Tu l s a ISSUE II 2015
™
M A G A Z I N E
Tulsa on
TWO
WHEELS
A GATHERING PLACE for Tulsa
Table of Contents
3 First
After college, Rob Key worked for his father’s company repairing airplanes. What Key didn’t know then is that those experiences would prove valuable as his career transitioned from repairing things to creating them. Since Key started crafting ornamental ironwork, he has sketched, designed and hand-forged countless masterpieces.
10 A Gathering Place For Tulsa
A dream more than seven years in the making, A Gathering Place broke ground in September. When finished, the park will span more than 100 acres in central Tulsa and serve as a place for Tulsans to play, celebrate and gather together.
18 Tulsa On Two Wheels
In the last decade, cycling in Oklahoma has let off the brake, steering full speed into the mainstream. As more people begin pedaling, interest grows, bike shops and other related businesses surface and races and cycling events become increasingly popular.
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Health
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ISSUE II 2015
Nature
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Tu l s a ™
M A G A Z I N E
PRESIDENT AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR DANIEL SCHUMAN PUBLISHER AND FOUNDER VIDA K. SCHUMAN MANAGING EDITOR JAMI MATTOX EDITORIAL ASSISTANT BRITTANY ANICETTI CONTRIBUTING EDITORS JOHN WOOLEY, TARA MALONE, MEGAN MORGAN GRAPHICS MANAGER MARK ALLEN Tulsa’s cycling community is a thriving culture of competitive and amateur riders.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER BEN ALBRECHT DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST JAMES AVERY ADVERTISING/OFFICE ASSISTANT JENNIFER LANDRUM ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE CARIE GONZALES
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS NATALIE GREEN, CHRIS HUMPHREY, NATHAN HARMON, SCOTT MILLER, DAN MORGAN, BRANDON SCOTT CONTACT US
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Fave
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Red Ribbon Gala
Please save the date for Red Ribbon Gala benefitting Tulsa CARES. Honoring Patricia Chernicky Event Chairmen, Ryan Jude Tanner and Jay Krottinger
February 27, 2016 Cox Business Center
Visit redribbongala.org for more details.
first The Key To Design
A
DESIGNER ROB KEY CRAFTS DOORS, STAIR RAILINGS, BALCONIES AND GATES FROM IRON. PHOTOS BY NATHAN HARMON.
Ironwork crafter Rob Key discusses his passion that pairs form and function.
fter working on “Billionaire’s Row” in West Palm Beach, Fla., for five years crafting custom architectural ironwork for some of the nation’s most luxurious homes, nothing much phases Rob Key, owner of Rob Key Designs in Tulsa.
He spent several months creating ornamental iron stair rails, decorative gates and bronze grills over the windows for a 64,000-square-foot, $107 million home that at the time was the most expensive newconstruction home in America. The
wealthy neighbors included an eclectic mix of the rich and famous, from Rush Limbaugh to Rod Stewart. Key worked on Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, the 114-room villa originally built over four years in the 1920s by Marjorie Merriweather Post. He also spent time creating custom ironwork for the home of the late Malcolm Glazer, former owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was quite an adventure for the tall, lanky kid who grew up in the small town of Oilton, Okla. “At that point in my life, everything was about basketball,” he laughs. Key played college ball but now laments the fact that the small school he attended didn’t offer any arts courses. After college, he headed back home to work for his father’s
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FIRST company. He learned welding while overhauling turbine engines used in aviation and received experience handling the exotic metals those repairs required. He eventually became a Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welder and was certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. But after awhile, Key was ready to move on, and for nearly five years he ran his own FAA repair company and worked on virtually every part required to hold an airplane together. “And that process required exact precision,” says Key. It was Sept. 11, 2001, that changed the trajectory of his career. The terrorist attacks that day took a toll on the aviation industry and caused Key to consider other uses for his extensive experience in ironwork. It’s what eventually led him to transition his iron skills into crafting ornamental ironwork in Florida. “I knew how to weld. This experience taught me how to forge. I came to art late in life,” says Key. Once he grasped his passion for design, he continued to push himself. Key says he loves the artistic and creative process. “Instead of repairing something, I was creating something,” Key says. He began sketching designs that he would hand-forge into distinctive ironwork. In 2005, Key moved back to Oklahoma from Florida, unsure of what he was going to do. “My brother owned a flooring company, so I helped him out when he needed it,” says Key. During that time, he met contractors around Tulsa. He rented 1,000 square feet of space in Bixby. He exhibited examples of his work in a Parade of Homes tour, and within a few months he expanded his workspace to 7,000 square feet and hired three employees. He primarily produced ornamental stair railings, balconies and gates. “Then I started making doors, and all of a sudden we had to double our space,” he adds. His doors serve as entrances to homes in Oklahoma as well as Arkansas, Kansas and Texas. “I’ve even shipped a set of doors to Brooklyn,” he adds.
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KEY’S DESIGNS HAVE BEEN SHIPPED TO HOMES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. EACH DESIGN CARRIES HIS SIGNATURE (BELOW).
Interior designer Kent Oellien, owner of Oellien Design, Inc., in Tulsa, has nothing but accolades for Key after working with him on several projects. “Rob is a master genius at his trade,” says Oellien. “Trusting in the quality of his product allows us to glide through the job.” Key hand-sketches all his designs and excels working in various styles, from traditional scrolls influenced by English, French and Spanish designs; to the clean lines of transitional and modern styles. “It’s the simple designs that really showcase Rob’s talent,” says Oellien. “There is no place to hide any flaws.” What also distinguishes Key’s work from others is that none of his products are pre-fabricated. Everything is hand-forged, beginning with the raw iron ore that is heated to 2,300 degrees to become malleable. Each piece is then hammered by hand into a pattern. Key has also cultivated his affinity for art into a series of metal-crafted sculptures, mainly for his own enjoyment. And although he’s only had a couple of small shows, he has been contacted by designers from New York City who are looking at his sculptures for high-end hotel clients. Key is most excited about a new
expansion of his business. “I am building a spec house in southeast Tulsa,” he says. The style is transitional to modern with large, open areas framed with his hand-crafted iron windows and sleek iron doors. It’s a style he and his wife, Melissa, preferred for their custom home; Key crafted a stunning open iron staircase with a glassed-in wine storage space tucked under the stairs. Typically, Key doesn’t craft iron furniture or accessories, but he made the exception for his own house and created a custom wine rack. As Key reflects on how his business has thrived, he is mindful of the constant process to give energy and detail to each and every ironwork project. Key continues to transform his passion for ironwork he discovered years ago. TAMARA LOGSDON HAWKINSON
SUNGLASSES OF 2015
on the List There are six restaurants in Oklahoma that make the cut when it comes to wine, according to the latest issue of Wine Spectator. The publication, which annually publishes Restaurant Awards that highlight restaurants around the world that offer the best wine selections, selected Boulevard Steakhouse & Martini Lounge, Museum Café and Opus Prime Steakhouse, all in Oklahoma City; and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Polo Grill and Prhyme Downtown Steakhouse, all in Tulsa, to receive this year’s recognition. A total of 2,563 restaurants were selected for this year’s Restaurant Awards. In Oklahoma, two restaurants – Opus Prime and Polo Grill – additionally received the Best of Award of Excellence, which recognizes restaurants with wine lists that display vintage depth or excellent breadth across several regions.
TULSA TRANSIT
Pair your swimsuit or outfit with Hicks Brunson’s top summer pick: Sama Bianca sunglasses in gold Japanese titanium with paradise lenses, $495, Hicks Brunson.
Time for the Circulator
Tulsa Transit recently launched its latest downtown circulator, The Loop, a bus that will run Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. A sleek, black exterior, sporting LED lights and a sound system within, The Loop, previously known as the downtown trolley, costs 25 cents to ride; if you show your receipt from a downtown business, the ride is free. For more information, visit www.tulsatransit.com.
FISHING FOR THE RECORD
In August 2012, angler Howard Zummer reeled in the largest longnose, or needlenose, gar ever caught in the state. The whopper weighed in at 43 pounds, 8 ounces, was 64.5 inches long and was caught at Lake Eufaula. The prehistoric fish is located in freshwater lakes throughout the central states and has been in North America for about 100 million years. SEPTEMBER 2015 | WWW.TULSAMAGAZINE.COM
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YO U R H E A L T H
Beyond The Flu Shot
Decide what adult immunizations are right for you.
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very year we’re reminded to get the flu shot in hopes of bypassing the nasty bug. For many, it’s the one vaccine they keep up with and receive regularly. However, there are a few more vaccines you may want to consider. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a variety of immunizations for adults – 19 and older – for the prevention of several potentially severe illnesses. To know whether or not a vaccine is appropriate for you, begin with a visit with your physician. “It’s important for patients to talk with their doctor about which vaccines are right for them based on
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their age, occupation and lifestyle,” says Dr. Andrea Miller, an internal medicine physician at Mercy Clinic Primary Care in Oklahoma City. “There are varying recommendations from various sources, but I don’t like to provide a general recommendation to all of my patients. Since each patient is unique, physicians must consider patients’ individual needs and concerns.” She adds that it’s important for patients to know if a vaccination is a one-time dose providing life-long immunity, or if it’s part of a series, because some vaccines require a booster. “Most people don’t keep track of their vaccination records, but it’s actually very important. It can keep you from being revaccinated
CDC IMMUNIZATION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADULTS Some of the CDC recommended immunizations for adults 19 years and older include the following:
Influenza
Andrews encourages her patients to get the flu vaccine in October. “Although the strains of the flu virus may vary year to year, October is usually a good month to begin vaccinations regardless,” she says. “If you get vaccinated too early, say in August, the influenza vaccine may not be effective for the entirety of the flu season.”
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Td/ Tdap)
A common but often forgotten vaccine is the Td/Tdap. The CDC recommends a one-time dose of Tdap, then a Td booster every 10 years. “The Tdap is a preventative vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, or whooping cough,” says Miller. “We often see caregivers and grandparents who are going to be around infants come in to get their booster, because whooping cough can be very serious for young children.” and save you a lot of trouble when something comes up and you need to know if your vaccinations are upto-date,” she says. “Having your records on file may also save you from having a blood test to learn what vaccines you’ve already received.” Dr. Sarah Andrews, an internal medicine physician at Utica Park Clinic in Tulsa, also emphasizes the benefit of maintaining current health records. “I think all patients should keep an accurate record of all their medical problems, surgeries, medications, etc., including vaccination history,” she says. “It is imperative to remember adverse reactions to vaccines or any medication.” REBECCA FAST
Varicella and Zoster
A virus that affects both young and old is the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chicken pox in children and shingles in adults. “Once you’ve had chicken pox, the virus stays in the body. As you age, your immune system may be less effective, and because viruses are opportunists, it can reactivate as shingles,” says Miller. “I recommend the shingles vaccine to my patients because the timing and location of shingles is so unpredictable. The painful rash associated with shingles can have severe and longterm complications. There is also the possibility of chronic nerve pain, which requires prolonged treatment and pain management.”
Meningococcal
According to the CDC, the meningococcal vaccines help protect against most types of meningococcal disease with a recommendation of one or more doses. “Most people receive this vaccine during childhood, but it is recommended for adults,” says Miller. “College students, anyone living in a dormitory, patients who had a splenectomy or people with a compromised immune system are most at risk.”
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) and Pneumococcal
In regard to the MMR vaccine, the CDC states that “generally, anyone 18 years of age or older who was born after 1956 should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, unless they can show they have either been vaccinated or had all three diseases.” The pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for anyone over 65 or under 65 if they have a chronic medical condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, heart disease, etc.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
There are 40 strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), and the HPV vaccine is a preventative for the most common types of HPV that may cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Three doses of the vaccine are recommended for men and women between the ages of 19 and 26.
Hepatitis A and B
For the hepatitis A and B vaccines, individuals should consider criteria, such as age, chronic medical conditions, expected travel, employment settings and other possibilities of exposure to high risk populations.
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Oklahoma is well known for landing on “best of” lists for its business environment and “worst of” lists for health issues, incarceration and other
N AT U R E
SAVING THE MONARCHS
Colorful butterflies that routinely make stops in Oklahoma en route to Mexico are on the decline. The Monarch butterfly, to many, is the most familiar butterfly in the area. Numbers have declined over the past few decades for many reasons, including farmers using pesticides on plants and the decline of certain plants, such as milkweed. Oklahoma isn’t the only state that has noticed the decline in population; efforts are underway throughout the Midwest to protect and preserve the butterfly population. Earlier this year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a statement saying that the “monarch serves as an indicator of the health of pollinators and the American landscape. Monarch declines are symptomatic of environmental problems that pose risks to our food supply, the spectacular natural places that help define our national identity, and our own health.” According to the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture, located in Poteau, planting milkweed may help sustain and possibly grow the monarch population. For more information on milkweed’s impact on monarchs, or for guidelines in planting a pollinator-friendly landscape, visit www.kerrcenter.com. – Jami Mattox
ACCESSORIZE
Step On It
socioeconomic
factors. According to the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative,
82 percent of
Oklahoma adults have
Strappy sandals add sizzle to any wardrobe.
been married at some point, compared to
73
percent nationally, making the Sooner State No. 1 in the percentage That statistic also spells higher divorce rates for Oklahoma:
32 percent
of adults have divorced, compared to just percent nationally.
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JIMMY CHOO TEXTURED LEATHER SANDALS, $750, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE.
CHICKEN REDUX
There’s good news for our favorite feathered friends of the plains: According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an aerial survey conducted this summer has shown that the endangered Lesser Prairie-chicken’s numbers have increased by 25 percent over the past year. The bird’s ecoregion stretches across five states, including Oklahoma. Let’s hear it for the birds!
PHOTOS BY DAN MORGAN.
of adults who marry.
JIMMY CHOO WOOD-HEELED LEATHER SANDALS, $695, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE.
JIMMY CHOO SNAKESKIN STRAPPY SANDALS, $925, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE.
FOUND A PEANUT
At the 2014 Oklahoma Peanut Convention, plant researchers and pathologists introduced the OLe’ peanut, a new variety of the traditional Spanish peanut that is grown throughout Oklahoma and Texas. The variety was developed by peanut breeders in Stillwater and grown on Oklahoma State University test plots. According to Kelly Chamberlin, a USDA research biologist, the new variety is prized for its high oleic acid content, which makes the peanuts healthier and have a longer shelf life than regular Spanish peanuts. “Spanish peanuts are mainly used in canned nuts and candies where
peanuts are one of the main ingredients,” she says. “In the past five years, seed stocks of high oleic Spanish peanuts in the Southwest have become severely contaminated with normal oleic peanuts, making them undesirable to the manufacturers.” The OLe’ variety is 100 percent pure high oleic and is resistant to two fungal diseases commonly found in peanut fields in the Southwest. Chamberlin adds that the OLe’ variety has a high roasted peanut score and has been sent to several large food manufacturers, including Hershey, for sensory and nutritional analysis. “All results have been overwhelmingly positive regarding the flavor profile and nutritional composition of the OLe’ peanuts,” she says. “Peanut lovers, farmers and the environment will all benefit from OLe’.”
CHANEL BLUE SUNGLASSES, $349, VISIONS UNIQUE EYE & SUNWEAR. RAY BAN VELVET SUNGLASSES, $135, HICKS BRUNSON EYEWEAR.
COLOR
A Good Case of the Blues
Make your outfit pop with a colorful pair of sunglasses.
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FOR TULSA By Jami Mattox
An effort spearheaded by the George Kaiser Family Foundation will provide 100 acres of park land for Tulsans to enjoy.
RENDERINGS OF THE FUTURE RIVERFRONT PARK REVEAL THE VISION OF A GATHERING PLACE AS A NATURE-RICH ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY. IMAGE COURTESY A GATHERING PLACE.
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T
hriving communities are anchored by centralized parks. It is this conclusion from the George Kaiser Family Foundation that became the basis for A Gathering Place, a large park under construction along Tulsa’s Arkansas River bank that will include more than 100 acres of riverfront space when complete.
According to David Graham, an account coordinator with Saxum public relations firm, the George Kaiser Family Foundation has partnered with numerous corporate and community philanthropists to fund the project, which the foundation hopes will have a positive cultural, economic and ecological impact on the city. The George Kaiser Family Foundation and its community partners will work together to create the $350 million park. With what is believed to be the largest gift to a public park in U.S. history, GKFF donated ownership of A Gathering Place to the Tulsa River Parks Authority; the River Parks Authority will be responsible for long-term operational and management responsibilities. The hope for the park, which runs along Riverside Drive from 26th Street to 33rd Place, is that it will complement existing urban amenities and strengthen the connections between Tulsa and the natural environment. The model for the park was unveiled in June 2013. Ideas were submitted for the park from the public and are reflected in the design, which is by Michael Van Valkenburgh and Associates, a Dallas firm that specializes in urban projects. Oklahomabased Manhattan Construction will manage the construction of the park. “The design for A Gathering Place was heavily influenced from public input gathered at public meetings early in project planning,” says Jeff Stava, executive director of Tulsa’s Gathering Place, LLC. “More than 1,400 ideas were submitted, and many are reflected in the final park design. This park will truly belong to Tulsans and will be an asset for the current and future generations. The diverse features in A Gathering Place will
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JEFF STAVA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TULSA’S GATHERING PLACE, LLC, STANDS ON LAND NEAR RIVERSIDE DRIVE THAT EVENTUALLY WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO A GATHERING PLACE. PHOTO BY NATALIE GREEN.
ABOVE: CHILDREN PLAYED A LARGE PART IN SEPTEMBER’S GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR A GATHERING PLACE. PHOTOS COURTESY A GATHERING PLACE.
CURRENT GATHERING PLACE DONORS
Williams Companies, $16 million QuikTrip, $12.5 million
Chapman Foundations, $10 million ONEOK, $10 million $5 million: Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation; Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P.; Nadel and Gussman Energy, LLC; F.W. Murphy Family Foundation; Peggy and Charles Stephenson; The Helmerich Trust; Joe Craft; The Zinke Family; SemGroup Corporation and Bank of Oklahoma. $3 million: Kathy S. Craft, Unit Corporation, Laredo Petroleum, Manhattan Construction/Rooney Families and AAON, Inc. $2 million: The Zarrow Foundations $1.5 million: Thomas Families, Susan & William and Jill & Robert and John Steele Zink Foundation. $1 million: Bumgarner Family Foundation, J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, Stephen and Shelley Jackson Family Foundation, Linda & Stuart Price and Family, Pam and Tom Russell, Omni Air International, Bonnie Klein, Dekraai Family Fund and Grace and Franklin Bernsen Foundation. Other significant donors to the Gathering Place project include Sarah and John Graves, Stuart Family Foundation, John Smith, Ernie Kivisto/Jane Ann Maconi Kivisto, Bryan Close, Peter M. Walter, Ed and Kathy Leinbach, Jackie and Bob Poe and Chickasaw Nation.
A RENDERING PROJECTS WHAT A GATHERING PLACE WILL LOOK LIKE WITHIN TULSA’S EXISTING STRUCTURE. IMAGE COURTESY A GATHERING PLACE.
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create a park that young Tulsans will grow and develop in. Our vision is for A Gathering Place to be an inclusive space that all citizens feel welcome to experience year after year.” With park development underway since the September 2014 groundbreaking ceremony, the 66.5-acre Phase I is estimated to be completed near the end of 2017. Information regarding project updates, photos, upcoming events and renderings can be found online at agatheringplacefortulsa.com.
A Positive Impact
The current site provides opportunity in the form of property, green space and proximity to Tulsa’s Arkansas River riverfront, says Stava. “The park design leverages these opportunities by seamlessly unifying three previously separate parcels of land with the existing River Parks system, creating a dynamic and active park space,” he says. “This unique, continuous space will be created by two massive land bridges that [will] provide the heart of the new park and serve as a recreational connection between the city and the riverfront park systems. “Not only will this allow visitors to reach and experience all areas of the park safely, it will afford Tulsans access to the Arkansas Riverfront like never before. Every aspect of the park is designed to be built intentionally to create learning opportunities for children and visitors.
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A RENDERING PROJECTS WHAT A GATHERING PLACE WILL LOOK LIKE WITHIN TULSA’S EXISTING STRUCTURE. IMAGE COURTESY A GATHERING PLACE.
TULSA MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
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A RENDERING PROJECTS WHAT A GATHERING PLACE WILL LOOK LIKE WITHIN TULSA’S EXISTING STRUCTURE. IMAGE COURTESY A GATHERING PLACE.
Major playground equipment within the park will be designed by Monstrum, based in Denmark, and Richter based in Germany. A Gathering Place will be the first U.S. based project for Monstrum, [which] creates highly imaginative playground environments,” he adds. No doubt A Gathering Place will provide new opportunities for Tulsa residents in terms of entertainment and outdoor activities, but the park is also expected to have a large economic impact, as well. According to Graham, in a 2013 study it was projected that 580,000 visitors will patronize and experience the park annually. During the construction phase, more than 1,600 local construction jobs will be supported, and an estimated $460 million will be spent locally as a result of construction. Once A Gathering Place is completed, the park will support approximately 35 permanent jobs; and annual economic output for park operations is estimated to be in excess of $3.4 million. “George Kaiser Family Foundation, corporate and community philanthropists and the Tulsa River Parks Authority are committed to creating a vibrant park to serve as a cornerstone to our city,” says Stava. “With design developed from community input, every aspect of this project is meant to improve the life of Tulsans and citizens in the surrounding communities...Along with our partners, we feel confident in the project we have begun, and the end result will enhance our community for generations to come.”
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Tulsa On Two Wheels
When Ann Walton sat on the saddle of a Schwinn bicycle 15 years ago, her memory was flooded with the good feeling of riding a bike again. She had ridden regularly as a young woman, but she forgot the feeling of freedom that comes with riding a bike until she began pedaling on the Schwinn, which belonged to a client of her personal training studio. “It felt like there could have been a book written about me called A Girl And Her Bike,” Walton recalls.
Now a spin instructor and director of St. John Siegfried Health Club, Walton still shares her experience with others who may have forgotten what freedom feels like on the saddle of a bike. Bicycling today is a popular and growing hobby among Oklahomans.
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Whether for fun, for health or for stress relief, residents are strapping on helmets and taking to streets and trails for fun and for exercise. The culture surrounding cycling is also growing in Tulsa. With the annual Saint Francis Tulsa Tough event bringing thousands into downtown to celebrate the sport each June, the interest in cycling and demand for the latest and greatest technologies in gear and equipment have never been greater. It was with this in mind that Oklahoma Magazine looks into the culture of cycling. We talk to several cyclists who take to the pedals for various reasons. We also explore what is being done to make Tulsa a more bicycle-friendly city and discuss Tulsa Tough and the culture surrounding its descent onto downtown Tulsa each year. – Jami Mattox
Public perception does not seem to view Tulsa as a bikefriendly city. In reality, the League of American Bicyclists officially named the Tulsa region as a Bicycle Friendly Community due to the more than 100 miles of extensive trails connecting most suburbs and all converging toward downtown – with more “bicylification” just ahead. James Wagner is dismissive of the mile and a half he commutes by bike to his job as the Indian Nation Council on Government (INCOG) principal transportation planner. “I’m not hardcore, spandex wearing,” he says. He knows folks who pedal themselves many miles to work and tally more every weekend. But exactly how every person on a bicycle fares on Tulsa’s street and back roads is very much on his mind. “We were chosen as bronze-level Bicycle Friendly also due to our Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee for the entire region,” says Wagner. “It’s led by professional bike racer Nathan Leigh and recognized by the City of Tulsa. Winning the friendly designation also meant receiving suggestions for improvements including educating the community about the three-foot-passing law because too many motorists don’t know that they should stay a minimum of three feet away from cyclists.” Wagner has led INCOG’s bicycle-themed promotions for many years, including Bike To Work Week the second week of May each year. New endeavors include bicycle commuter trains, which are comprised of cyclists who meet at predetermined times and locations and travel en masse to help those who are new to bicycle commuting. He also looks ahead to some ambitious plans to help Tulsa ascend up the ranks from “bronze” Bicycle Friendly up to “gold” or even “platinum.” The Go Plan project is a $4 million City of Tulsa Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan to identify projects that will increase friendliness between bicyclists and motorists in the metro area. It lays out where bike lanes should be
and where new trails are needed to connect to existing trails. The plan is currently in the prioritization phase, but Wagner says the first new bike-friendly revamping will likely occur on Third Street downtown all the way to connect to east Tulsa. This is already a very low traffic volume area, so reducing the number of motorist lanes to add a bike lane will be easy. Wagner and team have just finished a business plan for a Bike Share program. A limited Bike Share – mostly for leisure – currently exists where users can simply rent a bike from a Bike Station. INCOG envisions Bike Share as expanded to accommodate those who want to use the bikes to commute. The program is in the fundraising phase and will come together as a result of donations and grants, he says. The Bike Share program will be integrated with Go Plan recommendations, and eventually a person could be linked to easily ride from many Tulsa locales to the downtown area. The plans will also link up The Gathering Place to the overall connectivity. If there is one thing that bicyclists wish motorists would understand, Wagner says, it is that bicycles are considered a vehicle by state law. “Folks often wonder why cyclists don’t ride on sidewalks,” Wagner says. “Studies show that it is much safer on the street because, for example, someone backing out of a driveway is tending to look for a fast-moving object like a bicycle. In several areas it isn’t even legal to ride your bike on a sidewalk. Let’s share the road!” – Tracy LeGrand
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Rent-A-Bike
No bicycle? No problem! Thanks to Tulsa Townies, a bike rental service, Tulsans can take advantage of the area’s biking trails without investing in expensive equipment. Seventy-five bicycles are available for rent at the city’s cycle stations located along Riverside at 19th Street, 41st Street and in Jenks at 96th Street. Though rentals are free, a credit card is required. The bikes, provided by the Warren Medical Research Foundation, are pink in honor of Saint Francis Health System, as well as to prevent theft. For more information about bike rental as well as maps of trails, visit www.tulsa-townies.com. – Jami Mattox
Pedals And Pours Like most bike bars, Soundpony is a clubhouse for its community of cyclists of the pedaling kind, though all are welcome. With a birthday party in May that celebrated its ninth year, Soundpony fans filled the space to cheers their favorite hangout spot. An environment that nods to the lifestyles of owners Mike Wozniak and Josh Gifford, who attended the University of Oklahoma together and have always been in the service industry, as well as most of the patrons that enjoy Soundpony – entertaining, cycling, health, community, friendship, fun – its décor and attitude don’t represent a theme successfully pulled off, but rather what fits when creating a meeting place for their friends and other like-minded individuals. “This is our life,” Gifford says. “All this stuff on the walls, it’s not Mike and I’s, it’s all our customers
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bringing us things … we have national championship jerseys in here, those people live in Tulsa.” More than just a place for cyclists to grab a cold brew after a long ride, Soundpony is a supporter of local musicians, which makes for an entertaining evening for its fans while allowing artists to share their music with the masses. And what’s a cyclist bar without a cycling team? Team Soundpony is “an eclectic, all-inclusive, competitive crew of lads and lasses that encourage all participants regardless of skill, age, sex or race,” according to the team. “If you’ve ever ridden a bike before, you can join our team,” Gifford says. The inclusivity and eclectic mix of people that make up its cycling team is exactly what fills Soundpony each day after 4 p.m. 409 N. Main St., Tulsa. www.thesoundpony.com – Brittany Anicetti
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We asked Tulsa cyclists:
What’s one thing that cyclists new to the sport should know?
“Get good shoes. Get good equipment.” – Frank Boyer, Team Isocentric Manager
“Find a bike shop that you like and where you feel you can develop a long-term relationship … You need them to tell you all the things you don’t know. You need them to help you purchase the right size bike and then make the adjustments for you.”– Denis Mink, Tulsa Bicycle Club
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“Get involved in some cycling community. There’s tons of group rides all over Tulsa and Oklahoma, so it’s really important for people to get involved in groups because that’s how they learn to increase their skills and learn from other people how to shift, how to drag, equipment and essential things. I’ve ridden with people all my life, so that’s how I’ve learned how to ride.” – Nancy Karrer, Team Isocentric “Learn how to fix a flat before you actually need to.” – James Holcomb, Tulsa Wheelmen
“Find a group to ride with once a week. You will meet some of the most fascinating people and develop lifelong relationships. There is a group ride for every level in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. If you want to be a successful racer, you need the support of fellow cyclists/teammates, family, friends and most importantly your spouse. Don’t take any of their support for granted.” – Chad Cagle, Tulsa Wheelmen SEPTEMBER 2015 | WWW.TULSAMAGAZINE.COM
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Biking Benefits
When we were children, learning to ride a bike was a rite of passage. We started off with training wheels, then shed them once we learned to balance on two wheels. We would ride for pleasure, for sport and to get from one place to another. Ann Walton, director of St. John Siegfried Health Club in Tulsa, says that the beauty of the bicycle is that it can provide both pleasure and exercise. “The bicycle could kill two birds with one stone,” she says. “It is good for going to work, getting groceries, even if you’re going shopping or visiting a friend. It gets you from point A to point B, and you’re also getting the health benefits the bicycle brings.” Walton says that bicycling works both the upper and lower body as well as provides a cardio workout. It’s ideal for all activity levels. “If you’re overweight, it’s a good activity to get a cardio workout in because it takes weight off your joints,” she says. “Also, for the older population, if they’re suffering from arthritis, it relieves joint inflammation. There are tri-bikes – those with three wheels – if you have balance issues.” For those who prefer to ride indoors, Walton adds that cycling indoors, utilizing stationary bikes or at a spin class, provides just as good a workout as cycling outdoors. “Spinning may improve endurance,” she says. “When you’re outside on a bike, you’re coasting downhill a lot. There is a lot of working, then not having to work. On a stationary bike or during a spin class, you can work a full hour. It’s all about how much you want to challenge yourself.” She recommends that those interested in cycling rent a bike and ride on a flat, level surface for 30 minutes to an hour before investing in a new bicycle and gear. Those interested in beginning a spin class should visit with the instructor 10 to 15 minutes prior to class to learn the basics. – J.M.
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TANNER CULBREATH BIKES TO WORK MOST DAYS OF THE WEEK. PHOTO BY BRANDON SCOTT.
The Cycle Life:
TANNER CULBREATH
For Culbreath, it was a 2004 course in mountain biking at Oral Roberts University that led him to adore the sport and eventually bike competitively for Team Air Assurance. “Now my entire family rides,” he says. “My wife will put our 2-year-old on a strider, and off we go. For adult riding, we go with different groups including the Wednesday Night Riders and Oklahoma Flyers. And I ride to work in about any weather. I find that once I get to my job teaching at Jenks High School from that eight-mile trip from my home, I feel exhilarated. It’s just great to move yourself, to be self-powering. As a high-energy guy, I find it self-medicating to ride and get my heart rate up to get the day really going.” – Tracy LeGrand
Dine DINE
“F PHOTOS BY BRANDON SCOTT
inally! I’ve been waiting six months for this to arrive!” exclaims Mike Bausch, lugging a large box.
Late-afternoon sunlight streams through floor-to-ceiling windows as Bausch unwraps the bundle, revealing a long, tripod-like metal stand. “It’s a palo holder,” he says. The holder helps position the pizza in the oven, though Bausch’s experience makes it almost unnecessary. “I got videos of the world’s greatest pizzaioli using the oven, and I spent three months watching them, over and over. Then I started to practice,” he says. Bausch has advanced so far in the science of pizza that sometimes you need an interpreter to understand what he’s saying. “Most people think the grade of flour is important,” he says. “But what’s most important is the ‘W’ factor. That measures the elasticity of the matrix formed when the proteins in the dough bond together.” Bausch’s family grew up on the hardscrabble streets of Manhattan’s lower west side. His father, like so many in his family – including Bausch himself – joined the Marines. Home from deployment, he’d take the 9-year-old Bausch to local pizza joints. The shop that sold the biggest pizzas fascinated him, but his dad taught him to appreciate the place that sold the
A Taste of Italy
STG brings Naples’ flavors to Tulsa.
best pizza: the ancient, coal-fired ovens of Lombardi’s on Spring Street. “I never thought I’d be doing this for a living,” he says. “I just loved it.” Bausch joined the Marines, did a tour of duty, moved to California and was accepted to law school. His life was set, and he got a job at a local pizza shop to pay the bills. Soon, pizza became more fascinating than a potential law career. A few months later, his brother Jim phoned him: “Mike, I found this town called Owasso, and there are no pizza shops at all!” Andolini’s would be its first, and a year later, a branch on Cherry Street in Tulsa welcomed diners. Meanwhile, Bausch continued his pizza education. He went back to California to learn from his friend Tony Gemignani, who runs what Forbes magazine calls “the best pizzeria in SEPTEMBER 2015 | WWW.TULSAMAGAZINE.COM
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DINE America.” Bausch also competes in pizza contests around the world, and throughout his travels, he does a lot of tasting. “My idea of sightseeing is to go to a city and hit the four best pizza places, one after the other, starting at 11 a.m.,” Bausch says. From trips to Naples, Italy, the idea for STG Pizzeria and Gelateria was born. “Andolini’s is our spin on pizza. But STG, it’s not ‘kind of like Italy,’ it is Italy. What you find here is exactly what you’d find in Naples,” he says. “Some of our pizzas – the Margherita, for example – you’ll find all over Naples. We do others that you’d see only if you go way off the beaten track. That Scamorza, with its smoky cheese and plump, fresh tomatoes, that was invented in one Naples shop. We chose pizzas with personality. But everything here is what you’d see in Italy.” Moving to a counter, Bausch carefully flattens a ball of dough. “I touch the dough as little as possible, so as not to disturb the gases from the yeast,” he says, reaching for a spoon of tomato sauce. “I tasted 30 brands of San Marzano tomatoes before I found one that has the earthy taste of Vesuvius.” By now, the pizza is in the oven. The 900-degree flames cook fast but not always in the same way. Bausch makes split-second, instinctual decisions when and whether to rotate the pie or move it to a cooler spot. Today, he gives two quick spins, and soon the pie emerges. It is rough, puffy, slightly charred and beautiful. “Look at that leoparding!” Bausch boasts, referring to the tiny black char spots on the crust. It has an ineffably rich flavor and a gooey blend of sin and reverence. Like the pizzas, the richly flavored gelato made here is just what you’d find in a lazy cafe on a Naples side street. The Carpigiani pasteurizer, imported, like the oven, from Italy, heats and blends all the ingredients, and that, says Bausch, makes the gelato “silky, creamy and smooth.” Like the pizza, it’s perfect. He won’t settle for less. 114 S. Detroit Ave., Tulsa. www.stgpizza.com BRIAN SCHWARTZ
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“What you find here is exactly what you’d find in Naples.” SEPTEMBER 2015 | WWW.TULSAMAGAZINE.COM
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DINE
FAV E
Family Recipes
CAESAR SALADS ARE GARLICKY AND CHEESY THANKS TO THE HOMEMADE DRESSING. PHOTOS BY BRANDON SCOTT
Dalesandro’s delivers traditional tastes in downtown Tulsa.
M
ore than 25 years ago, Buzz Dalesandro borrowed $10,000 from a friend and opened a bright, shiny lunch counter in downtown Tulsa. The most expensive entree, linguine with sausage, cost $3.75. Downtown wasn’t the place to be in those days, but the restaurant attracted a following.
For more than a decade, loyal fans formed lines that wound out the door
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whenever Dalesandro’s restaurant was open. Then, unexpectedly, he lost his lease, and the building was torn down. He thought that was the end. So imagine Dalesandro’s surprise when his son, Sonny, a professional soccer player, called his father to tell him that he wanted to open a restaurant with the family recipes. And so it was, Dalesandro’s was reborn at the corner of 18th and Boston Avenue in Tulsa, a sleek, shining-new space open for dinner with an expanded menu. Sonny Dalesandro runs the kitchen now. His family trained him well, and he inherited his father’s magic touch. “I owe it all to my kitchen staff,” he says. “When I’m not around, they
cook as well as I do.” A waiter proudly appears bearing an enormous platter of Caesar salad. A Dalesandro’s specialty, the salad is flavored with garlic, grated cheese and Balsamic vinegar, rich and rustic. After the salad, more plates appear, laden with simple yet addictively delicious southern Italian fare. A platter gleams bright red, a lake of rich and vibrant tomato sauce, in which five homemade pasta shells stuffed with a blend of three Italian cheeses are nestled. On another plate, a perfectly roasted half chicken is dwarfed by a mound of pasta it is served with. Yet another dish provides a stage for the lasagna, a tower of carefully layered pasta, meat and tomatoes and topped by a snowcap of gleaming, grated cheese. Though there’s enough on the table to feed a village, one dish is missing, and that’s Dalesandro’s most famous entree, the Swordfish Picatta. It’s served only on weekends, and Dalesandro’s regulars (says Sonny Dalesandro, “The vast majority of our customers are regulars.”) crowd the place on Friday to eat it. A huge, meaty hunk of swordfish is delicately pan-fried and finished with lemon sauce rich in butter and wine and accented by the tangy flavor of fresh capers. “We serve it only on weekends,” says Sonny Dalesandro, “because great-grandma cooked it rarely, as a special treat. “We keep our menu short and our dishes simple,” he continues, “so we can guarantee the quality of all our food. And we want people to feel like they’re eating at our house.” 1742 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa. www. dalesandros.com BRIAN SCHWARTZ
OWNER SONNY DALESANDRO AND CHEF JOSE REYES. THE SWORDFISH PICATTA, A DALESANDRO’S FAVORITE, IS ONLY OFFERED ON WEEKENDS
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The Pulse of Tulsa Tu l s a ™
M A G A Z I N E
Entertainment Food • Health Your guide to the most interesting people, places and things to eat in Tulsa.
www.TulsaMagazine.com