Sister Cities
Allied Arts
Dr. Freda Deskin and Lou Kerr celebrate ‘Year of the Pig.” Page 10
Frank and Cathy Keating are serving as the honorary co-chairmen for the 2019 Allied Arts Campaign. For more from the kick off, see Page B1.
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 52 No. 41 • Two Sections • 16 pages February 15, 2019
www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday Serving affluent far north Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, The Village, Quail Creek, The Greens, and Gaillardia for 45 years
Walker leaving Phil for OK Contemporary The Oklahoma City Philharmonic Board President Terri Cooper wished Executive Director Eddie Walker “great success’’ as he will step down effective April 1 to become the executive director at Oklahoma Contemporary. “On behalf of everyone in the Philharmonic family, I want to express our profound appreciation to Eddie for his three decades of enthusiastic service,” Cooper said. “He has filled every day with
remarkable moments of providing inspiration and joy for our community through orchestral music. While we are saddened about his departure, we are filled with overwhelming thankfulness and we wish him and Oklahoma Contemporary great success.” Cooper announced that General Manager Kris Markes will serve as interim executive director. Markes has been with the organization since 2001, working her way up the ranks from intern to
general manager. “The Philharmonic is on solid footing and the board and staff will work hand in hand during the transition,” Cooper said. “Kris has established herself as a superb manager, performing many of the most important functions and responsibilities of the organization. She has excellent credentials and qualifications and we are extremely fortunate that she is See WALKER, Page 3
Man who is accused of living with dad’s decomposing body posts $15k cash bond
Hoffman elected to 5th term By Mike W. Ray Staff Writer E. Peter Hoffman Jr., who is serving his fourth 1-year term as Mayor of Nichols Hills, filed unopposed recently for his fifth consecutive 3-year term representing Ward 2 on the City Council. “I am extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to serve the community I love so deeply for the next three years,” he said. “This is one of the most important things in my life.” His goals for his new term, he said, are to “use my vision, energy and work ethic” to “bring greater excellence to our community” via efforts such as continuing capital improvements to the city’s streets, parks and water system. “I am honored by my responsibilities as one of this city’s servant leaders, and the opportunity to walk in my father’s footsteps.” The senior Hoffman served
EDDIE WALKER
By Mike W. Ray Staff Writer
- Photo by Rose Lane
Talking with PG13 OKC Mayor David Holt fills Thunder star Paul George on what’s going on in the city during the Paul George Foundation’s Topgolf Classic. Patrons had the opportunity to shoot golf balls with George and other Thunder players and raise money for a new kid-friendly fishing dock at South Lakes Park. For more photos, see Page 2.
See NHILLS, Page 3
The filing period for the annual city council election in The Village will be held Feb. 20-22. Seats in Wards 1, 2 and 3 are open this year. Candidates must file at the Oklahoma County Election Board, 4201 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. A $50 filing fee will be charged. Candidates must live in the ward they
See BODY, Page 9
OACF honors Streich with Jim Vallion Award By Mark Beutler Special to OKC FRIDAY
MARY STREICH
Sitting in a coffee shop on a brisk January morning, Mary Deane Streich extends her hand and with a smile, offers a bright “Good morning! It is so nice to see you!” The Oklahoma City native has been named the recipient
The Village sets Feb. 20-22 filing for city council election By Mike W. Ray Staff Writer
The Village man accused of living in a house with his father’s dead body bonded out of the Oklahoma County Jail less than seven hours after his arrest on four felony charges. Lynn Christopher Little is charged with desecrating a human corpse, embezzlement, abuse and neglect by a caretaker, and forgery. He entered the jail about 5:45 p.m. on Feb. 7 and was released on $15,000 cash bond shortly after midnight Feb. 8,
jail records reflect. Little, 50, is accused of failing to report the death of his father, William “Bill” Little, 89, in a timely manner. Evidence indicates the elder Little had been dead for perhaps two months or longer before his remains were discovered on Jan. 12. Lynn Little was the sole caretaker for his father and lived with him at 10217 Major Avenue. The Village Police were contacted by another son and his wife, Robert and Bridgett Little, after they
seek to represent, but all council members are elected at-large by the registered, qualified voters of the entire community, who numbered 6,342 on Jan. 17. The election is set for April 2 and the winners will take office on May 6. City Council members in The Village serve two-year terms and receive $25 per month in compensation.
of the Jim Vallion Award, which will be presented by the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund at the 27th annual Red Tie Night on Saturday, March 9 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. “I was totally surprised when I heard the news,” Mary said. “Jim was a great man and he was always very
positive and did so many good things. I feel very honored.” As she reflected on her volunteer efforts with OACF, Mary took a few moments to share her life’s journey, one that began in what is now the Plaza District. See STREICH, Page 7
FRIDAY’s
Baby of the Week Melayna Kaye Neiman was born April 28, 2018, the daughter of Freddie and Leslie Neiman. She is a very happy baby who loves meeting new people. Email Dog of the Week, Baby of the Week and Cat of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday.com. Submissions are used in the order they are received.
Sponsored by Paulette and Leo Kingston of WePayFast.com See VILLAGE, Page 3