-scale, comfortable environment.

TULSAER.COM 918-517-6300 717 W 71st St S, Tulsa