November Oklahoma Magazine 2024

Getting joint care just got easier

Powering Oklahoma

It’s no secret that the Sooner State is smack dab in oil and gas country. In fact, our state-based energy companies are powering Oklahoma – literally. We explore both the energy and electric utility companies within our borders, their clean energy initiatives and just how important they are to the statewide, national and global economies.

The Golden Age of Oklahoma Cuisine

Oklahoma’s in the midst of a culinary renaissance. We’re no longer just a meat and potatoes kinda state – although the meat and potatoes we're serving are the best you’ll ever have. Explore a heaping handful of the restaurants helping us strengthen the claim that we’re in the golden age of Oklahoma cuisine.

–• 1947 Company founder, Nick Stavros immigrates to the US at 13.

–• 1972 Stavros starts supplying appliances to home builders in Tulsa OK from his garage

–• 1974 1st showroom opens in Tulsa as Metro Builders Supply

–• 1986 2nd showroom opens in Rogers AR

–• 1987 3rd showroom opens in Oklahoma City OK

–• 1989 4th showroom opens in Joplin MO

–• 1990 5th showroom opens in North Little Rock AR

–• 1992 6th showroom opens in Springfield MO

of Exceptional Service

–• 2001 Nick Stavros sells the company to its employees

–• 2003 7th location opens in Wichita KS

–• 2010 Changes name to Metro Appliances & More

–• 2010 8th location opens in Jonesboro AR

–• 2018 Acquisition of Hahn Appliances with 4 locations in Oklahoma

–• 2023 9th location opens in Little Rock

–• 2024 Celebrating 50 years in business. Now the largest company of our kind in the US with 9 stores and over 650 employees.

We, the employees/owners, want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our valued customers as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. Your trust and support have been instrumental in our success, and we look forward to continuing to serve you with the largest selection, the lowest prices and outstanding customer service for many more years to come.

Letter from the Editor

Upon first glance at our cover – which highlights a dish from Tulsa’s Barons on 1st – your tummy may already be rumbling. You’re in luck; our corresponding food feature can be found starting on page 50. We’ve boldly declared this moment in time as the Golden Age of Oklahoma cuisine, and we explore some of the many delicious restaurants in the state that are helping us strengthen this claim. You’ll see everything from award winning Laos cuisine to delicious late night comfort food, New American fine dining, Ethiopian wonders and more.

Powering Oklahoma (both literally and figuratively) are the energy and electric utility companies statewide. We explore what these businesses do to help Oklahomans thrive and offer a bird's-eye look into the energy sector on page 22. Stick around for the Super Lawyers special section (page 27) – we are the exclusive provider of the section in our region. Inside, you'll see a listing of Oklahoma's top attorneys, as voted by their peers.

To commemorate Veterans Day and celebrate Thanksgiving, peruse our State cover (5). We dive into the ways you can get involved with philanthropic efforts aimed at both helping veterans succeed and ensuring meals are on the tables of those most in need. We also learn about the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame and get the backstory of an English Olympian with Okie ties (pages 9 and 10).

On a somber note, our graphic designer, Greg Carmack, passed away in September. He was vital to the success of the magazine during its inception 28 years ago, and has stepped in on occasion since then to lend his expertise to the publication. You’ll see many of his designs in this issue – I hope you enjoy them.

This one’s for Greg.

Mary Willa Allen

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Greg Carmack

The State

ALL THINGS OKLAHOMA

Lending a Helping Hand

With both Veterans Day and Thanksgiving this month, there are ample opportunities to help those in need.

Although retired from the Air Force, Alfonso Garza Jr. and Leo Webster remain actively involved in a vital mission: supporting, educating and collaborating with fellow veterans. Both have a passion for connecting these people with programs and services ranging from education to healthcare to housing.

In fact, Garza – the programs administrator for the Veterans Mental Health and Suicide Prevention program with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs – says one of the main issues that service men and women face is that they are simply unaware that “there is help, that people care and that there are resources available.”

That focus on offering help fuels Garza’s work, which includes outreach efforts into communities, colleges, veterans’ groups and military reserve units. He also enjoys networking and learning about groups that are carrying out his shared mission.

“I’m all over the state,” says Garza, who served in the Air Force for 22+ years. “I’m always casting the net to see who has the same passion.”

Webster, who has collaborated with Garza, started a program called Vet Chat in 2018, where veterans and service members gather monthly at Cornerstone Church in Midwest City to connect, share resources and build friendships.

“We just want to meet the need – for whatever that need is,” says Webster, who served in the Air Force for 24 years.

The group has grown from about eight people, who initially congregated at Webster’s home, into nearly 60 today. Webster’s goal is 100. Vet Chat discusses topics that impact fellow veterans or active-duty service members. Webster mentions another benefit is that the gatherings help build camaraderie among veterans and let them know the support that is available.

Vet Chat started in 2018 and includes veterans and service members who gather monthly at Cornerstone Church in Midwest City to connect, share resources and build friendships.

Photo courtesy Vet Chat

Retired veterans Alfonso Garza, left, and Leo Webster are passionate about helping fellow veterans. Garza works with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs in Oklahoma City and Webster started Vet Chat gatherings in Midwest City.

Photo courtesy Garza and Webster

Starting Off | The State

“Now I feel like it’s time for us to serve them in whatever way we can,” says Webster. “Because they have given so much and asked for nothing, we need to be there for them now.”

There’s more work that can be done, Webster and Garza agree. Getting involved in organizations that help veterans, sharing resources with veterans or simply taking the time to check in on the veterans in your life can lead to lasting impacts.

“Everybody can make a difference,” says Garza. “We can’t forget that.”

Another way to give back this month is by helping the less fortunate through the holidays. In fact, you can deliver smiles, cheer and a nutritional meal via a variety of nonprofits, including Meals on Wheels – which offers food, wellness checks and caring contact to senior residents in and

around Tulsa and OKC.

Volunteers are needed year-round, and there are opportunities that can accommodate a variety of schedules, says Nicholas Bryant, marketing and communication coordinator with Meals on Wheels Metro Tulsa.

“We always need substitute meal delivery drivers that can fill in for us as their schedule allows each week,” he says. “There is no minimum time commitment required to be a volunteer, and several of our programs provide very flexible options for every type of schedule.”

Bryant also mentions one of the biggest needs facing the Tulsa-based organization right now is a scarcity of meal delivery drivers in the northeast and northwest Tulsa areas – these drivers will “help with our transition back to hot meal delivery

for clients, multiple days per week.”

Anyone is welcome to help out at Meals on Wheels – volunteers range from high school students to grandparents.

“You can volunteer at any age for most of our programs, as long as you are with someone over the age of 18 while volunteering,” Bryant says. “We also have many adult volunteers that like to bring friends and family with them while volunteering, including their children or grandchildren. It’s a great opportunity for family bonding.”

Volunteering with the organization also helps further the mission of providing meals and meaningful moments with seniors in the community.

“In addition to the benefit our meals provide, we live up to our saying of ‘more than just a meal’ by providing caring contact to our homebound clients to help fight the triple threat of aging: loss of independence, social isolation/loneliness and lack of nutrition/hunger,” says Bryant.

He adds: “For many of our clients, our volunteers may be the only people they see or talk to all week.” Those interactions have a lasting effect on the clients, of course, but also the volunteers.

“Many of our volunteers have expressed that they get just as much out of being a volunteer with us, as our clients do from receiving services,” Bryant says.

SHARLA BARDIN

Helping Out Veterans Near You

• Perform home repairs or household chores for a veteran in your neighborhood.

• Donate your time to help a veteranbased organization.

• Share your skills. Are you tech savvy or a whiz at tax preparation? Consider donating your talents to veterans in your area.

• Provide transportation. Volunteer your time to help veterans get to medical appointments. One example is the Volunteer Transportation Network from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that offers transportation for veterans seeking services from a VA facility.

• Send a note of thanks. If you know a veteran in your neighborhood, consider leaving them a note to thank them for their service. You can also submit letters to Operation Gratitude, which delivers letters, cards and care packages to veterans and military personnel.

Meals on Wheels, a nonprofit with locations in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, provides nutritious meals, wellness checks and caring contact to senior residents. Photo courtesy Meals on Wheels

Volunteers are needed year-round with Meals on Wheels Metro Tulsa, and opportunities are available that can accommodate a variety of schedules. Photo courtesy Meals on Wheels

Movin’ On Up (And Down)

Oklahoma’s ample elevators are inspected and maintained by the pros.

Elevators. They take us to upper floors and down to basements, saving steps and making multi-floor buildings and skyscrapers viable for living and working.

“It’s something many people don’t consider in their daily lives, but [elevators are] as common as the automobile or airplane as a method of moving people safely,” says Brandon Shultz, branch manager for Schindler Elevators and Escalators in Oklahoma. The 150-yearold company’s international presence moves two billion people every day on elevators, escalators and moving walks.

In Oklahoma, there are a handful of major elevator manufacturing and installation companies, says Jim Williams, director of the safety standards division for the Oklahoma Department of Labor (ODL). The ODL has jurisdiction over elevator standards across

the entire state, except for the City of Oklahoma City, which has its own codes and oversight for both elevators and escalators.

“A licensed inspector must approve the plans for any new installations, and once the elevator is installed, it must pass an acceptance test before being put into service,” says Williams. “After the acceptance, the elevator must be inspected either every year or every other year, depending on the type of elevator. If the elevator passes each annual or biannual inspection, the elevator is issued a Certificate of Operation, which is required to be in plain view or at least available to be viewed by the public.”

ODL has jurisdiction over 77 counties’ elevators and escalators with public access – although not in private residences, says Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn.

“The Department of Labor oversees workplace safety, labor laws and, over the years, the legislature has added safety tasks,” says Osborn. “For example, we check every aspect of asbestos abatement. We also check commercial grade hot water heating due to the explosion of a commercial grade boiler in Oklahoma City in the past. Elevators are just one of the things we oversee. We keep people safe in the background.”

So just how safe are elevators? Since public elevators must, by law, display inspection notices, they are “generally incredibly safe,” says Williams, “as long as all tests and inspections remain current and routine maintenance is maintained. But it is estimated that elevators cause about 30 deaths and 17,000 injuries annually in the United States.”

What should the average person be aware of before they step into that moving space that travels, in Oklahoma, as high as 50 stories into the sky at the Devon Tower – or maybe someday at the proposed Legend Tower that, at 1,907 feet, would make it the highest building in the nation?

“Any elevator operating without a current Certificate of Operation may indicate a problem,” says Williams. “Otherwise, any elevator that is rough, loud or doesn’t stop exactly level with the floor, presents a dangerous situation.”

TRACY LEGRAND

Schindler, a 150-year-old global manufacturer of elevators, has offices in Tulsa.

This and bottom right photo courtesy Schindler

The Oklahoma Department of Labor inspects and maintains elevators across the state.

Photo courtesy ODL

Gaining and Giving Inspiration

Artist Tim Long paints the diverse subject matters that comprise Oklahoma culture.

Tim Long discovered his love for painting at an early age.

“I was encouraged by my parents, teachers and classmates,” says Long. “Around third grade, I realized I was pretty good at art and knew it was something I wanted to do. I checked out a book from the school library called Indian Values: Past and Present by Lu Celia Wise, and the paintings I saw in it were amazing. My drawings quickly started emulating the Bacone School artists I saw in this book.”

Fast forward a few years and Long needed a Father’s Day present. Little did he know this one necessity would cement his passion.

“My mom suggested I make something for him,” Long says. “I made a painting based on a George Catlin piece in the Bacone style using model airplane paints. As soon as I was done with that piece, I knew I was a painter – and that

painting and art would be part of my life until the day I die.”

Long says he continued to paint through high school and college but slowed down as he got older and started working.

“Towards the end of 2019, I found myself with some extra time, and my wife encouraged me to start painting again. It didn’t take too long to get into the swing of things and I now make sure to make time for painting.”

“I feel lucky to be surrounded by so much talent, great art, creative people and diversity,” he says. “Oklahoma has this ability to produce such great artists – whether it be visual, musical or performing arts, and that’s a product of our environment, history and politics – and the pros and cons that come with all three. This land and people will continue to inspire me and I hope I can do the same in return.”

Long says his biggest inspirations are found right here in Oklahoma.

“The people, cultures and landscapes are diverse – and I feel like inspiration is all around,” he says. “Having been inspired by many Native American artists and growing up in a state with 39 sovereign nations, I draw a lot of inspiration from Native American culture and art.”

However, in the last couple of years, Long has been using old, black and white photos from his family as references for his art.

“It allows me to use history as a lens and subject matter for my art and connect with my past,” Long says. “Obviously, the viewer won’t know my family history or stories behind the reference photos but I’m pretty certain they’ve seen old photos of their own families with men in cowboy hats and overalls, ladies on horses, or guys standing around after a Sunday dinner, and can relate or make up their own stories.”

Long says he likes to take a modern approach with his art even though the subject matter is mainly from the past.

“My degree is in history,” Long says. “I’ve looked through that lens in my approach to art. I like to create work that is not quite finished and leave the viewer with the ability to fill in the blanks or finish the story of that piece.” His work is ever-expanding and in the future, he would like to do a series of paintings on Oklahoma musicians, past and present.

“There are so many musicians and influencers who come from this state, and people hear them every day and don’t know they are from Oklahoma,” he says. “I would like to shine a little light on them.”

Oklahoma, he says, has all the inspiration he needs as an artist.

SHARON MCBRIDE

Tim Long creates works inspired by Oklahoma – with subject matter ranging from his own family history to Native American culture. Photos and art courtesy Tim Long

Uplifting Women

The Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women works

to make the state a more equitable and safe place for all.

Created as a state commission in 1994, the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women (OCSW) is committed to improving the lives of Oklahoma women and girls.

“The Commission is the official voice for women at the state capitol, serving in an advisory capacity to the governor, legislature and state agencies on quality of life and economic opportunity issues,” says Brenda Jones Barwick, founder of Jones PR and the OCSW chair through 2025.

Barwick says that most of OCSW’s accomplishments are realized by raising awareness of challenges women face, and then fulfilled through legislation and creation of non-profits that provide specific services for women.

For example, in conjunction with certified partners, OCSW has worked to explain the types of human trafficking prevalent in Oklahoma, and to assist with highlighting barriers to data collection. As well, OCSW has called attention to the resources Oklahoma needs to rehabilitate human trafficking survivors.

initiative – designed to assist Oklahoma women who are interested in reaching political parity through government appointments – OCSW identifies, recommends and encourages women to apply for appointments to statewide agency boards and commissions.

Barwick. “Most recently, OCSW hosted a summit that resulted in legislation to help women gain access to affordable childcare.”

Barwick says the OCSW biennial Solutions, Initiatives, Strategies (SIS) Summit is the most important programming conducted by the Commission. “It brings together the top subject matter experts on one specific topic that is most concerning to women at that particular moment in time,” says Barwick. “Following the summit, a report to the governor and the legislature is provided on policy and legislation recommendations to address the specific issue that is a barrier to women pursuing quality of life and economic opportunities.

“The areas where the Commission has had the most success include raising the alarm on human trafficking ten years ago,” Barwick says. “Today, there are at least six organizations providing services to survivors.”

Oklahoma remains the state with the highest female incarceration rates. However, OCSW has purposed to reduce the rate of non-violent, low-risk women offenders, while enhancing public safety. Barwick says OCSW has “reduced the incarcerated population of women from No. 1 in the world” through a public agenda action plan.

OCSW has also worked to make some domestic violence-related crimes felonies. And through a non-partisan statewide

“OCSW conducted community conversations statewide, encouraging women to be counted in the 2020 census,” says

OCSW has hosted SIS summits on healthcare, mental health, domestic violence, childcare services, obesity, incarceration, and human trafficking.”

CAROL MOWDY BOND

The Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame

Established in 1982 by Governor George Nigh and sponsored by OCSW, the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame honors Oklahoma women who align with the OCSW’s mission to “improve the quality of life for women, children and families in Oklahoma.” Inductees are often pioneers in their fields, and have made significant contributions to Oklahoma while serving as role models to others.

The 2024 HOF class includes Nancy Anthony, Marilyn Maurer Hugon, Edie Roodman, Jane Semple Umsted, Crystal Stovall, and Molly Wehrenberg. They were inducted in late September.

“The inductees are selected among nominations submitted by the public by a committee that comprises notable women who lead businesses, leadership organizations, and former inductees,” says Barwick.

The Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women, alongside running the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame, works to eradicate issues targeting women, including domestic violence and human trafficking.

Photos courtesy OCSW

Going Long

British athlete and Oklahoma

State University alum Jacob Fincham-Dukes impressed at the summer Olympics.

Coming off a stellar performance at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, OSU alum Jacob Fincham-Dukes of Harrogate, England, is still relishing in a dream come true. He represented his country in the long jump and placed in the top five.

“It has been something that I’ve been dreaming about for almost the last decade,” Fincham-Dukes says. “The energy was other-worldly. The village environment is cool, but nothing beats stepping out into that stadium, hearing [and] feeling the energy of 80,000 people. I’ll never forget it.”

Fincham-Dukes missed going to the 2021 Summer Olympics due to an injury that kept him out for 11 months.

“I knew after missing that Olympics I needed to be in Paris, and nothing was going to stop me,” he says. “I outperformed my world ranking; I came in ranked 20th and finished fifth, so I’ll be forever pleased at how well I represented myself.”

Fincham-Dukes attended OSU from 2015-2022, earning three undergraduate degrees in sports management, marketing and entrepreneurship, followed by a master's in business administration.

The athlete says the road that led him to OSU from the UK was simple.

“Coach Z [Zivile Pukstas] recruited me for track and field,” he says. “She found me at a competition in the UK [and] gave me the prospectus. I spoke with her again at the world junior championships back in 2014. I visited campus in, I believe, February of 2015 and the rest is history.”

During college, he mainly competed in the long jump but was also on the 4x100 meter relay for a few seasons.

“I think my favorite accomplishments would be the four All-American awards I received,” he says. “And winning the indoor Big 12 title as a team my freshman year is something I’ll never forget – we won by a point and a half.”

Now in Dallas, Fincham-Dukes trains while working full-time in quality assurance for ISN.

“I thought I would’ve struggled with that balance more than I did when I

started working, but I just do it side by side,” he says. “Mondays and Thursdays I’m up at 5 a.m. and head to the gym, go to work then work out again after work. Tuesdays and Fridays, [I’m] up at 6, work, then head to work out again.”

Fincham-Dukes’ road to the Olympics included earning a place as a top 32 long jump athlete in the world.

“I spent the season building up my results,” he says. “I also placed fourth at the European Championships this year and that boosted my rankings further.”

Then he won the British National Championships – cementing his place in Paris.

After the Olympics, Fincham-Dukes didn’t slow down. He continued training a

few more weeks to compete at the Zurich Diamond League in September and now plans to take time to “completely relax” before getting ready for next season.

Outside of track and field, FinchamDukes enjoys spending time with his wife, Kylie, finding good places to eat, playing video games and hanging out with friends. His favorite place to grab food in Stillwater is Chicos on Perkins — and he’s also a fan of Eischen’s Bar in Okarche.

“Really, I just do anything to completely switch my mind off,” he says. “I spend the week working as well as training seven or eight times a week, so when I relax, I need to relax hard and just switch off.”

GRETCHEN EICHENBERG

Jacob Fincham-Dukes, a long-jump athlete from England, graduated from Oklahoma State University.

Photos courtesy Jacob Fincham-Dukes

Year-End Tax Planning

Experts advise on essential steps for a prosperous 2025.

As 2024 draws to a close, it’s crucial for individuals to make financial preparations to put themselves in the best position heading into the new year. Here are some tips to help jumpstart your taxes.

Analyze and Assess

Start by reviewing your budget and expenditures. Analyze where you spent more or less than anticipated and adjust your budget for the upcoming year. This review can help identify areas where you might save more or reallocate funds to meet new financial goals.

Assess your contributions to retirement accounts such as 401(k)s, traditional IRAs, and/or Roth IRAs. For 2024, you have until the tax filing deadline in April 2025 to make contributions to an IRA for the current tax year. Increasing your contributions enhances your retirement savings and may provide tax benefits.

“I recommend contributing to and funding one’s retirement accounts to the maximum annual amount,” says David Karimian, financial advisor at Prime Wealth Management – Ameriprise Financial in Tulsa. “Different retirement accounts have different deadlines, so know

the deadline for your account and contribute the maximum as soon as possible.”

Another habit to get into is reflecting on your financial goals for the upcoming year. Whether you’re saving for a major purchase, building an emergency fund or reducing debt, having clear goals will guide your future financial decisions and budgeting.

Tax Preparations

Gather and review your income records and deductible expenses. This includes W-2s, 1099s and receipts for deductible expenses like medical costs, mortgage interest and student loan interest. Understanding what deductions you can claim and ensuring you have proper documentation is critical for accurate tax filing.

If you have flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs), use these funds before the end of the year, especially if they are subject to “use-it-or-lose-it” rules. Also, review any carryover provisions for FSAs, if applicable, and make sure you’re getting the most out of your accounts.

“Contributions for HSAs, for example, go into the account pre-taxed and [can be used] tax free,” Karimian says. “It’s also

possible to invest [HSA contributions] and the growth of those investments are tax free. An HSA is one of the best accounts that one can have and people should be making sure that they take advantage of that.”

Additionally, make sure to evaluate your tax withholding(s) for the year. If you find that you owe a significant amount of taxes, or alternatively, if you’re getting a large refund, it may be wise to adjust your withholding to better match your tax liability and avoid surprises next year.

Impact of Charitable Giving on Taxes

Contributions to qualified charitable organizations that are made by Dec. 31st may be deductible from your taxable income for the year. Keep accurate records, obtain receipts for all donations and ensure they are in good condition. If you’re over 70 ½, consider making a Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) from your IRA. This can directly satisfy your required minimum distributions (RMDs) and exclude the distribution from taxable income, which could reduce your overall tax liability.

“People over age 70 ½ are typically taking money out of their retirement account(s) for various reasons,” Karimian says. “One reason could be they need the money to live on, others may make withdrawals for tax advantages, or, if they’re subject to required minimum distributions, those dollars could be donated to a charity and become non-taxable to the investor and the charity, and do count toward the minimum distribution.”

Resources for Financial Planning

It’s a great idea to consult with a certified financial planner or advisor who can provide personalized advice based on your individual financial situation.

“The tax firm or certified public account that prepares one’s taxes typically has a worksheet that goes through any examples that have taxable implications,” Karimian says. “As you go through that worksheet, you’re checking off the things that apply to your situation.”

If you file your own tax returns, utilizing tax preparation software can streamline the process. Websites like the IRS. gov, financial news outlets and personal finance blogs often provide valuable insights, as well.

ROCCO GEPPI

A Powerful Swing

Eight-piece band Oklahoma Swing hopes to spread the joy of the Western swing genre through its new album, Somewhere North of San Antone.

Although it’s been well over a half-century now, Edmond’s Greg Burgess still remembers with crystal clarity the first time he ever heard a Bob Wills song.

“We were horse people, and me and my dad were going to feed horses one day when ‘Roly Poly’ came on the radio,” he recalls. “I’d never heard that style of music before. I didn’t even play music then. But it immediately touched my soul, you know? It just reached out and grabbed hold of me and I thought, ‘Man, I love that.’”

That style of music, he would come to find out, was known as Western swing, the danceable musical amalgam honed and nationally popularized in the 1930s by Wills – a Texas expatriate working out of Tulsa – and his Texas Playboys band. As things turned out, the love Burgess had for it never faded, leading him to take fiddle lessons from Oklahoma Western-swing giant “Famous Amos” Hedrick, among others, and ultimately to a 40-year career as a professional fiddler and guitarist. For half that time, he was a member of the late musical innovator Byron Berline’s band, based out of Guthrie.

Although Berline’s group was known primarily as a bluegrass outfit, its members – including Berline himself – could swing with the best of them. They even did a terrific all-Western-swing CD, 2014’s Swingin’. And right here may be a good place to briefly note the similarities and differences between bluegrass and Western swing. While both are predominantly played by stringed instruments, Western swing is a dance music, arising out of the ranches and, later, the honky-tonks of the American Southwest. Bluegrass music’s origins, on the other hand, blended folk tunes with gospel. Coming out of the South’s Appalachian Mountains, it continues to have more to do with playing and listening than it does with dancing. Musicians proficient in

both styles, like Burgess, have many other ideas about how the genres differ. He believes, for instance, that “bluegrass is as far from Western swing as jazz is from Western swing – totally different. Western swing is more laid back, more about phrasing and timing.”

For many years, Burgess and Westernswing-savvy bandmates like bassist Richard Sharp and drummer Steve Short transitioned easily between swing and bluegrass, working steadily with Berline’s group. After their bandleader’s 2021 death, those three and other Berline band members continued playing together, predominantly bluegrass gigs.

Then, says Burgess, he was contacted by a musician named John Blair. Blair was the son of still another great Oklahoma Western-swing figure, Ramona Reed, the former Bob Wills vocalist who had passed away in the summer of 2022. Soon afterwards, members of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame contacted her family about honoring her at their next induction ceremony.

“John reached out to me because I’d played at Ramona’s memorial service,” remembers Burgess. “He asked if I would help him put together a swing band that could do a little tribute to his mom at the induction. So I did, and when we got through

playing that, we realized how much fun we’d had, and how much we loved playing Western swing. So we said, ‘Well, let’s just keep the band together and see if we can play some.’ None of us were really interested in how much money we might make; we just wanted to play good music and have fun.”

In addition to Sharp and Short, Burgess also recruited Blair, a vocalist and fiddler, and another performer with the same skill set, Wetumka’s Bo Posey; well-known Oklahoma guitarist Joe Settlemires, one of a vanishing number of musicians left on the planet who actually played with Bob Wills; Claremore-based steel-guitarist Bobby Baker, another veteran player with vast and impressive Western-swing credentials; and mandolinist Henry Byron Burgess, Greg’s 17-year-old son. (Yes, his middle name is a tribute to Greg’s former bandleader.)

“We’re an eight-piece band,” Greg Burgess says. “John Blair lives in Virginia, so he’s not with us all the time, but his kids go to OSU and he’s hoping to move to Stillwater. Then he’d be with the band more. And Henry actually works for Rick Faris, a Grammy-nominated bluegrass guy out of Kentucky. He plays with us every chance he can.

“Joe Settlemires and Bobby Baker – those

Oklahoma Swing, a Western swing eight-piece, is set to play at the Pawhuska Western Swing Festival on Nov. 15-16.

Photos courtesy Greg Burgess

guys are just great players,” he adds. “And Steve and Richard are just amazing. Richard is probably the best swing-bass player around, and of course Steve’s played with everybody, from Reba McEntire to Leon McAuliffe. Joe plays that old-style rhythm, like [Western-swing great] Benny Garcia, so when you get Joe and Richard and Steve, that rhythm section, together – oh, my gosh, it’s just incredible.”

Just out of the starting blocks, Oklahoma Swing landed a regular gig at the Guthrie Depot, where they’ve since been playing dances to steadily increasing crowds. “It’s a wonderful ballroom,” says Burgess, “and the people at the Depot, Adam and Abigail Ropp, have been gracious enough to let us call that place home.

“When we decided to do this, we said, ‘Well, we’re going to play swing.’ And that’s what we do. I’ve had people come up and make requests, and I’ll say, ‘Well, we can play that, but I made a vow to everybody in the band we weren’t going to play shuffles [or other non-swing styles]. We were going to play Western-swing music.’ So that’s what we do, and now we’re starting to get some traction, and people are starting to take notice, and we’ve got a new album out.”

The band also has an appearance scheduled for Nov. 16 as a headliner at the Pawhuska Western Swing Festival. The event, which also features the Brazos Valley Boys, includes a fiddle contest that, Burgess hopes, will offer a competition for younger players as well as an open division.

“We want to get the kids over there and kind of introduce them to Western swing,” he explains. “A good way to preserve and promote that music is to get younger

Insider | The State

people involved. So we’re trying to reintroduce it to the people who knew the music when they were younger – maybe their parents listened to it – and then to try to introduce it to younger people. We have family-friendly dances, so people under 15 are free to get in. And we do get some parents bringing their kids.”

But whether an audience member is a preteen or an octogenarian, the mission of Oklahoma Swing’s members remains the same: to share this classic feel-good music once again with as many people as they can.

“We played a barbecue and dance at a retirement community here in Edmond, and I watched the people making their way up to the buffet line,” says Burgess. “When we started playing, they perked up, and they were listening, and by the time they got their food and headed for their tables, they were dancing. And then, some of ‘em started singing. I had a lady come up to me and say, ‘I haven’t heard this music since I was a kid. But I know the words to every song.’ They were all just so happy.

“Western-swing music took this country, especially Oklahoma and Texas, through a lot of hard times,’ he concludes. “And, you know, it still has the power to create those good feelings.”

The new Oklahoma Swing CD, Somewhere North of San Antone, is available on internet streaming services and in a hardcopy format. More information on the band and the disc is available atoklahomaswing. com. For details on the Pawhuska Western Swing Festival, set for Nov. 15-16, see pawhuskawesternswingfestival.com.

JOHN WOOLEY

What should I consider when planning to retire early?

If you are intrigued by the idea of retiring early, read on for some suggestions. 1. Define your dream retirement. A realistic early retirement plan doesn’t happen by chance. It takes careful planning and deliberate action. 2. Quantify your goal. Many retirees find they spend more money in the early years of retirement because they have more time to travel and pursue hobbies. If this aligns with your retirement vision, be generous in your estimate of how much money you need each year. 3. Decide which income source to tap into first. Once you know how much your early retirement will cost, you’ll want to line up the order in which you will tap into your investments. 4. Adjust your saving and spending today. Once you have a clear idea of how much your dream retirement will cost, you can evaluate the potential tradeoffs and sacrifices necessary to make it happen. 5. Continue investing for growth. It’s common for retirees to adjust their investment allocation to be more conservative in order to protect their principal from potential market downturns or increased volatility. While this may make sense for some, it’s important for your portfolio to at least keep on pace with inflation. 6. Don’t overlook health care expenses. Many retirees are surprised by how much of their budget goes toward medical expenses. 7. Be flexible. In life and investing, there are no guarantees.

David Karimian, CFP®, CRPC®, APMA® Prime Wealth Management

A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial 2431 E 61st St, Suite 400, Tulsa, OK 74136 918.388.2009

David.x.Karimian@ampf.com www.primewealthmgmt.com

Can you recommend a laser treatment that treats fine lines and pigmentation with no downtime?

At Fig Med Spa, one of our most popular procedures is the ClearLiftLaser. This laser is virtually painless, requires no downtime, and is entirely safe for all skin types. The ClearLift is a non-ablative, Qswitched laser that firms and tightens the skin, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and treats pigmentation while avoiding damage to the skin’s outer layer. ClearLift is quick and easy and can be performed on the face, neck, chest, and other sensitive areas of the body such as the hands, elbows, and knees. This procedure stimulates collagen and when used consistently, is an excellent option to help rejuvenate, maintain, and improve the skin.

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DR. CRISTIE HAWKINS

Life & Style

A MAP TO LIVING WELL

Exploring the Wilderness Island

Antigua welcomes travelers with its amiable ambiance, delicious food and varied outdoor excursions.

If you’re looking for variety on a Caribbean island, Antigua is the place for you. Also called Antigua and Barbuda, this charming island cluster is full of surprises.

The colorful port entrance immediately charms and ingratiates you. This travel writer was welcomed by jovial boat operators dancing and posing atop their boat for the camera. The barracks style buildings remind you of a bygone era when Antigua was first established. The skyline is defined by the St. John’s Cathedral and its Baroque towers. A historic site is Nelson’s Dockyard, an original maritime

hub located in the English Harbor. It also serves as a yachting hub now.

Touring around the island, the wilderness leaves a strong impression. A distinguishing feature from other Leeward Islands is the absence of forests, mountains, rivers and springs. There’s a rustic beauty and a vast expanse of sea.

Swimming with the stingrays is a specific excursion to enjoy in Antigua and is a major part of the island’s tourism business. Sailing out to the stingrays is a breathtaking way to appreciate Antigua’s beauty. The stunning water and horizon is relaxing and intoxicating as a pontoon boat ferries you to the stingray area. Guides give directions on how to interact with the stingrays and pose for pictures. The experience is both communal and thrilling. You’ll feel like a kid again engaging with the sea creatures, until the end of the excursion, which includes a drink of rum, of course! What is more Caribbean than that? Other popular activities include deep sea fishing, golfing, snorkeling and sea kayaking.

Driving around the terrain of banana and sugarcane crops, you’ll also see the whimsical art of Antiguans. For example, a fence made out of car parts is both

The Agua volcano serves as a backdrop for Antigua's Main Street. Photo by Sebastien Lecocq

Swimming with stingrays is a major tourist draw in Antigua.

Photo by Gina Michalopulos Kingsley

quirky and creative. Murals and graffiti decorate the neighborhoods and landscape. The homes are as eclectic and vibrant as the people.

There’s a large mangrove ecosystem comprising much of the terrain. Acres of wilderness make it seem astounding that the Cricket World Cup was held in Antigua in 2007. Another impressive detail is that there are 365 beaches; one for every day of the year.

Barbuda boasts a beach with pink sand, which is created by the combination of crushed coral blending with sand. Bird watchers should know that Barbuda is also home to the largest nesting Frigate bird colony in the western hemisphere.

and diverse. Gazing at the architecture of St. John’s Cathedral is a must. Poised on a steep street, it’s a stunning visual. Heritage Quay Shopping is the district for finding local crafts, duty-free shops and souvenirs.

The sister island, Barbuda, has its own unique features – and it reportedly houses Princess Diana’s favorite Caribbean beach. Also called “the coral island,”

As for the cultural highlights, a stroll through the city center exposes you to the friendly townspeople and their daily lives. People gather at the spice and craft market or shop at the fruit vendors. The street scene is stimulating as you watch the activities of the locals. From school children in uniforms to men in rasta turbans, the array is both welcoming

Trying the cuisine is also recommended. West Indian, French and West African influences offer an infusion of flavors. Some specialties to try are the Dukuna dumpling, chicken stew, and vegetables cooked in a spicy Creole sauce. Luxuriate in the resorts while immersing in the culture.

GINA MICHALOPULOS KINGSLEY

Antigua’s Highlights:

Stingray City

Shirley Height Lookout

Betty’s Hope, a former sugar plantation

• Rainforest Canopy Tour

• Fort James

Resorts:

• Royalton Antigua

• Sandals Grande Antigua

• Jumby Bay Island

• Hermitage Bay

Galleon Beach, Freeman's Bay and the English Harbor; photo by Sean Pavone

Port of St Johns; photo by Gina Michalopulos Kingsley

Saint John's Cathedral; photo by Gina Michalopulos Kingsley

A child on her way to school; photo by Gina Michalopulos Kingsley

Increasing Immunity

A physician answers the question: Is there a way to truly avoid getting sick during the winter months?

As cold and flu season begins, how to avoid being sick becomes a hot topic, along with the many products on the market claiming to boost the immune system. To understand what’s essential to strengthen our immunity to common ailments, Linda Sullivan, D.O., a family medicine physician with Saint Francis Health System in Tulsa, provides some insight.

“People often think we have to do these elaborate things to boost our immune system, but really it’s all the things your mother likely told you,” says Sullivan. “Don’t smoke and get plenty of rest –eight hours if you can – and exercise regularly, at least three to four times a week, because exercise does help the immune system. You also need to eat a healthy diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables – and citrus, which is perfect because it’s in season.”

She says while many people take extra vitamin C during the winter months, it may not be necessary and may not help prevent them from getting sick.

“Most people who consume a Western (a.k.a. American) diet receive enough vitamin C,” says Sullivan. “A few years ago, there was a study where participants

took an extra 500 milligrams of vitamin C a day. The study looked at whether or not those people were sick less often than those who didn’t take extra vitamin C, and it concluded that they weren’t. However, there was one subset of individuals who regularly did intense exercise, such as marathon runners, and they appeared to get less colds when they were exercising a lot and taking additional vitamin C.”

She shares that getting your daily recommended vitamins from food offers the most benefits.

“If you eat an orange, you’re getting vitamin C but also fiber, and it has less sugar than a glass of orange juice,” she says. “However, if you don’t like oranges or if there’s some reason you can’t tolerate them, there’s many other foods rich in vitamin C, or you can take a vitamin C supplement.”

Also, when it comes to avoiding illnesses, thoroughly washing your hands is a simple step that people often rush through. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), scientific studies have shown that a person needs to scrub their hands for 20 seconds to remove harmful germs and chemicals – the equivalent of singing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice.

“If you don’t have soap and water, using alcohol hand sanitizer is very effective; we use it in the office and hospital settings,” says Sullivan. “Also, if you’re in public, high traffic areas, try to avoid high touch surfaces such as doorknobs and try to avoid touching your face.”

She also recommends everyone staying up-to-date on vaccinations – especially if you’re considered high risk due to health issues.

“People will often decide not to get the flu vaccine because they say it won’t keep them from getting the flu,” she says. “That’s true, but the flu shot isn’t designed to keep you from getting the flu, it’s designed to keep you from being hospitalized and potentially dying. Many people die from the flu each year and we’re still seeing COVID-19 deaths, although they’ve declined.”

The CDC currently recommends that everyone six months and older should receive the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine, and adults over age 60 should receive the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. Older adults with certain medical conditions and infants up to 12 months of age are at an increased risk of severe RSV disease.

REBECCA FAST

Active in Altus

Located in deep southwestern Oklahoma, Altus is home to some enticing hidden gems.

Never mind that Altus, population an estimated 18,000, is somewhat isolated in Oklahoma’s southwest corner. And never mind that the city is surrounded by some of the most unusual, albeit hauntingly beautiful, landscape this state can offer. Local leaders attest, with ample evidence, that the quality of life in Altus, the county seat of Jackson County, is better than good – not only for its residents, but for tourists attracted to the Jackson County seat by a smorgasbord of activities throughout the year.

Most events are sponsored by the Altus Chamber of Commerce, Altus Main Street or the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. Western Oklahoma State College offers its own slate of attractions, and the Museum of the Western Prairie traces the area’s history. Nearby, the State of Oklahoma’s Quartz Mountain State Park beckons with outdoor recreation and scenery.

Altus Parks and Recreation director Michael Shive says his department’s charge is to enhance life’s richness for residents, while increasing tourism.

“We’re tasked with bringing a better quality of life” to Altus, he says. With an array of offerings nearly every weekend,

“people can stay here and enjoy quality events and not have to travel.”

Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jenny Groves put it another way. People, she says, “usually move here kicking and screaming because they think there’s nothing to do here – but they leave kicking and screaming because there’s something to do all the time.”

Altus is the home of Altus Air Force Base, one of four major military installations in Oklahoma. Established in 1943 as Altus Army Airfield, with a mission of training young pilots, the base has become the United States Air Force’s premier air mobility training location, home to the Air Force’s 97th Air Mobility Wing. According to its website, more than 2,000 U.S. and foreign students are trained at Altus AFB annually.

Major events scheduled in town this fall, Groves says, include the Altus Balloon Festival Nov. 9-10 at the city’s Hangar 36 at the Quartz Mountain Regional Airport, and the Chamber’s annual Christmas Parade, set for Dec. 14. Groves mentions that the parade will include between 60 and 75 floats, with participants joining the parade from all over southwest Oklahoma.

A major event scheduled for April 12-13 of next year is the Altus Air Power Stampede.

“That’s one that everyone looks forward to,” Groves says. “People will line the streets to watch it.”

The giant air show is held every three or four years and draws thousands to the Altus AFB.

Shive says the city recently completed renovation of its aquatic center, and that the downtown Altus Reservoir with its fishing pier and swim beach draws visitors each year. Lynna Wilmes, executive director of Altus Main Street, says the city’s downtown was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018 as part of an effort to refurbish the historic Orient Hotel for senior residents.

“Most of our downtown is over one-hundred years old,” she says.

A few miles north of the city, Quartz Mountain State Park cradles the shores of Lake Altus-Lugert, and offers an array of outdoor activities. Since the 1970s, the park has been home to the Oklahoma Arts Institute’s summer and fall arts programming with a stone amphitheater built for outdoor performances.

HENRY DOLIVE

One draw in Altus is the Museum of the Western Prairie, which explores the history of the area. Photos courtesy the Museum of the Western Prairie

Suzanne Reese, Eleanor Payne, Sam Combs, Leigh Goodson; TCC Vision Dinner, Tulsa Community College

Mike Neal, Mayor GT Bynum, Sen. Kevin Matthews; TCC Vision Dinner, Tulsa Community College

Edie Roodman, Eli Reshef, Erin & Jason Engelke; Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women, OKC

Lorae & Cole Davis, Lindsey & Matthew Bristow, Sarah Steele; Cooking for a Cause, Iron Gate, Tulsa

Julie Zumwalt, Miki Farris, Ginger Shaw, Cindi Rapp; 40th anniversary celebration, Infant Crisis Services, OKC

Kathy West, Sanjay Gupta M.D., Bob West; Sanjay Gupta speaking event, Tulsa Town Hall

Bill & Tracy Schloss, Melissa Cox, Monica & Jason Collington; Ascension St. John Street Party, Ascension St. John Health System, Tulsa

Taryn Norman, Tami Benson, Katie Knoll; DIVAS 4 HOPE: DIVAS Got Soul, H.O.P.E. Testing, Tulsa

Amy Welch, Brynna Wagester; Donor and volunteer appreciation event, YWCA OKC

Luis Lopez, Grace Enmeier, Spencer Londagin; Hal Smith outreach event, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, OKC

Heather Turner, Bo Beaudry, Bishop David Konderla, Yogesh Mittal M.D.; Ribbon cutting for new Jenks facility, Ascension St. John Health System, Tulsa

Hastings Siegfried, Patsy & Tim Hepner M.D., Maggie & Dustin Cates, Alecia & Terrell Siegfried; Ascension St. John Street Party, Ascension St. John Health System, Tulsa

Gayle Singleton, Jalen Williams, LaTreshia Roebuck; Champions of Health Gala, BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma, Tulsa

Stacy McNeiland, Shelby Lynch, Camden Ottaviani, Aaliyah Shearer, Savannah Jones; United Way kickoff event, The CARE Center, OKC

Enlivening the Past

History extraordinaire H. W. Brands will receive this year’s Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award in December.

The study of history is a quest for understanding what it means to be human, according to renowned historian H. W. Brands.

For nearly 40 years, the New York Times bestselling author and University of Texas at Austin professor has engaged and enlightened scores of students and readers about America’s past with his rich explorations of human nature and the challenges of human existence in his thought-provoking lectures and books.

“There are few human challenges more universal than dealing with the death of a loved one,” wrote Brands for a June 12, 2024, post on A User’s Guide to History for substack.com. “Those of us who are spared this trial are those who themselves die early, becoming the object of grief rather than the subject. Long life is judged a blessing, and so it is. But one of its drawbacks is the greater grief it exposes us to.”

In his poignant post, titled “The wounds that never heal,” Brands explores the universal anguish of a parent losing a child by recounting the heartbreaking story of Congressman Henry Clay through a letter he wrote to his wife in December 1835 about the death of their daughter.

Brands often uses excerpts from diaries, journals and letters to bring the voices of the past to life.

“I try to put my readers inside the heads of my subjects. That’s what makes a good story, whether fiction or nonfiction,” says Brands, who will be in Tulsa Dec. 5-6 to receive the 2024 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award, given by the Tulsa City-County Library and Tulsa Library Trust.

Since 1988, the prolific author has

written nearly 40 books on U.S. history, economics and foreign affairs, including The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin and Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, which both were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize. His most recent works are Founding Partisans: Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, Adams and the Brawling Birth of American Politics (2023) and America First: Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh in the Shadow of War (2024).

Brands’ in-depth knowledge of American history is almost seamless. He has written on a plethora of historical figures and subjects, ranging from Andrew Jackson to Ronald Reagan, the California Gold Rush to the Cold War.

“There are lots of stories I’d like to tell,” says the writer, who always has a work in progress.

When asked how he finds the time to both teach and write all those books, Brands says his teaching reinforces his writing and vice versa.

“Because I teach broadly about the subjects I write about specifically, the writing and the teaching are mutually supportive,” he says.

If Brands could go back in time and actually meet one of the many historical figures featured in his books, he said he would pick William Sherman, a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

He was a “brilliant, tormented man who had something interesting to say on most topics,” says Brands.

JACKIE HILL

The 2024

Featuring H. W. Brands

Free Public Presentation and Book Signing

Dec. 5, 5:30 p.m.

Author Presentation at Black-Tie Gala

Dec. 6, 6 p.m.

Location: Central Library

Fifth Street and Denver Ave., Tulsa

Visit tulsalibrary.org/helmerichaward for more details.

Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award

Photos courtesy the Tulsa City-County Library

Historian and author H. W. Brands will be honored Dec. 5-6 with the illustrious Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award.

Powering Oklahoma

It’s no secret that the Sooner State is smack dab in the middle of oil and gas country. In fact, our state-based energy companies are powering Oklahoma – literally. We explore both the energy and electric utility companies within our borders, their clean energy initiatives, their ever-expanding philanthropic efforts, and just how important they are to the statewide, national and global economies.

By Kimberly Burk

Doing a World of Good

Besides the obvious contributions of providing employment and bolstering the state’s economic infrastructure, oil and gas companies help improve the quality of life for all Oklahomans with their employee volunteerism and charitable giving.

“The energy industry does a really fantastic job of supporting the communities including Oklahoma City, where our headquarters are,” says a spokesperson for Expand Energy. “We believe that giving back strengthens the areas that we call home.”

Expand Energy was created by the Oct. 1 merger of Chesapeake Energy Corporation and Southwestern Energy Company and is now the nation’s largest natural gas producer. The company has about 1,000 employees. The headquarters will remain at the longtime Chesapeake campus in Oklahoma City, with another presence of about 420 employees in the Houston area, where Southwestern Energy had been based.

“It’s a very engaged set of employees who have the spirit of innovation,” the spokesperson continues. “Our employees love giving back, it’s the soul and spirit of our company. We are thrilled that we are remaining in Oklahoma.”

An example of its generosity is the community garden space on the company’s Oklahoma City campus, which was donated to the Lynn Institute. The 65-bed garden now hosts programming for youth in the juvenile justice system courtesy the Institute.

Recent gifts from Tulsa-based Williams Companies to the University of Oklahoma will allow OU to grow student support and mentorship programs across the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy, the Gallogly College of Engineering and the Price College of Business.

Some $500,000 of the gift will support the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy’s new Sustainable Energy Systems program, which will offer a geoenergy engineering degree with courses in modern sustainable energy.

Williams’ $680,000 investment in the Gallogly College will fund mentorship and development programs including the Engineering Catalyst program and the Wayfinding Program, which offer engineering students personalized support and community to help them thrive.

“Our college relies on industry partners like Williams – not just to keep raising the bar on our academic offerings but to connect our students with top professionals during their time with us,” says the dean of the Gallogly College of Engineering, John Klier. “This remarkable gift will expand so many resources for engineering students, offering them critical academic and community support that is sometimes the only thing standing between a student and a decision not to return to school.”

A $320,000 gift to the Price College will support the Dean’s Speaker Series, the JCPenney Leadership Program, the Center

The Grand River Dam Authority’s environmental stewardship efforts are central to its overall mission.

Photo courtesy GRDA

for Management Information Systems Studies and other enrichment programs that provide students with connections to established professionals.

“Williams is investing in the workforce of tomorrow through this gift to the University of Oklahoma, a respected leader in curriculum for energy and related emerging technologies,” says Alan Armstrong, Williams’ president and CEO. “Providing students with educational experiences that are aligned with evolving industry needs creates a pipeline of energy innovators who are ready to help the natural gas industry lead the charge in the cleanenergy future.”

A Major Player

Oklahoma is a key player in the oil and gas industry.

In 2023, Oklahoma was the nation’s sixth-largest producer of marketed natural gas. Overall, the state produces almost three times more energy than it consumes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Oklahoma’s 5 crude oil refineries had a combined processing capacity of about 547,000 barrels per calendar day in 2023, which is about 3% of the U.S. total refining capacity, the EIA reports. The benchmark price in the domestic spot market for the U.S. crude oil known as West Texas Intermediate is set at Cushing, which is home to about 14% of the nation’s commercial crude oil storage capacity.

Oklahoma has more than

6% of the nation’s total proved natural gas reserves and ranks sixth after Texas, Pennsylvania, Alaska, West Virginia and Louisiana.

“The industry is very important for the nation. It provides national security,” says a spokesperson for Expand Energy. “The U.S. produces probably the cleanest energy in the world. It is very important for us to have energy produced from America, and we are an energy-friendly state.”

Expand Energy is the largest supplier of natural gas to Gulf Coast liquefaction facilities, with production in Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Ohio and West Virginia. The company is becoming more focused on liquid natural gas, which will take its gas globally, the spokesperson says.

Thinking Green

Natural gas plays an essential role in the transition to a lowcarbon economy, according to the Tulsa-based Williams.

“With 116 years of experience serving the world’s growing demand for natural gas, we are well positioned to invest in emerging energy opportunities,” the company’s website says. “Since 2018, expansion projects and acquisitions have increased Williams’ energy throughput by 47%, while our emissions intensity decreased by 26%, indicating a strong

“In a world short on energy, billions of people lack access to affordable, reliable, lower carbon energy, which is crucial to human flourishing,” says Expand’s website. “Addressing this crisis is one of today’s greatest global challenges, and we believe natural gas is the best-positioned solution to answer that call. By safely and responsibly delivering critical energy to markets in need, Expand Energy will help address one of the great threats to human prosperity.”

The discovery of oil transformed Oklahoma’s economy. By the time Oklahoma became a state in 1907, it was the largest crude oil producer in the nation, according to the EIA. Important oil and gas conservation practices and organizations trace their

origins to the state. In 1935, the voluntary Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, headquartered in Oklahoma City, was created to ensure responsible development of crude oil resources through the coordinated efforts of crude oil-producing states.

ability to gather, treat, process, transport and store natural gas with increasing efficiency as we grow.”

Energy provided by renewables increased by three and a half times between 1981 and 2021, according to Expand Energy. Even with this dramatic increase, renewables still only contribute to 12% of the total energy mix. Historic energy demand increases have quickly outpaced the growth in renewable energy, which is why it is essential that the United

Formed in 1902, Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) is Oklahoma’s oldest and largest investor-owned electric utility. Photo courtesy OG&E

Williams Companies handles approximately one-third of the natural gas in the United States, which is used every day to heat homes and generate electricity. Photo courtesy Williams Companies

States continues producing clean, affordable, and reliable oil and natural gas, according to Expand Energy.

“We embrace a lower carbon future as a safe operator and dedicated community partner. It’s why we’re constantly innovating across all aspects of our business, challenging the status quo and driving solutions to make us stronger and more competitive,” the company’s website says.

The Grand River Dam Authority’s environmental stewardship efforts are central to its overall mission, says Justin Alberty, communications director for the GRDA.

“Since 1940, GRDA has been producing renewable hydroelectricity by harnessing the waters of the Grand River at Pensacola Dam. It expanded that effort in the 1960s with the completion of Robert S. Kerr Dam on the river, which also turns the power of falling water into renewable hydroelectricity,” Alberty says.

In 2017, GRDA completed its Unit 3 combined cycle gas generating unit. The facility was the most efficient 60 hertz

Our State’s Electric Utilities

Oklahoma’s electric utilities providers embrace many of the same core values as its gas and energy companies, including environmental stewardship, charitable giving and playing a key role in the state’s economic infrastructure.

The GRDA was created in April 1935 to be a conservation and reclamation district for the waters of the Grand River, says Alberty. Between 1939 and 1940, GRDA constructed Pensacola Dam. The dam, which created Grand Lake, was the first hydroelectric facility in Oklahoma and is still producing renewable hydro power. GRDA provides wholesale electricity to 15 Oklahoma communities, as well as communities in Kansas and Arkansas.

GRDA is Oklahoma’s largest public power electric utility; funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes, Alberty says. Public power utilities are publicly owned and not-for-profit. It has an environmental stewardship mission over the waters of the Grand and Illinois Rivers and manages over 70,000 surface acres of lake waters.

“The availability of low-cost, reliable and abundant electricity, produced by GRDA, is an attractive inducement for business and industry to establish or expand in the area. Also, GRDA’s stewardship role over so much of Oklahoma’s most valuable water assets supports a thriving tourism and recreation industry, and broad tax base, which rests upon these waters,” Alberty says.

power plant in the world when it first went online.

Fueled by clean-burning Oklahoma natural gas, the unit took the place of GRDA’s Unit 1 coal generator, which was decommissioned in 2019. In 2012, GRDA also incorporated wind generation into its diverse electric generation portfolio.

“On the water side, the GRDA Ecosystems and Watershed Management Department was established in 2004 to bring a greater focus to stewardship issues in the Grand River watershed. The department is active in many areas including water quality, habitat enhancement, watershed education and conservation and ongoing environmental related research,” Alberty says.

The department has received numerous awards from state and federal entities for its environmentally focused programs such as its Rush For Brush (habitat enhancement) workshops, Guard the Grand Watershed Education Program, conservation easement programs and community education.

Tulsa-based Public Service Company of Oklahoma is the electric company for more than 575,000 customers in 232 communities across the state. PSO has more than 4,300 megawatts of diverse generating capacity that primarily includes wind and natural gas, says Whitney Emerick, director of corporate communications.

In 2023, PSO’s Fuel-Free Power Plan was approved by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. The wind and solar projects will add nearly 1,000 megawatts of new power to PSO’s portfolio and result in lower customer bills starting in mid-2026.

American Electric Power’s Feeding Communities initiative focuses on food and housing security across AEP’s 11-state footprint. As part of that effort, PSO partnered with Tulsabased Food On The Move and its effort to fight food deserts and the legacy issues created by living without food security. In April, PSO and EPRI donated a high-tech container garden that produces fresh produce for Food On The Move’s Community Food and Resource Festivals. In August, the AEP Foundation donated $100,000 to Food On The Move’s Urban Farm project, which will produce 180,000 pounds of fresh produce a year.

Formed in 1902, Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) is Oklahoma’s oldest and largest investor-owned electric utility.

“We are extremely proud that we have some of the most affordable rates in the country,” the company’s website says.

OG&E serves nearly 900,000 electric customers. It’s the largest ad valorem taxpayer in Oklahoma, contributing $90 million annually, which funds public education, libraries and career techs. Employees also give their time and money to support their communities, the company says.

With about 7,116 megawatts of capacity, OG&E’s generation portfolio represents a balanced approach to generating electricity through a diversity of fuel types – 67% natural gas, 22% coal and 7% renewable energy via solar and wind power.

Tulsa-based Public Service Company of Oklahoma is the electric company for more than 575,000 customers in 232 communities across the state.

Photo courtesy PSO

A Spotlight on Oklahoma Energy

ONEOK

Headquartered in Tulsa, ONEOK is a midstream service provider that connects natural gas liquids supply in the Rocky Mountain, Mid-Continent and Permian regions with a network of natural gas gathering, processing, storage and transportation assets.

Founded in 1906 as an intrastate natural gas pipeline business in Oklahoma, ONEOK is a Fortune 500 company and is included in the S&P 500.

It applies core capabilities of gathering, processing, fractionating, transporting, storing and marketing natural gas and natural gas liquids through vertical integration across the midstream value chain. ONEOK continues to invest in organic growth projects to expand in its operating regions and provide a broad range of services to crude oil and natural gas producers and end-use markets.

ONE Gas

ONE Gas is a 100% regulated natural gas utility and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index and provides natural gas distribution to 2.3 million customers in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

Headquartered in Tulsa and founded in 2014, its divisions include Kansas Gas Service, Oklahoma Natural Gas and Texas Gas Service.

Its largest natural gas distribution markets by customer count are Oklahoma City and Tulsa; Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka, Kan.; and Austin and El Paso, Texas. ONE Gas serves residential, commercial, industrial, transportation and wholesale customers in all three states.

Continental Resources

Continental Resources is a top ten independent oil producer based in Oklahoma City.

Continental is the largest producer in the Bakken play of North Dakota and Montana and has significant positions in the SCOOP and STACK plays of the Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma and the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Permian Basin of Texas.

With a focus on the exploration and production of oil, Continental has technology and resources vital to American energy independence and leadership in the new world oil market.

The company dates to 1967 when Harold Hamm founded Shelly Dean Oil Co., Continental’s predecessor. In 2007, it became a public company via an initial public offering in which Hamm sold $300 million worth of its shares.

Devon Energy

Devon Energy is an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company with operations focused onshore in the United States.

Founded in 1971 by John Nichols and his son, Larry, Devon has grown from five people to become a major public company with hundreds of employees.

Devon’s second quarter 2024 daily production was 335,000 barrels of oil, 182,000 barrels of natural gas liquids and more than 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Devon is a Fortune 500 company and is included in the S&P 500 Index. Its common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol DVN.

Williams Companies

Williams handles approximately one-third of the natural gas in the United States that is used every day to heat homes and generate electricity. It works with customers to provide the infrastructure to serve growing markets and safely deliver natural gas products to fuel the clean energy economy.

Brothers Miller and David Williams started a construction business in Fort Smith, Ark., in 1908, and within a few years began building cross-country pipelines. In 1918 the business was moved to its current-day headquarters in Tulsa.

In the decades since, Williams has acquired and merged with several other companies to expand its interstate natural gas transportation system and grow its natural gas storage assets. It has paid a quarterly dividend to shareholders without interruption since 1974. Williams common stock (WMB) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

What is Fracking?

Fracking, which is shorthand for hydraulic fracturing, is the process of extracting gas or oil deep underground using a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals to break up rock.

There are, of course, downsides to this technique. The drilling maneuver hasn’t resolved the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, for one. Drilling for and transporting gas can lead to the leakage of methane, a greenhouse gas that warms the planet faster than carbon dioxide. Research has also shown that fracking depletes water levels, produces air pollution and generates noise in nearby communities, National Public Radio reports. It’s been linked to drinking

water contamination.

Hydraulic fracturing can also trigger minor seismic activity — and the underground disposal of wastewater used in the process has caused larger quakes, according to the U.S. Geological Society.

Those in favor, however, highlight its upsides, according to NPR. It’s allowed oil and gas companies to tap into energy reservoirs that once seemed impossible to develop. The fracking boom has additionally lowered the price of oil and gas around the world, cut U.S. reliance on foreign oil production and brought new jobs.

It’s also helped the U.S. shift away from coal production for power plants and toward natural gas.

Photo courtesy Williams Companies

THE

LIST OF TOP ATTORNEYS

F. LEHMAN

BRIAN L. CARTER*

Not Pictured:

TROY MCPHERSON**

RAYMOND PENNY, JR.**

*Selected to Super Lawyers

**Selected to Rising Stars

SCOTT

BOB L. LATHAM*

LEAH P. KEELE*

MARCUS N. RATCLIFF*

MARGARET M. CLARKE*

SELECTION PROCESS

Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process.*

The objective is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel. We limit the lawyer ratings to those who can be hired and retained by the public, i.e., lawyers in private practice and Legal Aid attorneys.

The Super Lawyers selection process involves the steps outlined in the graphic (at right).

LEARN MORE SuperLawyers.com/SelectionProcess QUESTIONS? SL-Research@thomsonreuters.com

visit SuperLawyers.com

Search for an attorney by practice area and location, and read features on attorneys selected to our lists.

by

by a

Andrew M. Bowman*, Michael T. Maloan*, David K. McPhail*, Larry D. Ottaway*, Amy Sherry Fischer*, David A. Branscum* *Selected to Super Lawyers

Larry D. Ottaway

CANADIAN COUNTY TRIAL LAWYERS

We’ve appeared in hundreds of Oklahoma state and federal courtrooms. We’ve tried cases in the most populous and most rural Oklahoma counties. We’ve tried cases to juries involving millions of dollars in damages; cases citations; and just about everything in between. All from our home base in Canadian County.

Fletcher Handley was born and raised in El Reno. He graduated from El Reno High School. After college, four years on a Navy College of Law, he moved back to El Reno to begin his legal career in 1978. Fletcher was honored by the Oklahoma Bar Association as Oklahoma’s Outstanding Young Lawyer of 1983 and Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2018 by the Oklahoma

1999 about proposed national no-fault auto insurance.

Ashton Handley and Alex Handley both graduated from El Reno High School and scholarships. Ashton attended Loyola

California. After serving in the Second Gulf

Tulsa College of Law before returning to El Reno to practice at The Handley Law Center

industry for many years before returning

School of Law. He joined his father and brother at the Handley Law Center in 2014.

In the past 45 years, no one has spent more time in Canadian County courtrooms than we have. We know the local customs and clerks who work at the Canadian County Courthouse. We know what the judges want and expect in their courtrooms. We understand Canadian County juries.

If you or one of your clients has a case in Canadian County, you need The Handley Law Center on your team. We are Canadian County trial lawyers. We know Canadian County.

*Selected to Super Lawyers **Selected to Rising Stars

Fletcher Handley, Jr.

TOP 50

TOP 10

BLUE, RACHEL

BURRAGE, MICHAEL

COOPER, MARY QUINN

• Ranked Number Two •

DONCHIN, DAVID B.

FARRIS, JOSEPH R.

MCCONNELL-CORBYN, LAURA

MILTON, JAMES C.

OTTAWAY, LARRY D.

• Ranked Number Three •

RYAN, PATRICK M.

WHITE, JR., JOE E.

• Ranked Number One •

TOP 25 WOMEN

2024 OKLAHOMA SUPER LAWYERS

Acord, Stacy L.

Annis, Jennifer R., GableGotwals, Tulsa

Blue, Rachel

Bru, Courtney

Burnett, LeAnne

Burrage, Heather Hillburn

Cantrell, Brita Haugland

Cooper, Mary Quinn

Dunitz Brennan, Elise

Fischer, Amy Sherry

Annis, Jennifer R., GableGotwals, Tulsa

Blue, Rachel

Bru, Courtney

Buchan, J. Craig

Burrage, Michael

Butts, Benjamin J.

Cooper, Mary Quinn

Corbyn, Jr., George S.

Curran, Jeffrey

Davis, Steven C.

Day, Seth A.

Donchin, David B.

Farris, Joseph R.

Fulkerson, Sam R.

Geister III, Charles E.

Hampton, Joe M.

Hanna, Lauren Barghols, Phillips Murrah,

Henry, M. Shane

Tulsa

Hoch III, William H.

James, Gary J.

Jeter, Jo Lynn

Keester, Michael T., Hall Estill, Tulsa

LaBrie, Michael J.

Lauderdale, Michael F.

Leffel, Lance E.

Fogleman, Amelia A., GableGotwals, Tulsa

Hanna, Lauren Barghols, Phillips Murrah,

Hasenfratz, Sally A., Phillips Murrah, Hurst, Amber

Jeter, Jo Lynn

McConnell-Corbyn, Laura

Neal, Kathy R.

Riggs, Lisa R.

Love, III, R. Richard

McCampbell, Robert G.

McConnell-Corbyn, Laura

McLain, W. Chad

Meek, Justin D.

Milton, James C., Hall Estill, Tulsa

Neal, Kathy R.

Ottaway, Larry D.

Paruolo, Thomas A.

Phansalkar, Kiran A.

Richards, Phil R.

Robert, Hugh M.

Roberts, Curtis J.

Ryan, Patrick M.

Sartin, Robert B.

Sherwood, Ted

Thompson, John M.

Turner, W. Kirk

Warmington, Courtney K.

Webber, Jr., Daniel G.

Weddle III, Charles C.

Whaley, Phillip G.

White, Jr., Joe E.

Whitten, Reggie N.

Winter, Robert J.

Robertson, Moura A.J.

Rogers, Patricia A.

Rother, Timila S.

Shields, Susan B.

Ternes, Mary Ellen

Turner, Elaine R.

Warmington, Courtney K.

RISING STARS

Brown, J.D.

BY PRIMARY AREA OF PRACTICE

Burget, Brian

Wilson, Emma

BANKING

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

SUPER LAWYERS

RISING STARS

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

SUPER LAWYERS

Boaz, Stephen

580-252-3240

Laws, Marvin

Sherwood, Ted

APPELLATE

SUPER LAWYERS

SUPER LAWYERS , GableGotwals, Tulsa , Phillips Murrah,

RISING STARS

Pittman, Brock

Sokolosky, Alexander

BANKRUPTCY: BUSINESS

SUPER LAWYERS

, Hall Estill, Tulsa , GableGotwals, Tulsa

Tomlins, Neal

BANKRUPTCY: CONSUMER

SUPER LAWYERS

Gooding, Clifton

RISING STARS

Gnaedig, Christopher, Hall Estill, Tulsa

BUSINESS LITIGATION

SUPER LAWYERS

RISING STARS

AVIATION AND AEROSPACE

SUPER LAWYERS

Boyer, Jared

Brockman, Matthew

, GableGotwals, Tulsa

Neuens, Chad

, Hall Estill, Tulsa

, Hall Estill, Tulsa

Peters, Tulsa

, Phillips Murrah,

DeMuro, Paul

, GableGotwals, Tulsa

George, Lysbeth

Tulsa

Tulsa

, Hall Estill, Tulsa

Jett, Travis

Johnson, William

Stanford, Ainslie

Sturdivant, David

McVicker, Jason

Peters, Tulsa

, GableGotwals,

Taylor, Todd

Gable, Tulsa

Weger, James

RISING STARS

Billings, Wayne

Butts, Zoe

Duncan, Alex Ellis, Isaac

HEATHER J. MITCHELL

Selected to Super Lawyers

HEATHER MITCHELL LAW 14001 Quail Springs Parkway Oklahoma City, OK 73134 (405) 594-6800 heather@hjmlaw.com hjmlaw.com

PERSONAL INJURY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE: PLAINTIFF

Heather J. Mitchell, RN, JD, has been representing Oklahomans injured by medical negligence for over 30 years. A former nurse turned attorney, Heather is not afraid to take on the health care industry to

in doing so, has obtained several multiple milliondollar verdicts and settlements. Heather is admitted to practice in all Oklahoma federal and state courts and has sued every health system in the state as well as numerous health care entities. With a practice focus exclusively on medical malpractice, Heather’s goal is to hopefully help change the health care system for the better.

LePage, Jordan

Hollingsworth, Dillon

, GableGotwals,

Lane, Patrick , GableGotwals, Tulsa

McLanahan, Cole , Phillips Murrah, Meeùs, Elke

Mook, Jennie

Oakley, Erin

Penny, Jr., Raymond , GableGotwals, Tulsa

Smith, Morgan

Sullivan, Preston

Telarik, Alex, GableGotwals, Tulsa

BUSINESS/CORPORATE

SUPER LAWYERS

Tulsa

Bonds, Jeff , Hall Estill, Tulsa Cason, Len , GableGotwals, Tulsa , GableGotwals, Tulsa , Hall Estill, Tulsa

Underwood, Eric Vanderslice, Jonna

CANNABIS LAW

RISING STARS

Klubeck, Rachel

CIVIL LITIGATION: DEFENSE

SUPER LAWYERS

Peters, Tulsa

BROCK C. BOWERS

www.hiltgenbrewer.com

Combs, Eric

Tulsa

Gunn, Andrew

RISING STARS

, Hall Estill, Tulsa

Brown, Matt

RISING STARS

Berkhouse, Jordan

Blackstock, Brian , Hall Estill,

Dawkins, Grace Ellett, Taz

Evans, Kristen, Hall Estill, Tulsa

Tulsa Hays, Daniel

Hopper, Hailey

Logan, Maggie

Moschovidis, Barbara, GableGotwals, Tulsa Murdock, Maegan Neighbors, Zach , Hall Estill, Tulsa

Spencer, Tim Tifft, Aaron, Hall Estill, Tulsa

CIVIL LITIGATION: PLAINTIFF

SUPER LAWYERS

Johnston, Wes

Koller, Laurie

Toon, Rich

Oklahoma Trial Lawyers

White & Weddle, P.C. was founded in 1997 with the philosophy of providing individualized attention to every client. “We are in the business of helping people,” says Joe E. White, Jr. “Individualized attention is a must in every case we handle.”

Partners Joe E. White, Jr. and Charles C. Weddle III, who have more than 60 years of combined civil and criminal litigation experience, lead a dynamic team of lawyers, paralegals and assistants, working tirelessly to achieve

White & Weddle has seen an expansion into more general litigation over the last 10 years. From business disputes to traumatic brain injuries to insurance bad faith to tractor trailer collisions, the team at White & Weddle

630 NE 63rd St. Oklahoma City, OK 73105 (405) 858-8899

whiteandweddle.com

White & Weddle also represents members of the largest need a voice, and we are proud to defend teachers at the local level and in the criminal and civil arenas,” says attorney Kate White.

White & Weddle is a respected and highly experienced

clients have been wronged or injured. “We trust the jury system, which is the last recourse for powerless people against the powerful,” says Joe. The team is proud to be nation, to try their lawsuit. “Clients and referring attorneys know our reputation for going to trial and seeing it through to conclusion,” says Charles Weddle.

L-R: Nick W. Porter**, Charles C. Weddle III*, Joe E. White, Jr.*, Kate C. White

*Selected to Super Lawyers **Selected to Rising Stars

Charles C. Weddle III

OKLAHOMA TOP 50

Joe E. White, Jr. OKLAHOMA TOP 10 RANKED #1

Joe E. White, Jr. Charles C. Weddle III

CIVIL

RISING STARS

Domnick, Kyle

Jordan, Rachel

Krahl, John

CIVIL RIGHTS

SUPER LAWYERS

RISING STARS

Helm, Bryon

CLASS ACTION/MASS TORTS

SUPER LAWYERS

Banner, Mark, Hall Estill, Tulsa

CLOSELY HELD BUSINESS

RISING STARS

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

SUPER LAWYERS Salem, Micheal

MICHEAL SALEM SALEM LAW OFFICES

CONSTRUCTION LITIGATION

SUPER LAWYERS

RISING STARS

Marciano, Lauren, Hall Estill, Tulsa

CONSUMER LAW

SUPER LAWYERS

Tulsa

CREDITOR DEBTOR RIGHTS

SUPER LAWYERS

RISING STARS

RISING STARS

Seidenberger, John

Tulsa

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

SUPER LAWYERS

Adams, Kevin

Blau, Ed

Tulsa

Cale, Stephen

Fassio, Marcy

Gotcher, Warren

Handley, Ashton

James, Clint

Mendros, Jaye

C. SCOTT LOFTIS LOFTIS LAW FIRM

www.loftislegal.com

Riddle, Trevor Schumacher, Tracy

RISING STARS

Bayat, Eric

Boeheim, Brian

Enlow, Zach

Josephs, Kristin

Neal, Laura

Watson, Evan

, Miguel Garcia,

CRIMINAL DEFENSE: DUI/DWI

SUPER LAWYERS

Edge, Bruce

Jim Buxton is an experienced trial lawyer licensed to practice in all Oklahoma state and federal courts. For the last decade he has worked with lawyers from across the country to obtain justice for people that have been injured, accused or wronged.

Jim welcomes the opportunity to work with and mentor lawyers that have great cases, but do not have the experience or resources to get the case to trial. Lawyers who co-counsel and joint venture their cases with Jim walk away with better settlements and verdicts and gain valuable skills and knowledge in the process.

Mr. Buxton is the president of the Oklahoma Association for Justice (OAJ) for 2024 and co-chairman of the OAJ Trial Academy and Mentors Program. He frequently teaches trial skills at legal seminars and is on the teaching faculty at the Gerry Spence Method in Dubois, Wyoming. Mr. Buxton is also a proud member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Million Dollar Advocates Forum® and MultiMillion Dollar Advocates Forum®; is rated AV® by Martindale-Hubbell®; and has been selected to Super Lawyers in 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Super Lawyers honorees Michael Barkett and Rusty Smith, founding partners of the Smith Barkett Law Group, PLLC (SBLG), serve clients across Oklahoma and handle a wide variety of legal matters. SBLG focuses on, with proven results, industrial accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, birth and brain injuries, medical handles civil rights violations, family law, criminal

law, and commercial law. Over the course of their careers, Barkett and Smith have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts, including a $20 million wrongful death jury verdict for an infant who was negligently treated and a $25 million jury verdict for a man defamed by the state’s largest newspaper in a case of mistaken SBLG today for a free consultation.

Rusty Smith Selected to Super Lawyers

Michael L. Barkett Selected to Super Lawyers

CRIMINAL DEFENSE: DUI/DWI SUPER LAWYERS CONT’D FROM PAGE S-12

EMINENT DOMAIN

SUPER LAWYERS

Box, David

Lee, Josh

CRIMINAL DEFENSE: WHITE COLLAR

SUPER LAWYERS

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

SUPER LAWYERS

RISING STARS

Cottle, Melissa

Moore, Lake

RISING STARS , GableGotwals, Tulsa

ELDER LAW

SUPER LAWYERS

Edwards, Mark

SUPER LAWYERS , Practus, Tulsa Berkson, Howard

Bru, Courtney

Bruce, Philip

CHASE McBRIDE

Selected to Rising Stars

MCBRIDE & MCBRIDE 106 N. Rowe St., Pryor, OK 74361 (918) 825-3038 | CMcBride@LawyersofOklahoma.com LawyersofOklahoma.com

Hurst, Amber

Izadi, Tina Panach, Matt

Podolec, Patricia , GableGotwals, Tulsa

Tubb, Jeremy , Hall Estill, Tulsa

RISING STARS

Booth, Jaycee Kemp, Brandon

Kiplinger, Scott Kosmider, Harrison Lankford, Alyssa McPherson, Troy

EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION: DEFENSE

SUPER LAWYERS , Hall Estill, Tulsa , Phillips Murrah, Tulsa

Sierakowski Marshall, Samanthia, Rosenstein

RISING STARS

Kistler, Lindsay

Burnett, LeAnne

EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION: PLAINTIFF

SUPER LAWYERS

Mazaheri, Katherine

RISING STARS

ENVIRONMENTAL LITIGATION

SUPER LAWYERS

SUPER LAWYERS , Brent Blackstock, Tulsa

KENNETH H. BLAKLEY BLAKLEY LAW PLLC www.blakley-law.com

SUPER LAWYERS

SUPER LAWYERS

GARY L. BROWN

GARY L. BROWN, ATTORNEY AT LAW www.garybrownlawok.com

, Hall Estill, Tulsa

LeNaire, Lewis

Merkley, Nicholas

, Hall Estill, Tulsa

Donovan, Erin

Hallman, Dawn , Hall Estill, Tulsa

Tisdal, Mart

RISING STARS

Bomhoff, Jack Crowley Jimenez, Katherine

Dobson, Jay

Ihler, Joshua, GableGotwals, Tulsa Smith, Brady

Walraven, Chaille

ENVIRONMENTAL

SUPER LAWYERS

RISING STARS

Carpenter, Grant Clement, Mary

Eastwood, Kyle

Jaye Mendros has practiced criminal law in Oklahoma for over 30 years. In that time, she has successfully defended cases both at the state trial level and on appeal, ranging from first-degree murder to DUIs. She is a fierce defender of the Constitution and challenges governmental overreach relentlessly. Highlights of her work include: in 2022, the dismissal of a first-degree murder case based on the “Stand Your Ground” defense; in 2020, all charges dismissed against a clinic employee in a “pill mill” case; and in 2006, instrumental in legalizing tattoos in the state of Oklahoma.

Eleftherakis, Emily

, Tallgrass Estate Planning, Tulsa

Lind, Christopher

Nowakowski, Brandi

Postic, David

FAMILY LAW

SUPER LAWYERS

Graves, Tiffany Tulsa

Munn, Justin Nichols, Drew

, Phillips Murrah,

Jones, Keith

Barnard, Christian

Bullard, James

Masters, Alexandra

McConnell-Corbyn, Laura

Smith, Chris

CHRIS SMITH THE SMITH FIRM www.thesmithfirm.net

Talley, Sam , Hall Estill, Tulsa

Woodrow-Snell, Suzanne Office, Purcell

RISING STARS

Albritton, Tamra Bundy, Danya

Dalgleish, Jordan

Driskell, Courtney Foster, Emalie Freeman, Ciera

Gotwals, John Hopkins, Rob Krich-Mahoney, Anastasia

Magee, Kaitlin

Moxley, Chandler Pearce, Colby Perdue, Deborah Powell, Ashley

, Hall Estill, Tulsa West, Lucas

Wright, Kensey

Burrage, Michael

DeWitt, Derrick

Dixon, Greg

Peters, Tulsa

Masters, Paige

Moore-Shrier, Pansy

Norwood, Joseph

O’Hara, Jr., Patrick

Taylor, Stratton , Whitten Burrage,

RISING STARS

D’Emilio, Gerard

Gerow, Blake, Hall Estill, Tulsa , Hall Estill, Tulsa

McBride, Chase

Smith, Ashlyn

Way, Evan

GOVERNMENT FINANCE

RISING STARS

Davidson, Jered

HEALTH CARE

SUPER LAWYERS

Dunitz Brennan, Elise

Ramzel, Russell

IMMIGRATION

SUPER LAWYERS

Brooks-Jimenez, Michael

RISING STARS

Doroteo, Brenda

Hernandez, Marco

Quiroz, April

Stiles, Elissa

INSURANCE COVERAGE

SUPER LAWYERS

Tulsa

RISING STARS

Williamson, Lacy, GableGotwals, Tulsa

Tulsa

Siex, Hunter

Jo Lynn Jeter

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

SUPER LAWYERS

Blue, Rachel

Dellegar, Shawn

RISING STARS

Aizenman, Daniel , Phillips Murrah,

Kincade, Emma

Poarch, Ashton

RISING STARS

Ellis, Genni

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LITIGATION

SUPER LAWYERS , GableGotwals, Tulsa

RISING STARS

Talley, Evan

LAND USE/ZONING

SUPER LAWYERS

MEDIA AND ADVERTISING

SUPER LAWYERS

SUPER LAWYERS , Hall Estill, Tulsa , GableGotwals, Tulsa

RISING STARS

Barnes, Bailey, GableGotwals, Tulsa

Grace, Danae

Halley Blackstock, Erica, Phillips Murrah,

Wolfe, John

NATIVE AMERICAN LAW

SUPER LAWYERS , GableGotwals, Tulsa

RISING STARS

Cannonie, Ryan

SUPER

KELLY A. SMAKAL

JUSTIN B. MUNN

Kelly A. Smakal Justin B. Munn

Laird, Greg

Tulsa

Gable, Tulsa

Latham, Bob

Neal, Lane

RISING STARS

Keester, Brian

Mayfield, Alexandria

PERSONAL INJURY GENERAL: PLAINTIFF

SUPER LAWYERS

Bernstein, David

McAlester

Schwartz, Drew

Smith, Rusty

Garrett, Bryan

Gorospe, Anthony

Gusman, Rachel

Thurman, Jeremy

Urbach, Eric

Waddell, Jason

ROBERT DON GIFFORD

Burrage, David

Butler, David

580-248-4844

Buxton, Jim

Carson, Joe

580-248-4844

RISING STARS

Biscone, James Collogan, Patrick

Ditmars, III, John Franseen, Derek Handley, Alex

Keogh, Greg Klingler, Jordan

Nelson, Chad

O’Rear, Michael Porter, Nick

Schweighart, Monica

RISING STARS

Holland, Chance

PERSONAL INJURY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE: DEFENSE

SUPER LAWYERS , Phillips Murrah, Wiggins, John

PERSONAL INJURY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE: PLAINTIFF

SUPER LAWYERS

Tulsa

Diesselhorst, Jacob

Freije, Lance

RISING STARS

Bracken, Shea

PERSONAL INJURY PRODUCTS: DEFENSE

SUPER LAWYERS

Curran, Jeffrey

RISING STARS

PERSONAL INJURY PRODUCTS: PLAINTIFF

SUPER LAWYERS

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY: DEFENSE

SUPER LAWYERS

RISING STARS

Brewer, Blaine

Burchfield, Ande

Cunningham, Drew

Fanning, Jacob

Jones, William

Molina, Isai

Patel, Krishan

Pierce, Kelsey

Salomone, Elizabeth, Phillips Murrah, Sutter, Blair

REAL ESTATE

SUPER LAWYERS

SUPER LAWYERS

, Hall Estill, Tulsa

RISING STARS

Crumpley, Evan

SECURITIES LITIGATION

SUPER LAWYERS

Neville, Jr., Drew

TAX

SUPER LAWYERS

TECHNOLOGY TRANSACTIONS

RISING STARS TRANSPORTATION/MARITIME

SUPER LAWYERS

Goodnight, Jason Tulsa

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

SUPER LAWYERS

BRANDON J. BURTON BURTON LAW GROUP, P.C. www.burtonlaw.com

RISING STARS

Bodell, Kelley Jean, Jacob

STEPHEN D. BACHMAN

Tel:

LOYAL , ALWAYS TRUE

Julie Carson, a Jenks High School and TU Law alumna and wife of President Brad Carson, is serving as as the university’s community liaison.

A dedicated member of the campus community, Julie is proud to give back to her hometown by spearheading the university’s 2024 Tulsa Area United Way Campaign and serving as the honorary chair of Tulsa Mayfest 2025.

Julie has volunteered with Mayfest since 2023 when the university assumed ownership of Tulsa’s cherished celebration of arts, music, and culture and began expanding its offerings. With a goal of engaging more children and teens, she developed new and exciting hands-on activities, elevated Mayfest’s youth art competition, and moved Kids’ World inside the modern space at 101 Archer.

The University of Tulsa is devoted to serving our neighbors and city, and Julie Carson enjoys working with the many sponsors and organizations who share our commitment. To learn more about supporting Mayfest 2025, visit tulsamayfest.org.

With planning well underway, Julie Carson and the organizing committee invite you to get involved:

YOUTH ART GALLERY

Students ages 5-18 are invited to apply to showcase their original work in the Youth Art Gallery.

VOLUNTEER

Register now to volunteer for beer sales, Kids’ World, artist hospitality, and more.

SPONSOR

Join The University of Tulsa and other companies committed to supporting arts, culture, and quality of life in Oklahoma by sponsoring Mayfest 2025.

The Golden Age of Oklahoma Cuisine

You’re jonesing for a juicy burger? Oklahoma’s got it. How about authentic Italian and Mexican? Why, of course.

Let’s get a little more niche. You say you’re craving Sichuan cuisine? Check. Laos delicacies? Yup. Okie-style barbecue, New American, Ethiopian, French, Vietnamese? You got it.

In short, Oklahoma’s in the midst of a culinary renaissance. We’re no longer just a meat and potatoes kinda state – although the meat and potatoes we’re serving are the best you’ll ever have. Explore a heaping handful of the restaurants helping us strengthen the claim that we’re in the golden age of Oklahoma cuisine.

By Brian Schwartz

Barons on 1st; photo by Stephanie Phillips

Chef Justin Donaldson (left) and owner Bret Chandler pose at Barons on 1st in downtown Tulsa.

Photo by Stephanie Phillips

Tulsa

Barons on 1st

Justin Donaldson worked for some of the world’s finest chefs in New York City, and his dishes, served in the comforting elegance of Barons, are truly world-class. Start your meal with wine-braised chicken “shanks” or mussels. After that, choose a lamb rack, elegantly plated, with mushroom fricassee and smoked cabbage. Carnivores might opt for the enormous tomahawk steak – so big it’s wheeled to your table.

Summit Club

Dalesandro’s

Dalesandro’s menu is small and never changes, but each day, crowds of loyal patrons stream through the doors of the bright and airy dining room to sample well-loved classics like penne carbonara, lasagna, stuffed shells and, the star of the show, a perfectly made swordfish piccata. Everything is a Dalesandro family recipe. “My job for 20 years,” says amiable owner Sonny Dalesandro, “has been to preserve the way my family’s food is offered to those who come through the doors.”

Thirty stories above the downtown bustle (which you can observe through walls of floor-to-ceiling windows), this elegant club offers members and their guests quiet luxury, impeccable service and food prepared by one of Oklahoma’s best chefs, William Lyle. There are several dining rooms, including one that’s casual (a relative term at Summit Club) and one that’s the ultimate in fashionable sophistication.

En Fuego

Guthrie Green, a delightful stretch of greenery tucked in the midst of the Arts District, is a pleasant place to be, and perhaps the best spot is the tiny restaurant perched at the highest point. En Fuego offers indoor and outdoor dining. Like the park and the decor, the menu is fun and casual, offering flavorful and often handheld dishes inspired by Baja California cuisine. Expect lots of tacos, several with fish and seafood, a burrito, nachos, salads and the famous “Bob Marley dip.”

Summit Club; photo by Andrew Saliga

En Fuego; photo by Tony Li Photography

Dalesandro’s; photo courtesy Sonny Dalesandro

eyes and lamb chops to spaghetti pescatore and lobster macaroni and a spaghetti carbonara based on a recipe Mehdi found in a restaurant in Rome. You can too, and if you visit more than once, Mehdi will remember you when he greets you. “I enjoy making people happy,” says Khezri, and he does just that.

Cafe Ole

Inspired by visits to Santa Fe and a love of New Mexican cuisine, Paula Underwood opened Cafe Ole almost 40 years ago. It became a favorite of local diners for its stacked blue corn enchiladas and “Mexican pizza.” The big shaded patio made outdoor dining a delight. Recently, Mehdi Khezri of Ti Amo bought the restaurant – and he’s managed to streamline and revamp the menu while keeping the same joy, deliciousness and quality.

Waterfront Grill

Glass and windows overlooking the river, casual yet artistic decor, and an extensive menu with something to please everyone. It’s no wonder that Jimmy Blacketer’s flagship restaurant has been delighting crowds of diners for over a decade. There’s lots of trout, snapper, salmon, seafood, all fresh and never frozen. Steaks are from a well-known Chicago butcher. There’s sushi, sandwiches, burgers and more, so many temptations it’s hard to choose.

Boston Title and Abstract

Through an unmarked door on a nameless downtown side street, down long flights of stairs, and suddenly you’re in a vast and lavishly decorated underground hideaway. This is where the late chef Paul Wilson became famous. Now the kitchen is ruled with flair and panache by Roque Heidler. Dishes are complex, Instagram-worthy masterpieces. Tasty lamb chops are served with a green puree made from two kinds of spinach and a red sauce made of pureed peppers, as well as tiny potato spheres and a medley of pickled, steamed and other vegeta-

Polo Grill

Polo Grill is open to the public, and has been for over forty years. But step inside and you’ll feel like an exclusive club just welcomed you as a member. Cosseted by the impeccable service, diners feast on steaks, lamb chops and numerous other well-prepared entrees. Their wine selection is impressive, and their cellars stock 25 thousand bottles.

Ridge Grill

In the Raw

There’s sushi in every variety you can imagine. Platters of fresh, traditional sashimi. Over 100 sushi rolls, flamboyant and taste-filled and unique to In the Raw. The tiny Brookside emporium that introduced Tulsa to the delights of uncooked fish has spawned several branches, including a southern outpost with lovely views of south Tulsa and a downtown aerie perched on the sixth floor of the Vast Bank building with glorious views of downtown.

Tavern

In a setting of quiet, understated elegance (or a more convivial atmosphere if you choose to eat at the bar in the next room), you’ll be wowed by chef Austin Plumlee’s memorable menu offerings. There’s usually a wonderful salad made of fresh beets and goat cheese. You can follow that with fresh housemade pasta, or fish, or chicken, all prepared in inventive and delicious ways.

Ron’s Hamburgers

In his little shop just off Harvard, Ron Baber cooked a burger that was a form of art. The meat was pounded flat, seasoned, coated with lard using a paintbrush, cooked on a super hot griddle, then steamed under a dome. Ron set up several burger joints throughout Tulsa, all run by a relative and all producing the juicy memorable burger he invented. Ron is no longer with us but you can still enjoy this same burger at every one of Ron’s branches.

Some people think there aren’t fine dining options in the far south of Tulsa. They don’t know about Ridge Grill. Chef David Dean used to run the Atlantic Sea Grill back when that was the best restaurant in town.

For the past decade, he’s been the chef at Ridge Grill. It’s worth the trip to sample such creations as seafood-studded paella, lobster Thermidor, lemon and nut crusted halibut and more.

Amelia’s

For five years, Amelia’s has been a powerhouse of fine cuisine. Three James Beard nominated chefs have worked there, and one still does. Intricate, carefully made and plated dishes full of flavor surprises are the norm. Some are prepared on the huge Argentinian wood-fired grill. Dishes include fried rock shrimp and braised greens with a red pepper coulis sauce, charred Spanish octopus in a chorizo and corn chowder, and “campfire” salmon with German potato salad. But you might not find these when you go, because the menu changes several times a year Don’t worry – whatever you order will be delicious.

Thirty years ago, Chuck Gawey borrowed some money, bought an old gas station, and opened Albert G’s. Gawey, a self-taught pitmaster, made succulent ribs and a tasty sauce; business thrived. Now, there are several branches, all offering slow-smoked ribs, brisket, Polish sausage and more. And bourbon connoisseurs take note – the downtown location has over 200 different varieties.

Ti Amo; photo courtesy Ti Amo

In The Raw; photo by Tony Li Photography

Albert G’s; photo courtesy Albert G’s Albert G’s

Ridge Cantina

Damian Hernandez learned to cook at his grandmother’s knee many years ago in Puebla, Mexico. When Ridge Grill owner Mir Khezri wanted to open a restaurant featuring good authentic Mexican food in an upscale setting, Hernandez was the perfect fit. Ridge Cantina has ceviche, Mexican corn, 14 kinds of tacos, and an additional cavalcade of beautifully plated and delightful dishes. Hernandez’s grandmother created elaborate molés that can be found on the menu, made with the same fresh spices she used to incorporate.

Rib Crib

establishments to offer locally brewed craft beers – and also brew some themselves. Now they have several branches in Oklahoma and surrounding states. But it’s not just beer that’s readily available. They have a menu with boom boom shrimp and chicken wings, bacon cheddar burgers and sandwiches, plus pizza, chicken-fried steak and jambalaya.

It started in a little shack on Harvard Avenue, and the ribs were so good that now Rib Crib has over 60 locations in eight states. You can still find the carefully smoked ribs that made them famous, along with shareables like chicken wings and nachos, other meats including smoked chicken, sausage and burgers, plus sandwiches and salads.

Mandarin Taste

Sally Yau came to Tulsa from Beijing to go to college. She ended up staying and opening Mandarin Taste. Her restaurant offers fiery and totally authentic Sichuan cuisine, dishes such as spicy water boiled beef and jade fish. But you can also find all the usual crowdpleasers like pineapple sweet and sour chicken too.

Rise Souffle

This elegant outpost of France just opened in Utica Square and features a bevy of soufflés – those light, airy, and very difficult to make concoctions that many still consider the apex of French cuisine. Their large and well-trained kitchen staff are dedicated to producing fresh and perfect soufflés, made to order. You can find both savory (think ham and Gruyere) and sweet (think raspberry or Grand Marnier) soufflés here, and a small menu of other dishes (onion soup, salade Nicoise, steak) to round out your meal.

Hemingway

Hemingway redefines elegance. The dark wood paneling, the gleam of silver and starched linen, the glittering crystal chandeliers, the impeccable service, all make you feel like royalty. There are big steaks in every variety you can think of. But, unlike other steakhouses, the appetizers, side dishes, and non-steak menu items are prepared with as much care as the steaks.

Tacos Don Francisco

Juniper

For almost fifteen years, Juniper, Justin Thompson’s beloved creation, has celebrated chef-driven creativity. The menu is fresh and ever-changing. In fact, over the years, Thompson and his sous chefs have created over 2,000 dishes. You might find offerings like duck two ways (seared breast with leg confit), fried chicken with Japanese potato curry and dashi, and grilled cider-brined pork chop. Can’t decide? Get the chef’s five course tasting menu.

Almost 25 years ago, a young single mom from California set up a taco stand. It’s still there, and people who want good authentic tacos (as well as burritos, quesadillas and tortas) continue to seek it out. They are open late – although not as late as the pre-COVID era – and you’ll sometimes see chefs from fine dining restaurants treating themselves to an after-work snack. Some would argue that’s the best endorsement there is.

Society Burger

The setting is casual with touches of elegance. The burgers are thick and juicy. There are appetizers like hot chicken bites and pimento bacon jam. Burgers include the Theta with a melted cheese skirt and fried pickles, and the Everything, with cream cheese, candied jalapenos and onions. They also have craft beers and a sprawling dog-friendly patio.

Mandarin Taste; photo courtesy Mandarin Taste

Society Burger; photo courtesy Chandler Hospitality

Rib Crib; photo courtesy Chandler Hospitality

OKC

Ma Der Lao

Chef Jeff Chanchaleune’s loving tribute to the food of his ancestors has received national attention. It earned him a finalist spot in the James Beard Awards. Dishes perfectly capture the vibrant, exciting flavors of Laotian cuisine. Nam Khao, a crispy rice salad, is the most popular dish. The best way to experience Ma Der Lao is to order a little of everything and enjoy familystyle – your taste buds will thank you.

The Collective

There’s something for everyone at this food hall. A forty foot long bar, a lovely rooftop patio overlooking downtown, and eleven different kitchens. Want Hawaiian-inspired artistically plated seafood dishes? How about pasta and sandwiches inspired by Milan’s outdoor cafes? It’s all there, along with wings, fried tacos, waffles and steaks.

Grey Sweater

Growing up on a tiny farm in Jamaica, Andrew Black dreamed large, but not even he could have imagined that one day he’d win a James Beard Award and be recognized as one of the best chefs in the United States. Grey Sweater is the restaurant that made it happen. You reserve long in advance. You can opt for 5, 7 or ten courses. There’s no menu, and each course is a total surprise with a mix of flavors that will leave you gasping in delight.

Fait Maison

There was a chef in France who had worked in three-star Michelin restaurants and owned a highly regarded bistro on the French Riviera. He fell in love with an Oklahoma woman who refused to leave home – we don’t blame her – so he created this Edmond temple to French fine dining. Order a la carte or try the five-course tasting menu, which includes soufflé, bouillabaisse, and rabbit and lobster cooked with Nicoise olives.

Eischen’s Bar

Eischen’s was built before Oklahoma was a state. Rebuilt after a fire 30 years ago, the huge room is usually packed with people who’ve made the drive from Oklahoma City or even Tulsa to try the legendary fried chicken. You get a whole bird, cut and fried, along with pickles and bread.

Queen of Sheba

The biggest problem lovers of Ethiopian food have in Oklahoma? Finding it. It’s rare around here. Queen of Sheba satisfies their cravings. You can get different stews, or wat, piled on the spongy sourdough flatbread called injera. Don’t know what to order? Get the mossob, which features, according to the menu, “a dazzling array” of dishes.

Cafe Kacao

Veronica Zelada’s Latin American fusion cuisine has won widespread acclaim and there’s often a line of hungry patrons stretching down the block. They are a breakfast, brunch and lunch joint with menu items like smothered burritos, carne adobada, pancakes and the chuchitos breakfast – with Guatemalan pork street tamales, scrambled eggs, black beans and crema.

The Winston

Classic meals with a modern flair: that’s what the Winston promises and that’s what you get, in both the Norman and Edmond locations. There’s a long menu including such appetizing and widely varied treats as banana pepper Caesar salad, stacked enchiladas, seared Ahi ramen, drunken tuna ceviche, roasted pork shoulder and more. There’s also an impressive selection of bourbon – 15 of which were made exclusively for the Winston.

Empire Slice

It’s bright, it’s fun, it’s always a party at this wildly popular pizza venue. There are lots of pizzas to choose from, both by the slice (with a weekly rotating selection) and whole, with catchy names – “Foghorn Leghorn” is chicken of course, and the “Vampire Slayer” offers roasted garlic, salami, bacon, candied jalapenos and fresh oregano.

Edge Craft BBQ

Zach Edge has been a barbecue devotee all his life, and it shows. Stellar brisket and ribs are to be had in this tiny outpost of Central Texas style barbecue, which works its magic using little more than meat, smoke, oak and fire.

Fait Maison; photo courtesy Fait Maison

Ma Der Lao; photo by Quit Nguyen

Empire Slice; photo courtesy Empire Slice

Florence’s Restaurant

Florence Kemp opened her restaurant in 1952 with, as she recalls, little more than “two chickens and a prayer.” For the next seventy years, she came in daily to cook what she calls “good country food for the soul,” becoming a local legend along the way. Her work and superb cooking earned Florence’s a James Beard Award in 2022. Try the yam-fried chicken, which she invented.

Pho Lien Hoa

Pho Lien Hoa serves a full range of Vietnamese dishes, including such rarities as fermented fish noodle soup, but most people come for the pho. This iconic dish, with beef, fresh delicious greens and a rich, craveable broth, is at its peak here. Some people say it’s the best in Oklahoma.

Patty Wagon

Mama Roja

Mama Roja is famous for its stunning view of Lake Hefner. People come for the view, yes, but stay for the tasty Mexican food. The menu has all the usual suspects: tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, burritos and more. There’s a full roster of drinks available and you can choose from about twenty different tequilas.

This tiny burger joint proudly devotes itself to the production of gourmet burgers. They use locally raised Angus beef. You can choose from one of their house-made sauces, including such winners as Mustard Lovers and Horseradish Mayonnaise.

El Coyote Cantina

Coyote Cantina is one of the few restaurants in Oklahoma featuring the spicy, vibrant cuisine of New Mexico. You can choose from many exciting entrees, including stacked enchiladas with blue corn tortillas, adovada steak with red chile sauce and, at brunch, steak chilaquiles.

Barrios

Barrios is a trendy and modern spot that takes Mexican classics and adds gourmet twists. Examples include short rib tinga chalupa with pickled jalapenos, braised beef short rib enchiladas with pasilla sauce, pork cheek carnitas tacos, and chili pequin shrimp fajitas.

Barrios; photo courtesy Barrios

Florence’s Restaurant; photo courtesy Florence’s

El Coyote Cantina; photo courtesy El Coyote

Tamashii Ramen

A young woman from Okinawa met an army veteran from Missouri. He fell in love with her (they’re now married) and also with the ramen her family cooked. They decided to open a restaurant to bring Okinawa style ramen to Oklahoma. You’ll find all sorts of ramen here, all brightly colored and brimming with flavor.

Frida Southwest

Quinn Carroll, the chef at Frida since it opened, has been working in restaurant kitchens since he was fifteen. Now he’s a master. “He builds layers of flavor without overwhelming the dishes,” one critic wrote, “and plates hearty, sprawling dishes with finesse and beauty.” The current menu features southwestern-inspired dishes including Chilean sea bass with lobster beurre blanc, truffle corn and Parmesan risotto, as well as stacked enchiladas, sugar cane scallops, and wood-grilled steaks.

Nonesuch

When Nonesuch opened in 2017, the editor-in-chief of Bon Appetit saw a photo of their food, flew to Oklahoma City, a place he barely knew existed, and declared it the best new restaurant of the year. The whimsical, ever-changing tasting menus that enticed him, made almost entirely with products grown in Oklahoma, are still as good as ever. But chef Garret Hare and James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Kelly Whitaker plan on introducing an a la carte menu as well.

Sedalia’s

Chef Zack Walters prizes freshness, surprise, a whirlwind of flavors. Sedalia’s is an exciting place to eat. Lively colorful dishes arrive with flavors that explode off the plate. Snapper crudos, octopus anticuchos, tuna conservas –you quickly learn to expect the unexpected. Zack’s wife and business partner, Silvana, is from Cochabamba, and she provides Bolivian touches to some of the dishes, also making sure every diner is treated like an honored guest.

Sedalia’s; photo by Silvana Walters

Nonesuch; photo courtesy Nonesuch

Tamashii; photo courtesy Tamashii

Perle Mesta

Top chef meets top hotel. Perle Mesta was a world-famous socialite who grew up in the Skirvin Hotel. Chef Andrew Black’s new Perle Mesta restaurant tries to embody her ideals of world travel, luxury, romance and endless possibility. Crunchy okra and candied lamb belly are paired in one of the more popular dishes. Other dishes

Mushashi’s

At this Japanese steakhouse, talented hibachi chefs prepare your dinner on a big teppanyaki grill right in front of you – a fiery and entertaining display. Several varieties of steak are available, as well as chicken, shrimp and scallops. There are also appetizers such as yumyum shrimp and wagyu sliders, as well as a big selection of robata, which is meat like duck, sirloin and shrimp grilled on skewers.

plates, mostly influenced by the eastern half of the Mediterranean but all spectacular and bursting with flavor. Most are swimming in delicious sauces that you mop up with pita bread. Stuff yourself with braised lamb shank with manchego polenta, tajine braised short rib, citrus harissa glazed ribs, and many more.

The Press

Imagine a classically trained French chef designing a menu of bar food and traditional Oklahoma favorites. That’s what you get at The Press, housed in a former garage and printing press, carefully redecorated. The chicken fried steak is made with high-quality ribeye, the pot roast might be better than your mother’s, and there are lots of vegan options, too.

Some people believe the best Indian food actually comes from Pakistan, from the Punjab area around Lahore. That’s what you’ll find, expertly prepared, at Sheesh Mahal. Bright, flavorful dishes include favorites such chicken karahi, chicken tikka masala, as well as hard to find Pakistani dishes like beef haleem, slowcooked beef nihari, as well as chicken tawa, which is cooked on the Pakistani version of a wok.

Mushashi’s; photo courtesy Musashi’s

Sheesh Mahal; photo courtesy Sheesh Mahal

A NEW SEASON OF ARTISTRY

Our autumn additions are thoughtfully crafted, designed to delight and inspire. Each dish is a celebration of flavor and creativity, inviting you to savor each moment.

Taste

FOOD, DRINK AND OTHER PLEASURES

Communal Experiences Through Food

At Tulsa’s Prism Cafe, timeless classics get a local twist.

It was a summer day years ago in Texas, and Aimee Hunter was visiting her grandmother on her farm. Grandma spent an hour making a potato salad for Hunter, using all ingredients grown just outside her door.

Hunter took one look and blurted out “I don’t like potato salad!” Her grandma promptly burst into tears.

“So I tried a bite,” Hunter re calls, “and it was the best thing I’d ever tasted.” She was just seven years old but she never forgot this lesson.

Ten years later, Hunter went to Guatemala on a mission trip.

“All the people in the town would cook for us,” she remembers. “It was magical to see how food offerings brought people together. That’s when I decided to be a chef. The communal experience of food is something so wonderful that I wanted to be a part of it.”

She was accepted into some prestigious cooking schools, but didn’t have enough money for tuition. So she decided to learn on the job. In 2003,

she moved to New York, mostly cooking for private families.

“I worked for extraordinarily wealthy people in the Hamptons,” she says, “and organized outlandish and mostly private events.”

But some were open to the public – and a few drew national attention.

“I was the first to do pop-up picnics in Central Park,” she says.

But after 12 years, big city life lost its charm and Hunter moved to rural California. She spent a lot of time on local farms buying produce and watching the farmers work. She’d always known that fresh ingredients were best. But, she says, “there’s a big difference between cooking with farm food and actually growing it. I learned how much work goes into crops and produce before the chef gets it. The chef gets the praise but often it’s the vegetables that make the dish. If someone hands you a perfect vegetable it’s like they are handing you a fistful of rubies.”

Hunter came to Tulsa on a whim – she wanted to visit a friend. She didn’t plan on staying very long, but she slowly fell in love with the city, especially with the blocks of rambling old mansions half a mile north of

At Prism Cafe, the East Coast Italian is a new offering. You can get the sandwich with garlic Parmesan focaccia by Slate Sourdough, an artisan bakery in downtown Tulsa. Photos by Stephanie Phillips

downtown. There was a vacant storefront with no takers. She put in a kitchen with a wood counter around it, bar stools around the counter, placed a long table in front, and now it’s Prism Cafe. In this sun-filled, welcoming space, breakfast and lunch are served, with recurrent pop-up dinners.

Hunter’s cooking style is much as you’d expect after reading about her life.

“I want to make things people will be excited to eat,” she says. “I’ve never wanted to impress people with needless technique or fancy style. I stick to timeless classics like roast chicken, but I make sure the meat is juicy and the skin crispy. I try to make people think. People don’t use tarragon or cardamom that often at home, so I sometimes do, just to show them that there’s a gigantic world of flavor out there.”

She also applies what she learned in California. She shapes her menu to use the produce she gets.

“A farmer I know just dropped off some banana peppers and arugula,” she tells us. “I’ll pickle the peppers to use in sandwiches and we’ll have an arugula salad at lunch tomorrow. It’s making me hungry,” she says. Most produce is from farmers she knows. There won’t be much local produce in winter but there will be local eggs, bacon, chicken and milk.

Some items stay on the menu every week.

“There’s a brie apple sandwich that’s everyone’s favorite,” she says. “Melted brie, thick slices of apple, balsamic glaze, homemade mayo, on a very soft ciabatta. There’s ginger lemonade I make. It's very sparkly and bright and fresh – people love it.”

The dinner pop-ups, on the other hand, are never repeated. Fifty or so people gather, new friendships are made, sealed by delicious food.

“I create things I’m craving," she says. "Oaxacan, Thai, Middle Eastern, you never know.”

BRIAN SCHWARTZ

Local Flavors | Taste

Route 66 Reimagined

Avery offers classic American dishes the heart of Tulsa’s Arts Deco district. Named after the Father of Route 66 –Cyrus Avery – the restaurant blends scale and casual dining in sleek, stylish virons.

you’re looking for variety, The Avery has covered. The joint – which is nestled within the Hyatt Regency Downtown offers breakfast, lunch and dinner tions, plus bar bites, craft cocktails and serts. Even better, if you visit before a show, you receive complimentary valet parking.

Breakfast options abound. Sink your teeth into fluffy pancakes, chicken fried steak, sweet potato hash or a breakfast burrito. Other morning goodies include omelets, skillets and healthy fare like breakfast bowls and oatmeal. Coffee lovers: there’s everything from flat whites to lattes and macchiatos, too.

Lunch wows with roasted garlic Caesar salads, candied bacon barbecue burgers and turkey avocado club salads. Sides like fresh fruit, onion rings and cucumber salads are an excellent addition to any meal.

Dinner entrees will impress – with options like maple Dijon salmon, pasta Bolognese, filet mignon and toasted ravioli. Pair your meal with a selection of beers on draft, plus wine, classic cocktails or signature cocktails. Stand-outs from the latter include the Mother Road – with mezcal, yellow bell pepper shrub, lemon, agave, Faccia Brutto Centerbe, Ancho Reyes Verde and smoked chili oil, as well as the In The Fashion of the Avery, with bourbon, bitters, Demerara gum syrup, black cherry and smoked rosemary. The cherry on top is the dessert – try the baked brownie, triple layer carrot cake or the cobbler, replete with seasonal fruit.

It’s Off the Hook

Whether it’s a quick bite or a special occasion, Off The Hook Eatery is the place to go in OKC. With a diverse menu and an impressive selection, Off the Hook will soon be your new seafood mainstay with its made-to-order delicacies.

Starters evoke the Cajun spirit, with fried pickles, butter frog legs and calamari, served with Sriracha ranch and butter sauce. You can also dive into the sides, which include fried okra, garlic fries, coleslaw, onion rings, steamed broccoli and grilled asparagus.

Items from the ‘handhelds’ portion of the menu range from cheesy patty melts to fish po’boys, melted lobster and the surf and turf burger. Try a fried or grilled fish basket, a chicken tender basket, chicken and biscuits, blackened chicken fries or a wing basket for your entree. Kids even have their choice between fish strips, chicken tenders and a shrimp basket.

Finish things off with butter cookies, key lime parfait or hummingbird cake. And you won’t want to miss the joint’s homemade lemonade!

MARY WILLA ALLEN

The arugula salad (facing page) and an assortment of beverages like the butterfly pea tea make Prism Cafe a must-visit.

Photo courtesy Off the Hook

Photo courtesy The Avery

Hard Work Pays Off

Dequayon Server feeds the soul with his Creole and Cajun inspired delicacies at Chef Dee’s

It’s been said that good food is not just fuel for the body, but also the soul — and Oklahoma chef and entrepreneur Dequayon Server, 28, takes that belief to heart.

“Cooking is my passion,” says Server, affectionately known as Chef Dee. “Sometimes people are like ‘Bro, I can see the love, the passion you put into your food.’ And they can feel that – versus a person that just wants to get paid for cooking. It’s like soul food.”

As the owner of Chef Dee’s Creations, Server offers Creole and Cajun cuisine from a brick and mortar location at 2739 N.W. 36th St. in Oklahoma City, as well as two food trucks that travel throughout the city.

On the menu, diners will find Southern comfort food like fried catfish, hot chicken sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, grits — all with a Creole-seasoned twist, of course. And he likes to change things up with the seasons.

“I’m always changing my menu,” confirms Server. “I’ll always have my top sellers on the menu. But with winter coming, you’re going to see warm things, like shrimp and grits, gumbo, étouffée, and red beans and rice on the menu.”

Those aforementioned top sellers include loaded fries smothered with Chef Dee’s secret sauce; pastalaya, which includes pasta loaded with shrimp, bacon, cheese and chicken with a savory Alfredo sauce; and chicken wings served with a

Creations.

sauce of your choice, plus a side of fries. Server got his start cooking and experimenting with food all on his own. While attending culinary school at Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City, Server got hired at the now-closed Brielle’s Bistro in Del City, where he was able to hone his skills.

“I just always loved to cook,” he said. “I tried to grow and learn as much as I could.” Then, Server decided to go out on his own. He got his business up and running two days before the COVID-19 pandemic

struck, which shut down restaurants and businesses around the country. Server, however, found a silver lining in the grim situation.

“When COVID came, honestly, I was booming,” Server says. “Businesses were failing – but I never did. I tried to think differently. I was doing a lot of delivery, pick up, DoorDashing – and I also focused on customer service.”

He quickly adapted to the circumstances, taking special care to provide people with the best food and service he could, all in a safe environment: taking orders, cooking and delivering all by himself. And his hard work paid off.

“I kept staying consistent, reliable and focused,” he says. “It got to a point where I was doing food out of a flea market. And then a few months later, I had a food truck. And then another few months later, I had another food truck.”

Four years, several locations and many employees later, Server says he still takes pride in being the one in the kitchen, and actually prefers it that way, because people expect a certain level of deliciousness that only Server can provide.

When he’s not working over a hot stove, Server enjoys spending time with his three kids, going to the gym, playing basketball and giving back to the community. Last year, he was recognized by First Fidelity Bank’s ‘Pay It Forward’ program for feeding the homeless on Sundays, as well as for providing a job and mentoring a high school student who was experiencing a challenging time.

Chef Dee’s Creations is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and his food truck locations can be found weekly on his Instagram and Facebook pages.

GRETCHEN EICHENBERG

Although Server launched his business just days before the COVID-19 pandemic caused global shutdowns, he persevered through delivery and pick-up orders and now has a brick and mortar location, plus two food trucks. Photos courtesy Chef Dee

Tasty Tidbits | Taste

India Palace

One of Tulsa’s best kept secrets, India Palace is the place to go for authentic cuisine and friendly service seven days a week.

Basil Mediterranean Cafe

Authentic, healthy and delicious Mediterranean food is found at the OKC-based Basil Mediterranean Cafe. Prepared with care, Basil’s menu is expansive and appetizing.

Begin your culinary journey with a hummus plate, served with warm pita bread. You can choose between classic, roasted garlic, chicken or basil pesto hummus. Other appetizers include calamari, falafel, tzatziki, dolmas and grilled asparagus.

You can’t go wrong with entree options. Try the gyros, for one – with sides including tabbouleh, side salads, French fries, rice or a cup of soup. Venture to the wraps section and try the grilled chicken wrap, the Mediterranean chicken salad wrap or the Green Machine, with zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, onions, rice and hummus. Other options include an array of salads, as well as shish kabobs, chicken bandari, lamb shanks and linguine.

Begin with chicken pakora – fried chicken marinated in yogurt, ginger and garlic. Other starters to try are the veggie samosas and the vegetable bhaji – chickpea patties stuffed with onions and spices.

Salads and soups run the gamut, from raita soup with whisked yogurt, cucumber, potatoes and mint to madras soup, a coconut and tomato delicacy with Indian spices.

Entrees range from tandoori chicken and chicken vindaloo to fish masala, beef curry and lamb punjabi – lamb sautéed with ginger, onion and brown sauce. You can also try chicken, lamb, beef, shrimp or veggie biryani – a rice dish with spices, nuts and veggies.

Dutch Pantry

The Dutch Pantry, located in Choteau, features a bevy of buffet-style Amish offerings. The menu rotates daily. Monday welcomes turkey and dressing; Tuesday is chicken fried steak; Wednesday is fried chicken; Thursday is roast beef; Friday is catfish and meatloaf; and Saturday is barbecue pork ribs and fried chicken. (The restaurant is closed Sundays). Additionally, fresh baked goods can be found for purchase, with goodies ranging from cakes and pies to fruit cobblers.

The restaurant is open 6 a..m. daily, closing at 8 p.m. on Monday-Wednesday and 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.

Stables Cafe

Described as Guthrie’s hidden gem, Stables Cafe offers good food, good music and good times in a welcoming environment. The best part about Stables? Their menu is vast, with meals to fit any appetite.

Start with loaded potatoes, queso, coconut shrimp or mini onion rings. After that, you can enjoy everything from a salad bar buffet to spaghetti dinners, queso chili-pie, steak, barbecue sandwiches and grilled cheese.

Alongside entrees, there’s a wine list and an expansive craft beer menu, courtesy of the joint’s tap room. End your evening with a dessert, with options that include chocolate cream pie, carrot cake, apple cinnamon pie and the Cookie Delight, with warm cookies, ice cream, syrup and whipped cream.

Photo courtesy Basil Mediterranean Cafe

Photo by Dee Creations

Photo courtesy the Dutch Pantry

Photo courtesy Stables Cafe

BURGER SPOTLIGHT

Sushi Train

If you’re looking for a dining experience that’s a little out of the ordinary, try Sushi Train at 51st and Harvard in Tulsa. As its name suggests, the restaurant serves over 100 menu items on a whimsical conveyor train – with color coded plates to help keep your meal on-budget as you select what you’re craving.

Made to order, Sushi Train’s offerings range from time-honored recipes to modern twists on the classics. Start with crab cakes or shrimp cocktail, then venture to entrees ranging from beef bulgogi to chicken teriyaki and veggie stir-fry. Rolled sushi, nigiri and maki options round out the delicious menu – you’ll be sure to leave with a full belly and a happy wallet!

Bad Nonna’s

With locations in Midwest City and OKC (inside the Parlor dining hall), Bad Nonna’s is your go-to for delectable homemade pasta. But it’s not only a stop for the Italian favorites, but also ramen and Cajun-inspired goodies.

Appetizers range from risotto arancini to lasagna nachos – fried lasagna sheets with layers of Alfredo, black olives, red peppers, pepperoncini and tomatoes. Bad Nonna’s pastas, of course, win the hour. You can order up a classic, like the eggplant Parmesan or fettuccine Alfredo, or try something new. The Geux Queen, for example, offers rigatoni, andouille sausage, chicken, shrimp, bell peppers, creamy Cajun pesto and Parmesan. The Buffalo Chicken M.A.C. is also a winner, with macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, buffalo sauce and Parmesan.

www.dinemcgills.com

The Butcher Cut

Cheeseburger

Fresh ground chuck with provolone and cheddar cheese, plus grilled onions and tomato served on a Kaiser bun. Served with hand-cut potatoes.

Bricktown Brewery

Rodeo Burger

Beef patty, cheddar, bacon, jalapeños, tomato, onion rings, Head Country® BBQ sauce, brioche bun. Served with salt & pepper fries.

Cheddar Curd Burger

Coming to Bricktown Brewery on October 8th!

Beef patty, Old King Kölsch-battered Watonga cheddar curds, lettuce, tomato, pickle, housemade mac & cheese sauce, American cheese, brioche bun. Served with salt & pepper fries. www.bricktownbrewery.com LIMITED TIME ONLY!

www.ronsburgersandchili.com

Bacon

Cheeseburger

Cheeseburger

topped with pepper jack and American cheeses and real bacon pieces; dressed with mustard, pickle, fried onions, lettuce and tomato.

Photo courtesy Sushi Train

Photo courtesy Bad Nonna's

www.societyburger.com

Classic

American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and house sauce on a brioche bun.

Shroom

Swiss cheese, sauteed portabella mushrooms, caramelized onions, and mayo on a brioche bun.

Hangover

Housemade sausage patty, beef patty, American cheese, chopped bacon, fried egg, and house sauce on an everything bun.

Everything

Cream cheese, candied jalapenos, pickled onions, and mayo on an everything bun.

Theta

Melted cheddar cheese skirt, fried pickles, BBQ sauce, and mayo on a brioche bun.

Onions grilled into both patties, American cheese, mayo, and haystack onions on a brioche bun.

Okie

Where & When

GREAT THINGS TO DO IN OKLAHOMA

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

IN TULSA Performances

Tulsa Ballet presents: Dracula Through Nov. 3 Ben Stevenson’s ghoulishly entertaining gothic ballet Dracula returns to Tulsa for the first time since 2018, with awe inspiring stunning theatrics, spooky vampire brides who soar through the air, and an exploding chandelier. tulsaballet.org

Tulsa Ballet presents: Peter and the Wolf Nov. 8-9 Studio K Kids are invited to the family-friendly Peter and the Wolf production, featuring a familiar cast of characters and full narration. tulsaballet.org

LeCrae: The Deep End Podcast Tour Nov. 9 Tulsa PAC Surging or insurgent – depending on your point of view – Lecrae is blessed with a visionary verbal arsenal and an abiding faith that’s piloted a unique career trajectory defying the typical hip hop storyline. tulsapac.com

Theatre Tulsa presents: Reefer Madness Nov. 9-10 Inspired by the original 1936 film of the same name, this raucous musical comedy takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the hysteria caused when clean-cut kids fall prey to marijuana, leading them on a hysterical downward spiral. theatretulsa.org

TPAC Presents: Charlotte's Web Nov. 12 Tulsa PAC This reimagined production features bluegrass music and a clever set design, telling the treasured story of selfless love and the true meaning of friendship. tulsapac.com

Celebrity Attractions presents: Mrs. Doubtfire Nov. 12-17 Tulsa PAC Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny is headed to Tulsa in this internationally acclaimed hit musical critics call wonderful, heart-warming and laugh-out-loud funny. celebrityattractions.com

Jim Brickman: Comfort and Joy Nov. 14 Tulsa PAC This year's tour promises to be a spectacular celebration of all things Christmas. Audiences can expect a captivating blend of Brickman's original holiday classics, along with beloved seasonal favorites. tulsapac.com

Chamber Music Tulsa presents: Trio Bohemo Nov. 16-17 Tulsa PAC With three Czech players who live in Budapest, the trio gives enthusiastic performances of music from Central Europe, from rousing folk dances to sublime meditations. chambermusictulsa.org

Christmas with C.S. Lewis Nov. 20-23 Tulsa PAC In the early years

PERFORMANCES

So Much to See

On-stage entertainment is everywhere in November.

In Tulsa, the PAC welcomes a bevy of performances. Don’t miss the tail end of Tulsa Ballet’s Dracula, through Nov. 3, then visit their Peter and the Wolf showcases at Studio K, Nov. 8-9. Also at the PAC are LeCrae: The Deep End Podcast Tour on Nov. 9 and Theatre Tulsa’s hilarious Reefer Madness on Nov. 9-10. Celebrity Attractions returns with another hit this month – Mrs. Doubtfire, running Nov. 12-17. Other goodies include Jim Brickman on Nov. 14; Chamber Music Tulsa’s Trio Bohemo on Nov. 16-17; Christmas with C.S. Lewis on Nov. 20-23; and Cirque du Soleil Songblazers on Nov. 23-24.

CELEBRITY ATTRACTIONS

At OKC’s Civic Center Music Hall, OKC Philharmonic is a heavy-hitter with three choices this month: Arrival from Sweden - The Music of ABBA on Nov 1-2; From the Highlands, Nov. 16, with the added bonus of Bruce Roberston on bagpipes; and Star Wars, Episode VI – Return of the Jedi on Nov. 30. But don’t count out OKC Broadway, which also brings three shows to the Civic in November – How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Nov. 6-10; Beetlejuice, Nov. 19-24; and A Magical Cirque Christmas, Nov. 25. You can also venture to Edmond’s Armstrong Auditorium to see the Aznavoorian Sisters on Nov. 7 and Rachel Barton Pine on Nov. 21.

Around the state, Stillwater’s McKnight Center for the Performing Arts welcomes Tina: The Tina Turner Musical on Nov. 6-7; Esperanza Spalding on Nov. 15; Craig Taborn on Nov. 19; and the rescheduled An Evening with Vince Gill on Nov. 22. If you find yourself in Guthrie, visit the Pollard Theatre for the beloved tradition, A Territorial Christmas Carol, running Nov. 22-Dec. 22.

of his young adult life, C S Lewis believed the story of Christ’s birth was nothing more than feel-good myth. That all changed after a particular encounter with his great friend and fellow author, J R R Tolkien. tulsapac.com

Cirque du Soleil

Songblazers Nov. 23-24 Tulsa

PAC With its acrobatic and live musical performance showcasing the captivating artistry of Cirque du Soleil and the soul-stirring melodies of beloved country rhythms, this engaging experience celebrates the diverse influences of country music and its heartfelt stories. tulsapac. com

Concerts

Whiskey Myers Nov. 1 BOK Center Whiskey Myers is headed to BOK Center with special guests Southall and Cam Allen. bokcenter. com

Rise Against Nov. 7 Cain's Ballroom See Rise Against with L.S. Dunes and Cloud Nothings. cainsballroom.com

P!nk Nov. 8 BOK Center P!NK is coming to BOK Center with special guests Noga Erez and KidCutUP. bokcenter.com

Trampled by Turtles Nov.

10 Cain's Ballroom See the singer with Maggie Antone. cainsballroom. com

Air1 Worship Now Tour Nov. 22 BOK Center Join others at BOK Center for an unforgettable night of praise and worship with Crowder, We the Kingdom, CAIN, Passion and Jon Reddick. bokcenter.com

Little Big Town Nov. 23 BOK Center Little Big Town + Sugarland are bringing the Take Me Home Tour to BOK Center. bokcenter.com

Jason Boland and the Stragglers Nov. 29 Cain's Ballroom See the country band with Kat Hasty and the Red Dirt Rangers. cainsballroom.com

Art

Beyond the Mold: Unpacking

Ken Doll's Evolution Through Nov. 3 Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art Enter the world of American masculinity and pop culture through the lens of the iconic Ken Doll and his companions in Beyond the Mold: Unpacking Ken Doll’s Evolution. jewishmuseumtulsa. org

Rose Colored Glasses: Kendall Ross & Taryn Singleton Through Nov. 24 108

Contemporary This exhibition features two Tulsa-based artists both working in fiber mediums but with very different techniques and concepts. 108contemporary. org

American Artists, American Stories from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 1776–1976 Through Dec.

29 Philbrook Two hundred years, over one hundred works of art, and countless stories of artists and the people, places and events they chose to represent lie within this new exhibition. philbrook.org Here Be Dragons: Mapping the Real and Imagined Through Dec. 29 Philbrook This exhibition presents artworks from the Philbrook collection that span over three hundred years of history, and that build a sense of place, whether real or imagined. philbrook.org

Timo Fahler: Shrug Atlas Through Dec.

29 Philbrook Today, artist Timo Fahler is known for artworks that combine earth, stained glass, metal rebar, plaster and other materials to speak to the history of land and labor through material and form. philbrook.org

Jacob’s Ladder Through Dec.

31 Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art The Museum’s archives are home to many imaginative winged beings. Join Sherwin Miller on a trip up Jacob’s Ladder and encounter these charming and artistic pieces from the collection. jewishmuseumtulsa.org

Curator’s Curios Through Dec. 31 Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art Digging deep into the Museum’s massive Judaica collection, curator Sofia Thornblad displays her all-time favorites from oil paintings by Theodore Freid to fun vintage Israeli posters. jewishmuseumtulsa.org

Modern Day Hatred Through Feb. 28 Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art Modern Day Hatred examines how racism, antisemitism, homophobia and other forms of hate have manifested in Oklahoma from the past to the present. jewishmuseumtulsa.org

War Club: Native Art & Activism Through June

29 Philbrook War Club is the culminating exhibition of Anita and Yatika Fields’s project delving into Native artwork and ephemera from important historical and contemporary moments of resistance. philbrook.org

Eduardo Sarabia: Ceiba

Sagrada Through Dec. 28, 2025 Philbrook Los Angeles-born, Mexico-based Eduardo Sarabia has become one of the better-known artistic voices of his generation for using materials and imagery associated with street culture, craft and folk history to draw connections between his personal story and the narrative of Mexico. philbrook.org

Slumgullion: The Venerate Outpost

Ongoing Philbrook Philbrook is proud to partner with award-winning artist Karl Unnasch to present Slumgullion, a full-scale log cabin built from the skeleton of a late1800s pioneer home. philbrook.org

Sports

Simulcast Horse

Racing Through Nov. 2 Expo Square Place your bets for one of Tulsa's most exciting equine events. exposquare.com

Tulsa Oilers Hockey Nov. 2-3, 21, 24, 27, 29 BOK Center Enjoy pro hockey at the BOK Center. bokcenter. com

University of Tulsa

Football Nov. 14, 30 H.A.

Chapman Stadium See the Golden Hurricane play at home this

Mrs. Doubtfire; photo by Joan Marcus

month. tulsahurricane.com

Hunter Jumper Exhibitors of Oklahoma Fall Finale Nov. 2124 Expo Square Enjoy the equine event to round out the competition season. exposquare.com

USA BMX Grand Nationals Nov. 27-Dec. 1 USA

BMX Headquarters Known as the greatest race on Earth, the USA BMX Grand Nationals take place in Tulsa. usabmx.com

Community

First Friday Art Crawl Nov.

1 Downtown On the first Friday of every month, guests will be able to see a new exhibit opening and enjoy live music, a cash bar and snacks. humanities.utulsa.edu

Twisted Roots Haunted Trail Through Nov. 2 1900 E. 62nd St., Muskogee Riddled with twists, turns, traps and terrors, this spooky stroll is not for the faint of heart. feartheroots.com

Tulsa Town Hall presents: Father Greg Boyle Nov.

8 Tulsa PAC Born and raised in Los Angeles and pastor to the poorest Catholic parish in the city, Father Greg witnessed the devastating impact of gang violence on his community. tulsapac.com

Rock-N-Folk-Chili Cookoff Nov.

9 Cain's Ballroom Performers include Paul Bejaman Band, Jesse Aycock and Labrys. cainsballroom. com

Pumpkin Festival at Shepherd's Cross Through Nov. 9 Shepherd's Cross, Claremore Celebrate fall with pumpkins, hayrides and harvest educational activities at Shepherd's Cross, an authentic working farm in Claremore. shepherdscross.com

Williams Route 66 Marathon and Half Marathon Nov. 23-24 Downtown Tulsa The Williams Route 66 Marathon & Half Marathon in Tulsa is a top annual sporting event in the region. route66marathon.com

Rhema Christmas Lights Nov. 27-Jan. 1 Rhema Bible College, Broken Arrow Join thousands of visitors at the annual Rhema Christmas Lights and witness over three million shimmering lights synchronized to Christmas music. rhemalights.org

Tulsa Botanic Garden of Lights Nov. 29-Dec. 30 Tulsa Botanic Garden Reconnect with family and friends in the garden illuminated with colorful lights. tulsabotanic.org

Philbrook Festival Through Dec. 29 Philbrook Enjoy thousands of holiday lights, music, and fun for the whole family at Festival Nights, an unforgettable indoor and outdoor holiday experience. philbrook.org

Charitable Events

Art Party Nov. 1 Tulsa Country

Club This lively event serves as a powerful platform for the girls of Tulsa Girls' Art School to share the stories and inspirations. tulsagirlsartschool.org

Boomtown Awards Nov.

2 Hyatt Regency

Downtown TYPROS Boomtown Awards is a premier celebration recognizing those in the region who

further TYPROS' mission: positively impacting Tulsa by connecting people, engaging in the community and developing the next generation of leaders. typros.org

House Party Nov. 7 Metro

Appliances and More Join Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tulsa for a casual evening of small bites and drinks prepared by some of the finest chefs in Tulsa. rmhctulsa.org

ZZZs in the Seas Nov.

8 Oklahoma Aquarium Have you ever dreamed of sleeping with sharks? ZZZs in the Seas brings that dream to life! You can slumber surrounded by sharks, stingrays, seahorses and all 10,000 of the aquarium's amazing animals! okaquarium.org

Tulsa AWARE Luncheon Nov.

12 Southern Hills Country Club Attend this luncheon to learn more about how you can help the Alzheimer's Association Oklahoma Chapter. awareok.org

Dinner of Reconciliation Nov.

21 Greenwood Cultural Center Join this dinner benefiting John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation. jhfcenter.org

IN OKC Performances

OKC Phil presents: Arrival from Sweden - The Music of ABBA Nov 1-2 Civic Center Music

Hall Join the OKC Phil for what has been called the absolute best and most authentic ABBA show there is. Relive the sound, look, and joyful celebration of ABBA, down to the crystalline harmonies and original outrageous costumes. okcphil.org

OKC Opera presents: Frights and Flights Nov. 2 OK Cider

Co This musical journey will take you through the dark and macabre as you sip on a delicious brew at OK Cider Co. travelok.com

OKC Broadway presents: How the Grinch Stole Christmas Nov. 6-10 Civic Center Music Hall The Grinch broke box office records for two consecutive years on Broadway during its holiday engagements. Since then, more than 2.1 million theatre-goers across America have been delighted by this heart-warming musical. okcbroadway.com

Armstrong Auditorium presents: Aznavoorian Sisters Nov. 7 Armstrong Auditorium The Aznavoorian sisters will provide an array of Armenian and Spanish music, in addition to cello-piano masterpieces by Debussy, Brahms and the showy “Moses” variations by Paganini. armstrongauditorium.org

Joe Gatto: Let's Get Into It Nov. 9 Civic Center Music Hall Joe Gatto is a comedian best known from the hit TV shows “Impractical Jokers” and “The Misery Index.” okcciviccenter.com

Straight No Chaser Nov.

12 Civic Center Music Hall If the phrase “male a cappella group” conjures up an image of students in blue blazers singing traditional college songs on ivied campuses... think again. Straight No Chaser are neither strait-laced nor straight-faced, but neither are they vaudeville-style kitsch. okcciviccenter.com

Martin Lawrence Nov.

16 Paycom Center Comedy legend Martin Lawrence coming to Oklahoma City with The “Y’all Know What It Is!” tour with special guests Deon Cole and Benji Brown. paycomcenter.com

OKC Phil presents: From the Highlands Nov. 16 Civic Center Music Hall Enjoy this exciting concert with Bruce Roberston on bagpipes. okcciviccenter.com

OKC Broadway presents: Beetlejuice Nov. 19-24 Civic

SPORTS Sports Galore

Center Music Hall Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. okcbroadway. com

Armstrong Auditorium presents: Rachel Barton Pine Nov. 21 Armstrong Auditorium Rachel Barton Pine presents a classical celebration of the violin’s American folk music roots, beginning with the European dance music of early immigrants. armstrongauditorium. org

OKC Broadway presents: A Magical Cirque Christmas Nov. 25 Civic Center Music Hall Embrace the holiday spirit with A Magical Cirque Christmas, a variety show full of nostalgia, charm and awe-inspiring performances for all ages. okcbroadway.com

OKC Phil presents: Star Wars, Episode VI – Return of the Jedi Nov. 30 Civic Center Music Hall Join the OKC Phil as it presents the Academy Award-winning movie and performs the exciting John Williams score live. okcphil.org

Concerts

Creed Nov. 2 Paycom Center Rock

100.5 FM The KATT Presents: Creed in Oklahoma City with the Are You Ready? Tour along with special guests 3 Doors Down and Mammoth WVH. paycomcenter.com

An Evening with Al Stewart Nov. 5 Civic Center Music Hall Al Stewart came to stardom as part of the legendary British folk revival of the 60s and 70s. He developed a combination of folk-rock songs with delicately woven tales of the great characters and event from

While the weather is certainly getting colder, there’s still ample opportunity to watch outdoor sports this month – as well as indoor goodies to keep you warm.

In Tulsa, simulcast horse racing at Expo Square ends Nov. 2 – so make sure to place your bets before time runs out. At the BOK Center, the beloved Tulsa Oilers take to the ice Nov. 2-3, 21, 24, 27 and 29 to battle it out with regular season foes. Circle back around to Expo Square to enjoy the Hunter Jumper Exhibitors of Oklahoma Fall Finale, Nov. 21-24. And lastly, you won’t want to forget about the wildly exciting USA BMX Grand Nationals, running at the USA BMX Headquarters from Nov. 27 through Dec. 1.

history. okcciviccenter.com

Rod Wave Nov. 6 Paycom

Center American rapper, singer and songwriter Rod Wave is returning to Oklahoma City with The Last Lap Tour featuring special guests Moneybagg Yo, Toosii, Lil Poppa, Dess Dior and Eelmatic! paycomcenter.com

Lainey Wilson Nov. 7 Civic Center

Music Hall Lainey Wilson is hittin’ the road in 2024 for her Country’s Cool Again Tour and will be making a stop in Oklahoma City. paycomcenter.com

Jelly Roll Nov. 14 Paycom Center Award-winning singer and rapper Jelly Roll is bringing The Beautifully Broken Tour to Oklahoma City. paycomcenter.com

Art

Small Works, Great

Wonders Nov. 2-17 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Small Works, Great Wonders features a fusion of traditional and contemporary paintings and sculpture at affordable prices. nationalcowboymuseum.org

Cheyenne Ledger Art from Fort Marion Through Jan. 5 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum This exhibition is curated by Dr. Eric Singleton, curator of Native American Art and Ethnology and Director of Language and Culture Programs at the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, Gordon Ellowman. nationalcowboymuseum.org

Picasso Linocut

Exhibition Through Jan. 5 OKCMOA An exhibition of prints by Pablo Picasso, including seventeen progressive proofs and two published linocuts, this show explores his artistic process and one of printmaking’s most fascinating and demanding mediums, the linoleum cut print. okcmoa.com

Colors of Freedom Through Jan. 6 Oklahoma Contemporary This exhibition presents a collection

of artworks created by young Ukrainians who want to share their fears, hopes and dreams with the world. oklahomacontemporary.org

Eva Schlegel: Multiple Voices Through Jan. 13 Oklahoma Contemporary Multiple Voices is the first public artwork in the United States by Eva Schlegel, the Austria-born and -based artist known for engineering steel and mirrors into spectacular, architectonic sculptures. oklahomacontemporary.org

Kingdom of David & Solomon Discovered Through Jan. 17 Armstrong Auditorium Artifacts from 10th-century Israel are on display at the Armstrong Auditorium through January. armstrongauditorium.org

Outré West: The American School of Architecture from Oklahoma to California Through Jan. 27 Oklahoma Contemporary Outré West: The American School of Architecture from Oklahoma to California considers the works of a group of architects who were educated and mentored in Oklahoma in the 1950s and 1960s, and later developed groundbreaking design practices in California. oklahomacontemporary. org

The Three Shades Through Aug. 23, 2026 OKCMOA Enjoy this single-gallery installation featuring one of the masterworks of modern sculpture, Auguste Rodin’s The Three Shades, on loan from a private collection. okcmoa.com

Chihuly Then and Now: The Collection at Twenty Ongoing OKCMOA Redesigned in collaboration with Chihuly Studio, Chihuly Then and Now: The Collection at Twenty incorporates a unique design, featuring five decades of glass and painting and tells a comprehensive story of Chihuly’s groundbreaking career. okcmoa.com

We’d be remiss, of course, if we didn’t mention football. The University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane plays at home – H.A. Chapman Stadium – on Nov. 14 and 30. The University of Oklahoma Sooners can be found at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman on Nov. 2 and 23. And the Oklahoma State University Cowboys take the Boone Pickens Stadium field in Stillwater on Nov. 2 and 23, too.

Other exciting sporting events this month include the 2024 World Championship Quarter Horse Show, Nov. 4-20 at the OKC Fairgrounds, as well as the World Senior Professional Bull Riders Finals from Nov. 7-9 at the Stephens County Fairgrounds in Duncan. You can also, of course, catch our NBA dream team the OKC Thunder at Paycom Center throughout the month.

Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE/Getty Images

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

Where & When | Entertainment

Cynthia Daignault: Oklahoma Ongoing OKCMOA

This exhibition features one painting, Oklahoma by Cynthia Daignault, as a tribute to the history of the Oklahoma City bombing from 1995. okcmoa.com

Sports

2024 World Championship Quarter Horse Show Nov. 4-20 OKC Fairgrounds Some of the best riders and their quarter horses visit OKC for the world championships. okcfairgrounds. com

Oklahoma City Thunder

Basketball Nov. 4, 8, 10-11, 13, 15, 17, 20 Paycom Center The state's NBA team takes on regular-season teams at home. nba.com/thunder University of Oklahoma Football Nov. 2, 23 Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman College football is back and better than ever this month. See the Sooners take on season opponents. soonersports. com

CommunityArt

OKC Train Show Nov. 2-3 OKC Fairgrounds Lovers of locomotives won't want to miss this exciting expo. okcfairgrounds.com

Edmond International Festival Nov. 9 Edmond Festival Market Head to the Edmond Festival Market Place for an enriching cultural experience, established in 1975 at the University of Central Oklahoma. uco.edu

Second OHOF Saturdays

Nov. 9 Oklahoma Hall of Fame Second Oklahoma Hall of Fame Saturdays invite families to learn about an Oklahoma Hall of Fame member with crafts and activities. oklahomahof.com

OKC Renaissance Festival Nov. 9-10 OKC Fairgrounds Enjoy the beauty of times past at this community event based upon Scottish traditions. okcfairgrounds.com

OKC Zoo Safari Lights Nov. 9-Jan. 1 Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden This winter, go wild and fill your holiday season with the magic of light. okczoo.org

Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival Nov. 12 Mickey Mantle Plaza Kick off the holiday season at the Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival, one of the most anticipated events of Downtown in December. downtownindecember. com

Red Earth Treefest Nov. 15Dec. 31 BancFirst Tower Celebrate the holiday season by viewing Christmas trees created and decorated by Oklahoma Native Tribes during the annual Red Earth Treefest. redearth.org

Charitable Events

Red Feather Gala Nov.

1 Oklahoma City Convention Center Join Oklahoma City Indian Clinic for a Night of fun and culture at OKC's premier Native American fundraising event. okcic.com

The Campfire Gala Nov.

8 OKC Farmers Market Grab your flannels and pull up your boots

and join the fun at the annual Campfire Gala benefitting Twin Cedars. camptwincedars.org

Bingo for Babies Nov. 9 OKC Golf and Country Club Dust off your flapper dresses and zoot suits for the 11th annual Bingo for Babies benefiting Infant Crisis Services. infantcrisis.org

Oklahoma Israel Exchange (OKIE) Gala Nov. 19 First Americans Museum Visit this annual gala that benefits the Oklahoma Israel Exchange. okisraelexchange.com

Oklahoma Project Woman's Celebrate Pink Nov.

21 Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club Visit this event and enjoy a luncheon to benefit Oklahoma Project Woman and its mission to provide breast healthcare to the uninsured. oklahomapr

Paseo Arts Awards

Dinner Nov. 21 City and State Each year the Paseo Arts Association honors artists and art supporters who have made a strong contribution to the arts in our state at the Paseo Arts Awards Dinner & Silent Auction. thepaseo.org

THE STATE Performances

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical Nov. 6-7 McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, Stillwater An uplifting comeback story like no other, Tina – The Tina

COMMUNITY

Turner Musical is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll. mcknightcenter.org

Esperanza Spalding Nov. 15 McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, Stillwater Esperanza Spalding's work interweaves various combinations of instrumental music, improvisation, singing, storytelling and more. mcknightcenter.org

Craig Taborn Nov. 19 McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, Stillwater Craig Taborn has been performing piano and electronic music in the jazz music scene for twenty-five years. mcknightcenter.org

An Evening with Vince Gill Nov. 22 McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, Stillwater One of the most popular artists in modern country music, Vince Gill is famous for his top-notch songwriting, world-class guitar playing and warm, soaring tenor, all wrapped up in a quick and easy wit. mcknightcenter.org

Pollard Theatre presents:

A Territorial Christmas

Carol Nov. 22-Dec. 22 Pollard Threatre, Guthrie Watch this beloved adaptation of the Charles Dickens' classic come to life on the Pollard stage in the heart of Guthrie. The whole family will enjoy this production adapted by Stephen Scott. travelok.com

Concerts

The Black Crowes with Big Sugar Nov. 14 Choctaw Casino

Community Events for All

November's community calendar is jam-packed.

and Resort, Durant 15 years after their last album of original music, the Robinson Brothers present Happiness Bastards – their 10th studio album. choctawcasinos. com

Ice Cube Nov. 15 Choctaw Casino and Resort, Durant These days, Ice Cube appears more in movies as an actor than as a musician putting down new records, but he still finds time to tour a stage show that’s filled with some of the biggest hits in hip-hop history. choctawcasinos.com

Jelly Roll Nov. 15 Winstar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville The 6-time CMT Award Winner and 2023 CMA New Artist of the Year, Jelly Roll scored his first Billboard Hot 100 hit in 2022 with the country-rock crossover single “Son of a Sinner." winstar.com

TESLA Nov. 16 Choctaw Casino and Resort, Durant TESLA may have been born in the mid 80s, but their bluesy, soulful sound is strongly embedded in the roots of organic, authentic, 1970s rock and roll. choctawcasinos.com

Cody Jinks with Jason Boland and the Stragglers Nov. 22 Choctaw Casino and Resort, Durant Seeing Cody Jinks onstage, you get a sense of what it must’ve felt like to catch outlaw country legends like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson back in the 1970s. choctawcasinos.com

Sarah Brightman Nov. 29 Winstar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville Now

an annual tradition, and in celebration of the most wonderful time of year, the world’s biggestselling soprano and legendary Grammy-Award-nominated artist Sarah Brightman returns with her tour this November. winstar.com

Sports

Oklahoma State University

Football Nov. 2, 23 Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater The Cowboys are back in action with football games galore. okstate. com

World Senior Professional Bull Riders Finals Nov. 7-9 Stephens County Fairgrounds, Duncan Witness Western heritage firsthand during the World Senior Professional Bull Riders Finals in Duncan. wspbr.com

Community

Choctaw Powwow Nov. 1-3 Choctaw Event Center, Durant Plan to attend this three-day event to witness traditional gourd dances and see who is crowned the latest princess. choctawnation.com

McAlester Makers Grillmarks RibToberfest Nov. 2 Spaceship Earth Coffee, McAlester Grillmarks Ribtoberfest is a fun-filled day of food competitions, live music and Oktoberfeststyle beer in downtown McAlester. grillmarksfestival. com

Will Rogers Day

Parade Nov. 2 Downtown

Claremore This year, the parade's theme is "Will Rogers for President" and attendees are encouraged to have fun with the lighthearted theme. willrogers. com

Freedman History Living History Program Nov. 7-9 Fort Gibson Historic Site Don't miss the "Freedman History" living history program at the Fort Gibson Historic Site this November. okhistory.org

Veterans Day Parade Nov. 9 Main St., Eufaula Spend the morning honoring our nation's veterans. travelok.com

Chickasha Festival of Light Nov. 23-Dec. 31 Shannon Springs Park, Chickasha Recognized as one of the top holiday light shows in the nation, the Chickasha Festival of Light features over 3.5 million twinkling lights in Shannon Springs Park. travelok.com

Yukon Ice Rink Nov. 23-Jan. 5 500 W. Vandament Ave. Part of Yukon's Christmas in the Park event, the Yukon Ice Rink welcomes skaters of all ages. yukonicerink.com

Woolaroc Wonderland of Lights Nov. 29-Dec. 22 Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve, Barlesville Embark on a winter adventure to the Woolaroc Ranch, Museum & Wildlife Preserve near Bartlesville for the annual Woolaroc Wonderland of Lights. woolaroc.org

In Tulsa, start the month at the PAC to hear Father Greg Boyle speak, courtesy Tulsa Town Hall. If you’re still in the Halloween spirit, head to the Pumpkin Festival at Shepherd’s Cross through Nov. 9. You can sign up for or spectate at the Williams Route 66 Marathon, Nov. 23-24 in downtown Tulsa. And of course, holiday fun kicks off this month: Rhema Christmas Lights at Broken Arrow’s Rhema Bible College runs Nov. 27-Jan. 1; the Tulsa Botanic Garden of Lights runs Nov. 29-Dec. 30; and the Philbrook Festival runs through Dec. 29. Arvest Winterfest, with ice skating, carriage rides and light displays, is also happening Nov. 29-Jan. 6. Vist the OKC Fairgrounds for the OKC Train Show, Nov. 2-3. The Edmond International Festival is a can’t-miss event, Nov. 9 at the Edmond Festival Market, as well as the OKC Renaissance Festival, Nov. 9-10 at the OKC Fairgrounds. Holiday fun abounds with the OKC Zoo Safari Lights from Nov. 9-Jan. 1; the Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival, Nov. 12 at Mickey Mantle Plaza; and the Red Earth Treefest, Nov. 15-Dec. 31 at BancFirst Tower.

Don’t miss the Will Rogers Day Parade, Nov. 2 in downtown Claremore, and the Veterans Day Parade, Nov. 9 on Eufaula’s Main Street. Two light shows include Chickasha Festival of Light, Nov. 23-Dec. 31 at Shannon Springs Park, and Woolaroc Wonderland of Lights, Nov. 29-Dec. 22 at Woolaroc Wildlife Preserve in Bartlesville.

WILLIAMS ROUTE 66 MARATHON

Photo courtesy Williams Route 66 Marathon

November’s Best Bets

As the year starts coming to a close, cinema heats up.

November arrives with a smattering of genres to sink your teeth into. Although there are no Thanksgiving themed films (where is the much needed Christmas with the Kranks sequel Kranksgiving?), there are plenty of other excellent options to get out of the house for.

If you’re looking for a one location drama, don’t miss Here. Taking place in exactly one spot, from the distant past into the future, the film is adapted from a six-page comic strip by Richard McGuire released in 1989. The film, like the strip, depicts life from a singular angle spanning over many years – not all of them involving human beings. The cast includes Tom Hanks, Robin Wright (House of Cards), Paul Bettany (WandaVision), Kelly Reilly (Yellowstone), and Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey) and is directed by Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump). The film uses generative AI to age the actors up and down, so we’ll see how everything pans out when it hits the big screen on Nov. 1. For a psychological thriller involving the papacy, look no further than Conclave. Based on the book of the same name by Robert Harris, the film finds Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes, The Grand Budapest Hotel) in charge of putting together the election of a new Pope following the death of the previous. However, he winds up discovering secrets about the former head of the church and must decide what to do with them. The film also stars Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones), John Lithgow (3rd Rock from the Sun), and Isabella Rossellini (Blue Velvet). Directed by Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front), it looks to be a taut thriller with twists and turns akin to his other novel-turned-film The Ghost Writer. Hopefully the puzzle pieces fit together when it releases on Nov. 1.

If you want a comedy drama with two scene chewing leads, check out A Real Pain. Starring Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) and Kieran Culkin (Succession) as David and Benji Kaplin, the mismatched cousins come together for a trip through Poland to honor their beloved, recently

deceased grandmother. Written and directed by Eisenberg, the film has garnered top marks from early screenings as a funny and emotionally resonant dramedy with great writing and acting. It also hits theaters on –you guessed it – Nov. 1.

For your horror fix, strap in for Heretic. Following two Mormon missionaries played by Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets) and Chloe East (Generation) the plot finds them trying to convert Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant) before realizing he has a much more sinister plan to test their faith. Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, writers of the original A Quiet Place, the trailer shows off a spooky atmosphere and fun set design to go along with what looks to be a very promising story. Produced by A24 – usually a good sign – it releases on Nov. 15.

Lastly, for the love of God, watch Slow Horses. It’s the best thing on television

and is so poorly advertised that people straight up don’t know it exists. Gary Oldman is masterful, the spy thriller vibes are immaculate, and the characters are all outstanding. All four seasons thus far are on Apple TV+.

DREW JOSEPH ALLEN

Cathleen LeBeau

With a combined 55 years of medical experience, Utica Square Skin Care is the longeststanding skin care clinic in Tulsa for over 30 years!

A Real Pain; photo courtesy Searchlight Pictures

Closing Thoughts

Barbara Beaton

General manager of the Oklahoma City Convention Center, Barbara Beaton oversees all management, promotion and operations for the 200,000-square-foot exhibit hall, 45,000-square-foot meeting space and 30,000-square-foot ballroom. Beaton has worked within ASM Global, the facility’s management company, for nearly two decades. After graduating from the University of Tulsa, she began her career in convention sales for Tulsa’s Chamber of Commerce. She also worked for Houston’s NRG Park, the Fort Worth Convention Center and the Fort Worth Convention Bureau before taking on this position in 2022. We caught up with Beaton and got her thoughts on ...

... what drew her to the position.

I have spent the majority of my over 30year career in venue sales and management, most recently in Houston before returning to Oklahoma in 2019. When I was offered the opportunity by ASM Global, our management company, to be a part of the new OKC Convention Center management, I jumped at it. I grew up in Tulsa and graduated from the University of Tulsa. So I have always been an Oklahoman, regardless of where I lived. I was familiar with the MAPS program and very impressed with the progressiveness of OKC. I knew managing the new OKCCC was destined to be my ultimate career move.

... how the OKCCC positively impacts the state.

We had 191,105 in attendance at OKCCC events in FY25 [fiscal year, ending 6/30] which contributed $27.6 million in direct spending/economic impact for the city. We also host a variety of local events including nonprofit galas for Allied Arts, Anna’s House, and more, which positively impacts the city. We are excited to host the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for the first time this year.

... her day-to-day.

Every day is different in my position as general manager. I regularly meet with our executive team, as well as other staff, and attend our logistics meetings to plan for upcoming events. Making sure that our excellent OKCCC team has the building “show ready” for events is my primary focus on a day-to-day basis. I work closely with my primary contact with the City of OKC, owner of OKCCC, to make certain we are meeting their expectations.

... her favorite moments on the job.

When I seek out the clients hosting the events in our building and ask them how their event is going. It is very rewarding to hear wonderful compliments about our staff and the venue. But I always want to hear if there are improvements they recommend. My proudest accomplishment is receiving positive post-event survey results from our clients with nice comments about our staff. We have an average of 9.3 out of 10 satisfactions consistently, which is a testament to our dedication to outstanding customer ser-

vice. This is what drives repeat events, of which we have many.

... events she’s looking forward to hosting.

While it is very important to be a venue for local association, corporate and nonprofit events, the future looks very bright in the coming years for nationally attended conventions and events, which provides a huge economic impact for OKC. Just to mention a couple, the USA Gymnastics return in 2026 and the American Farm Bureau Federation National Convention in 2028. There are many more of these events to come!

... any ‘dream events’ she’d like to host.

We’d love to host more national corporate events. We have a few prospects in the works and that is very exciting to me.

... her team.

Our fabulous team members here at OKCCC are second to none. They work hard, are dedicated to excellent customer service, and I’m so proud to work with them every day.

Photo courtesy OKCCC