MOORE MONTHLY - March 2024

WINNERS & PHOTOS INSIDE!

Lisa West,

Quynh Chao,

Brenda Mah-McCaa,

Daniel Rau, PA-C

EASY MONEY — Every story has a beginning and for Toby Keith, the tale began here in Moore with a band called Easy Money. Two of Keith’s bandmates reflect on their shared passion for music and a brotherhood that stands the test of time.

BEST OF MOORE — It was a record-breaking year for the second time in a row as more people than ever voted in our Best of Moore & South OKC Awards. In this month’s magazine you’ll find the list of winners and photos from our festive awards celebration.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

NOTHING BUNDT CAKES — After years of speculation, Moore gets a Nothing But Bundt Cakes location, and customers are discovering the business offers much more than delicious cakes.

SPORTS

a new head football coach and he brings with him a passion for excellence and making sure every player has a life-changing experience. He’s also a girl-dad who is dead serious about the lyrics to Disney songs.

Over the course of my 66+ years on this planet, I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard about the passing of two celebrities. When I was in college in Nashville in 1977, I was driving down Murfreesboro Road when the news came on the radio that Elvis Presley had passed away in Memphis.

I had that same déjà vu experience a few weeks ago when a notification popped up on my phone announcing the passing of Toby Keith. The country music icon was one of my musical heroes as an adult in much the same way as Elvis was for me growing up as a boy.

My first experience with Toby Keith was being introduced to his hit single, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” His references to Marshall Dillon, Gene Autry, and Roy Rogers resonated with me. Those were some of my childhood heroes.

Decades later, I ran into Keith – literally – on my way into Moore Public Schools stadium. I was headed in to shoot photos at a football game with one of the Moore schools playing Norman North. I didn’t know it, but Keith’s son played for North. As I walked past the visiting team’s locker room, the door swung open, and I collided with this tall fella in an OU baseball cap. All I could say was, “Holy expletive! Toby Keith!”

Letter from the Editor

He was exceptionally gracious. asked me my name and wanted to know who I was shooting photos for. When I told him that I worked for the Moore Monthly, he said, “We pick that up every month. You guys do a great job.”

I’ve found myself reflecting on Keith’s impact more than a few times over the past weeks.

There are few people in the Moore community who haven’t been touched in some way by this hometown hero, especially in the wake of the 2013 tornado. He cut a biggerthan-life swath through this community, the state of Oklahoma, our nation, and even the world with his music and his charity work.

We feel extremely privileged to have had the chance to tell some of the early part of Keith’s story, which unfolded right here in Moore. Those who played in that first band with him took the time to share their memories of a shared passion for music and a brotherhood that will impact them forever.

Rest in Peace, Toby Keith. Once a Moore Lion, Always a Moore Lion. Moore Monthly

How a Moore Garage Band and Toby Keith Found the Perfect Musical Path

If you ask most long-time Moore residents if they remember a juke joint called “The Feedstore,” they’ll likely regale you with fond stories about the place. It was a favorite watering hole back in the 70s and 80s, especially for fans of country music. The Feedstore sat on a little piece of land on 27th Street, just east of I-35. It’s the same spot where the “Home of Toby Keith” water tower stands today.

The link between the Toby Keith water tower and The Feedstore runs deeper than many people know. A band called “Easy Money” played gigs there on many occasions. The lead singer of Easy Money was Toby Keith Covell.

Danny Smith and David “Yogi” Vowell, along with Scott and Kent Webb, were the original members of the band. They met while working at Oklahoma Cabinet and Trim, a workshop owned by Phil Austin. Austin’s company produced custom cabinets, and his father, Jesse, owned Jesse Austin’s Music Store, which caught Smith’s attention.

“I was 14 years old at the time and was in a little band we’d put together,” said Smith. “So, I lied about my age and went down there and got a job.”

The music connection to the woodshop was simple: Austin stored a bunch of musical equipment that they had access to. Yogi was a guitar player who also worked in the cabinet shop. He remembers knowing a little about Smith before he came to work there.

“I kind of knew that he played bass,” said Yogi. “I had heard a little bit about his band, maybe through his sister or something like that.”

Smith and Yogi started setting up the equipment to play and practice when the boss wasn’t around.

“We’d dig the equipment out and start playing on it,” said Smith. “It wasn’t ours, but we took advantage of it to practice.”

It didn’t take long for Smith, Yogi, and the Webbs to form their own band, County Line. Even though they had all grown up around country music, the band’s playlist was cover music featuring songs from Led Zeppelin, REO Speedwagon, and Commander Cody.

“There were four of us. Kent Webb, Scott Webb, Yogi and me,” said Smith. “We didn’t play much of anything, Just little, bitty parties and things like that.”

Photo courtesy: Dana Street

Yogi added, “We played my sister-in-law’s wedding reception once.”

That all changed one night on 12th Street, which was Moore’s popular gathering place at the time for cruising cars and hanging out.

“I had a friend named Rick Church,” said Yogi, “We were out on 12th Street one night and Rick brings this guy over and introduces him.”

Smith and Yogi were both Moore High School Lions, so they knew of Toby, but neither knew him personally. They did know that he was a cowboy.

“He had the big hat on and the belt buckle,” said Yogi.

“Back then, there was a definite difference between a cowboy and what folks would call a ‘goat roper,’” said Smith. “Toby was definitely a cowboy, like his brother Tracy, who I had some classes with.”

Church told the guys that he and Toby had been writing some songs, and they all ended up heading over to Church’s house to hang out.

Yogi said, “We were checking out what they were doing and I remember thinking, ‘Hey, that’s some pretty good stuff they’ve got there.’”

As the evening went on, Yogi and Smith started singing some harmony and for those two, things just clicked.

“I told Toby and Rich that we had this little garage band and you should come over and check it out,” said Yogi. “Even though we were doing rock and he was doing country.”

As their newfound friendship and partnership with Keith grew, the bridge between rock and country turned out to be easy to cross. Smith and Yogi said it made sense to them because they enjoyed country music as much as rock.

“The first country song we learned was ‘Feels So Right,’ by Alabama,” said Smith. “There were a lot of songs by Alabama that we all liked.”

It didn’t take long before County Line was ready to play some gigs. As often happens with bands getting started out, there were some bumps in the road. For County Line, that bump came during their first show at a club called Spikes, located on South Shields.

“We played that night, and the club didn’t make enough money to pay us,” said Smith. “But that was only part of it.”

“We blew a breaker or a fuse or something like that because the power went out as well,” said Yogi. “It was only 75 or 100 bucks, but we did finally get paid.”

It was only a small bump, though, and County Line kept playing smaller gigs, such as private parties. Smith says things changed when the band got a chance to play at The Feed Store. Phil Austin, their old boss from the cabinet company, was an accomplished musician himself who had a group that was the house band for The Feed Store.

Photo courtesy: Dana Street

Photo courtesy: Dana Street

“Phil asked us to fill in for him one night,” said Smith. “We were still new and raw, maybe had 15 songs ready to play. 20 songs tops.”

County Line took those 15-20 songs and filled in for Austin’s band. As it turned out, the club management liked them better and hired them to be the house band. So, when he came back, he was not happy about that, as you can imagine.”

Smith and Yogi remember Keith’s voice being rich and strong, able to handle all of the band’s playlist. They played a mix of country covers and original songs written by Keith. Their ability to harmonize with Keith’s lead vocals became one of the band’s strongest assets.

“My dad was the church music director, so I grew up learning to sing harmony,” said Yogi. “In fact, when I would sing along to the radio, I would never sing the melody line; it was always the harmony for me.”

Smith said, “We were singing harmonies like Alabama and Exile. Me and Yogi, and then Scott jumped in. So there weren’t any other bands doing the kind of harmonies we were doing. That’s what set us apart.”

Like so many garage bands trying to get started, all of the band members had day jobs to pay the bills. Keith’s job was in the oil and required him to be on call 24/7. That led to another bump in the road for the band.

“We were playing at The Feed House one night, and Toby gets a page in the middle of the show,” said Smith. “He said, ‘Fellas, I gotta go.’ We said, ‘Toby, you can’t leave. If you leave, we’re gonna have to find somebody else.”

Fortunately, Keith was ready to rejoin the band, and things took off from there.

It was a short time later when the band made the name change from County Line to Easy Money.

“We got invited to play this big, private party in 1981, 1982 for something like a couple of grand, which was huge for us at that time,” said Smith. “Somebody in the band said, ‘Man, this is going to be easy money.’ Scott Webb said that it sounded like a good name for the band, and from that time on, we were Easy Money.”

The guys in the band, who were all still teenagers or in their early 20s, really began to work hard to get more experience and hone their craft. They spent a lot of time playing the country western clubs up and down the interstate.

“It was awful,” said Yogi, “But you know, you make good money in the oil fields so he had to go out to Weatherford or somewhere like that. And we ended up replacing him with another friend.”

That replacement did not go well and was short-lived.

“The guy we got was another friend from Moore who was a big high school superstar,” said Smith. “And he was a helluva singer and was really versatile. He’s really religious now and I think he’s a preacher, but he drank a lot then and would get on the microphone and cuss a lot.”

Things cratered for their replacement singer when the band played a pool party, and the singer kept belching on the microphone. The band realized they needed to ask Keith to come back.

“There were these motels all up and down I-35 and they all had these clubs in them,” said Yogi. “That was the place to be for country music dancing. But a lot of them had their house bands, and they were kind of cliquish.”

Yogi said those bands would have regular Sunday jam sessions, so Easy Money decided to drop in on one of the session wearing their new band jackets.

“We had bought these green silk jackets with the Easy Money logo on the back,” said Yogi. “We walked in with those jackets and our long hair and mullets, and they were staring at us like, ‘Who are these punks?’ Then we got up there and blew ‘em away.”

Photo courtesy: Dana Street

That finally helped Easy Money get their foot in the door with local gigs. They played a long list of clubs that included Chastain’s Cow Daddy’s, The Country Palace, The Continental Club, Boogie Hill, Buckaroos, and Old Blue’s.

“Old Blues was over at Flood and Robinson in Norman,” said Smith. “I remember that it was a two-part club. Half was a country bar where we played, and the other half was a strip joint. We were playing on my 16th birthday, and I got drunk and ended up throwing up in the closet where the strippers changed.”

During this stretch, Easy Money went through a series of fashion stages that perfectly reflected the 80’s.

“We went through every 80s phase from the bolo ties to Don Johnson and Duran Duran,” said Smith. “That included parachute pants and mullets.”

Easy Money also began to get some traction. They opened for Johnny Paycheck, Sawyer Brown, and Freddy Fender. The next big turning point came when they entered a local radio contest called the Country Showdown around 1983. The contest ran on a local, regional, and national level, with the national winner getting a record contract.

“We won the local contest,” said Smith, “But then we got beat out by another band in the regionals.”

However, that loss didn’t dampen their spirits.

“I went to the library and found this book that listed all the names of booking agents, music agents, and things like that,” said Yogi. “So we sat down and made about 30 really nice packets with photos and our logo and sent them out.”

The band got one response. It was from Bill Green Music in San Antonio, known as BGM Records.

“We did our first album with BGM, which was an independent label,” said Smith. “It was called ‘Double or Nothing.’ Blue Moon was on that album.”

“I think one of the things that’s important to tell is that Toby wasn’t just a great singer,” said Smith, “He was also a heckuva songwriter. That goes all the way back to when we first met him. That was what he did.”

“We were playing original music that he wrote from the very beginning,” said Yogi. “We’d play these clubs four or five nights in a row, and you’d see people out there dancing to his songs, and that just meant what he was writing was good stuff.”

Double or Nothing cracked the Billboard Top 100, and while it didn’t make the Top 40, it did give the band their first taste of the road.

“Bill booked us some stuff in San Antonio and some gigs in New Mexico,” said Smith. “These were bigger clubs, and things just grew from there.”

Photo courtesy: Dana Street

Photo courtesy: Dana Street

Easy Money found its way as far north as the Calgary Stamped in Canada and Pascagoula, Mississippi. The trip to Mississippi brought another interesting moment.

“We rolled into Pascagoula the morning after a hurricane wiped out the town,” said Smith., “The only thing left was part of the hospital and the club we were playing. They said, ‘Yeah, we still need you to play.” But it only played one night because they started the curfew the next day, and that was the end of that.”

The band began their travels in an old school bus. They borrowed some money from a friend to buy the bus, ripping out the seats to make room for the band and their gear.

“The bus was so loud, and the gear shifter was so bad that we had to wrap a big packing blanket around it,” said Smith. “We drove that bus so many miles that I have no idea how it kept running.”

Smith and Yogi remember the old bus having a throttle that the driver would pull all the way out while on the road so that it would act as sort of a very crude cruise control. They would switch out drivers while the bus was in motion, sliding out of the seat while trading hands on the steering wheel. There was one band member who, up until a memorable trip through Kansas, had never been behind the wheel.

“I was driving and was really tired,” said Yogi, “So I looked back at him and asked if he could drive for a bit. He had never driven, but he said sure, and we switched places.”

It was a straight road, so nobody was concerned about the first timer, and the rest of the band napped while he drove…until he came to an elevated bridge with a “Y” and he had no idea which way to go.,

“He panicked and couldn’t figure out how to dial the throttle down,” said Smith. “We went off that bridge like something out of the movie, ‘Speed.” We ended up plowing through a field and left behind a big scar that looked like a road grader had gone through.”

The bus and the band escaped undamaged.

“We actually ended up putting about another 200,000 miles on that bus,” said Yogi.

The old bus finally died on the side of the road outside of Clovis, New Mexico.

“I had left the band at that point,” said Yogi, “My stepfather and I got a U-Haul and went and picked them and all their equipment to bring them back.”

Smith and Yogi see all those memories now through the unexpected lens of Keith’s recent passing. Those are moments they say they’ll cherish.

“The greatest years of my life,” said Smith. “We were brothers like no other. Yeah, we fought and squabbled from time to time, but there’s love to this day.”

Of all the things they remember about Keith, one of the clearest memories is of a man who had every confidence in his ability to succeed in the challenging world of country music.

“One of Toby’s greatest attributes was that he always had this uncanny ability to sense what the crowd wanted,” said Smith. “Most bands have a song list they take on stage and go off of that. We never had a setlist. Toby could just feel the crowd and read what they wanted. Then he’d just turn around and call out the songs for us. It was perfect.”

Photo courtesy: Dana Street

Photo courtesy: Dana Street

Photo courtesy: Dana Street

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Best of Moore & South OKC Awards this year! It was ANOTHER record-breaking year for the number of votes cast. That means that the competition was as close as it every was in many of our categories! To those who were able to celebrate with us at the Riverwind Casino’s Showplace Theater on February 20th, we hope the night was as memorable for you as it was for us! If you were unable to attend and have not yet received your trophy or certificate, we will be attempting to deliver those by hand.

Once again…congratulations to this year’s winners, nominees, and everyone who participated. Moore and South OKC are blessed to have such an incredible group of local businesses and people who run them.

Best Asian Dining

1. Pailin Thai Cuisine

2. Volcano Sushi and Hibachi

3. GoGo Sushi

Best Attorney Firm

1. Foshee & Yaffe Law Firm

2. Ramick Law Firm

3. McIntyre Law P.C.

BEST OF MOORE & SOUTH OKC 2024

Best Auto Maintenance

1. Hi Tech Auto Service

2. Beneficial Auto Maintenance

3. Brookwood Automotive

Best Bank

1. BancFirst

2. MidFirst Bank

3. First Fidelity Bank

Best Bakery/Sweets

1. The OKC Cake Lady

2. Eileen's Colossal Cookies

3. Crest Bakery

Best BBQ

1. Dale's BBQ

2. Ray's BBQ

3. Van's Pig Stand

Best Breakfast Spot

1. Sunny Side Up

2. Jimmy's Egg

3. Waffle House

Best Burger

1. Soda Pop's Cafe

2. The Garage

3. Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler

Best CBD/Cannabis Store

1. American Cannabis Company

2. Green Gorilla Smoke & Vape

3. Green Hope Wellness

Best Chicken Fried Steak

1. Del Rancho #5

2. Okie Tonk Cafe

3. Soda Pop's Cafe

Best Childcare Provider/ School

1. St John's Lutheran School

2. 1st Learning Center (1st Baptist Moore)

3. Creative Kids Learning Center (CKLC)

Best Children's Party Spot

1. The Station at Central Park

2. HeyDay Entertainment

3. Jump! Zone

Best Chiropractor

1. Thrive Chiropractic

2. Moore Chiropractic

3. Bodin Chiropractic

Best Coffee Shop

1. Black Rifle Coffee Company

2. A3 Murder Mystery Cafe

3. Scooter's Coffee

Best Credit Union

1. Tinker Federal Credit Union

2. WEOKIE Federal Credit Union

3. True Sky Credit Union

Best Dental Care

1. Moore Complete Dental

2. Homsey Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

3. Kenneth Noble, DDS

Best Dog Trainer

1. Tipsy Dog Training — Bradley James Kerr

2. ROC — Jesse Lane

3. Really Good Pets

Best Dog Grooming

1. Doggie Styles

2. The Painted Paw Dog Spa

3. Paws@Play

Best Doggie Daycare/ Boarding

1. Green Acres Dog Boarding

2. The Hairy Paw Inn

3. Vera's Plush Paws

Best Donuts

1. Donut Palace & Kolache (4th & Santa Fe)

2. Honey Bee Bakery (12 & Eastern)

3. Homemade Donuts (27th & Santa Fe)

Best Electrician

1. Bliss Electric

2. Edge Electric

3. Norman Heat, Air, Plumbing & Electric

Best Entertainment

1. Twisted Axes Throw House

2. I-35 Bingo

3. HeyDay Entertainment

Best Financial Planner

1. Staton Financial Group

2. Journey Financial Strategies

3. Mark Rose — Retirement Income Strategies

Best Gym/Fitness Center

1. Moore Fit Body Boot Camp

2. Earlywine YMCA

3. The Station at Central Park

Best Florist

1. A New Beginning Florist

2. Capitol Hill Florist

3. Broadway Florist

Best Funeral Services

1. John M Ireland & Son Funeral Home & Chapel

2. Resthaven Funeral Home

3. Vondel Smith Funeral Home

Best Grocery Store

1. Crest Foods - Moore

2. Winco

3. Sprouts

Best Hair Salon

1. Lunatic Fringe Social Club:

2. Glamoore Salon — Hair by April

3. Salon Escape

Best Heat & Air

1. Randall's Specialists

2. Norman HVAC

3. AccuTemp Heating & Air Conditioning

Best Home Maintenance

1. Honey Do Construction

2. R & R Homes Construction

3. Mr. Handyman of South OKC

Best Insurance Agency — Home/Auto

1. Jessica Max Allstate Insurance

2. Chad Cobble Insurance

3. Terry Cavnar State Farm

Best Insurance Agency — Health

1. Doyle Crow & Associates

2. Jennifer Spradlin

3. Rightway Insurance — Moore

Best Italian Dining

1. Oliveto Italian Bistro

2. Fontana Italian Restaurant

3. Johnny Carino's Italian

Best Jewelry Store

1. Diamond Dee Lite

2. Lewis Jewelers

3. Huntington Fine Jewelers

Best Landscaping/ Lawn Care

1. Elite Lawn Care

2. Marcum's Nursery

3. Moose's Landscaping

Best Liquor Store

1. Moore Liquor

2. Bootlegger Liquor

3. Greenway Liquor

Best Lunch Spot

1. Alfredo's Mexican Cafe

2. Soda Pops Cafe

3. Palin Thai Cuisine

Best Local Restaurant

1. Soda Pop's Cafe

2. Royal Bavaria

3. Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill

Best Massage Therapy

1. Massage Envy

2. Mountain Bliss Massage — Kristin Rowland

3. VIP Massage

Best Meal Prep

1. CrockStar Dinner Club

2. Nosh

3. OnPoint Meal Prep

Best Medical Spa/Skin Care Clinic

1. RaeLuxe Aesthetics

2. Mountain Bliss Massage

3. Adonai Spa & Wellness

Best Mexican Dining

1. Alfredo's Mexican Cafe

2. Hidalgo's Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

3. Tacologia Mexican Restaurant

Best Orthodontist

1. Craig & Streight Orthodontists

2. Elassal Orthodontist

3. Kelly Klontz Orthodontist

Best OB-GYN

1. Linzi Stewart, DO

2. Julie Wiley, DO

3. Andrea Miller, DO

Best Pediatrics

1. Just Kids Pediatrics

2. Norman Regional Moore Pediatrics

3. Stellar Pediatric Urgent Care

Best Pharmacy

1. Chris' Express Drug

2. Moore RX

3. Med's and Moore

Best Physical Therapy

1. Physical Therapy Central

2. Therapy in Motion

3. OSSPT

Best Pizza

1. Jet's NY Slice

2. Hideaway Pizza

3. Eagle One Pizza

Best Place to Watch the Game

1. Buffalo Wild Wings

2. Lumpy's Sports Bar

3. Louie's Bar & Grill

Best Plumber

1. Brandon's Plumbing

2. Norman Heat, Air, Plumbing, and Electric

3. B & B Plumbing LLC

Best Primary Care

1. Classen Family Medicine

2. Norman Regional Primary Care

3. Integris Health Medical Group

Best Real Estate Agency

1. Chamberlain Realty

2. Realty Experts

3. McGraw Realtors

Best Roofing Company

1. Jones Roofing and Construction

2. McBride Roofing & Construction

3. Statewide Roofing

Best Sandwich/Sub Shop

1. Jersey Mike's

2. Soda Pops Cafe

3. McAlister's — Moore

Best Senior Living — Assisted/Memory Care

1. Sommerset Neighborhood Assisted Living & Memory Care

2. Village on the Park

3. Legend at Rivendell

Best Senior Living — Independent

1. Southwest Mansions Independent Living

2. Grace Point Living

3. Chateau on the Green

Best Special Occasion Spot

1. The Old School Events Center

2. Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill

3. Royal Bavaria

Best Specialty Shops

1. The Ritzy Gypsy

2. Ace Party Supply

3. Showplace Market

Best Sports-Related Shop

1. Gregory's Sporting Goods

2. Dick's Sporting Goods

3. Al's Bicycles

Attitude of Gratitude

Times are tough – people are going through hard things. It is easy to get caught up in all that is being thrown at us these days, so especially during these times – it is very important to seek the many benefits of practicing gratitude.

Emotional benefits:

• you will feel more relaxed,

• more optimistic,

• able to dwell on happier memories,

• feel good more often,

• feel less envious of others,

• and be less depressed.

Social benefits:

• able to be more social,

• be friendlier and more likable to others,

• able to have deeper relationships and more friendships,

• people are kinder towards us.

Health benefits:

• improved sleep quality,

• increased energy,

• being less sick and having less physical pain

So how do we get an attitude of gratitude – it starts with kindness, kindness to others, as well as kindness to ourselves. Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Sometimes kindness has a connotation of meaning someone is naïve or weak, that is not the case. Being kind often requires courage and strength.

There are many ways to practice kindness.

One way to be kind is to open your eyes and be active when you see people alone or in need. Opening your eyes means noticing when others are suffering. Other ways are:

• A kind word,

• a smile,

• opening a door,

• asking a stranger to sit by you,

• celebrating someone you love,

• giving honest compliments,

• sending an email thanking someone,

• telling someone how they are special to you,

• inviting someone you know who is alone or new to be a part of your group,

• refusing to gossip,

• donating your old clothing and home goods

• and sharing homemade food

Kindness does include being kind to yourself. Do you treat yourself kindly? Do you speak gently and kindly to yourself and take good care of yourself?

There are many ways to be kind and many opportunities to practice an attitude of gratitude.

When you reach that point in your life when it seems you’ve seen it all and done it double that amount, it’s hard to stay fully aware all the time of the amazing blessings in your life. But when you stop to think about it, we live in an exciting time where we can compare the knowledge of our lives in the past and marvel at the advancements we enjoy today.

So when you find yourself grumbling about the good old days, consider these six blessings and compare them to days past: You have your health. Advances in healthcare technologies and settings mean the disease is being detected earlier, and treatment is becoming more effective.

You keep in touch with family. No matter where you are in the world, today’s innovations in communications make it possible to talk with those you love anytime, anyplace. You can even read the newspaper and get the weather forecast through wireless devices.

Entertainment is accessible 24/7. The accessibility to movies, live theater, church services, concerts, and literature is unprecedented. Think about it. If you want to show your grandchildren how awesome Elvis Presley moved, all it takes is a quick search on YouTube.

Healthy food is on every shelf. People have more options now than they ever did, including congregate meal sites, home-delivered meals, having someone else shop for you and bring it to your car, and drive-through meals.

It’s never too late for a change of attitude. Life shows us that it’s never too late to pattern our behavior after role models or associate with peer groups that reflect the attitude we want for ourselves.

Finally – remember:

People love you. Think about how much you enjoy visiting with your neighbors or talking with your grandchildren on the phone, or think about how much you appreciate your favorite grocery cashier’s smile. Chances are… they enjoy those things about you.

Let’s all make an effort to embrace an attitude of gratitude for the comforts of life we enjoy every day and for the people in our lives!

March 1 11:00 a.m. March Birthdays 12:15 p.m. Bingo with Flora 2:00 p.m. Table Tennis

MARCH 2024

March 4 9:00 a.m. Classic Movie The Notebook

March 5 10:00 a.m. Wii Bowling

March 6 12:30 p.m. Board Games Afternoon Movie

March 7 11:00 a.m. Speaker Jeremy Bridges with Global Health 11:45 a.m. Root Beer Floats provided by Jeremy Bridges 12:30 p.m. Corn Hole

March 8 12:15 p.m. Bingo with Terry 2:00 p.m. Table Tennis

March 11 9:00 a.m. Classic Movie Schindler’s List

March 12 10:00 a.m. Library with Phil 10:00 a.m. Wii Bowling

March 13 12:30 p.m. Board Games 1:00 p.m. Afternoon Movie

March 14 10:00 a.m. S.A.L.T. Meeting with Kim Lopez 12:30 p.m. Corn Hole

March 15 12:15 p.m. St. Patrick’s Day Party 2:00 p.m. Table Tennis

March 18 9:00 a.m. Classic Movie The Villain 12:15 p.m. Bingo with Scott

March 19 10:00 a.m. Wii Bowling

March 20 11:45 a.m. Fresh Cobbler provided by Village on the Park 12:30 p.m. Board Games 1:00 p.m. Afternoon Movie

March 21 11:00 a.m. Matt w/Alzheimer’s Association on Alzheimer’s Awareness 12:30 p.m. Corn Hole

March 22 2:00 p.m. Table Tennis

March 25 9:00 a.m. Classic Movie Les Miserables

March 26 10:00 a.m. Library with AJ 10:00 a.m. Wii Bowling

March 27 12:30 p.m. Board Games 1:00 p.m. Afternoon Movie

March 28 10:30 a.m. BP Checks provided by Inspire Specialty Hospital 12:30 p.m. Corn Hole

March 29 2:00 p.m. Table Tennis

Exercise: Mon, Wed, & Fri 10:15

Stretch, Strengthen and Health: Tues. 8:30

Open Art Studio: Fri. 9:30

Chair Yoga: Tues. & Thurs. 10:15

Arm Chair Travel: Wed. 9:00am

Woodcarving: Wed. & Thurs. 9:00 – 11:00

Dominos, Card games, Jig-Saw Puzzles, Pool, Quilting, & Volunteer work to assist the homebound or work is available at the Brand Center.

Moore Council On Aging Bus Service: 799-3130 Seniors may have transportation anywhere in the City of Moore for errands or appointments 8am to 3:30pm, Monday through Friday

Aging Services

Monday through Friday

Call & make reservation by 1:00pm.

Reservations for meals: 793-9069

Donation for a meal for seniors 60 & above: $2.25

Required cost for guests under 60: $5.00

Walking Into a Healthy Future and NRHS Partners with NBA Star

Oklahoma continues to lead the nation in cardiovascular disease, with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle being contributors to our poor heart health outcomes. In collaboration with organizations like the City of Norman, Cleveland County, and the Trae Young Family Foundation, Norman Regional Health System is bringing various opportunities for physical activity to our community starting in 2024.

Norman Regional’s Health @ The Well Clinic and Cleveland County’s The Well Health @ The Well Walking Groups

Grab your walking shoes and meet us at The Well! Getting in a daily walk will help you burn calories and stress, and it's a great way to meet friends and connect with your neighbors! NRHS has partnered with The Well to launch weekly walks, and we are sure you can find the right one for you:

Location:

The Well

210 S. James Garner Ave.

Norman, OK 73069

Tuesdays & Thursdays

7– 8 a.m. — Rain or shine

The Tuesday & Thursday groups will have a level and safe indoor walking area and/or an outdoor option. These days are appropriate for those with assistive walking devices.

Wednesdays

Noon – 1 p.m.

The Wednesday group will be walking outside.

Come get some exercise, meet new people, and have some fun!

The walking groups are free to attend and will reoccur weekly.

Norman Regional, the City of Norman, and the Trae Young Family Foundation

The Young Family Athletic Center (YFAC) is a state-ofthe-art facility and the only one of its kind to house an elite sports facility with a sports and human performance center and physician clinics underneath one roof.

The YFAC is a unique partnership between the City of Norman's Norman Forward campaign, Norman Regional, and former OU and current NBA player Trae Young and his family foundation. The vision of these community leaders, along with the citizen-led charge for the city to help with funding, ultimately led to the YFAC's inception.

The 122,000-square-foot facility built on a 12-acre site is now offering premier basketball and volleyball courts, aquatics, sports medicine, youth sports, sports camps, leagues, and a retail Adidas store.

YFAC's Multi-Sport Gymnasium is a dynamic hub of athleticism and community engagement. With eight basketball courts, twelve volleyball courts, 18 pickleball courts, and a massive 74-foot video screen to display live games and esports, this gymnasium will give athletes from all walks of life an opportunity to play like the pros.

The facility will be highly sought after for sports tournaments, will be open for rentals, and will have hours available for the community to enjoy the amenities as well.

Norman Regional’s NMotion Sports and Human Performance Center, Ortho Central and Ortho Central Physical Therapy clinics will see athletes and patients of all levels.

Visit yfac.com to get more information on all the facility’s sports and health offerings.

National Nutrition Month – Incorporating Healthy Eating into Everyday Life

Nutrition provides our bodies with the food necessary for health and growth. Fueling your body with the correct nutrients is going to provide the energy and support your body needs. A lot of people are just stuck and don’t know how to incorporate healthy eating habits into their everyday lives. Healthy eating is a living experience, and it’s not something that you can change overnight. The benefits of healthy eating add up over time.

When it comes to healthy eating, it’s based on portion sizes, how to make a nutrient-packed meal, and getting physically active for at least 30 minutes a day. The best way to stick to portion sizes is by making sure to read the back of the food product. Nutrition facts labels are one of the most important things to look at when it comes to healthy eating. It provides you with ingredients, serving sizes, allergies, and so much more. When looking at the serving sizes, that is going to tell you the portion of the product for the amount of calories that are listed. Nutrition facts labels are one of the easier ways to incorporate healthy eating and make sure to have a nutrient-packed meal.

Still don’t know what you need on your plate each meal? One of the golden standards that Registered Dietitians use is MyPlate. MyPlate provides a visual of what each meal should look like for you. MyPlate has

been around for many, many years and the revisions that get made on it are based on what our population needs today. It is a visual reminder to make healthy choices. MyPlate has four main groups advertised:

1. Fruits & Vegetables – Should make up half of your plate

2. Grains – This should make up 1/4th of the plate, making sure that half your grains are whole grains. TIP: If you look at the ingredient list on the food product, the first ingredient should be “whole”

3. Protein – Makes up the remaining 1/4th of the plate

4. Glass of water – Each meal should include a glass of water, providing hydration at every meal.

Lastly, physical activity can help distress and give you energy after a long day of work. Physical activity doesn’t have to be HIIT or CrossFit workouts; it can be just a short 15-minute walk, going to get the mail, or taking the kids to the park. Moving your body gives you more energy and is a contributing factor to your overall health.

Changing one thing at a time can create a healthy routine to benefit your health now and in your future. Incorporating healthy eating into your everyday life can be tricky at first, but change doesn’t happen overnight; it takes time. Make it fun, and create meals that you enjoy. For National Nutrition Month, I challenge you to try a new food, step out of your comfort zone, and find joy in incorporating healthy eating into your everyday life.

While he briefly considered becoming a teacher, Nathan Stager says there was never really a question about the career path he was going to choose. The initial interest was sparked by the stories told by his brother-in-law’s father, a firefighter in Norman. Stager was captivated by the stories of helping people in need.

But it was the 1999 tornado that locked him in on the path that led him to the Moore Fire Department.

“I lived in Del City at the time and our neighborhood was right in the path of that EF5,” said Stager. “The magnitude of that just solidified this innate desire I had to help people out.”

The 19-year-old Stager started EMT training with the idea of getting hired on by a local fire department in short order. But at that point in time, it was difficult finding a department that was hiring. So he enrolled at UCO while he continued to train for his desired career.

“I joined a volunteer fire department, which was awesome,” said Stager. “I was able to get some experience for about two years that included going out on calls, doing all the training and the ride-outs.”

He graduated from UCO in December 2003 and joined the Moore Fire Department in June 2004. Stager admits to being a little overconfident in those early years, but says he quickly learned the humility and focus necessary to be part of an effective team.

Now, as he approaches the 20 year mark of experience in the field, Stager has become the Training Chief at the Moore Fire Department, a position he holds with dedication and pride.

“It’s really funny as I remember my early days because we’re hiring guys that are actually younger than my daughter,” said Stager. “But having gone through that experience and remembering it so well, it’s easier to take pride in helping develop

these young men into great firefighters. And that means giving them good life advice and life skills as well as training them as firefighters.”

As the Training Chief, Stager oversees a multitude of responsibilities, including recruiting academies, corporate academies, lieutenant’s academies, and major’s academies. His role extends beyond training new recruits, involving continuous education, hazmat operations, and staying updated on certifications. The focus is on preparing firefighters for various roles within the department, ensuring they are well-rounded and capable of handling any situation.

“We have to make sure we stay on top of their classes, tracking their progress and continuing education credits,” said Stager. “And of course, there’s always something new that comes along, some new technology that we have to train on.”

Stager says that in spite of a job description that is a bit more administrative these days, he remains deeply connected to the essence of firefighting and cherishes the opportunity to guide and mentor young recruits.

Outside of his firefighting duties, Stager enjoys simple pleasures like fishing. He is a proud father to a 21-year-old daughter, sharing common interests and forming a strong bond with her.

“I love playing golf,” said Stager, “And I also bought a little two-acre property that needs a lot of work, so I’m always spending time outside fixing something.”

Stager believes the Moore Fire Department stands out as one of the best in the state, not just due to its state-of-theart facilities and equipment but also because of the dedicated and quality individuals who make up the department.

“We get such great support from our city officials,” said Stager. “That means we’re getting really great equipment, and we have fantastic stations. That allows us to be competitive and bring in high-quality recruits.”

The Moore Fire Department will be hiring a new training class beginning on March 4th. To apply, you must be between 18-and-44 years old, and have a valid driver's license, and have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. The first step of applying is to complete the Join Our Team Applicant Questionnaire, which can be found at https://www. cityofmoore.com/mfd-applicant-questionnaire

Julie Pennington started her health career in her late 30s, graduating from the Surgical Technology program at MNTC in May of 2014. While still a student, she worked at Integris Baptist Medical Center and was able to start her full-time job there upon graduation. Pennington received her Associate in Applied Sciences degree from OCCC at the same time as graduating from MNTC in 2014. She continues to work at Baptist on the Neurosurgery Team during the summers.

Pennington returned to MNTC as an instructor in 2018 and is known as a Full Circle Employee. She took over as the Surgical Technology Program Coordinator in August of 2021 and has been a part of 5 graduating classes, with another class graduating in May of this year.

Wendy Perry Director, Health and Careers

Wendy Perry has worked for nearly 30 years in K-through-12 and Career Tech systems in Oklahoma. She has spent more than 8 years working with healthcare educators at Moore Norman Technology Center as the Director of Health. Perry has provided oversight and guidance to ensure the highest accreditation standards are met in each of the healthcare programs. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from East Central University and earned a Masters in Guidance and Counseling from UCO, then rounded out her educational pursuits with a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from OSU.

Surgical Tech Program Offers

Rich Options for Students

Can you give me an overview of MNTC's Surgical Technology program?

Our program is an adult-only program; you must be 18 or older to qualify. The first 14 weeks of our program are very fast-paced, and we are learning surgical skills and didactic.  Students learn Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology, Microbiology, and Surgical Techniques. There are daily homework assignments and tests, and students must pass all of their skill check-offs to enter the clinical portion of the program. The students complete 21 weeks of clinicals at hospitals and surgery centers all over the metro area. They are responsible for completing a certain number of surgical procedures and multiple types of surgeries to sit for the national certification exams.

For folks who take the class, what kind of skills will they learn, and what kind of job will they be equipped to do?

Our students learn about the importance of sterility and how to maintain sterility for the entire surgical team during surgery. The students learn over 200 surgical instruments, the types of surgeries the instruments are used for, and how to properly handle the instruments. Patient care and communication in a team setting are also taught, along with the different types of surgeries and how to apply the anatomy/physiology to each type. surgeries. Those graduating from our program will have the immediate opportunity to join the workforce as Certified Surgical Technologists (CST). CST’s have the opportunity to further their career in surgery in several areas of the medical field.

Are there prerequisites for taking the class?

No prerequisites are required.

Can you talk about any certifications or credentials that are available?

Our students can take two National Certification Exams.  One is through the NBSTSA for CST, and the other is through the NCCT for the TS-C.

Is this a short-term or long-term class?

This is offered through our long-term classes, meaning it takes a traditional school year of training (August to May). Students attend classes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

What's the best way to sign up or get more information?

For more information or to apply for the Surgical Technology program visit our website:  www. mntc.edu.  You will find all the information needed to apply, expected expenses, and you can sign up for an information session to hear directly from the instructor and ask questions. Applications close in May, so there is a limited timeframe to apply.

Julie Pennington Surgical Technology Program Coordinator

BY RENEE’ HARPER, RN

Nurture Your Heart with Nature's Remedies

Are you or a loved one living with the stress and strain of heart disease? It's about more than just managing blood pressure; it's about care that encompasses not just the body but the mind, too. As a registered nurse with a passion for holistic health, I've seen the incredible difference medical cannabis and CBD can make in the lives of those struggling with heart disease. Let's explore how these natural powerhouses can offer a new lease on life for your heart health journey.

Unwinding the Knot of Anxiety

Anxiety and heart disease often go hand in hand, a trepidatious tango that can send your blood pressure soaring to alarming heights. Medical cannabis has shown remarkable promise in reducing this risk. Whether it's the gentle hum of a CBD-infused tea or the measured puff of a prescribed medical cannabis strain, these natural relaxants offer respite, reducing anxiety levels and helping to maintain a healthy blood pressure range.

Dilating Vessels with Delight

A healthy heart is a heart with free-flowing arteries. CBD and medical cannabis affect your circulatory system in a way that can be as beneficial as a brisk morning walk. With vessels dilating to allow smoother passage of blood, these compounds can support cardiovascular health in a unique and desirable way. Gone are the days of harsh dilators with their unpleasant side effects; in their place, a gentle, botanical embrace.

Inflammation's Nemesis

Inflammation doesn't stand a chance when faced with the properties of CBD. This cannabinoid's natural anti-inflammatory abilities soothe and protect the body, which is particularly crucial for those with heart disease. By addressing one of the silent contributors to troubles within your heart, CBD could be the missing puzzle

piece you've been searching for in your cardiac wellness regimen.

Natural Solutions, Proven Results

Medical cannabis and CBD aren't just the trends of today, but the real, substantive solutions for the challenges of heart disease. With the power to assuage anxiety, promote healthy circulation, and combat inflammation, these compounds stand as testament to the potential of nature's pharmacist.

As you navigate the path to heart health, remember that alternative medicine has its place, even within the sanctuaries of our cardiovascular systems. Whether it's a conversation with your healthcare provider or a visit to greenhopewellness.com, consider incorporating these natural solutions into your daily routine. Your heart deserves the richest array of care options possible, and medical cannabis and CBD provide just that.

Let's continue the conversation about your health and well-being. Reach out and discover how medical cannabis and CBD could enhance your existing heart health management plan. After all, your heart is worth every beat—and every botanical remedy that cares for it.

For more information or to schedule an appointment call 405-543-7200 or visit our website @ greenhopewellness.com

VIRTUAL PROGRAMS

Many virtual programs require signup in advance with a valid email address. Go online to www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org/calendar for more information and the most current schedule of upcoming events.

Wednesday, March 6, 3:00 p.m. Behind the Story: Author Talk with Nina Totenberg

Tuesday, March 12, 6:00 p.m. Book Discussion: Adult Assembly Required

Thursday, March 14, 3:00 p.m. Behind the Story: Author Talk with Christopher P.

Monday, March 18, 2:00 p.m. Healthy Brain, Healthy Mind: Meditation

Thursday, March 21, 6:00 p.m. Behind the Story: Author Talk with Madeline Miller

IN–PERSON PROGRAMS

Moore Public Library, 225 S. Howard Ave.

Friday, March 1, 4:30 p.m. Learn It! Laser Cutter for Teens

Saturday, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 10:00 a.m. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Saturday, March 2, 16, 10:30 a.m. Creativity Unleashed: Family Art

Monday, March 4, 11, 18, 25, 4:30 p.m. STEAM Kids (5-7, 8-11): Engineering

Monday, March 4, 11, 18, 25, 6:30 p.m. Get Moving with All Levels Yoga

Tuesday, March 5, 12, 19, 26, 10:30 a.m. Preschool Story Time (3-5 Years)

Tuesday, March 5, 4:30 p.m. Connection Corner: 3D Printing (10-13)

Tuesday, March 5, 12, 19, 26, 6:00 p.m. English Language Learners: ESL Class

Wednesday, March 6, 13, 20, 27, 10:30 a.m. Rhythm Babies (0-18 months)

Wednesday, March 6, 20, 2:00 p.m. Land That Job: Drop-In Resume Help

Thursday, March7, 21, 10:30 a.m. Music Connection

Thursday, March 7, 14, 21, 28, 6:00 p.m. English Language Learners: ESL Class

Thursday,March 7, 14, 21, 28, 6:30 p.m. Get Moving with All Levels Zumba

Thursday, March 14, 28, 10:30 a.m. Early Explorers

Friday, March 15, 4:00 p.m. Connection Corner: Family Game Day

Tuesday, March 19, 4:00 p.m Sensory Explorers

Wednesday, March 27, 6:30 p.m. Learn It! Eclipse Viewer for Adults

Southwest OKC Library,

2201 SW 134Th Street, OKC

Friday, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 10:30 a.m. Toddler Story Time (1-3 years)

Saturday, March 2, 10:30 a.m. Family Story Time (All Ages)

Monday, March 4, 11, 18, 25, 6:30 p.m. Get Moving with Beginners Tai Chi

Thursday, March 7, 21, 10:30 a.m. Preschool Story Time (3-5 years)

Thursday, March 7, 6:30 p.m. Eat Smart: Ethiopian Dishes

Friday, March 8, 10:30 a.m. Early Explorers: Puddles & Clouds & Storms, Oh My!

Monday, March 11, 10:30 a.m Sensory Explorers

Tuesday, March 12, 19, 25, 10:30 a.m. Rhythm Babies (0-18 months)

Tuesday, March 12, 5:30 p.m. STEAM Kids (Ages 5-7): Scribble Bots

Wednesday, March 13, 10:30 a.m. Early Explorers: Puddles & Clouds & Storms, Oh My!

Wednesday, March 13, 5:30 p.m. Build It!

Wednesday, March 13, 27, 7:00 p.m. Teen Connect: Teen Writer’s Guild

Thursday, March 14, 5:30 p.m. Connection Corner: Pokemon Playing and Trading

Friday, March 15, 2:00 p.m. Connection Corner: Board Games and Bites

Friday, March 15, 6:00 p.m. Community Matters: Healthcare Panel

Monday, March 18, 3:00 p.m. Creativity Unleashed: Community Art

Tuesday, March 19 6:30 p.m. Creativity Unleashed: Resin Bookmarks

Wednesday, March 20, 5:30 p.m. Get Moving with RACE Dance Collective

Wednesday, March 20, 6:30 p.m. Connection Corner: Textile and Fiber Arts

Thursday, March 21, 2:30 p.m. Healthier You: Medicare 101

Saturday, March 23, 10:00 a.m. Craft Market and Friends Book Sale

Monday, March 25, 10:30 a.m. Music Connection

Tuesday, March 26, 2:00 p.m. STEAM Kids: Homeschool Connection

Tuesday, March 26, 6:30 p.m. Learn It! Eclipse Viewer Tube

Wednesday, March 27, 5:30 p.m. Creativity Unleashed (ages 8-11): DIY Book Tote

Thursday, March 28, 6:30 p.m. Creativity Unleashed: Wood Burning

Friday, March 29, 5:30 p.m. Get Moving with RACE Dance Collective3mar

Mama Built a Little Nest

Author: Jennifer Ward

Illustrator: Steve Jenkins Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster

Reviewer: Tania Lebron, Children’s Library Associate, Southwest OKC Public Library

Have you ever wondered: when the early bird gets the worm, where he goes with it? If so, be sure to check out Mama Built a Little Nest! This book is a wonderful introduction to birds and their nesting habits. It is sure to please even the youngest bird watcher with colorful illustrations of birds that build their nests across all terrains. In addition to the educational value of this book, there is also an underlying positive message: that all types of parents work hard to create a safe home for their offspring.

This book is written by award-winning author Jennifer Ward and illustrated by Steve Jenkins, a Caldecott Honor recipient. Mama Built a Little Nest contains a catchy, appealing rhyme while also giving informational facts about birds and how they build their homes. Ward’s body of work often focuses on science and nature, both of which offer a great benefit to children. Nonfiction books allow children the opportunity to build their vocabulary while sparking interest and curiosity about the real world around them. Other bird books by Jennifer Ward include How to Find a Bird and What Will Hatch.

Mama Built a Little Nest is a perfect read for children of all ages! It has an Accelerated Reading level of 4.3 and is worth .5 AR points. You may find this children’s nonfiction book and other similar titles in the Children's Department of your local library. Please feel free to visit the Children's Desk or call us at 405.979.2200 with any questions. Join Southwest OKC Public Library staff for Wildlife Walks, an all-ages program held at South Lakes Park on Friday mornings from late April through May 2024. For other library events or more information, visit pioneerlibrarysystem.org.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FRED JONES JR. MUSEUM OF ART

555 Elm Ave, Norman

Tuesday Noon Concert: Cello and Bass Studio

March 5, 12:00 p.m.

Enjoy live music and fine art on the University of Oklahoma campus every Tuesday at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. Tuesday Noon Concert Series is a weekly collaboration with OU’s School of Music, featuring OU music students and faculty. These 30-minute concerts occur during the semester in the Sandy Bell Gallery, located in the museum’s lower level. This week's concert features the Cello and Bass Studio students of Jonathan Ruck and Anthony Stoops.

Tuesday Noon Concert: Flute Studio

March 12, 12:00 p.m.

Enjoy live music and fine art on the University of Oklahoma campus every Tuesday at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. Tuesday Noon Concert Series is a weekly collaboration with OU’s School of Music, featuring OU music students and faculty. These 30-minute concerts occur during the semester in the Sandy Bell Gallery, located in the museum’s lower level. This week's concert features the Flute Studio students of Valerie Watts.

Art Adventures

March 19, 10:30 a.m.

Enjoy a book and hands-on art activity before exploring the museum with your family. No advanced registration is required for this free drop-in program. Recommended for ages 3 to 8 accompanied by an adult, but kids of all ages are welcome. For more information, contact learnandengage@ou.edu. Made possible by generous support from the Newman’s Own Foundation.

Tuesday Noon Concert: Clarinet Studio

February 20, 12:00 p.m.

Enjoy live music and fine art on the University of Oklahoma campus every Tuesday at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum

of Art. Tuesday Noon Concert Series is a weekly collaboration with OU’s School of Music, featuring OU music students and faculty. These 30-minute concerts occur during the semester in the Sandy Bell Gallery, located in the museum’s lower level. This week's concert features the Clarinet Studio students of Suzanne Tirk.

OKLAHOMA CITY COMMUNITY

COLLEGE VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

7777 S May Ave., Oklahoma City

Forever Young

Tuesday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Forever Young follows one unforgettable group of friends as they discover the greatest hits of all time! Set in a music-filled suburban basement, this unbelievable heartfelt true story is guaranteed to take you back to the first time you pushed play, tuned in, and set the needle down.

Featuring songs by; Billy Joel, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Huey Lewis & The News, Styx, Queen, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Brooks & Dunn, The Black Crows, Bon Jovi, and many more. For more information and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit https://www.occc.edu/pas/faq/.

Raul Midón

Tuesday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 29 at 8:00 p.m. Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist, and Engineer Raul Midón established himself as a first-call session singer upon graduation from the prestigious Studio Jazz program at the University of Miami in 1991. He sang background vocals on more than 60 Latin recordings, many Grammy-winning. For more information and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit https://www.occc.edu/pas/faq/.

CHURCH & SPIRITUAL CONNECTION

FIVE LOAVES FOOD PANTRY

Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

291 W. Main Street – the Northeast Door. Or by appointment: call 405-7946671 (Moore First United Methodist Church).

FRESH START COMMUNITY CHURCH FOOD PANTRY

open the third Thursday of each month, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

309 N Eastern Avenue, West Campus-Family Life Center. Canned and dry goods available. Must be a resident of Moore (please bring an ID).

CELEBRATE RECOVERY

Monday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Faith Crossing Baptist Church, 13701 S. Pennsylvania. For more information, contact Nancy at 405-514-9990.

CITY MEETINGS & EVENTS

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m.

Moore City Hall, 301 N. Broadway, Moore

PARKS BOARD MEETING

Tuesday, March 6 at 6:00 p.m.

The Station at Central Park, 700 S. Broadway

URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY

Monday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m.

Moore City Hall, 301 N. Broadway, Moore

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING

Tuesday, March 12 at 5:30 p.m.

Moore City Hall, 301 N. Broadway, Moore

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

Tuesday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m.

Moore City Hall, 301 N. Broadway, Moore

EASTER EGG SCRAMBLE

Saturday, March 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Buck Thomas Park Football Fields, 1903 NE 12th St. The Easter Egg Scramble begins at 10:30 a.m. on the Buck Thomas Football fields. Age groups will be assigned locations on the fields. Bring your own basket to collect lots of candy. NO GUARANTEES OF CANDY FOR EVERY PARTICIPAT. Parents are asked to bring a Basket or Sack for their child and to refrain from helping them pick up eggs.

For more information visit cityofmoore. com or call 405-793-5090.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m. Moore City Hall, 301 N. Broadway, Moore

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

ADOPT-A-PET

Moore Animal Shelter, S-I35 Service Road. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., closed on holidays. For additional information call (405) 793-5190.

AMERICAN LEGION MOORE POST 184 207 SW 1st Street, Moore, OK. 73160. Monthly Membership Meetings: 7:00 p.m. (Every 2nd Tuesday of every month). Post is open for business Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 12:303:30 p.m. VA Certified VSO on-duty to serve all veterans and their families with VA Claims. 'No Veteran Left Behind' Tel: (405) 794-5446

BIG TRASH PICK UP

Moore residents will be allowed two FREE big trash pick-ups a year and one free voucher to the city landfill for each physical address in Moore. Call (405) 793-5070 to schedule your trash pick-up.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM

Moore Police Dept. is starting a Neighborhood Watch Program. If you’re interested in helping your neighborhood reduce crime, contact Sgt. Jeremy Lewis, (405) 793-4448.

OKLAHOMA PARKINSON’S ALLIANCE SUPPORT GROUP

First Tuesday of each month, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

13200 S. May Ave. For more information contact the Oklahoma Parkinson’s Alliance at 405-810-0695.

MOORE ROTARY CLUB MEETING

Weekly on Wednesdays, 12:00 p.m. –1:00 p.m.

Moore Chamber of Commerce, 305 W. Main St. Moore Rotary Club meetings are held weekly. At our meeting, we aim to have fellowship and fun, enjoy a good meal and listen to an interesting speaker as well as communicate activity updates to members. There are membership fees associated to Rotary International. Come visit at least once and we’ll be happy to discuss membership options. Rotary International is an international service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service and advance goodwill and peace around the world. It is a non-political and non-religious organization. For more information contact Dee Ann Gay at 405-300-6202.

405 BUSINESS CLUB

Weekly on Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m.

Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar & Grill”, 1199 S. Service Road. Here members learn more about each other's businesses and pass referrals between members of the group, all while building friendships, camaraderie, and eat lunch.  Meetings are open to visitors looking to find a networking group to join, however; we only allow one business per business category.  So before you choose to come, please check out our membership and determine if there is an open seat for you & your business in our group.

NORMAN NEWCOMERS MEETING

Second Monday of the month, 10:00 a.m

At First Christian Church, 220. S. Webster. You don’t have to live in Norman to join in. The December 11th program will feature the Childrens Choir from All Saints Catholic School. For more information contact Susie Orsenigo at 561-914-0771.

COMMON GROUNDS COFFEE FESTIVAL

Saturday, March 2, 9:00 a.m. –4:00 p.m

Cleveland Countyr Fairgrounds, 615 E. Robinson St. The Common Grounds Coffee Festival brings people together to build community to support a powerful local cause, while celebrating the unique blend of culture & commerce that makes Oklahoma so special. Join us to celebrate coffee and the work Rose Rock Habitat for Humanity does for your community! For more information contact Elle Shroyer at elle@rrhabitat.org.

SOUTH OKC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Tuesday, March 5, 5:00 p.m. –7:00 p.m.

Nosh Restaurant, 200 SE 19th St., Don't miss the upcoming Business After Hours event at Nosh Restaurant! It's a fantastic chance to mingle, grow your Chamber network, and make new connections. Join us for an evening of networking and business growth opportunities. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and one free drink with cash bar. For more information contact Elizabeth Fox at 405-634-1436 or email elizabethFox@southokc.com.

IMPROVING YOUR MEMORY BY LEGEND AT RIVENDELL ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE

Thursday, March 7, 10:00 a.m. –11:00 a.m.

Legend at Rivendell, 2800 SW 131st St. The brain is involved in everything you do and, like other important parts of the body, it needs to be cared for too!  Join

the experts to learn ways to help your memory and focus stay sharp.  RSVP by 1/30 to 405-703-2300 or email cara. jarlsberg@legendseniorliving.com.

SOUTH OKC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SERIOUSLY FUN NETWORKING

Thursday, March 7, 3:30 p.m. –4:30 p.m.

Bricktown Brewery, 1630 SW 104th Street, OKC. This is one of the Chamber's networking groups.  The Seriously Fun Networking meets for happy hour on the first Thursday of each month at one of the Chamber-member places of business.  We always have a round of self-introductions and will begin having a few MINI-spotlight speakers. Pre-register on the Monday Morning Memo OR chamber's online calendar so that we can prepare appropriately! For more information, contact Jamie Crowe at 405-634-1436 or email jamiecrowe@ southokc.com.

MOORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NETWORKING LUNCH

Tuesday, March 12, 11:45 a.m. –1:00 p.m.

Van’s Pig Stand, 1991 Tower Dr, Ste E. Join us for great food and an opportunity to grow your business knowledge, share new ideas and connect with our business community. Each attendee is given the opportunity to present information regarding their business to all in attendance. So, bring your best sales pitch - make it innovative and memorable. To make sure that the restaurant is fully prepared for our arrival, if you plan on attending, we will need you to register. Thank you. For more information contact Amy Lee at 405-94-3400 or email alee@ moorechamber.com.

SOUTH OKC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INSTANT CONNECTIONS

Tuesday, March 12, 3:00 p.m. –4:30 p.m.

South OKC Chamber of Commerce, 701 SW 74th St., This fun and energetic

ninety-minute networking event is in a roundtable format and will allow attendees to share information about their respective businesses. Attendees are allowed ninety seconds at each table to share information and then move to a new audience and repeat the process. Make sure to bring your business cards or any company swag you'd like to hand out to attendees! Instant Connections is limited to the first 36 respondents and is a members-only event. The session is free, but a $10 no-show fee applies to any cancellations after March 8, 2024. For more information contact Elizabeth Fox at 405-634-1436 or email elizabethFox@southokc.com.

SOUTH OKC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS NETWORKING LUNCH

Wednesday, March 13, 11:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m.

The Crab and Catfish Company, 809 SW 119th St. This is one of the Chamber's networking groups.  This is one of the Chamber's networking groups.  Come join us, we meet for lunch each month at one of the Chamber-member restaurants.  We always have a round of self-introductions and open networking. Pre-register on the Monday Morning Memo or the Chamber's online calendar so that we can prepare appropriately! For more information, contact Jamie Crowe at 405-634-1436 or email jamiecrowe@southokc.com.

SOUTH OKC CHAMBER COFFEE & COMMERCE GROUP

Friday, March 15, 9:00 a.m. –10:00 a.m.

Village on the Park, 1515 Kingsridge Drive, OKC. Free to attend, non-members are also invited to learn about the South OKC Chamber. Join us for our Coffee & Commerce networking!  We have a round of self-introductions plus opportunities for free-style networking with other business professionals!   We meet on the 3rd Friday morning of each month! For more information, contact Jamie Crowe at 405-634-1436 or email jamiecrowe@southokc.com.

MOORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EGGS & ISSUES-STATE CHAMBER

Wednesday, March 20, 8:00 a.m –9:00 a.m.

Moore Chamber of Commerce, 305 W Main St. In our March Eggs & Issues, we will hear from Zach Thomas, Director of Community Engagement with the Oklahoma State Chamber. He will be discussing Oklahoma Workforce Commission, tax climate and other highlights pertinent to the Moore community. For more information, contact Kelly Arnold at 405-794-3400 or email karnold@moorechamber.com.

MOORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CARDS & COFFEE

Wednesday, March 27, 8:00 a.m –9:00 a.m.

Moore Norman Technology Center, 4701 12th Ave NW. This event is a business networking opportunity for Moore Chamber of Commerce Members. Attendees can make meaningful connections that

can result in successful business leads. Food and beverages are served. Check out the Chamber Calendar for the location of the next one! Free to Chamber members. For more information, contact Kelly Arnold at 405-794-3400 or email karnold@moorechamber.com.

FOURTH ANNUAL CAR & BIKE SHOW

Saturday, March 30, 8:00 a.m. –4:00 p.m.

Fort Thunder Harley-Davidson, 500 SW 11th St. 4th Annual Car & Bike Show March 30th, 2024

Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. First come first serve. Registration forms will be available in entrance of dealership. Promo Girl will have event registration forms and vehicle info forms for all participants to fill out. Event starts at 11am. Motorcycle Judging starts at 1:30 pm

Car Judging will start at 2:30. Live Music on site. Food trucks & Vendors on site

Car Categories: Stock, Modified, Muscle, Import, Rat Rod, People's Champ. Bike

Categories: Classic - Pre 2000, Cruiser, Metric, Chopper, Bagger, Peoples Champ. For more information call 405793-8877.$500 - Reception Sponsor (3 tickets), $750 - Advocate Sponsor (5 tickets), $1,000 - Executive Sponsor (8 tickets). For more information, contact Kelly Arnold at 405-794-3400 or email karnold@moorechamber.com.

SENIOR CONNECTION

P.A.L.S. PROGRAM FOR SENIORS

Seniors are assigned to a buddy who will call every day to check on you. Sign up with Sgt. Lewis, Moore Police Dept., (405) 793-4448.

PROJECT RETURN HOME FOR ALZHEIMER’S PATIENTS IN MOORE

For information about enrolling a loved one, contact Virginia Guild at (405) 793-4478 or Sgt. Jeremy Lewis at (405) 793-4448.

TRANSPORTATION:

• Metro Transit will provide van service for age 60 and older on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the Moore area to Oklahoma City for medical appointments. Call Jackie at (405) 297-2583.

• Moore Council on Aging Seniors may have transportation anywhere in the city of Moore for errands or appointments. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. Call (405) 799-3130 at least one day in advance.

• “Share-A-Fare” for age 60 and over or disabled. Purchase taxi fare at 40% off.

Nothing Bundt Cakes Sweetens Things Up in Moore

Nothing Bundt Cakes is not just a bakery; it's a celebration of joy, community, and the simple pleasure of a delicious cake. As they say, "Nothing but joy" awaits those who enter, making Moore a little bit sweeter with each delectable bite. And now the company has opened a much-anticipated location on 19th Street in Moore and business has been buzzing.

Nothing Bundt Cakes was founded in Las Vegas in 1997 by Dena Tripp and Debbie Schwartz. What started as a home-based kitchen endeavor has exploded into a nationwide phenomenon. There are now over 500 locations across 40 states in the US and Canada. The Moore location, which opened its doors just a few weeks ago, is already making waves in the community.

Manager Jacey McCracken is a Moore native and understands the importance of bringing this unique bakery experience to the city.

"I've lived in Moore my whole life, and it's really cool to have something so unique here,” said McCraken. “We don't have a lot of bakery-bou-

tique atmospheres, and Nothing Bundt Cakes fills that void.”

The bakery offers a delectable array of premium, high-quality cakes in various sizes and classic flavors, including chocolate chocolate chip, white chocolate raspberry, red velvet, and lemon. And there are no shortcuts to be found in this bakery. Each cake is crafted with the finest ingredients: real eggs, butter, and cream cheese, ensuring a delicious and authentic taste. The menu also features hand-crafted cake decorations themed around holidays and celebrations throughout the year.

It's not just Nothing Bundt Cakes’ commitment to fresh ingredients and mouth-watering flavors. The Moore location functions as both a bakery and a boutique, offering customers a one-stop shop for cakes, birthday cards, candles, mugs, and tea towels.

"We're not just about cakes,” said McCracken. “We're about creating a memorable experience for our customers. We really do have something for every occasion, so our customers can get lots of cute items and gifts for friends.”

Elizabeth Celis is a multi-unit manager for the company. Celis wants folks in Moore to know that Nothing Bundt Cakes is also highly focused on community involvement.

"Having a Moore location is pretty awesome, especially since it's such a busy city,” said Celis. “We plan on getting involved with the Moore community through schools, fundraisers, and supporting various local organizations.”

The bakery has developed three unique fundraising options for local schools and organizations, including spirit weeks, selling events, and on-site events. By actively participating in community events and fundraisers, Nothing Bundt Cakes aims to bring joy to the residents of Moore.

In the brief time since they’ve opened, the Moore location has received a warm welcome from the community.

"People have really given us a warm welcome,” said McCracken. “We've had a lot of happy customers, and it's been super awesome to be a part of the Moore community.”

For those interested in fundraising opportunities or simply indulging in a delightful treat, reaching out to the Moore location via email at moore@nothingbundtcakes.com is the first step toward a sweet collaboration.

ACTIVITIES & CLASSES

This is a partial list of schedules, activities, and classes available through the Moore Parks & Recreation department. You can find something of interest for everyone by visiting Moore Parks and Recreation website at: https://www. cityofmoore.com/departments-divisions/parks-recreation or by calling The Station front desk at (405) 793-5090

SPRING BREAK CAMPS

2-N-1 CAMP: ART & PICKLEBALL (AGES 6-12)

For any young athlete who is looking to improve his or her skills, work hard, make new friends, and have fun.

When: March 15

Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Ages: 6-12 years

Fee: $45 – MUST BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH

Where: The Station Recreation Center Registration: cityofmoore.com/fun

SPRING BREAK BASKETBALL CAMP (AGES 6-12)

For any young athlete who is looking to improve his or her skills, work hard, make new friends, and have fun.

When: March 18-22

Time: 9 a.m. - Noon

Ages: 6-12 years

Fee: $95

Where: The Station Recreation Center Basketball Court

Registration: cityofmoore.com/fun

SPRING BREAK VOLLEYBALL CAMP (AGES 6-12)

For any young athlete who is looking to improve his or her skills, work hard, make new friends, and have fun.

When: March 18-22

Time: 9 a.m. - Noon

Ages: 6-12 years

Fee: $95

Where: The Station Recreation Center Basketball Court

Registration: cityofmoore.com/fun

SPRING BREAK PICKLEBALL CAMP (AGES 6-12)

For any young athlete who is looking to improve his or her skills, work hard, make new friends, and have fun.

When: March 18-22

Time: 1-4 pm

Ages: 6-12 years

Fee: $95

Where: The Station Recreation Center Basketball Court

Registration: cityofmoore.com/fun

SPRING BREAK MAGIC ADVENTURE CAMP (AGES 6-12)

Come and learn from a real magician! In this week-long camp, kids will discover the world of magic and learn how to become a magician themselves! Register early, before all the spots disappear!

When: March 18-22

Time: 9 a.m. - Noon

Ages: 6-12 years

Fee: $175

Where: The Station Recreation Center

Registration: cityofmoore.com/fun

SPRING BREAK MAD SCIENCE CAMP (AGES 6-12)

This camp is specifically designed to engage children's attention to the wonders of science. Participants will learn about science in a hands-on environment while also making new friendships along the way!

When: March 18-22

Time: 1-4 pm

Ages: 6-12 years

Fee: $135

Where: The Station Recreation Center

Registration: cityofmoore.com/fun

SPRING BREAK EXTREME ANIMALS CAMP (AGES 6-12)

Youth Art Camp is so much fun! The only thing that would make it better is YOU! Each day kids will be able to create beautiful art projects with various materials and supplies that they will be able to take home with them! Don't miss out on this week of fun!

When: March 18-22

Time: 1 – 4 p.m.

Ages: 6-9 years

Fee: $125

Where: The Station Recreation Center

Registration: cityofmoore.com/fun

PROGRAMS AT THE STATION

PARENTS NIGHT OUT

Parents, do you need a night off? Enjoy a night to yourselves while your kids have a blast at The Station! Children can enjoy activities such as arts & crafts, board games, video games, and free play on an exclusively reserved basketball court before finishing the night off with a movie. Pizza will be served for dinner, along with a surprise treat for dessert.

S. Broadway)

When: First Friday of the month (unless otherwise noted)

Time: 6 – 10 p.m.

Where: The Station Activity Room (7-12 years old) / Child Watch Room (3-6 years old*)

700 S. Broadway Ave.

Ages: 3-12 years

Fee: $20 for Passholders / $25 for Non-Passholders

Registration Type: Parents can register online or in person up until the day prior to the event.

Registration: Through March 14 at www. cityofmoore.com/fun

Upcoming: February 2

*Children must be potty-trained to attend. Drop-off begins at 6 p.m., and children must be picked up by 10 p.m. Parents will incur a $30 charge for any late pick-ups. For more information, please call 405-7935090.

MULTI-GENERATIONAL SMART PHONE TECH

Do you need a little help with your smart phone? From QR codes to Bluetooth to screenshots, sometimes things can get a little confusing. In this multi-generational class for Boomers and Gen-X'ers, participants will begin to have a better understanding of how to use their smartphones.

When: March 8

Time: 6-8pm

Ages: 44+

Fee: Free - (advanced registration required to attend)

Where: The Station Recreation Center (700

Registration: Online at cityofmoore.com/fun or at The Station Front Desk

FAMILY BALLOON TWISTING (2 PEOPLE)

Join us for some fun as we learn how to twist balloons! Bring out the family for this fun-filled class that's popping with excitement! Everyone in the family will learn how to twist balloons into fun shapes and sizes. This 2-hour budget-friendly class is sure to be a memory maker. Come out and join us because there's no better time to spend than with your family .

ADULT PARTICIPATION REQUIRED

When: March 9

Time: 2-4 pm

Ages: 5-Adult (ADULT PARTICIPATION REQUIRED)

Where: The Station Recreation Center (700 S. Broadway)

Registration: By March 8 at cityofmoore.com/fun

Fee: $25 (price includes for 2 people: 1 child & 1 parent)

FAMILY BALLOON TWISTING (UP TO 4 PEOPLE)

Join us for some fun as we learn how to twist balloons! Bring out the family for this fun-filled class that's popping with excitement! Everyone in the family will learn how to twist balloons into fun shapes and sizes. This 2-hour budget-friendly class is sure to be a memory maker. Come out and join us because there's no better time to spend than with your family .

ADULT PARTICIPATION REQUIRED

When: March 9

Time: 2-4 pm

Ages: 5-Adult (ADULT PARTICIPATION REQUIRED)

Where: The Station Recreation Center (700 S. Broadway)

Registration: By March 8 at cityofmoore.com/fun

Fee: $40 (price includes up to 4 people: any combination with at least 1 parent)

2-N-1 CAMP: ART & PICKLEBALL (6-9 YEARS)

Schools out! Don’t let your kids have a boring day at home, enroll them in The Station’s 2-N-1 Camp! 2 camps in 1 day equals one unforgettable experience! What better way to spend the day out of school than learning how to play pickleball and creating unique art projects! Spots are limited, so pack a lunch and drop the kids off for a day of funfilled excitement.

When: March 15

Time: 9am - 4pm

Ages: 6-9 years

Fee: $45

Where: The Station Recreation Center (700 S. Broadway)

Registration: Online at cityofmoore.com/fun MUST BRING YOUR OWN NON-MICROWAVABLE LUNCH.

Enrollment will be divided by ages 6-9 and 1012. Groups will rotate activities after lunch.

2-N-1 CAMP: ART & PICKLEBALL (10-12 YEARS)

Schools out! Don’t let your kids have a boring day at home, enroll them in The Station’s 2-N-1 Camp! 2 camps in 1 day equals one unforgettable experience! What better way to spend the day out of school than learning how to play pickleball and creating unique art projects! Spots are limited, so pack a lunch and drop the kids off for a day of funfilled excitement.

When: March 15

Time: 9am - 4pm

Ages: 10-12years

Fee: $45

Where: The Station Recreation Center (700 S. Broadway)

Registration: Online at cityofmoore.com/fun MUST BRING YOUR OWN NON-MICROWAVABLE LUNCH.

Enrollment will be divided by ages 6-9 and 1012. Groups will rotate activities after lunch.

TOGETHER WE ARE MOORE

The Station Recreation Center strives to be a place where all are welcome. "Together We Are Moore" is specifically designed for our young community members with special needs in our community and provides them with a safe and welcoming environment where they can create fun projects and explore their creative side. Come and join us for some fun as we create memories and make new friends! This particular activity is specifically designed for our young community members with special needs. Those who do not meet this requirement are encouraged to enroll in another exciting activity. Participants of all ages must be accompanied by a parent; adult participation required.

When: Friday, March 15 – Glue Craft

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Ages: 6 - 12 years - ADULT PARTICIPATION

REQUIRED

Where: The Station Recreation Center (700 S. Broadway)

Fee: Free - advanced registration required

Registration Type: Online

Registration: Through February 8 at www. cityofmoore.com/fun

DOING MOORE FOR KIDS

Moore Parks and Recreation would like to do more for your kids! This fun and free Saturday afternoon class is sure to get your kids' excitement going! In each class we will offer up a fun and exciting project that you and your kids can do together! Come and join us for the fun!

When: Saturday, March 16– Glue Craft

Time: 1-2 pm

Where: The Station at Central Park (700 S. Broadway)

Fee: Free – Advance/online registration required to attend

Ages: 5 - 10 years - ADULT PARTICIPATION

REQUIRED

Registration: Through March 15 at cityofmoore.com/fun.

MOMMY + ME

Come and join us for a time of creativity and early learning as we introduce little ones to the world of arts and crafts, music and, movement! Mommy + Me will help encourage early development and social interaction while also providing a special bonding opportunity for you and your child. Spots are limited, so don't miss out on this low-cost opportunity for fun memories with you and

your little one!

When: March 30

Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Ages: 0-5 years

Fee: $5

Where: The Station at Central Park (700 S. Broadway)

Registration: Through March 29 at cityofmoore.com/ funofmoore.com/fun.

YOUTH FITNESS

FIT AS A FIDDLE

Through May 7th (Every Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.)

Ages: 3-5 years

Fee: $25 per month

Where: The Station Recreation Center Toddlers will enjoy getting their exercise by running, jumping, tumbling on mats, and dancing to favorite energetic songs.

FIT KIDS

Through May 1st (Every Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.)

Ages: 7-12 years

Where: The Station Recreation Center Activity Room

Fee: Free for passholders; $20 for non-passholders

This 55-minute class is packed with entertaining music, foundational fitness moves, and fun games. Fit Kids will get your child moving and learning the importance of making healthy choices all while having fun! Parents are welcome to stay.

ZUMBA KIDS

Every Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

Ages: 7+

Fee: Free to Station Passholders, Non-passholder $20

Where: The Station Recreation Center Perfect for our younger Zumba® fans! Kids 7+ years old get the chance to be active and jam out to their favorite music. Zumba Kids helps develop a healthy lifestyle and incorporate fitness as a natural part of children’s lives by making fitness fun.

White Brings a Passion for Excellence and Every Kid to Westmoore Football

Westmoore’s new head football coach, David White, brings with him a wealth of experience and a passion for football that extends far beyond what happens on the field.

Coach White has a long history in coaching, from his days as the head coach at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas to his most recent stint as the head coach at Jackson Hole in Wyoming.

Along the way, he spent time at the University of Oklahoma and then followed to the University of Nevada. White says he has always wanted to return to Oklahoma.

“I just kept wanting to get back in high school at some point in my career and be in Oklahoma,” said White. “My wife’s from Choctaw and we've got three kids, a son and twin girls that are five. But the whole goal was to get back in high school

and make time for my family, so to finally get the shot to return here and finish my career is a great, great opportunity.”

White says the opportunity to coach at Westmoore High School has been a dream come true. He recognizes the unique strengths of each of the three Moore schools and sees Westmoore's potential for competitiveness, especially with the new facilities coming online.

“I’m going to give everything I have to respect the Jaguar tradition,” said White. “The history of the coaches who have been here and the tradition that they’ve established. I know I’m coming in as a little bit of an outsider, but I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get after it.”

In the changing landscape of high school sports, especially with the growing impact of NIL (Name-Image-Likeness) and the new OSSAA one-time transfer rule, White recognizes the new challenges it presents.

“We’re going to work hard to create a culture that benefits every kid that plays for Westmoore,” said White. “Not just the kid who could be a Power Five player, but also the kids that don’t get a lot of playing reps but just love being part of the program.”

White, along with the coaches at Moore and Southmoore, are getting a big boost from the school district with the construction of new indoor practice facilities and on-site, home stadiums.

MARCH SPORTS CALENDAR

MOORE

BASEBALL

March 1 Yukon

March 2 Bethany

March 4 @Bartlesville

March 5 Bartlesville

March 7 @Westmoore

March 11 @Sand Springs

March 12 Sand Springs

March 14 @Noble

March 15 Edmond North

“It’s unbelievable and I think it puts you in a position where, with kids wanting to come in and come out of the district, helps us motivate kids to want to stay here and play here,” said White.

Away from the game, White says the return to high school coaching gives him more time to love on his family. That involves watching TV shows and movies with his kids.

“We went through the whole Moana thing for a few months,” said White. “I just really enjoy watching those animated movies with my kids. I could watch the whole thing over and over with them.”

White’s biggest hope is that the Westmoore community knows they’ve got a head coach who, while committed to success on the field, has an even deeper passion for the kids he leads.

“I really do value every kid that we have in our program,” said White. “Every one of them is somebody’s son. People said I was crazy to leave college football and come back to high school, but I love it because it’s a place where I can care about how every kid we have develops. I’m just trying to create a one-of-a-kind opportunity for each of them.”

SOUTHMOORE

BASEBALL

March 2 @Norman

March 4 @Edmond Memorial

March 5 Edmond Memorial

March 7 Piedmont

March 8 CCS

March 11 @PC North

March 12 PC North

March 15 @Norman North

March 16 @Midwest City

WESTMOORE

BASEBALL

March 1 Five Tool Tournament@ Allen, TX and Southlake, TX

March 4 Lawton Ike

March 5 @Lawton Ike

March 7 Moore

March 8 @Yukon

March 11 @Mustang

March 12 Mustang

MARCH SPORTS CALENDAR — continued

(All scheduled events are subject to change)

MOORE

March 21–23 @Spring Break Festival

March 25 Owasso

March 26 @Owasso

March 28–30 @Choctaw Tournament

GOLF

March 11 Westmoore@Hidden Trails (Boys & Girls)

March 25 Southmoore@Westwood (Girls)

March 26 Southmoore@Westwood (Boys)

SOCCER

March 1 Enid

March 4 @PC West

March 8 Norman

March 12 Edmond Santa Fe

March TBD @Choctaw Tournament (Girls)

March 26 @Southmoore

March 28 US Grant

SOFTBALL

March 4 TBD

March 5 TBD

March 7 TBD

March 11 TBD

March 14–15 TBD

March 25 TBD

March 26 TBD

March 29 TBD

TENNIS

March 1 Westmoore Tourney@ Earlywine (Boys & Girls)

March 11 @Lonewolf Tourney (Boys & Girls)

March 26 @PC Tourney (Boys)

March 27 Southmoore Tourney@ Earlywine (Boys & Girls)

TRACK

March 1 @Deer Creek

March 7 @Edmond North

March 15 Ken Hogan Memorial@Moore

March 29 @Elgin

SOUTHMOORE

March 21–23 @Edmond Festival

March 25 Choctaw

March 26 @Choctaw

March 29 PC West

GOLF

March 4 Pre-State (Girls)

March 11 Pre-Regional@TBD (Boys)

March 11 @Edmond North (Girls)

March 25 Southmoore Tournament@ Westwood (Girls)

March 26 Southmoore Tournament@ Westwood (Boys)

SOCCER

March 1 @Edmond Memorial

March 8 @Deer Creek

March 12

Westmoore@Central Jr High

March 14 @Mustang

March 19–25 Southern Coast Cup@ Gulf Shores, AL

March 26 Moore@Central Jr High

March 28 @Bartlesville

SOFTBALL

March 4 Westmoore

March 5 @Dibble Festival

March 7 @Moore

March 11 @Mustang

March 14–15 North Rock Creek Tournament@Firelake

March 25 Choctaw

March 26 @Deer Creek vs Deer Creek/ Norman

March 29 USA Softball Festival (Hall of Fame Stadium)

TENNIS

March 1 Westmoore@Earlywine (Boys & Girls)

March 12 @Ponca City

March 13 @Deer Creek (Boys Only)

March 14 @Deer Creek (Girls Only)

March 27 Southmoore@Earlywine (Boys and Girls)

TRACK

March 7 @Husky Invitational

March 15 @Moore

March 29 @Yellow Jacket Invitational

WESTMOORE

March 15 Edmond Santa Fe

March 21 Salina@Edmond Memorial

March 22 Bixby@Deer Creek

March 23 Mount St. Mary’s

March 25 Lawton

March 26 @Lawton

March 28–29 @Broken Arrow/Jenks Festival

GOLF

March 11 Westmoore@Hidden Trails (Boys & Girls)

March 25 Classen SAS Tournament @ Lincoln (Girls)

March 26 Southmoore Invitational@ Westwood (Boys)

SOCCER

March 1 Norman High (Boys)

March 1–2 @Bentonville Tournament (Girls)

March 5 Bishop McGuinness (Boys & Girls)

March 8 @Edmond North (Boys & Girls)

March 12 @Southmoore (Boys & Girls)

March 26 Norman North (Boys & Girls)

March 28 Edmond Memorial (Boys & Girls)

March 29–30 @Enid Tournament (Boys)

SOFTBALL

March 3 @Southmoore

March 5 Norman North

March 7 @Norman

March 11 Westmoore

March 12 Deer Creek/Woodward@Deer Creek

March 14–15 North Rock Creek Festival@ Firelake

March 26 Mustang/Bristow@Mustang

March 28 USA Softball Festival@Hall of Fame Stadium

TENNIS

March 1 Westmoore@Earlywine (Boys & Girls)

March 12 @Ponca City (Boys & Girls)

March 26 @Edmond Quad (Boys)

March 27 Southmoore@Earlywine (Boys & Girls)

TRACK

March 7 @Edmond North

March 15 @Moore

March 16 @Texas Distance Festival –Southlake, TX

March 29 @Choctaw