OKC FRIDAY Vol. 57 No. 33 • Two Sections • 18 pages • December 22, 2023
Inside today: Special Bachelors Club Debutantes edition of OKC FRIDAY Magazine.
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www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving affluent far north Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills and The Village for 49 years
Location of new arena is yet to be determined
Most happy with NHills park improvement solicitations, others not
By Rose Lane Editor
A resident-driven fundraising effort to enhance the final leg of a park beautification project on Grand Boulevard near NW 63 in Nichols Hills has drawn enthusiastic support from residents — raising more than $800,000 in private donations to complete a projected $1.126 million project. Yet, there are those who were not happy upon receiving a solicitation letter from the grass roots committee working to raise money to complete the project. “Regarding the story ‘Working to keep Nichols beautiful’ (published in the Dec. 8 issue of OKC FRIDAY) – my Nichols Hills street, Drakestone Avenue, is unwalkable and almost undriveable but this committee needs me to contribute to a small bit of the already gorgeous Grand Park for this $1.6 million ‘sorely needed’ project to further enhance it?,” said an upset Nichols Hills resident
After Oklahoma City voters approved a penny sales tax to build a new, publicly-owned downtown arena last week, everyone wants to know where it is going to be. The new arena is to be funded by a 72-month, one-cent sales tax that will start when the MAPS 4 tax ends and will not increase the sales tax rate. The arena is to also be paid for with $70 million in MAPS 4 funding and $50 million from the Oklahoma City Thunder ownership group. The measure passed by more than 70 percent. The new arena secures the Oklahoma City Thunder beyond 2050. The answer to the question of the location of the new facility is that it has yet to be determined. According to the frequently asked questions on the City of Oklahoma City’s website the arena is to be somewhere downtown. But, it’s not usual to put a MAPS project before the people without a location. “Virtually no other major public project since the approval of MAPS in 1993 has been sited before the making of a commitment by the voters,” the website states. The Oklahoma City Thunder is to play all home games at the Paycom Center until the new arena is ready to move in, no later than the start of the 2029-2030 National Basketball Association season. The Thunder’s 25-year commitment to remain in Oklahoma City begins when the team moves into the new arena. The Paycom Center is the See ARENA, Page 2
By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
See NHILLS, Page 5
- Photo by Rose Lane
Reception honors Hampton Here comes Santa Claus!
By Rose Lane Editor
Little William Ahrberg belts out a song during the Hickman Music School’s performance of “Letters to Santa.” The school was founded by Doris Hickman in 1944 and is now operated by her daughter Jo Tarr and granddaughter Kathryn Mosteller. For more photos, plus Letters to Santa from first graders at Crossings Christian School, see Pages 12 & 13.
Help keep the lights on Western on! More donors are needed to keep Western Avenue illuminating the night with its dazzling display of holiday lights. Western Avenue serves as a gateway to Nichols Hills, a city known for its holiday displays. “Western Avenue’s trees, tightly-wrapped with glittering lights, guide visitors through town to homes with artistically-designed and dramatic decor,” organizer Edie Roodman said. “The generosity of just a few donors who wished to continue this sparkling and enchanting cavalcade of lights has made it possible for Western to shine again this holiday season through mid-February.” Driving between Grand and NW
in an email to OKC FRIDAY. “Completely tone deaf. “There is no public art or park within reasonable walking distance of our street and yet we get these solicitations to improve things which we would have to go out of our way to enjoy so the few who do live nearby can enjoy it,” the email continued. “Consider visiting with the folks in our neighborhood about these ridiculous solicitations.” Nichols Hills City Manager Shane Pate calls the Redbud Park Improvement Project a resident-driven fundraising effort, saying the city has agreed to help pursue grants to fund the project. He said the City Council may opt to use some city money to fund a portion of it. “Residents promoting this current fundraising effort have been working on this for a little over a year, but others in the community have been requesting this project longer,” said Pate.
63, one notices that the east side of the street is adorned with only blue and white lights, Roodman said. “Donors made their gifts to honor the unwavering bond between the state of Oklahoma and the state of Israel, as well as to affirm solidarity with Israel in this difficult time,” Roodman said. “During the dark and bleak days of December, adding light brings abundant warmth and joy.” To help ensure this colorful display and festive tradition continues, mail checks to WOW @ Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, 801 NW 63, Suite 200 OKC 73116 or call (405) 204-7237 to make your donation.
Longtime United Way of Central Oklahoma President and CEO Debby Hampton, who is now retired after 13 years of service, was feted during a reception at Remington Park. Hampton took the helm of the organization in 2010. During her tenure at United Way, over $278 million was raised to support disaster relief and programs of nonprofit
FRIDAY’s
See HAMPTON, Page 2
Dog of the Week
This is Sophie, a 5-year-old, threelegged Siberian Husky who found her forever home with Shanon Zoeller and Jordan Young in 2018 when she was only 8-weeks-old. Sophie spends her days dragging her dads around the neighborhood on walks, singing beautifully to Taylor Swift and being the inspiration for her own locally made dog food brand #SophiesPetFood. Email Dog, Cat, Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com.