Oklahoma Gazette 5-20-15 by Oklahoma Gazette

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CONTENTS 43

LIFE

ON THE COVER

NEWS

Gov. Mary Fallin has said “The road to win back the White House begins in Oklahoma City.” This week, that statement is proven true as the Southern Republican Leadership Conference runs Thursday-Saturday. Story by Ben Felder. P.4

Cover: Southern Republican Leadership Conference

News briefs

Education: Classen orchestra

Education: arts funding

Culture: Paseo Arts Festival

Chicken-Fried News

Culture: IgniteOKC

Commentary, Letters

Health: Alzheimer’s

okc.BIZ Best of BIZ

Visual Arts: Urban Watercolor

Performing Arts: Good People

Active: Wes Welker Foundation, D-BAT

OKG picks

Food & Drink: Amazonia Latin Flavor, food briefs, Inaka Sushi & Bar, OKG eat: Indian food

Sudoku / Crossword

Books: Clifford “Spud” Johnson

Music: Rocklahoma, Grand National, Built to Spill, event listings, music reviews

Film: Pitch Perfect 2, Far from the Madding Crowd

Astrology

Classifieds

MISSION STATEMENT Oklahoma Gazette’s mission is to stimulate, examine and inform the public on local quality of life issues and social needs, to recognize community accomplishments, and to provide a forum for inspiration, participation and interaction across all media.

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News cover

City bound BY BeN FeLDer

House begins in Oklahoma City,” said Gov. Mary Fallin in a welcome video referencing SRLC’s role in the 2016 campaign. This state might appear to be the epicenter of Republican values and policies, but it might be more realistic to add that it’s also a shelter from an America that the party has struggled to adapt to. A majority of Americans support samesex marriage and tougher environmental protections, and the GOP has won the presidential popular vote just once out of the last six election cycles, which means any journey back to the White House might have to include a fresh message. Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, Ben Carson and Marco Rubio are four of the 11 announced presidential candidates here this week to raise money and profiles ahead of next year’s primary battle. But

Jeb Bush

Ben carson

as the SRLC celebrates the Republican Party, each candidate will be looking to communicate a distinct message at this year’s conference, which runs ThursdaySaturday at Cox Convention Center and Renaissance Oklahoma City Convention Center Hotel.

Message diversity

“For too long, the Democrats have defined what it means to be a Republican,” said Estela Hernandez, Oklahoma Republican Party vicechairwoman. She also said that her party is much more philosophically diverse than people give it credit for. The 2016 candidates might appear similar on buzz issues that dominate cable news shows, but recent gatherings show differing views on various issues, and

Hernandez believes this week’s conference will further highlight those contrasts, including opinions on how to win a majority of votes nationally. At an April event hosted by the New Hampshire Republican Party, candidates like Jeb Bush and Lindsey Graham urged their peers to find immigration reform solutions as a way to broaden the diversity of its mostly white voter base. “Of course, candidates have to appeal to the Republican base to win a primary,” Glenn McCall, a South Carolina Republican party leader at the conference, told The Wall Street Journal last month. “But you also have to talk about new ideas and issues that relate to these communities that we have to make better headway in: the Hispanic, coNTINUeD oN PAGe 6 ph otos provided

As Republicans gather this week in Oklahoma City for the Southern Republican Leadership Conference (SRLC), a handful of announced 2016 presidential election candidates will find a welcoming audience inside Cox Convention Center and in a state that is as red as they come. Oklahoma’s Republican presidential candidate voting percentage has grown in every election cycle since 1996. Here, state lawmakers have strengthened abortion restrictions, as Oklahoma is one of only four states with a 72-hour waiting period — the longest in the nation — and most social issues, including same-sex marriage, marijuana legalization and immigration, still swing strongly right of the national average, according to various polls, including Gallup. “The road to win back the White

the lINeUP

Ben carson

Eleven announced or expected presidential candidates have confirmed a trip to OKC this week as eight months remain before the first presidential primary in Iowa. Here is a look at the visiting candidates.

The retired surgeon also is an accomplished author and conservative speaker. In recent years, his criticism of the Obama administration raised his status and earned him support among evangelicals, especially for his views on social issues.

Jeb Bush The former Florida governor also is the brother of former president George W. Bush, which his critics view as a liability. He has name recognition and money but struggled in early polls in conservative states like Iowa. He has demonstrated stronger polling in more moderate states like New Hampshire.

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chris christie The former governor of New Jersey also considered a run for president in 2012 and drew attention for his success in a Democratic state. A scandal over the closure of a lane on the state’s Fort Lee bridge threatened his credibility but has not appeared to kill his viability

chris christie as a presidential contender — although a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll showed Christie had the ninth-worst rating results among selfidentified Republican primary voters to the question, “Could you see yourself supporting [this candidate] for the Republican nomination for president in 2016?”

Ted cruz This Texas senator is a fierce critic of President Barack Obama and often speaks about threats to religious liberty, a talking point popular among evangelicals.

Ted cruz

carly Fiorina Fiorina brings private sector experience to the race as the former executive officer of Hewlett-Packard. She is the only woman to announce herself as a Republican presidential candidate.

Lindsey Graham The South Carolina senator is a prominent Republican name in D.C. but is behind the curve on the fundraising front. He is expected to officially announce his presidential run next month. coNTINUeD oN PAGe 6

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News cover

Carly Fiorina

Lindsey Graham

that has gone Democrat in the last several elections. If the Republican Party can tap into [this generation] ... which says, ‘Leave me alone and let me do what I feel is best,’ that could be a big key in 2016.”

The base

The first official straw poll in the Republican primary race will be featured at the SRLC, and it will reveal an early lead for one candidate, along with a gauge of others’ momentum. Considering that no county in the state has voted for a Democratic president since 2000 and that Republicans hold every statewide seat, Oklahoma appears to be the ideal state in which to test candidates’ messages with their Republican base. However, the state’s conservative bent has also placed it in the national spotlight in recent months in somewhat negative ways, including lawmaker attempts to ban clothing that hides people’s faces, like hoodies, and threats to abolish all marriage as a way to subvert the legalization of gay marriage. Both attempts failed. “What the fuck, Oklahoma?” Daily Show host Jon Stewart recently remarked about a new Oklahoma law that prevents municipalities from regulating fracking, a decision that critics allege puts the oil and gas industry above the safety and rights of local people and governments. “You finally admit that fracking has turned your state into one giant Brookstone massage chair and your first response is to insure [no one] can never stop it. Why?” In reality, few conservatives care what Stewart has to say, but even groups like the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce have asked the state to reconsider its stance on a variety of issues

Bobby Jindal

Marco Rubio

Bobby Jindal

Marco Rubio

Like Christie, Jindal is a popular Republican governor who, rumor has it, has been considering a presidential run for a while. Officially joining the race, the Louisiana governor is pushing to improve his name recognition, which lags behind many other candidates.

The Florida senator is viewed by some as the party’s best shot at attracting Latino voters and has developed a celebrity status similar to Obama in the months leading up to his announcement that he will run for president.

Rick Santorum The former Pennsylvania senator ran for president in 2012 and won the

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ranging from guns to marriage because of the negative impact it can have on the way outside companies view the state. However, while the state’s Republican identity might be tied to its socially conservative stance, Oklahoma City has been showcased as a model for Republican values as they relate to business and local government. As one of the few large American cities with a Republican mayor, over the past two decades, OKC has drawn attention for large capital improvement projects. News stories about the city’s success often refer to the juxtaposition of a conservative city approving a tax increase, but Mayor Mick Cornett said it is instead an example of conservative city revitalization. “Interestingly, we have not done this by creating large amounts of debt,” Cornett said while speaking at the 2012 Republican National Convention. “We did something unique for many of our infrastructure packages: We paid cash.” Estela said OKC also has a strong business community that has played a large role in the city’s redevelopment. “Oklahoma City is a place that has made sure we let businesses do what businesses do best and not have the government run them,” Estela said. “That’s a conservative idea that people will see is successful when they come to Oklahoma City.” Any remaining tickets will be available through on-site registration for Thursday’s Welcome Reception, Friday’s T. Boone Pickens Luncheon and the Energizing America Gala. Several other ticketed events will be held during the conference. Learn more and check ticket availability at srlc.gop. Scott Walker

Rick Santorum Iowa caucus, along with several other Southern states, before giving way to Mitt Romney.

Scott Walker The Wisconsin governor impressed many Republican pundits after surviving pushback on anti-union legislation he supported that drew an unsuccessful recall effort.

“Clearly, he’s not well known within Washington, D.C., with social conservative leaders. He’s more known for his battle with unions in Wisconsin,” Tony Perkins, the president of Family Research Council, recently told Politico. “I think people are wondering, ‘Where does he stand?’”

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Estela said shifts in culture could present a challenge to Republicans. “I understand that popular culture is shifting, but we cannot allow that to change us as individuals or as a party,” Estela said. “But no matter what your demographics or what your views are, there is room for you [in the Republican party], which is what our message has to be. We are for limited government and personal responsibility ... that really defines a Republican.” For Faught, some candidates are better than others at projecting inclusivity, especially to a younger demographic. “With the younger generation coming up, the big thing you see is dealing with individual liberties and individual freedoms,” Faught said. “You see candidates like Rand Paul and Ted Cruz preaching that message, to an extent. When I look at the millennial generation, I think I see an opening there

mark ru bio

African-American and Asian-American communities.” On the other side of the spectrum are candidates like Ted Cruz, who say the nation needs tougher immigration reform. Jamison Faught, author of Muskogee Politico, a popular Republican-leaning political blog, said there also are “oldversus-new” differences between the candidates who will be on display this week. “I think nominating a candidate like Jeb Bush would be a big mistake,” Faught told Oklahoma Gazette as he explained why he believes that the next nominee should not be heavily tied to the so-called Republican establishment. “The Republicans this time around have so many young, fresh faces. The Democratic candidate might very well be almost 70 years old. I think the Republicans have a good opportunity to present a forwardlooking candidate.”

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News BrIeFs BY BeN FeLDer

Thursday, September 3, 2015 @ Diamond Ballroom

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gazette’s weekly winner will be announced each week in the table of contents Printed winners have 7 days to claim tickets

Meet Elizabeth Intrested in creating jewelry from a young age, Elizabeth is an apprentice under three of Oklahoma’s finest master jewelers.

Last week’s Livable Streets Summit highlighted the demand in Oklahoma City for more bikeable and walkable streets and open and safe public spaces. The city has made some effort in recent years to expand its cycling infrastructure and is in the beginning stages of a bike/pedestrian master plan called BikePedOKC. “This plan will develop a network of bicycle and pedestrian-friendly connections throughout Oklahoma City,” said John Tankard with the city’s planning department. “The plan will build upon the Oklahoma City Bicycle Transportation Plan prepared in 2008 and the city’s Trails Master Plan prepared in 1997. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan will focus on improving the city’s active transportation network and create a safer, healthier and more enjoyable place for residents and visitors.” Tankard also said a steering committee of roughly 25 members representing bicycle and pedestrian organizations, nonprofits, developers, planners and more will begin meeting this month. mark hancock / file

“I feel fortunate to be in a position to foster my passion and talent for creating family heirlooms.”

BikePed plan

Budget talks

exclusively at

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The Oklahoma City Council is reviewing a proposed budget for the next fiscal year that would see a 2.38 percent increase in spending. “While the economy has slowed, we are still growing, and I believe the FY16 budget is a prudent and balanced plan that focuses resources in the areas of greatest need,” City Manager Jim Couch said (pictured). “The addition of 46 public safety positions and enhancements in Council’s priority areas will allow us to continue our forward progress in FY16.” The proposed budget includes 26 new police officers and 21 new fire officials. Total city positions would increase 1.5 percent under the proposed budget. Budget presentations will be made during the May 26 and June 9 city council meetings. The budget is scheduled for adoption on June 16, and the city’s new fiscal year begins July 1.

Quotable “Believe it or not, fourth-graders have a lot to say about the changes that need to be made.” Those are the words of Bodine Elementary Principal Nikki Coshow (pictured) when talking about her school’s effort to bring students into the process of revitalizing the school and setting new standards. After regularly issuing nearly 500 suspensions a year, Bodine has suspended fewer than 20 students and has transformed its process for handling discipline issues. The school also has no teacher vacancies headed into next year, a concept that would have been unheard of a few years ago. You can read more about the turnaround at Bodine by visiting the education page at okgazette.com.

Garett fisbeck

Go to

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Outstanding teacher Samantha Murch was named Oklahoma City Public Schools’ teacher of the year during a ceremony last week. Murch, a drama and speech teacher at Star Spencer High School, received a $1,500 classroom grant and will represent the school district in the state teacher of the year contest. “Samantha Murch embodies the very best qualities we have in the teachers of our district,” Superintendent Rob Neu said. “She is smart, passionate and innovative and cares deeply about her students. I’ve said it often, but I continue to be impressed with the high-quality teachers throughout the district and am pleased to see this recognition for Samantha and our other finalists. The competition was tough.” In partnership with the district, The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools administers the teacher of the year program and also named Elizabeth Ejtehadi, a third-grade teacher at Wilson Elementary, first runner-up. Lori Hoegg, a kindergarten teacher at West Nichols Hills Elementary, was named second runner-up. “It is our responsibility as a community to lift up our teachers and value them for the critically important work they are doing to build our future citizens and leaders,” said Mary Mélon, president and CEO of The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools.

Plaza director p rovi ded

Cayla Lewis (pictured), a local artist and member of the Classen Ten Penn Neighborhood Association, has been named the new executive director of Plaza District Association. The Plaza District, a popular commercial hub along 16th Street in west Oklahoma City, had been in search of a new executive director following the departure of Kristen Vails in March. “The Plaza has always had a piece of my heart,” Lewis said. In addition to serving on the Classen Ten Penn Neighborhood Association, Lewis was a community relations coordinator at Downtown OKC Inc. and a former communications coordinator for the Plaza District. Lewis said the Plaza District’s future includes becoming a Business Improvement District and finding ways to increase the visibility of art, which has been a strong component of the neighborhood since the beginning of its revival. “We’re excited to bring Cayla on board,” said Kristen Wilson, Plaza District Association Board president. “We feel that Cayla has the expertise and passion for the Plaza that the district needs to continue its forward momentum. Her wealth of experience, relationship with the district businesses and neighbors and enthusiasm make her a great choice to lead the Plaza District.” Lewis said the new position was like coming home even though she lives in the neighborhood. “I moved from Norman to Oklahoma City, and the Plaza was kind of like my first place to feel comfortable and to settle down,” Lewis said. “Eventually, I moved to Classen Ten Penn, which is the neighboring district. I live three blocks from The Mule, which is awesome.”

mark hancock / file

By the numbers 192. That’s how many drive-by shootings occurred in Oklahoma City in 2012, according to police. However, the number dropped to 89 the next year, to 55 in 2014 and stands at 20 this year. “We’ve been able to hire officers and put them in some of our high gang, high violent crime areas,” Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty told Oklahoma Gazette. “We also added a day shift to our gang unit. I think these things are adding to our success.”

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Agreeable movement The Northwest Classen High School orchestra program has grown into a contender. BY BeN FeLDer

Sam Sy’s hands floated through the air as she conducted the Northwest Classen High School orchestra during an early morning practice. The piece, a version of “Dust in the Wind” by the band Kansas, sounded nearly perfect to the untrained ear, but Sy’s eyes darted sharply toward the violins. “Stop,” she said, then asked a student to hand her an instrument so she could demonstrate the sound she wanted. “This is what I am looking for,” she said before returning the violin. It was first periord on a Friday late in the school year, a combination that can lend itself to inattentive students. But Sy demands — and receives — focus. “The kids say I am relentless,” Sy said. “I guess I am.”

Genesis

Sy arrived at Northwest Classen fresh out of college four years ago to find an orchestra program with eight students, not nearly enough to qualify for most competitions. But Sy believed orchestra could be a meaningful program for more students in this urban school, so she challenged them to raise their expectations. As a result, class sizes grew. “It was very shocking,” Sy said about finding such a small program in her first year. “But you just do the best you can, and my hope was that I could build something that was meaningful for the students. I guess I have.” Her second year saw 20 students and a few more her third year. Now, the program tops 30 with more expected next year. Northwest Classen’s orchestra program also has found success at competitions, including top honors at

Heartland Music Festival last year and a silver rating at a national contest in St. Louis earlier this year, a trip that was made possible by a grant from The Awesome Foundation. “I think we have been kind of an underdog for so long and we see groups that are better than us that inspired us to work harder,” said Nate Bullock, a junior who plays viola. “If you compare our music from two years ago to now, it is completely different, and that’s because of the way [Sy] pushes and challenges us.” While more affluent schools might enjoy larger orchestra programs with students who are able to afford to rent or purchase top-of-the-line instruments, Northwest Classen makes do with instruments owned by the school, many of which are in need of replacement. Sy admits better instruments would improve the orchestra’s sound, but it’s not a valid excuse for judges at competition, and she doesn’t use it as one for her students. “We just have to work even harder for it,” Sy said.

Smiles

What Sy’s students lack in new instruments and funding they make up for with hard work that is easier to tap into than it might be in another school. “These kids are fighters,” Sy said. “These kids know what it means to face a challenge and sometimes have to handle it on their own. A school our size might normally have 40 or 50 kids, and that might allow some students to hide and go unnoticed if they don’t know their music. But here, you can’t hide. Every student has to know their work

Sam Sy leads her orchestra class at Northwest Classen High School. and do it. We all rely on one another.” Sy is tough but not callous. Her students demonstrate a fondness for her that goes beyond her skills as a teacher. “I will pick them up for school, take them home and do what I can for them,” Sy said. “They know I will provide for them and push them.” Edward Chehab, a senior violin player, said his experience in orchestra has taught him a lot about what he is capable of. “It teaches me a lot about myself, about knowing I’m adequate and knowing myself more,” Chehab said. “Every time we go to contest ... I learn how to be prepared, be professional and give it your all.” Near the end of the morning rehearsal, Sy paused before conducting the orchestra into action. She waited for complete silence and attention and then dropped her hand as if pushing play on a music player. As the performance entered the stretch where Sy had earlier called out the violin section, she looked at that section and a smile grew on her face as she heard the sound expected. The song came to an end, and Sy said, “Nice job,” a small compliment that resulted in big smiles from the handful of violin players. “These students have all the skills it takes,” said Sy, speaking about more than just playing an instrument. “They have everything it takes; they just needed someone to show them they could.”

Ga rett fi s bec k

News eDUcATIoN

Creative funding BY BeN FeLDer

rhonda Taylor

Following years of inconsistent arts and music funding through the A+ program, Oklahoma City Public Schools is looking for ways to redistribute funds in a more equitable and efficient manner. The changes coming over the next year could result in decreased funding for school art staffing and the removal of some A+ programs, district officials said. “When it came to what schools received through A+, it was all over the place,” Aurora Lora, associate superintendent of student achievement and accountability, said about the arts integration program currently in 15 Oklahoma City schools. “But any reductions [in funding] will only come if that school was already getting more than its equitable share.”

Funding changes

Rumors of the changes had some parents worried arts programs would be cut, but Lora said the reductions would be minimal and some schools would actually receive an increase. A+ schools receive additional funding for arts and music staffing at certain schools and incorporate other lessons into the arts program. The funding changes come at a time when the district will increase its number of A+ schools by two next year while not having any additional money from the program. “Every year, our student base allocation [of arts funding] changes as student enrollment numbers change,” said Rhonda Taylor, the visual and performing arts director for the district.

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“How much time [an arts or music teacher] spends at a school is based on student enrollment numbers, and that changes every year.” Lora said some A+ schools fully embrace the program and its standards while others are not as committed. “It might have been that a school signed up for [A+] several years ago, but after a new principal and new staff, there isn’t as much buy-in,” Lora said. “I think we have kind of gotten ourselves into a situation where more and more schools signed up, some are doing a great job with it, some are enjoying the extra [funding] but are not following the true intent of the program. Nobody wants to give up any extra funding, but we don’t have to come to some type of agreedupon program.” Lora and Taylor said the district will look at which schools might not be as interested in the program and consider a removal of their A+ status.

Biggest needs

Like a lot of departments in the district, new leadership has said over the past year that staffing levels are far below what would be found in other school districts of similar size. “Most successful districts with arts our size would have more than one arts administrator,” said Taylor, who oversees 266 visual and performing arts programs. “If I could change one thing, it would be to have an additional arts director.” Lora agreed that another administration position would be valuable but had no timeline for an

Nobody wants to give up any extra funding, but we don’t have to come to some type of agreed-upon program. — Aurora Lora

addition. She said that funding for traditional arts and the A+ program is not likely to change anytime soon. “If we are able to start working with our arts community to help us support our programs, I think that would help,” Lora said. “Right now, we are scraping up every penny we can.” Oklahoma City faces its share of fine arts funding challenges, but Taylor said there are an impressive amount of programs offered that are unique to the district, such as a variety of dance programs at several schools and classical guitar programs at three high schools. Despite those programs, Taylor said one of the biggest needs is for more instruments. “You can have a great choir without a lot of funding, but our biggest need is the instruments,” Taylor said. “We have had programs where there is only a third of the instruments for the students that signed up for band. If we just had instruments, that would help so much.”

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While the district might look for outside help with arts funding, it also plans to look for help among parents and other community leaders through the creation of an arts advisory committee. “The arts advisory committee would look at what should we be giving to all A+ schools and how much, as a district, can we afford in terms of staffing and see how many schools we can supply,” Taylor said. Ryan Marshall, a parent of students at Cleveland Elementary School, one of the district’s A+ schools, said he was asked to join the committee and views it as a positive step toward keeping parents and the community in the loop. “I think it could provide an open communication channel from the parents and community to the district, really be something that goes both ways,” Marshall said. Marshall said it’s common for talk of changes in arts funding to be perceived as planned cuts, especially when there is no direct line of communication between the district and parents. He is optimistic that the proposed advisory committee would improve communication and demonstrate a growing commitment by the district toward arts integration in all schools. “Right now, A+ is just our means to get more arts in school,” Marshall said. “But my opinion is every school needs this. There is a huge value for exposing kids to the arts; it gives them the ability to reimagine what their world is.”

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CHiCKEN CKEN Safety dance

An exotic dancer at Sensations Premier Gentlemen’s Club in Inola filed a protective order in Creek County against a Texas state senator who she claimed is stalking her. Cynthia Ortiz (on Twitter as @TipAStripper) asked for a protective order from Texas Sen. Charles Lee Perry on May 6. Ortiz said they met in 2009 at a Lubbock Area Republican Women’s luncheon and he began stalking her in 2010. She said she left Lubbock to get away from Perry and he continued to stalk her when she moved to Denton, Texas, and then Oklahoma. “Since taking office, my family has dealt with a slew of false, malicious allegations by a single individual,” said a statement on Perry’s Facebook page. “The outlandish claims have ranged from stating that I have placed cameras in her house to hacking her computer.” Ortiz claims that she knows other

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FRiED NEWS women whom Perry has stalked. She also alleged that he’s trying to intimidate her and smear her reputation by implying that she’s mentally unstable in order to discourage others from coming forward. She said her only goal is the safety of her family and herself. “I appreciate the fact that Charles’ camp will think that me making this statement is crazy, being that is their allegation. However, this is the way this is going to be handled by my side,” she said in a statement posted on Twitter. “I do not believe asking him to follow proper court procedure or asking him to leave me alone is in any way indicative of a mentally ill person.”

Perry previously made news during his 2014 Senate swearing-in ceremony, during which he said the U.S. government “continues to perpetuate laws that lead citizens away from God,” comparing it to the Holocaust. Perhaps Oklahoma has enough crazy already.

Nonviolent November

Turns out being tough on crime is pretty tough on Oklahomans. “Violent criminals will continue to be incarcerated, but the fact is that one in 11 Oklahomans serve time in prison at some point in their lives,” Gov. Mary Fallin recently told NewsOK.com. This session, Fallin already has signed bills to allow low-level drug offenders to leave prison after they complete a drug offender work camp and modify licensing requirements to expand work opportunities for former offenders. Now, she also has signed a bill that allows

judges to impose shorter sentences for some nonviolent crimes. The Justice Safety Valve Act goes into effect Nov. 1 and will let judges depart from mandatory minimum terms in some cases. Maybe this will lower Oklahoma’s standing as the state with the top incarceration rate for women in the nation. But the main takeaway is this: If you’re going to commit a nonviolent crime, try to wait until November.

Global blustering

Is this really another Sen. Jim Inhofe anti global warming CFN? Yes, it is. Oklahoma’s senior senator is nothing if not consistent, as he, along with Sen. James Lankford, recently rejected the idea that Oklahoma should consider the effects of global warming when developing risk and disaster management plans. “Failure to comply with the guidelines, which go into effect in March 2016, could result in loss of eligibility for some FEMA grants,” reported Tulsa World. “In Oklahoma’s case, compliance might mean, for example, considering

the possibility of more powerful tornadoes caused by climate change when applying for funds for storm shelters.” Inhofe penned a letter with other states to express his opposition to the plan. “We are concerned FEMA’s recent decision to require states to address climate change in their mitigation strategies injects unnecessary, ideological-based red tape into the disaster preparedness program,” the letter said. Science shows that the world’s climate is changing and those changes have negatively impacted some aspects of human existence. Those are called facts, based on the overwhelming evidence supported by scientific studies.

Profitable repentance

Despite allegations about Deflate Gate and other wacky and sometimes tasteless behavior, the National Football League

UNI_15-CNC-51_ArtesianArts_Gazette.indd 1

(NFL) has done something decent, and we might have our own Tom Coburn to thank for it. The league and its commissioner Roger Goodell dropped the NFL’s 501(c) (6) nonprofit status, which it has had since 1966. This means that the main offices of the organization will have to pay taxes because, you know, it’s a billiondollar moneymaking business, according to Fortune.com. After years spent as part of the government, lambasting it for hemorrhaging money and writing annual reports of waste — which included naming names when it comes to pro sports organizations with tax-exempt statuses — Coburn’s “lonely mission” has attained a victory. Coburn and Fortune estimated the federal government loses $10 million annually to the NFL and $91 million to

all pro sports with nonprofit statuses. However, this number does not include the NBA or MLB, the latter of which dropped its tax-exempt status in 2007.

Looted lives

Six million Jews died in the Holocaust, and those who lived had their lives and legacies demolished. Many had art that was taken from them by the Germans, art that is now in museums, including Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma. Officials with the museum have acknowledged that some of their acquisitions might have been looted from private collections before before the school received them. In a statement sent to The New York Times, an OU spokesperson said, “The university is continuing its efforts to

work with the plaintiffs to determine all the facts in this matter, some of which may still be unknown, and to seek a mutually agreeable resolution.” OU is about to find out what it takes to get the paintings returned, if our state reps have anything to do about it. House lawmakers recently introduced a resolution calling on the school to research all the objects in its collection to determine if any were stolen during World War II, according to KGOU. The resolution might be a toothless attempt to right a wrong, and OU should probably know better than to keep a painting, like Shepherdess B r i n g i n g in Sheep (La Bergere Rantrant des Moutons), as Moutons evidence supports that the piece was taken by the Germans in France during WWII.

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COMMENTARY

P ROVI DE D

The time is now BY DAVID HOLT

Through my public service at state and local levels and through my board service for Allied Arts and other arts entities, I have come to believe strongly in the following logic model: >> Oklahoma City is not a real city if it lacks arts and culture. >> Our arts and culture cannot exist without the work of Allied Arts, which financially supports dozens of arts agencies in our community. >> Allied Arts cannot operate without the financial support of our citizens and our companies. The formula is as simple as that. But there’s also another logic model I have learned in Oklahoma City: >> Nonprofits like Allied Arts rely

heavily on corporate support. Corporate donations rise and fall based on the state of the economy and specific industries. >> Although our economy continues to diversify, corporations in Oklahoma City are still predominantly related to the oil and gas industry. >> When oil and gas prices are low, it inevitably affects the overall corporate donations received by nonprofits like Allied Arts. And so it is today. It is no secret that international energy prices have taken a tumble in recent months. And though that affects all of us differently, it certainly impacts Allied Arts. Allied Arts’ annual fundraising

Oklahoma City is not a real city if it lacks arts and culture. campaign wraps up very soon, and as someone who cares deeply about Oklahoma City, I am writing today to tell you Allied Arts needs your help. The organization was founded in 1971 in central Oklahoma with the goal to work with neighborhoods, individuals, businesses, foundations and nonprofit organizations to help deliver quality, innovative arts education and experiences to youth and to the public.

Opinions expressed on the commentary page, in letters to the editor and elsewhere in this newspaper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ownership or management.

It is imperative that each of us considers doing all we possibly can to support Allied Arts this time around. I’m asking you to join me and donate money right now at alliedartsokc.com. If possible, consider donating more than you donated last year. Maybe make a second donation if you’ve already given. Maybe donate for the first time. Even donating that $20 you saved at the pump this week helps Allied Arts preserve and build the community we want. Do whatever you can do. The need is urgent, and you can make a difference. Now is the time to take a stand for arts and culture in our city. State Senator David Holt (R-Oklahoma City) serves on the board of Allied Arts. He was born and raised in Oklahoma City.

LETTERS Oklahoma Gazette provides an open forum for the discussion of all points of view in its Letters to the Editor section. The Gazette reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Letters can be mailed, faxed, emailed to jchancellor@ okgazette.com or sent online at okgazette. com. Include a city of residence and contact number for verification.

It’s dangerous

The “fracking chemicals have never been found in drinking water” proclamation by the fossil fuel industry recently bit the dust. “Evaluating a groundwater supply contamination incident attributed to Marcellus Shale gas development,” a peerreviewed scientific publication from the prestigious National Academy of Sciences published April 2, says otherwise. This study found evidence of toxic fracking chemicals, including carcinogenic 2 butoxyethanol (2BE) in a drinking water aquifer in Pennsylvania, which mirrored fracking fluid injected into nearby natural gas wells that were subjected to highvolume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF). This scientific study is the latest in a long series of publications alerting Americans to the health and environmental dangers of high-volume fracking. Our drinking water is vastly more important than HVHF, especially when fossil fuels can be extracted in safer ways and by other means. Plus, such studies

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should push us to increase our efforts to obtain the majority of our future energy needs from sustainable sources. — Jay Hanas Edmond Mansion meanies

I am a social liberal but a fiscal conservative. I want to help people, but not with borrowed money. I am aware that the Gazette is blatantly liberal, and I am OK with that. However, I do think there are enough real issues with the governor that you don’t have to use the repair of the mansion to attack her (Chicken-Fried News, “Moving out,” April 29, Oklahoma Gazette). That was a real stretch. — John Harris Oklahoma City Problem solved

Since the governor of Texas thinks the government is conspiring to take over Texas, why don’t we move all the military bases out of Texas and into Oklahoma? We’ll take all the new jobs we can get here in the state. — Elda Davis Bethany Show stopper?

Mastodon and Clutch played what I’m sure was an amazing show in Oklahoma City on May 6. But I wouldn’t know because there was a freakin’ tornado. Why would the Diamond Ballroom

risk people’s lives rather than cancel a concert? Money. — Dustin Chapman Moore Pay attention

Yay! We’re No. 46! Or we will be on Nov. 1, when Oklahoma’s law banning texting while driving kicks in, making us the 46th state to pass such legislation. But why wait? Avoid the rush. Stop texting now. We congratulate the Oklahoma Legislature for its wisdom in passing this much-needed law. It will cause more and more of us to think twice before picking up the phone as we drive. Distracted drivers are a huge menace to themselves and others on the road. And it’s not just texting. The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office reports that in 2013, there were 1,712 Oklahoma drivers distracted by an electronic device who were involved in crashes.

But get this: There were another 5,776 drivers involved in crashes that year who were distracted by something other than an electronic device. These stats are based on drivers self-reporting the conditions that led to the crash, so they’re low. The list of distractions ranges from putting on makeup to looking at other drivers and interacting with passengers. Bottom line: Reduce all distractions and you will increase your chances of surviving driving. — Chuck Mai, Vice President of Public Affairs for AAA Oklahoma Oklahoma City Correction

The photo that appeared in the article “Live free” (Life, Active, Mark Beutler, May 13, Oklahoma Gazette) was misidentified. It should have been labeled as Matt Goodwin from the Free to Live animal sanctuary.

eeking top commercial companies in the Oklahoma City market, okc.BIZ polled readers on the most outstanding businessto-business companies in 24 select categories. Ranging from Web design and services to commercial banking, the annual okc.BIZ readers’ poll results translate into a who’s who of successful project management, complete with recommendations

Visit

from trusted sources. “okc.BIZ voters are CEOs, owners, business managers and employees within our own community,” said Jennifer Chancellor, editor-inchief of okc.BIZ. “They recognize outstanding performance from the companies they partner with, and their participation in the okc.BIZ Best of Business voting process adds vital value and credibility to these awards.

The peer-driven process creates a unique opportunity for businesses to receive honest, unsolicited performance feedback, which elevates these awards into amplified referrals.” Votes were cast and hundreds were nominated. Annual poll results were tallied in April, and okc.BIZ Best of Business 2015 winners emerged.

to see the full Best of Business presentation

O k l a h o m a G a z e t t e | m ay 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 | 1 5

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2015

BEST COMMERCIAL INSURANCE AGENCIES OR BROKERS Garner Insurance INSURICA NFP The Ledbetter Insurance Agency Inc. Travis Wiedemann, Wiedemann Insurance Agency

ach year, okc.BIZ presents Best of Business, a readerdriven nomination, voting and awards process that spans more than 20 categories, hundreds of nominees and thousands of votes. Below are 2015’s winners.

BEST CPA AND ACCOUNTING FIRMS Don W. Armstrong CPA, Inc. Eide Bailly LLP Hyde & Company CPAs PC McGladrey LLP Peters & Chandler, P.C.

BEST COMMERCIAL LAW FIRMS Cheek & Falcone, PLLC Crowe & Dunlevy Hartzog Conger Cason & Neville McAfee & Taft McLendon & Duden, PLLC

BEST ADVERTISING AGENCIES Ackerman McQueen Freestyle Marketing + Films McMahon Marketing Third Degree Advertising VI Marketing and Branding

BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN FIRMS Design Tunnel, LLC McMahon Marketing s design, inc. SeeHawk Graphics & Web Design VI Marketing and Branding

BEST PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRMS Anglin Public Relations Jones Public Relations, Inc. Koch Communications McMahon Marketing VI Marketing and Branding

BEST INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES

BEST VENUES FOR AN EVENT OR MEETING

3Nines Technologies, Inc. Amshot Solutions DMC Services Dobson Technologies InterWorks

Ambassador Hotel Devon Boathouse National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum NCED Conference Center & Hotel Waters Edge Winery

BEST HEALTH CARE COMPANIES 180 Medical Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma INTEGRIS Health Orthodontic Associates TrueVine Home Health & Hospice

BEST COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE COMPANIES Baker First Commercial Real Estate Keller Williams Realty, Inc. NAI Sullivan Group Price Edwards & Company Rieger Realty, LLC

BEST COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES Alliance Construction Services Anderson & House Inc. Foster Signature Homes Lingo Construction Services Manhattan Construction Group

BEST COMMERCIAL BANKS

BEST PROMOTIONAL PRODUCT COMPANIES

BEST COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE OR DESIGN COMPANIES

Bank of Oklahoma Bank SNB Citizens Bank of Edmond MidFirst Bank Oklahoma State Bank

Bear’s Wear, Inc. IPGI IMAGENation Promotional Group, Inc. Moisant Promotional Products ROBYN Promotions SmithDryden

D5 Architecture Fitzsimmons Architects Frankfurt-Short-Bruza Associates Krittenbrink Architecture LLC TAP Architecture

BEST FINANCING SOURCES

BEST COMMERCIAL PRINTERS

Bank of Oklahoma Bank SNB Citizens Bank of Edmond First American Bank Focus Federal Credit Union

Heritage, The Integrated Resource Impressions Printing Quik Print of Oklahoma City, Inc. Rocket Color Document Center Southwestern Printing

BEST MEETING OR EVENT-PLANNING SERVICES OR RENTALS

BEST INVESTMENT ADVISORS

BEST WEB DESIGN AND SERVICES

Bank of Oklahoma Carol Hager, AXA Advisors, LLC Jolene T. Nauman, Edward Jones Michelle Coble, Odyssey Financial Group LLC Sri Jonnada, Jonnada Financial Group

Back40 Design Group Levant Technologies McMahon Marketing s design, inc. VI Marketing and Branding

Catering Creations Cory’s Audio Visual Services Eventures, Inc. factor 110 OKC Fun Zone

These are the Top 5 finalists in each category listed in alphabetical order; the company that received the most votes is in bold.

BEST PLACES FOR A COMPANY PARTY / PICNIC / RETREAT / OUTING Boathouse District The Escape OKC Myriad Botanical Gardens National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum The Oklahoma City Zoo

BEST ADULT EDUCATION / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTIONS Francis Tuttle Technology Center Moore Norman Technology Center Southern Nazarene University University of Central Oklahoma University of Oklahoma Outreach

BEST OFFICE FURNITURE / EQUIPMENT / SUPPLY COMPANIES ABC Enterprises Inc. Bella | Vici Bill Warren Office Products Scott Rice Stow’s Office Furniture

BEST FLEET AUTO SALES / LEASING / SERVICE DEALERS Bob Moore Auto Group Fleet Sales Cooper Automotive Group Fleet Sales Hudiburg Auto Group Fleet & Commercial Sales John Vance Fleet Services Reynolds Fleet Sales

BEST TRAVEL AGENCIES Big Sky Travel Source Hughes Meeting & Incentives Prime Time Travel Sunshine Travel Services Travel Leaders Bentley Hedges Travel

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2015 BEST OF BUSINESS BEST CPA AND ACCOUNTING FIRMS

BEST COMMERCIAL BANKS

Don W. armstrong Cpa, inc. | Eide Bailly LLP Hyde & Company CPAs PC | McGladrey LLP Peters & Chandler, P.C.

Bank of oklahoma | Bank SNB Citizens Bank of Edmond | MidFirst Bank Oklahoma State Bank

Because small businesses rely on accurate and responsive accounting, Don W. Armstrong CPA, Inc., prides itself on offering a professional and quick-acting relationship with its clients. Add in a commitment to accuracy and Don W. Armstrong CPA, Inc. can be a small business and self-employed person’s best friend. From payroll to tax preparation, having a trusted CPA can be the difference between a year in the red and a year in the black. Clients also benefit from a team with over 20 years of experience that offers no-charge consultations for any business interested in learning more.

Bank of Oklahoma has a localized feel with global reach. Individuals and businesses across the state have relied on Bank of Oklahoma for its expertise, diverse banking products and employees you can trust. As a member of BOK Financial, the largest banking group in the nation to turn down the government bailout (TARP), Bank of Oklahoma is a financial institution built on a solid foundation that can weather the ups and downs of the economy. In addition to offering a customer-focused approach, Bank of Oklahoma has also built a reputation as a bank that is heavily involved in the communities it serves.

BEST COMMERCIAL LAW FIRMS

BEST FINANCING SOURCES

Cheek & Falcone, PLLC | Crowe & Dunlevy Hartzog Conger Cason & Neville | McAfee & Taft McLendon & Duden, PLLC

Bank of Oklahoma | Bank SNB Citizens Bank of Edmond | First American Bank focus federal Credit union

Crowe & Dunlevy is not just one of the state’s largest law firms; it also offers a team of attorneys that have experience and connections in nearly every area of law. Crowe & Dunlevy, with offices in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa, is no stranger to accolades. The firm has one of the highest referral rates in the region and over 80 attorneys designated as the best lawyers in America by US News & World Report. Crowe & Dunlevy’s success is predicated on its commitment to diversity, giving the firm multiple perspectives that are hard to find in other law firms.

The red umbrella escorts to your car are a nice touch, but Focus Federal Credit Union’s real strength is in its no-hassle approach to lending. No fees for auto loan applications and identical rates for new and used car loans demonstrate a commitment to giving customers a pleasant experience. Add in additional touches like no chains on pens and smiles from employees and Focus Federal Credit Union is an institution committed to doing the little things right and offering expertise in a variety of lending and financial services.

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BEST INVESTMENT ADVISORS Bank of oklahoma | Carol Hager, AXA Advisors, LLC Jolene T. Nauman, Edward Jones Michelle Coble, Odyssey Financial Group LLC Sri Jonnada, Jonnada Financial Group

Bank of Oklahoma offers a full slate of investment services ranging from personal retirement to business. Free consultations offer prospective customers a stress-free experience as they learn about which investment options might be best. A member of BOK Financial, Bank of Oklahoma has a solid network of experts who bring years of investing experience to the table.

BEST COMMERCIAL INSURANCE AGENCIES OR BROKERS Garner Insurance | INSURICA | nfp The Ledbetter Insurance Agency Inc. Travis Wiedemann, Wiedemann Insurance Agency

NFP offers a combination of experience and flexibility, which the company says gives it the ability to adapt to changing markets like a startup. But this company is not new to the commercial insurance game. Consultants provide valuable industry expertise that is backed by access to the intellectual capital found within National Financial Partnersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (NFP) broad resources, giving clients a wide variety of services hard to find with other firms.

COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL ARCHITECTURE FIRM SINCE 2010 CALL 405.366.6048 FOR A CONSULTATION O k l a h O m a G a z e t t e | m ay 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 | 1 9

PROUD TO BE CHOSEN AS ONE OF

OKLAHOMA’S BEST

HEALTH CARE COMPANIES

BEST ADVERTISING AGENCIES Ackerman McQueen | Freestyle Marketing + Films McMahon Marketing | Third Degree Advertising Vi Marketing and Branding

MAKING MEMORIES. MAKING AN IMPACT. A natural extension of our efforts to help improve the health and wellness of our members is to support the communities where we live, work and play. Through community involvement and programs like the Oklahoma Caring Foundation, Champions of Health and Healthy Kids, Healthy Families, we strive to better the quality of life for all Oklahomans, now and for generations to come.

bcbsok.com A Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

602969.0415

A good advertising strategy can take a company from humdrum to the top in the business, and nobody knows that better than VI Marketing and Branding. Its team of motivated advertising professionals strives to put companies’ best feet forward and build their brands up to their fullest potential. VI Marketing and Branding is driven to push boundaries and make sure its advertisements are on par with the latest industry trends. And with offices in Oklahoma, Colorado and Missouri, VI has consummate knowledge of standards across the region.

BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN FIRMS Design Tunnel, LLC | McMahon Marketing s design, inc. | SeeHawk Graphics & Web Design VI Marketing and Branding

A picture is worth a thousand words, and they should all say great things. s design, inc. is committed to helping people tell their stories — whether it’s providing reliable services to customers, bringing together members of a community or helping others through a nonprofit endeavor — through sophisticated graphic design. At s design, inc., creative team members work directly with clients to produce a product everyone can be proud of. Whether it’s a small project like a brochure, an invitation or an advertisement or a large, lasting project like a business logo or website, s design is committed to quality graphic design.

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2015 BEST OF BUSINESS BEST PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRMS

BEST COMMERCIAL PRINTERS

Anglin Public Relations | Jones public relations, inc. Koch Communications | McMahon Marketing VI Marketing and Branding

Heritage, The Integrated Resource Impressions Printing | Quik print of oklahoma City, inc. Rocket Color Document Center | Southwestern Printing

In this instant-gratification, social media world, a good public relations firm is as important as good tires in an ice storm. You never know when a spot of black ice can make you slide from your path or the road will suddenly clear, allowing you to move quickly to achieve your goals, and that’s where Jones Public Relations, Inc. comes in. This well-connected PR firm boasts many significant contacts and extensive knowledge of the public sphere and political policy so its 13 well-trained, dedicated staff members can get client information to the right people at precisely the right time.

For more than 45 years, Quik Print has been leading the way in high-quality, quick-turnaround printing services in Oklahoma City. Six branches are spread out across the metro, giving customers easy access to Quik Print’s variety of services no matter where they live or work. Quik Print is a company that has made commitments to environmental sustainability, from using soy-based inks to responsible paper sourcing. It has also developed a reputation for handling jobs of any size, including those requiring the use of a large-format printer.

BEST PROMOTIONAL PRODUCT COMPANIES

BEST WEB DESIGN AND SERVICES

Bear’s Wear, Inc. | IPGI IMAGENation Promotional Group, Inc. Moisant promotional products | ROBYN Promotions SmithDryden

Back40 Design Group | levant technologies McMahon Marketing | s design, inc. VI Marketing and Branding

Established in 1990 by Bill and Teresa Moisant, Moisant Promotional Products has grown over the past 25 years into a multi-million dollar company that continues to offer the same level of personal customer service it was known for when Bill and Teresa were the only employees. Moisant provides clients with a variety of promotional products that can take advertising to the next level. Moisant offers expert consultation on the best ways to promote a company or brand, even when clients might not know what promotional materials are best.

Websites created by Levant Technologies are designed to increase traffic, improve functionality and give companies the type of Web presence that makes a strong first impression. Chances are, if you have an idea for how your website should function, Levant can make it happen. Beyond programming and hosting, Levant offers quality design services that give its clients professional-looking websites that stand out in a crowded digital world. Not having a quality and sophisticated website in today’s market can sink a company, which is why hundreds of businesses and organizations have turned to Levant Technologies.

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2015 BEST OF BUSINESS BEST INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES

BEST COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE COMPANIES

3Nines Technologies, Inc. | Amshot Solutions DMC Services | Dobson Technologies | interWorks

Baker first Commercial real estate Keller Williams Realty, Inc. | NAI Sullivan Group Price Edwards & Company | Rieger Realty, LLC

Offering what it calls the “total IT approach,” InterWorks offers more than just computer networking and technical support service. Web strategy, business intelligence and software development are also services offered by InterWorks, which was founded in 1996. Despite rapid growth in recent years, InterWorks has been able to maintain personal relationships with its clients, a key to offering individualized solutions to almost any IT challenge.

Commercial brokerage, property management, development and construction are all services offered by Baker First Commercial Real Estate, which is why many national chains and businesses have turned to Baker First when looking to expand to Oklahoma City. Opened in 1988, Baker First has great insight into the commercial market of the region and close relationships that mean clients are getting fast results. The combination of services common with a large firm and customer care that is typical from a small business has allowed Baker First to develop a strong reputation in the commercial real estate industry.

BEST HEALTH CARE COMPANIES

BEST COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

180 Medical | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma INTEGRIS Health | orthodontic associates TrueVine Home Health & Hospice

alliance Construction services | Anderson & House Inc. Foster Signature Homes | Lingo Construction Services Manhattan Construction Group

We’re all busy these days with errands, appointments, social engagements, picking the kids up from daycare on time and chores at home, and the last thing we want to worry about is our oral health, much less how our smile affects first impressions. Orthodontic Associates strives to provide patients a bit of calm in the midst of the storm. Its two convenient metro locations are served by four board-certified orthodontists who work with patients to find the best orthodontic options to fit their health and lifestyle.

From standing seam and DECRA metal roofs to designer asphalt shingles, Alliance Construction Services specializes in giving its customers a wide range of options when remodeling or repairing a home in Central Oklahoma. ACS also offers emergency services, such as water damage restoration; metal building construction for carports and storage buildings; and indoor paint and remodeling services.

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BEST COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE OR DESIGN COMPANIES D5 Architecture | Fitzsimmons Architects frankfurt-short-Bruza associates Krittenbrink Architecture LLC | TAP Architecture

Delivering the right message to the right audience – right on time.

public relations digital media market research kochcomm.com

The work of Frankfurt-Short-Bruza Associates includes almost every type of commercial building, including airport facilities, schools, federal facilities and transportation infrastructure. Nationally recognized for its architecture and engineering abilities, FSB has been delivering quality services for nearly 70 years. It works closely with its clients in an effort to address the unique needs they have in their building project, offering creative solutions and a strategic plan. With expertise in architecture, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, civil and fire protection engineering, FSB can handle nearly any project.

BEST MEETING OR EVENT-PLANNING SERVICES OR RENTALS Catering Creations | Cory’s Audio Visual Services Eventures, Inc. | factor 110 | OKC Fun Zone

Thank you for naming us a finalist in okc.BIZ Best of Business Best Adult Education/Professional Development Institution

MNTC's progressive Business & Industry Services department is an expert resource in education, consultation and training for area companies and professionals. Few of us have the time and ability to drop everything and plan every detail of an event or meeting. With everything else we have going on, something important — whether it’s catering or invitations — is bound to fall through the cracks. In addition to general planning services, factor 110 offers destination management services not just in Oklahoma but any place clients do business across the country. Event planners at factor 110 bring loyalty, communication, honesty and experience to every client interaction. This level of dedication provides peace of mind and assurance that every client event is in good hands.

§ § § §

Customized Training and Workforce Development Safety, Environmental, and Quality Training Award-winning Business Development Center / Incubator Traditional and Online Professional and Personal Development Classes

mntc.edu | 405.364.5763, ext. 7260 FRANKLIN ROAD CAMPUS 4701 12th Ave. NW Norman, OK 73069

SOUTH PENN CAMPUS 13301 S. Pennsylvania Oklahoma City, OK 73170 O k l a h O m a G a z e t t e | m ay 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 | 2 3

2015 BEST OF BUSINESS BEST VENUES FOR AN EVENT OR MEETING

BEST ADULT EDUCATION/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTIONS

Ambassador Hotel | Devon Boathouse national Cowboy & Western heritage Museum NCED Conference Center & Hotel | Waters Edge Winery

Francis Tuttle Technology Center | Moore Norman Technology Center | Southern Nazarene University University of Central Oklahoma | university of oklahoma outreach

Nobody enjoys spending time in a dim, drab, boring meeting room or event space, especially when trying to treat or impress clients, customers or employees. Luckily, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum offers something different. The museum’s meeting and event space provides a fresh, interesting atmosphere able to accommodate a wide range of audiovisual needs. Its S.B. “Burk” Burnett Board Room seats up to 180 and is perfect for meetings with out-of-town clients or as a breakaway space to foster new creativity in your staff.

Smart professionals know that education doesn’t stop the minute you master your job, but it can be difficult keeping up with new trends and skill sets while trying to juggle and maintain a professional and personal life. Fortunately, University of Oklahoma Outreach understands these difficulties and works to help motivated learners reach their goals. It offers top-notch, affordable, online personal enrichment, certificate, degree and military education programs in everything from leadership and administration to aviation while providing the flexibility needed to fit continuing education into almost any lifestyle and schedule.

BEST PLACES FOR A COMPANY PARTY / PICNIC / RETREAT / OUTING

BEST OFFICE FURNITURE / EQUIPMENT / SUPPLY COMPANIES

Boathouse District | The Escape OKC Myriad Botanical Gardens | national Cowboy & Western heritage Museum | The Oklahoma City Zoo

ABC Enterprises Inc. | Bella / Vici Bill Warren Office Products | Scott Rice stow’s oﬃce furniture

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum boasts all the pieces needed to take company parties or outings from boring to extraordinary. The spacious Sam Noble Special Events Center seats up to 1,250 guests and evokes a sense of grandeur with the largest set of triptych paintings in the country. Artist William Hurley painted the scenes of the American West between 1992 and 1996. On their walk into the event space, guests are greeted by the breathtaking, larger-than-life End of the Trail sculpture and Western art and artifacts sure to make the event one to remember from start to finish.

An office without furniture is as useless as a pool without water. Stow’s Office Furniture has all the things you need to take your office from a sad, empty room to an exemplary workspace that radiates success. Stow’s is filled to the brim with a wide selection of desks, drafting tables, chairs, conference room furniture, filing cabinets and modular work areas and sells both new and pre-owned merchandise to fit any budget. With over 20 years in the business, Stow’s is excellent at anticipating customer needs and working with customers to create an office environment perfect for both clients and staff members.

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MBA-HEALTH CARE | MBA | MSM | 100% ONLINE | 405.491.6628 | snu.edu/mba-msm

SNU MBA

% Online 0 0 1 e l ailab

THE GOLD STANDARD, A CRIMSON LEGACY Southern Nazarene University has been the gold standard in adult education for over 35 years. That legacy continues through the lives of its students and graduates. To the alumni of SNU's MBA, MSM, and MBA-Health Care degree programs, we say a big THANK YOU. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a big part of SNU being one of the Metroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top adult education universities.

snu.edu/mba-msm

405.491.6628 Southern Nazarene University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national or ethnic origin, marital status, or disability in the recruitment, admission, and treatment of students or access to university programs or activities including the operation of all university programs, activities, services and employment. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies including Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Age Discrimination: University Provost, Southern Nazarene University, Bresee Hall, 6729 NW 39th Expressway, OK 73008, 405-491-6300

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O k l a h o m a G a z e t t e | m ay 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 | 2 7

OKG picks are events

recommended by Oklahoma Gazette editorial staﬀ members. For full calendar listings, go to okgazette.com.

BOOKS Chris Harrison Book Signing, host of The Bachelor will debut his new novel “The Perfect Letter”, 4 p.m., May 22. Best of Books, 1313 E. Danforth Road, Edmond, 3409202, bestofbooksedmond.com. FRI

American

RESTAURANT WEEKLY SPECIAL

Gyro

With Fries & a Drink

$6.99

FILM CRUISING, (US, 1980, dir. William Friedkin) starring Al Pacino as a cop who goes deep undercover in New York’s sleazy underworld to catch a killer preying on gay men, 7 p.m., May 20. The Paramount OKC, 701 W. Sheridan Ave., 517-0787, theparamountokc.com. WED Good Kill, (US, 2014, dir. Andrew Niccol) film based on actual events as an Air Force pilot starts to question his job, 5:30 & 8 p.m., May 22-23; 2 & 5:30 p.m., May 24. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 2363100, okcmoa.com. FRI-SUN Pretty in Pink, (US, 1986, dir. Howard Deutch) a high school girl has to choose between her childhood sweet heart and the rich heartthrob, 7 p.m., May 26. Harkins Theatre, 150 E. Reno Ave., 231-4747, harkinstheatres.com. TUE

e(US, 1998, dir. Wes Anderson) highschool 7700 NW. 23 St. Bethany, OK Rushmore, zetint which a G comedy king is put on 405.787.4414 te the extracurricular etprobation, 7 p.m., May 27. Farmers Public oma academic z MON - SAT 11-8:30 h a a e l G t 311 S.tKlein a Market,WED e Ave., 232-6506, okcfarmersmarket. et Ok Gaz tte 014 klahom acom. azet e a 2 G m © tt m ho 4O aze 201 Oklaho a Gaze te Okla oma G zette © 4 1 20 014 klahomHAPPENINGS azet e klah ma Ga tte 2 G O a © 4 e O 14 zett Human Skulls, a crime lab-based 201 Oklaho a Gaz te Forensic Osteology: hom 0 a a 2 l G k t m a © program focusing on investigation of 14 ze ttethetoforensic m types ho 4O the human skull, 6:30 p.m., aofzetrauma © 20 4 Okla oma Ga ette 201 Oklahovarious G a © e May 20. Museum of Osteology, 10301 S. Sunnylane Road, t 1 z h om museumofosteology.org. WED 014 klah814-0006, azet e © 20 4 Okla oma Ga ette 2 G a © 1 z h 4O ett networking event that om community-driven © 20 4 Okla oma Ga ette 201 OklahIgniteOKC, Gaofzdiverse a © e connects people and knowledge 1 z m h zett backgrounds ho a seriesGofaentertaining, 014 klathrough rapidfire presentations, © 20 4 Okla oma Ga ette 2 a © e O t 6-10 p.m., Theatre, 1727 NW 16th St., 5241 z h 4 omMay. 21.GLyric azetTHUe © 20 4 Okla oma Ga ette 201 Ok9312, lahlyrictheatreokc.com. a © t 1 z m h 4 0 o Series:GOrganic azetPesteManagement, learn © 2 4 Okla oma Ga ette 201 OkPlant lahWalk a © 1 z to ridoyour m plants ofapests h zettand ways to treat them, 014 how ahp.m., © 20 4 Okla oma Ga ette 2 noon-1 May a 22.G Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. l k © e O 1 z m oklahomacitybotanicalgardens. Ave., o h 14 Reno zett h445-7080, 0 a a © 20 4 Okla oma Ga ette 2 l com/events. FRI G k a © e O 1 z h zett including a free hom 014 Bethany afestival aRoute © 20 4 Okla oma Ga ette 2 l G 66 Festival, k a © O 1 z h 4 showawith o50mantique quilts along with a classic car © 20 4 Okla oma Ga ette 201 quilt and O motorcycle kl h show, arts, crafts and food vendors and © 1 z h 4 0 a by local favorites, sidewalk sales, children’s 1live musicand © 2 4 Okla oma G ette parade, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., May 23. Route © 20 activities 1VALID ON lDINNERS z h 99 0 a 66 Gallery, 6728 NW 39th St., Bethany, 751-3885, a UP TO $11 ONLY. 2 G k a © DISCOUNT4 TAKEN e O gallery66ok.com. SAT tt ePURCHASE. OFF om OR LESSER hEQUAL 012 COUPONS laPER GNOTazVALID k PERSON. WITH a © 2LIMIT e O t t m 14OTHER OFFERS. ze ho EXPIRES 5/27/15. ANY te © 20 4 Okla oma Ga ette FOOD azet e 1 z h © 20 4 Okla oma Ga ette ett z TAP Garage Party, a night of food, drinks and art exhibit a G 201 Oklah Gaz tte featuring work by the TAP Team, 5:30-8:30 p.m., May te t a © e z m 21. TAP Architecture, 415 N. Broadway Ave., 232-8789, e o 14 z Ga tte h 0 a a 2 l G taparchitecture.com. THU k a © e e O t z t m 4 a e o az e a G ette 201 Oklah G a © az 14 zett hom ma G azette © 20 4 Okla oma Ga ette 1 z h ma G azette © 20 4 Okla oma Ga ette 1 z G h © 20 4 Okla oma Ga ette oma Gazette 1 z h © 20 4 Okla oma Ga ette oma Gazette 1 z h a te © 20 4 Okla oma Ga ette hom Gazet 1 z h 0 a tte ma © 2 4 Okla oma G ette aho a Gaze te 1 20 klah ma Gaz tte t m © e O o z h 4 a e o la 20•111AM-4PM kla|hSUN ma Gaz tte tte | MON-SAT ma G az11AM-9PM © e O o h 4 e o 01 kla ma G e 50TH©&2MERIDIAN klah ma Gaz tte ttNW e O o z h 4 a e o a 1 z l OKLAHOMASTATIONBBQ.COM 20 Ok klah ma Ga tte ma G azette © O o h 4 201 Oklaho a Gaze Okla oma G zette 947.7277 © m 4 lah Ga tte 201 OGkalazhe tot e 20, 2015 | © OklahOma 4 Ok ahoma2 8 | amzay e 14 kl aG © 20 14 O lahom k 14 O rd

P ROVI DED

Greek &

How I See OKC Experience what Oklahoma City looks like through the eyes of our city’s homeless population at the How I See OKC exhibit’s free opening reception 6-9 p.m. Thursday at a.k.a. Gallery, 2001 Paseo St. The show is a collaboration of The Curbside Chronicle street paper, local photographers and Upward Transitions. You can also see it during Paseo Arts Festival 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Monday. Visit thecurbsidechronicle.org

Thursday, Saturday-Monday Desperate Homicides, Whodunit Dinner Theater presents dinner and a comedic murder mystery play involving the audience, 6:30 p.m., May 22. Ted’s Cafe Escondido, 2836 NW 68th St., 848-8337. FRI Weekly Farmers Market, shop goods from local produce, bakers and artisans, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Jan. 3. Farmers Public Market, 311 S. Klein Ave., 232-6506, okcfarmersmarket.com. SAT The Dinner Detective, interactive murder mystery dinner show, 6:15-9:30 p.m., May 23. Sheraton Hotel, 1 N. Broadway Ave., 235-2780, sheratonokc.com. SAT

YOUTH Third Thursday, story time followed by a craft for the whole family to enjoy together, 10 a.m., May 21. GaylordPickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum, 1400 Classen Drive, 235-4458, oklahomaheritage.com. THU Under the Sea Sleepover, experience the zoo at night with a Stingray Bay visit and feeding, guided night hike and sleep with the fishes in the Noble Aquatic Center, 7 p.m.-9 a.m., May 22. Oklahoma City Zoo, 2000 Remington Place, 424-3344, okczoo.com. FRI

Butterflies, Beetles, and Bees! Oh My!, fun and interactive way to teach families about pollinators in the garden and their role in our eco-system, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., May 23. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2100 NE 52nd St., 602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. SAT Chitchat with the Chattering Parrots, learn about parrots and some of their favorite hangout spots in the rainforest, make a craft and taste some of their favorite foods, 10-11 a.m., May 23. Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, 301 W. Reno Ave., 297-3995, myriadgardens.com. SAT Little Big Chefs, learn to make yummy fish tacos, ages 5-8, 2-3 p.m., ages 9-12, 3:30-4:30 p.m., May 24. Uptown Grocery Co., 1230 W. Covell Road, Edmond, 509-2700, uptowngroceryco.com. SUN

PERFORMING ARTS Mike Stanley, comedy show, 8 p.m., May 20-21; 8 & 10:30 p.m., May 22-23. Loony Bin Comedy Club, 8503 N. Rockwell Ave., 239-4242, loonybincomedy.com. WED-SAT

auto alley Shop hop

maRK HaNCOCK

Athens

Book Signing, author Leslie Rupley will sign her book, “Beyond the Silk Mills”, 7 p.m., May 27. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. WED

The hop returns 6-9 p.m. Thursday for its monthly party in Automobile Alley along N. Broadway Avenue between NE Fourth and NE 13th streets. This month, shops like Bow & Arrow Boutique, Side Street Glass, Kamp’s 1910 Cafe and Plenty Mercantile offer sales, rooftop parties, wine, cocktails, art, eats and live music. Visit automobilealley.org.

Thursday

MUSIC PROV IDED

SOUTH STAGE (Sauced)

Audubon and the Art of Birds John James Audubon’s contributions to art, nature conservation and the study of birds are the focus of this temporary exhibit at Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., in Norman. Audubon and the Art of Birds showcases Audubon’s life and work and includes his early bird illustrations, etchings, woodcuts, paintings, works by contemporaries and pieces like his original “double-elephant” prints from The Birds of America, which helped revolutionize our view of nature. The exhibit runs through July 26. For hours and admission information, visit samnoblemuseum.org or call 325-4712.

Wednesday-Wednesday, ongoing Video Games Live, a show combining video game music performed by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and OKC Philharmonic Pops Chorale creating the energy of a rock concert with stunning visuals, 8 p.m., May 21. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 297-2264, okcciviccenter.com. THU SHREK: The Musical, musical based on the Oscar winning DreamWorks film, SHREK; tells the story of everyone’s favorite ogre’s dazzling new life on the stage, 8 p.m., May 21-23. The Pollard Theatre, 120 W. Harrison Ave., Guthrie, 282-2800, thepollard.org. THU Rocklahoma, music festival featuring top current rock artists and classic bands such as Linkin Park, Tesla, Godsmack and many more, May 22-24. Rocklahoma, 1421 W. 450 Road, Pryor, rocklahoma.com. FRI

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

SATURDAY, MAY 23RD: 11:00-12:00 .U.S. Grant High School Honor Guitar Ensemble 12:15-1:15 ...100 Bones Trio 1:30-2:30 .....Alan Orebaugh’s Stupid Guitar Tricks 2:45-3:45 .....79Au 4:00-5:00 .....The Paseo Street Walkers 5:15-6:15 .....Jahruba & the Jah Mystics 6:30-7:30 .....Nebulae 7:45-8:45 .....Em & the Mother Superiors 9:00-10:00 ...Costello 10:15-11:00 .DJ Krama SUNDAY, MAY 24TH: 10:30-11:30 .Sam Kahre 11:45-12:45 .RJ Ballard 1:00-2:00 .....Howard Brady Band 2:15-3:15 .....Audra & the Whippoorwills 3:30-4:30 .....Edgar Cruz 4:45-5:45 .....Grizzly Mojo 6:00-7:00 .....The Dirty Little Betty’s 7:15-8:15 .....Bread ‘n’ Butter Band 8:30-9:30 .....Helen Kelter Skelter 9:45-11:00 ...Bungalouski MONDAY, MAY 25TH: 10:30-11:30 .Wess McMichael & The Ravens 11:45-12:45 .The Mills Band 1:00-2:00 .....Southbound Mule 2:15-3:15 .....The Groove Offensive 3:30-4:30 .....The Unlikely Blues Band 4:45-6:00 .....Camille Harp

39TH ANNUAL PASEO ARTS FESTIVAL MAY 23, 24 & 25, 2015 Saturday & Sunday, 10a-8p Monday, 10a-5p

OVER 80 JURIED ARTISTS, LIVE MUSIC & FOOD FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE AVAILABLE 36TH & N. WALKER AT FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT www.thepaseo.org Come out and enjoy a refreshing beer at The Mustang Beer Garden area and enjoy more great live acts throughout the day.

NORTH STAGE (Picasso’s) SATURDAY, MAY 23RD: 11:00-12:00 .Southern Rift 12:15-1:15 ...Stone Jam 1:30-2:30 .....Jaesen Pemberton 2:45-3:45 .....Stephen Salewon 4:00-5:00 .....Annie Oakley 5:15-6:15 .....North Meets South 6:30-7:30 .....Chase Kerby 7:45-8:45 .....The Hey Diddles String Band 9:00-10:00 ...Jack Fowler SUNDAY, MAY 24TH: 11:45-12:45 .Ashley Getz 1:00-2:00 .....Chris Lashley 2:15-3:15 .....Will Gardner 3:30-4:30 .....Audra Elizabeth 4:45-5:45 .....Sammy Butler 6:00-7:00 .....13 Seeds 7:30-8:30 .....Opaque Radio MONDAY, MAY 25TH: 12:00-12:45 .Tess Rabon 1:00-2:00 .....Grant Adams 2:15-3:15 .....Flowers of Edinburgh 3:30-4:30 .....Melanie Tucker *Check website for up-to-date schedule. www.thepaseo.org

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m a RK Ha N COC K

continued

Oklahoma River Cruises Sightsee along the Oklahoma River, including early trips from Meridian Landing, 4345 SW 15th St., and Exchange Landing, 1503 Exchange Ave. Travel to Bricktown for a movie, ballgame, dinner and live music or the Boathouse District for Riversport Adventures and a 700-foot SandRidge Sky Zip ride across the river. Boat cruises are $3 per stop. Children age 6 and younger ride free when accompanied by an adult. Buy tickets at the Regatta Park ticket booth, 701 S. Lincoln Blvd. Visit okrivercruises.com.

Wednesday-Sunday, ongoing Good People, a single mother of a special needs daughter is fired from her job and is in need of work; playwright David Lindsay-Abaire brings his signature humorous glow to the struggles and unshakable hopes that come with having next to nothing in America, 8 p.m., May 22-23. Carpenter Square Theatre, 806 W. Main St., 232-6500, carpentersquare.com. FRI Assault with Deadly Wednesdays, stand-up comedy open mic featuring James Nghiem, BradChad Porter, Jeramy Westbrook, Michael C. Hall, and Geri Richlin, 10 p.m., May 27. The Drunken Fry, 5100 N. Classen Cir., 286-1939, drunkenfry.com. WED

ACTIVE Tai Chi Series, slow, rhythmic, relaxed movements to help reduce stress, lose weight and lower blood pressure; class taught by Mast Silas Wolf who holds a 6th degree Black belt, 9-10 a.m., May 21. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/events. THU Nitro Circus, action sports spectacle that featuring more than 40 of the world’s best action sports athletes performing daring and record-breaking tricks in freestyle motocross, BMX and skateboarding, 7:30 p.m., May 21. BOK Center, 200 South Denver Ave., Tulsa, (918) 849-4350, coxcentertulsa.com. THU Johnson vs. Cormier, a night of epic battles including two championship fights of Johnson vs. Cormier broadcast life from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, 9 p.m., May 23. Cinemark Tinseltown, 6001 N. Martin Luther King Ave., 424-0461, cinemark. com. SAT Wheeler Criterium, OKC’s premier cycling festival for friends and family of all ages; cheer on OK’s top cyclists and enjoy yummy food trucks, 5:30 p.m., May 26. OKC Downtown Airpark, 1701 S. Western Ave. TUE

VISUAL ARTS Artwork by Janie Tigert, exhibit of local sculptor and her latest works. 50 Penn Place Gallery, 1900 Northwest Expressway, Suite 113-R, 848-5567, 50pennplacegallery. com.

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Emphasis on a Colour Environment, art by painter and curator Amena Butler who investigates color and ways hues in differing compositions impact our environment. Urban Roots, 322 NE 2nd St. Exploring My World, three solo exhibits by painter, printmaker and mixed media artist Sallyann Milam Paschall, oil and acrylic painter Behnaz Sohrabian and photographer Holly Wilson. JRB Art at The Elms, 2810 N. Walker Ave., 528-6336, jrbartgallery.com. FRINGE’s Annual Group Show, a collective of contemporary women artists in fine arts media. The Project Box, 3003 Paseo St., 609-3969, theprojectboxokc.com. From Earthsea To Fantasy: A Literary & Visual Exploration of the Genre, exhibit in celebration of the National Endowment for the Art’s Big Read Selection: The Wizard of Earthsea featuring artists A.K. Westerman, G. Patrick Riley and Earthsea Art Submissions. Mainsite Contemporary Art, 122 E. Main St., Norman, 360-1162, mainsite-art.com. Ghost Towns: A Photographic Exploration of Claudette Torneden, photographer fascinated with history through art records images of the social climb and disappearing generations; she explores many of the state’s historical sites and ghost towns documenting remaining history. Red Dirt Gallery, 13100 N. Colony Pointe Blvd. #113, Yukon, 657-6207, reddirtartists.com. Identity of Torment and Self-Restoration, exhibit of paintings by Eli Casiano and Blake Stewart. Dope Chapel, 115 S. Crawford Ave., Norman, (580) 917-3695, facebook.com/Dop3chapel. If I Were, artist Holly Wilson creates one of a kind figures cast in bronze; the figures capture moments of our vulnerabilities and strengths. Contemporary Art Gallery, 2928 Paseo St., 601-7474, contemporaryartgalleryokc.com. Jðqígácút: Tipi With Battle Pictures, exhibit of a historical tipi dating back to 1833 and also seen in the 1920 silent film, Daughter of Dawn. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, 521-2491, okhistory.org/ historycenter. May Daze Spring Show, exhibit featuring new works by multiple gallery artists. The Purple Loft Art Gallery, 514 NW 28th St., Suite 400, 412-7066.

P ROVI DE D

Native american New Play Festival This festival finishes its annual run Thursday-Saturday at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., and features panel discussions, youth events, readings and daily performances of Tulsa-born playwright Vicki Lynn Mooney’s Hoop Jumper Jumper. The play is the first in a trilogy that examines the Mooney family’s experiences with The Dawes Act of 1887, which allowed the federal government to survey and divide up Native American land. The play is 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and events start 11 a.m. Saturday. The festival is free. Visit okctheatrecompany.org.

Thursday-Saturday Native American Art Exhibit, collection of artwork by several talented Native American artists representing the Caddo, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Pawnee, Seminole and Shawnee tribes. Remington Park, 1 Remington Place, 424-9000. Outta the Ball Park, exhibit featuring painter Nancy Park and her works full of emotions ranging from humor and passion to compassion and joy along with a mix of photography and digital art by Alan Ball. Contemporary Art Gallery, 2928 Paseo St., 601-7474, contemporaryartgalleryokc.com.

The Nature of Life: Sculptures by Don Narcomey, Oklahoman sculpture who focuses on mixedmedia and one-of-a-kind furniture. Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, 301 W. Reno Ave., 297-3995, myriadgardens.com. Two Views, photography exhibit featuring works by Carl Shortt Jr. and Don Risi. In Your Eye Studio & Gallery, 3005-A Paseo St., 525-2161, inyoureyegallery.com.

PROVID ED

Paseo Arts Festival, more than 80 visual artists selling original artwork from a variety of medias along with live music and performances, food vendors, and

a children’s area, 10 a.m.-11 p.m., May 23-24; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., May 25. Paseo Arts District, 3022 Paseo St., 525-2688, thepaseo.com. SAT-MON

thunder Youth Basketball Camps Oklahoma City Thunder hosts weekly camps for youth ages 10-16 through this summer. The programs help teach teamwork, fundamentals, skill development and mutual respect. The next session runs June 1-5 at Santa Fe Family Life Center, 6300 N. Santa Fe Ave. Cost is $235 and includes a Thunder Youth Basketball tee, a basketball and a $10 voucher for the Thunder Shop. Visit thunder.nba.com. For OKG

June 1-5, ongoing

1 8 9 0 - 2 0 1 5

music picks see page 51

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA w w w. u c o . e d u / 1 2 5 • ( 4 0 5 ) 9 7 4 - 2 0 0 0 O k l a h O m a G a z e t t e | m ay 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 | 3 1

1 Session

20 20 20 Three (3) sessions of 20 minutes = 1 hour

3 2 | M AY 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 | O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E SR-2015 - GAZETTE AD.indd 1

5/15/2015 10:31:36 AM

Avocado and chicken and beef and cheese arepas

Sweet ride Amazonia Latin Flavor in Moore maps out the delectable differences between Mexican and Venezuelan cuisines.

Sesame seared ahi tuna

Cachapa

BY GREG ELWELL

Venezuela is not Mexico. That might seem obvious to most, but for Einar Perdomo, who co-owns Amazonia Latin Flavor in Moore, the fight is ongoing. The menu is a battleground for a war that continues six days a week. Here’s a quick geography lesson. The distance between Oklahoma City and Caracas, Venezuela is 2,585 miles. The distance between Caracas and Mexico City: 2,239 miles. The distance between you and Amazonia, 825 NW 12th St., is variable because you move around a lot. But it’s worth it to cover that distance if you’d like to get a taste for Venezuelan cuisine. “Mexican food is very spicy, very hot,” Perdomo said. “They use many chiles to prepare the food. Venezuelan food is sweeter. I think there’s more flavor to it.”

Edible culture

The national dish of Venezuela is pabellón ($9.99), made with white rice, black beans, plantains and stewed, shredded beef. It’s not fast food, but Perdomo said faster doesn’t always taste better. Which is why, though they take longer to prepare, he recommends the domino empanadas ($5.99), which stuff pabellón inside a crispy fried shell. Still, he tries to make accommodations to suit the pace of American diners. “For example, arepas are not fried. It’s traditionally a grilled dish,” he said. “But it takes 50 minutes to prepare, so we changed the menu to fry it, and people like it.” Arepas are flatbread sandwiches filled with beef, chicken, avocados, slow-cooked pork or cheese. Perdomo said it’s similar to a gordita or a pupusa. Getting the right flavor for the dish requires a lot of marinating and cooking time. “Fajitas, they can cook it as soon as you order,” he said. “This takes more time.” But that’s the culture in Venezuela, where diners Pabellón

Einar Perdomo takes a break in his restaurant, Amazonia Latin Flavor.

spend a couple of hours at a restaurant to enjoy each other’s company, the surroundings and the food. One dish Perdomo’s fellow ex-pats crave most is cachapa ($8.99), a maizedough pancake filled with your choice of cheeses or meats. Perdomo suggests trying it with hand cheese, a light, fresh cheese that’s like a less-salty mozzarella.

Custom menu

Always trust the owner, especially when exploring a new cuisine. Though he worked in restaurants in Venezuela, Perdomo’s main job was as an accountant. But when he came to Oklahoma, he realized its growth industry was food. “People here love to eat,” he said.

“And I think our food is very good. It’s just a matter of getting people in to try it.” Some will always choose Mexican dishes, which is why enchiladas, tacos and burritos will stay on the menu. But for those eager to find a new favorite, there are plenty of choices. It’s not just a meal at Amazonia, either. Perdomo said he wants people to connect with his country, to understand its cuisine and enjoy themselves. He wants customers to see that lunch can be sweet and savory, that a brown sugar glazed carne asada — asada negro on the menu — can be an intoxicating treat. And if diners want more intoxication and more fun, Amazonia is bringing in a selection of beers — though none can come from Venezuela, due to the importation process — and hosting karaoke nights and live bands. Mexican and Venezuelan cuisines might have a few things in common, but Perdomo hopes more people make the trek to Moore to explore and enjoy the differences. It’s easier than flying thousands of miles to the real Venezuela. Visit facebook.com/amazoniarest or call 759-2699.

O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | M AY 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 | 3 3

P HOTOS BY M A RK HA N COC K

LIFE FOOD & DRINK

FOOD BRIEFS

The School of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Langston University is hosting an accreditation visit by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) [under the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Standards] in Fall 2015. Interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments to the visiting team. Please note that comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of professional education programs offered, and should specify the party's relationship to the teacher preparation or other school personnel program (i.e., graduate, present or former faculty member, employer of graduates). We invite you to submit written testimony to: Third-Party Comments CAEP 1140 19th Street NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 Or by e-mail to: callforcomments@ncate.org

M A RK HA N COC K

BY GREG ELWELL

Hog help The Memorial Day holiday weekend is a time for barbecues, parties and, unfortunately, emergency room visits. So Oklahoma Pork Council is stepping in to help Oklahoma Blood Institute stock its larders with plasma and platelets. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the Thursday and Friday’s blood drive, donors will receive pulled pork sandwiches when they give at these locations: >> 901 N. Lincoln Blvd. >> 5105 N. Portland Ave. >> 3409 S. Broadway, Edmond >> 1004 24th Ave. NW, Norman In addition to the sandwich, donors get a voucher for two admissions to Oklahoma City Zoo and a zoo-themed T-shirt. They also will be entered to win a barbecue pork picnic for 40 from the council. Those who give within the metro will be entered in drawings for tickets to the Thunder on the Mountain festival in Ozark, Kansas; a Six Flags Over Texas trip for two; Def Leppard concert tickets; and other prizes. “We urgently need people to give now. The lives of people needing blood in our hospitals could easily be in jeopardy without help before this holiday,” said Oklahoma Blood Institute President John Armitage in a media statement. To schedule an appointment, visit obi.org or call 1-877-340-8777.

Chefs dinners

Herbal supplement Delicious food & shopping

Join us May 30, 2015 • 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hosted on the grounds of the Sheraton Midwest City Hotel at the Reed Conference Center

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Ponca City Herb Festival is back for a 22nd year of showcasing hardcore, intense, bone-rattling vegetable, herb and flowering plants. The festival runs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 6 at Lester and Mary Cann Memorial Gardens, located at 14th Street and Grand Avenue in Ponca City. Prepare yourself for ultimate horticultural domination with seminars from master gardeners who will be on hand to answer questions. A wine tasting area will house Oklahoma wineries and their products. “We just keep growing,” said festival committee chairwoman Sherry Muchmore in a media release. Last year’s event drew more than 10,000 visitors. Proceeds from the festival go to projects to enhance Cann Memorial Gardens. Visit poncacityherbfestival.net for more information.

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The Tasting Room plans multi-course dinners through July to highlight the talents of Western Concepts’ roster of chefs. “We have really quality chefs, and this is one more way for us to show off our crew and their diverse talents,” said Kurt Fleischfresser, executive chef at Western Concepts. “It’s an opportunity for them to feature their own skills and tastes.” The meals are $65 per person and include wine, beer and sake pairings, depending on the chef, Fleischfresser said. May 28, Sushi Neko chef Jeffrey Khowong will cook his menu. The Lobby Cafe & Bar chef Shane Roel will be featured on June 25, and The Tasting Room chef Jonathan Groth will present his vision on July 30. For reservations and for more information, call 604-3015.

Beef negimaki Mini Godzilla Roll at Inaka Sushi & Bar

Edible art

At Inaka Sushi & Bar, chefs create unique and alluring combinations that are as eye-pleasing as they are satisfying.

Fantastic Roll

9321 N. Pennsylvania Ave. | inakasushiok.com | 242-2224 WHAT WORKS: Beef negimaki and the Fantastic Roll. WHAT NEEDS WORK: The spicy tuna puree was a textural faux pas. TIP: Someone in your party doesn’t eat raw fish? Good news: Inaka serves hibachi dinners, too.

BY GREG ELWELL

What does sushi taste like? As an avowed lover of sushi, it’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but I don’t know how much I’m tasting the fish in sushi. What ingredients truly stand out when rolled with avocado, jalapeño, Japanese mayo, sesame seeds and hot sauce? It would be nice to have the kind of palate that can discern different types of tuna, or amber jack or most other kinds of fish from one another. But as far as I’ve learned, much of the aim of raw fish is to create a taste that is light and fresh, not necessarily distinctive. So when one is eating at Inaka Sushi & Bar, 9321 N. Pennsylvania Ave., which serves the kind of sushi most prevalent in Oklahoma City, what is it you’re looking to taste? Authentic, shmauthentic. Oklahomans like their sushi rolled up with a lot of stuff. This is where a sushi chef has a chance to shine.

Inaka Sushi & Bar

An example is the Fantastic Roll ($13), which takes its own hype seriously. Inside is tempura-fried lobster with avocado, crab and mango. Outside is a mix of wasabi mayo and eel sauce. It’s sweet. It’s crunchy. It’s a little fruity. It bears no resemblance to “authentic” sushi. And it is wonderful. I was less taken with the Samurai Roll ($11), which sounded like exactly what I wanted but delivered something else. Blackened tuna and avocado on the inside? Sign me up. Spicy tuna and wasabi sauce on top? You’ve got a deal! But what arrived was a letdown. Most of the roll was as advertised, but the spicy tuna on top had the texture of a puree or a paste. I’m accustomed to spicy tuna being diced or even roughly chopped, but this was a dealbreaker for me. The fix: Ask your waiter to serve the paste on the side

and you’ll have a very tasty roll. Oklahomans love their sushi stuffed with added ingredients, but they also love frying things in hot oil, which is where you find the Mini Godzilla Roll ($12). Eschewing the rice, this creature is filled with raw fish and snow crab, wrapped up then dropped in the fryer. Once it’s crispy, chefs liberally apply eel sauce and spicy mayo. Overall, this one was enticing, though it did have a mildly fishy flavor. (Not from the fish but from the cooking oil.) Still, the interplay of textures between the fish, crunch, sweet and heat of the sauces made for a roll that was scarfed down faster than Godzilla eating a building full of scientists. If you’re not looking for something new to try at a sushi restaurant, you’re doing it wrong. Bacon. Lemon. Cheese. Not all attempts at creativity are successes (looking at you, cheese),

but it’s definitely more interesting than a California Roll. One place I find many new delicacies is on the appetizer menu. At Inaka, I was instantly drawn to the beef negimaki ($8). Imagine sushi where the seaweed is beef and the fish is cream cheese and the rice is scallions and the teriyaki sauce is still teriyaki sauce. That’s what this is. It’s a tasty, messy little bite, and it punches you straight in the id for that “oooooooh” feeling you get when you try something new that you love. One major plus you’ll discover at Inaka is how food is presented. These guys don’t mess around, especially at dinner, when your order arrives at your table looking like edible art. In the end, it doesn’t matter if you can pick out every type of fish in every bite of sushi. Inaka proves that it’s more important for sushi to be flavorsome than it is to be arbitrarily “authentic.”

O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | M AY 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 | 3 5

P HOTOS BY GA RE TT FI S BE C K

LIFE FOOD & DRINK

Indian Jones Was curry invented by NBC news personality Ann Curry? Was naan bread created to honor your Naana? These are not good questions to ask about Indian food, but that’s what hunger does to the human brain. Go to these Indian, Pakistani and Nepalese restaurants and eat, and please don’t let hunger affect the ones you love. — by Greg Elwell, photos by Mark Hancock and Garett Fisbeck

Sheesh Mahal

Dhaba OKC

Rasoi Chaat Cafe

4621 N. May Ave. | 778-8469 sheeshmahaloklahomacity.com

4600 NE 120th St. 478-2151

3810 NW 39th Expressway 942-7813

The heat is on. It’s on the street. And that street is May Avenue, where the good folks at Sheesh Mahal are making chana masala, an addictive chickpea stew that is as hearty as it is tasty. You can ask for a less incinerator-like heat, but ask yourself, Is that what Glenn Frey would do? Or is that a Don Henley move? Yeah. Exactly.

Does the “goat” in this biryani refer to the animal or the “greatest of all time?” The answer, of course, is yes. It doesn’t matter how gruff these billy goats used to be because once they crossed the bridge into Biryani-ville, they became a tender part of this spicy rice dish that Dhaba OKC makes so well.

The human brain needs snacks to survive, according to the pioneering work done by Drs. Hostess and Debbie. But for a spicier treat with a great crunch, turn to Rasoi’s panipuri, which is a fried ball of Indian bread with a flavorful mixture stuffed in the middle. And isn’t getting your middle stuffed the entire point of snacking?

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Kabob-N-Curry

Manna Cuisine of India

Mt. Everest Cuisines

Taste of India

4104 N. Portland Ave. | 601-3454 kabob-n-curry.com

7908 N. MacArthur Blvd. (812) 272-8279

1169 E. Second St., Edmond mteverestcuisines.com | 696-5494

1000 Alameda St. #140B, Norman tasteofindianorman.com | 321-8666

Sure, shish kabob sounds like a great dish for traveling ... until you hit a bump and accidentally impale your sister’s eye. (Now she looks like a pirate and she barely talks to you.) Make it up to her with Kabob-N-Curry’s delightful naan kabob sandwich, which puts marinated and grilled meat inside a chewy piece of naan bread. It’s an on-the-go lunch that won’t blind your relatives.

“What did this chicken do to you?” is what you’ll ask when you taste the fiery chicken vindaloo from Manna. With a kick of spice that would send anyone running for a glass of milk, this dish is either revenge against one chicken or a warning to all the others. If you cross Manna, it just might marinate you in vinegar and spices and cook you with potatoes. No. No, it won’t. But it was fun to say.

Though the culinary wizards at Mt. Everest Cuisines know their way around Nepalese food, they’re also making topnotch Indian dishes like the insanely sumptuous fish madras. You’ll forget all about the heat coming off this creamy, spicy concoction when you get a taste of this light and luscious fish and sauce.

Dal Makhani could be the name of a new action movie star, a no-nonsense Green Beret on a mission to rescue his wife, the president, from aliens. It actually means buttery lentils, but these legumes are also on a mission: to rescue your stomach from a bland turkey sandwich. Coming soon to a tongue near you.

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P HOTOS BY M A RK HA N COC K / FI LE

LIFE CULTURE

Celebrating creativity Paseo Arts Festival is back for a weekend of culture and good times. BY GREG ELWELL

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday NW 30th Street and Dewey Avenue thepaseo.com Free

For a new gallery, Paseo Arts Festival is a godsend. Bombs Away Art Company owner Dustin Oswald said he’s not sure what to expect, but he hopes it will be big. “I leased the gallery (3003A Paseo Street) in August, and we opened last October,” he said. “They estimate more than 60,000 people come through the district that weekend. So my doors will be open.”

The south stage at Picasso Cafe will be covered this year, including an area for visitors to enjoy the music while sheltered.

Paseo Arts District director Amanda Bleakley said it’s a big draw for the area. The festival, which runs Saturday through Monday, will bring in more than 80 visual artists in addition to the Paseo’s 22 existing galleries. “We’re an arts area that celebrates

3 8 | M AY 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 | O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E

the arts monthly during First Friday,” Bleakley said. “And then once a year, we do it up really big.” Paseo’s festival is different from the Festival of the Arts downtown, she said. They might share a few artists, but for the most part, it’s a different experience. Oswald said it’s also more affordable than the downtown festival.

Guests walk through the festival in this 2012 file photo.

inviting to art lovers, Oswald said. This year will be the first for the Mustang Brewery Beer Garden. Bleakley said it was important to bring craft beer into the festival and for it to be local. “[The beer garden is] also going to have a smaller third stage,” she said. The area will be devoted to solo musicians playing more intimate shows.

MARK HANCOCK

Paseo Arts Festival

A reveler enjoys food on a stick at the Paseo Arts Festival in this 2012 file photo. “When I’m at a festival, whether it’s the heat or the weather, I feel like it’s hard to give my full attention to the art,” he said. “That can make it difficult to spend $400 on something you’re not sure about.” Bombs Away specializes in contemporary pop culture prints and T-shirts with prices hovering between $10 and $40. While some galleries will have higher priced original pieces, it’s generally more

Weather in Oklahoma is always unpredictable, but it’s at it’s most volatile in the late spring. So if May showers arrive, the south stage at Picasso Cafe will be covered this year, including an area for visitors to enjoy the music while sheltered. There’s also a wide variety of acts playing the north stage at Sauced on Paseo. And if parents are looking for something to do with the kids, SixTwelve will be running a children’s art area.

A cooperative space featuring artists in residence, after-school classes and sustainability workshops, SixTwelve will help budding artists create their own masterpieces with light painting — art made with long photographic exposures — plastic bottle sculptures and spin art. And it’s not an art festival without food. While Picasso Cafe, Paseo Grill and Sauced will see their fair share of diners, Paseo Arts Festival will also host food trucks — including a few visitors from out of state — and a mix of traditional and exotic cuisines. The festival runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with music until 11 p.m., and Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival is Paseo Arts Association’s largest fundraiser of the year, helping support arts events in the district year-round. Editor’s note: Oswald is brother of Gazette general assignments editor Kory B. Oswald.

GETTING AROUND The Paseo Arts District is located between NW 30th Street and Dewey Avenue and NW 28th Street and Walker Avenue. If parking is a problem, take the shuttle, running every 15 minutes to the parking lot at First Christian Church at NW 36th Street and Walker Avenue from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday.

Steven Charles

P ROVI DE D

LIFE CULTURE

Full throttle

IgniteOKC offers 13 presenters five minutes each to share rapid-fire, TED-like talks that examine our city’s art, technology and entrepreneurship.

BY BEN FELDER

IgniteOKC 6 p.m. Thursday Lyric at the Plaza 1727 NW 16th St. igniteokc.com 524-9310 $15

Elizabeth Lauderback believes Oklahoma City is full of innovation and a growing sense of collaboration that can be hard to find in other cities. “There is a lot of breathing room here for a lot of average people who have a passion and want to do something creative,” said Lauderback, event chairwoman for Thursday’s IgniteOKC event. “We are a growing city, but we are not saturated like, say, an Austin, so you can be the movement here as opposed to just being a part of it.” She said that movement in Oklahoma City includes art, technology and entrepreneurship. Thursday’s IgniteOKC — the eighth in five years — will include 13 presenters who will spend five minutes addressing a variety of topics and using 20 slides that change every 15 seconds. Referred to as a Pecha Kucha-style presentation, the night is designed to inspire guests and provide a platform for networking with local community and business leaders and highlight the local scene of innovation and collaboration. The Ignite concept launched in Seattle in 2006 and has grown into an international phenomenon. Portland, Oregon; New York; Sydney; Helsinki; and London are locations for some of the most popular Ignite events. While

it is a global event, IgniteOKC has a local feel. “IgniteOKC is all about igniting a community, and OKC is in a state of ignition and growth right now, so it is very timely,” Lauderback said. Presenters include Adam Brooks, managing editor of The Journal Record; Celeste Davis, a local artist and filmmaker; and Brett Dickerson, a former pastor and schoolteacher who will discuss the benefits of changing careers in adulthood. Steven Charles, executive director of Rocktown Youth Mentoring, also is presenting. “I’m really interested in that piece of our community where if people here have an idea, they are wanting to contribute to Oklahoma City and something innovative and something fresh and just doing it,” Charles said. “I’ve been [here] my entire life. There has been just a transformation of the city, and I think that has been spurred by those people with those big ideas and putting them into action.” IgniteOKC is Thursday at Lyric at the Plaza, 1725 NW 16th St. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a networking hour with appetizers and a cash bar, followed by the presentations at 7 p.m. Each ticketholder will receive a card for discounts at participating businesses. Tickets can be purchased at igniteokc.com or at the door. “You get these five-minute knowledge nuggets [during the] evening,” Lauderback said. “And if something really excites you, there is a networking event for you to learn more and meet the speakers.”

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Anyone with a brain is at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to Alzheimer’s Association. Furthermore, out of the top 10 causes of death, it is the only one that “cannot be prevented, cured or slowed.” Also known as senile dementia, Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that destroys memory and mental functions. The devastation the illness causes in patients is difficult for family and friends as they watch Alzheimer’s progress in their loved ones. It also takes its toll on the health and well-being of caregivers: 40 percent of them suffer from depression due to the stress of caregiving, according to Alzheimer’s Association. Caregivers are also more likely to have health problems such as strokes and heart attacks. Long-term placement is often the answer for many families. “We begin assisting families with a tour of the facility here to show it is a comfortable, safe place to be,” said Holly Miller, an administrator at Prairie Winds Alzheimer’s Special Care Center, 8300 N. May Ave. “A lot of families are dealing with the fact that a family member’s memory is vanishing, so we help them through these changes.” Prairie Winds works with families by fully integrating them with a plan. For example, when a spouse is taken to a long-term treatment facility, the center helps with the transition. “Family members are assured they can come at any time to see their loved one at any hour; we do not have visitation hours,” Miller said.

Treating patients

When working with someone who has Alzheimer’s, it’s important to incorporate comfort tasks, things that they love doing, such as caring for pets, gardening and music. Meaningful Moments is a program at Prairie Winds in which staff design a resident’s care plan. It’s an entire way of living that incorporates patients’ culture, life history and life story. “One of the things we do regularly is sit down and have conversations about their past and reminisce with them, remembering what they loved to do when they were young,” Miller said.

M A RK HA N COC K

BY ANGELA BOTZER

Residents at Prairie Winds Alzheimer’s Special Care Center partake in daily rituals such as folding clothes from laundry baskets and working puzzles as part of Alzheimer’s therapy. Pet therapy, art projects with staff from the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and other activities keep the residents engaged. Daily rituals are also an integral part of therapy. Many residents find comfort in activities like completing puzzles, playing dominoes, folding clothes and planting vegetables. One resident loves helping people and has daily tasks to do — repairing and fixing things — that keep him busy assisting others.

Residual emotions

Guilt is common when placing relatives in a care facility, and Prairie Winds provides a family support group because they believe the best way to deal with the guilt is to let people talk about it. “No one is going to be able to tell them how to feel better, but by listening to them, we find everyone has answers within them,” Miller said.

Impact

Alzheimer’s is considered one of the costliest diseases in our society. The disease will cost the US $226 billion in 2015. By 2050, the Alzheimer’s Association estimates the cost could reach $1.1 trillion. “My father had Alzheimer’s the last three to four years of his life, most evident by short-term memory loss. For example, when ordering lunch, he couldn’t remember what he ordered just minutes ago,” said Jack Jerman, who has watched Alzheimer’s progress

FOR MORE June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. It is suggested that people wear purple and encourage coworkers and neighborhoods to have an Alzheimer’s Awareness Day. Visit alz.org for more information. Walk to End Alzheimer’s 8 a.m. September 12 Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive act.alz.org

with both of his parents. The Alzheimer’s Association 2015 Facts and Figures report shows that 45 percent of people with thedisease or their caregivers were told of their diagnosis before the disease became advanced. One common reason cited for this is to not cause fear and emotional distress. Alzheimer’s Association noted that telling the patient the truth about their diagnosis should be standard practice. According to the 2015 Facts and Figure report, more than 5.3 million Americans — including 60,000 Oklahomans — have Alzheimer’s disease. Two-thirds of Americans over the age of 65 diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are women. Excluding medical breakthroughs, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s is expected to reach 13.8 million by 2050.

LIFE VISUAL ARTS

Light touch One of the three galleries in the Oklahoma State Capitol features work by Tulsa watercolor painter Tommy Lee Ball.

Artwo rk by Tommy Lee Ba ll

BY GREG HORTON

Urban Watercolor

People visit the Oklahoma State Capitol for a variety of reasons, almost none of which are related to appreciating art. Alyson Atchison curates the Capitol’s three galleries, and she is attempting to make the building more beautiful and a place in which people who don’t often encounter art might be moved to pause and appreciate the work of Oklahoma artists. The three galleries feature different media, but all are selected by a committee that is serious about featuring art from a geographically diverse selection of portfolios. Currently, the three exhibits are from Frederick, Norman and Tulsa artists. Each artist’s work is displayed for 60 days, and Atchison curates about 18 shows per year. Tulsa artist Tommy Lee Ball’s large-scale watercolors are featured in the East Gallery through June 28. The exhibit is titled Urban Watercolor, and the pieces are drawn from Ball’s excursions in Oklahoma City and Tulsa as well as aerial views of the cities’ neighborhoods. “Tommy Lee Ball is doing some incredibly unique things with watercolors,” Atchison said. “First of all, these are the largest watercolors I have ever worked with. He is also doing highly detailed urban scenes and cityscapes, which is a big departure from the typical watercolor landscapes that are more common in that medium.” The East Gallery is specifically fitted to work with large-scale pieces, so there are only 17 panels to work with. Ball’s work currently fills all the panels, but he did not just submit watercolors; he built frames that allow the paintings to stand out from the wall. Atchison said the effect allows the pieces to

P ROVI DED

Through June 28 East Gallery Oklahoma State Capitol 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. arts.ok.gov 521-3356 Free

actually glow with vibrant colors. “I tend to think about people who are coming to the Capitol and the kind of works that would get their attention, that would work as an introduction to art,” Atchison said. “Tommy’s work invites people to stop and look.” Ball grew up in Sapulpa, and he spent much of his youth exploring Tulsa’s neighborhoods, including downtown, from the perspective of his bicycle seat. The ability to experience those spaces without the separation of traveling in an automobile gave Ball an eye for small details that drivers would likely miss. His work as a stonemason, which he does in addition to art, also gives him an eye for proportion and symmetry. Watercolors give color a chance to glow, and Ball is remarkably adept at creating luminosity on his canvas. In one of his pieces, “Williams/BOk Walking Bridge,” the viewer appears to be approaching the building from the shadow of night, and Ball uses the colors to create a corridor of illumination that pulls the viewer to the safety and warmth of the light. Many of Ball’s pieces use light and shadow to create depth and warmth, and the scenes appear vibrant, detailed and alive with emotion and energy. The Oklahoma City pieces, including the State Capitol and Midtown, were the result of trips Ball made to the metro to expand his portfolio. His skill is obvious when the viewer realizes that Ball’s buildings and landmarks are easily recognizable to residents of the cities he paints.

O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | M AY 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 | 4 1

LIFE PERFORMING ARTS

The have-nots P ROVI DE D

Good People is more than a play about gentrification and the poor; it’s the tale of our shared American experience.

BY GREG HORTON

Good People 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. May 28 and June 4, 8 p.m. May 29-30 and June 5-6 and 2 p.m. May 31 Carpenter Square Theatre 800 W. Main St. carpentersquare.com 232-6500 $5-$20 Note: This production is rated PG-13.

Irony mostly arrives in layers. This is the genius of the satirist who offers us a glimpse into the world as it is while allowing us to believe the fiction that we occupy a place where we are not participants in the system but only amused observers of its absurdities. Indeed, the penultimate production of Carpenter Square Theatre’s 31st season is an experience in situational and dramatic paradoxes. The company that once staged its performances at now-demolished Stage Center has a new home, and its production of Good People contextualizes a story set in South Boston, an area now beset by gentrification. “There is no bad guy in Good People,” said Ben Hall, who directed the play for Carpenter Square Theatre. “The have-nots do not lead lives of bitterness and envy; they have an attitude of hope.” Good People is a Tony Awardwinning play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. His gift is his ability to wring humor from situations that impact common folk

while simultaneously challenging our notions of what the world is like.

Margie (Rhonda Clark center) surprises Kate and Mike (Ariel Richardson and Mark Johnson) with a gift for their daughter in Good People.

Class struggle

she believes she was uninvited and slighted based on her social class. Even so, Mike’s African-American wife is gracious and welcomes her. The decision sets the stage for a confrontation that reveals their secrets and the viewer’s assumptions about class, race and economics. In drama, conflict often takes one of three forms: human versus human, human versus nature or human versus herself. However, Good People seems devoid of these traditional plot devices.

Hall recently spoke to Oklahoma Gazette about the challenges of preparing a quintessentially South Boston, or Southie, story for an Oklahoma City audience. “The places referenced are real places in that part of Boston,” he admitted. “But at the same time, it’s as universal as a Western-world story can get. Really, [it’s] an American story about class struggle and the narrative of the haves and have-nots.” South Boston is a blue-collar neighborhood dramatized by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in the popular 1997 film Good Will Hunting and other movies, including Affleck’s 2010 crime drama The Town. Lindsay-Abaire’s story takes place before the onset of gentrification, and his heroine is not quite an everyman, but audiences will relate to her story. Margie Walsh (played by Rhonda Clark), the pseudo-protagonist, cares for her mentally handicapped adult daughter. Things are stressful and money is tight, especially after Margie loses her job. She hopes to network and find new work at an upcoming party that’s hosted by a former flame. Her ex, Mike (played by Mark Johnson), is a Southie escapee and a fertility doctor. Unbeknownst to her, the get-together was canceled, but

There is no bad guy in Good People. — Ben Hall

“The skill of Lindsay-Abaire as a writer is obvious in that he includes all the themes that affect the poor,” Hall said. “He never makes a mess of it, and he finds humor in their interactions.” When the play debuted on Broadway, it was nominated for a Tony in the Best Play category, and Frances McDormand of Fargo fame earned a Best Leading Actress Tony for her depiction of Margie. Critics, however, were divided in loving or hating it due to its lack of

explicit principal conflict. Instead, the conflict is juxtaposed between oppositional narratives of the American experience and embodied in Margie and Mike. Lindsay-Abaire’s story is a meditation on class conflict and “sweat equity.”

Tough forgiveness

Clark said Margie’s character is not an overtly sympathetic one in regard to her reflection of working-class America. “Margie is someone you cheer for and are mystified by,” she said. “She is tough and aggressive when she’s desperate, but she’s also quick to excuse or forgive.” Margie is 50-ish, and the halfway point of a century is a clear reminder that most of us worry about death. More importantly, it’s a reminder that we also worry about a prolonged life and how we might best survive it. Lindsay-Abaire’s comedy-drama is an important story about our shared experiences as Americans. If irony does arrive in layers, a story set in a city that is now narratively tied to us by a tragic bombing and gentrification and racially divided neighborhoods should offer us insight into who we are, even as it exposes us as people who suffer from the afflictions or blessings of luck, birth, circumstance, class and race.

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LIFE ACTIVE

Level field P ROVI DE D

Wes Welker Foundation awards $115,000 in grants to schools and organizations.

BY BRENDAN HOOVER

Wes Welker’s story is often told. After one of the most prolific high school football careers in state history, he was considered too small to play in college level but snagged a scholarship at Texas Tech. Out of college, he went undrafted before signing with the San Diego Chargers in 2004. He went on to become a star with the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos. He also holds many records, including the most receptions of any undrafted free agent in NFL history (871). Welker credits his high school years at Heritage Hall as giving him the resources to learn and play sports. “I was lucky enough to attend one of the best schools where I lived,” he said in a letter posted to his website,

weswelkerfoundation.org, explaining his charitable works. “I founded the Wes Welker Foundation in 2006 because I wanted to level the playing field for at-risk youth in my hometown of Oklahoma City.” Today, the Wes Welker Foundation has provided over $700,000 in grants to over 30 OKC schools and organizations. It recently announced recipients for its spring 2015 grant cycle. A total of $115,000 in grant awards will be distributed to Frederick A. Douglass High School, Justice Alma Wilson SeeWorth Academy, Oklahoma Centennial High School, OKC Youth Wrestling Foundation, Star Spencer High School and U.S. Grant High School. The grants awarded will go to buy things

like uniforms and equipment for weight rooms, training, wrestling and football. “In this recent grant cycle, there were several first-time recipient schools and organizations working with at-risk youth here,” said Lee Welker, one of three creators of the foundation, along with Lee’s wife Sarah Welker and his brother Wes. “We are excited about the new relationships with these organizations as we partner with them to make a difference in kids’ lives.” The grants are in part made possible by funds raised at the eighth annual Cleats and Cocktails, the foundation’s annual fundraiser, held April 17 at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. On April 18, over 200 youth ages 7 to 14 from Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma

Wes Welker works with camp attendees. County and Youth Builders Incorporated football league descended on Douglass High School to participate in Welker’s annual football camp. He and 40 volunteer coaches from local high schools worked with campers on drills, technique, sportsmanship and camaraderie, said Shannon Love, development manager for the foundation. The foundation’s mission consists of three main components, including sports camps, grants to schools and youth organizations and coaching leadership and development. For more information, visit weswelkerfoundation.org.

Batter up D-BAT Oklahoma City Academy

BY BRENDAN HOOVER

Business partners Todd Currie and Eric Dahlgren grew up playing baseball together at Casady School, graduating in 1993. They lacked a place to practice outside of school, so Dahlgren’s parents bought an empty lot next to their house and built a batting cage. “That’s what we practiced on,” Currie said inside his new venture, D-BAT Oklahoma City Academy, 801 NW 122nd St. “There was nothing like this.” Now parents themselves, the friends wanted a place for their children to play. Currie, the Oklahoma general manager and vice president of operations for TierPoint, a St. Louis-based IT company, and Dahlgren, who founded Oklahoma City-based Quail Creek Petroleum Consulting LLC in 2006, built a 50,000-square-foot, multimillion-dollar baseball and softball shrine. It includes 14 indoor hitting and pitching tunnels, a full-sized major league indoor infield and

a fully stocked pro shop. It is the first of two forthcoming metro D-BAT franchises. They are scouting locations for a Moore location that could open in 2016. Founded in 1998, the first D-BAT location in Dallas had two employees, including former collegiate and professional baseball player Cade Griffis. Emphasizing well-lit, climate-controlled, pro-caliber facilities and player-centric individual instruction, D-BAT began franchising in 2008 and has grown to 23 locations across the country. Currie and Dahlgren signed with D-BAT in late 2012, attracted by its nontraditional business model, including franchise fees on memberships only and multiple revenue streams. “We really liked the people and their model,” Currie said. Open to the public, D-BAT Oklahoma City Academy offers camps,

clinics, private lessons and memberships. To create a truer hitting experience, D-BAT uses real baseballs and softballs and pitching machines that simulate real pitch movement. D-BAT’s HitTrax baseball simulator provides real-time metrics to analyze a hitter’s tendencies, and batters can hit in classic major league stadiums. Pitchers can also throw simulated games on HitTrax. The 23,000-square-foot indoor infield can be used for practices and youth games, and Currie said D-BAT is organizing youth tournaments and adult whiffle ball and kickball leagues. The venue also has meeting space, a birthday party room and a lounge. The pro shop offers D-BAT brand equipment. “Our bread and butter is really that 6- to 14-year-old player who’s trying to get to that level to try to make his high school team,” Currie said. The facility is located next to D-BAT

SportsPlex, which offers 12 fields for league play and tournaments. The complex operated under several owners until Currie and Dahlgren bought it in 2014. They reopened it last year and are making improvements, including updating new scoreboards, lighting, dugouts, concessions and shaded spectator areas. The 80-acre property sits on land owned by Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO), which manages public land to benefit the state’s public education system, said Jessica Willis, CLO spokeswoman. The property, which is under a 55-year commercial lease, is part of about 750,000 surface acres across the state under CLO management. Created under the federal Oklahoma Organic Act of 1890, the office predates statehood, Willis said.

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PROVIDE D

National brand D-BAT has arrived, opening its first of two metro baseball and softball training facilities.

SuDOku/CROSSWORD SuDOku Puzzle HARD

WWW.S UDOKU-P UZZLES .N ET

Fill in the grid so that every row, column and 3-by-3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9.

NeW YORk TimeS CROSSWORD Puzzle ANSWeRS Puzzle No. 0510, which appeared in the May 13 issue.

B O B S

E X E C

E A S Y

A R E A

A L T A R R A I L

C A P O

O H H I

W A Y S

H O M E S

A B O U N D

M O N R O E

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D O N Z E E U A P L C L A E P V O I T T E T O T W C N U

A L O A D G A P O W E B R A D

T A M I N G P A R A B L E I H A T E

S M O K E S P O E T R R O A A H L U L I C S O O P N S T O

I N O N E

H Y E R M A R A O K O F S I T S C E H E A R O L R M A N E C O S T U W M I N A A T M U T I O N M T M E P I E N F R A L I M I T T E A S E L O R D

S O T H I N C E T A D C O S T T D E A D N I C A P E R

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A H A R A P E N E R E N O R T S M A I B A T E B A L E R A N O N Q U E S U S A I I O R T D A P E A G E C R E E B L O N D R E D E O F W O R A S E S D S P O A L E V C E R E H Y M N

S H A D S T R E X P E E K T E S S

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ACROSS 1 Theater purchase: Abbr. 4 Fertility doctor’s focus 8 Little sucker? 11 Mountain-to-mountain transport 18 Sch. with a Manchester campus 19 Apple product 20 Fail to grant, in court 21 Showed humility 22 Spoon River Anthology poet Edgar ____ Masters 23 California’s Rancho ____ 25 Appeared amazed 26 Tattler’s threat 28 At a high rate 29 “____ Folks,” Charles Schulz’s first strip 30 Scheme 31 Visibly sad 33 Making environmentally friendly 38 No. expert 40 One in a jungle trail 41 Walk with swaying hips 43 Arduous 46 Relative of a Great Dane 47 6 letters? 48 Like cars in a used-car lot 49 Source of feta cheese 51 Prominent parts 54 Put-on 55 Clinton secretary of state 59 Ingratiate 60 Like the American pronunciation of many Polish names 62 7 1/2-foot Ming 64 Item extending over a gunwale 65 Sesame Street subjs. 66 An airbag can prevent it 70 Fixer-upper’s need, for short 72 Counterpart of Aurora 74 Good part of a record 75 Diverge 79 Look good on 82 Citizen 84 Camera option, for short 85 She’s courted in The Courtship of Miles Standish 88 Shipping unit: Abbr. 89 Country that’s won the most medals in the history of the Winter Olympics 91 + or – thing

92 How-to aid 95 Kind of omelet 97 1990 Mike Leigh comedy/drama 100 Maven 101 First word of Dante’s Inferno 102 E.T. boy and others 103 “Would you let me take a look?” 106 Plagues 109 Funny 110 Coffee mate? 111 Lady in Lady and the Tramp, e.g. 113 Fix, as a braid 117 From the top 119 Battery size 120 Put forth 121 107-Down subject 122 Org. concerned with toy safety 123 _ ___ Search (Bing forerunner) 124 Renaissance-fair wear 125 Put on 126 Road ____ 127 W here costumes are worn DOWN 1 Dutch pot contents 2 Toll 3 1935 poem with one word per line … as spelled out by this puzzle’s circled letters 4 Start of a reminiscence 5 Where bills may accumulate 6 Sullied 7 Extinct wingless bird 8 California’s ____ Freeway 9 Common pizzeria name 10 Blue shade 11 Piece of Tin Pan Alley music 12 Midwest tribe 13 Ahab, e.g. 14 Decorative border 15 Writer of 3-Down 16 Exist 17 Pay-stub abbr. 20 Remove, in a way 24 Mad magazine cartoonist Drucker 27 Like about 45% of human blood 32 Internet troll, intentionally 33 Cells that protect neurons 34 Ransack 35 In conclusion: Fr. 36 Levi’s Stadium athlete, informally 37 Some Pontiacs

VOL. XXXVII No. 20

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39 One who’s much praised 42 Capt.’s inferiors 43 Clutch 44 Cause déjà vu, perhaps 45 ____ talk 46 Family Guy daughter 50 Certain heiress 52 ____ Period, 1603-1868 53 ____ Arizona Skies (John Wayne movie) 56 “Just a minute,” in texts 57 Cousin of an aardwolf 58 Army Rangers beret color 61 Branded footwear 63 Circle 67 Cousins 68 Ones whose work is decreasing? 69 Severe penalty 71 Harp’s home key 73 Liberal arts subj.

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76 Da ____, Vietnam 77 Fright-wig wearer 78 Comic impressionist David 79 Lie in the hot sun 80 Thick 81 Group mailing tool 83 “31 Days of Oscar” network 85 Mound 86 Code contents 87 Barrier to some websites 90 River through Deutschland 93 What a cousin can be twice 94 Done 96 Flips 98 What may make you duck down? 99 Certain salt 100 Falafel holder 104 Steppes dwelling 105 Beowulf and others Creative

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107 It might have an escalator 108 Bias 110 Artist Maar depicted in Picasso’s “The Weeping Woman” 112 MCAT topic: Abbr. 113 ____ room 114 Intro to biology? 115 Screen 116 Lib. listings 118 Astronomer’s std.

Photographers

Garett Fisbeck

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Oklahoma Gazette

0517

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O k l a h o m a G a z e t t e | M ay 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 | 4 5

Kingpin craft Oklahoma City author Clifford “Spud” Johnson releases his seventh book, Gangsta Twist 3. BY ALISSA LINDSEY

Clifford Johnson book signing 4-6 p.m. Friday May 29 OKC Belle Isle Wal-Mart Supercenter 1801 Belle Isle Blvd. Free

Oklahoma author Clifford “Spud” Johnson writes books about street life that many types of readers can relate to and understand. He does this by backing up the slang he uses with context to create smooth transitions. “I just like to give different aspects of the street life to a degree to let them [know] it’s not all what people think. I want to let them delve into the mind-set of why people do certain things, not to blame or not [to give] a justification,” Johnson said. One of his goals in writing crime fiction is to teach his readers that street life isn’t glamorous, romantic or exceptionally profitable. “In my writing, I want to send a message first and foremost that … it’s not always glitz and glamour and the acclaim that comes with that type of lifestyle. I’m using the street lore to get [people] to read,” he said, “but once they read, they can see the subliminal messages within.” Johnson’s new book, Gangsta Twist 3, will drop on Tuesday. It will answer questions from the second book and set up new villains for the characters to take down. In the third Gangsta Twist book, the crime fiction author included beloved Oklahoma City landmarks and establishments like KD’s Southern Cuisine, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill and restaurants on Classen Curve. Johnson is thankful to his publisher, Carl Weber, for giving a no-name author a chance. Weber is the founder of Urban Books, which is one of the largest African-Americanowned publishing companies in the

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country and is under the Kensington Publishing Corp. brand. Johnson and Weber have talked briefly about turning the Gangsta Twist series into a movie, and fans will soon have more details about that, he said. Until then, readers can look forward to the release of the groundbreaking King Pin series. About 10 authors on the Urban Books imprint will be involved in writing the series. Each author will write one book set in a different city. Johnson’s book King Pins of Oklahoma City will come toward the middle of the series. Johnson is planning the dates and times for a summer book tour and is hoping to start the tour on Tuesday in Oklahoma City and visit Tulsa, Lawton, Dallas and Kansas, but his main focus is to stay local and start with a good hometown push. Johnson works for Carlisle FoodService Products Inc. in Oklahoma City and writes in his spare time. Gangsta Twist 3 is his seventh book. He wrote his first book in 2001. Originally from Inglewood, California, Johnson has lived in Oklahoma since 1992. Gangsta Twist 3 is available for pre-order on Amazon for $11.26 in paperback and will be on the shelves in Barnes & Noble, Target and Wal-Mart on Tuesday. His titles are available for digital download on Amazon and iTunes. Clifford also has a book signing from 4-6 p.m. May 29 at the OKC Belle Isle Wal-Mart Supercenter. Read more of Johnson’s work at his website luckiread.com.

P ROVI DE D

LIFE BOOKS

Persistent poison Veteran rock band Anthrax returns to Rocklahoma with new music to go with its enduring hits.

By Jennifer Chancellor

Rocklahoma Friday-Sunday Catch the Fever Music Festival Grounds 1421 W. 450 Road, Pryor rocklahoma.com 866-310-2288 $85-$599 Camping: Weekend camping passes are $75-$95, and campgrounds are open through noon Tuesday. Note: This festival is all-ages.

Anthrax returns to Rocklahoma’s festival lineup this year, and guitarist, lyricist and vocalist Scott Ian promises that Saturday’s gig will be better than it was in 2009. Not that the appearance was especially controversial, or bad, for that matter. This time around, though, longtime lead singer Joey Belladonna is back at the helm. “This show will better in every way possible,” Ian said. “This is the real Anthrax.” Indeed, it is. The band recently released a new single “Soror Irrumator,” featured on Catch the Throne: The Mixtape Vol. II, filled with songs inspired by hit HBO series Game of Thrones. “We’re all really big fans of the show,” Ian said during a recent telephone interview with Oklahoma Gazette. “We got a call, and we said yes. Metal bands, we don’t often get those kinds of offers. So, yeah, we agreed to be involved in any way possible.” It’s a song fans will hear live at Rocklahoma. Ian also promised fan favorites spanning the thrash and speed metal band’s decades-long history,

Anthrax

including “I Am the Law,” “Anti-Social” and “Madhouse.” The rock ’n’ roll music and camping festival runs Friday-Sunday in Pryor. The way the band got its return gig at this weekend’s festival quickly becomes a familiar refrain in almost every answer Ian gives. “They asked us if we’d play, and I said yes,” Ian said and then laughed. Ian founded the iconic speed and thrash metal act in 1981 in New York. Belladonna joined in 1984 (prior to Anthrax’s second studio album release, Spreading the Disease) and toured and recorded with Anthrax until 1992. He rejoined briefly in 2005 and then returned full-time in 2010, giving weight and momentum to a Big Four reunion show with Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth in Bulgaria. The one-off show was recorded, made into a live film and shown in more than 800 movie theaters across the globe in 2010 before its DVD release. A new album, Worship Music, dropped in 2011, debuted at No. 12 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. Anthrax was back. The punk and thrash ethos of “any time, anywhere, any place” helped launch the early careers of many bands of Ian’s era. Decades later, the thought of touring without new material is an anathema to musicians like Ian. Anthrax, after all, is a working band, and creating and performing music is Ian’s career. “I never really thought about the years ahead,” he said of his younger days with Anthrax, “and I still don’t. I look forward

to a lot, but we live in the moment.” But that statement comes with a qualifier: “I kind of know what I’ll be doing through 2016,” he said, referencing tour scheduling, recording, writing and album release dates. In other words, he’ll be saying yes to many, many things. The band also is working on a new album tentatively set for release in October. “In a way, touring interrupts the recording process, definitely,” Ian said. “But we’ll get away for a full month and will probably finish the recording part in June.”

Butcher Babies

Scott Weiland & The Wildabouts

We recommend Friday Ministry Butcher Babies Ragdoll We Are Harlot Young Guns

Saturday Anthrax Lovebettie Halestorm Scott Weiland & The Wildabouts The Pretty Reckless

Halestorm

Sunday Tesla Stop, Stop! Queensryche Aranda Islander

Ministry

O k l a h o m a G a z e t t e | m ay 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 | 4 7

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life music

Oklahoma City’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility at 1621 S. Portland can take all the paint, bug and weed killers, used motor oil and other chemicals and solvents in your garage, under your sink and around your home. And it doesn’t cost you anything. Check www.okc.gov for a complete list of what we can and can’t take or call 6827038 for more information.

Bring your current water bill stub to prove residency. Residency restrictions apply. We’re open Tuesday–Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m and Saturday 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE S. COLLECTION FACILITY 1621 Portland

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4 8 | m ay 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 | O k l a h O m a G a z e t t e

The steel Wheels

Fast track

m a rK ha N CoC K

DUMP ON US.

life music

Grand National’s latest album, Grand Prix, is a hip-hop joy ride. By James BenJamin

In his debut album, Grand Prix, Oklahoma City rapper Grand National tells the listener about life in the fast lane. The 14-track project, originally released in March, is an easy ’64 Impala ride through tales of hustle and good times but also serious reflections on life and the struggles associated with establishing a career in music. “It’s the things I’ve seen and my experiences, from the hip-hop community in Oklahoma to being out-of-state with my friends, trying to take this music to a different level,” Grand National said. National began his musical journey in 2008. In 2009, he moved to Maryland for family reasons. Needing a change of scenery and a fresh perspective, he decided to go full-speed ahead in his musical pursuits while on the East Coast. In 2011, he moved back to the Sooner State and released the mixtape The Chosen Few with Tulsa rapper Dial Tone in April of 2014. Grand Prix was also recorded over the course of 2014, with National wrapping up work on his first solo project in December. Grand National, at first, did not anticipate Grand Prix to be such a comprehensive release. “At first, I was just going to make it an EP — five tracks — and then it just kept going,” he said. “I kept recording, and it actually came out as a full LP.” The music and production on Grand Prix is sonically smooth, reminiscent of the vibe from some of Curren$y’s music. At points — like the album’s infectious “Intro” —

Grand National’s flow is similar to that of a mid-’90s Jay Z. Though proud of his Oklahoma roots, National is constantly on the road, spreading his name and building connections. At the end of May, for example, he plans to travel to Chicago to work with producer OnGuard, who is known for contributions made to Mick Jenkins’ well-received mixtape The Waters. “I know by me traveling and getting my music to LA and going to Chicago and meeting up with producers and doing my thing, they’re going to one day hear where I’m from,” National said. By venturing outside and working with new people, National hopes to overcome the natural disadvantage of Oklahoma rappers in the industry: geography and the state’s lack of history in producing name-brand artists. “Building those connections in the industry is really big because it’s not even about getting something from people,” National said. “If you’re good to people and are just a genuine person and believe in what you’re doing and they believe in what you’re doing, they will help you.” National said he is proud of the work he did on Grand Prix, especially considering that it was his first solo record with a lot of the footwork done himself. On the freeway to recognition, he advises aspiring artists to go headfirst into their dream. “Be you,” he said. “Take your time with it because it’s a long race.” Grand Prix can be streamed at soundcloud.com/GrandXNational. The deluxe version of the album can be purchased on iTunes.

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life music

FRI, MAY 22 BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY TUES, MAY 26 BRUCE HORNSBY & THE NOISEMAKERS WED, MAY 27 RAE SREMMURD MON, JUNE 1 LESS THAN JAKE & REEL BIG FISH TUES, JUNE 2 ROBIN TROWER WED, JUNE 3 BRANDI CARLILE SAT, JUNE 6 FLOGGING MOLLY TUES, JUNE 9 BEN HARPER & THE INNOCENT CRIMINALS TULSA, OK ★ 423 NORTH MAIN ST. TICKETS: cainsballroom.com or 877.4.FLY.TIX

Lola Montès Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

Good Kill Friday & Saturday, 5:30 & 8 p.m. Sunday, 2 & 5:30 p.m. For movie descriptions and ticket sales visit

OKCMOA.COM

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Made to last

Built to spill

Built to Spill founding member Doug Martsch gets geeky with Oklahoma Gazette about the recording of the band’s latest album, Untethered Moon. By KoRy B. osWalD

Built to spill with Wooden indian Burial Ground and Junebug spade 7 p.m. Thursday acm@uco Performance lab 329 e. sheridan ave. acm.uco.edu $22

Built to Spill, the current standardbearer of indie rock, has aged well since its inception in 1992. Creatively, it helps that frontman and pillar Doug Martsch has shuffled the lineup around to include fresh blood, and the band recently released one of the best, most unrestrained albums of 2015. It might be a bit early to make such a decision, but listen once to Untethered Moon, the first album by Martsch in six years, and you will hear it. “We’ve been inspired by some new bands, and we’ve also been inspired by having a couple of new young guys in the band,” Martsch said during a recent telephone interview with Oklahoma Gazette. “Mostly Slam Dunk,” he said of the quirky Canadian alt-rock act. “They’re the band that really woke me up.”

Technical inspiration

Speaking of rise-and-shine, the drums on Untethered Moon’s opening track “All Our Songs” will leave you wide-eyed. Starting with an upbeat tom-dance that consumes the listener (thanks to the superb recording process at Jackpot! studios in Portland, Oregon), the levels break seven when the wall of guitars come in and Martsch’s vocals, airy and light, float above it all. You will notice the nuanced recording, and here’s why: Martsch said the album was recorded through a digital workstation onto a 16-track tape and then dumped back into a computer for the overdubbing process. Then, it was put onto two-track tape for the mix-down. The process gives the record

a warmth and rawness that is lacking in much of mainstream music today. “We wanted to make sure we didn’t go overdub crazy,” Martsch said. “Then we started finding some songs that were too complex or too difficult to fit it all into 16 tracks, so we worked out a system where we could record it onto Pro Tools and then dump it onto tape.” The etherlike effects of old-school analog combined with the efficiency of digital recording helps make this album’s sound visceral, warm and sepiatoned.

The recording process gives the album a warmth that is lacking in much of mainstream music today. Songs like “On the Way” also give the listener a slight reprieve from distortion, with a bouncing bass line and clean-toned guitars and those damned airy vocals again. It is a song about going to Mars, with a twisting solo that sounds like rocket ships exploding upon takeoff, a serendipitous effect that was there before the lyrics were even written. “That whole song has been written a few times,” Martsch said. “I’m not a lyricist. That’s the last thing I do, and I only do it because I have to. So, it’s not my forte at all. I love making music, but the lyrics are the worst part of it.” Martsch has spoken in the past about a feeling of irrelevance in today’s music scene, but this album is his eminence screaming back to life. The band plays Thursday at ACM@UCO Performance Lab, 329 E. Sheridan Ave.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

Bandromeda, Oklahoma City Limits. COVER Bone Thugs-N-Harmony/Josh Sallee/Alan Doyle, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. HIP-HOP Christian Pearson/Gary Johnson, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO

Adley Stump, Quicker Liquor. COUNTRY

Copa Reefer Band, Five Star Grille. ROCK

Brandon Jackson, Colcord Hotel. COUNTRY

Cutter Elliot, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill. COUNTRY

Chevelle/The Used, Diamond Ballroom. ROCK

DJ R&R, Russell’s, Tower Hotel. VARIOUS

The Eagles, Chesapeake Energy Arena. ROCK

DJ SIX, Colcord Hotel. VARIOUS

Grant Wells, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO

Gentry, Kendell’s Bar. VARIOUS

Harumph/Annie Oakley/The Ozark Mountain Maybelles, The Deli, Norman. POP

Hosty Duo, 51st Street Speakeasy. ROCK

James Talley, The Blue Door. COUNTRY Mark Vollersten, Red Rock Canyon Grill. ACOUSTIC

Karen Khoury, Legend’s Restaurant, Norman. PIANO Kingfish, Jazmo’z Bourbon St. Cafe. ROCK

Maurice Johnson, R&J Lounge and Supper Club. JAZZ

Matt Blagg, Broadway 10 Bar & Chophouse. SINGER/SONGWRITER

The Weathermen, Baker St. Pub & Grill. VARIOUS

Max Ridgway Trio, The Paramount OKC. JAZZ

Scott Lowber/Will Galbraith/Ed VanBuskirk, Friends Restaurant & Club. COVER

Replay/Classic Country Review, Remington Park. COVER

“Weird Al” Yankovic, Hudson Performance Hall. VARIOUS

Rockwell Ryan, Red Rock Canyon Grill. ACOUSTIC Roy Lee Scott & The Flying Cowboys, Sliders. COUNTRY Stars, Louie’s Grill & Bar, Lake Hefner. COVER

THURSDAY, MAY 21

Superfreak as The Blend, Remington Park. VARIOUS

Brent Saulsbury/Will Galbraith/Wayne Duncan, Friends Restaurant & Club. ROCK

Them Hounds/Gum/White Mule, Blue Note Lounge. VARIOUS

Built to Spill/Wooden Indian Burial Ground/Junebug Spade, ACM@UCO Performance Lab. ROCK David Morris, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO Edgar and Mark Cruz, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. ACOUSTIC

Kierston White/Camille Harp/North Meets South, The Deli, Norman. VARIOUS

Boogie Fever, Remington Park. VARIOUS

LUCKY, Colcord Hotel. COVER

Brad Good, Riverwind Casino, Norman. SINGER/SONGWRITER

The Suede Panther, Tapwerks Ale House & Cafe. BLUES

Brittany Roe, First National Center. COUNTRY

Wino Browne, Oklahoma City Limits. VARIOUS

Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. VARIOUS

SUNDAY, MAY 24

Caleb McGee, The Deli, Norman. ROCK

Karen Khoury, Legend’s Restaurant, Norman. PIANO

Brad Good, Riverwind Casino, Norman. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Lost On Utica, Russell’s, Tower Hotel. VARIOUS

Chad Sullins, Redneck Yacht Club. ACOUSTIC

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27

LUCKY, Red Rock Canyon Grill. COVER

Edgar Cruz, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. ACOUSTIC

Grant Wells, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO

Max Ridgeway, Uptown Grocery Co., Edmond. ACOUSTIC

Hollow Breath/Thin Skin/Death Trap, 89th Street Collective. ROCK

Maurice Johnson, R&J Lounge and Supper Club. JAZZ

Grant Stevens, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO

Stars, Red Rock Canyon Grill. COVER

Hosty Duo, Belle Isle Restaurant & Brewery. ROCK

Uncle Lucius, Grady’s 66 Pub, Yukon. ROCK

Jared Sutton/Jarrod Baker, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill. ROCK

Banana Seat, Riverwind Casino, Norman. VARIOUS

Detroit-based rockers The Bad Chapter recently released its debut full-length album, Cheers to the Down and Outs, produced with help from Nick Ingram (Front Porch Step, City Lights). If vocalist Phil Druyor sounds familiar, it’s because you’ve likely heard him with I Am Abomination or during his tenure with Attack Attack! and Nativ. The band performs with The Words We Use at an all-ages show 6 p.m. Saturday at 89th Street Collective (formerly The Conservatory), 8911 N. Western Ave. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 the day of the show. Visit ticketstorm.com.

The Stir, Jazmo’z Bourbon St. Cafe. ROCK

Southern Rift, O Asian Fusion, Norman. COUNTRY

Bad Influence, Belle Isle Restaurant & Brewery. ROCK

saturday

pick

The Bad Chapter/The Words We Use, 89th Street Collective. ROCK

David Morris/DJ R&R, Colcord Hotel. PIANO Don and Melodee Johnson, Twelve Oaks, Edmond. JAZZ

Annie Oakley/My So Called Band, The Deli, Norman. VARIOUS

The Bad chapter

TUESDAY, MAY 26

Purity Ring/BRAIDS/Born Gold, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. POP

737, K Saloon. ROCK

music

SATURDAY, MAY 23 [PEACH]/Paseo Street Walkers/Space 4 Lease, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK

FRIDAY, MAY 22

OKG

The Road Dogs, Fort Thunder Harley Davidson, Moore. VARIOUS

Elms/Space 4 Lease, 51st Street Speakeasy. ROCK

Melissa Ratley, Wormy Dog Saloon. COUNTRY

p rovi ded

LIVE MUSIC

JL Jones, The Paramount OKC. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Roy Lee Scott & The Flying Cowboys, Sliders. COUNTRY

Howard Brady Band, Paseo Arts District. VARIOUS

Stranded at the Station, Full Circle Bookstore. VARIOUS

Karen Khoury, Legend’s Restaurant, Norman. PIANO

Replay/80’z Enuf, Baker St. Pub & Grill. COVER Scott Lowber/Will Galbraith/Ed VanBuskirk, Friends Restaurant & Club. COVER

Mike Hosty ‘One Man Band’, The Deli, Norman. ROCK

Southern Rift, Colcord Hotel. COUNTRY

Scott Lowber/Will Galbraith/Rick Toops, Friends Restaurant & Club. COVER

Steve Crossley, Red Rock Canyon Grill. SINGER/ SONGWRITER

True Window, Opolis, Norman. VARIOUS

Travis Linville, The Deli, Norman. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Alan Orebaugh and Friends/Noisebleedsound/Haniwa, The Deli, Norman. ROCK Ali Harter Residency, Blue Note Lounge. SINGER/SONGWRITER Rick Toops, Friends Restaurant & Club. ROCK provided

Rae Sremmurd, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. HIP-HOP

LUCKY/Shaun Suttle, Colcord Hotel. COVER

MONDAY, MAY 25

[Peach], Blue note lounge, saturday

LUCKY/Shaun Suttle, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. COVER

This Legend/Standley & The Search/Dear You, 89th Street Collective. ROCK

Submissions must be received by Oklahoma Gazette no later than noon on Wednesday seven days before the desired publication date. Late submissions will not be included in the listings. Submissions run as space allows, although we strive to make the listings as inclusive as possible. Fax your listings to 528-4600 or e-mail them to listings@okgazette.com. Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

O k l a h O m a G a z e t t e | m ay 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 | 5 1

life music reviews Them Hounds

The Heart Attack EP themhoundsokc.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/ThemHounds

Bluesy psychedelic rock band Them Hounds is back with a new EP, The Heart Attack EP. Lead vocalist Erin Ames spits out the lyrics to its title track with a heaviness and determination reminiscent of Alison Mosshart or Janis Joplin: angry and pointed. The local quintet gets otherworldly in “Matches and Gasoline,” as Ames’ incendiary lyrics blend with bottom-heavy bass; wailing, high-end snares; and reverb-heavy guitar riffs. Audible influences throughout the EP include

Grace Potter, Led Zeppelin, Alabama Shakes and The Black Keys. The band celebrates its EP release Friday night with a show at The Blue Note Lounge, 2408 N. Robinson Ave. The cover is $5, and Gum and White Mule also will perform. Doors open at 9 p.m., White Mule performs at 10 p.m., Gum performs at 11 p.m. and Them Hounds takes the stage at midnight. Guests must be at least 21 years old. For more information, visit thebluenotelounge.com. — Jennifer Chancellor

Psychotic Reaction

The Sound Out of Space psychoticreaction.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/psychoticreactionband

Garage punk act Psychotic Reaction released The Sound Out of Space in August, but with a pending release of its tune “Get You Alone” on 7-inch vinyl, it’s time to revisit it. The single is a two-minute rocket ride into the angst-laden mind of a horny, singleminded man. It’s riffy, hooky, raw, punk and, really, needs to be heard in the right environment, which is to say it needs to be loud — very loud. It was also used in the B horror

flick Bloody Knuckles. Other tunes, including “No Way Out,” “Just for Fun” and “Chumbscrubber Blues” are bleating, unstable, uneven and somehow nearly perfect all at once, resembling punk’s earlier days and surf-rock acts like Link Wray, The Animals and The Kingsmen. These guys took a time machine ride and brought back an immutable and rough-edged masterpiece. — JC

Other Lives

Rituals spotify.com | otherlives.com | facebook.com/OtherLives

This cinematic alt-rock band out of Stillwater is making waves worldwide with the release of its latest album, Rituals. The quartet been featured recently in an Oklahoma Gazette cover story, on NPR, in The Guardian and in media across the globe. “Need A Line” showcases lead vocalist Jesse Tabish’s delicate and haunting vocal and lyrical ability

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as he sings over a slow, shuffling beat and guitar wails that could have been pulled from a classic Western movie. “Beat Primal” is more primitive, but nothing on this album is sloppy or accidental. There’s a deliberateness here, as if the songs were storyboarded, like scenes from an epic film. — JC

Crushing it

P HOTOS P R OVI DE D

LIFE FILM

Pitch Perfect 2 is in tune with the original but struggles to find its own voice. BY GREG ELWELL

Much as the characters lost their sound, the film Pitch Perfect 2 needed awhile to regain the harmony of the original. The sequel to 2012’s surprise hit Pitch Perfect once again follows the fictional Barden University all-female a capella group, the Barden Bellas, who have dominated the collegiate circuit since the end of the first installment. The plot hangs on a mid-air hangup during a performance — which Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) inadvertently wrecks during a rendition of Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” — at President Obama’s birthday party. Disgraced, the Bellas face extinction unless they can win the world championship (conveniently taking place later that year) and defeat the German vocal powerhouse Das Sound Machine. There are lots of other little plots: a new member (Hailee Steinfeld) trying to fit in, long-time member Chloe (Brittany

Snow) facing life after college and leader Beca (Anna Kendrick) worrying her talent won’t translate in her new dream job. Fans of the first movie (like me) will find plenty to like, though the sequel suffers from a lack of focus, which makes it feel kind of episodic and meandering. The detours are usually fun, but it doesn’t make for as compelling a film. Some jokes, especially early on, fall flat. Lilly’s (Hana Mae Lee) penchant for whispering something insane whiffs a few times. Fat Amy gets in another ginger dig at Chloe. Announcer John Smith (John Michael Higgins) casually drops misogyny into every conversation. Like many sequels, Pitch Perfect 2 tries to replicate what worked best in the first film, even when it requires a bit of shoehorning. Everyone loved the “riff-off” in the original, right? So they found a way to have another version make sense. People enjoyed performances gone

awry, so let’s have some more shows that end embarrassingly. Do you want cameos? You got it! Snoop Dogg and Katey Sagal and Keegan-Michael Key and the Green Bay Packers! It’s an agreeable movie with some lighthearted problems that the characters overcome together and a fun, perverse wit that really begins to shine in the movie’s second half. And the music, of course, is wonderful. The members of Das Sound Machine make convincing villains because they’re so talented and confident. No one needs to stoop to cheating. The Bellas, even when they’re “finding their voice,” sound great and belt out fun new versions of old favorites. Oklahoma native and star hip-hop producer, songwriter and musician Ester Dean also reprises her role as Bellas member Cynthia-Rose Adams. Written by Kay Cannon, who also penned the original, and directed by

Pitch Perfect 2

producer and co-star Elizabeth Banks, the movie stays true to the characters and spirit of the original. And after some throat-clearing early on, it ends on the right notes. Far from the Madding Crowd

Triple play PROVIDED

The third time is a charm for this modern take on a Thomas Hardy classic. BY DANIEL BOKEMPER

Apparently, the late nineteenth century was a realm of indecision. Patience grows thin and heartstrings are stressed in Thomas Vinterberg’s adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s classic novel Far from the Madding Crowd. The film trails a Victorian farm owner’s ascent into a primarily maledominated industry, paying particularly close attention to the three trails of love she treads. Though placed in the time of its source material, the film injects a modern tinge to Hardy’s story. In doing so, Vinterberg reveals the unseen timelessness of this Victorian romance. Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan) is a young scholar visiting her aunt in the English countryside. Her stay leads her to mingle with a dedicated shepherd, Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts). After denying several of his marital advances, Bathsheba moves away in order to preserve her

independence. After the death of her uncle, she receives custody of the family grain farm. An error involving one of Gabriel’s collies forces him to find new work after the death of most of his flock, and eventually, Gabriel finds his way to Bathsheba’s farm, a business in dire need of improvement. Two potential suitors actively court Bathsheba: William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a wealthy and successful farmer, and Francis Troy (Tom Sturridge), a dashing and arrogant young sergeant with a tendency toward violent outbursts. Gradually, this love trapezoid spirals into a perilous crescendo. The beauty of Dorset, the rustic backdrop for the movie, might initially take one aback. Massive, hilly vistas and coasts populate much of Far from the Madding Crowd, and in moments where the narrative lulls, the lush landscape tends to compensate for any idleness.

That being said, the film isn’t the most riveting. Though the final movements of the film do make a bit of haste, the initial two acts are not particularly engaging. Still, the rise of one of the very few female entrepreneurs does lend itself to a bit of intrigue, and Bathsheba’s periodic quips send many of her more masculine counterparts reeling. Unfortunately, even intimate moments later in the film seem to favor dramatics over the heroine’s insight. Still, Mulligan’s performance is to be heavily commended. Harkening back to Northanger Abbey and 2013’s The Great Gatsby, the actress’ abilities in a more classical setting are obvious. In fact, she fills the role far better than the somewhat antiquated endeavor of Julie Christie several decades prior. Mulligan’s performance is so outstanding that it quite easily outshines many of her fellow performers, save the work of Sheen.

Far from the Madding Crowd, much like its source material, does offer up a didactic that stands the test of time. Indecision, especially when one’s own independence comes into question, is a natural inclination. Likewise, chivalry is thankfully dead — very, very dead. There’s something to be admired in a tale of waiting and persistence, one that lauds lengthy development rather than gung-ho puppy love. Vinterberg’s rendition of Hardy’s famous novel is definitely the best out of the three silver screen adaptations, each about fifty years apart. Though that might not seem like much of compliment, it does suggest that the work itself, in the right hands, has aged adequately. It might not be the most accessible, but a powerful lead performer and stunning set design saves this film from falling into the generic vault of countless period pieces.

O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | M AY 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 | 5 3

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Homework: Choose one area of your life where you will exceed your personal best in the coming week. Testify at FreeWillAstrology.com. ARIES (March 21-April 19) James McNeil Whistler was an influential painter in the latter half of the 19th century. He advocated the “art for art’s sake” credo, insisting that the best art doesn’t need to teach or moralize. As far as he was concerned, its most important purpose was to bring forth “glorious harmony” from chaos. But the immediate reason I’m nominating him to be your patron saint for the coming weeks is the stylized signature he created: an elegant butterfly with a long tail that was actually a stinger. I think you’ll thrive by embodying that dual spirit: being graceful, sensitive, and harmonious and yet also feisty, piquant, and provocative. Can you manage that much paradox? I think you can.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Renowned author George Bernard Shaw was secure in his feeling that he did good work. He didn’t need the recognition of others to validate his selfworth. The British Prime Minister offered him a knighthood, but he refused it. When he found out he had been awarded a Nobel Prize for Literature, he wanted to turn it down but his wife convinced him to accept it. The English government also sought to give him the prestigious Order of Merit, but he rejected it, saying, “I have already conferred this order upon myself.” He’s your role model for right now, Taurus. Congratulate yourself for your successes, whether or not anyone else does. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) “Aha!” is your mantra for the coming weeks, Gemini. Keep it on the tip of your tongue, ready to unleash. This always-ready-to-be-surprised-byinspiration attitude will train you to expect the arrival of wonders and marvels. And that will be an effective way to actually attract wonders and marvels! With “Aha!” as your talisman, all of your wake-up calls will be benevolent, and all of the chaos you encounter -- or at least most of it -- will be fertile.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Do you chronically indulge in feelings of guilt? Do you berate yourself for the wrong turns and sad mistakes you made in the past? These behaviors may be sneaky ways of avoiding change. How can you summon enough energy to transform your life if you’re wallowing in worries and regrets? In presenting the possibility that you might be caught in this trap, I want you to know that I’m not sitting in judgment of you. Not at all. Like you, I’m a Cancerian, and I have periodically gotten bogged down in the very morass I’m warning you against. The bad news is that right now you are especially susceptible to falling under this spell. The good news is that right now you have extra power to break this spell. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) In the TV comedy-drama Jane the Virgin, the fictional character known as Rogelio de la Vega is a vain but lovable actor who performs in telenovelas. “I’m very easy to dress,” he tells the wardrobe supervisor of a new show he’ll be working on. “Everything looks good on me. Except for peach. I don’t pop in peach.” What he means is that his charisma doesn’t radiate vividly when he’s wearing peach-colored clothes. Now I want to ask you, Leo: What don’t you pop in? I’m not simply talking about the color of clothes that enable you to shine, but everything else, too. In the coming weeks, it’s crucial that you surround yourself with influences that make you pop. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Are you willing to entertain an outlandish possibility? Here’s my vision: You will soon be offered unexpected assistance, either through the machinations of a “guardian angel” or the messy blessings of a shape-shifting spirit. This divine intervention will make it possible for you to demolish a big, bad obstacle you’ve been trying to find a way around. Even if you have trouble believing in the literal factuality of my prophecy, here’s what I suspect: It will at least come true in a metaphorical sense — which is the truest kind of truth of all. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) “Glory” is the theme song of the film Selma. It’s an

anthem about the ongoing struggle for equal rights by African Americans. I want to borrow one of its lines for your use in the coming weeks: “Freedom is like a religion to us.” I think those will be good words for you to live by. Are you part of a group that suffers oppression and injustice? Are you mixed up in a situation that squashes your self-expression? Are you being squelched by the conditioned habits of your own unconscious mind? It’s high time to rebel. The quest for liberation should be your spiritual calling.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) If you’re planning on breaking a taboo, sneaking into a forbidden zone, or getting intimate with an edge-dweller, don’t tell boastful stories about what you’re doing. For now, secrecy is not only sexy; it’s a smart way to keep you safe and effective. Usually I’m fond of you telling the whole truth. I like it when you reveal the nuanced depths of your feelings. But right now I favor a more cautious approach to communication. Until your explorations have progressed further, I suggest that you only discuss them sparingly. As you put your experiments in motion, share the details on a need-to-know basis. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) There are many possible ways to create and manage a close relationship. Here’s one of my favorite models: when two independent, self-responsible souls pledge to help each other activate the best versions of themselves. If you don’t have a partnership like this, the near future will be a favorable time to find one. And if you already do have an intimate alliance in which the two of you synergize each other’s quest for individuation, the coming weeks could bring you breathtaking breakthroughs. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) It’s a challenge to drive a car through Canada’s far north. For example, if you want to get from Dawson in the Yukon Territory to Inuvik in the Northwest Territory, you take Dempster Highway. It’s gravel road for the entire 417-mile trip, so the ride is rough. Bring a spare tire and extra gasoline, since there’s just one service station along the way. On the plus side, the scenery is thrilling. The permafrost in the

soil makes the trees grow in odd shapes, almost like they’re drunk. You can see caribou, wolverines, lynx, bears, and countless birds. Right now, the sun is up 20 hours every day. And the tundra? You’ve never seen anything like it. Even if you don’t make a trip like this, Capricorn, I’m guessing you will soon embark on a metaphorically similar version. With the right attitude and preparation, you will have fun and grow more courageous.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Aquarian author James Joyce wrote Ulysses, one of the most celebrated and influential novels of the 20th century. The narrative is both experimental and tightly structured. Its chaotic stream-ofconsciousness passages are painstakingly crafted. (Anyone who wonders how the astrological sign of Aquarius can be jointly ruled by the rebellious planet Uranus and the disciplinarian planet Saturn need only examine this book for evidence.) Joyce claimed he labored over Ulysses for 20,000 hours. That’s the equivalent of devoting eight hours a day, 350 days a year, for over seven years. Will you ever work that hard and long on a project, Aquarius? If so, now would be an auspicious time to start. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) The English writer and caricaturist Max Beerbohm moved away from his native land when he was 37 years old. He settled in Rapallo, Italy, where he lived for much of the rest of his life. Here’s the twist: When he died at age 83, he had still not learned to speak Italian. For 40 years, he used his native tongue in his foreign home. This is a failing you can’t afford to have in the coming months, Pisces. The old proverb “When in Rome, do as the Romans,” has never been so important for you to observe.

Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes /daily text message horoscopes. The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700.

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O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | M AY 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 | 5 5

BMW USA

bmwusa.com

STOP DREAMING. START DRIVING.

Our expert team of professionals can make your dream a reality. So stop dreaming about an Ultimate Driving Machine and start driving. And, as part of BMW Ultimate ServiceÂŽ, when you purchase a new BMW, it covers maintenance costs for 4 years or 50,000 miles*. This can save you up to $2,000 in maintenance costs compared to other luxury vehicles.

NO-COST MAINTENANCE

Jackie Cooper Imports, LLC.

Up to 4 YRS / 50K MILES1

Jackie Cooper Imports, LLC . 14145 North Broadway Ext . Edmond, OK 73103-4120 . 866-597-5676

www.cooperbmw.com

*For model year 2015 or later vehicles sold or leased by an authorized BMW center on or after July 1, 2014, BMW Maintenance Program coverage is not transferable to subsequent purchasers, owners, or leasees. Please see bmwusa.com/UltimateService or ask your authorized BMW center for details. ÂŠ2014 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name, model names and logo are registered trademarks.

2014 i3 Mega

2015 X3 xDrive28i

329

Lease for 24 months.

2015 X5 xDrive35i

499

Lease for 36 months.

679

Lease for 36 months.

*Lease financing available on 2014 BMW i3 Mega vehicles, only at participating BMW centers on leases assigned to BMW Financial Services NA, LLC/Financial Services Vehicle Trust through May 31, 2015. Monthly Lease payments of $329.00 for 24 months based on MSRP of $44,000.00.

*Lease financing available on 2015 BMW X3 xDrive28i vehicles, only at participating BMW centers on leases assigned to BMW Financial Services NA, LLC/ Financial Services Vehicle Trust through May 31, 2015. Monthly Lease payments of $499.00 for 36 months based on MSRP of $44,400.00.

* Lease financing available on 2015 BMW X5 xDrive35i vehicles, only at participating BMW centers on leases assigned to BMW Financial Services NA, LLC/Financial Services Vehicle Trust through May 31, 2015. Monthly Lease payments of $679.00 for 36 months based on MSRP of $62,150.00.

2015 Z4 sDrive28i

2015 640i Coupe

2015 528i Sedan

429

Lease for 36 months.

839

Lease for 36 months.

449

Lease for 36 months.

*Lease financing available on 2015 BMW Z4 sDrive28i vehicles, only at participating BMW centers on leases assigned to BMW Financial Services NA, LLC/ Financial Services Vehicle Trust through May 31, 2015. Monthly Lease payments of $429.00 for 36 months based on MSRP of $52,200.00.

*Lease financing available on 2015 BMW 640i Coupe vehicles, only at participating BMW centers on leases assigned to BMW Financial Services NA, LLC/Financial Services Vehicle Trust through May 31, 2015. Monthly Lease payments of $839.00 for 36 months based on MSRP of $81,850.00.

*Lease financing available on 2015 BMW 528i Sedan vehicles, only at participating BMW centers on leases assigned to BMW Financial Services NA, LLC/Financial Services Vehicle Trust through May 31, 2015. Monthly Lease payments of $449.00 for 36 months based on MSRP of $52,700.00.

2015 320i Sedan

2015 740Li Sedan

2015 X1 sDrive28i

269

Lease for 36 months.

*Lease financing available on 2015 BMW 320i Sedan vehicles, only at participating BMW centers on leases assigned to BMW Financial Services NA, LLC/Financial Services Vehicle Trust through May 31, 2015. Monthly Lease payments of $269.00 for 36 months based on MSRP of $35,300.00.

869

Lease for 24 months.

*Lease financing available on 2015 BMW 740Li Sedan vehicles, only at participating BMW centers on leases assigned to BMW Financial Services NA, LLC/Financial Services Vehicle Trust through May 31, 2015. Monthly Lease payments of $869.00 for 24 months based on MSRP of $82,950.00.

299

Lease for 36 months.

*Lease financing available on 2015 BMW X1 sDrive28i vehicles, only at participating BMW centers on leases assigned to BMW Financial Services NA, LLC/Financial Services Vehicle Trust through May 31, 2015. Monthly Lease payments of $299.00 for 36 months based on MSRP of $35,550.00.