This recently completed new home features custom cabinetry, custom lighting, material specifications and furniture and décor by Nicole Rickey Interior Design. Nicole has 20 years of experience specializing in custom high end residential interiors. Architectural planning and home design by Brent Gibson Home Design
Welcome to our Love Local issue, where we shine the spotlight on some of the things that make this a great place to live and work!
One of OKC's draws is its rich fine arts offerings, from art gallery shows to drama and dance productions. This month, the Oklahoma City Ballet is performing the iconic ballet Swan Lake over two weekends (including Valentine's) at the Civic Center Music Hall. A special sensory-friendly perfor mance in collaboration with AutismOklahoma for children and adults with sensory sensitivities or for anyone who may benefit from being in a more relaxed environment. See story, page 16.
Oklahoma City is growing by leaps and bounds. One area that is currently undergoing positive growth and change is in its Urban Core. It's here that Randolph Design + Build chose to locate its newest development. Learn about these modern luxury homes located in a new pocket neighborhood, The North Shore, near lower Scissortail Park and about the family-owned business on page 26.
We're also blessed to live in a community that includes a host of nonprofits targeting such issues as homelessness, food insecurities, mental health, education, and so on. One of these is The Stepping Stone Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps support teen parents by providing them with the resources to help them thrive in their academic, professional and home environments. Learn more about this nonprofit on page 14.
And you won't want to miss our monthly OKC VIBES. This month, Mel and Lestari spotlight one of the city's fabulous fine-dining establishments: Stock & Bond OKC. Set in the stunning First National Center, the ladies selected this chic steakhouse as the perfect place for their early Galentine’s celebration. Check it out on page 22. Warning: do not read when you're hungry!
I hope you love our Love Local issue. Till next time!
JERRI CULPEPPER, MANAGING EDITOR @CITYLIFESTYLE_OKC
PUBLISHER
Jimmy Darden | jimmy.darden@citylifestyle.com
405.541.5650
MANAGING EDITOR
Jerri Culpepper | jerri.culpepper@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Harlea Robinson, Melissa "Mel" Drake, Michelle Pipes
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jerri Culpepper, Murphy Barnett, Mel Drake
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jana Carson, Michelle Pipes, Sarah Strunk, Shevaun Williams
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Learn
Proverbs 3:5-6
Homes and lots for sale in North Shore. Live in an Urban Community surrounded by beautiful Lower Scissortail Park, just North of Oklahoma River, and a quick walk to Paycom Center, Civic Center, Downtown restaurants, and so much more.
1-7: City Lifestyle managing editor Jerri Culpepper, with her sister Lori, niece Lindsey, and Lindsey’s 7-year-old son, Liam, enjoy the lights and festivities at the OKC debut of Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas at Remington Park. 2: Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas featured 55,000 square feet of dazzling light sculptures. 3: Lindsey, Liam and Lori take a pause from the fun to share a tender moment. 4: Food trucks offered seasonal fare and drinks. 5: Lindsey and Liam Davies pose in one of the many “selfie” lighted displays. 7: This light-changing stage, an ice-skating rink and a Christmas snow slide were among featured activities. Photography by Jerri Culpepper
The South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce has named Derek Loccident, the Team USA track and field Paralympic athlete who made his debut at the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, bringing home two silver medals for Team USA, as the recipient of their 2024 Native Oklahoma Award. Competing in the long jump and the 100-meter dash, the OKC native has quickly emerged as a rising star in Paralympic sports.
The Penny Project Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2020 by Jacoby and Kristen Gonzales to educate families about SIDS, will hold its largest fundraiser of the year—A Black and White Masquerade— Saturday, Feb. 22, at Hidden Trails Country Club in Oklahoma City. The event, which will include a dinner, live entertainment, an auction and raffle, begins at 6 p.m. FMI, email thepennyproj@gmail.com.
Step into Bayou Noir, where the spirit of New Orleans, Black culture, and Mardi Gras come to life! This enchanting event, beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel, will honor the rhythm, flavors and artistry of Mardi Gras, and serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Black Excellence. Proceeds go to the Jack and Jill of America Foundation and Positive Tomorrows.
Strengthen and support your core.
Improve bladder and bowel control.
Enhance sexual wellness and confidence.
ARTICLE BY MURPHY BARNETT
Nonprofit Supporting Teen Parents Complete Their High School Education and Pursue a Career
The Stepping Stone Foundation, a nonprofit organization serving the Oklahoma City metro area, helps support teen parents by providing them with the resources to help them thrive in their academic, professional and home environments.
Stepping Stone co-founder Meg Durham is a former Oklahoma City Public Schools teacher, a position that enabled her to see issues facing many lower income, urban students. She and her husband, Nic, dedicated themselves to helping support teen parents by creating a program to help teen parents complete their high school education and find a viable career path.
“Graduating high school and pursuing a secondary education is difficult for anyone. The challenge may prove insurmountable to teen parents,” explains Nic. “We decided we wanted to focus on helping teen parents finishing up high school, getting a diploma, taking some form of secondary education, and finding a career to support their family. Hence, Stepping Stone was born.”
Stepping Stone hosts monthly luncheons that provide support and resources for teen parents. They provide tools, such as laptops, to help make secondary education more accessible to teen parents, and provide scholarship assistance and financial support for needs that the family may have.
In addition, the foundation connects teen parents to each other to create a community of support and provides mentorship opportunities that allow students to grow through the rest of their high school, college or technical school education to help them find employment opportunities and explore career pathways.
“We hope that Stepping Stone can help them set goals and decide what type of careers they might be interested in, while also helping them raise their families,” Nic says. “My wife and I have a passion to help, but we are not experts in all of the industries that kids want to go into. We bring in experts to provide updates on career and salary trends. When they decide what career they want to pursue, we pair them up with an expert in that field.”
By working with experts in the community, Stepping Stone helps connect students to job opportunities through mentorship and learning experiences.
One of Stepping Stone’s community partners is Infinity Custom Homes , which specializes in custom home building and remodeling. Infinity Custom Homes provides mentorship opportunities for students who are interested in construction, remodeling and HVAC.
Infinity Custom Homes strives to provide their clients with quality service, while also giving back to the community, creating a natural partnership with Stepping Stone.
“Bringing in experts from different companies helps teens support themselves and their family through their future career,” Nic elaborates. “This is where mentors from partners like Infinity Custom
Homes become so critical to us. We provide scholarships for all secondary education opportunities for these students. However, we have seen that just scholarships without mentorship are nowhere near as impactful to students, so building these relationships is critical to achieving our goals.”
By supporting teen parents through mentorship, education and job opportunities, Stepping Stone helps them reach their individual goals and create meaningful professional and personal connections.
“Every time we see one of the students finish a semester of school and get one step closer to their goals, it’s meaningful to us,” said Nic. “When the students finish school and they recognize what they have accomplished with the help of Stepping Stone, it makes them want to support other students who are thinking about their future, which is encouraging for everyone.”
For more information about The Stepping Stone Foundation and Infinity Custom Homes, visit their websites at SteppingStoneOKC.wordpress.com and InfinityCustomHomesOKC.com or find them on social media @thesteppingstonefoundation and @infinitycustomhomesokc.
Swan Lake is arguably one of the world’s two most well-known and beloved ballet productions of all time. (The Nutcracker is the other).
Since its debut in 1877, this timeless masterpiece composed by Pyotr Ilyich has captivated audiences young and old with its haunting beauty, emotional depth and unparalleled artistry.
For the corps and principal dancers, it’s one of the most physically demanding of all ballets.
The iconic ballet, last performed by the Oklahoma City Ballet in 2017, will be performed over two weekends this month at the Civic Center Music Hall. The two-weekend run will include six performances, plus a sensory-friendly performance in collaboration with AutismOklahoma (AautismOklahoma.org).
This year, Oklahoma City Director of School and Studio Company Racheal Nye is choreographing Swan Lake, adapted from the reimagined ballet as choreographed by Marius Petipa and his assistant, Lev Ivanov, following Tchaikovsky's death in 1893. The ballet will feature 24 swans as part of the corps de ballet.
“Swan Lake is one of the most physically demanding ballets for both the corps and principal dancers, as it famously ends with the Black Swan completing 32 consecutive whip turns, or fouettés,” observed the noted choreographer, who learned Swan Lake and other classical ballets directly from some of the top teachers in the world.
“Swan Lake has been twisted and turned throughout the years, and I am excited to expand the story based on historical pantomime,” Racheal added. “I hope all of our dancers feel like they are part of a special process that showcases the lineage of where ballet is and where it is going. Swan Lake is certainly a love story, but also a very moving story of strength and sacrifice.”
The sets and costumes for the production are on rental from Ballet West, based in Salt Lake City. The Swan costumes were made famous when popular American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift donned the tutu in her 2014 music video “Shake it Off,” and Oklahoma City Ballet will be using the very same outfits.
Oklahoma City Ballet Artistic Director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye describes Swan Lake as “the embodiment of classical ballet, showcasing the artistry, precision and emotional depth that define the art form.
This page image is a promotional photo for the Oklahoma City Ballet’s 2024 production of Swan Lake by Shevaun Williams
“ SWAN
EMOTIONAL
“For the Swans, it is a grueling test of endurance and unity, requiring not only technical excellence, but also a profound connection to the story and music,” he added. “This production highlights the dedication and discipline of our dancers as they embody one of the most iconic works in ballet history, bringing its timeless beauty to life for our audience.”
Jo Lynne Jones, Oklahoma City Ballet’s John Kirkpatrick Executive Director, encourages individuals, couples and families—whether they’re steadfast ballet aficionados or have never even been to a live ballet performance before—to attend one of the performances scheduled this month.
Especially one of the shows scheduled for Valentine’s Day weekend, she said, noting that “it’s the perfect date night, but also great for families.”
In partnership with AutismOklahoma, a sensory-friendly performance of Swan Lake is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. The sensory-friendly performances are for children and adults with sensory sensitivities or for anyone who may benefit from being in a more relaxed environment.
Changes to this performance will include lower volume of music; adjusted house lighting; no pyrotechnics or strobe lights; and very relaxed theater rules, allowing guests to use electronic devices, talk and leave their seats as needed.
What: Oklahoma City Ballet production of Swan Lake
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7-8 and Feb. 14-15; 2 p.m. Feb. 9 and 16; sensory-friendly version 2 p.m. Feb. 15
Where: Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker
Admission: Single tickets range from $29 to $128 and are available through Oklahoma City Ballet by calling 405.848.TOES (8673) or the Civic Center box office at 405.297.2264, and online at okcballet.org. Tickets to the sensory-family performance on Feb. 15 are deeply discounted
FYI
• Swan Lake will be performed by Oklahoma City Ballet’s 26 professional dancers, 35 members of OKCBII and about a dozen students from the Oklahoma City Ballet Yvonne Chouteau School.
• Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote the musical score for Swan Lake, which was largely inspired by German and Slavic
folk tales and tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse.
• The ballet tells the love story of Prince Siegfried, who refuses to choose a noble bride. On a hunting trip, he encounters a flock of swans and falls madly in love with the Swan Queen Odette, swearing his allegiance and undying love to her.
• Swan Lake was originally received as an artistic failure. Tchaikovsky’s first ballet, critics called the music too complicated and symphonic for ballet and described the choreography as unimaginative and forgettable.
• The choreographer of the original production of Swan Lake was Julius Reisinger (Václav Reisinger). The ballet was premiered by the Bolshoi Ballet on March 4, 1877, at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
Editor's Note: Jana Carson's photos were taken backstage and during dress rehearsal for the Oklahoma City Ballet's 2017 production of Swan Lake, as rehearsals had not yet begun at press time.
FOCUS THIS MONTH: STOCK & BOND OKC
Love is in the air, and we’re here for it! February is all about L-OV-E, and that includes every kind—Galentine’s Day with your gal pals (like we did at Stock & Bond—more on that soon!), treating yourself to something indulgent, or sharing a cozy table for two with someone special.
This month, we’re focusing on one thing we love most—Where to Eat. And trust us, Stock & Bond OKC (StockandBond.com) the spot to fall head over heels for. We’ve got the ultimate recommendation (and photos) to prove it.
Grab a fork and prepare because you’re not ready for this level of yum. OKC loves big, and so do we, so get ready to crush hard on our pick of the month!
Set in the stunning First National Center,138 Park Ave., this chic steakhouse was the perfect place for our early Galentine’s celebration. From killer cocktails to dessert dreams come true, the flavors and vibes were unmatched.
Here’s everything we savored—and loved! (Spoiler alert—we happily threw calorie counting out the window!)
COCKTAILS
Start with a toast and good vibes!
• Rose Wine Flight - Did someone say “Flight Night?!” Crisp, light and perfect for sharing. A gorgeous pick by Lestari.
• Bourbon Old Fashioned - Classic, smooth and full of flavor. Mel nailed this choice.
STARTERS
More than just a warm-up act, these appetizers had us swooning instantly.
• Duroc Pork Buns - Soft, fluffy, filled with bourbon hoisin, cucumber and scallions. A savory dream.
• Crab Cakes - Fresh, packed with jumbo lump crab, and finished with remoulade. Perfectly shareable.
• Colossal Shrimp Cocktail - Juicy, flavorful and chilled to perfection.
MAINS
Now for the headliners! Stock & Bond truly knows turf and surf.
• 24-oz Prime Bone-In Ribeye - We shared. Cooked medium and always a showstopper. Crab Oscar Topping Mel’s choice, with lump crab, asparagus and béarnaise. Pure indulgence. Chimichurri Sauce - Lestari’s fave! Herbaceous and zingy— don’t skip this add-on!
• Seared Scallops - Expertly golden, they paired beautifully with our steak.
SIDES
We don’t believe in playing favorites when it comes to sides. Just order them all.
• Whipped Potatoes - Creamy, buttery heaven.
• Roasted Mushrooms in Miso-Shallot Butter - Rich, earthy and downright addictive.
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts - Crispy, caramelized goodness.
• Truffle Fries - Parmesan-packed heaven with a garlicky, crispy crunch. (We’re OBSESSED with ANYTHING truffle!)
SWEETS
No meal is complete without dessert, and Stock & Bond didn’t disappoint.
• 16-Layer Chocolate Cake - A guilded, gold-topped marvel with Coffee Dulce Sauce.
• Cinnamon-Vanilla Bread Pudding - Warm, gooey and drenched in Bourbon Sauce—a hug in dessert form.
UNTIL NEXT MONTH!
OKC fam, we love sharing this city’s magic with you—and we love you for coming along on this adventure with us! Hope your February is filled with love and good eats.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram at @ThisIsMelDrake and @le.star for all the insider vibes.
Cheers and love always, Mel & Lestari
ARTICLE BY JERRI CULPEPPER
Soaring, 12-foot ceilings, a plethora of high-efficiency windows to admit natural light, chef’s kitchens with top-tier appliances, spa-like baths, private courtyards.
Prime access to Scissortail Park and the Oklahoma River, with its many trails, kayaking and year-round events.
These are just a few of the amenities found in the newest homes lovingly crafted and built by Randolph Design + Build in a new pocket neighborhood located in the heart of Downtown Oklahoma City’s lower Scissortail Park.
Located in The North Shore Development area, each home also features modern architecture and spacious living areas that flow into a beautiful courtyard. The luxurious owners’ suites boast high ceilings, a picture window and a spa-like bath. Additional bedrooms offer private baths.
Left page: Randolph Design + Build’s newest homes are located in a new pockethood neighborhood near Scissortail Park.
This page image: Light white oak wood flooring and pecky cypress paneling and a sleek black fireplace are complemented by a herringbone-patterned rug and textured coffee table and eyecatching modern lighting fixtures.
Four homes have already been built, and the OKC build and design team this year will begin developing on SW 14th Street, just behind the current homes. They’re also working with several clients to design their custom homes in the area. Eventually, some 200 lots are projected to be built out in the North Shore development.
Currently, two homes are available that are move-in ready; they range from 2,700 to 2,900 square feet, with three bedrooms (all with en suite bathrooms and closets) and two interior living spaces.
Ashley Randolph-McAllister, a master builder apprentice for the firm and the daughter of master builder and founder Gary Randolph, notes that the “City of Oklahoma City takes great pride and has a strong investment in the area and seeing its success” and that the area was created to be high-density with options of live/work, mixed-use commercial and residential.
Realtors are fond of repeating the adage, “Location. Location. Location.” That meaning, of course, that where a home is situated is perhaps the most important factor in rating a home’s desirability.
The location is so ideal, in fact, that Randolph Design + Build has moved its business to a 900-square-foot area on the first level of one of the new homes; the extended family lives on the second and third levels.
“It’s a fantastic commute just down the stairs to work for me each day!” she quips.
“Gary and Trish, my dad and mom [the firm’s creative designer], are completing their home just four doors down this spring, and it’s a joy to have them close by as my children grow up,” she said. “We believe it’s important to build not only a home, but a community of people with multi-generations living in close proximity.”
Seven months after moving to The North Shore, Ashley said she and her family have fallen in love with the area.
“With Lower Scissortail Park just one block away, there is never a dull moment in the neighborhood,” she said.
“We visit the farmer’s market in Scissortail Park, go on sunset walks daily to Overlook Hill, and can walk over the Skydance bridge to be at CONTINUED >
the Myriad Gardens or a Thunder game within 15 minutes. We are also one block north of the Oklahoma River, which is the reason the development was coined ‘North Shore’. A family can jump on the Oklahoma River trails with a bicycle and be at the Riversport Adventures in nine minutes, and the First American’s Museum or the new OKANA Resort within a quick 20-minute ride.”
Ashley noted another feature of these new homes that not only set them apart from most neighborhoods in the metro and beyond: They are built with the concept of a “zero lot line” (meaning built on or very close to the edge of the property line to maximize the usable space of the lot). Incapsulating an entire city lot, the homes have garages that approach from a rear concrete alley, with embankments of grass and trees between the homes.
This design was very intentional.
“The front walks and entries really allow you to feel the community,” Ashley says.
But privacy is also a valuable commodity. With that in mind, each home has its own private plaza located between the main living space and garage.
“These quaint spaces give the opportunity to grill dinner outside, and to enjoy the ambience of the outdoor fireplace and trickling sound of the fountain.”
Ashley says she and her family are thrilled to live and work in Oklahoma City’s swiftly evolving Urban Core, and they are excited to be a part of those historic changes. The design/ build firm believes that’s a lifestyle that will be shared by many others.
Founded in 1975 by Gary Randolph, Randolph Design + Build Company is a fast-growing, family-owned business that specializes in custom home builds and renovations. Their team works closely with home buyers to create spaces that reflect their unique styles and needs and inspire and transform the way they live.
As a family-owned and operated company, the team at Randolph Design + Build brings
CONTINUED >
Top: Outdoor living at its best. A cocktail pool serves as the centerpiece of this spacious courtyard.
Middle: Imagine warming up on a cold winter night in front of this Kiva-plastered fireplace and listening to a nice vinyl on the record player.
Bottom: This home features a “Jill-N-Jill”-type bathroom, where each child has their own en suite vanity and toilet as well as a shared space encompassing a jetta tub and shower on opposite walls. Each vanity space boasts frosted, barn-style sliding doors to allow for full privacy as needed.
together experienced designers, craftsmen and project managers who share a passion for creating exceptional homes. The firm offers comprehensive construction services that include design and build not only of new homes, but also master suite and room additions and attic conversions. They also handle kitchen and bathroom renovations, custom cabinet installation, residential outdoor living spaces including cabanas and pools, and commercial build-outs.
The close-knit, family-run business is headed by Gary Randolph, a master builder with over 50 years in the construction and design industry, and his wife, Trish Randolph, the firm’s creative designer. Their daughter, Ashley Randolph-McAllister, serves as master builder apprentice. Other team members include Brent McAllister, superintendent; Odalys Ocampo, office and marketing manager, and Lalo Angeles, superintendent.
The company’s vision is to design-build unique, 21st-century luxury homes that will stand the test of time.
322 SW 13th St. | Oklahoma City, OK 73109 RandolphDB.com
FEBRUARY 1ST
Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City | 6:00 PM
Don't miss one of the biggest interactive comedy shows as the "Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show" comes to Oklahoma City. You are invited to solve a hilarious mystery while you feast on a fantastic meal. Beware, the culprit is hiding in plain sight and you may even find yourself as a prime suspect before the evening is over. TheDinnerDetective.com/Oklahoma-City/Murder-Mystery-Tickets-Showtimes
FEBRUARY 6TH
Leadership Square, OKC | 6:30 PM
Head to Automobile Alley in Oklahoma City for Chocolate Decadence, an evening full of chocolate treats, savory tasting dishes, gourmet coffee and more. Dress to impress and sip champagne or wine while listening to live music and bidding on items in the auction. Get your ticket now and celebrate Valentine's Day early. AutomobileAlley.org/Chocolate-Decadence
FEBRUARY 7TH - 9TH
Oklahoma State Fair Park, OKC
Come enjoy a unique marketplace with booths occupying multiple buildings throughout the fairgrounds. Explore a vast array of arts, crafts, antiques, collectibles, furniture, decorative items, accessories, jewelry, clothing, gourmet foods and more. This three-day event is a shopping paradise with one-of-a-kind merchandise from thousands of exhibitors across the nation. AAOTH.com/February
FEBRUARY 7TH - 16TH
Oklahoma City Ballet Presents: Swan Lake
Civic Center Music Hall, OKC
"Swan Lake" is the beloved tale of Odette, a beautiful maiden transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer and the prince who swears his enduring love. A hallmark of the classical repertoire, this piece represents the struggle between good and evil in terms of black and white with lavish sets, costumes and live music. OkcBallet.org/Performance/Swan-Lake
FEBRUARY 12TH - MARCH 2ND
Lyric Theatre presents: Waitress
Plaza Theatre, OKC
Follow the story of Jenna, a waitress and pie chef from a small town. This determined young woman puts her expert pie-making skills to work in order to win a baking contest and escape her unhappy marriage as she pursues an affair with the new doctor in town. LyricTheatreOkc.com/Shows/Waitress
FEBRUARY 15TH - 16TH
Monster Jam
Paycom Center, OKC
Monster Jam is an incredible family-friendly experience starring the biggest performers on four wheels. These 12-foot-tall, 10,000-pound machines bring you to the edge of your seat as you watch them racing through a custom-designed track. Don't miss the pre-show Pit Party on Sunday, where you can go out onto the actual racetrack, meet drivers and get autographs. PaycomCenter.com/Events/Detail/MonsterJam2025
