Oklahoma Magazine May 2022 by Oklahoma Magazine

MAY 2022

g IN L e THE

FiRE

GET THE LOWDOWN ON BARBECUE & GRILLING

The

Facets of Film Explore the state's

burgeoning movie landscape

PLUS: WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE SUSTAINABILITY

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Here to Help You Rebuild Your Life® The Standard of Living Established by the Parties During Marriage

Spousal maintenance cases can be one of the most contentious issues in divorce. States previously referred to spousal maintenance as alimony. In some states, the term is still used today. In many cases, one issue that can come up is the standard of living established by the parties during the marriage. In other words, one party may allege that they should receive an award of spousal maintenance. And one of the justifications for it is that they need it to maintain the standard of living that was established during the marriage. The argument, oftentimes, revolves around the lifestyle a party had during the marriage. For example, a party might cite the general area in which they lived. They might point to the types of activities and possessions in which they became accustomed. In some circumstances, they might point to items that one might consider more wants than needs, like vacations, spa appointments, country club memberships, etc.

They then might argue that they need spousal maintenance (or alimony) so that they can enjoy this same lifestyle after the marriage. If there are minor children involved, they might argue that the same lifestyle should be maintained for the benefit of the children as well. The laws in every state vary in some ways based on what a court looks for in ordering spousal maintenance. Thus, it is important that any party consult with an attorney who is licensed and competent to practice law in their jurisdiction. Having said that, the lifestyle of the parties during the marriage can be one factor a court looks at in terms of ordering maintenance. Missouri does, as an example, list the standard of living during the marriage as one of the relevant factors in maintenance calculations. The same is true in Illinois as well as it relates to spousal maintenance. But if you look at the statutes in Missouri and Illinois, there are various other factors that the court must look at in terms of spousal maintenance and the calculation of maintenance, including the need of the party seeking it. So, the standard of living of the parties during the marriage, while relevant, isn’t the end of the analysis. This makes it critical that any par-

ty who is seeking maintenance consult with an attorney about their specific situation to ensure that all the factors are appropriately looked at in their case. 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 855-805-0595. To schedule a consultation:

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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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TABLE OF CONTENTS

M AY 2 0 2 2

O K L A H O M A M AG A Z I N E

6 30

Women make up a significant portion of America’s workers – more than half, in fact. In this year’s spotlight, we focus on the influential women in Oklahoma’s education sector, along with ways leaders are creating space for more women at the table, and some groups and networks that assist women in need.

Sustainability: People, Profit and Planet

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

50 40

The Many Facets of Film

Perhaps you want to work behind the camera, or under the spotlight. How about in the background, instead? You’re in luck. Oklahoma offers numerous opportunities to get involved in the film landscape.

51 52 53

54 55 56

Life and Style Destinations

A Caribbean and Central American combination is waiting for you in Belize.

Health FYI Outside the Metro Scene

Taste

A clandestine spot in downtown Tulsa is home to an Asian-influenced steakhouse.

Local Flavor Chef Chat Tasty Tidbits

Calendar

Festivals and sporting events are key draws this month.

Film and Cinema Closing Thoughts MAY 2022

One of Oklahoma’s greatest loves is the culinary art of barbecue. We break down a few key differences in cooking styles, plus offer tips on becoming the perfect pitmaster and strategies for getting the ideal BBQ dish on your own grill.

Infrastructure Education People Culture Happenings Philanthropy Makers Clubs Hobbies Sports Insider

MAY 2022

Fueling the Fire

24 26 27 28

Oklahoma may not be one of the greenest states in the U.S., but local leaders are working to make us a healthier place to live. Learn about small steps to take toward sustainability, plus some mythbusting as it pertains to a greener lifestyle.

State

For the fifth time, Southern Hills Country Club hosts one of golf ’s biggest competitions.

8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20

Women in the Workforce

VOL. MMXXII, NO. 5

INg FueLTHE

FiRE

GET THE LOWDOWN ON BARBECUE & GRILLING

The

Facets of Film Explore the state's

burgeoning movie landscape

PLUS: WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE SUSTAINABILITY

ON THE COVER: MAY WELCOMES THE ANNUAL SPOTLIGHT ON ALL THINGS BARBECUE AND GRILLING. WE SIT DOWN WITH A FEW LOCAL PROS, GET TIPS ABOUT EXCELLING AT THE GRILL, AND EXPLORE SOME NEW TECH IN THE INDUSTRY.

CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, BENTONVILLE

SEEK MORE

EXPERIENCES

There’s nothing like a road trip. And there’s never been a better time to get out and see everything our state has to offer. Get inspired today and plan your trip at Arkansas.com.

arkansas.com

OKLAHOMA LET TER FROM THE EDITOR Unlike the snail’s pace of the last two years, it seems 2022 is flying by. We’re already into May, and this issue offers ample content to enjoy. Spring is bleeding into summer, so it’s time to brush the dust off the grill and get cookin’. To help, we offer our annual barbecue and grilling spotlight (page 45). We discuss the differences between these two cooking styles, as well as tips for newcomers and a breakdown of some new gadgets. May also concentrates on all things women (page 30). We talk with some leaders in Oklahoma’s education sector, offer an overview of female-led community groups and review some surprising statistics about women in the workforce. Oklahoma’s burgeoning film industry grows by the day, and we explore the ins and outs in our movie feature (page 40). Get some audition advice, learn on-set lingo and find out more about educational opportunities. In the State section, we delve into the anticipated positive impact the PGA Championship will have on the state (page 6); learn about collegiate wrestling and how the sport is growing for women (page 18); and sit down with a Native American artist working to create more representation for Indigenous people (page 15). You can also take a virtual journey to Belize (page 22) and a culinary journey to a new Tulsa-based, Asian-inspired steakhouse (page 50).

OKLAHOMA

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OKLAHOMA

PRESIDENT AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR DANIEL SCHUMAN

PUBLISHER AND FOUNDER VIDA K . SCHUMAN

MANAGING EDITOR

MARY WILLA ALLEN

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GRAPHICS MANAGER MARK ALLEN

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

What’s HOT at

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C O M I N G I N M AY In conjunction with our spotlight on the movie industry in Oklahoma, we offer a variety of bonus photos detailing behind-the-scenes snapshots of numerous film productions. Head to okmag.com now to explore.

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Copyright © 2022 by Schuman Publishing Company. Oklahoma Wedding, The Best of the Best, 40 Under 40, Single in the City, Great Companies To Work For and Oklahomans of the Year are registered trademarks of Schuman Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. All photographs, articles, materials and design elements in Oklahoma Magazine and on okmag. com are protected by applicable copyright and trademark laws, and are owned by Schuman Publishing Company or third party providers. Reproduction, copying, or redistribution without the express written permission of Schuman Publishing Company is strictly prohibited. All requests for permission and reprints must be made in writing to Oklahoma Magazine, c/o Reprint Services, P.O. Box 14204, Tulsa, OK 74159-1204. Advertising claims and the views expressed in the magazine by writers or artists do not necessarily represent those of Oklahoma Magazine, Schuman Publishing Company, or its aﬀiliates.

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THE STATE

ALL THINGS OKLAHOMA

Southern Hills Makes History

For the fifth time, this Tulsa course hosts one of golf ’s biggest competitions.

Running May 16-22, the 2022 PGA Championship will take place at Tulsa’s Southern Hills Country Club. Photos by Gary W. Kellner courtesy PGA of America/Southern Hills

or an unprecedented fifth time, Southern Hills Country Club is hosting the PGA Championship from May 16-22. No other club has hosted this golfing major even four times. “I think it solidifies our stature in major championship golf and hosting majors. We’re honored,” says Nick Sidorakis, Southern Hills general manager and chief operating officer. “This is our eighth major. We’ve also done three U.S. Opens.” The 104th PGA Championship was originally scheduled for Donald Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey. However, in January 2021, PGA officials pulled the tournament from the venue after backlash from the January 6 events at the U.S. Capitol. In May 2021, Southern Hills hosted the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, so when PGA officials asked if the club was interested in hosting the relocated event, Southern Hills jumped at the chance.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

“We’re really honored to be selected,” says Sidorakis. “The city, the state and our membership have truly embraced this championship. The corporate hospitality – we’ve sold out both areas. Of all the corporate hospitality sold, 75% of it is from [our] membership.”

Economic Impact

Club officials are expecting between 40,000 and 42,000 visitors per day for championship play from Thursday through Sunday. So many visitors traveling to Tulsa for the tournament means one thing: they will be spending considerable sums of money. Total economic impact for the tournament is estimated at $143.5 million, according to Visit Tulsa. “Right now, we’ve got pockets of two or three hotel rooms left in different properties,” says Ashleigh Bachert, interim senior vice president of regional tourism for Visit Tulsa. “The City of Tulsa is completely sold out at an incredibly high rate, which is what we want

with an event like this. The BOK Center is doing concerts with Brooks & Dunn and The Eagles. All our attractions are doing different things. Owasso and Broken Arrow are also starting to feel the impacts of this event.”

What to Expect

In 2007, Tiger Woods won the PGA Championship the last time Southern Hills hosted the event, and having the golfing icon play in the 2022 champi-

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

Want to Go? onship could only further elevate its stature. The 2021 tournament was at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina and won by Phil Mickelson, whose status for the 2022 PGA Championship was uncertain as of mid-April. Other golfers expected to be in contention at Southern Hills include Brooks Koepka, who won the PGA in 2018 and 2019 and tied for second in 2021. Dustin Johnson finished second in 2019 and tied for second in 2010, while Louis Oosthuizen tied for second in 2017 and came in second in 2021. Seeing Koepka capture a third PGA, or either

As of April 12, the only tickets available were grounds passes, ($25 to $45) for practice rounds Monday through Wednesday, and Championship Tickets ($195) for the tournament’s opening round on Thursday, May 19. Championship tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s final round are sold out. Also sold out is the Club 1916 Ticket Package ($1,430), which gives purchasers a weeklong VIP experience. Learn more at pgachampionship.com.

Johnson or Oosthuizen breaking through wouldn’t be a big surprise. A major difference between this PGA Championship and the ones Southern Hills hosted in 1970, 1982, 1994 and 2007 is that this one will be played in May instead of August. Anyone who has spent any time in Tulsa in August can attest that it’s generally the hottest month of what is typically a sweltering summer. Hosting the event in May puts it right in the heart of severe storm season, but it’s a trade-off the club will take. “In August, there’s a lot of humidity and it’s brutally hot. It’s a different

golf course,” says Sidorakis. “I think winds will definitely play a factor in May. The golf course has been renovated or restored since 2018, so it’s a completely new course. We put in hydronics, which can control the subsurface of the greens either by heating or cooling the subsurface. We’re going to have, hopefully, firmer conditions.” Jerry Moorehead is a longtime golf fan who lives in the Dallas area and attended the 1977 U.S. Open at Southern Hills, which was won by Hubert Green. He thinks the PGA Championship returning to such a great venue is a no-brainer for the sport. “Oh, it says everything. You don’t see too many majors outside of Augusta [Ga., which hosts the Masters each April] in the southern part of the United States,” he says. “I think Southern Hills is a very good course. It’s really good to see and [the course] is tough.” STEPHEN HUNT

MAY 2022 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

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

The People’s Museum

Along with over a century of history, the Oklahoma State Capitol offers a variety of art pieces and educational tours.

rior to the start of the Oklahoma Capitol Restoration Project, the Oklahoma Arts Council (OAC) removed, housed, cleaned and restored hundreds of art pieces. With the construction phase coming to a close, it’s time for the art to be reinstalled. Two collections managed by the OAC are the Oklahoma State Capitol Art Collection and the Oklahoma State Art Collection. “There are 500 plus works of art on five floors,” says Amber Sharples, executive director of the OAC. “It is an exciting time.”

The Betty Price Gallery on the second floor of the Capitol is home to the State Art Collection, which includes works by notable Oklahoma artists. Photos courtesy the Oklahoma Arts Council Bottom: This photo depicts the construction of the Oklahoma State Capitol in 1915. Photo courtesy the City of OKC

Capitol Art Collection

Located throughout the Capitol’s hallways, rotunda and grounds, this collection contains sculptures, portraits, murals and paintings. These works tell Oklahoma’s story through the events, land and people of Oklahoma. Included are paintings of Jim Thorpe and Sequoyah, by Wilson Hurley, and the Guardian sculpture by Enoch Kelly Haney, which tops the Capitol dome.

State Art Collection

This collection represents the world perspective from the view of Oklahoma artists. With hundreds of items, only select works are displayed at any given time in the Betty Price Gallery. This gallery, which was opened in 2007 as part of Oklahoma’s centennial celebration, includes contemporary art like Bowling Ball by pop art icon Ed Ruscha.

Additional Galleries

Shows by current Oklahoma artists, curated by the OAC, are displayed in the North, East and Governor’s Galleries. The shows will rotate every sixty days. The North Gallery features fiber art, photography and works on paper while mixed media art and paintings are on view in the Governor’s Gallery. Because of the renovation, this is the first time that 3D and fiber art such as woven baskets are on display. The East Gallery has paintings and mixed media. Artists may submit their applications for features at arts.ok.gov. The renovation better highlights the Capitol’s art collection, which contains new works on subjects including the Spiral Mounds, Black Wall Street and the Code Talkers. Sharples comments that the Capitol collection displays a “full spectrum of mediums” and is Oklahoma’s “largest art museum; it is the people’s museum.” GINA A. DABNEY

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

TAKE A TOUR A guided tour of the Capitol reveals, for example, that Oklahoma is the only Capitol with a working well on its grounds. During the free, 45-minute tour, one can discover the history of the building and its art. The Capitol, which is Greco-Roman architecture, has 650 rooms. Along the tour, visitors will see marble floors and stairs, hand-painted ceilings and portraits of famous Oklahomans such as Will Rogers and Robert S. Kerr by artist Wilson Hurley. “The tour is a combination of history, civics and artwork,” says Bill Parks, Capitol Complex tour guide. Parks, who has given tours for 20 years, says the building was finished in 1917. Since this was during WWI, there was no grand opening. Parks expects this grand opening will be big. Sharples estimates that the art installation will be completed on statehood day in November. In the meantime, there is still plenty to see. In April, approximately 3,500 youth attended tours. To schedule one Monday through Friday, call 405-521-3356.

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W hen you’re v ac at ion i ng w it h f a m i l y, s hou ld n’t e ver y mea l c ome w it h a s ide of f u n? O u r De s ig n D i st r ic t i s f u l l of e c le c t ic re st au r a nt s, a r t g a l ler ie s a nd f a m i l y-f r iend l y ac t i v it ie s ju st nor t hwe st of dow ntow n . From r ide s to r ibs, w h ate ver you r a l l i s, you’l l f i nd it here. To plan your trip, go to VisitDallas.com

Ferris Wheelers Backyard & BBQ, Design District

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

Full STEM Ahead

Science, technology, engineering and math alliances prepare students for success.

hether it’s the development of new medially quite a remarkable experience.” cines or the construction of cities – science, Another one of TRSA’s flagship programs is its technology, engineering and mathematics annual Tulsa Regional Science Fair, which concluded (STEM) shape the future, and the in March with a total of 68 particineed for a STEM-ready workforce pants. Submissions ran the gamut, continues to grow. from experiments that tested corTo help fill this gap, the Central relations between learning styles Oklahoma Regional STEM Alliance and personality traits to the effects (COSTEMA) and the Tulsa Regional of serotonin and vitamin D3 on Although TRSA has STEM Alliance (TRSA) work at the Alzheimer’s in fruit flies. grown into a force of grass roots level to offer programming As the demand for STEM educaits own, the organizafor youth and families, professional tion increases, the TRSA has begun tion originated from a development for educators, and reimplementing a new 3-year strategy, small-scale commusources to their ecosystem partners. which will focus on making its nity project led by the “STEM is a particular tool that programming more accessible and Oklahoma Innovation many more of us need access to strengthening its ecosystems of Institute in 2012. Over because it can create good in the partners. world,” says Levi Patrick, chief executhe years, the project “We are trying to reach [kids] tive officer at TRSA. “I feel like we’ve more than ever, wherever they may received more supgot something very powerful here in be in our community, and give them port, and it became Tulsa that will benefit the state.” access to ambitious learning oppora nonprofit in 2017. Both alliances share similar tunities,” says Patrick. Similarly, COSTEMA missions that center on building As a part of its strategy, the TRSA evolved from the broad, deep and innovative STEM will set up a STEM classroom at the Stem Funders Netpathways for all students to access Tandy Family YMCA, where students work, and it gained high-impact careers. In 2021, the can get hands-on learning, and autonomy in 2016. TRSA provided training to over 1,000 teachers can check out supplies for “We’ve exceeded educators and created over 170,000 their classrooms, such as LEGOs, over 500 community STEM experiences for students, anatomy models and science kits. including virtual programming and members,” says PatTo celebrate this development, free STEM-in-a-bag kits. the TRSA will hold an open house rick. “Our communiThis year, the alliance will lead 53 in June. Interested families and ties around Tulsa … programs, including a drone comeducators can learn more about the value STEM educapetition, a kite festival and an event upcoming event at tulsastem.org/ tion and creating dubbed Space Week. openhouse. opportunities for kids. “Last year, we had 40,000 kids “I hope that every community can I think it’s the secret come through different events benefit from what we’re doing,” says sauce – that a whole during Space Week,” says Patrick. Patrick. “STEM is everyone. STEM is lot of people care.” “Maybe they can meet an astronaut. everywhere. All are welcome.” Maybe they can go to panel. It’s reFAITH HARL

A Bit of History

The Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance recently hosted a regional science fair that included 68 participants. Photo courtesy TRSA

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

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

This Is Oklahoma

Living the American Dream

Welsh podcaster Mike Hearne found home in Oklahoma.

After moving to America from Wales for a golfing scholarship, Mike Hearne fell in love with the culture of Oklahoma and decided to stay permanently. Photo courtesy Mike Hearne

f his claim to fame is any indication, Mike Hearne must be a native Oklahoman ... but his accent reveals otherwise. Born and raised in Bridgend, Wales, the creator of the “This is Oklahoma” podcast first came to the U.S. about a decade ago. An avid golfer, Hearne began the sport at age six. When he entered his teens, Hearne’s world revolved around the sport. He was a natural, so much so that as a teenager, he was gaining accolades. Hearne later nabbed a golf scholarship to Southern Nazarene University in Bethany. So, his first trip to the U.S. was aboard a flight to Oklahoma City. “When I first came here, it was August 2011, and I hated it,” says Hearne. “I was missing home. I didn’t even know how to spell ‘Oklahoma,’ and the heat was miserable.”

Then a friend invited Hearne to a family Thanksgiving dinner. “Of course, we don’t have Thanksgiving in Wales,” he says. “It was a huge gathering. And I felt like I was at home in a family atmosphere, and I was around dogs. I had dogs growing up. I instantly felt comfortable. The people in Oklahoma are like in Wales. They are kind and warm hearted. I realized I wanted an opportunity to stay.” Hearne earned his marketing degree in 2015, and in short order, he had a job in real estate. “I did pretty well the first few years in real estate,” he says. “But I wasn’t very good at it. I didn’t really have to learn how to sell, because I was selling homes to university friends.” Comfortable with shooting photos, Hearne launched an Instagram page named “This is

“The podcast took oﬀ,” Hearne explains. “People realized this is about people’s stories who live here, not cheesy ads. Where I record depends on where people are located. I travel to them a lot. The podcasts were all audio. But since February 2020, they have also been video. I’ve now done over 400. And season one’s 13-video-episodes of ‘Oklahoma Luxury Home Tours’ is done. That was a lot of fun. Now when I do podcasts I can also video the space. I would happily spend the rest of my life podcasting. I thoroughly enjoy real estate. I play a lot of golf, and I have a passion for cars. And OKC has a great car culture.” Oklahoma” in 2017. He posted his photos along with popular Sooner State information, and it quickly gained traction. But he wanted more. “I did a couple of videos and I was awful,” he says with a laugh, “so, a friend suggested a podcast. Friends loaned me equipment, and in May 2018, I launched ‘This is Oklahoma.’ And I am also still doing Instagram. When I’m not working or golfing, I spend my time on social media, where I post pictures and comments, and engage with people out there.” And six and a half years ago, Hearne married. His wife, Taryn, was born in Oklahoma, and the pair lives in Yukon with their two dogs. “I had an opportunity to change my life,” he says. “The American dream is very real.” CAROL MOWDY BOND

MAY 2022 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

T H E S TAT E | C U LT U R E

Fostering the Past

Heritage animals keep history alive.

The Rickmans, who helm Rickman Spanish Mustangs, keep heritage animals alive and well. Photo courtesy Rickman Spanish Mustangs

ryant Rickman no longer teaches agriculture, but he’s far from retired. “It’s just kind of swallowed up my life, these horses and all,” says Rickman, who lives near Antlers and is devoted to saving heritage breeds of livestock from extinction. Rickman breeds colonial Spanish horses – also known in Oklahoma as Choctaw ponies because members of the Choctaw tribe acquired them from Spanish explorers, who came to the Americas beginning in the 1500s. The horses came west with their owners on the Trail of Tears, and some were crossbred with Spanish mustangs from the American southwest, which were then brought to Oklahoma in 1958 by Gilbert Jones. Rickman took over the herd after Jones died in 2001. He also breeds Choctaw hogs, brought by the Spaniards and embraced by Natives who loved the taste of pork. “The queen of Spain didn’t want to send her best conquistado-

For the Love of the Breed Some people own heritage breeds just because they love them. “Why are people keeping longhorns?” he asked. “Their meat is like leather. They just like that look.” Rickman grew up riding a Choctaw mare. “The other kids had more modern breeds, and they made fun of me,” he says. “But in

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

later years I realized I had one that was more dependable.” Rickman says his children have won endurance races across the country on the horses, some of which were rounded up from the Kiamichi Mountains and were tough stock, having survived on their own for many years. Choctaw hogs are mule-footed, with hooves that are solid rather than cloven. Rickman’s mother acquired the start of the herd from

res here, not knowing what kind of food supply was here, so they brought a live meat market,” says Rickman. The Spaniards offered trade items when they arrived in Florida, Rickman says, “but the Indians wanted the pigs.” The Livestock Conservancy, whose mission is to protect endangered livestock and poultry breeds from extinction, defines heritage breeds as “traditional livestock breeds that were raised by our forefathers.” Included in its mission are more than 150 breeds of donkeys, cattle, goats, horses, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys it considers endangered. Modern agriculture favors the use of specialized animals that have been bred for maximum production, but which places heritage breeds at risk of disappearing. The Irish potato famine illustrates why diversity is important, says Udaya Desilva, professor of animal molecular genetics in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at Oklahoma State University. “Potatoes are not an Irish crop,” says Desilva. “They came from the New World. Christopher Columbus and others took potatoes to Europe. The Irish loved them. They planted one variety that they liked best, and disease wiped out the whole crop.” Heritage breeds often are well-adapted to fight parasites and disease, says Desilva. “Are they the best for commercial properties? They are not,” he continues. “They are not high-producing. But holding on to them is important.” Dairy cows are another example. The Holstein breed has become dominant because it yields a lot of milk. “But imagine if something happens that they are not resistant to,” he says. KIMBERLY BURK

Jones, who obtained them from the Choctaw. “These hogs are tougher, more diseaseresistant,” Rickman says. “But they don’t gain weight as fast as modern breeds.” Rickman says he did not sell a female colonial Spanish horse for many years. “I finally started putting them out in little groups where people in diﬀerent parts of the country could raise them, in case something happened to mine. We have some in nearly every state now.”

T H E S TAT E | H A P P E N I N G S

Promoting the Okie Legacy

Although delayed by the pandemic, the OKPOP Museum nears completion with three floors of immersive entertainment.

t the OKPOP Museum, one can become a superhero or experience live music. This innovative museum explores Oklahoma’s history in the arena of popular culture. Located in Tulsa’s Arts District, the 60,000-square-foot museum is visible from historic Route 66 and sits across from the famous Cain’s Ballroom. Under the direction of the Oklahoma Historical Society, OKPOP Museum collects, preserves and shares the state’s pop culture artifacts and collections. “There are three floors of fully-immersive, interactive space,” says Meg Charron, the museum’s deputy director of marketing and outreach. “We strived to build something to break the traditional museum mold.” Describing the museum as “tactile and fun,” Charron compares OKPOP’s exhibit space to the immersive Vincent Van Gogh show currently touring the nation. The museum, which is 90% finished, showcases Oklahoma artists and their influence on popular culture around the world.

First Floor

Bob Wills’ 1948 fully-restored tour bus is a prominent feature here. That bus took the band from Cain’s Ballroom to the West Coast and back numerous times. This floor will also have a rotating exhibit space, an area for live music and a retail space.

Second Floor Meg Charron, OKPOP’s deputy director of marketing and outreach, says the museum is about 90% finished and on track for a grand opening in 12-15 months. Photo courtesy Nabholz Construction

On this floor is OKPOP’s Imagined Worlds, an immersive and interactive space dedicated to the visual arts. These include TV, movies, theatre, literature, comics, fashion and art. Visitors can interact with various Hollywood-type sets and can imagine themselves as a superhero in the Hero Lab by creating an image and designing a costume.

Third Floor

This 8,000-square-foot floor focuses on 150 years of Oklahoma music, shining a spotlight on musicians, songwriters and concert venues. “The entire third floor is music,” says Charron. The venue features Oklahoma musicians like Normannative Jesse Ed Davis, a guitarist who had a “massive impact on the industry,” Charron says. Davis, who played with famous musicians like John Lennon and Eric Clapton, is well-known within the music industry but not so much with the general public; this floor strives to fix that. Additional features include a rooftop terrace, which will have live music and movies projected on surrounding buildings, and an event space that acts as a banquet and theater area.

Grand Opening

Designed by Overland Partners Architecture + Urban Design in partnership with Tulsa’s Lily Architects and Nabholz Construction, OKPOP’s grand opening has been delayed due to COVID. “It will be 12 to 15 months before opening,” Charron estimates.

Incubator projects

Several incubator projects include a podcast and radio station. There will be space for students to practice music and a Merchandise Lab where they can learn about designing logos and T-shirts. For local musicians, a full recording studio is planned. These spots will be “completely accessible to the community,” says Charron. “Inspiring the future generations of artists is the larger mission. “We are aware that this is our legacy for the community. It will outlive all of us.” GINA A. DABNEY

MAY 2022 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

T H E S TAT E | PI NHSI ILDAENRT H R O P Y Executive director Kathy McCracken channels her personal experience into caring for Oklahoma’s chronically ill children. Photo courtesy CHF

Close to the Heart

Kathy McCracken, executive director for the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Foundation, advocates for the state’s most vulnerable.

kids are seeing respected, talented and athy McCracken knows what it’s dedicated doctors every day.” like to have a chronically ill child and all the stress and work that CHF supports more than 20 sections of comes with finding care. pediatric medicine and research and, in That personal connection to specialty 2021, funded $3.1 million to ensure that docpediatric healthcare, coupled with experi- tors stay on track with their critical work. ence working in community engagement As executive director, McCracken and fundraising, are invaluable to her role spends a lot of her time team building as executive director for the Oklahoma and brainstorming with her staff. She also Children’s Hospital Foundation (CHF). works with volunteer groups to increase visibility in the community and create “There is nothing in life as comforting new ways to reach donors to as a research physician who raise funds and meet goals. recognizes the symptoms “Most of my day is filled your child is experiencwith meetings and phone ing when other physicians calls connecting with people haven’t,” she says. “I know who are interested in helphow these parents with ing us achieve our goals to chronically ill children feel Kathy McCracken grew up help sick and injured kids,” – I want to connect with in Lawton, Oklahoma. She she adds. them and tell them they went on to earn a degree in McCracken often starts are in good hands with our Mass Communications from checking emails at 5:30 a.m. partners. I want to support Oklahoma City University. to “see what’s on tap for the them and those kids during Before joining the foundaday” and ends it writing their journey.” tion, McCracken gained personal notes and thank The foundation focuses experience in community you letters to donors. on raising funds to enhance engagement, fundraising, “We are so grateful for all research, educating future human resources, public our donors, big and small, pediatricians and caring for relations, advertising and for their financial gifts and Oklahoma’s kids. According accounting. their time,” she says. to McCracken, most funds In 1998, after 15 years in Mentors eventually secured flow directly to the development at a local helped McCracken target research physicians working university, McCracken was her talent, creativity and in the labs across from the recruited to the Children’s passion into working in a CHF offices. Hospital Foundation to field that involved making a “Ultimately, our goal is serve as its executive difference. to keep Oklahoma’s sickest director. “Working in philanthropy and medically neediest kids “When I was hired, I hit has led me to what I conhere in Oklahoma, near the ground running…so my sider the epitome of success: their families, friends and ‘can-do’ spirit jumped into doing what you absolutely communities of support,” high gear, and I haven’t love and getting paid to do says McCracken. “We are looked back in 23 years,” it,” she says. meeting that goal and have she says. ALAINA STEVENS been for almost 40 years –

ABOUT MCCRACKEN

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

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

Home Makes You Happy Artist Yatika Starr Fields works to advance Native American art in Oklahoma.

ative American artist Yatika Starr Fields creates vibrant masterpieces complete with symbolism and cultural aesthetic that are meant to tell multiple stories at once. Fields was born in Tulsa but grew up in Stillwater in an artistic household. Both of his parents, Tom and Anita, were artists. This led to him experiencing creativity early on in his life and having exposure to art shows and exhibits. It ultimately led to his desire to bring attention to his culture. “It was always part of my life and how I interacted with the world,” he says. “It was something I enjoyed doing at a young age…it was nurtured and fostered. By middle school, I was drawing and entering contests. By high school, I was painting and winning national awards.” At 19, Fields, attending the Boston Institute of Art, was selected to be the United States ambassador for young Indigenous artists at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Malaysia. At this point in his life, he realized what he needed to do with his art and the message

Painter and muralist Yatika Starr Fields is a member of the Tulsa Artist Fellowship and an Oklahoma native. All art by Yatika Starr Fields

he wanted to convey. “When I was working with artists from the Pacific Rim, I realized what I needed to do to become the artist I wanted to be,” he says. “It really woke me up, and I put more effort into being the artist I sought to be.” Fields is primarily a studio artist who works on canvas but he’s also a muralist. He’s selective about the murals he chooses to work on because it has to be meaningful to him, represent his mission as an artist and emphasize community. As for his mission, it goes back to advocating for new thinking, being more mindful of artists of color, making space for them and telling the history of Native American people.

Tulsa Artist Fellowship

Opportunities have taken Fields across the globe, and he’s thankful for them – but he says there truly is no place like home. That is why he’s been with the Tulsa Artist Fellowship for the last five years. “I do feel drawn to [Tulsa],” he explains.

“I’m Cherokee, Osage and Muscogee Creek, and this place is an intersection of all those tribes. I have vast lineage here, so it is home. It’s culturally home, it’s intrinsically home, it’s home for a lot of reasons. I’ve traveled all over the world, and places don’t make you happy, home makes you happy. I’m native, and natives have a strong tie to land, community and family, and without that, half of you is gone.” Tulsa Artist Fellowship allows artists of different cultural backgrounds to converge in one place and supports them through their creative process. Recipients receive a stipend, housing and studio space to produce their artwork. “The last few years, my work has been focused on the Native and Indigenous communities specifically in Tulsa and advocating space [and education] for Native artists,” he says. “There are no fundamental spaces or programs that cater to the advancement and enrichment, history and knowledge of Native American art in Oklahoma. And there needs to be.” ALAINA STEVENS

MAY 2022 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

T H E S TAT E | C L U B S

Blooming Ambitions

Oklahoma’s Native Plant Society ensures our flora thrives.

ildflowers and other native plants dot the highways and byways of our state, from the Panhandle out west down to Beaver’s Bend in far southeastern Oklahoma. Many of them live and thrive without any help from people, but there are some folks who get really excited about said native wildlife – those would be the members of the Oklahoma Native Plant Society. Sue Amstutz and Constance Murray are both charter members of the organization, started in 1986 with the stated purpose of encouraging the study, protection, propagation, appreciation and use of Oklahoma’s native plants. Amstutz, a retired music teacher with Tulsa Public Schools, has been a wildflower enthusiast since she took a trip to Colorado in the ’70s and enjoyed identifying mountain flowers. She brought the hobby home and started growing Oklahoma wildflowers in her backyard. Murray, on the other hand, is a retired botany professor from Tulsa Community College, where she taught for 40 years. She approaches native plants with a scientific eye. Both women understand the importance of studying and teaching about these plants. If we lose native plant life, many other things will follow. “Not very many plants leads to not very many insects leads to not very many birds,” says Murray. Thus began the Oklahoma Native Plant Society, with its important mission to spread the word about local wildlife. The group has regular meetings and takes field trips to look at and learn about the currently blooming wildflowers in specific regions. They bring in speakers on wildlife-related topics and provide seed sharing, plant sharing, and vendors selling native plants, as the average greenhouse doesn’t offer native options, according to Murray. “People who are interested in native plants are interested in native plants partly for ecological reasons and partly because they are a whole lot easier to grow,” she says. Native plants can make gardening easy as they don’t need fertilizer, excessive watering or anything added to their soil. They just “get” the local conditions. “Once you get them established, if anything they’ll take over,” says Amstutz. “There are literally thousands of varieties of native plants in our state. And we want people to be able to … start learning how to grow them, and to be able to identify them, and most of all to be able to appreciate them.” BONNIE RUCKER

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

The Oklahoma Native Plant Society encourages the study, protection and appreciation of the state’s flora. Photos courtesy ONPC

Okie Foliage The state of Oklahoma, due to a wide variety of ecosystems, is graced with a vast number of native plants. “In Oklahoma, eastern flora from the eastern deciduous forest, meets the grassland flora coming down from the north, meets the gulf coastal plain flora coming up from the south, meets the Rocky Mountain flora coming over from the west, and the desert flora coming from New Mexico,” explains Murray. The state has more than 2,600 kinds of plants, which means a wide diversity of wildlife. “We have more diversity than all of New England, we have more diversity per unit square area than any state in the continental United States,” says Murray.

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

Can Do

anning food at home can be a great way to preserve some of those garden harvests to enjoy year-round. It’s a method of food preservation that has been around for many years, and is often taught by previous generations of family cooks. While there can be some really great memories around deliciously beautiful jars of food on the pantry Where you want to start with canshelf, there are ning depends somewhat on what a variety of imkind of canner you plan to use. portant things If you have access to a pressure to keep in mind canner, Brown recommends tryif you want to ing green beans or even carrots continue this from the store to give you a feel practice safely for the process. and effectively. Barbara If you are using a boiling water Brown, retired canner, fruit jams and jellies, as food specialwell as pickles, are easy ways ist with the to start. Salsa, from a canning Oklahoma State recipe, can also be great University Cofor practice. operative Extension Service and

Canning and preserving foods requires a mixture of both culinary and scientific expertise.

Getting Started

associate professor in nutritional sciences at OSU, shares why the science behind canning works. When food is canned, a system is developed inside a jar that keeps the nutrients in as much as when the food is cooked, she explains, and the bacteria that cause spoilage and illness are either destroyed or kept under control. There are two methods for canning: boiling water canners and pressure canners. Boiling water canners are made using a large pot of boiling water and are used to can foods high in acid: fruits and pickled items, for instance. For lower acid foods, meats and vegetables that aren’t pickled, a pressure canner is required. These are pieces of equipment that use pressure to raise the heat of the jars far above the boiling point of water. “You can get rid of the microorganisms [with a pressure canner] that can survive in low acid foods, that can’t survive in high acid foods,” says Brown. “So you have to work harder to make sure those foods are safe.” When it comes to home canning, safety should be top priority. And the best way to do it safely,

according to Brown, is to follow a recent, scientifically-tested recipe specifically for home canning. It’s important to use a recent recipe, as recommendations do change frequently. “We’re so creative with every other recipe, we think we can be creative here too,” says Brown. Not so. “This is not for creativity, this is for coloring inside the lines. Compared to regular cooking, you’ve got to lean more on the science, than you do on the art side of it.” It’s also important to reference trustworthy information. Brown recommends contacting your county extension office for classes, or referencing The National Center for Home Food Preservation website, as well as the latest edition of the Ball Blue Book, which has hundreds of trustworthy recipes for home canning. Like many things, it comes down to trying it out, following the instructions and practicing to make perfect. And soon you could have a pantry full of year-round good eats. BONNIE RUCKER

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service can help Oklahomans who want to learn more about canning. Photo courtesy the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

MAY 2022 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

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

Exceeding Perceived Limitations

Women in Wrestling

Oklahoma coaches prep athletes for high achievement in the sport of wrestling.

Women’s wrestling is on the rise. In 2007, there were five women’s wrestling programs in the country; now there are over 100. Photo by Diana Bittle courtesy OKCU

he University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University have arguably two of the finest Big 12 College wrestling programs of all time. Coach John Smith has led the OSU Cowboys to 21 out of OSU’s 53 Conference Championships, which is more than double any other coach in the history of the program. Most recently, Smith led his squad to its ninth consecutive Big 12 tournament title, with three Cowboys claiming individual titles in 2021. OU’s coach Lou Rosselli was named head coach in 2016, after a 10-year stint at Ohio State University. In 2021, Rosselli led the Sooners to their first Big 12 Championship win since 2002. Rosselli gives insight into better understanding the elements needed to create a championship-caliber program. “It starts with picking the right people – people with a winning attitude that have Olympic aspirations,” he says. “But it’s more than just what they say they want; they have to demonstrate that commitment with not only what they bring to the mat, but whether they can organize their life during the other hours of the day to optimize their performance.” Rosselli also expands on what a day in the life of an OU wrestler can look like. Mornings are built around strength training and conditioning and afternoons really center around wrestling: warm-ups, drills and skillbuilding. Prior to his coaching career, Ros-

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

selli was an accomplished athlete. In high school, he was a two-time New York State champion and finished with a record of 37-0 his senior year. In collegiate wrestling, Rosselli was a two-time All-American and three-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference champion. He also represented the United States on the international stage at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and captured three U.S. Open championships. During his most recent year at OU, the Sooners were ranked inside the top-20 nationally throughout the entire season. In terms of mindset, Rosselli instills in his athletes a level of mental fortitude which helps them endure pain and stay focused in the midst of distractions. He expects his athletes to study and learn the various styles of wrestling, which fall under either the Freestyle or Greco-Roman style. In freestyle, wrestlers can use their legs, which is not permitted in Greco-Roman wrestling. Greco-Roman wrestlers also cannot grab their opponents below the waist. The final element of mindset centers around belief, according to Rosselli. “Successful wrestlers have to believe in themselves; it’s a physically demanding sport, and that belief will cause you to push yourself, eventually learning you can exceed your own perceived limitations.” JEFF THOMPSON

Women’s collegiate wrestling is the No. 1 growing sport in the U.S., according to Oklahoma City University coach Nicole Tyson. When she was a freshman at OCU in 2007, there were five women’s programs in the U.S. Now there are over 100. Women face numerous barriers to entering into competitive wrestling. There are several states in which women must compete against men to gain a foothold in the sport. Coach Tyson recounts her experience as the only girl at her high school who wrestled. “When I came to OCU, it was my first chance to actually wrestle other women. It was upsetting the first time I lost to a girl because it was a brand-new experience.” Fewer than 40 states in the U.S. have sanctioned women’s wrestling programs. However, each year there are more coaches and more women competing.

Before

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

Women of Song

The Tulsa Sound is not just a brotherhood, after all.

Debbie Campbell will be one of several female Oklahoma musicians honored at the Women of Song event on May 15 at Cain’s Ballroom. Photo courtesy the John Wooley Collection

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

hose of you who regularly visit this space know that I’ve written a great deal about that elusive musical genre known as the classic Tulsa Sound. It’s something I first started researching in earnest almost four decades ago, when I went to work for the Tulsa World newspaper as an entertainment writer, and it’s been a continuous source of fascination for me ever since. Along the way, I’ve gotten to know many of its practitioners – some of whom have dismissed it as just a bunch of hooey, and others who not only disagree with that assessment, but have

very specific, concrete ideas about what it was and is. After all those years of studying and writing and listening and interviewing and thinking, I’ve just about come to the conclusion that the classic Tulsa Sound simply boils down to a brotherhood, created and perpetuated by a group of area musicians who played in each others’ bands, came out to see and support one another, soaked up similar musical influences, and became, in effect, brothers in arms, each giving his own spin to their unique collective sound. I called it a brotherhood. After talking with Brenda Cline, however, I realize it was a sisterhood as well. On May 15, Cline’s event – called Women of Song – is scheduled to take place at the Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa. A fundraising show for what she describes as “a multi-tier project” that includes a recording and music video spotlighting 20 female artists from Oklahoma, along with a documentary film, this initial event focuses on three top Tulsa performers who first made their marks in the ’70s and ’80s: Gus Hardin, Debbie Campbell and Betsy Smittle. The reason Cline started her whole project with that trio, she says, is that none of them are still with us, and she doesn’t think they should be forgotten. So their music will be presented as a tribute by others, including musicians who actually performed with them decades ago. “I just felt that in order to keep the authenticity of the Tulsa Sound, for this particular show, I wanted the real players that were back there in the day, in the ’70s and ’80s, performing at certain clubs like the Nine of Cups, Magician’s Theatre and Boston Avenue Market – as they called it, the Devil’s Triangle,” she says with a laugh. “To get everybody to agree to perform, I promised them we’d keep it authentic, about the Tulsa Sound and that certain era. I told them, ‘If you’re not on Medicare, you can’t be on the stage.’” (In the interest of full disclosure, I should say [a] that Brenda Cline asked me to emcee this benefit, which I’m happy to do, and [b] I’m on Medicare.) Cline, who spent 30 years in Nashville as an artist manager and record-label executive, returned to her home state in 2015. Well before that, however, she had begun an annual Oklahoma-centric event dubbed the Tulsa-Nashville Transplant (or TNT) Celebration.

What can I do to get my skin and body looking good for summer? The term “summer prep” in the med spa world looks a little different from person-to-person. Most of us think of summer and think ponytails, less makeup and less clothes. But you may ask: “How “I canwas I feelinspired comfortable wear lessbecause makeup orIless totodo that was clothes?” First, get yourself scheduled for a complimentary conso homesick for Oklahoma, ” she explains. sultation at BAMS. There we can talk more about utilizing IPL “All to ofremove a sudden, I realized that some of face photofacials dark discolorations and veins on your and neckmy before We people can also design a custom bestsummer. friends, I’d know for treatment a long plan for you using treatments like QWO® to permanently remove – like Donand White and Becky Hobbs cellulitetime from the buttocks Coolsculpting® to remove any– unsightly, stubborn pockets of fat stop you lived in Nashville. Ththat enmay I went to afrom clubwearing one your favorite shorts. have these manyOkies. other treatments night, andWe it was filledandwith Everyand products that can help you make this the best summer ever.

to those who follow the classic Tulsa Sound, she’ll raise the awareness for the living female artists she chose for her multilevel Women of Song project. “The women on this are all ages, all genres, all career levels,” she notes. “Some are hall of famers, some are just breaking artists trying body was having such a great time that it to make it happen. Some could be the next just fed my soul. And I thought, you know big stars. Who knows? But I thought, ‘Let’s what? I’m going to put on a reunion. start with a fundraiser that’ll bring attenShould breaking alter my investment strategy? “I didn’tnews really expect anything. It was tion to this project. Let’s honor these three supposed toit’s start out as backyard barbewomen who deserve to be honored for their If you follow the news, important to a consider just how much, cue, trending and it just bigger andyour bigger. That’s or how little, storiesgot should influence financial decicareer achievements and their talent.’ And sions. 1.when Be aware, butto don’t overreact. When I got know Betsy. Sheevaluating came inwhether and they just happen to all be Tulsans. you need to make changes to your portfolio, look for persistent performed onbroader Gus’s economy’s set.” “The inspiration for all of trends that may affect the vitals. 2. The market has overcome challenges before. In the past century alone, AmerBetsy Smittle, who passed this is women supporting ica has witnessed the Great Depression, assassinations, political away from cancer in 2013, was women,” she adds. “Doing this scandals, deadly terrorist attacks and financial crises. 3. Focus on best-known as a bassist andto meet a goal that “The first occurred to me while I your goals. If you are accumulating wealth is years away, market that happens or singer in volatility her brother Garthtoday, next week was still working in the music inspiration next year is likely part of the normal pattern you should expect. Brooks’ band, Stillwater. But business in Nashville. Through If specific headlines or trends are making you reconsider your for all of before that high-profi job, she and consider the business, I saw how difficult investment strategy, re-evaluate yourle risk tolerance meetingspent with a ficonsiderable nancial professional forworka second opinion. this is time it was for women to make any ing with Gus Hardin on the women headway. Things have changed Tulsa club circuit. Later, in the supporting in the past few years, and early ’90s, she recorded a solo they’re slowly turning around, women.” disc called Rough Around the but at that time, women Edges as simply Betsy. weren’t getting heard on radio, Hardin went from the Tulsa they weren’t getting played, and venues, where she was known everyone was complaining. It primarily as an R&B- and rock-influenced was a sad state of affairs.” vocalist, to country-music stardom with Then, she says, she came home to Tulsa RCA Records. Her first single, 1983’s “After to attend a reunion concert by Ann Bell, the Last Goodbye,” went Top 10 on the another of the top Tulsa Sound artists (who country charts; a year later, her duet with is also one of Cline’s 20 Women of Song). Earl Thomas Conley, “All Tangled up in She’s known especially for her work with Love,” was another major hit, helping her Leon Russell and Joe Cocker. become the Academy of Country Music’s “I went back to Nashville, and I was talkTop New Female Vocalist for ’84. ing about this event – and people didn’t In the late ’80s, she returned to Tulsa know who Ann Bell was,” she recalls. “That and the area’s live music scene, making her really got me thinking. I can’t tell you how home around nearby Lake Hudson. She died many times over the years I’ve talked about in an automobile accident at the age of 50. Leon Russell and nobody knew who he was, In 2019, Debbie Campbell became anoth- either. Being Oklahomans, we just kind of er cancer victim. Her long career had began take these things for granted. They’re our in her hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, with legends and our heroes. Leon is known in an all-girl band called the Kandy Kanes. musicians’ circles, of course, but the genIn the early ’70s, she was a vocalist with eral population doesn’t know him. the major-label band Buckwheat, appear“So I began thinking that there is so ing on three of the group’s discs, and then much talent in Oklahoma. There always has recorded as a solo act for Playboy Records, been, and there always will be. And with scoring a minor hit with 1975’s “Please Tell the idea of women supporting women, I Him That I Said Hello.” Around that same thought of all the women out there worktime, she relocated to Tulsa, where her ing, and struggling, and entertaining – on work, notably with Rockin’ Jimmy Byfield the road, selling merchandise, recording and the Brothers of the Night, led to record- – and the majority of them will never be ings and overseas touring. heard. For the last four decades of her life, Camp“Not that I can help everybody,” she conbell performed and recorded in a number of cludes. “But maybe I can help a few.” genres, including jazz, pop, country, blues, For information on the Cain’s Ballroom and contemporary Christian music. event and the Women of Song project, visit Cline hopes that by focusing on these womenofsongok.com. three influential performers, all well-known JOHN WOOLEY

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David Karimian, CFP®, CRPC®, APMA® Prime Wealth Management A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial 7712 S. Yale Ave. Suite 240 Tulsa, OK 74136 918.388.2009 • David.x.Karimian@ampf.com www.primewealthmgmt.com WEIGHT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST What can I do to get my skin and body looking good for summer? The term “summer prep” in the med spa world looks a little different from person-to-person. Most of us think of summer and think ponytails, less makeup and less clothes. But you may ask: “How can I feel comMELODY HAWKINS fortable to wear less makeup or less clothes?” First, get yourself scheduled for a complimentary consultation at BAMS. There we can talk more about utilizing IPL photofacials to remove dark discolorations and veins on your face and neck before summer. We can also design a custom treatment plan for you using treatments like QWO® to permanently remove cellulite from the buttocks and Coolsculpting® to remove any unsightly, stubborn pockets of fat that may stop you from wearing your favorite shorts. We have these and many other treatments and products that can help you make this the best summer ever.

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MAY 2022 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

LIFE & STYLE

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

Belize It or Not

A Caribbean and Central American combination is waiting for you in Belize.

In Belize, you can find a variety of blended cultures, along with outdoor adventures galore. Photos are stock unless otherwise marked

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

rivate islands and inland adventures will delight in this beautiful, multi-ethnic nation. The melting pot of various cultures there includes Maya, Garifuna, Mestizo, Creole and Mennonite. Once called the “British Honduras,” Belize is the only Central American country with English as its main language. It features the world’s only jaguar reserve, plus the second largest barrier reef and ancient Mayan sites. The Great Blue Hole is the vivid blue chasm which is the only visible blue hole from space. Easy flight connections to Belize have you arriving by afternoon. As you are transported to your resort, you’ll enjoy the scenery, and opportunities to stop at a coffee and chocolate farm for “forest-bathing.” This trendy travel word labels how we therapeutically experience the forests through our senses. Jungle canopies, trails, caves and swimming holes also

provide respite. While there are numerous resorts to choose from, a stay in Hopkins reveals the essence of Belizean friendliness. Enjoy your beach villa at Hopkins Bay, A Muy Ono resort. You can lounge all day in your beach chair, reading, swinging in a hammock and drinking afternoon piña coladas. Then, hop on one of the resort’s bikes and ride into the village to experience the charming lifestyle of the locals. The joy’s contagious as you ride past children, dogs, chickens and other bicycling tourists. Breakfast at the Swinging Armadillo and fix your eyes on the horizon as pelicans soar overhead. Friendly locals greet you as you wait awhile for your fryjacks and fresh pineapple. Time stands still in Hopkins, and you welcome it. Pull up to any tavern and park your bike to enjoy a local sports match or Garifuna drummers at Ella’s restaurant. Hammocks and swings

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

Photo by Gina Michalopulos Kingsley

are part of many restaurant interiors. Back at the resort, take your kayak out onto the sea and let all your cares vanish into the waves. Explore Xunatunich, an impressive archaeological site. You’ll travel on a hand-crank ferry across a narrow river to reach the Maya citadel. Tour guides identify endless ecological details (like tarantulas you can hold) before you explore the hills and temples. Immerse in the culture. The Garifuna people descend from a blending of West Africans with Arawak Indians. Visit the Palmento Grove. You’ll walk through towering hedges to reach the inlet crossing. Riding a kayak with dogs swimming next to you to reach the shore is a charming initiation into their environment. Tour the medicinal garden to learn about soursap cures and herbal treatments. Don a tribal tunic and take dance lessons to the drumming beats of locals culminating with a side of homemade rum punch. Bioluminescence. Rivers, reefs and lagoons teem with a menagerie of flora and fauna. Anderson Lagoon in Hopkins features an unforgettable night cruise. Floating on the Sitee River exposes you to monkeys, jaguars, herons, iguanas, owls and crocodiles. Using only flashlights in the dark night, look for the eye-shine of animals lurking in the trees and mangroves. Trees aglow with embers still burning from recent fires spit sparks into the obsidian sky. Through narrow canals, you enter the lagoon, which is a silent, dark womb for your boat. The constellation clarity will entrance you. The lack of light pollution creates visibility for a stargazing experience where water and sky merge. Shooting stars and constellations illuminate the sky and match the bioluminescence glowing in the lagoon. Wave your arms in the water to activate the glowing plankton. The emotional souvenir is the Belizean philosophy of positivity. No worries; just optimism.

Photo by Gina Michalopulos Kingsley

GINA MICHALOPULOS KINGSLEY

MAY 2022 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

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

Small but Mighty

While there’s no cure for chronic kidney disease, treatments may help prolong kidney function.

t’s estimated that more than one in seven U.S. adults – approximately 37 million people – suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most common cause of chronic kidney disease is diabetes mellitus, both type I and type II, followed by hypertension, says Jose El-Amm, MD, medical director of the INTEGRIS Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute’s kidney transplant division in Oklahoma City. Other causes include glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis, polycystic kidney disease – among other inherited diseases – and prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract and reflux. While many chronic kidney diseases are incurable, El-Amm shares that as a kidney specialist, his goal for his patients is to stop or slow down the deterioration in kidney function. “If we are able to achieve that, the kidneys could last the patient all of their life without ever ending up on dialysis or requiring transplantation,” he says. Ben Cowley, MD, chief of nephrology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and medical director of OU Health’s kidney transplant program in Oklahoma City, says diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of end stage renal disease, a kidney impairment severe enough to require dialysis or a kidney transplant. “What I typically tell people who have chronic kidney disease is that we’re going to have three goals,” says Cowley.

Organ Donation Cowley says organ donorship is no small decision, but it is a decision that will save lives. In comparison to individuals on dialysis, patients who receive a kidney transplant typically feel better, lead more active lifestyles and live longer. Cowley says most kidney transplants in the United States involve a deceased donor.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

“First, we’re going to try and make their kidneys last as long as we can. Second, we’re going to try and monitor for and treat side effects of chronic kidney disease. And the third goal is to plan ahead.” He says if it’s clear that kidney function is going to deteriorate progressively, then patients can prepare for various treatments, be it dialysis or transplantation, well before end stage kidney disease occurs. Unfortunately, individuals with CKD may not have any symptoms until the latter stages of the disease. “Many times the symptoms do not appear until 80% of the kidney function has been destroyed,” says El-Amm. “Early on in the disease process, the only way of diagnosing kidney diseases is by routine blood monitoring. When the disease is advanced, it can manifest with nausea and vomiting along with loss of appetite. Fatigue, decrease in mental sharpness and sleep problems also appear insidiously.” Additional symptoms can include changes in urination, swelling of the hands, feet and ankles, dry and itchy skin, shortness of breath and chest pain. However, El-Amm says that while “chronic kidney disease is an epidemic in our country… blood pressure control, diabetes control and weight control are crucial in preventing CKD. A routine check with your primary care physician will help pick up CKD early on,” he says. REBECCA FAST

These organ donors “can potentially donate a heart, two lungs, the liver or pancreas, and two kidneys, as well as tissue. “Unfortunately, there are more potential recipients waiting for kidney transplants than there are deceased donors available. So people wait years before they actually get a deceased donor kidney. During that period of time, they’ll typically be on dialysis.” The alternative, which Cowley says has significant advantages, is to have a living

donor transplant. “I consider living kidney donors to be sort of unsung heroes in this world,” says Cowley. “They do something that is of no benefit to them. It’s an incredible gift of the recipient. And if someone gets a living donor kidney, that means there’s a deceased donor kidney that can go to somebody else.” If you’re interested in becoming an organ, eye and/or tissue donor, visit lifeshareoklahoma.org for more information.

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LIFE & ST YLE | F YI

Drop, Cover, Hold On These quick actions during an earthquake can help save a life.

he floor is shaking, your wall hangings are moving in odd and inexplicable ways and your brain finally grasps what’s happening – earthquake! While a few short years ago we would expect this to happen to our California cousins, today it could well be an event occurring anywhere in Oklahoma. According to the experts, Oklahoma has been experiencing an upswing in earthquakes since 2009. “In Oklahoma, most earthquakes that occur are not strong enough to be felt,” says Mark Gower, the director of emergency response and homeland security for the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. “However, it’s still wise to be prepared for how to stay safe if a stronger earthquake does occur.” Gower notes that many earthquake precautions, such as ensuring heavy furniture is attached to walls to avoid tipping over, are helpful safety tips for households in general, whether for earthquake safety or as a general precaution. “Earthquake-related dangers may include injuries from falling objects or stepping on broken glass after an earthquake occurs,” he says. “Be sure objects that could fall, such as large-framed pictures or glassware on open shelving, are secured so they will not fall in the event of a strong earthquake.” Gower notes that many people “still believe” the safest place to be during an earthquake is in a doorway. “In fact, the best way to stay safe is to drop, cover and hold on,” he says. “Drop to the ground, take shelter under a sturdy table or desk while covering the back of your neck, and hold on to the table or desk to keep it steady.” It is also common for people to want to rush outside when an earthquake occurs to assess the potential damage. “Strong earthquakes can cause damage to the building’s brick facades or create other safety hazards that could injure someone as they try to exit,” he says. “Wait until the shaking has fully stopped before exiting, and avoid anything that could cause an injury on your way out. “Be sure your family has a plan for what to do in case of any type of emergency or hazard that can occur in Oklahoma,” he concludes, “such as earthquakes, fires, severe weather, tornadoes, ice storms and more.” DEBI TURLEY

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

Practical suggestions for earthquake safety: • Secure your space • Create a plan before an earthquake hits, including how you and your family will communicate • Drop, cover and hold on • Evacuate afterward, if necessary • Evaluate your earthquake plan and make any needed changes. • If you are indoors, stay there. Don’t get too close to appliances, heavy furniture or windows. (The kitchen is not a good place to be.) • If you are outdoors, move away from power lines and buildings into an open space • If you are driving, carefully stop. Do not park under trees, an overpass or a bridge • If you are in a mountainous area, watch for trees, rocks and other debris that could be headed toward you • Sources: earthquakecountry.org and USGS.org

What’s causing them? Jake Walter, a state seismologist with the Oklahoma Geological Survey and the University of Oklahoma explains: “In the past decade, wastewater from oil and gas production in northcentral Oklahoma was disposed into deep geologic formations that caused old faults to become reactivated and produce some of the largest earthquakes in the state’s history,” he says. “State agencies worked together to assess that information to promote safer disposal practices that the industry adopted, which has led to a dramatic decline in seismicity. The state went from experiencing over 100 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater per month in mid-2015 to about 2 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater per month today.”

LIFE & ST YLE | OUTSIDE THE METRO

All Sunny in Stroud

A slice of the Mother Road beckons between Tulsa and OKC.

Stroud, sitting between Tulsa and OKC, oﬀers Route 66 nostalgia as well as numerous community events. Photo courtesy Deep Fork Productions

ucked into the northeast corner of Lincoln County just a mile off the halfway point of the Turner Turnpike, Stroud holds a distinctive place on Oklahoma’s original “Mother Road” – the famed Route 66. Now designated U.S. Historic Route 66, the highway that once stretched from Chicago to Los Angeles bisected Oklahoma, coming through the middle of Stroud. Route 66 indeed still serves as Stroud’s main thoroughfare. City manager Bob Pearman points out that parts of the original highway are still visible. An obelisk marking the road once stood downtown but is now located near Davenport. But with a population of just under 3,000, Stroud isn’t content to bask in Route 66 nostalgia. Pearman recently noted that for a smaller city, “Stroud has a lot of things going on.” Those things include new homes under construction north and south of the city, recent school system improvements, enhancements at the city’s airport and industrial park, a promotional video being prepared by a locally-owned production company extolling Stroud’s healthy business climate and residential appeal – plus a full schedule of activities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Rock Café 918-968-3990 rockcafert66.com

City of Stroud 918-968-2571 cityofstroud.com

Oklahoma Route 66 Association 405-258-0008 oklahomaroute66.com

Stroud Chamber of Commerce 918-968-3321 stroudchamber.com

Staberidge Winery 918-968-2568 stableridgewinery.com

Pearman says city officials are totally on board with the addition of two turnpike lanes envisioned for the Turner Turnpike that links Tulsa and Oklahoma City, with relocation of utilities under way. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, says Stroud is a great example of why the Mother Road was tagged as the Main Street of America. “The road serves as the main path through town, surrounded by buildings that pre-date Oklahoma statehood,” she says. One of the city’s most noteworthy stops is the Rock Café, built in 1939 with a rich history of its own that includes a 1999 tornado and a devastating fire in 2008. Martin says the Rock Café, like the rest of Stroud, has endured through hardship that would’ve spelled disaster for others. “It’s that perseverance that lies at the heart of the greater story of Route 66 and its revitalization,” she says. The Rock Café’s exterior is made of rock excavated from the Keystone Lake area, owner Dawn Welch says. Welch, who has owned the café for nearly 30 years, confirms that business – especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic – has held steady, though with a different type of clientele from pre-pandemic days. “We’ve been getting more local customers,” she says, allowing the eatery to maintain its business. As the pandemic has eased, more tourists from elsewhere in Oklahoma are showing up. According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, Stroud – originally established a mile west – once was one of Oklahoma Territory’s “whiskey towns” – towns that were just west of the boundary with Indian Territory, where liquor was prohibited. The residence of the town’s founder, early-day merchant James Wrexel Stroud, remains a popular stop for visitors, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. By 1909 the town had two banks, two newspapers and four cotton gins. According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, the two banks became targets of notorious outlaw Henry Starr in 1915, when he and a gang robbed both of them the same day. The decision proved disastrous, as he and a fellow robber were injured and captured. Starr was convicted and sent to prison. In addition to exploring Stroud’s history, visitors can also check out several activities in the next few months. Among them, Portman says, are the Wine and Beer Festival, June 9; Stroud Lake Hot Boat Races, May 20-22 ( finals Sept. 9); Alumni Weekend, May 28; and the annual Sac and Fox Powwow, July 9. HENRY DOLIVE

MAY 2022 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

L I F E & S T Y L E | SCENE

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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

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MAY 2022 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

Women inthe

Workforce By Kimberly Burk

Women make up a significant portion of America’s workers – more than half, in fact. In this year’s spotlight, we focus on the powerful women in Oklahoma’s education sector, along with the ways that leaders are creating space for more women at the table, and some groups and networks that assist women in need.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

Women in Education

Left and top right: Kayse Shrum, DO, is Oklahoma State University’s first female president. She took the helm in July 2021. Photos by Gary Lawson and Phil Shockley respectively

The transition from the practice of medicine to educational leadership came naturally to Oklahoma State University President Kayse Shrum, DO. cutline “I chose medicine because I wanted to make a difference, and I felt that through health and development I could,” she says. “As I moved into education, going into medical school was a way to invest in future generations of physicians.” Taking on a leadership role at OSU, Shrum says, “was a bigger space to provide opportunities for others, and to invest in individuals through all that the university does.” Shrum says that as the first female president of a research university in Oklahoma, “I know there are others who have come before me and cleared a path and made it a possibility for me.” When Shrum was teaching at the medical school, she says a co-worker pushed for the hiring of more female faculty members. “She felt like it was important for female medical students to have more women mentors,” she says. She now embraces that mentoring role herself. “I’ve had various students that I’ve had long relationships with,” she says. One arm of OSU’s foundation is called Women for OSU. “That’s an organization of female philanthropists that support students – including female students. They really do try to connect with students from a female perspective.” Shrum has encountered challenges throughout her career from people who struggle to see women in leadership roles ... something she calls “background noise.” “I think my actions and my ability to manage situations speak for themselves,” she says. Other women in higher education leadership roles include Tulsa Community College president Leigh B. Goodson; Tulsa Public Schools superintendent Deborah Gist; Edmond Public Schools superintendent Angela Grunewald; state Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister and Oklahoma Community College President Mautra Jones.

Career Development

Career preparation should start at a young age, says Joy Hofmeister, state superintendent of public instruction. “A lot of Oklahoma students, like me, when they went to college or finished high school, weren’t sure what they were going to study or do,” she says. After she was elected in 2014, “we changed the law.” The Individual Career Academic Planning process was implemented this year to help students know their own strengths, learn about available career fields and prepare to navigate the world of higher education. Once a woman launches a career, Hofmeister says, “having a support network matters. It’s important to find a mentor who is about 10 years ahead of you in life, in her career, in raising children. I picked up the smallest things they didn’t even realize they were sharing, to help me juggle a lot of responsibilities.” Hofmeister says she spent 15 years as a business The Oklahoma Women’s Coalition’s mission is to “advance equity and justice for Oklahoma’s self identified women and girls through advocacy and education.” Photo courtesy OWC

MAY 2022| WWW.OKMAG.COM

Joy Hofmeister believes that it’s “important to have more women at the table. We need a diversity of voices.” Photo courtesy the Oklahoma State Department of Education

owner with 40 employees while raising her four children. She learned the importance of flexible schedules, for herself and for the women who worked for her. “There are a lot of things that pull at us,” she says. “You have to be flexible to be successful.” Hofmeister says she has seen an improvement since she entered the workforce when it comes to workplace sexism and gender discrimination. “I think it’s important to have more women at the table,” she says. “I think that makes a difference. We need a diversity of voices.” Her department puts an emphasis on STEM education for girls by empowering The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women, located in OKC, helps women in emerging economies around the world. Photo courtesy IEEW

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

their teachers. “We want our young girls to see female teachers who are competent in math and science, and direct those girls into careers that are heavily STEM,” she says. “We are providing professional development for teachers. We are doing paid externships for teachers in STEM fields.”

Creating a Network

Women who need help in areas like career readiness, emotional support and professional polishing can look to Oklahomabased groups led by women. The Norman-based Women’s Resource Center is a nonprofit founded in 1975 with a primary mission of helping women victimized by domestic and sexual violence. Services include a domestic violence shelter, rape crisis center, 24/7 crisis lines and education groups. All services are free. The Oklahoma Legislature created the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women in 1994 to advise on equity issues relating to gender bias, monitor legislation for gender discrimination, do research on women and gender bias and make recommendations for needed legislation. The group coordinates the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame and holds an Oklahoma Women’s Summit every other year. The Tulsa-based Domestic Violence Intervention Services provides prevention and intervention services to men, women and children affected by domestic violence. Its mission is to rebuild lives through advocacy, shelter, counseling and education. Awareness and education are also offered in

the areas of stalking, human trafficking, teen dating violence and sexual assault. The mission of the Oklahoma Women’s Coalition is to advance gender equity and justice for women and girls. Among the issue areas are health and wellness including maternity care, infant mortality and health insurance. The coalition is also concerned with the state’s high female incarceration rate and alternatives to incarceration. Economic security is another issue area, as the state ranks 38th in women’s median weekly earnings, and women working full-time year-round earn just 77% of what men earn in Oklahoma.

Intersectionality – What is It?

Legal scholar and civil rights advocate Kimberle Crenshaw has argued for more than 30 years that discrimination is often based on more than one social categorization. Crenshaw coined the term “intersectionality,” which she defined as the interconnected nature of race, class, gender and sexual orientation to create discrimination disadvantage. She said women face prejudice, discrimination and barriers that go beyond gender and help explain why some women have a greater risk of gender-based violence, bigger wage gaps and limited access to economic opportunities than others. The feminist movement in its early days focused primarily on white women of privilege, Crenshaw argued, ignoring the lived experiences of women of color, women in the gay and transgender communities and women in other marginalized groups.

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RELEVANT STATISTICS Fortune 500 companies with a high number of women in executive positions report better financial performance than their competitors with fewer women on their boards, according to TeamStage, a projectmanagement app that pulled together statistics from such sources as the U.S. Department of Labor, Forbes, the World Bank, Time and the Pew Research Center. More than half of the degrees awarded in the 2016-17 academic year were to women, with women obtaining 57.3% of bachelor’s degrees, 59.4% of master’s degrees and 53.3% of Ph.Ds.

Only a quarter of all working women are satisfied with their full-time jobs, but 75% of selfemployed women say they love their jobs.

42% of women

claim they have been discriminated against at work because of their gender.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

Women make up 50.02% of the collegeeducated workforce, surpassing men by 0.2%. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reports that between 1966 and 2013, women’s jobs increased in the areas of officials

and managers, professionals, technicians and sales workers.

Women hold 50.04% of all jobs in the United States, according to TeamStage, and 27.1% are managers and leaders.

The Women’s Business Leadership Conference, hosted by OSU’s Spears School of Business, welcomes women in a variety of industries to speak and network. Photos courtesy OSU

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SUSTAINABILITY:

PEOPLE, PROFIT A N D PLANET Oklahoma may not be one of the greenest states in the U.S., but local leaders are working to make us a healthier place to live. The following discusses small steps toward sustainability, plus the actual definition of the word and myth-busting as it pertains to a greener lifestyle. By Sonya Colberg

What is Sustainability?

‘Magic’ chocolate chip cookies did it for Corey Wren Williams. She joined the other Emerson Elementary third-graders on the playground one warm spring day four decades ago. They watched, round-eyed, as their science teacher pushed a cookie sheet into a solar oven. Minutes later, the kids bit into warm, gooey, decadent cookies. “It was really kind of inspiring and magical that the sun was baking those cookies,” says Williams. “It opened up the possibilities.” That simple demonstration illuminated the idea of sustainability, eventually blossoming into Sustainable Tulsa. Formed in 2006, the non-profit helps people and businesses embrace sustainability. Sustainability is a word that’s making a resur-

gence these days. But what exactly is it? Oklahoma City’s “sustainability guy,” T.O. Bowman, describes the overarching concept. “Future generations can provide for themselves as we do now,” says the city program planner for the Office of Sustainability. “So we meet our own needs in a way that allows future generations to meet their needs.” In keeping with the idea, Bowman and his wife replaced their second car with electric bikes. They’re also careful to follow his ranch upbringing to never waste resources such as water and electricity, a concept that Bowman is also incorporating into Oklahoma City planning. The big idea, Williams says, rests with the “triple bottom line” of people, profit and planet. “It’s not a disposable, one-life concept,” she says. “It’s a circular economy.” MAY 2022 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

Small Steps for Sustainability

So, what can we do beyond wringing our hands? “It’s important to start with where you think you can be most successful,” says Williams. That may be taking a hike. Or making a habit of walking around the neighborhood or park. Williams says walks are healthful mentally and physically. And the sunshine doesn’t cost a dime. Another simple way Williams incorporates sustainable choices in her daily life is by buying products such as pecans and vegetables from local farmers. She says buying locally also dramatically cuts emission costs of transportation as well as packaging. A cheap and easy way to embrace sustainability is to help the butterflies and bees. “Oklahoma is located in the path of the monarch migration,” says Bowman. Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed, so many people enjoy creating pollinator gardens with milkweed and various flowering plants. Bowman recommends that Oklahomans leave blooming vegetation in their yards for the bugs that pollinate and beautify Earth. Bowman also suggests that people stay plugged into the city and state. If they want more sustainability related ideas, he says, they should let elected officials know. Sustainability fans can also reduce their trips in cars and identify instances where they don’t have to drive. New car buyers might consider hybrids or electric cars, says Bowman. Investors can avoid putting their hardearned money in companies that don’t engage in sustainable practices, says Rutel. Google the company’s name plus “sustainability report” or “corporate responsibility report,” or “ESG” which stands for environmental, social and governance. Williams’s Sustainable Tulsa even offers an online sustainability tracking and assess38

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

ment tool for businesses, called Scor3card. Other ways to embrace sustainability without disrupting daily life include going paperless, using re-useable containers, donating used items rather than tossing them and finding a local recycling program. Inside the home, adding insulation is a good starting point before jumping into something like an $18,000-$55,000 solar panel project.

For people without the extra cash, consider programs by OG&E and Public Service Company of Oklahoma that allow customers to purchase their solar and wind power to offset fossil fuel use, advises Isaac Rutel, Ph.D., president of the non-profit Oklahoma Sustainability Network. “So, now you’re supporting and showing there is support for continued use of renewable resources,” says Rutel.

The Climate

Wacky weather may be partially pushing the interest in sustainability these days. The deep freeze of February 2021 tore a path of destruction through Oklahoma and the central and eastern United States. Utility companies and customers are still grappling with the costs and preparing for the next big one. Rutel says we can expect more freezes in years to come, along with droughts, flooding and more extremes. “All are attributable to having more energy in the atmosphere that allows for this type of weather to happen,” says Rutel, a physicist and associate professor with The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. Pollutants emitted into the air can warm

or cool the climate, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. “People are wondering: ‘Why is this happening? We didn’t worry about it five years ago or 10 years ago!’” says Rutel. “Well, that’s not true. There were people worried about it.” He says the sustainability issue is a lot more obvious now to everyone. “There’s been all the doom’s day clocks and what-not,” he says. “Yeah. We’re there.” He says people need to decide what to focus on for themselves. “The Earth is still going to be here in 200 years – even if we can’t live on it,” says Rutel. “So we’re not really trying to save the Earth when we say we’re trying to ‘save the Earth with ecology.’ We’re really trying to save the habitat of humanity – to be able to live on this Earth. And that’s the big problem.”

MYTHS ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY A few myths inevitably pop up as we talk about sustainability, including:

1. Sustainable practices are expensive.

Going solar can be pricey in a shortterm dollars and cents way. But the federal government estimates 20 years of solar energy saves about 320,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. Also, eco-friendly products tend not to be one-and-done products. They can be reduced, recycled or reused.

2. Sustainable living is complicated and time-consuming.

Earth-saving actions can be worked into the daily routine. Keep a tote bag handy in the car or on the bike for grocery shopping. Keep sacks nearby for stashing used clothing, books and small appliances to be donated. Reuse plasticware; try a metal straw or no straw, cloth napkins and refillable coffee mugs. Non-durable goods, according to the EPA, contribute about 50 million tons to America’s waste stream.

3. Sustainability means bye-bye plastics.

Plastic is everywhere. But plastic, even recycled plastic, is used in clothing, carpeting, car parts, medical components, medicines and much, much more. Whenever possible, reuse your plastics or recycle them.

4. Sustainability means no meat and no animal byproducts.

Renewable Energy

In Oklahoma, oil is king with natural gas next in line. While Oklahomans enjoy comparatively cheap fossil fuel energy, the state is walking a balancing act with renewable energy. Renewable energy is energy generated from continuously replenished natural processes, such as wind and solar.

The state generated two-fifths of its electricity from renewable resources in 2020, states the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That’s an increase from one-tenth a decade ago. Now Oklahoma oil and natural gas companies are providing more energy while reducing carbon emissions, according to the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board. Oklahoma has also cut carbon emissions since 2006, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, by a whopping 37%.

Many people can’t become fully vegan. But many can cut out some meat or dairy. Experts estimate 82 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions saved yearly if everyone in the U.S. ate one-quarter less beef, pork and poultry. And if you’re wearing clothes or feeding pets, there’s a fair chance you’re using animal byproducts. Biodiesel fuel, beer, sugar and crayons can also contain these byproducts.

5. Packaging is always the bad guy.

Sure, it’s a good idea to choose minimal packaging whenever possible. But the purpose of packaging is to protect and preserve products. If the package is damaged and the product’s shelf life is reduced, the environmental impact of producing a new product kicks in.

MAY 2022 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

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PERHAPS YOU WANT TO WORK BEHIND THE CAMERA, OR UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT. HOW ABOUT IN THE BACKGROUND, INSTEAD? YOU’RE IN LUCK. OKLAHOMA OFFERS NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED IN THE FILM LANDSCAPE, STARTING WITH STRONG UNIVERSITY DEGREES AND STRENGTHENED BY CASTING COMPANIES AND OTHER RESOURCES FOR UPAND-COMING SHOWBIZ HOPEFULS.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

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Van Hanken hopes the program at TU continues to grow each year with expanding classes. “With the right resources, the sky’s the limit. But we have to keep growing,” he says. He plans to teach a new course next year called Coding and the Arts that is based on a piece of art he designed for downtown Tulsa. “The piece incorporates an interactive element that responds to data,” he explains. But for courses like that to exist, the core of any school’s program – the pure cinema – must be strong. Classes like Intro to Film History, Screenwriting, and Film Scoring classes keep that program humming along. “It takes effort,” says Van Hanken. “My colleagues in the department and across the college are also constantly doing new research and offering new courses. Film nicely partners with a wide range of disciplines, from business to art to computer science.” But after you’ve got the degree, where do you go from there? “In terms of preparation, our students not only have the opportunity to write and direct original films but also to try areas such as camera, sound, production management and editing,” says Van Hanken. He also stresses being professional. “Early is on time, on time is late, and late is … you can fill in the blank,” he says.

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Getting Into Acting

Schooling

Film production is growing in the Sooner State, and with that, educational opportunities to learn more about the sector have grown, too. “With the increase in production statewide, I think more schools are recognizing there is appetite for film instruction,” says Jeff Van Hanken, Wellspring Associate Professor and chair of the Film Studies department at The University of Tulsa. With more production work available, moving elsewhere to ‘hit it big’ or get involved in the industry is no longer the only option for people. The courses that universities offer can also be “excellent preparation for a wide range of production-based industries,” says Van Hanken. Oklahoma houses several universities that provide film courses and four year degrees in the subject, such as TU, the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Christian University.

Let’s say you want to be under the spotlight, not behind the camera. Where do you start? First things first: You’ll need to get a headshot and resume ready to go. If you don’t have many credits to your name, don’t sweat it. According to backstage.com, “you must focus on your strengths and not your weaknesses.” Use whatever you have, from plays to short films shot with friends; anything that shows off your skills is important. You’ll also need a good headshot to show to casting directors. While it might be tempting to have a friend with a camera take your headshot, the investment in a professional is worth it. Do some research and make sure your chosen photographer has what you’re looking for. Backstage.com advises: “Before committing to a session, have a conversation to make sure you have compatible visions for the final product.” Lastly, you’ll want to sign up at websites like Backstage and Actors Access. Here, you can upload your headshots and resume and begin looking for roles. Freihofer Casting, situated in Norman, is a solid resource for staying in-the-know about upcoming film and TV shoots. You can sign up for their newsletter to stay connected.

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MAY 2022 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

Equipment Lingo

Once you’re on set, you’ll need to know the lingo that goes with it, especially if you’re working crew. Boom Pole – A long pole with a microphone attached, held above the actors at a distance to record sounds while staying out of the shot Shotgun Mic – A microphone attached the to the boom pole, used to record audio Shock Mount – A device attached to the microphone to prevent accidental sharking and rattling from ruining a take Gaffer – The chief electrician on set

Film Education Ins titute of Oklahom a workshop at Pra irie Surf Studios; photo by Nam Du ong and FEIO

Behind the Scenes

If the production side of film is more interesting to you, there are plenty of jobs in the market. “First of all, anyone can work in the film, television and media production industry, and right now is the perfect time to join the action with the current increase in production activity across Oklahoma,” says Tava Sofsky, director of the Oklahoma Film and Music Office. She encourages people to continue creating their own content whenever possible; however, “most people have a skill set that will easily translate to working as crew. Typically, getting your foot in the door as a production assistant is one of the best ways to learn about the various positions and

departments on a production.” Film goes very well with a number of skills. “If someone has a skill set or trade they would like to apply to working in Oklahoma’s film and television industry, there are many Film 101, Set Ready and Intensive Workshops for the various trades that can be accessed on our website under educational resources,” says Sofsky. It’s often said in film that it’s all about who you know, but Sofsky disagrees. “While it does help to know people, I would say work ethic is just as important if not more,” she says. “Oklahoma is known for having a first-rate local film crew.” She supports taking a Film Etiquette course, which is offered in state, as well as signing up for the office’s newsletter.

Audition Etiquette

So you’ve landed an audition! Backstage.com offers some tips for nailing it. 1. Remember the reader isn’t acting with you. “The reader is only there to give you someone to play off,” says Backstage. Don’t approach or touch them. You’re doing the acting, not them. 2. Always bring you sides/script unless you’re told not to. It’s good to have it memorized, but “even if you know the lines, hold the sides – unless you’re explicitly told not to.” 3. Doing self-tape auditions is far more common now, so remember to light and frame your shot. Seeing and hearing you are very important to a casting director. “Make sure you’re the focus of the shot against a blank background.” 4. Backstage also reached out to several actors about on-set etiquette, and Jon Lovitz summed it up best: “Treat everyone on the set with respect. You are neither above nor below them. You’re all equal.”

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

Audio Cables – Cables used to connect cameras, lights and mics, often wrangled into circular shapes to avoid tripping Martini Shot – The final shot set up of the day Last Looks – Occurs when the camera department is ready to film, so other departments do a final check before filming begins Rack Focus – The changing of the lens’ focus from one subject to another within the shot, often blurring one and bring another into clearer view Steadicam – A handheld camera designed for smooth, steady shots using a mechanical harness Diffusion – A white material used to soften the light source Gel – A transparent colored filter applied to the front of a light to manipulate the color output Shot Bag/Sandbag – A heavy bag used to weigh down stands

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Fueling the Fire

By Tracy LeGrand

ONE OF OKLAHOMA’S GREATEST LOVES IS THE CULINARY ART OF BARBECUE. WE BREAK DOWN A FEW KEY DIFFERENCES IN COOKING STYLES, PLUS OFFER TIPS ON BECOMING THE PERFECT PITMASTER AND STRATEGIES FOR GETTING THE IDEAL DISH ON YOUR OWN GRILL.

BBQ

MAY 2022| WWW.OKMAG.COM

Albert G’s Bar-B-Q, Tulsa Photo courtesy Albert G’s

Barbecue Versus Grilling The art of cooking meat has its genres, led by barbecue and grilling. Appreciation in the nuances starts with barbecue – the methodology of using a slow, circumvented unit of hot air with the lid closed; and smoking, as it relates to barbecue, cooking “low and slow and taking the time to get it right,” as Chuck Gawey of Albert G’s Bar-B-Q describes. Grilling, as a meat method, is done lid Billy Sims Barbecue, statewide Photo courtesy Billy Sim’s

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

up, with high, directed heat from underneath. Football legend Billy Sims grew up with Texas barbecue and opened the first eponymous BBQ location in Tulsa at the Farm Shopping Center, where the ‘cue choices often start with ribs. Due to being close to the bone, rib meat contains connective tissue and fat, which means it needs to cook for long durations, preferably over low heat to ensure tender and rich flavor. “If you want a lot of rich flavor in your meat, you want to slow cook it,” says Brent Swadley, owner of Swadley’s Bar-B-Q. “It’s very, very hard to slow cook on a grill because your food dries up. But there are not a lot of meats that you smoke, because they dry up. Brisket is Rib Crib, statewide Photo courtesy Rib Crib

such an ideal item to smoke, because there’s not much else you can do with it but grind it up into hamburger meat. A brisket or a pork butt or pork shoulder smoke so well because they are fatty and the meat is dense. It creates a rind on it that protects it while it’s cooking and traps the moisture in it. “When it comes to grilling, a good rib-eye usually grills up well. It usually doesn’t dry up on you,” he continues. “Pork chop might be the best if it is done right. The most important thing is to buy higher quality meat when you are grilling something. When you’re smoking something, it’s not as important to buy high quality because you are going to cook the hell out of it.”

Bedlam Bar-B-Q, OKC Photo courtesy Bedlam Bar-B-Q

Becoming a Pitmaster The big payoff from performing meat magic at home attracts many a home cook to the barbecue sector. “If folks want to be good at barbecue it takes practice, time, money and willingness to learn,” says Adam Myers, owner of Tulsa-based BurnCo Barbeque. “There is not a shortcut. Read books, cook with strangers, know that food is subjective and there is not a right, perfect or best recipe process or seasoning for everyone. Knowing your eaters’ preferences and catering to their needs is the true sign of a pitmaster.” Swadley continues: “I’ve often said it has zero to do with the smoker, it has zero to do with the seasoning, it has zero to do with the sauce, and it has zero to do with the meat,” says Swadley. “It has everything to do with you mastering your grill. You can turn your grill into a smoker if you do it right. You can turn a smoker into a grill if you know how to manipulate that. It’s learning how to work with what you got, what you can afford. Don’t step out there and spend a bunch of money buying something because it was successful for somebody else. It’s all about learning how to manipulate and make what you have work.” Gawey, who started in the business 30 years ago, still believes in the unadorned perfection of simple seasoning. “It’s all about piece of meat you want to cook and just practicing and learning,” he says. “Some of the stuff does not require seasoning – like sausage or hot links, but your chicken, steak, pork and burgers – I believe in just serious salt and pepper when I’m cooking at my house.” If you want to get started, event calendars yield one-time barbecue and grilling classes. Or, if you’d like a longer education, acquire some skills at places like Tulsa Barbecue School (tulsabbqschool.com). Swadley’s Bar-B-Q, statewide Photo courtesy Swadley’s

Freddie’s BBQ and Steakhouse, Tulsa Photo courtesy Freddie’s BBQ and Steakhouse

A Barbecue Breakdown NOT ALL MEATS – NOR VEGGIES – ARE CREATED EQUAL. Here’s a short explanation of what you should be aiming for when you’re at the grill. Chicken: Diﬀerent chicken cuts require diﬀerent cooking temperatures. Also consider whether it is bone-in or boneless, as boneless goes for about four minutes on each side, while bone-in breast needs to be over indirect heat for about 40 minutes or until the temperature reaches 165º. Use a meat thermometer so that it won’t dry out. Bone-in wings cook for about 20-30 minutes, while thighs and drumsticks should be grilled for about 40-50 minutes on indirect heat. Beef steak: Grill a steak for four to five minutes on each side and then continue for about three to five minutes for medium rare (135º); five to seven minutes (140º) for medium, and for well, continue to grill an additional eight to ten minutes (150º). Pork ribs: The target temperature is 190º. Cooking times vary. Burgers: Grill burger patties for five to seven minutes per side over medium heat. The target temperature is 160º. Lamb chops: The target temperature depends on at what level you want them, just like for steaks, and depends on the thickness of the chop as well. For example, if it’s 1-inch thick, grill each side around three to four minutes. Salmon: Place seasoned fish on a wooden plank and not directly on the grate. Cook for 10-15 minutes. Tofu: Tofu will stick to a grill, so oil the grill or use aluminum foil. Always marinate at least an hour before grilling, as that is where the flavor comes – and it can be as basic as barbecue sauce. Also press the water from your tofu before marinating so that it is absorbing it and not the water it came in. Grill your tofu for five minutes per side and brush with more marinade while cooking. Sources: themeatstick.com; tofuxpress.com

MAY 2022 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

Get Techy

Albert G’s Bar-B-Q, Tulsa Photo courtesy Albert G’s

2022 has brought about several new innovations to the barbecuing world, including: The Looftlighter – The Looftlighter is a torch that makes grill-lighting easy and speedy within 60 seconds as the cylindrical unit pushes a concentrated stream of super-heated air. When you point the Looftlighter at lump charcoal, briquettes or wood, very soon you’ll have a fire going. Weber iGrill Mini – At a price point around $60, the Weber iGrill Mini is a two-inch magnetic thermometer that pairs with your mobile device via an app, and it alerts when the food reaches your desired level of ‘done’. The smart LED technology oﬀers a four-color food heat progression spectrum to track. Precision Cooker – The Anova Precision Cooker is considered the No. 1 Sous Vide machine available to provide multiple portions in one cooking session. You can supervise the cooking process through the available app. The cooking magic happens via heated and circulated water that reaches a precise temperature, meaning maximum tenderness and moisture retention without the worry of overcooking. Timberline Grills – Outdoor cooking is perfected and versatile using Traeger Timberline grills. Features include a state-of-the-art premium construction including Wi-Fi connectivity to include recipe guidance and video tips, along with an Apple Watch version and recently introduced Traeger Provisions meal kit service. 48

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

Ask the Experts:

What’s Your Favorite BBQ Dish? A multi-meat plate of ribs, brisket, pulled pork and sides. I love our potato salad invented 30 years ago, our tabbouleh washed down with one of our local Tulsa beers. End with our key lime pie. – Chuck Gawey Start with the easy one – sweet tea and barbeque go hand-in-hand. When it comes to meat, it’s hard for me to beat ribs. I’m a ribs nerd. Also, I love sausage. I would say ribs and sausage are my two most favorite. Number three would be brisket. Our smoked chicken is one of our best sellers. For vegetables, potatoes and grilled corn. Wrap some onions and potatoes up in some foil with butter and seasoning. – Brent Swadley A 50/50 sandwich – half chopped brisket and half pulled pork – mixed up on a bun, with baked beans and plain potato chips. I like a root beer to drink with it. Something amazing happens when you mix pigs and cows, like a bacon cheeseburger. As I eat my sammy, meat falls out and is scooped into the smoky, little sweet, little spicy mix of baked beans. Sometimes I’ll use a fork, but usually pick a shovel-esque potato chip to scoop up the meaty sweet soft bite of beans, enjoying the textural crunch and saltiness of the chip against the rich sweetness and spice of the beans and sandwich drippings. –Adam Myers

BBQ Restaurant LISTING Albert G’s Bar-B-Q Tulsa albertgs.com

Bedlam Bar-B-Cue Oklahoma City bedlambarbq.com Billy Sims Barbecue Locations statewide billysimsbbq.com BurnCo Barbeque Tulsa burnbbq.com

Freddie’s Bar-B-Q and Steakhouse Tulsa freddiesbbq.com Knotty Pig BBQ, Burger & Chili House Tulsa facebook.com/KnottyPig Oakhart Barbecue Tulsa oakhartbbq.com

RibCrib BBQ Locations statewide ribcrib.com Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q Oklahoma City rudysbbq.com Smoke on 66 Barbecue Tulsa smoke-on-66-bbq.ueniweb.com Swadley’s Bar-B-Q Locations statewide swadleysbbq.com

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MAY 2022 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

TASTE

FOOD, DRINK AND OTHER PLEASURES

Food is Fun Again

A clandestine spot in downtown Tulsa is home to an Asianinfluenced steakhouse.

Mr. Kim’s in downtown Tulsa is the brain child of chef Ben Alexander, who describes the menu as his “own very personal journey through Korean and all Asian cuisine.” Photos by RXS LLC courtesy McNellie’s Group

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

here’s something peculiarly primal and satisfying about friends sitting around a fire with delicious meat sizzling in the flames. For that reason and many more, Mr. Kim’s is a fun place to be. Some restaurants might intimidate diners with food and customs from a different tradition. Not here. “We’re playing 1990’s hip hop, there’s crazy art decor,” says chef Ben Alexander, the man behind Mr. Kim’s. “Even if you don’t know a thing about Korean food, it’s a lot of fun. “There are no rules,” he continues. “It’s not about what food comes from what region and era, it’s about what tastes good that matters.” Ben’s casual attitude belies a lifetime of fascination with and immersion in east Asian, specifically Korean, food and tradition. Ben

was born in Korea. His birth name was Kim Young Duk – the restaurant is named after him. His father passed away a few months after Ben’s birth, and he and his sisters were adopted by Phil and Nancy Alexander. He grew up in Virginia. The Alexanders sent Ben’s sisters to lessons on Korean culture, but Ben was too busy playing on high school sports teams. So, the Alexanders used food to connect Ben with his birthplace. He grew up eating bulgogi and jap chae, and he loved it. Creative even as a child, Ben made himself a daily snack of ramen with hot sauce and American cheese thrown in. Ben’s father even invented a Korean marinade that he used when he grilled galbi short ribs; that’s now the marinade that Ben uses at Mr. Kim’s.

Perhaps because it grounded him in the culture of his birthplace. Perhaps because it brings back Proustian memories of his Virginia childhood. Or perhaps just because it’s fascinating and tastes so good. For whatever reason, Ben has been drawn to cooking east Asian food from the day when, a high school senior with some free time, he decided to enroll in a cooking class at the local tech. Starting about 10 years ago, he educated himself in every aspect of Korean cuisine. “With Korean food, you have the sweet, the savory, the spice, sometimes all in one dish. I love it,” he says. “Here at Mr. Kim’s, you shouldn’t expect traditional Korean food. It’s my very personal journey through Korean and all Asian cuisine.” The journey begins at an unmarked door just north of Second Street in downtown Tulsa. The interior, dimly lit and oneiric, has blackened yakisugi walls of burnt Japanese cedar and groups of excited diners seated at tables with a gas fire in the middle. Sit down, relax and order. Your meal, whether a la carte or one of the Omakase tasting menus, begins with appetizers. Ben is a veteran of fine dining establishments such as The Tavern, and his training in classical French technique shows in these marvelous tidbits inspired by Korean cuisine. Tasty dumplings filled with tender Oklahoma Wagyu are topped with a beautiful spiderweb rice flour tuile. Thin slices of hamachi are served with julienned apple and creamy ponzu sauce. (Yes this is more Japanese than Korean, and why not? It’s delicious!) Steak tartare is topped with caviar. And then comes a platter of the meats you’ve ordered, glowing in the firelight. If you’ve ordered the higherend omakase, that platter includes glistening slices of USDA Prime ribeye and strip, Oklahoma

Wagyu from Grand Cattle Company, prime ribeye cap, diver scallops, marinated beef (bulgogi) and marinated short ribs (galbi). And, star of the show, the finest A5 Wagyu from Kagoshima, Japan, with impossibly rich flavor that explodes in your mouth. The server will be happy to cook your food on the grill, or you can do it yourself. There are lettuce wraps and tasty ssamjang sauce for the meat, or you can eat it plain with knife and fork. There are no rules – but there are banchan. Those tiny vegetable dishes are rich with traditional Korean flavors, and you get five of them, including kimchi, which takes Ben two weeks to make. If you want more starch, you can round out your feast with fried rice made with prime beef and some of that kimchi. It’s a filling, wonderful feast. Your journey has a sweet ending with a scoop of Rose Rock Creamery tangerine sorbet. Ben’s personal journey has a happy ending too. “Those past two years of COVID ... bleak, miserable, day after day just going through the motions, fighting to keep our restaurants alive,” he says. “But now at Mr. Kim’s, I’m doing something I love. It feels so good to be happy! Food is fun again.” BRIAN SCHWARTZ

TA S T E | LO C AL FL AVOR Photo courtesy Tienda Guatemala

TA S T E | F I R S T BI T E

TIENDA GUATEMALA

If you have never experienced authentic Guatemalan specialties, today is the day to make your way to Tenth and Virginia Avenue in OKC, to a tiny storefront that began years ago in the Plaza District. Tienda Guatemala offers both daily menu items made from scratch in small batches and beautifully crafted bread and sweets in the “Minimarket Guatemala” side of the business. For the uninitiated, you always start with an order of pupusas. Made of masa and stuffed with various ingredients before being griddled, these are some of the best this writer has ever tasted. They are served with curtido, a fresh and crunchy slaw made from cabbage, onions, carrots, oregano and vinegar or lime juice. While the menu is limited and some items rotate regularly, there are no wrong decisions. You can order traditionally prepared chicken, either guisado (a rich stew) or rostizado (roasted). Various caldos (soups), tamales and chiles rellenos are also available. Pacaya, the flowers of date palms native to the country, make a delicious vegetarian option. For a refreshing beverage to pair with your meal, try one of their typical aguas frescas. Fresh fruit or flowers (lemon, hibiscus or tamarind) are blended with water and sugar to make these “fresh waters.” They also offer a variety of fresh, natural juices in blends like green juice, energy, anti-flu, vitamins and more. Tienda Guatemala is open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. seven days a week, and everything on their regular menu is under $12. For specials, follow them on Facebook. AMANDA JANE SIMCOE

MAY 2022 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

TA S T E | CHEF CHAT

Four Floors of Exellence

Chef Chris McKenna leads the charge at the new OKC dining hotspot the Joinery.

hef Chris McKenna is no stranger to the Oklahoma City culinary scene. A native of Edmond, McKenna has turned out eye-catching and palate-pleasing dishes at OKC favorites such as Stella Modern Italian Cuisine, Packards New American Kitchen, Oso on Paseo and Clark Crew BBQ. McKenna’s latest project is the Joinery, a multi-faceted and multi-leveled hotspot for Italian-American cuisine, craft beer and cocktails, plus entertainment at Oklahoma’s first golf-simulator bar, “Good. Good?” The concept is the newest offering from the Community Through Beer Group, which also owns Social Capital, as well as Edmond’s the Patriarch and 1884. Located in the heart of Bricktown in downtown OKC, many people will recognize the Joinery’s location as the home of TapWerks Ale House for 20 years. Each of the four floors now boasts a separate bar and craft beer program. The main floor offers fullservice dining

and drinks in a space that feels familiar but noticeably reimagined. Steaks, chops and shortribs accompany Italian-American classics like shrimp and pancetta carbonara and chicken Parmesan. Made-fromscratch desserts are a great way to end a meal, along with local Eote coffee. If you walk downstairs from the main floor, around a couple of corner and through just enough doorways to make you feel like you are searching for a speakeasy, you’ll find what is essentially just that: a dimly-lit room with tables, comfortable couches and continuous booth seating. The full menu is served downstairs and accommodates diners later into the evening than on the main floor. There is, however, a catch ... the door is passcode protected, so you’ll want to be extra polite to the hostess if you have any hopes of snagging a spot. Up one level from the main entrance, you will find the golf bar, “Good. Good?” with a smaller menu based on the downstairs lunch fare and an almost entirely local beer list. The bar features five Full Swing PGA-certified Simulators offering more than 35 course options, including TPA courses featured on the PGA tour. The simulators are more than just entertainment; their technology can help you improve your golf swing without actually having to hit the greens. On the top floor, you will find space for private parties and corporate events, hosting up to 160 guests. With its own bar and catering kitchen, clients can work with the chef to customize their events to their specific tastes. I visited the Joinery a couple of weeks back to check out chef McKenna’s new menu. Housemade meatballs with tomato sugo, whipped ricotta and grilled bread were a great shared plate, or could easily have served as a meal for one. I opted to share so that there was room for the burrata caprese, with cherry heirloom tomato, crispy basil, baked pancetta, basil oil and balsamic reduction. We sampled a couple of cocktails, Chef Chris McKenna has and enjoyed them so worked at a variety of much that we decided OKC restaurant staples. to repeat our original Photo courtesy Community Through Beer selections for the Group second round. The Joinery is open ONLINE seven days a week, SEE MCKENNA’S with hours varying RECIPE AT between each floor. AMANDA JANE SIMCOE

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

OKMAG.COM/ MCKENNA

TA S T E | TA S T Y T ID BIT S

Photo courtesy Whipped Bakery Cafe

NOTION COFFEE

WHIPPED BAKERY CAFE Follow your nose for fresh-from-the-oven pastries, breads and cakes at Whipped Bakery Café in Warr Acres. Whether a special order confection, a signature sandwich crafted with handmade yeasted bread, or simply a handcrafted coffee drink, the bakery has you covered. Try the original Runza burger, or perhaps the roasted turkey on focaccia with lettuce, avocado, apple and poppy seed dressing. Other choices include the chicken salad with apple, celery, pineapple, pecans and mayo. There is also a soup of the day option served with fresh focaccia. Beverage choices include brewed coffee, lattes, mochas, espressos, Americanos, frozen drinks, frappes, hot chocolate, smoothies and caramel macchiatos, too. 3820 N. MacArthur Blvd., Oklahoma City; whippedbakerycafe.com

An underground coffee shop in downtown Tulsa, Notion Coffee is built on the passion of coffee creation as a skilled art form, with a Modbar design removing the barrier between a coffee drinker and his or her barista. Following input from the coffee community, Notion is often offering new experiences, hand-crafted specialty drinks, latte throw downs, seasonal syrups and more. The space is available for coffee-catered meetings, workshops, host trainings and private events for up to 450 guests, as well as a workshop room for 40 people. Visit often to catch changing art installations. Menu items include toasts such as the strawberry feta with sourdough, avocado and strawberries, topped with feta crumbles and balsamic glaze. Other menu favorites include breakfast items, salads and snacks like hummus, charcuterie boards, desserts and treats for kids. 321 S. Frankfort Ave., Tulsa; notiontulsa.com

It’s all about the slow-roasted al pastor at Trompudo’s Tacos, which always provides handmade goodies served up in your choice of vehicles, plus toppings and finishings with choices among house specialty pineapple salsas. Options include tacos with or without cheese, burritos, quesadillas and mulitas, a yummy blend of grilled cheeses on two corn tortillas, filled with al pastor and topped with diced onions, cilantro and pineapple. Whether shared as an appetizer or as an entrée, the French fries arrive crispy and mingled with melted cheese. For a Mexican-styles sandwich, order the torta comprised of fresh-baked Telera (French bread) that’s been grilled, buttered and then filled with home style rice, al pastor, refried beans, onions, cilantro and pineapple. 6015 S. Maye Ave., Oklahoma City; trompudostacos.com Photo courtesy Notion Coﬀee

Photo courtesy Trompudo’s Tacos

Trompudo’s Tacos

TRACY LEGRAND

MAY 2022 | 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

O N T H E S TA G E

IN TULSA PERFORMANCES

WORLD STAGE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS: THE REVOLUTIONISTS Through

May 1 Tulsa PAC Four beautiful women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. tulsapac.com

TULSA OPERA PRESENTS: SALOME May 1 Tulsa

PAC Prepare for an im-

mersive audience experience as conceived by Thaddeus Strassberger, the Tulsa-born and raised opera director whose productions have been acclaimed the world over. tulsaopera.com

THE GOD OF CARNAGE May

SEASON CLOSERS AROUND EVERY CORNER

Artistic entertainment options can be found throughout the state this month. At the Tulsa PAC, see Mercurial on May 7, presented by Tulsa Symphony. The season closer welcomes acclaimed conductor Gerhardt Zimmermann to the stage. Theatre Tulsa also offers some artistic fare this month at the PAC with Singin’ In the Rain, running through May 15. Signature Series, presented by Tulsa Ballet, rounds out the troupe’s season performances from May 12 to 15 at Tulsa Ballet. Lastly, enjoy Walt Disney’s A Decade in Concert by Tulsa Symphony on May 20 at ONEOK Field. OKC Ballet offers up The Sleeping Beauty from May 6-8 at the Civic Center Music Hall. Stick around the area for Disney’s The Lion King running March 11-29, brought to town by OKC Broadway. And you can enjoy the great outdoors this month with Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, which offers the beloved As You Like It through May 14 at the outdoor Shakespeare Gardens.

6-May 14 Tulsa PAC Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, The God of Carnage relates an evening in the lives of two couples, residents of a Brooklyn neighborhood, who meet to discuss a playground incident. tulsapac.com

closes the season with the highly anticipated return of Remember Our Song by Hamilton choreographer and three time Tony Award-winner Andy Blankenbuehler.

TULSA SYMPHONY PRESENTS: MERCURIAL May

STEVEN CROWDER AND DAVE LANDAU STAND-UP COMEDY LIVE May 14

7 Tulsa PAC To culminate the

season, acclaimed conductor Gerhardt Zimmermann directs the orchestra in Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody,” Copland’s “Appalachian Spring,” and Tchaikovsky’s masterful “Symphony No. 4.” tulsasymphony.org

TULSA BALLET PRESENTS: SIGNATURE SERIES May 12-15 Tulsa Ballet Tulsa Ballet

tulsaballet.org

Cox Business Convention Center Steven Crowder and

15 Tulsa PAC You’ve never

seen a local theatre show like this. Join Theatre Tulsa for one of the most joyful, exuberant and memorable American musicals of all time. theatretulsa.org

TULSA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS: WALT DISNEY’S A DECADE IN CONCERT May 20 ONEOK

Dave Landau, hosts of one of the most popular conservative talk shows in the world, Louder With Crowder on Blaze TV, just announced additional dates for their 2022 comedy tour. bokcenter.com

Field Enjoy an outdoor concert for all ages at Tulsa’s ONEOK Field when the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra presents Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “A Decade in Concert.” tulsasymphony.org

THEATRE TULSA PRESENTS: SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN Through May

THEATRE TULSA PRESENTS: MOANA JR. May 20-22 Tulsa PAC This

Reboot 2022 Tour with special guests Riley Green and Jackson Dean. bokcenter.

PAW PATROL LIVE! “THE GREAT PIRATE ADVENTURE” May 21-22 Tulsa

Center Jack White has

“ruﬀ ” on all of us, but through it all, Paw Patrol Live! is back on a roll … in person and live on stage. tulsapac.com

THEATRE NORTH PRESENTS: THE NACIREMA SOCIETY May 21-29 Tulsa

PAC This show is set in 1964 Alabama and Martin Luther King is coming to spearhead a voter registration drive in Montgomery. tulsapac.com

CONCERTS EASTON CORBIN May

12 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa Country

singer Easton Corbin hits the Hard Rock for one night only. hardrockcasinotulsa.

com

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EAGLES May 16 BOK

Center Don Henley, Joe

Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit, with Deacon Frey and Vince Gill, have extended the “Hotel California” 2022 Tour. bokcenter.com

Karen Weidner, R.N. Kristen Rice, M.D. Virginia Vidacak, L.E.

BROOKS AND DUNN May 21 BOK Center The best-

selling duo of all time, Brooks and Dunn are returning to arenas, announcing their

918-712-3223 1325 E 35th St Ste B

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

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OKC BALLET

thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age story follows the strong-willed Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific. theatretulsa.org

PAC The last year has been

Photo by Shevaun Williams

EVENTS LISTED ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK INDIVIDUAL WEBSITES FOR UPDATES.

com

JACK WHITE May 24 BOK announced the first dates of The Supply Chain Issues Tour with shows in North America, Europe and the United Kingdom. bokcenter.com

II DRESSAGE SHOW May

1 Expo Square Equine excellence is around every corner at this annual event. exposquare. com

TULSA DRILLERS BASEBALL May 1, 10-15,

24-29 ONEOK Field America’s

favorite pastime returns to ONEOK Field. miln.com/tulsa

TULSA FC SOCCER May 7,

CODY CANNON May

21 ONEOK Field Professional soccer is back in Tulsa with the FC. fctulsa.com

crooner from Whiskey Myers take the Hard Rock stage. hardrockcasinotulsa.

INVITATIONAL May 14-28 Expo Square See

27 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa See the

com

ART THE BIG SHOW: WORK BY YOUNG ARTISTS Through May 8 Philbrook The BIG

Show highlights the creativity of young people across Tulsa and Oklahoma, with drawings, paintings, sculpture and more by artists ages 4-18. philbrook.org

SHENEQUA: WOVE Through

May 22 108 Contemporary An

Afro-Caribbean multidisciplinary textile artist, Shenequa’s family’s cultural background, conversations with others, and Ghanaian experience influence her art practice. 108contemporary.org

SPORTS OKLAHOMA DRESSAGE SOCIETY SPRING I AND

BREEDER’S

strong competition at this heart-pounding invitational. exposquare.com

TULSA ATHLETIC VS. CLUB ATLETICO SAINT LOUIS May 15 Athletic Community Field at Hicks

Park Put on your green and yellow and cheer the Athletic team to victory in downtown Tulsa. tulsaathletic.com

COMMUNITY FIRST FRIDAY ART CRAWL

May 6 Downtown Tulsa Since

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

GERMANFEST May 6-8 1429 Terrace Dr. Dine on authentic

German fare, listen to live polka music and watch as skilled folk dancers grace the stage at the annual Germanfest in Tulsa. gastulsa.org

FILM AND CINEMA TULSA INTERNATIONAL MAYFEST May 6-8 400

S. Main St. Experience an

outdoor tribute to the arts and music at Tulsa International Mayfest. This family-oriented event in downtown Tulsa is nationally renowned for presenting the very best in arts and entertainment. tulsamayfest.org

ROSE DISTRICT CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA May 7 Rose District, Broken

Arrow Celebrate Hispanic culture at the annual Rose District Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in Broken Arrow’s Rose District. travelok.com

TULSA GARDEN TOUR May 14 Tulsa Garden Center For

more than seven decades, the Tulsa Garden Club has been giving the public exclusive peeks to some of the most beautiful gardens in the city through their annual Tulsa Garden Tour. tulsagardenclub.org

DR. JORDAN B. PETERSON

May 18 Cox Business Convention Center Dr. Jordan B.

Peterson: Beyond Order comes to Cox Business Convention Center’s Grand Hall.

bokcenter.com

GEM FAIRE May 20-22 Expo Square For those with a

love for all things gems, minerals and other rocks, you won’t want to miss this faire. exposquare.com

2022 DISCOVERY AWARDS

May 26 Tulsa PAC The

Discovery Awards highlight and award excellence in high school musical theatre. tulsapac.com

8TH ANNUAL GRAND SLAM COMPETITION FOR “TULSA’S BEST STORYTELLER” May

28 Tulsa PAC Love true stories?

Then you will love Tulsa’s Best Storyteller Competition, where you can hear some of the best storytellers in Tulsa tell true (funny, serious, sad, harrowing, interesting) stories about their lives. tulsapac.com

IN OKC

PERFORMANCES

OKC BALLET PRESENTS: THE SLEEPING BEAUTY May

6-8 Civic Center Music Hall The

Sleeping Beauty is one of the greatest, most treasured story ballets of all time. okccivic-

center.com

LYRIC THEATRE’S THELMA GAYLORD ACADEMY PRESENTS: INTO THE WOODS May

6-8 1725 NW 16th St. Bring your children to experience the musical mashup of Cinderella, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood. thelmagaylordacademy.com

Jr. live at Lyric Theatre’s Thelma Gaylord Academy in Oklahoma City’s Plaza District.

thelmagaylordacademy.com

OKLAHOMA SHAKESPEARE PRESENTS: AS YOU LIKE IT Through May 14 Outdoor Shakespeare Gardens Grab

a seat at Oklahoma Shakespeare’s home stage in Oklahoma City’s Paseo Arts District to watch As You Like It. travelok.com

CONCERTS THE WHO May 10 Paycom

Center See one of rock

music’s biggest bands live. paycomcenter.com

RAY LAMONTAGNE May 12 The Criterion This indie

singer comes to OKC for one night only. criterionokc.com

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK May 16 Paycom

Center One of the ‘90s most popular pop bands returns to the Paycom Center. paycomcenter.com

ZAC BROWN BAND May 20 Paycom Center The

country music legends of the Zac Brown Band come to OKC. paycomcenter.com

ART WESTERN

WARES Through May 1 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Through clothing, furniture, tableware and more, Western Wares shows how designs with roots on the range came to occupy fashion runways.

nationalcowboymuseum.org

SANTA FE TRAIL Through

May 8 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Using material

culture and art objects from the museum’s collection this exhibition will recognize the bicentennial of this most important National Heritage Trail.

nationalcowboymuseum.org

MOTHER ROADS Through May 8 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Through pho-

tographs, rare book illustrations, maps and related ephemera, visitors will explore some of the country’s most famous thoroughfares.

nationalcbowymuseum.org

PERCEPTION AND TECHNIQUE IN ABSTRACT ART Through

July 24 OKCMOA Perception

and Technique in Abstract Art presents long-standing Museum highlights.

okcmoa.com

OKC BROADWAY PRESENTS: DISNEY’S THE LION KING

EXPRESS MAIL Through

swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. okcciviccenter.com

put pen to paper, the result is not always art – sometimes it is friendship, advice, inspiration, or congratulations.

March 11-29 Civic Center Music Hall Giraﬀes strut. Birds

LYRIC THEATRE’S THELMA GAYLORD ACADEMY PRESENTS: NEWSIES JR. May 13-15 1725 NW

16th St. Experience the thrilling story of Newsies

July 24 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum When artists

nationalcowboymuseum.org

POP ART AND TEXT Through July

24 OKCMOA Ed Ruscha, Robert Indiana, and Andy Warhol will be the focus

of a new Pop Art gallery on the second floor of the Museum. okcmoa.com

ASCENDANT: EXPRESSIONS OF SELFDETERMINATION Through

Aug. 14 Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Norman The

decades following World War II were rife with change on a global scale, no less so for Native American artists at the University of Oklahoma. ou.edu/fjjma

THE PERFECT SHOT Through Sept.

4 OKCMOA The Perfect Shot: Walter Iooss Jr. and the Art of Sports Photography includes over 80 photographs spanning 50 years of Iooss’ career. okcmoa.com

SPORTS OKC DODGERS BASEBALL May 1, 3-8, 17-19, 24-29 Chickasaw Bricktown

Ballpark Baseball returns to OKC with the Dodgers. milb.com/oklahoma-city

WORLD WARM UP CIRCUIT May 6-8 State

Fair Park Horsecentric activity abounds at the Warm Up Circuit.

okcfairgrounds.com

22ND ANNUAL COWBOYS OF COLOR RODEO May

7 State Fair Park Enjoy this equine showcase featuring Grammy-nominated Kelly Price. okcfairgrounds.com

WHEELER CRITERIUM May 9 1701 S. Western Ave. Once the weather starts warming up, gather your crew and head south of the Oklahoma River for the Wheeler Criterium. wheelerdistrict.com

OQHA REDBUD SPECTACULAR HORSE SHOW May 31-June 12 State

Fair Park One of the equine

industry’s biggest competitions returns to Oklahoma. okcfairgrounds.com

COMMUNITY DOWNTOWN EDMOND ARTS FESTIVAL May

1 North of Broadway and Second St. Over 140 artists

exhibit and sell their works of art at the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival each year. travelok.com

FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY

WALK May 6 Paseo Arts District Visitors can enjoy

art openings, wine tastings, live music and other activities. thepaseo.org

NORMAN PRIDE

WEEKEND May 6-8 Various locations, Norman Celebrate the

LGBTQ2SIA+ community during exciting city-wide events at Norman Pride Weekend. normanokpride.org

ROUND BARN RENDEZVOUS May 8 Round Barn,

Arcadia Come by the iconic Route 66 stop as artists fill the Round Barn in Arcadia with the sound of acoustic music once a month. arcadiaroundbarn.com

MAY’S OFFERINGS This month, horror movies and documentaries take center stage, along with another Marvel crossover.

he fifth month of the year has shuffled its way down the line, and I may or may not have some movies for you to check out! (Sorry, writing differing intros gets difficult so you may just have to deal with these puns for now … maybe.) Starting with another Marvel tent-pole film, the month opens with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The sequel to Doctor Strange and the 28th film in the apparently ceaseless Marvel Cinematic Universe, this story finds Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) entering the multiverse with allies old and new to face off against his latest foe. With an impressive cast including Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Rachel McAdams, the film looks to tackle the insane crossover chaos that SpiderMan: No Way Home started. Directed by Sam Raimi, who helmed the original SpiderMan trilogy, the film releases on May 6. Next up, a horror film with a lot of heat, titled Firestarter. Based on the Stephen King novel, the story centers around Charlie, a young girl who develops pyrokinesis and must go on the run with her father Andrew (Zac Efron) to avoid capture by government agents. The trailer indicates there will be an awful lot of screaming and fire to go around, along with, perhaps, a campy sensibility. I can’t tell if this one will be good fun or bad fun, but we’ll see when it’s released on May 13 in theaters and on the streaming service Peacock. If you’re looking for an even darker take on children with superpowers, look no further

than The Innocents. A Norwegian horror film, The Innocents focuses on a group of children who show each other their mysterious powers, which is followed by what I assume is a series of very, very unfortunate events (with absolutely no sign of Lemony Snicket). The trailer looks grim, foreboding and absolutely original. It hits select theaters and video-on-demand on May 13. If you’re looking for a documentary, check out Hold Your Fire. The film focuses on Harvey Schlossberg, a former NYPD officer and psychoanalyst, during a botched robbery that took place in 1973 in Brooklyn, where four men held eleven people hostage for 47 hours. Schlossberg’s actions helped to further define and develop modern hostage negotiation tactics. It will hit theaters and video-on-demand on May 20. Shifting gears to something lighter, The Bob’s Burgers Movie is finally releasing! Based on the animated series of the same name, the movie/musical features all the original voice actors reprising their roles, and focuses on a giant sinkhole that appears directly in front of Bob’s Burgers, effectively blocking customers and ruining their summer plans. If you’re a fan of the show, this will be exactly what you’ve been looking for, and it seems to retain all the humor of its TV counterpart. After a nearly two year delay, it hits theaters on May 27. Lastly: Top Gun: Maverick finally comes out on May 27 after ten billion delays and will, in all likelihood, be a six out of ten … if that. DREW JOSEPH ALLEN

MAY 2022 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Eric Himan

... working at Myriad.

My day to day responsibilities at Myriad Gardens include working with my amazing events team (Emmy French, Kristen Milburn, and Laura Gipson) to create and execute a wide range of events from our big yearly fundraisers – Pumpkinville and Children’s Garden Festival – to our monthly series – Full Moon Bike Rides, Myriad in Motion Fitness classes, Dancing in the Gardens and more. We love to brainstorm as a team on how to provide the best experience for our members and patrons.

... what drew him to OKC.

After running events in Tulsa at Guthrie Green and The Gathering Place for the past four years (I was a Tulsa resident for 14 years), I was looking for an opportunity to learn a new city and what it has to offer for live production and events. When I saw that Myriad Gardens was on the hunt for a new Director of Events, I immediately threw my hat in and met with our wonderful leader – executive director Maureen Heffernan. I always want to feel like I am growing as an artist and a person and these spaces have allowed me to feel that way already.

... his musical background. I started playing guitar and

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

... his greatest achievements.

My greatest accomplishment musically was touring with one of my main musical heroes, Ani DiFranco, and getting to share the stage with her on a few songs throughout that tour. When I was sixteen, I was in my room learning her tunes, and to have been 35 playing on stage singing with her was such a huge stepping stone for me. I also got to perform at Wrigley Field for an event back in 2006 with Cyndi Lauper. In my roles as an events director, helping to produce Pumpkinville last year at Myriad Botanical Gardens was a highlight. It is a three week festival that typically has a theme and brings out tons of people. Booking Leann Rimes at Scissortail Park (May 21st!) was also a big highlight to date. Photo by Shane Bevel

As the talent buyer for our Scissortail Park Concert Series, I am always on the lookout for who to bring to our Love’s Travel Station Stage and Great Lawn. Oklahoma City has such a wide pool of talent in all genres, and to mix those great artists with nationally recognized ones makes for a perfect mix. I want our series to feel diverse, and I get really excited when all the stars align. Our series will run from May through September this year.

... his life in 20 years.

Photo by Stukenborg Photography

... being a music director.

singing when I was eight. When I was 13, I started applying those skills to the music that was speaking (rock with Janis Joplin, folk with Tracy Chapman, pop with 10,000 Maniacs). By the time I got to Penn State to go to college, I began playing at fraternities and festivals, and that changed the game for me. I started touring once I graduated. I was driving all over the country (all 48 states I could get to with a car) performing anywhere I could play (bars, concert venues, opening for other artists at theaters, malls, etc). After 15 years, I was able to put out 10 albums independently with listeners all over the world.

20 years, wow. I hope I am still producing events that range in style and genre. I’d love to see that I am still brainstorming and trying to think outside the box. I also hope that I am still writing and performing music that speaks to my heart and resonates with others.

... events on the horizon.

I am looking forward to a year of fun, festive events in OKC with our SONIC Summer Movie Series to this year’s Children’s Garden Festival and Pumpkinville. Scissortail Park’s Concert Series is sure to bring out crowds of music fans this year and I will be right there with them listening to some of my favorites artists. Personally, I am all about a team dynamic, whether that is my events team or my band, the Nightly Dues. This year is already building fast, so I’m just trying to hang on with a big smile on my face.

Photo by Tony Li

ric Himan, an award-winning recording artist based in Oklahoma City, serves at the director of events for Myriad Botanical Garden as well as the music director for the Scissortail Park Foundation. He has toured nationally with Leon Russell and Ani DiFranco, and has produced 10 original albums. We caught up with Eric and got his thoughts on ...

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