OKC FRIDAY Vol. 57 No. 34 • One Section • 12 pages • December 29, 2023 $1 per copy
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
New OKC chamber chairman outlines priorities By Rose Lane Editor During the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Greater OKC Chamber, new Chairman Teresa Rose identified several areas of emphasis as she begins her two-year term. Outgoing Chairman Sean Trauschke, president and CEO of OGE Energy Corp., passed the gavel to Rose, who is the executive direc-
tor of the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma. A priority is the establishment of a strategic plan. “This is crucial work,” she said. OKC must keep an eye on the competition. Other cities are also pursuing businesses and industries as their headquarters. “We cannot take a rest,” she said. Partnerships are also critical to the growth of
Oklahoma City. Like OKC has joined forces with Tulsa, the city should be seeking to form relationships with surrounding states and even as far away as Canada in bioscience, aerospace and energy, Rose said. Advocating for OKC is also very important as she urged members to stay informed and to reach out to get the word out about the city. Oklahoma City has
become a “visitation destination” and annually, the impact of the tourism industry is upward of $4.3 billion. Rose said she is very grateful the community is stepping up with the development of an Education Committee. Education and workforce development are vital to the continued growth of Oklahoma City. Members are also inportant to the momentum of the Greater Oklahoma City
Year in Review
Snowball fight!
2023 was a very good one for Fridayland
Heritage Hall’s Emmy Watkins ’33 during the glow-in-the-dark snowball fight in PE class. For more on how Heritage Hall students wrapped up the fall semester, see Page 11.
Compiled by Rose Lane Editor
Community Literacy Center to honor Mellow Patti Mellow is to receive the 2023 Gourley Leaders in Literacy Award during the 2024 Private Reserve Gala, The Journey to Literacy. The Community Literacy Center empowers adults in the community by providing them with essential literacy skills that open doors to a brighter future. In a world that demands continuous learning and adaptability, the CLC recognizes the critical importance of literacy for adults, who may have faced challenges accessing education
Chamber, she said. “Our success is not just the work of volunteers and staff,” she said. “Join a committee. “When you are proud of our city, share it on social media. Our role in this community is critically important and your membership matters.” 2024 can be a watershed year. “I can’t wait to see where we go together,” Rose said.
earlier in life. The Community Literacy Center endeavors to bridge the knowledge gap, instilling confidence and fostering self-sufficiency among participants. The gala is set for April 16, 2024, at the Phillips Pavilion at the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion. The event promises to be a celebration of both the spirit of learning and the strong sense of community support that lies at the heart of the Center's mission, event Chairman Mary Blankenship
Pointer said. “We believe that literacy is the cornerstone of personal growth and societal progress. Our program provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for adults to enhance their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills,” Pointer said. Attendees can look forward to captivating testimonials, inspiring success stories and a deeper understanding of how literacy can break barriers and
OMRF scientist earns national award The American Society of Hematology (ASH) presented physician-scientist Rod McEver, M.D., with its 2023 Henry M. Stratton Medal for his pivotal discoveries over a 36-year career at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation during its 65th annual meeting in San Diego. The medal, one of the field’s top honors, recognizes investigators who have made outstanding contributions to hematology. The society selected McEver for his pioneering work that led to the discovery and characterization of Pselectin, a protein in the blood that plays a crucial role in inflammation and blood clotting. His work gave
birth to the first FDA-approved treatment for the pain crises associated with sickle cell disease. The condition affects an estimated 100,000 Americans and 5 million people worldwide. OMRF scientist Lijun Xia, M.D., Ph.D., nominated his longtime mentor and colleague for the honor. “Dr. McEver’s dedicated focus on basic research has led to major clinically relevant results – the ideal outcome for any physician-scientist,” Xia said. “He exemplifies the spirit of the Henry M. Stratton Medal.” ASH presents the Stratton medal annually to two people – one each See OMRF, 3
See CLC, Page 7
FRIDAY’s
January When voters in The Village approved a General Obligation Bond measure last February to update Duffner Park, 10801 Victoria Pl., they were expecting a $1.6 million price tag to renovate one of the city’s most popular parks. Yet when the city received four bids last December, Rudy Construction submitted the lowest bid, coming in nearly $600,000 over budget, forcing the City Council to look at ways to reduce costs and still meet the standards it proposed when the project was presented to the citizenry for approval. OKC FRIDAY’s Cityan of the Year Sue Ann Arnall says she wants to fix one problem and move on to the next. The Nichols Hills City Council voted to accept a donation of $42,500 from the Nichols Hills Fire and Crime Prevention Board for the purchase of eight Vigilant Solutions license plate reading cameras. The United Way of Central Oklahoma (UWCO) celebrated the close of its annual fundraising campaign with the United Way Gala at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, where the organization announced that a grand total of $19,055,547 million was raised. February Oklahoma City initiated a pilot program to see if beet juice and brine can’t be beat as a way to treat bridges and overpasses for snow and ice. Dr. Mautra Staley Jones, president of Oklahoma City Community College, has been named by Forbes a Top 10 Black Higher Ed CEO to Watch in 2023. See 2023, Page 2
Dog of the Week
This is Marty. He’s a 2 yearold Golden Retriever whose human is Presley Rasmussen. He loves to play with any animal or human that will give him attention. Marty is a 100pound lap dog for sure and loves to swim. Email Dog, Cat, Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with com plete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com.