Shawnee Outlook - August 13 by Layers Media, Inc.

Dinner and a Dog Show | Kobe Coker: Grappling Champion

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smiles August 13 Vol. 10 Number 6

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contents

August 2013

Publisher

13 Features

22 departments

13 Dinner and a Dog Show

6 Community

17 All Smiles

6 Nutrition 101

21 It’s Not Football without the Quarterback Club

9 Beautiful Mess 10 Best of Shawnee

22 Introducing Children to Music

20 Sonic Contest

25 Jump in the Water is Fine

22 Keep the change

26 Kobe Coker: Grappling Champion

29 Events

29 Taylor Ricks Memorial Scholarship

Cross ConneCtion ChurCh

30 Living Portraits

www.C3shawnee.org

sun

10:45am & 6:00pm

wed 7:00pm

real men refuge ladies C3 Youth seasoned adults C3 Kidz 11th & pesotum

Advertising Sales

Brad Carter

Managing Editor

Mindy Wood

Design

Photography

Dejah Quinn

Writers

Andrea Beck Tim Burg Linda Fritch Shea Moore Larry Sparks Mindy Wood

Distribution

The Shawnee Outlook is delivered FREE by direct mail to 25,000 homes and businesses. Distribution includes Shawnee, Tecumseh, McLoud, Meeker & Prague.

Comments or Suggestions?

Write to: Shawnee Outlook PO Box 1365 Shawnee, OK 74802 Website: www.shawneeoutlook.com E-mail: info@layersmedia.com

Layers Media, Inc.

To Advertise Call Brad at 445-3033 or 808-0963.

Volume 10, Number 6 Shawnee Outlook is a publication of Layers Media, Inc. © 2013 Layers Media, Inc. Articles and advertisements in Shawnee Outlook do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Layers Media. Layers Media does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by Shawnee Outlook does not constitute endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Shawnee Outlook assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

“Changing the CommunitY, one familY at a time”

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Community

Nutrition 101

more choices than desperate or satisfied… Recently the staff of your local economic development organization was offered an opportunity to fly to a huge southeastern metropolitan area and visit with some big time site consultants. These site consultants are the guru’s of business who help the mega companies make decisions on where to locate their next manufacturing plant, call center or back office operation. They are often where new job creation begins. In economic development, if a site consultant likes your location AND you have the necessary resources they need, plus the ability to respond rapidly, you are half way to getting some looks from those who would or could add to the economic base of the community. This trip was similar to the trips we take each year to Dallas where we meet with site consultants and tax advisors who deal on a more regional level. In this business absence does not make the heart grow fonder. There are a lot of factors that go into making a decision on whether to take a business call trip to meet with those who have the expertise in making business location decisions. As an economic development organization with limited funds, we have to decide carefully if there is a return on the investment and if this trip is absolutely the best use of the dollars entrusted to us. There is also no certainty that by even meeting these individuals it will ever provide us with any new business opportunities. Yet if we don’t go meet them, how will they ever know what those business that are already here know about us, and that is this is a great place to do business? 6

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As the rest of the nation plays catch up in job growth and economic revitalization, we continue to see a wide range of projects being driven by a belief that most communities are desperate for new companies to move in, and will therefore give away everything from the kitchen sink to the farm to attract them. Such is not the case in Shawnee. First of all we do not have a farm and sink to give away, and the reality of our economy is that we are not desperate for new businesses. That doesn’t mean we aren’t interested in new companies, only that our current employers are doing quite well, which leads to low unemployment rates. Attracting new businesses that would draw from a limited workforce may not be the best use of our time or limited funds and upsetting the balance of what our local companies are doing is also a risk we must consider. For now we are facing the dichotomy of how do we remain aggressive in attracting new business, yet supportive of what is already here? Decisions, decisions…

Egg White Veggie Scramble A lot of times our breakfast can consist of something you pop in a toaster and a cup of coffee or nothing at all. Protein can help keep you full and going until lunch. This recipe provides a whopping 36 g of protein! Chop up your vegetables the night before and have breakfast ready in less than 10 minutes! Ingredients: • Cooking spray • ¾ cup raw spinach • ¾ cup raw vegetables of choice • 1 cup liquid egg whites • ¼ cup part-skim mozzarella cheese • Pepper to taste Directions: Wash and finely chop all vegetables. I used broccoli, onion and peppers in the picture. Spray skillet with cooking spray. Turn stove-top on to medium-high and place vegetables in skillet. Cook vegetables down while stirring for about 5 minutes. Pour egg whites over vegetables. Scramble mixture until egg whites have cooked, about 4 minutes. Top with mozzarella cheese and stir in until melted. Remove from heat. Top with salsa if desired. Serve with a slice of whole wheat toast and a piece of fruit for a balanced breakfast. Makes: 1 serving Nutritional Information per Serving: Calories: 231 – Total Fat: 5 g – Saturated Fat: 3 g – Cholesterol: 16 mg Sodium: 642 mg – Carbohydrates: 11 g – Fiber: 2 g – Protein: 36 g Nutrition 101 Tip: By tossing out the yolk in recipes, you lose out on additional fat and cholesterol but keep all the nutrition. Yolks can be separated from the whites or buy them in a convenient container. Egg whites can be substituted for the whole egg in baking too. It takes about ¼ cup of egg whites to substitute a whole egg. Be creative when tossing ingredients in with your eggs. Some of my favorites are mushrooms, spinach, pineapple, cheeses, asparagus, basil, zucchini and turkey. Almost any produce you have on hand can complement this breakfast.

Andrea Beck, a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics works for a diabetes program, consults and teaches nutrition. She is a member of Junior Service League and a passionate volunteer at Faith Christian Outreach. For more information about nutrition classes, visit www.laughitoff. com : It’s seriously funny nutrition.

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beautiful mess

Faster than a Speeding Bullet PUNCH! Bubble. Pop! I looked over at my husband lying next to me in bed with wide eyes. “What?” he asked. I felt queasy and couldn’t answer for a minute. “He punched me!” I finally responded. I tried to explain the odd sensation I’d just felt in my body. “Something’s off…I don’t feel so well.” I got out of bed and went to the bathroom. An intense contraction hit followed closely by two more. I went back to bed, still feeling confused and slightly nauseous. My husband tried to get me to lay down, but as I reclined back, a hard contraction sent me back to my feet. I stood awkwardly as I processed a new sensation. Amidst exclamations of excitement and nervousness, I told my husband that my water had broken, making sense of the strange bubble and pop I’d felt minutes earlier—our son had literally broken my water with a fierce jab! That quick turn of events coupled with the heightened strength of contractions meant it was time to head to the hospital—and quickly! I changed clothes and called our doula as my husband loaded up our hospital and diaper bags. With each contraction, my body convinced me to stop what I was doing, dance around, and breathe deeply. As my body began to shiver, I felt an urgency to get going. My parents had charge of our oldest son and asked us to call once we arrived at the hospital. The contractions continued to come fast and hard. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to manage the contractions sitting still in the car, but thankfully the trip to the hospital went

smoothly. We found a small parking lot right outside the front doors of the medical building; we were in a hurry and it was unmarked, so that’s where we parked! We made our way to registration for labor and delivery on the fourth floor and I was able to fill out (some of) the necessary paperwork between contractions. With the next pang, I threw down my pen and began walking and dancing up and down the short hallway. My husband told me I’d passed the test and they opened up the double doors. I was so glad to be headed to my room so I could focus on the task at hand. As we rounded the corner, I read the sign, “Triage Room,” and took in the bed all set up with monitoring belts and devices. “You want to monitor me?!” I asked, incredulous. Surely they could tell by my crazy dancing and concentrated breathing that I was in active labor! The nurse responded something akin to “yes, of course,” but I refused to be hooked up to monitors. My husband tells me I also refused the hospital gown. I did grudgingly allow her to check my progress, but when she informed me I was 7cm, I panicked. I didn’t think I could continue at this level of intensity—and even greater!—for four or more hours or however long it would take me to progress to 10cm and have a baby. I had thought birth was imminent; how could I still have so far to go? Thankfully, I had at least jumped through enough hoops to earn a ride to the labor and delivery room this time. I thought that if I could just get in the labor tub, maybe I would

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be able to manage better. I never made it to the tub, though. With the very first contraction I had in the labor and delivery room came the innate knowledge that it was time for me to birth our son. In less than twenty minutes after we arrived at the hospital—a mere fortyfive minutes after my water had broken—we welcomed Jack Elliott into the world! Our second bundle of joy weighed in at 6 pounds, 11 ounces and was 19 ¾ inches long. Needless to say, the first phone call my parents received from us was, “He’s here!” After three and a half weeks of stop and start labor, our little guy punched out and arrived faster than a speeding bullet. As I hold him close while he sleeps on my chest, I take in his reddish brown hair and long, skinny fingers and toes and I couldn’t feel more blessed by this precious life.

Shea Moore is a stay-at-home mom to her son, Kendrick, in Shawnee, OK and married to an Oklahoma National Guardsman. She loves to indulge in Cheez-its, dark chocolate, and a steamy cup of coffee. She enjoys journaling, jogging, crocheting/ knitting, and a growing photography business. www.facebook.com/sheamoorephotography

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Let’s face it. We go where we’re celebrated… and where we get the most for our money. At Tanquility Tanning Spa and Hair Salon, owners Shelly and Jason Greenwalt believe great customer service and fantastic deals are the foundation of a successful business. They purchased Tanquility, located at 1510 N. Kickapoo, last November and now are expanding to keep up with the demand. Monthly tanning packages range from $24.95 to $64.95 depending on the tanning beds used. They allow customers to build a package that suits their own budget and time schedules. Tanning enthusiasts who come faithfully every day can opt for the monthly package or, for those clients who can’t make it as often, a points system package is available. “When you come in for a tan then the points are deducted from the package’s point balance,” explained Shelly Greenwalt. “So you’re not losing money or time if you don’t make it every day.” Customers are also privy to winning drawings every month, plus specials as they are announced on their Facebook page, “Tanquility.” Each month customers who are on the automatic bank draft plan get a discounted package price and automatically are entered into a drawing for entertainment packages. They also enjoy 25 percent off of lotions and a free bottle of water when they tan. “This month the winner won tickets to the Jeff Dunham show at the Grand Casino Hotel and Resort,” said Jason Greenwalt. “The September winner will get tickets to see the Wayan Brothers. We do those types of things.” Other monthly specials include half off the next month’s package, a free lotion, or free spray tans. “We also have a following on Facebook and those fans can take advantage of one-day or one-week only specials like $5 off any purchase or $10 dollars off any tanning package,” said Shelly. “You just never know what kind of deal we’ll be offering.” For spray tanning, they use the VERSA Spa brand which Shelly, who is too fair skinned for a tanning bed, said is a far cry from where spray tanning was ten years ago. “It doesn’t turn you orange, it looks very natural and the machine

Jason and Shelly Greenwalt

sprays you, dries you and tells you where to stand and when to move. It’s a fantastic machine and I love it.” The tanning salon carries a full line of lotions. Their 1,000 hour bulbs are changed at 750 hours to ensure consistent results for bed bathers. They have 20 minute beds, high output 10 and 15 minute beds as well as bronzing, boosting, and mega beds. During the peak season, they’re open later. “From March to about mid-June this place is slammed during lunch and after work, so we stayed open later to help ease the rush,” said Jason. The hair salon is also popular. “We’re expanding both the tanning and hair salon to keep up with the demand. We have five stylists now,” said Shelly, “but we’re expanding to accommodate four more as soon as possible. They offer cut, color, highlights, perms, and facial waxing. Eventually we’ll be carrying hair product lines too.” Stylists include Mary Fry, Kacia Oberloh, Nicole Samaniego, Bailey Phillips, and Ashley Patterson. Walk-ins are welcome. The Greenwalts said they’ve been fortunate to have a great staff working for them too. “We really have a great group of girls,” said Shelly. “We’ve even had customers tell us they shop with us because they love to see their smiles when they come in the door. We hear compliments on them all the time.” Stop by their posh, upbeat salon at 1510 N. Kickapoo or for more information visit their Facebook page, “Tanquilty.”

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dinner

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by: Mindy Wood Dinner and a show can be a boring routine for a night out but what if the show was put on by dogs? Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) will bring quite a display of dog-style talent to Shawnee for their annual gala, August 10th. These working dogs will perform a variety of impressive abilities: pulling wheelchairs, turning on light switches, opening drawers, and hearing demonstrations from those dogs that assist owners with partial or full hearing loss. CCI graduate dogs will also visit tables displaying their intelligence and gracious disposition. The evening will include dinner, live music, a silent auction, and special guest speaker, FBI Agent, Sue Thomas whose life was the basis for the popular TV series, “Sue Thomas F.B. Eye.” The proceeds will benefit CCI which trains puppies for people with various limitations, including hearing dogs, facility dogs, service dogs and skilled companion dogs. Sue Thomas, who is deaf, will demonstrate her CCI hearing dog during the event. CCI volunteer and professional dog trainer, Dawn Ramsey has been training puppies for CCI since 1991, after she suffered permanent injuries in a car accident and later, significant hearing loss to Mèniér’s disease. Ramsey, a former police officer, was facing the loss of her independence when she heard about a hearing dog at an ASL (American Sign

Language) class. After she checked into it and volunteered in the CCI program, she went through the two week class to get a dog and later graduated from a professional dog training program through Indiana University. She has volunteered ever since with sacrificial passion. “It gave me my independence,” said Ramsey. “I was slowly becoming a recluse. I was in law enforcement for too long. I knew the bad guy was out there and I knew the bad guy picked on people he thought he could conquer. I didn’t want to be that person, so I stayed home. I couldn’t hear anyone come up behind me; I couldn’t hear the door or the phone. Having my dog meant I was going to know if someone came up behind me or if someone called my name or an alarm went off.” Hearing dogs alert their owners to sounds by nudging them or putting a paw on their leg. Service dogs are trained to open doors, flip switches, pull off shoes or anything that a mobility-impaired owner can’t do without assistance. Facility dogs work with those in recreational and rehabilitative therapy centers or provide support to nursing home residents, specialized day cares for special needs children, hospitals and schools. “A daycare in Edmond has a facility dog,” said Ramsey. “The dog is used as a teaching tool, as a stepping stone for the kids to bring them out

www.shawneeoutlook.com

continued from pg. 13

of their shell. The dog is a confidant, they can tell the dog their secrets and the dog doesn’t tell anyone. The dog herds the kids,” she laughed. “Bahdra helps take their shoes off and the kids think that’s fun.”

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A dog trained as a skilled companion assists with both mobility and cognitively impaired owners and is usually accompanied by a handler instead of the owner. Children or adults with autism or intellectual disabilities

often benefit from a skilled companion dog. Ramsey, who has three dogs, has always cross trained hers as hearing and service dogs. “If I can open the door, Penela will hold it open. She can open drawers, doors, flip switches but I can usually do those things myself.” One of her dogs, Nero died this year and she reflected on how special he was to her. “He did everything and you didn’t have to tell him to do it. When I got Penela, if she wasn’t doing what she was supposed to, he would go nudge her until she did it. He actually helped train her. There’s going to be a tribute to Nero at the Gala. He was a special guy.” As an almost entirely volunteer organization, Ramsey said without the volunteers and support there would be no CCI. “Volunteers are the backbone of CCI. Trainers work for hours with these dogs. Others help in so many ways by volunteering their time, their money, or setting up funds for us. It’s an amazing organization.” The CCI Gala will be held August 10th at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35 and include a meal and live entertainment. Tickets are available at the door or in advance at the Shawnee Police Department. Credit card purchasers should call 800-572-2275.

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by: Mindy Wood

all smiles

by: Mindy Wood

A few students at Horace Mann Elementary School have something to smile about. It’s not recess, it’s not school games, or even the excitement of a new school year. These fourth and fifth graders are clowning around for a good cause: cheering up the lonely members of their community in hospitals and nursing homes. Six years ago Valarie Hames, art teacher at Horace Mann, teamed up with her husband Jeff to form a clown troupe. Jeff is a professional actor and clown known as “Hillbilly Willy,” who has travelled throughout the nation as a performer for the past twenty-one years. Both were former teachers in Midwest City where Jeff had successfully run a troupe there for middle school students for several years. “It was totally volunteer,” said Jeff. “We met after school and I taught them how to do balloons, a few magic tricks and then we started going to nursing homes, day care centers, and schools. We started doing it here and

now the first and second graders can’t wait to get to fourth grade.” Students meet once a week after school and learn make-up application, balloon art, magic tricks, and a whole lot more. Kenton Webb’s daughter Yasmine, “Jazzy Yazzy,” who also performs in an art theatre company and martial arts, said the troupe has been part of her own self-discovery. “All of it has helped her grow into what she wants to be. It lets her see there’s no limit as long as you work for it,” he said. Students have to maintain a minimum C grade average but what they learn goes far beyond the classroom and into the real world. “As a teacher, I’ve seen most of them learn more life lessons from one trip to the nursing home than a whole week in school. Most of the kids are really scared their first time visiting a nursing home,” said Jeff. “A lot of them come out their first time crying because it’s such a culture

shock. Their grandparents are in their 40’s and 50’s, not 80’s and 90’s. They hold onto the kids’ arm or hand and we prepare them for things like that, when they don’t want to let go. The kids are struck with compassion; they realize this is another human being who doesn’t know me but wants to hold onto me. It’s very hard to experience that,” he said. Quinn Leedom, “Colorful Q” remembered how it affected him and fellow troupe member, Olivia. “After we left, she was sad about all the elderly people and said she wanted to take them all home with her.” The poignant image of the comedy tragedy mask illustrates the drama of life’s joy and despair and it’s something that these children already understand. Fortunately, the sad face, the side of a clown he isn’t allowed to show, also has the happy side that everyone else sees. Even as the sadness of loneliness touches them, the > www.shawneeoutlook.com

continued from pg. 17

joy of making someone smile thrills them. Ky’Lena “Heart” Shepherd said, “I like whenever we go the nursing homes how we give people hugs and it makes them happy. I like making people feel special.” Leslie Chotkey remembered the first time her son, Ethan “Boom-Boom” and the troupe emerged from their visit. “The kids were really nervous. They weren’t sure what they were going to say or do and the elderly were reserved because they didn’t know what to expect but it didn’t take long before everyone was hugging and loving on them. When we came out, a lot them said it made them feel good inside to do something for them and to get them to smile. They leave smiling and the kids leave smiling.” Because there are almost no funds to support the clown program, the children have learned to be very creative. They created costumes from old clothes they found in their closets, had a family member sew on a patch, used paints and glue, glitter and any objects that interpreted their own unique clown personality. “Because they don’t have everything handed to them, they’ve learned to be creative,” said Valarie. “They’re very individual and most of them don’t really run with what might

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be the in-group of kids. They’ve learned how to be themselves and be satisfied with themselves for the most part.” The Hames are dedicated to all that the arts can afford children and are producing plays with their company, “Creative Magic Productions.” Jeff is president of the Ritz Theatre and Revitalization of Downtown Shawnee Board alongside Valarie who also serves on the board. This year they have produced two plays, “Wild Cat Katy Brown” and “A Family Reunion to Die For.” In October they will produce a musical, “Disney’s Little Mermaid, Jr.” Open auditions will be held August 17th at 1p.m. Aside from all of Jeff Hames’ experiences as a nationally performing clown, the clown troupe is dearest to his heart. “Valarie and I don’t get paid for this and it’s something we feel strongly about. It’s one of the top five things I’ve accomplished in my career and it’s something very special to me.” Maybe that’s because when these kids smile, the world smiles back at them. Their radiant energy, kindness, and laughter brightens gloomy hearts like sunshine through a window. Keep smiling kids. The world is smiling with you.

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It’s Not Football without the Quarterback Club Football season is back and as fans slide into their favorite spot at the Shawnee High School stadium, everyone looks forward to the game, the band, the fireworks and all the traditions that bring back old memories and make new ones. Behind the scenes, a lot of football memories are made possible by parents in booster clubs who faithfully volunteer year after year. The fireworks? The Shawnee Quarterback Club pays for that. What about the hundreds of pounds of food, practice jerseys, printed programs, and state-of-the-art charter buses for away games? The Shawnee Quarterback Club and Wolf Moms makes it all happen and much more. President of the SQC this year is Randy Floyd with his wife, LuAnne as president of the Wolf Moms. “Our sole purpose is to raise money for the team,” said Randy Floyd. “We raise all of the money and give it back to the football program. The community really contributes to the program.” With an annual $50,000 budget, the SQC significantly enhances the team of more than sixty players. With shoestring school budgets, booster clubs are working harder than ever to ignite morale and instill pride in the football program. The booster clubs have paid for a host of things to enhance the team’s performance: game film review software, coach trainings, travel expenses for team skirmishes and games, snacks and drinks for the Summer Pride and after school practices, hearty meals before games,

by: Mindy Wood Lu Anne Floyd, Randy Floyd, Julie Morgan, Ed Harper, Paula Welliver

and a lot more. The Floyds also said that local Native American tribes, churches, individuals and families have all stepped up along the way to help. Most of the money comes from season ticket sales and about fifteen faithful community sponsors who purchase banner and game sponsorships. Season tickets sell for $60. Fans who purchase four season tickets get a free parking pass, valued at $50. “That works great for folks who have a hard time walking very far,” said LuAnne. “It’s right by the gate and it’s really hard to get a spot on the lot during games because it’s just packed.” The SQC partnered with First United Bank to sell tickets for a cookout by the local bank before each game. Half the proceeds go to the high school band and the other half to the football program. The Wolf Moms are responsible for their own fundraisers including the Shawnee Home Tours during the Christmas holidays. “The Wolf Moms do a lot of things. One of the things we do is make sure they have iced down Gatorade and watermelon or something like that for the Summer Pride practices when it’s so hot outside. We decorate the locker rooms and we do a lot for senior week and senior night too. It’s pretty funny because those players may act tough, but when they see that locker room and get a snack with a smiley face on it they’re pretty happy,” said LuAnne. Senior week and senior night are time honored traditions that the clubs make sure is extra

special. “In each of the booster clubs there’s an end of the year banquet and it’s really well done. They do a great job providing a parting gift for every senior. They mount and frame their jersey and that’s a hard core tradition. If there were no framed game jerseys, there would be a revolt,” she laughed. “People would come unglued.” Another tradition that the SQC brought back to life was at the highlight of the winning season last year. “Last year they brought back the tradition of the golf cart helmet,” said Ed Harper, vice president of the SQC. “It looks like a helmet but it’s got a golf cart underneath it. It was really popular fifteen years ago and we brought it out for the playoff. A lot of people who have lived in the community and went to school here, it meant a lot to them to bring it back.” Booster clubs meet each Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the film room next to the team’s locker room. They hope this year to have more parents volunteer to help. It’s something that LuAnne Floyd said is rewarding for both parents and their children. “You’re more emotionally tied to the team and you get to talk to the coaches and other parents. For the Wolf Moms, we all love to please our children and this is usually the last hoorah for the parents because it’s the last stop before college. It’s kind of like your last chance to do all the fun stuff.” Parents who are interested in participating can contact Randy Floyd at 625-4767. Season tickets and parking passes are available at Shawnee Honda Motorsports.

Phone (405) 273-4401 37651 45th St., Shawnee www.shawneechristchurch.com Minister - Tommy Smith Sun. Class - 9:30 am Sun. Worship - 10:30 am Sun. Worship - 6:00 pm www.shawneeoutlook.com

Keep the Change

introducing children to music Jingling bells, pounding drums, floating scarves, “hooting” owl sounds and little feet moving in time to music – these are just a few of the sights and sounds parents and children experience in the Kindermusik classes offered through the Oklahoma Baptist University Music Preparatory Department. Parents with newborns through 5-year-olds can participate in Kindermusik classes for a valuable learning experience for the child and the parent, grandparent or caregiver. Designed for newborns to children 18 months old, classes focus on the developmental benefits of music and movement for the child. Other Kindermusik classes are offered for 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-years olds. These classes provide a wide range of fun musical experiences and activities through singing, moving, listening and playing simple rhythm instruments. The program helps develop coordination and pre-reading and math skills. Preschoolers develop their verbal, motor and social skills through participation in a variety of musical activities. Conchita Hansford is a licensed Kindermusik educator who serves as director of the Preparatory Department as well as director of the Kindermusik program. Besides Kindermusik classes, OBU’s Music Preparatory Department offers private music instruction in piano, voice, strings, wind and percussion instruments and guitar, as well as Keyboard Readiness for Kindergarten and first-grade beginners, and Keyboard Concepts for second- and third-grade beginners. Choir opportunities are also available. Choirs include Shawnee Honor Choir (auditioned singers grades three through seven), Concert Choir (auditioned singers grades eight through 12) and Discovery Singers (non-auditioned younger singers). Choir auditions are August 15, 16 and 19, from 3 to 5 p.m., or by special appointment. To find more information or to register online, go to http://musicprep.okbu.edu. For more information from Conchita Hansford, or to register by phone, call (405) 585-4323 or email conchita. hansford@okbu.edu.

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Bugs Be Gone

Jack Ford

Tessa Pace

Webley Walker

Summer seems to bring a lot of unwanted pests in our home. Clearly some infestations require professional help or, at the very least heavy-duty store-bought assistance. But did you know some of those pests can be done away with using simple household ingredients? If ants are your problem, round up some honey, Borax (found in the laundry detergent aisle and also great for a number of cleaning uses!), and an old plastic lid (such as from a margarine tub). Mix together 1 Tbsp hot water with 1 Tbsp honey . Add ½ tsp Borax to the mixture and stir well. Place mixture in your old lid and put the trap in the center of your problem area (but out of reach of children or pets). The ants will be attracted to the mixture and will carry it back to their colony, poisoning the whole lot of them and ridding you of your problem! For fruit flies, gather apple cider vinegar, dishwashing detergent, a fruit peel, a jar and a piece of typing paper (junk mail works great!). Mix ¼ c. vinegar, ¼ c. water and 2-3 drops of detergent in the bottom of the jar. Drop in your fruit peel. Make a cone shape out of the paper and stick it in the opening of the jar, making sure there are no gaps between the paper and the opening of the jar. The flies will be attracted to the scent of the fruit and enter the cone. They will then get trapped in the jar and the detergent will weigh them down, causing them to drown and your pests to be gone. If you need more tips for your household pests, check out ehow.com (where these traps were found) or do a quick internet search to find simple homemade solutions! Angela Rowland is an OBU graduate and a stay-at-home mother of three. She enjoys finding new ways to stretch the paycheck and even posts some of her favorite tips and deals on her blog (steadfaststeward.blogspot.com)

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Jump in the Water is Fine During the Depression era of 1936, the City of Shawnee built a no-frills swimming pool in Veteran’s Woodland Park, and it has served the community faithfully for 76 years, but time has taken its toll and this year the pool did not open. It was evident that something had to be done as the pool required constant repair and money to keep it going as long as it did. So in October 2011, at the directive of Mayor Wes Mainord, an eight member committee was formed to spearhead the pool’s renovation. John Ayers was selected chairman and the rest of the committee includes Richard Finley, Terry West, Nancy Ford and Kerri Simmons, city commissioner John Winteringer, and city staff members James Bryce and Geoff Garner. Their first task was to interview and select a design firm. Water’s Edge Aquatic Design from Lenexa, Kansas was selected and plans moved forward to design a stateof-the-art facility that would attract teens, adults, young families with toddlers, and senior citizens. “It is one of the biggest quality of life projects Shawnee has taken on in years, and enthusiasm for the new pool just keeps growing,” said Ayers. Total cost of the project will be roughly 4.2 million. Of that, the city has budgeted 3 million dollars and the committee plans to raise the additional 1.2 million from the private sector; a task that must be completed by midSeptember. The added cost affords the many features and amenities the committee hopes to see. “We are optimistic the money can be raised by the deadline. I would hate to see the project be cut back for lack of funding, because it is going to be something everyone can enjoy,” he said. Also according to Ayers, the exterior walls of the pool/ bath house will be retained, which will please many native residents. “We have received letters and emails wanting us to keep the original pool house. Structurally it is very sound but the interior will receive a complete makeover including new plumbing, dressing rooms, showers, restrooms, board meeting room for training purposes or public use.” It will also house office space for pool personnel and a

Op and speening

by: Linda Fritch kitchen that caters to pool guests or special events held in the park. “Using the pool house kitchen for other park activities is a real plus,” Ayers said. “Not to mention a special area that can be reserved for pool parties and birthday parties, etc.” According to Ayers, ‘programming’ is paramount. “The committee focused heavily on the structural design to accommodate a diversity of programs now and in the future,” he said. Unlike the old pool, the new design permits a variety of programs such as water polo, volleyball, swim lessons, movie night community luau, competitive swimming and diving throughout the pool season. Pool features are equally important and the committee has researched several that are known ‘crowd pleasers’, including slides, rock climbing wall, lazy river, spray zone, and interactive equipment for toddlers. “We’ve made decisions that save on the bottom line,” said Ayers. “Just like we are able to use the existing pool house structure; the old pool, believe it or not, was still in decent shape and we were able to incorporate much of it in our new design. We’ll even be able to use the existing pump/filtration system because it was purchased new a few years ago.” Between the new design and its anticipated use, the committee has determined that the new pool will be self-supporting. “Water’s Edge presented us with a very conservative operating budget and we feel confident that, if marketed right, will financially support itself – a primary goal of ours. The cost of pool passes has not been determined yet but will be communicated to the public when it has been decided.” At the present time, the committee is trying to make this dream come true. Aggressive efforts are being made to solicit funds from known organizations and others who might wish to donate. “Richard Finley is our go-to finance guy,” said Ayers. “If anyone would like to support this project, they can contact him at 878-7322.” If the committee is lucky enough to exceed its fundraising goal, they plan to make good use of it by expanding the pool features even further. “This is going to be a beautiful water park that Shawnee will be very proud of for years to come,” Ayers said.

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kobe coker by: Mindy Wood

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Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is touted as one of the fastest growing sports around the world. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a popular grappling discipline in the MMA sport and it’s heating up for sixteenyear-old Kobe Coker. The Shawnee High School sophomore started training just three years ago and has already achieved the highest adult level for his age. In the North American Grappling Association (NAGA) Oklahoma Open last February he won Teen Expert Cruiser Weight Champion and Teen Expert Light Heavy Weight Silver Medalist. “He was belted in May as an adult blue belt which is the highest rank a sixteen-year-old can have. In a three year time span he’s reached the highest adult level for his age,” said his mother, Kristi Bias. That credit is partly due to his coach, stepfather Matthew Bias, who introduced him to the sport. Bias competed fifteen years ago but has maintained his skills in the sport with a few other friends who were passionate about it. After Kobe sat in on a session he decided to give it a try but he almost gave up the first year he started competing. “My first couple of tournaments, I did pretty bad. I thought maybe it wasn’t for me. One of the guys I trained with went to a tournament and won in his division so I decided to keep working on it. I just kept working on everything I did and started winning.” In May and September 2011 he was the Intermediate Teen Featherweight Champion in NAGA. In April 2012 for the American Grappling Federation he won the Oklahoma State Champion

for Teen Expert Division and the following May, the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s Dallas International Open as the Teen Expert Silver Medalist. Matthew Bias said that’s due to the fact that Kobe has never trained with anyone his own age. “Training with adults, he had to adapt,” said Matthew. “It pushed him harder and so when he competed against someone his own size and age it was a relief to him.” Kristi said, “When he won this Oklahoma open, that last championship, there wasn’t anyone in his weight bracket. So he went against a seventeen-year-old who had at least twenty pounds on him. He submitted him in 11 seconds.” Matthew and Kristi said that Kobe usually wins by submission, when an opponent is unable to break from the grip and taps the mat, rather than by points. “In jiu-jitsu he’s known for the guard game,” said Matthew. “That’s when you’re on your back and his legs are around the opponent. From the guard there’s a lot of submission moves from there. He’s known for his arm bar and his triangle.” In spite of his success, Kobe seems anything but cocky. Tall, lean and lanky, he isn’t the towering image of a fighter and yet, his quiet calm shows both the confidence and self-discipline so often found in martial arts competitors. “It’s the way I’ve always talked to him about it,” said Matthew. “Just because he’s as good as he is, there’s always someone out there who is better. As soon as you go around beating your chest, that day comes quicker

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than most. Plus, I don’t want him being like that as a young man. We stress that with everybody. Just because you know this doesn’t mean you can go around and beat someone up. Martial arts will teach you discipline and respect. It’s like a fraternity of people, an understanding that you don’t do that kind of stuff.” Discipline is more punishing than some might expect in a grappling sport. Rather than simply learning to execute skilled submission moves, Kobe also has to train in cardio and weights. He spends a minimum of two hours a day in training. Matthew said that although core strength and cardio are important, it’s more about technique. “It’s based on the idea that size doesn’t matter. It was developed so a smaller person could have a chance against a bigger person, so they can rely on their technique and not their strength.” Kobe will continue training to reach black belt status and hopes to teach it either in his own class or in the military. Matthew Bias is a purple belt and his students are belted under the First Degree Alliance through Kelly Rundle. For more information about the sport, contact 694-5149.

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Primrose wants to remind Shawnee to stay hydrated! With temps reaching 100+ degrees, Primrose Retirement Community of Shawnee would like to remind seniors to drink plenty of water this summer. Whether you drink it over ice, or flavored with slices of cucumber, lemon or orange – water is the key to staying strong and avoiding the dangers of high heat. For additional information on what you can do to stay cool this summer, or to arrange a visit to our beautiful, air-conditioned community - contact Jimmy at 405-273-0925. Come see why we say,

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Events

Memorial Scholarship by: Mindy Wood As everyone prepares for football season, a group of dedicated women are preparing for an annual kickoff supper to benefit next year’s high school graduates. The Junior Service League annually raises funds for nine college scholarships with the kickoff supper and throughout the year raises funds for community grants. Last year they added a scholarship in memory of Taylor Ricks, a sixteen-year-old Shawnee High School student who died in December 2011 as the result of a car accident. JSL members knew the family well and wanted to help. “Tonya Ricks was a sustaining member and at a meeting we were thinking about what we could do to help,” said JSL member Kelli Adams. “I remember making the comment that Taylor was a fantastic kid and probably would have been the recipient of one of our scholarships. We ended up voting on the idea of naming a scholarship in his honor with special criteria that were in line with his interests.” Because Ricks was passionate about band and drama, the scholarship considers those who are especially active in those activities. They examine other criteria such as SAT, ACT, and GPA scores, community involvement, financial need and an essay. The JSL raised a little over $9,000 for last year’s scholarships with Taylor Ricks being the highest paid at $2,000. “We ask about existing scholarships they may have gained and their overall financial situation as they’re heading to college,” said JSL member and Civic and Welfare Chairperson, Lauren Thomas. She was surprised at the poor funding available to them, in spite of outstanding test scores. “The scholarships they’re giving aren’t by any stretch enough, especially when you add on books and other things it’s really very expensive.” The 2012 recipient was Lydia Hodges and this year the recipient was Maygan Scott. The Ricks family attends the awards assembly at the high school. “Taylor was out-going, inquisitive, caring, gregarious, compassionate, intelligent, honest and fun-loving,” said Taylor’s mother, Tonya Ricks. “He always wanted to

aug Aug 10 Famous FBI Agent will speak at the Canine Companions for Independence Gala. Tickets are $35 and include dinner, a show, and demonstrations by graduate dogs. Starts at 6p.m. at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center.

Aug 15

Summer Job Fair at the CPN Cultural Heritage Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Local employers will be present taking resumes. For more info call Eric Stringer or Debbie Spears at 275-7800.

Aug 16 make those around him smile. Our family was and continues to be touched by this heartfelt gesture in Taylor’s memory. With this named scholarship we experience joy in seeing the opportunity and educational difference it makes in a deserving student’s life, while honoring Taylor’s life and passions.” The JSL has three major fundraisers annually: the kickoff supper and the pumpkin patch sale in the fall, and the Rajun’ Cajun’ dinner in the spring. They award more than $20,000 every year in community grants to over thirty community organizations, such as Mission Shawnee’s summer lunch program, Coats for Kids, and Project Gabriel and the Mabee –Gerrer Museum of Art, Hope House, and Shawnee 4H Club. Ticket sales and local business sponsors raise money for the supper and all proceeds will go to the scholarship funds. The kickoff supper is September 13th at 7 p.m. and includes hot dogs, beverages, and live entertainment is provided by the Shawnee High School band and “spirit squads.” Tickets are $7 and $5 for students, the dinner will be held in the gymnasium. Contact any JSL member to purchase tickets or visit jslshawnee.org for more information or email jslshawnee@gmail.com

Book Buzz Brunch Bunch is a great way to find out about what others are reading and discover new authors and genres. Shawnee Public Library, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Aug 17 Open auditions for the play “Disney’s Little Mermaid, Jr.” a musical production by Creative Magic Productions. Starts at 1p.m. at the Ritz Theatre.

Aug 29 Prepare for the ACT test with LearnA-Test at the Shawnee Public Library at 4:30 p.m.

Sept 6 Sept. 6- Shawnee High School varsity football game against McGuinness. Starts at 7 p.m.

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living portraits

behind bars Virginia Brendle

Rev. Larry Sparks wears many hats as pastor, chaplain, and occasionally a missionary. He is the Pastor of New Beginnings Church of Shawnee and Staff Chaplain at St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital. Educated at OBU and SWBT Seminary, Sparks managed supermarkets for Pratt’s as a great practical teacher. He and Vickie reside in Shawnee where they make time for their seventeen grandchildren, poetry, motorcycles and football.

When you become a widow and are left with a life, business and time on your hands, depression occurs. There is not enough medicine to correct it but God comes calling. This energetic, ever-smiling little lady was about to be ambushed by the same Lord who put Jonah on a boat, brought Paul to his knees and delivered salvation to a jailer in Philippi. Virginia was a show- up, be pleasant, look nice, and serve in the safe confines of a church sanctuary church type of gal. Upon the departure of one lady, she was asked to step into her role as County Jail Minister to incarcerated women. There could not have been a louder NO! Teach a Sunday school class? Yes. Go to jail? Uh, NO! But telling God no is like trying to nail jello to a tree; it just won’t stick. So, she struck a deal. She agreed to go four Sundays to the old County Jail. Lesson note; never bargain with God, you will lose! First Sunday, the nervous Virginia got off the elevator on the third floor of the old jail. The smell, the heat, and the get-me-out-ofhere atmosphere hit her like a furnace door. Suddenly, she was “on the lam” from God and bailed the jail. This happened three Sundays in a row. She couldn’t wait for the fourth Sunday, because that was all she had agreed to and besides, she was an expert at jail breaks by now. The fourth Sunday, same smells, isolation and ready to run environment. Only this time, God set a trap. The bait? A whimpering young girl who said, “Can you pray for me? I’m going to prison.” It was an ice pick in-the- heart conviction. Virginia found herself an inmate of sorts checking in each week with Bibles, teaching and lots of love. Being a faithful witness to hurting women, became her passion.

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That was thirteen years ago and today she is at the Pott. County Safety Center and Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in McLoud regularly. There, she is chaplain and serves on the Warden’s Advisory Board at MBCC. She is chairman of GIFTS (Giving Incarcerated Females Truth & Support), a non-profit group that provides hygiene products, cards and even college scholarships. She serves, also, as co-chairman and treasurer of the Prison Chapel Committee which is building a $500,000 facility on grounds. Virginia, you might say, is doing time in a positive way. Though a businesswoman herself for 30 years at Virginia’s Home Furnishings, she finds her greatest sales pitch given at Parole Board hearings for inmates. Her passion and calling are unmistakable as she advocates for the changed lives she witnesses. In the interview with Virginia, she showed me a bag she carries each week. I picked it up. Holy sack of iron, this bag was heavy! It contained four huge Bibles, her own 40lb. personal Bible and Sunday school material. It wouldn’t hold another pencil. However, one Sunday, she handed out all four Bibles to those she taught at the jail. When a reluctant inmate finally asked, “Can I have one too?” Virginia explained that she only had space in the case for four Bibles but she would get her one. As she placed her own Bible back in the bag, she felt something, as she lifted it out, it was a fifth Bible! A miracle provided behind closed doors, cell doors, locked doors but open doors for God. Want to go to jail? See over 600 inmates a month? Three services per Sunday? See Virginia Brendle and she will tell you, “Don’t try to run from God.” Most of us have no idea, as the old Charlie Rich song says, “What goes on behind closed doors!”

Now ENrolliNg!

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