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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.

8 Education State Question 779 12 Chicken-Fried News 14 Letters

15 Review The Sandwich Club 16 Event The Plaza Beer Walk 17 Briefs 18 Event Tres Sueños Grape Harvest and Stomp 19 Event Cookies & Cocktails 20 Gazedibles seafood

23 Visual Arts Turn 24 Performing Arts Penn & Teller Q&A 26 Religion Public Mass of reparation

Gazette Weekly Winner! James Woods

27 Community Prepare Fest 28 Books The Point Writers Workshops 29 Books Rae Meadows book event 30 Active Lost Lakes Amphitheater and Water Park 32 Active Sweatstock 33 Youth See You Saturdays 34 Calendar

15 music

4 Cover mosquito-borne disease 6 City OKC Fire Department contract

arts & Culture

P.4 Locally, the Oklahoma City-County Health Department has trapped and tested nearly 10,000 mosquitoes. So far this summer, no Aedes aegypti mosquitos, which carry and transmit Zika, have been located in Oklahoma County. But they’ve been discovered here in recent years, and local and metro groups, including Tinker Air Force Base and health groups, work together to minimize the threat of Zika as well as other mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile. By Laura Eastes. Cover photo bigstock.com / design Christopher Street.

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cov e r

NEWS

Low threat

Preventing infection Local health officials say there are a number of ways to avoid mosquitoes that might carry Zika, West Nile or other illnesses.

Oklahoma’s Zika prevention plan has been in place for months with positive response from the public adhering to safety tips. By Laura Eastes

>> Wear repellent. >> Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outside. >> Avoid being outside at dusk or dawn, an active time for mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus. >> Drain standing water to avoid mosquitoes laying eggs. >> Change water daily in birdbaths and pet water bowls. >> Repair damaged window and door screens. Sources: Oklahoma City-County Health Department Aedes aegypti | Photo bigstock.com

At the end of July, health and government experts confirmed what the public has feared for months: Zika has spread through local transmission within the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed six locally contracted infections in the Miami, Florida, area. This spring, mosquito and disease experts released research predicting the inevitable possibility of the Zika virus’ arrival to states along America’s south and northeastern borders. Zika is a virus, or infectious disease, primarily spread through mosquito bites and can be sexually transmitted by those affected, according to the CDC. The disease can be passed in utero to a fetus and has been scientifically linked to serious birth defects. Media reports from Central America, South America and the Caribbean have illustrated Zika’s devastating impact. In Oklahoma, health officials heeded multiple government agency warnings and formed partnerships with local health departments, municipalities, Oklahoma State Department of Health and Oklahoma State University. When mosquito season arrived in the Sooner state, traps were in place and entomologists were prepared to test for mosquito-born viruses. Additionally, health leaders agreed to ramp up public

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education efforts to lower the potential and incidences of mosquito bites. Locally, the Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD) has trapped and tested nearly 10,000 mosquitoes. So far this summer, no Aedes aegypti mosquitos, which carry and transmit Zika, have been located in Oklahoma County. “We’ve caught a limited number of Aedes aegypti [in Oklahoma County], but it was a couple of years ago,” said Megan Souder, an OCCHD epidemiology administrator. “Those mosquitoes are mainly in the Gulf Coast area. We can’t rule it out in Oklahoma, but it is a relatively low number when compared to the other mosquito species we see.” In late July, a small number of Aedes aegypti were trapped in several locations in Altus, located in Jackson County in southwestern Oklahoma, according to the state Department of Health. The mosquitoes tested negative for the Zika virus. However, a risk remains as Aedes aegypti can contract the virus from an infected person and spread the disease. The CDC confirms 13 travel-associated Zika infections in Oklahoma residents (none in southwestern Oklahoma). Nationally, almost 2,000 travel-associated cases have been confirmed.

County efforts

For several years, OCCHD officials have closely monitored and screened mosquito populations and continue making weekly collections from traps located throughout the county. Hundreds of mosquitoes can be trapped in each contraption. Findings are transported to a health department lab, where entomologists sort insects by gender, determine species and test for disease. “We are truly trying to catch Aedes aegypti,” said Phil Maytubby, OCCHD director of public health protection. “Thank goodness we haven’t found any yet.” To specifically trap Aedes aegypti, OCCHD uses recently purchased B-G Sentinel traps, an open-topped cylinder with a fan at the bottom that releases a synthetic human scent into the air. The scent lures Aedes aegypti but can attract other mosquito species. In the event an Aedes aegypti mosquito is found, Oklahoma State University is prepared to test further for Zika, he said. Aedes aegypti differ from other mosquito species in behavior and coloring. Aedes aegypti is black, where most Oklahoma mosquitoes are brown. “The Aedes aegypti is an aggressive day biter,” Souder explained. “They like the indoors. We stress shutting doors and having screens on windows. That’s the opposite from the Culex mosquitoes, which transmit the West Nile virus. They are out at dusk and dawn. They are outside biters.” Local health officials say West Nile virus is a more familiar and pressing threat. So far this year, OCCHD has confirmed one case of West Nile virus in Oklahoma County. There are four confirmed cases throughout the state, all non-fatal, state health department data shows. Last year, West Nile virus infections were linked to 10 deaths and 79 nonfatal cases, the state Department of Health reports.

Megan Souder discusses public health and the Zika virus as she sits next to a mosquito trap at the Oklahoma City-County Health Department. | Photo Garett Fisbeck

Concerns and threats

National headlines and media reports about Zika spurred an influx of local phone calls and social media questions to OCCHD about mosquitoes and the virus, Souder said. Some came from Oklahomans planning to visit Central America, South America and the Caribbean for vacation, business travel, mission work or the Olympic games. “Protect yourself. That’s the message,” Maytubby said. “Wear insect repellent and take precautions to lower your risk of being bitten.” Some asked about canceling travel. “If you are healthy and not pregnant or trying to become pregnant, it is fine to go to those areas,” Souder advised. “Twenty percent of people infected with Zika know they are infected. That means 80 percent of people infected don’t know.” Like travelers to Central America, South America and the Caribbean, individuals should continue to be vigilant in avoiding mosquitoes once back in the United States. Since many who contract Zika develop no or mild symptoms, it is essential to avoid contact with them and be aware of the sexual transmission risk. By protecting themselves from bites, people also are protecting the public, Souder explained. Tinker Air Force Base has joined OCCHD in efforts to monitor mosquitoes and health threats. Public health officials are providing mosquito surveillance and test mosquitoes for various diseases. This summer’s heightened alert of Zika has pushed Americans and Oklahomans to take action and follow advice to wear repellant, drain stagnant water and avoid mosquitoes. When guarding against Zika, many also shielded themselves from West Nile virus. “People are more scared of Zika because of its alarming effects,” Souder explained. “The prevention is all the same. If you prevent being bitten by a mosquito with Zika, you will prevent being bitten by a mosquito with West Nile virus.”

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NEWS time,” Berry said. “If [it] is earned, we certainly don’t mind paying. It is when that cycle is broken through the use of personal leave and it is not earned, that is what we are trying to address.” The fire union rejects the city’s push to phase out the 18 uniformed firefighters who dispatch fire calls. By civilianizing the position, the city could save $600,000 during the first year enacted, said Berry, who said no firefighters would lose their jobs; they would instead be transferred to other positions. The union doubts the city will find savings by transferring dispatchers to other jobs and hiring additional employees to fill vacated roles. According to the independent arbitrator, there was no evidence to support cost savings with the dispatch change. Firefighters contend there is an advantage to trained firefighters answering calls and communicating with en-route fire units.

A process

cit y

Oklahoma City firefighter Brent Bloyed loads gear onto a fire truck at Station 5. | Photo Gazette / file

Election called OKC voters will pick a firefighters contract after an arbitrator sides with the union. By Laura Eastes

It’s not easy to understand the firefighter pay system, which is in no way comparable to a typical 9-to-5, 40-hours-a-week job. Yet voters should understand firefighter pay and overtime when, in the upcoming Oklahoma City special election set for Jan. 10, they will be asked to decide between two firefighter labor agreements, one presented by the city and other by the fire union. “It is important to realize the extent of our schedule,” said Scott VanHorn, International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 157 president, “[because] it is going to be very difficult to explain to the general public in a campaign.” Following months of contract discussions between city budget negotiators and officials with of IAFF Local 157, the city declared an impasse and promoted arbitration. In late July, an independent arbitrator sided with the fire union, which steered the Oklahoma City Council to two options: Accept the union’s latest offer, or allow citizens — through a vote — to determine the 2016-17 contract. The council opted for the election, which is estimated to cost the city $100,000.

Oklahoma City Fire Department is operating with $2.6 million less than the previous fiscal year. Both the fire and police departments were handed 2.5 percent budget cuts for fiscal year 2016-17. All other city departments were cut 5.5 percent after a sluggish year of sales tax revenue linked to the downturn in the oil industry. “Going through tough financial times, it is incumbent upon us to look at ways we can reduce the burden on our general fund,” said Assistant City Manager M.T. Berry. “As we looked into it, the idea of paying overtime to people for hours they didn’t work was something we needed to address.”

Deeper look

Paying firefighters overtime on personal leave, like vacations and holidays, is one of two main issues that have set the city and union at odds. The overtime pay practice dates back 15 years and was criticized by city council members in the past. In Oklahoma City, firefighters work 216 hours over a span of 27 days. Each clocks nine 24-hour shifts during a single 27-day

We are always willing to sit down and work with the city. The city has nothing to lose. Scott VanHorn

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pay cycle. Past agreements between the city and the union call for firefighters to be paid at a regular rate for the first 204 hours. Any time over that is paid as overtime. Essentially, they are guaranteed 12 hours of overtime pay during a 27-day pay cycle. Firefighters often have to contrast their pay and overtime system to city staffers, who work 40 hours a week during a seven-day period, to add context to the issue. “Essentially, our firefighters work 832 more hours per year than any other city employee,” VanHorn said. “Firefighters have to work over 51 hours a week before they start to get overtime pay.” As it stands, during the 27-day pay cycle, if firefighters take personal leave, such as vacation or holiday time, they are paid the full 216 hours, including 12 hours of overtime. Additionally, if a firefighter works more than 216 hours, they continue to be paid in overtime, regardless of whether or not they took leave. VanHorn admits the overtime pay policy is a benefit to firefighters. In 2004, fire union president Mike Anderson told The Oklahoman the vacation and holiday overtime pay was negotiated because firefighters skipped vacations and holidays in order to build up at least 400 hours of unused leave time. Past contracts guaranteed the city would pay up to 400 hours of unused leave time when firefighters retired. The pay policy is not unique to Oklahoma City, as firefighter work schedules fall under a different part of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act than most American jobs. As Berry and others at city hall see the issue, it’s time to end the job perk. “What the guaranteed overtime program does is allow firefighters to take personal leave and still get paid that overOklahoma City firefighters TJ Thomson left and Brent Bloyed test a HazMatID system at Station 5. | Photo Gazette / file

As VanHorn explained the upcoming election, he heard comments of disappointment among firefighters. The fire union negotiated lower insurance costs in light of the budget woes. “We are always willing to sit down and work with the city,” VanHorn said. “The city has nothing to lose. If the citizens go against the city and pick our offer — our last best offer — that saves the city money.” An arbitrator will set the ballot language based on wording that can be submitted by both sides. The ballot is expected to list the last best contract offer and financial differences from the city and union. The city and fire union could reach an agreement before Jan. 10, which would cancel the election. “It is a process of statutory that we are required to go through in order to resolve our differences,” Berry said. “We are certainly hopeful that we can come out on the positive end of the whole process. This is what negotiations and collective bargaining are all about.”

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e d u c at i o n

NEWS

Yes or no

Various city and state education groups share the pros and cons of a proposed state question that would raise taxes to help better fund public education. By Laura Eastes and Candice Macis

It began with a social media conversation to highlight Oklahoma educators who go above and beyond expectations when meeting student needs. It also inspired an education advocacy group to create one of the most passionately debated state questions for November’s ballot. In May 2013, during national Teacher Appreciation Week, Stand for Children Oklahoma encouraged educators, parents and communities to use the hashtag #TeachersMatterOK and write messages of thanks and comments about education on social media. Notes of gratitude multiplied, as did messages of dissatisfaction and concern for Oklahoma education. “We did this as an opportunity to say, ‘We appreciate teachers,’” said Amber England, Stand for Children Oklahoma executive director, who said the comments were eye-opening. “Teachers told us they felt they didn’t have the resources they needed to be effective.” The feedback prompted Stand for Children Oklahoma to conduct a listening tour, visiting teachers in different parts of the state to discuss standardized testing, education reforms, curriculum, teacher evaluations, political engagement and edu8

Amber England, executive director of Stand for Children Oklahoma and a supporter of State Question 779 | Photo Garett Fisbeck

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cation funding. In May 2015, the organization published a report that laid out key findings and painted a dark picture of educator morale. “What we heard during those teacher focus groups was what we heard in the 140 characters on Twitter,” England said. “What teachers need is strong and steady leadership and honor and respect. To be paid like professionals was extremely important.”

Education landscape

Often, education discussions boil down to funding. Public education falls as one of the most expensive budget items funded by state coffers nationally. Since the national 2008-09 recession, Oklahoma’s investment in public education has wavered between $2.33 billion and $2.572 billion. For the current fiscal year, $2.4 billion was allocated to the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Since 2008, Oklahoma gained more than 40,000 new students. State lawmakers have proposed and successfully passed a number of public education reform measures calling for changes to curriculum and altering the profession.

A teacher pay increase is a key part of the measures that died at the Capitol, despite many attempts. The last time teachers received a pay raise was a decade ago, when lawmakers returned for a special session. Supporters posted many reasons in their demands for raises: statewide teacher shortages, low teacher morale and increased need for emergency qualified teachers. The National Center for Education Statistics reports the average teacher salary in Oklahoma was $44,128 during the 2012-13 school year, the most recent year reported. Only Mississippi reported a lower average teacher salary.

Ballot solution

Teacher testimony, coupled with troubling trends in Oklahoma education, led to the creation of Oklahoma’s Children, Our Future, which proposed amending the Oklahoma Constitution to create the Education Improvement Fund through an initiative petition last fall. State Question 779 asks November voters to decide whether to raise the state’s sales and use tax by 1 percent to support investments in public education, CareerTech and higher education. The tax increase calls for prekindergarten through 12th-grade teacher pay raises of $5,000. Stand for Children Oklahoma helped create Oklahoma’s Children, Our Future, which was spearheaded by David Boren, former governor and current University of Oklahoma president. England, who is active with Oklahoma’s Children, Our Future, said she believes State Question 779 is a comprehensive

Dave Bond, an executive with OCPA Impact and an opponent to State Question 779 | Photo Garett Fisbeck

funding solution that addresses more than teacher pay. If passed by voters, she said the state would invest in proven strategies to influence student learning, reading comprehension and high school graduation rates. The fund addresses college affordability and expanding CareerTech opportunities.

Another view

Those against the measure include Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) Impact, which has argued for months against raising taxes to fund teacher raises, especially during an economic downturn. The conservative advocacy group states teachers deserve raises; however, they should come via state spending reforms. “A teacher pay raise needs to happen,” said Dave Bond, OCPA Impact chief executive officer. “It has needed to happen for some time. … We knew going into [the legislative session], there was a possibility for increasing pay without raising taxes. There is a lot of spending in the Oklahoma government, which I think a majority of Oklahoma voters wouldn’t call core services.” O C PA Impact ma int a ins StopHigherTaxesOK.com, which presents the organization’s proposal to fund teacher raises by eliminating $753 million in “wasteful or nonessential state government spending.” A few options for increasing common education spending include selling University of Oklahoma’s study abroad campus in Italy; diverting investment earnings from the Tobacco Settlement continued on page 10

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Endowment Trust (TSET) to common education; eliminating state tax dollars subsidizing rodeos, county fairs and museums that charge admission; and implementing reforms to the state’s Medicaid program. Those options, along with many others, were presented to various lawmakers. The proposal only addresses a funding source for a teacher pay increases, but not increases in long-term education investment. OCPA Impact supports a special session geared toward passing legislation on teacher pay, whether by eliminating some state spending or appropriating a surprise surplus from mandated cuts taken in March. In late July, Gov. Mary Fallin stated there was a possibility of a special session to address the $141 million in surplus. The surplus funding could be allocated to teacher raises. “Lawmakers need to protect their constituents from being put in this situation (voting on State Question 779),” Bond said. “Lawmakers have the ability to do it. The governor has the ability to do it. The answer should not be to increase taxes on families. Our state’s economy is going through too much right now for this to be the answer.” OCPA Impact was successful in a legal challenge for rewording the ballot title of State Question 779.

Time is now

With a statewide vote scheduled for November, opponents and proponents will continue to debate over State Question 779. Oklahoma voters will ultimately decide the amendment’s fate: Should the sales tax increase pay for teacher salaries and boost funding in other education arenas or not? Are there other ways to give teachers pay raises? OCPA Impact warns voters against the increase in sales and use tax. Oklahoma’s average combined sales tax rate is 7.75 percent with local taxes. Currently, Oklahoma City ranks No. 14 in cities with the highest sales tax rates, according to Tax Foundation. Unlike other states, Oklahoma levies little from property taxes. Recently, CQ Press ranked Sooner State property taxes the second-lowest rate in the nation. “It is going to happen sometime soon,” Bond said. “It is either going to happen with a tax increase on Oklahoma families or because resources were shifted from a non-high priority to an area that is a priority. We don’t like tax increases on Oklahoma families. We aren’t ashamed to say that. We will push for a teacher pay raise again if one hasn’t been approved by next session.” At the campaign headquarters for Yes for 779, England and others discussed the need to invest in Oklahoma’s future and see positive change. She said teacher pay raises must be combined with targeting funds to reading interventions, early childhood programs, high school graduation initiatives 10

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State Question 779 State Question 779 calls for amending the Oklahoma Constitution to create the Education Improvement Fund, which would go into effect July 1. The fund holds revenue collected through a 1 percent sales and use tax increase. Officials with Oklahoma’s Children Our Future, the petitioners, estimated the fund will generate $615 million annually. Proposed funding breakdown >> Common education: 69.5 percent of total funding. — State schools will receive funding to increase teacher salaries by $5,000. Specifically, 86.33 percent of the dollars distributed to common education will go to teacher salaries. Additionally, districts will see increased funding to expand programs, opportunities or reforms to boost reading proficiency in early grades, raise high school graduation rates and increase college and career readiness. State auditors would regulate funds distributed to districts to ensure dollars go toward teacher pay and education programs. >> Higher education: 19.25 percent of total funding. — Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education would oversee funding — estimated at $120 million annually — to specifically address college affordability and tuition costs. >> Early childhood education: 8 percent of total funding. — Oklahoma State Department of Education would award grants to entities working to increase access to and enhance voluntary early learning opportunities for low-income and at-risk children. Annually, $50 million would be distributed across the state. >> Career and technology education: 3.25 percent of total funding. — An estimated $20 million would be plugged into Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Center’s annual budget to boost career and technology programs.

and by ensuring higher education is achievable for those who aspire to it. “The state gave us 90 days to get the 123,000 signatures,” England said. “We got over 300,000. … At every turn of this campaign, the evidence has been there; Oklahomans understand the problem and they are ready for the problem to be addressed.”

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chicken

friedNEWS

Trust Russ

Oklahoma City residents have a new holiday to celebrate. Mayor Mick Cornett signed a proclamation declaring Aug. 4 Russell Westbrook Day to celebrate the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard’s signing of a lucrative contract extension that will retain him through at least the 2017-18 season. League sources told ESPN the deal should be worth around $85.7 million over three seasons. The agreement includes an option for Westbrook to become a free agent after two seasons. Thunder fans recently flocked to Chesapeake Energy Arena to see the team superstar publicly declare his commitment during a news conference. The cynical among us are quick to point out that the deal is, in essence, a one-year extension. Westbrook already was under contract for the next season and will likely at least entertain other team offers teams when his player option comes up in summer 2018. Yeah, two years is a long time. The Kevin Durant decision forced some fans to guard their hearts more closely, but instead of dreading a future rejection that might not occur, we should embrace the present. Let’s be thankful for another full year of triple-doubles, post-game media spats and Westbrook wearing whatever the heck he wants.

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#StopEdmond?

Can a hashtag be trademarked? According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the answer is yes. That brings us to local magazine Edmond Active Tweeting this message: “Thanks to everyone who is interested in #ShopEdmond! Please note, the hashtag is for our paying advertisers, as we own the trademark for marketing & advertising. Thanks for your understanding.” Many area residents were not so understanding. Chris Johnson (@okcjohnson) replied, “This might be the worst marketing since the #TacoTuesday fiasco with @chefrp.” Yes, in the far-flung past of 2010, Wyoming-based fast food joint Taco John’s sent a cease-and-desist letter to Oklahoma City’s Iguana Grill and chef Ryan Parrott, telling them to stop using “Taco Tuesday” to promote the weekly $1 taco special. Indeed, Taco John’s owned the nationwide trademark on the business-specific, sales-related phrase, so the OKC business decided to stop using it. Although Edmond Active might hold trademarks for “Shop Edmond” and “Around Edmond” for marketing and advertising purposes, for several hours Friday, the always-feisty local Twitterati took over the hashtag to respond to the publication’s “cease and detweet” demand.

Geoff Roughface, @groughface, said: “Even Edmond’s hashtags are too pretentious for me. #ShopEdmond.” @OklaEarthquake also responded: “I’ll be honest, I do #ShopEdmond. The dude I buy my weed from is from there.” The magazine then upped the ante by blocking several users. Steve’s OKC Central, @stevelackmeyer, responded: “Hey @EdmondActive — since you blocked @briOKC I am blocking you back. I will shop OKC this weekend and not #shopedmond.” Edmond Active owner Sherri Hultner said she was baffled by the response. She registered trademark #12321313 with the Oklahoma Secretary of State in 2011 based on an advertising section in her magazine. When a local franchise consignment store owner used #ShopEdmond in advertising, Hultner said she tried to resolve it privately. When that didn’t work, she posted the message publicly to protect the trademark using language she got from a lawyer.

“I’m just a small business owner,” she said. “This is what I do to make a living.” Hultner posted a public apology and explanation Sunday on Facebook. “A very classy, understandable response. Your followers stick by you!” @Erica_Smith responded on Twitter.

Wacky math?

In mid-July, Gov. Mary Fallin, along with a number of state and community leaders, praised Boeing aerospace company as it cut a blue ribbon symbolizing the $80 million, 290,000-square-foot facility was open for business in southeast Oklahoma City. According to NewsOK.com, leaders praised an aerospace engineers tax credit for luring Boeing, which in return promised 800 new jobs. The company is known for designing, manufacturing and selling airplanes, rotorcrafts, rockets and satellites. Boeing moved operations from Washington to Oklahoma City; St. Louis, Missouri; Jacksonville, Florida; and Patuxent River, Maryland. A week after the OKC fanfare, Boeing handed layoff notices to OKC employees, NewsOK.com reported. The company was mum on the number of workers impacted by the potential layoffs. “Boeing is still committed to doing business in Oklahoma,” Jennifer Hogan, a Boeing spokeswoman, told NewsOK.com.

Tater trip

The Taters are headed to Washington! Local author Deanna Harris Beatty released her second book about wise vegetables who live in a garden in 2010. The first book featured the McTaters’ yearslong feud with their neighbors, the Spudfields. In Taters Go to Washington, the Taters take a trip to clean up Washington. Beatty, who was a special education teacher for 33 years, hopes her books teach children — and the adults helping them read — to be positive and work together. “I try to teach children positivity, eliminate the negativity,” Beatty told KOCO 5 July 28. “Unfortunately, many of our leaders in Washington don’t do that; they are negative toward each other, and it’s giving a bad example to children.” Gov. Mary Fallin even wrote Beatty a letter praising her efforts to help children understand politics. “I commend your message of getting along with one another and all of your efforts to teach and entertain,” Fallin wrote. Beatty wrote Taters Go to Washington during the last election in 2008 and told KOCO 5’s Steve Bottari that not much has changed since then. “When you look at all that’s going on and all the bad things that are being said and that are happening, think of all the good that could be accomplished if we could just make these people understand to work together and help each other. Unfortunately,

the negative things get more attention. ...,” she said. “I say in the book, ‘When politicians say, “Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,” and don’t make any sense, it’s not doing anybody any good, especially not the children.’” Beatty released a third book, Taters Go to School, in 2011. Her first book, Taters of the Ozarks: The Feud, was first released in 1996 by Heron House and rereleased in 2009 by Christian publishing company Tate Publishing, located in Mustang.

Oklahoma strong

Miss Teen Oklahoma USA Hellen Smith recently clapped back at the Miss Teen USA pageant and its winner, Texas resident Karlie Hay, over offensive statements discovered on Hay’s Twitter account. At least four tweets posted to Hay’s account in 2013 and 2014 repeatedly used the n-word. Following a viral social media firestorm, Hay apologized on her Twitter account and

to media in what Cosmopolitan.com called a “non-apology.” Miss Teen USA officials allowed Hay, who is white, to keep her title. Miss Teen USA is part of the Miss Universe Organization. Smith, of Oklahoma City, who is black, pointedly spoke against the organization’s decision. “Girls have had their titles taken away from them for much less,” she told Cosmo. She cited Miss Florida’s recent title revocation for breaking pageant rules by using professional stylists, which Smith noted was far less offensive behavior. Miss Teen USA issued a statement, saying in part, “The language Karlie Hay used is unacceptable at any age and in no way reflects the values of The Miss Universe Organization ... We as an organization are committed to supporting her continued growth,” according to Associated Press. For context, let’s look at one of the aforementioned n-word Tweets. One dated July 31, 2013, says, “Watching taken with out my nigger @maryguinn1 because she chooses @Willis_Trace over me. Feel special bitch.” Yep. But don’t worry, because Hay has grown since then. She has changed! It’s not like she lied about doing her own makeup or something. “Someone with a national title hasn’t had their title taken away for using racial slurs,” Smith also told Cosmo. “And she is a representation of Miss Universe because she’s Miss Teen USA.”

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letters

NEWS Never Trump

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.

Boundary enforcer

In response to Stacy Smith (Opinion, Letters to the Editor, “Open letter,” July 20, Oklahoma Gazette). You have the platitudes correct: “Freedom of and from religion” and “your rights end where the next person’s nose begins.” Then you fail in application. You grant the right to believe but deny the right to act on beliefs, unless of course the act is in line with your politically correct view. Do some zealous believers overreach? Yes. Do some try to force religious people to do acts they oppose because of their beliefs? Yes. You fail to recognize that the other side has a “nose” too and that your right to have things your way stop there. Neil Lynn Edmond

God opioid

Laura Estes’ July 6 article “Hooked” (News, Health, Laura Eastes, Gazette) quotes U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack as saying “faith-based communities need to provide access to AA meetings and open their facilities for people to meet. … It is important to acknowledge this as the disease we are dealing with.” Not in my church! First, this backward Christian knows that opiate addiction does not start as a disease. It has biological consequences to accompany the moral and emotional consequences; but, like all sins, it was a bad choice. True religion, according to the Bible, looks outward, not inward; not the addictions of pleasing self, but the pleasure of

serving others. The stigma to dependence is failure, weakness and hopelessness, not how you think I look at you. The faith of Jesus provides hope, strength and success. Second, why doesn’t the former governor of Iowa demand that country clubs and other civic groups open their “facilities” to the addicted? Churches are always open on Sunday for sinners to find help in time of need. The “Hooked” article suggests an important parallel warning: Someday when “medical” marijuana is as popular as “medical” opioids, the masses will not be clinically dead, just brain-dead. I am happy to be addicted to Jesus Christ. Michael Moberly Oklahoma City

Criticism of former Republican presidential candidates John Kasich, Jeb Bush and Ted Cruz for not honoring their pledges of support for their prudential nominee requires examination. Unfortunately, like marriage vows, circumstances may require separation or divorce if one partner becomes physically abusive, a threat to the family, an unrepentant liar or mentally unstable. Such is the case with Republican Party presidential nominee Donald Trump, a serious threat to American constitutional democracy, our values and harmony with our partners around the world. The hijacking of the Republican Party by angry, fearful, disgruntled voters demanding an authoritarian figure who promises to “make America great again,” is not unlike the currents which led to fascism and communism in the 20th century. We must ensure Trump never sets foot in the White House nor has access to the nuclear codes. Like the founders of our republic, we must pledge “our lives and sacred honor” to the values that made our nation the shining beacon for freedom and democracy, sending Trumpism to the ash heap of history. Jerry Stephens Georgetown, Texas

16 flame-grilled meats served tableside

Carving a New Experience

50-item gourmet salad area Ultimate caipirinhas, award-winning wines and much more!

COMING SOON! Penn Square Mall 405.362.9200 14

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EAT & DRINK After School Special | Photo Garett Fisbeck

review

Owners Isaac Barton left and Alan Grande stack up ingredients at The Sandwich Club. | Photo Garett Fisbeck

’Wich wizards Tubular treats and radical eats keep ’80s-themed The Sandwich Club a Western Avenue favorite. By Greg Elwell | Photos Garett Fisbeck

Oklahoma City resurrects the Earl of Sandwich’s greatest invention with the help of Alan Grande and Isaac Barton, owners of The Sandwich Club, 3703 N. Western Ave. The entire restaurant is a delightful homage to the 1980s, with Mario, Space Invaders and TV show and movie posters adorning the walls and a menu straight out of a John Hughes film. There are no hoagies or ciabatta loaves here. The Sandwich Club deals in sliced bread. The choices are white, wheat, jalapeño cornbread and German rye — more than a match for any filling. “Can’t I make a sandwich on sliced bread at home?” Well, yeah. But if your fridge holds half the ingredients used in sandwiches at this restaurant, you prob-

ably eat sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I prefer to let the experts make mine with fresh deli meats, vegetables and sauces I rarely have on hand. Take the After School Special ($8.50), for instance. What kind of demented genius thinks to put pastrami and turkey together with jalapeños, jalapeño chips, hot sauce and horseradish? Toss in some cheddar and the sweet zing of honey mustard and a mélange of flavors takes taste buds by storm. One thing The Sandwich Club does masterfully is play with textures. Often, sandwiches on sliced bread get a bad rap for being dull, but jalapeño chips give After School Special a new dimension. The eatery uses locally made Big Sky Bread, which has more body and flavor than run-of-the-mill supermarket loaves. The crunch of chips beneath the solid chew of bread and crisp bite of vegetables makes this sandwich a feast for the Omega Mu | Photo Garett Fisbeck

stomach and the senses. Bababooey ($7), an Italian The Sandwich Club masterpiece that is heavy on 3703 N. Western Ave. | thesandwichclubokc.com the meat, is a little simpler. 405-525-0799 Look; turkey breast is a What works: Omega Mu and After School fine sandwich meat, and ham Special will rock you like a hurricane. is dandy. But sometimes hungry people need someWhat needs work: The Swamp Thing isn’t always solid. thing with a bit more bite. They need to order a Tip: As fall returns, so too will the Bababooey with the spicy, restaurant’s cold weather-curing soup. fatty punch of pastrami, salami and mortadella. Deli mustard and mayo ease the way for a trio of meats that are as tasty as of pepper jack cheese, jalapeños and Cajun they are deadly. mayo on jalapeño cornbread is usually There is no duck in the Long Duk Dong amazing. Not everybody likes tuna sand($8.50), but there is red pepper hummus, wiches, but the soft sliced bread used at a spread that should join ketchup, mustard The Sandwich Club is a perfect staging and mayo in the condiment hall of fame ground for this slightly sloppy mouthful. (which is probably in Cleveland). Turkey Finally, there is Snake Plissken ($8.50), gives the sandwich its meaty base, and named for the hero of Escape from New bacon adds crunch and smoke. Provolone York played by generally delicious Kurt is there. But the red pepper hummus Russell. I’m not 100 percent sure, but I makes fans yell, “Oh, sexy American girlthink this one got its name because diners friend!” at their sandwhiches. have to unhinge their jaws to eat it. Stacked high with turkey, chicken and Maybe it’s the strong association I feel with nerds, but my favorite concoction at bacon, Snake Plissken has a spicy bite from The Sandwich Club is Omega Mu ($9.50). jalapeños, pepper jack, hot sauce and chiForget those snobby Pi Delta Pis; to fuel potle “gourmaise” and a cool demeanor up to best the Alpha Betas, turn to the from cream cheese and crunchy red bell pepper. roast beef and bacon-laden Omega Mu. Cheddar provides a bit of sharpness, and There’s also a kids menu that anyone horseradish and Sriracha put this over the can order from. A My Little Rainbow top. Strawberry Bears ($5.50) is essentially an For anyone who didn’t obsessively un-fried Monte Cristo with ham, turkey, watch Revenge of the Nerds as a young Swiss and strawberry preserves. adult, this is just a really great sandwich. The little touches at The Sandwich Club Horseradish and roast beef are a classic are some of the best. All sandwiches come pairing, and the Sriracha adds floral heat with a bag of chips. The Trapper Keeper that gives every bite a sense of momentum. on the counter and the neon menu are Cousin Eddie ($8) is like an Omega Mu, perfect, and the Jolly Ranchers that come but with provolone in place of cheddar and with each sandwich make the day. steak sauce instead of Sriracha. It is a deThat attention to detail — plus the lightful substitution if the sweet burn of friendly service and the delicious sandchili is too much to handle. wiches — are the reason so many people The Swamp Thing ($7.50) is a tuna keep hopping in their DeLoreans and salad sandwich that has been hit-andheading back to The Sandwich Club. miss for me. Last time, the tuna was a little dry for my tastes. But the mix O kg a z e t t e . c o m | a u g u s t 1 0 , 2 0 1 6

EAT & DRINK

event

Patrons drink Lagunitas Pilz Czech Style Pilsener at Empire Slice House during The Plaza Beer Walk in July. | Photo Chris Nguyen / provided

Feeling like an extrovert?

See you on our patio!

open daily 11am - 2 am 16

Corner oF Classen & Boyd, norman 405.329.3330 | themont.Com

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Pacing Plaza

The Plaza Beer Walk brings customers to the district for drinks while sending money to neighborhood schools. By Greg Elwell

Pokémon GO might said Plaza Beer Walk is draw big crowds, but an opportunity for disThe Plaza the owners of Plaza trict restaurants to Beer Walk District’s numerous create something that restaurants and waterraises their community 6-10 p.m. Aug. 31 ing holes have a better profile. Andrews said it Plaza District idea: You gotta drink also raises something 1700-block of NW 16th Street more important. The ’em all. Well, not all of plazadistrict.org them, said Oak & Ore Plaza Beer Walk sends 405-367-9403 owner Micah Andrews, much-needed funding Free (Beer prices who helped plan The to local schools. vary by restaurant.) It’s easy to think of Plaza Beer Walk. Plaza District in terms Rather than tossing lures and trying to capture virtual creaof the many shops, services and restautures, Oak & Ore, 1732 NW 16th St.; Empire rants along NW 16th Street, but the area Slice House, 1734 NW 16th St.; The Mule, is also a thriving neighborhood with 1630 N. Blackwelder Ave.; and Saints, 1715 several schools within walking distance. NW 16th St., worked with local and naEach quarter, participating establishtional breweries to bring visitors to the ments choose a school to receive a portion area to drink a few beers and capture some of beer walk sales. This quarter’s funds glassware and other giveaways. benefit Eugene Field Elementary School, “It started when we did a launch for 1515 N. Klein Ave. [Colorado-based brewery] Oskar Blues “Our goal this quarter is to raise $1,500, [Brewery] and we basically said, ‘Why not but we’d like to do more,” Andrews said. make this a Plaza-wide event?’” he said. Donations are dependent on how much In July, the four restaurants joined beer is sold. Holding the event on the last Wednesday of each month helps draw in Lagunitas Brewing Company out of customers on an otherwise slow night. Petaluma, California. Each hour, each venue tapped different Lagunitas kegs. “Wednesday is nobody’s busiest Guests collected tickets at each stop when night,” Andrews said. “So we can have an they bought a beer then continued on to event where people spend two or three Oak & Ore and turned them in for hours here and it’s not as busy as if we did Lagunitas-branded glasses. it on a weekend.” “People had a great time. We had a The mid-week timing also benefits great turnout and brought a lot of people people in the service industry, who can’t down to the Plaza,” Andrews said. “Most always make it to events on busier nights, of the restaurants down here are craft he said. From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the beer-oriented, so it makes sense.” Aug. 31 Plaza Beer Walk, participating The district has an active association venues will pour varieties of Marshall head in director Cayla Lewis, but she gives Brewing Company beers. the credit for this idea to business owners. “People can go to any of the participat“Some of the restaurant owners just ing restaurants, buy a beer and get a got together and said, ‘Hey, we want to do ticket,” Andrews explained. “Once you’ve something,’” she said. bought a beer from two different places, you go to the place with the glassware to The district hosts several events each month, including open mic nights and get a third ticket and turn them in for monthly Live! on the Plaza art walks. Lewis glassware.”

b r i e f s By Greg Elwell

popsicles from a food truck and pushcarts across the metro. Learn more at eatmorepops.com.

•Mixed up

The sign is already up on Mutt’s Amazing Hot Dogs & Burgers’ new Edmond location. | Photo Greg Elwell

•Mutt’s puppies Just over a year after purchasing the business from the original owners, Kevin and Laurel Wilkerson make good on their promise to expand Mutts Amazing Hot Dogs & Burgers, 1400 NW 23rd St. Two new stores will open soon. An Edmond location at 285 S. Santa Fe Ave. opens Monday if everything goes as planned. A Midwest City location at 7199 SE 29th St. Suite 209 opens late September or early October, Laurel said. It isn’t the first expansion for the couple, who previously owned metro-area Marco’s Pizza franchises. “We just wanted to build on the great concept by Chris Lower,” Laurel said. “We wanted to run it for a year and make sure we could sustain it before expanding to other municipalities.” The Edmond location will include a patio and will be dog-friendly for people who want to eat at Mutts with their mutts. Learn more at mutts-hot-dogs.com.

Campus cooler

Few people are as excited for school to begin as Nathan and Jordan Holt, the husbandand-wife team that runs Epic Pops. Though they opened their first brickand-mortar location, 580 Buchanan Ave., in Norman in May, they eagerly await the Aug. 22 arrival of University of Oklahoma students, Nathan said. “We’re on Campus Corner, and we’ve had a pretty decent summer,” he said. “We are definitely gearing up for school coming back.” Most of the summer customers were locals and families, but he foresees a much bigger reception when classes resume. In

preparation, Epic Pops will debut new flavors. “We’re working on a version of coffee that’s a creamy option with a brownie inside it,” he said. “We’re also doing a roasted coconut we want to do as a creamy option.” Holt is experimenting with a chai popsicle and a coconut-kiwi one with slices of fruit inside. Despite selling frozen products, Holt said he uses as many real ingredients as possible, with fresh fruit and syrups made in-house. If visiting Norman isn’t feasible, don’t worry; Epic Pops still sells handcrafted

Get shaken and stirred at Park House Events Center as Myriad Botanical Gardens continues its Taste of Oklahoma series 7-9 p.m. Aug. 20 with a mixology class. Bartenders Ryan Goodman from The R&J Lounge and Supper Club and Chris Barrett of Ludivine teach guests to make cocktails using fresh ingredients that can be grown in the backyard. Goodman is R&J bar manager. In April, his craft cocktail recipes helped him win the inaugural United States Bartenders’ Guild Oklahoma City chapter Whiskey Rebellion challenge. Barrett is Ludivine bar manager and half of the bartending team that created a cocktail menu based on The Beatles’ album Revolver earlier this year. The class is for adults age 21 and older and includes drinks and light hors d’oeuvres.

Tickets are $45 for botanical gardens members and $50 for nonmembers at myriadgardens.com. The registration deadline is Aug. 18.

Feeding minds

Project Management Institute Oklahoma City presents Legends & Leaders, a dinner and drinks event to inspire local professionals to reinvest in their community and help solve the state budget crisis that is affecting Oklahoma schools. The dinner is 5:30-11 p.m. Aug. 19 at OKC Farmers Public Market, 311 S. Klein Ave., and features a roster of notable community leaders, including a keynote speech by former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts Jr., the new president and CEO of Feed the Children. Chapter president Tammie Nelson said the group helps members find ways, both individually and as part of companies, to benefit to local nonprofits that improve education in Oklahoma. Tickets are $40-$150, available at pmiokc.org.

The R&J Lounge and Supper Club bar manager Ryan Goodman teaches a class on using local ingredients in cocktails at Park House Event Center Aug. 20. | Photo Brad Ackerman / provided

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | a u g u s t 1 0 , 2 0 1 6

event

EAT & DRINK

Grape dreams

Tres Sueños Winery & Vineyard holds grape stomping events in advance of its annual wine festival. By Christine Eddington

Let us heLp! Party Subs • Sandwiches Chef Salads • Party Trays Lean Meats • Pastries Cookie Trays

M-F 7am-6:30pm • Sat 9:30am-4pm 2310 N Western 524-0887

Grape Harvest and Stomp 7:30-10:30 a.m. Aug. 20 and 27 Tres Sueños Winery & Vineyard 19691 E. Charter Oak Road, Luther tressuenos.com 405-277-7089 $10

At age 73, Richard Kennedy is the selfproclaimed last sueño standing at Tres Sueños Winery & Vineyard, the Luther vineyard he cofounded in 1999. “When we began, there were three of us, but now the others have moved on and opened their own vineyards, one in Slaughterville and one near Drumright,” Kennedy said. “There’s just uno sueño now.” The solamente sueño invites the community to Luther to help harvest and stomp grapes over two weekends in August. “Our grape stomp is open to the public, and people can come help us with the harvest,” he said. Each guest is given a 5-gallon bucket and will cut grapes off the vine. “We’ll do this from about 7:30 to 10:30 in the morning, and then we’ll have brunch,” he said. After brunch, guests fill a 4-foot-by4-foot harvest bin with about a hundred pounds of grapes, and about four people at a time get in to stomp grapes. “It’s an old-fashioned grape stomp,” Kennedy said. “Some folks will sing while they stomp, or dance, and when the stomp is done, lots of people stay with us at our bed and breakfast. We serve a post-harvest cheese-and-crackers plate later on

and enjoy our wine.” Grape stomp events are Aug. 20 and 27, and space is limited to 25 or 30 guests. The cost to harvest and enjoy brunch and the stomp is $10. Tres Sueños makes 10 varieties of wine ranging from sweet to dry. “We have several varieties of awardwinning sweet wines,” Kennedy said. “We also make chardonnay, Reisling, cabernet, merlot and a wine from the native grape Cynthiana.” Kennedy has made wine for more than 40 years. The Oklahoma City native started in 1973 and ran his first vineyard in Piedmont. “[Tres Sueños has] five acres of grapes,” he said. “You can get about two tons of grapes per acre, but after the deer and raccoons take their share, we end up with seven or eight tons.” He produces about 1,000 gallons of wine each year. Kennedy’s vineyard and winery is the second oldest in the state. Tres Sueños wines can only be purchased at the winery. Kennedy used to work with a wholesaler to distribute them, but it became cost-prohibitive. These days, the best way to enjoy the labor of his fruits is to stop in for a free wine tasting noon to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and go from there. “We also sell local cheeses, which you can buy to go along with your tasting, or you can bring your own picnic to enjoy with your favorite wine, which you can purchase after tasting,” Kennedy said. “We are also pet-friendly. Lots of guests bring their dogs and cats along for a tasting.” If you can’t make it to the wine stomp, Kennedy suggested visiting later this fall, when Tres Sueños hosts its annual wine festival. The single-day festival features food, wine and music by the band Pirates of the Plains. Learn more at tressuenos.com.

Tres Sueños in Luther grows grapes like these to make 10 wine varieties. | Photo bigstock.com

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event

Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma’s Cookies & Cocktails event raises money for awards and scholarships. | Photo Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma / provided

Altered sweets

Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma’s Cookies & Cocktails event pairs everyone’s favorite cookies with alcohol for a cause. By Christine Eddington

It’s something many of us have toyed with: Company, restaurant gift cards and more. pairing favorite Girl Scout Cookies with a “We have moved Cookies & Cocktails favorite adult beverage. The powers that to IAO because we sold out [last year],” be at Girl Scouts Western Roper said. “We just Oklahoma embrace that needed more space, and we inclination with its are so thankful to IAO Cookies & Cocktails event because they have donated Cookies 5:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at the use of the space.” & Cocktails Roper, an employment IAO Gallery, 706 W. attorney, was a Girl Scout Sheridan Ave. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 18 until junior high school. “In general, it’s kind of IAO Gallery like ARTini-meets-Taste “I went to Girl Scout 706 W. Sheridan Ave. camp and sold cookies of OKC,” said Leah Roper, gswestok.org every year. I know that event chairwoman of 405-528-4475 being a Girl Scout had a sponsorships and raffle. $30 huge impact on me,” she “We provide cookies to 21+ local restaurants, and then said. “It shaped my leaderthey pick a cookie to create an hors ship style. In those days, you had to go d’oeuvre-style menu item from.” around and take orders for cookies, and Guests can sample creations, and a then when the cookies came in, you had to panel of celebrity judges will choose go around again to deliver them.” winners in sweet and savory categories. Last year’s inaugural event raised This year’s judges are News 9’s Lacey nearly $20,000. Swope, a longtime advocate of Girl Scouts; This year’s target is $22,500. Funds Oklahoma Gazette food reporter Greg benefit the Girl Award project and the Gold Elwell; Miss Oklahoma 2011 Betty Award Scholarship Fund. Thompson; and KISS-FM morning radio The Girl Award project provides hosts Joey and Heather. support to individual girls and local troops “There is also a people’s choice award,” working to solve specific problems or alRoper said. “Last year, that was won by leviate needs in their communities. The Urban Wine Works, which made a coconutGold Award Scholarship Fund is an crusted chicken using Samoas and topped endowed scholarship awarded to two Girl it with a Thin Mint barbecue sauce.” Scouts per year. Paseo Grill’s take on chicken and This year marks the 100-year anniverwaffles was another favorite last year. sary of the Girl Scout Gold Award, which Cream puffs, cheesecake and brownies is the organization’s highest achievement. made with cookies rounded out offerings. Similar to the Eagle Scout ranking for boys, This year features an equally competit involves young women completing an itive cookie-inspired cocktail competition, elaborate seven-step process and taking with a silent auction and raffle and enteron a project that solves a long-term community issue. tainment by Red Dirt musician Travis Linville and alcohol from Action Liquor. Girls Scouts Western Oklahoma serves Raffle and auction items range from 39 counties across the state. Across the affordable to extravagant and include a United States, more than 50 million Disney World trip, stays at top Oklahoma women have been members. City hotels like Skirvin Hilton Hotel downTickets are $30 and are available online town, cases of beer from Choc Beer at gswestok.org. O kg a z e t t e . c o m | a u g u s t 1 0 , 2 0 1 6

g a z e di b l e s

eat & DRINK

See? Food!

Sebastian was, by all accounts, the most annoying character in The Little Mermaid. That little red jerk rooted against love for Ariel and snitched on her to King Triton, but he did have one thing right: Baby, it’s better down where it’s wetter, under the sea. So while the temperature outside is still a few degrees shy of a boiling lobster pot, take a dip in this tasty selection of aquatic eats. By Greg Elwell Photos Garett Fisbeck

Okura Sushi & Grill

7508 N. May Ave. okurasushiokc.com | 405-842-3764 Take a roll on the wild side at Okura, where you’ll find traditional nigiri and flavorful maki galore. The adventurous should check out the selection of hand rolls, which are little cones of seaweed filled with all sorts of tasty treats. Tuna lovers must order a Toro-Tartar (pictured) full of chopped tuna, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger and masago. Pop the raw quail egg that comes on top for a luscious and unforgettable bite.

Off the Hook Seafood & More

Szechuan Bistro

1010 W. Memorial Road szechuanbistro.com | 752-8889

125 W. Britton Road offthehookokc.com | 405-840-3474 When will the owners of Off the Hook Seafood & More realize they’re primed for a few spinoff businesses? Off the Hoof is clearly a burger joint waiting to happen. Off the Chain could be either a good place to buy jewelry or a fence installation business. Of course, they’d be off their gourds if they even consider closing Off the Hook, which has a menu full of seductively spicy fish that rivals any other metro venue.

Long before Salt-N-Pepa was here, there were salt and pepper. You think Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton know how to push it? Then you need to get acquainted with Szechuan Bistro’s salt and pepper sliced fish (pictured). The simple preparation has a spicy kick and a light and crispy crust that will make you shoop, baby. Find it in the back of the menu with other authentic dishes.

Shawarma

Fresh middle Eastern Food

5805 NW 50th • Warr acres • 603.3997 2106 sW 47th • OKc • 601.2629 OpeN 7 days a WeeK Sunday-ThurSday 11am-8pm • Friday & SaTurday 11am-9pm

Michter’s Distillery

Whiskey Class at

1129 Elm Ave • Norman (405) 329-1401 www.shawarmavite.com

Wednesday,

August 17

Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar is teaming up with Michter’s Distillery to taste the excellence that

they bottle up each and every day. From bourbon to rye, Michter’s has been bottling up some of the country’s best whiskeys for you to sample with our pairings. Michter’s will be teaching a class about all of their delicious spirits.

$20

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Includes samples of all of their finest whiskey bottles

Tikka Craze Grill

301 S. Bryant Ave., Edmond tikkacraze.com | 405-341-8888 “Tawa Fish, I choose you!” is something you might say when you mistakenly think the new Indian restaurant Tikka Craze Grill is some kind of all-you-can-fight Pokémon gym. It might not be a tiny animated brawler, but you won’t be disappointed when you discover it. Tikka Craze’s tawa fish is a spicy visitor from the East that gives your taste buds a tussle and leaves you feeling victorious. Wash it down with a yogurt salted lassi to cool the fiery flavor.

The Shack Seafood & Oyster Bar

Mama Roja Mexican Kitchen

Many saw the lawsuit that forced Shackuille O’Neal to change his name as a turning point for the superstar. But while “Shaq” went on to a middling career as an almostfamous basketball player, the victors were The Shack and the lucky customers who eat there. This Oklahoma City-based Cajun outpost is filled to the gills with delicious underwater denizens, including a jambalaya so tasty we bet Shaq is probably a fan.

Sitting at Mama Roja with a view of Lake Hefner shimmering against the sunset, you’ll face many choices for your evening repast. Fajitas are delicious. Enchiladas are muy tasty. But let your teeth sink into the friendly tides of the grilled shrimp or crispy fish tacos (pictured) and you might never want to come up for air. Topped with slaw, tomatillo salsa and spicy aioli, these light options leave room for a sopapilla.

303 NW 62nd St. theshackok.com | 405-608-4333

9219 Lake Hefner Parkway mamaroja.com | 405-302-6262

Crabtown

303 E. Sheridan Ave. crabtownokc.com | 405-232-7227 Few people remember the merman invasion of 1931, but Oklahoma City still bears the scars of the scaly interlopers from the sea. Nobody saw it coming, what with Oklahoma being landlocked, which made the flooding of Bricktown all the more insidious. After being fought back by the National Guard, all that remains of our briny conquerors is Crabtown, where you can have your revenge with a table filled with Cajun crab and shrimp boil (pictured).

Learn to Brew

6900 N May • OKC • 286-9505 2307 S. I-35 • MOOre • 793-Beer (2337)

learntobrew.com

New Owner & New Menu

8027 NW 23rd • Bethany • 405.789.7111 O kg a z e t t e . c o m | a u g u s t 1 0 , 2 0 1 6

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ARTS & CULTURE

v i s ua l A r t s

AK Westerman left and Nancy Jackson’s exhibit, Turn, runs through Aug. 24 at The Project Box. | Photo Garett Fisbeck

Enchanted artistry AK Westerman and Nancy Jackson’s new exhibit at The Project Box transports visitors to another world. By Jack Fowler

Turn 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays Through Aug. 24 The Project Box 3003 Paseo St. theprojectboxokc.com 405-609-3969 Free

Visitors to the Paseo Arts District’s Project Box this month might feel less like they’re visiting an art gallery and more like they’ve wandered into an enchanted forest from a J.R.R. Tolkien fantasy. Turn, the latest First Friday Gallery Art Walk offering from The Project Box, features new works from painter AK Westerman and silversmith Nancy Jackson. The style of both artists conjures up images of elves and fairies, magic and mystery and fireflies in the deep, dark woods. “It’s a kind of surrealism, but I like to call myself an organic abstract artist,” said Westerman when asked to describe her floating, swirling style. “It’s become pretty distinctive, but I felt like it was time

for a change. I wanted to add something more attention-grabbing to what I was already doing.” She experimented with adding textures to her paintings with everything from Spackle to modeling clay, and those experiments led to her new 3-D pieces. Westerman’s ethereal style and subject matter — flowing female forms, organic elements like wind and wood incorporated into backgrounds — is instantly recognizable, but now, stumps and limbs and flowers thrust themselves out of the tranquil scenes toward the viewer. It wasn’t an easy transition. “It took me a full year to do the four new pieces,” Westerman said. “I’d never sculpted before in my life. It presented a new challenge for me because in addition to painting, I’d have to set it aside and go model and paint 10 to 20 petals and leaves, let that dry, then go back to painting. It was a lot of different things going on at once.” Turn is Jackson’s first art show. She said her working style is also a bit of an assembly line. “I’ve always got several

“The Catalyst Now Tethered” by AK Westerman | Image provided

pieces going at once,” said Jackson, whose metal jewelry combines organic and fanciful elements to create layered, one-ofa-kind wearable art pieces. “When you add layers or add a stone on top of a stone on top of a stone, that’s a lot of small tasks to do one thing. It’s really stretched me. There’s always something else to do.” However, Jackson said she’s pleased with the 80 pieces she’s showing in Turn. “I like my work to try and tell a story,” she said. “I like it when people can look at my jewelry and say, ‘Oh, that’s a fall leaf on the ground with rain drops on it. That one’s a bunch of fireflies at night. I like it to be sculptural and three-dimensional,

like little works of art. You can go get jewelry at Kohl’s for a buck forty-nine, but that’s not art.” Westerman said although the name of the show might be straightforward, it’s deeply personal to both artists. “Turn is really about change,” she said. “It’s something everybody goes through almost constantly — changes in careers, turning points in relationships, changes in your life. For us personally, we’ve both experienced all of that recently, and we wanted to do something to mark it and celebrate that.” Nancy Jackson incorporates nature and fanciful elements into her metal jewelry. | Photo Garett Fisbeck

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performing arts

ARTS & CULTURE Penn & Teller bring their famed magic act to Oklahoma City on Aug. 19. | Photo Civic Ce

Truth told

Penn & Teller’s Penn Jillette talks this year’s political minefields and the value of honesty ahead of the magician duo’s Aug. 19 show at Civic Center Music Hall.

By Ben Luschen

Penn Jillette, like almost everyone else these days, has a few things to say about politics, and especially about this year’s presidential election. Unlike your Aunt Miriam, though, the tall and vocal half of successful comedymagic duo Penn & Teller offers firsthand insight about at least one of the candidates. Entertainers and illusionists Penn Jillette and Raymond Joseph Teller are Las Vegas fixtures, and Penn & Teller have become late-night TV and cable programming regulars and starred in multiple offBroadway and Broadway productions since they began performing together in the mid1970s. Their Penn & Teller tour ventures to Oklahoma City’s Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 8 p.m. Aug. 19. They are well-known for reality game show Penn & Teller: Fool Us, in which magicians test their dexterity by performing tricks in front of the pair. Jillette also joined two consecutive seasons of NBC’s The Celebrity Apprentice, formerly hosted by New York City businessman and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Jillette was a 2013 show finalist and lost to country star Trace Adkins. Penn & Teller’s live act is largely apolitical, but during a recent Oklahoma Gazette interview, the committed Libertarian, atheist and skeptic-at-large was very outspoken about his working relationship with Trump and an election year featuring a pair of mainstream candidates he finds unappealing. Oklahoma Gazette: Because of the Celebrity Apprentice tie-in, you get asked about Trump and the election cycle a lot. Many say this election is a political tipping point. What do you think? Penn Jillette: What I think will happen is Trump will lose in the biggest landslide probably since [the 1836 election of President Martin] Van Buren. He’s going to lose really bad. I think the word “trump” will become a word for loser for a while. But the problem is very clear. The problem was caused by the Bush [family] and the Clintons. All of us — and I’m includ24

a u g u s t 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

Penn & Teller 8 p.m. Aug. 19 Civic Center Music Hall 201 N. Walker Ave. okcciviccenter.com 405-297-3890 $35-$75

ing myself — used to wish … for someone who just shot from the hip and spoke honestly and wasn’t politically correct. I didn’t think that person I was looking for would be Trump. Almost anyone else speaking their mind would be a better choice. I’ve worked with Trump. They pretend, of course, that it’s a show where you’re trying to get a job; you’re trying to apprentice with him. Of course, everyone knows that’s not true. They had no job to offer. I mean, he bankrupted all the casinos I could work in. … He was not my boss. He was a coworker who was paid like I was to be on the show. It was not his show. It was NBC’s show and [show creator] Mark Burnett’s show. And out of everyone who was on The Apprentice, I liked him the most. … I have a great deal of patience and respect for those

who are different, and I liked him the same way I like Gary Busey or somebody. I thought, for a reality show, he was fine. When he was [considering] running for president, he asked me backstage at the [Celebrity Apprentice season] finale if I would support him as president. I said no; [Trace Adkins] said yes, and Trace won. And [Trump] made that pretty clear: He just didn’t like me. … He started attacking me on Twitter, saying my show wasn’t any good. I thought that was pretty funny because you don’t have that ever in political history. You don’t have Abraham Lincoln saying, “Four score and seven years ago, I saw this magician and I really didn’t like him.” The stuff that I saw of [Trump] when he was unguarded was surely sexist and homophobic and racist, but not more than an uneducated man of that age would be. … His unpleasant jokes about Clay Aiken being gay are just unpleasant jokes from a coworker who is not very enlightened.

When that coworker who’s not very enlightened ends up running for president, all of a sudden, it’s not fun anymore — it’s actually dangerous. So all the stuff you laughed about and giggled about on Celebrity Apprentice is no longer fun when it’s being said by someone who some people are taking seriously. OKG: It’s interesting that you say that he talked to you and Adkins about his presidency, because that was several years ago. PJ: He thinks he can do anything. The nightmare is that his candidacy started either with him or with his staff as some kind of joke. … The only reason that is scary is that Hillary Clinton can barely keep herself out of jail. If he was running against Obama, he wouldn’t get a state. Obama is a pretty remarkable American president in that there are no scandals. I mean, Obama is a good guy. I disagree with

Teller and I believe very strongly in truth, and that’s why we make our careers as liars, because we want to explore how people ascertain what’s true. Penn Jillette

Photo Civic Center Foundation & OKC Broadway / Joan Marcus / provided

fiscally conservative and socially liberal, and that’s what a lot of the country is. No one under 30 — no one under 30 — cares at all about the social issues the conservatives are pushing. Nobody. OKG: You and Teller perform Aug. 19 in Oklahoma City. What comes to mind when you think of Oklahoma? When’s the last time you were here? PJ: I don’t really visit places; I do shows. There’s a great line in [the 1964 movie] A Hard Day’s Night by The Beatles: “I’ve been in a train and a room, and a car and a room, and a room and a room.” You don’t really get out very much. … Even though we’ve talked about this now in our interview, in the Penn & Teller show live, we do a magic show. We don’t do anything political or sexual or anything like that. … The Bible Belt is kind of the same as New York City because we’re doing tricks that nobody can figure out. We’re doing things that absolutely look like miracles. … After 40 years, it’s what Penn & Teller is really good at. It’s what we love to do. … And the live show is not affected very much by what city we have to be in.

him politically, but who cares? He’s actually a good president. If he was running against Obama, the whole country would know he wasn’t fit to eat shit off Obama’s shoes. But Hillary brings with her an awful lot of baggage. OKG: A lot of people are voting against a worst-case scenario instead of for any candidate. PJ: It’s all being done with fear and hate. This whole election is fear and hate. Now, if you want a stark change from that, my man Gary Johnson is not running a negative campaign. He’s not saying bad stuff about anybody. The Libertarian Party has been pro-gay rights since 1971 [and] against all the interventionist wars. Gary Johnson was governor of New Mexico and did not build a wall. He does not seem to hate Mexicans. He is a good choice, and he’s now polling around 11 to 15 percent where Libertarians have never polled more than 1 percent before, so the United States is wising up that maybe we don’t want a scumbag as president. OKG: Do you think part of the cause of divisiveness is that everything is presented as black or white, RepublicanDemocrat, yes-no, good-bad? PJ: Well, the Libertarian point of view is

OKG: A lot of acts talk about how demanding touring can be. PJ: I absolutely love touring. When you talk about touring, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones and me of Penn & Teller, we’re the only three people who actually like touring. And eventually, that will be the band, I imagine. It’ll be Billy, Keith and Penn. OKG: Yes, please. PJ: In Vegas, it’s one theater — we get used to it; but on the road, we do different material than we do in Vegas. It’s a different show, and after the shows, Teller and I always go out and meet everybody and take pictures and sign stuff. We spend usually an hour, sometimes as long as the show, out with the audience after shows. There is no VIP. Every single person is VIP with us, and we love it. This is not true for all entertainers, but we tend to like our audiences. We like the people who like us. OKG: You mentioned how much you like doing your stage show. Is there an eventual expiration date for Penn & Teller? PJ: We intend to die in office. If I could be onstage after I was dead, I’d be happy to do that. OKG: What’s the best compliment a fan could give you or has given you? PJ: The best compliment we get is when people say we’ve actually changed their point of view on how they ascertain truth. Our show, although not overtly political, has this undercurrent of, “This is the way people can lie to you.” And when people really come to understand that and come out to our show and say, “I’m a little more skeptical about everything after seeing your show,” that’s what makes our little hearts palp with joy. … Teller and I believe very strongly in truth, and that’s why we make our careers as liars, because we want to explore how people ascertain what’s true.

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | a u g u s t 1 0 , 2 0 1 6

ARTS & CULTURE religion

Faithful healers A religious group plans a Monday Mass of reparation at Bicentennial Park to counter a planned satanic event scheduled at Civic Center Music Hall. By Ben Luschen

Public Mass of Reparation Noon Monday Bicentennial Park 500 Couch Drive 405-603-5320 Free

A public Mass of reparation and Christian Assumption of Mary celebration is planned Monday to counter a ticketed satanic Mass event by a local satanic church. The controversial Society of St. Pius X and its associated Bethany church, St. Michael’s Chapel, hosts what it’s calling a traditional Latin solemn high Mass at noon Monday in Bicentennial Park, 500 Couch Drive. The event precedes black Mass and Consumption of Mary ceremonies planned for 7 p.m. the same day at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., adjacent to the park. Brian McCall, a St. Michael’s member and part of the event’s organizing committee, said he learned the details of Oklahoma City satanic Church of Ahriman’s planned Consumption of Mary ceremony from a June 29 Oklahoma Gazette story. McCall said the traditional Latin solemn high Mass is necessary as an act of atonement in the state because the planned satanic rituals are an offense to God. “We don’t want any harm to come to our state,” McCall said. “We love the state of Oklahoma, and we feel a public act is required to make some reparation for

these things that are being done.” The satanic church’s Consumption of Mary is a dark parody, or inversion, of the Christian Assumption of Mary celebration. The Consumption ritual involves symbolic black magic and the defiling and destruction of a Virgin Mary statue, among other things. A private event would not typically elicit a response from the public or religious groups, but McCall believes the city condoned the black Mass by allowing Church of Ahriman to rent space in a municipal building. However, Jennifer McClintock, Oklahoma City Parks & Recreation Department and Civic Center Music Hall public information manager, said private groups, event promoters and other organizations often rent space at Civic Center and hold events there. Publicity and promotion for those events is done by the renter, not the city. She also said Oklahoma City does not “sanction,” endorse or promote events conducted in venue space rented by outside promoters. “Based upon our need to follow the law, including the Constitution, we can’t deny anyone based on their beliefs,” she said. St. Michael’s responded similarly when Church of Ahriman held a black Mass at the Civic Center in 2014, but McCall said the Mass of reparation was done inside a hotel instead of Bicentennial Park. McCall said organizers hope moving their event outdoors will give it a more public feel. McCall said a public response to the black Mass event is important. “I think one of their intentions is to do these things and get people used to them,” he said. “The first time [in 2014], there was a large-scale public reaction by even some

Representatives from The Society of St. Pius X hold a Mass of reparation in 2014. | Photo The Society of St. Pius X / provided

A crowd gathers outside Civic Center Music Hall in 2014 for a recitation of the Rosary following a Mass of reparation. | Photo The Society of St. Pius X / provided

in government. This time, it’s much less and we think some of the intention is, ‘OK, well, a lot of people get upset by this, but if we just keep doing it, they’ll just accept it.’” Dastur Adam Daniels, Church of Ahriman religious leader and chief organizer of the Civic Center event, told the Gazette in an emailed statement that he is unfazed by the planned act of atonement. The 2014 black Mass sparked debate over religious freedom and whether acts some consider religiously offensive should be held on public property. McCall said he believes Church of Ahriman members have no religion to be violated. “It sort of illustrates that we don’t even know what we’re talking about anymore,” he said; he added that his definition of re-

ligion means “offering worship to God.” “These people, by their own definition, are doing the opposite of that.” However, The Society of St. Pius X, to which McCall’s church belongs, also has drawn criticism and questions of legitimacy from Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a nonprofit civil rights and public interest organization, for its recorded history of anti-Semitism. Religious Judaism stresses belief in God. A 2015 SPLC report called the society a “radical traditionalist Catholic” organization that split from the Catholic Church after its formation in 1970.

There is a lot to do, see and purchase throughout Autumn and Gazette gives its readers direction on where to find the best festivials, fashions, foods and more!

Publishing sePtember 21, 2016 26

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Featuring a 3 month calendar For all your Favorite Fall activities

Prepare Fest 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Aug. 20 Civic Center Music Hall 201. N. Walker Ave. okc.gov/parks 405-297-2584 Free Note: Advance registration is required.

Disaster awareness

co mmu n i t y

Civic Center Music Hall guests will participate in a mock emergency evacuation much like this one during Prepare Fest on Aug. 20. | Photo bigstock.com

Reality fest

City and state organizations come together for Prepare Fest, an event to educate and prepare communities for disasters and threats. By Candice Macis

To better inform metro residents about potential emergencies, the City of Oklahoma City, including its fire and police departments and Office of Emergency Management, hosts Prepare Fest Aug. 20 at Civic Center Music Hall, 201. N. Walker Ave. The event features community resource representatives who will discuss creating individual and family readiness plans in topics spanning public health, natural disasters, active shooter scenarios, public safety threats and more, organizers said. Activities include a mock evacuation and seminars and speeches by meteorologists and police and fire officials. Oklahoma City Fire Department member Joe Johns said education is a central component of Prepare Fest. Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA), American Red Cross and National Storm Shelter Association representatives will address severe weather, earthquake preparedness, wildfire pre-

vention, mosquito mitigation and health and public safety threats. Johns has helped plan Prepare Fest for about a year. He said the event concept stemmed from discussion around an emergency planning seminar that would prepare the civic center for a large-scale evacuation. “They’re supposed to do an evacuation on a periodic basis,” he said. “In order to facilitate filling the place to somewhat of a capacity, 1,000 or so [people],” a safety festival seemed appropriate. The event, which runs 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Aug. 20, includes free admission and a complimentary lunch for the first 1,500 seminar participants. Seminars run 11 a.m. to noon and feature presentations from National Weather Service meteorologist Rick Smith, Oklahoma City Police Lt. and City of Oklahoma City Office of Emergency Management leader Frank Barnes and OKCPD Sgt. Jason Knight.

Barnes is scheduled to talk about Oklahoma City’s new weather siren policy and earthquake preparedness, Johns said. Johns stressed the importance of the siren policy. “That’s a big deal because people don’t understand it, and we haven’t had a lot of active weather this spring,” he said. Instead of sounding all county sirens during an imminent weather threat, the city created nine sectors that can sound the alerts individually. From the office’s underground bunker, Johns explained that if a tornado crosses over several sectors, sirens will sound in all impacted areas. The bunker serves daily functions, and if disaster does strike, it’s where officials from departments such as health, fire and police monitor severe weather. Barnes also will discuss earthquake preparedness. Johns said it’s important to know how to react during all types of natural disasters. For example, earthquake preparedness and safety guidelines differ from tornado guidelines. “In one, you’re going underground and the other, you’re going in the middle of the street,” he said. Christina Nguyen, a City of Oklahoma City community relations coordinator, added that people who can’t make it into the street during an earthquake should take shelter under a table and cover their head. An addition, Knight helped launch Oklahoma City’s new See Something, Say Something anti-terrorism awareness initiative from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and will discuss the program during the Aug. 20 event, Johns said. The program encourages commu-

nity members to be attentive of their surroundings and report suspicious or unusual behavior to authorities. It does not focus on nationality, ethnicity, race or religion. “If [behavior] looks out of the norm, then call us,” Johns said as he explained the initiative. “We want to know.”

Community education

Oklahoma City is required to do community outreach as part of its FEMAapproved Hazard Mitigation Plan, which qualifies the city for disaster relief funds and federal grants. One way Prepare Fest accomplishes the requirement is with a game, Nguyen said. Each of 12 large boards represents an Oklahoma natural disaster hazard, from tornadoes to drought. Festival guests place stickers marking their greatest concerns and hazards that have actually affected them. “So we can kind of get some statistics on what our city is most concerned about and what affects us the most,” Nguyen said. Other festival games and features include Oklahoma City Fire Department trucks along the plaza drive outside Civic Center Music Hall. Children will receive badges from fire and police officers. An ambulance and a National Weather Service radar truck also will be parked outside so families can learn about and examine them.

Be prepared

Johns said organizers anticipate many questions from the public. “‘What can I do to make my house safer?’” Johns asked. “‘What can I do with my family to make them safer?’” A preparedness tip families could do immediately, Johns said, is to store at least one gallon of potable water for each household member for each day they might go without running water. He said something unexpected such as a lightning strike or tornado could affect water availability. Additionally, representatives from 17 organizations will discuss topics like making emergency preparedness kits and how to use and program weather radios. Prepare Fest admission and advance registration is free. Learn more at okc. gov/parks.

submit calendar events at www.okgazette.com or email to listings@okgazette.com Please be sure to indicate ‘Fall guide’ in the subject line. We do not accept calendar items via phone. Deadline to submit items for our Fall guide calendar is Wed. aug. 31, 2016 by 5pm.

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ARTS & CULTURE

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books

T TO N A W

Writing home After writing in Los Angeles and beyond, Oklahoma native Matt Payne comes home to a city teeming with possibility. By Ian Jayne

A writer’s path can be circuitous and full of surprises. Perhaps few know this better than Matt Payne, who returned to Oklahoma after 15 years writing for television in Los Angeles. Oklahoma Gazette recently spoke to Payne in advance of his upcoming writing workshops. While film and writing interested Payne from a young age, he was not always sure of his future career. “The idea of actually writing a screenplay kind of scared me,” he said, “so I kind of went back and forth with being interested in production and screenwriting.” After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in film and video studies, Payne worked on a short being filmed in Paris. He also interned for Oklahoma City native Gray Frederickson, associate producer of The Godfather. “I had a sort of unique skill set that at the time really was of value,” Payne said, “so I went to Los Angeles.” Connections Payne had to Oklahomans in Los Angeles proved fruitful, and he ended up working as a production assistant on the show 24 before it was picked up or aired. Payne said the hours on set were long, and he envied the writers. He started

The Point Creative Writing Class 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays Aug. 16-Sept. 6 Individual Artists of Oklahoma

Gazette tickets .com “Your connection to events, backed by the promotional power of Oklahoma Gazette.”

706 W. Sheridan Ave. mattpaynewriter.com 405-232-6060 $250

The Point Screenplay Writing Class 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays Sept. 14-Nov. 2 Individual Artists of Oklahoma 706 W. Sheridan Ave.

Call us today at 405.605.6789 or email specialsections@okgazette. com for more information 28

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Matt Payne created and teaches The Point Writers Workshops. | Photo provided

mattpaynewriter.com 405-232-6060 $350

writing a satirical magazine “about everything that was happening, from the studio all the way down to the rat exterminator.” The show’s executive producer eventually promoted Payne, and he began reading scripts for Endeavor (now William Morris Endeavor) talent agency. “It was there that I started to learn to read scripts analytically,” said Payne, “learning to discern good from bad.” Exposure to so many scripts gave him the tools he needed to become a better writer. “I think that you can read five pages of a script … and you can see mistakes in dialogue, in action, in structure,” he said. Payne said such faults in a script can obscure or mask potential talent. “It doesn’t mean the idea isn’t good,” he said. “But what it means is that as a writer, you have a long way to go, and you are going to end up on the bottom of the pile.” He also began to work on procedural drama Without a Trace. However, the Writers Guild of America strike came as he was about to write his first episode. His sister convinced him to try travel w riting for Washington Times Communities. Over time, his writing career split into “two very separate directions.” He recalled leaving the writers’ room on Thursday afternoons, traveling to places like Haiti, and then returning to Los Angeles and driving to the CBS lot. He began to find his voice as a travel writer.

Coming home

Eventually, Los Angeles’ high cost of living and Payne’s bifurcated career caused him to re-evaluate his priorities. He knew he wanted to continue writing and working with like-minded people. “I’ve always loved working with other people. I love inspiring writers,” Payne said. “I had no idea how I was going to do

I want people to really be able to tap into the stories that they want to tell. Matt Payne

it in Los Angeles.” He found a compromise in Oklahoma City, his hometown. “In Oklahoma, there is this amazing, emerging creative community, from the food scene … to the arts scene. The magazines are great. There’s so much happening here,” Payne said. He decided he wanted to create a supportive writing community in Oklahoma in which writers could seek out guidance and feedback. “I want to help people have the experience that I had,” he said. “And I want them to figure it out in a year, not in fifteen. And I don’t want them to have to leave Oklahoma to do it.” Payne recently held The Point Writers Workshop at Individual Artists of Oklahoma. He also offers consulting sessions for breaking and developing ideas, which are priced on a sliding scale. He hosts two workshops this fall: one for creative writing, and one for screenplay writing. “I want it to be fun. Nobody’s getting grades,” he said of the workshops. “I want people to believe that they can write. I want people to really be able to tap into the stories that they want to tell.” His four-week creative writing class begins Aug. 16 and costs $250. His eightweek screenplay course begins Sept. 14 and costs $350. Visit mattpaynewriter.com for more information.

books

Rain maker

In her fourth novel, I Will Send Rain, author Rae Meadows forges a personal connection to Oklahoma’s resilient past. By Ian Jayne

writing in a world devoid of modern technology, where answers are less immediate. “I loved immersing myself in the period of the ’30s,” she said. “It’s incredibly foreign … to read about and kind of understand how life worked then.” However, she also knew she must carefully walk the line of historical fiction. “I think too [many] period details can start to feel like a play set,” she said. She had to strike a balance between the epic scope of the Dust Bowl and the focus of her novel, the Bell family. “You can’t write about the ‘big things,’” she said. “You have to grasp onto the smallest part and the smallest details and hope that in telling that smaller story, you get at part of the larger story.”

List your event in

Finding Oklahoma

Rae Meadows celebrates the release of I Will Send Rain with a Monday event in Oklahoma City. | Photo Christina Paige / provided

Rae Meadows book signing 6:30 p.m. Monday Full Circle Bookstore 1900 Northwest Expressway fullcirclebooks.com 405-842-2900 Free

Before Brooklyn-based writer Rae Meadows visited the Oklahoma Panhandle last summer, she had already familiarized herself with the drought-ridden state of over eighty years ago. Meadows spoke to Oklahoma Gazette in advance of the Aug. 9 release of her third novel, I Will Send Rain, which depicts how members of the Bell family cope with remaining in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. Annie, the mother, finds herself drawn to the mayor, while her husband Samuel loses himself in evangelicalism and children Fred and Birdie hope for a better future. Inspiration for I Will Send Rain came to Meadows in the form of a 1936 Dorothea Lange photograph of a mother and children migrating to California, positioned in the classic pietà pose. Meadows, who studied

art history, appreciates Lange’s photography aesthetically, formally and for the “emotional core” it provided for her novel. “To me, it was all about [the mother’s] face,” Meadows said. “Her face got to pierce me in a way that spoke to the roots she had left and also the hardship that she faced … being the one person who seems to be holding it together, who has to hold it together.” This curiosity about the woman in the photograph bloomed into a larger examination of the interior lives of women in the 1930s. “Women had a very specific role,” Meadows said. “The moms and the women had to step in in a way that was pretty extraordinary. That got me thinking in a narrative way about this woman and about what life was like that she left. How bad was it for her to leave?” Although Meadows admitted she had limited knowledge of the Dust Bowl prior to writing I Will Send Rain, she extensively researched the era to lend authenticity to her work. Writing historical fiction proved freeing for Meadows. She said she enjoyed

Meadows knew that the Oklahoma of I Will Send Rain would likely be different from the one she visited. “I wanted to create this combination of research and of a fictionalized place in my head,” she explained. “That, to me, somehow makes it easier to write about a place, if I can kind of create this thing in my head that may be slightly different than the real place.” After finishing the novel, Meadows finally traveled to Oklahoma. “I was pleasantly surprised when I visited there, actually, that I wasn’t totally far off,” she said. “I didn’t end up changing anything.” Her visit provided an answer one of the central questions in I Will Send Rain: Why did families stay, despite the harsh physical and emotional ramifications of the Dust Bowl? “I found [that in] the people, even in the Panhandle, most of whom had been there, their families had been there, for generations, there’s a real feeling of place and a pride of place that I find quite moving,” she said. Oklahoma’s physical landscape also left an impression on her. “The biggest surprise for me was how beautiful it was,” she said. “It was really stunning. I could see why this was a place that held such a sway for families that had lived there for so long.” Meadows said she thinks her next project might also take place in Oklahoma, in modern times. “If something that I have written and have thought about and obsessed over can cause any kind of emotional reaction in someone else, I think it is a pretty incredible place to be,” she said. I Will Send Rain was released Aug. 9 through Henry Holt & Co., a subsidiary of Macmillan. Meadows signs copies Monday at Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, in Oklahoma City and Tuesday at Brace Books & More, 2205 N. 14th St., in Ponca City.

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Wake Zone transforms into Lost Lakes, an 800-acre music and festival venue, waterpark and outdoor entertainment mecca. By Brett Dickerson

For five years, Oklahoma City residents add a motocross track, horse trails and a have visited a good location to learn and BMX track,” Roger Skeen said. practice wakeboarding and CrossFit acThe group also will improve the original tivities. Soon, owners said, it will be even 130 acres containing two lakes. better. Lost Lakes Amphitheater and Water Wake Zone, a wakeboard cable park at Park celebrates its grand opening Aug. 19 3501 NE 10th St., is transforming into Lost with its DayDream outdoor music festival Lakes Amphitheater and Water Park, a featuring electronic dance music acts Galantis, Snails, Ghastly larger outdoor venue spanning 800 acres along the and more. Doors open 5:30 North Canadian River p.m. at the venue’s new Lost DayDream from 10th to NE 23rd Lakes Amphitheater, 3501 streets close to Sooner NE 10th St. Tickets are $256 p.m. Aug. 19 Road. Development and $60. Lost Lakes Amphitheater improvement plans Garrett Skeen said they and Water Park include equine events, a already are advertising and 3501 NE 10th St. music complex, an amphipromoting events to comlostlakesamp.com/ theater, festival grounds, munities across a five-state events-2 camping, motocross, area. 405-702-4040 trails, river activities, “We think that we can $25-$60 paintball, hydroboarding become a major new venue and cable wakeboarding, for big events, especially CrossFit and more. since we have the room and Owners Roger Skeen and his son Garret because we are close to downtown,” he said. Skeen said they brought in two new part“There are events planned right now ners, Brad White and Albert Neece. through 2018.” Together, they recently signed a lease with the Oklahoma City Riverfront Music, jetpacks Redevelopment Authority to facilitate the The added terrain along both sides of the expansion. river allows Lost Lakes to develop equine“Our plans with the new addition are to related activities for guests. The Skeens said

A wakeboarder is pulled at the cable park at Lost Lakes Amphitheater and Water Park in Oklahoma City. | Photo Garett Fisbeck 30

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Construction is underway on a giant water slide at Lost Lakes Amphitheater and Water Park in Oklahoma City. | Photo Garett Fisbeck

they are collaborating with the owner of a small, neighboring farm to transform existing barns into stables. The added acreage also allows for a motocross course and ample event space on the flat overflow sections along both sides of the existing river channel. Just beyond the channel and flood dikes are tree-covered creek areas that will be turned into camping areas for those who have come for big, multiple-day events, owners said. At the same time, existing property will receive a makeover. The cable wakeboard course that pulls participants through a course of jumps comprises the park’s core. It was first used during USA Cable Wakeboard National Championships in 2012. That event was so popular, the Skeens soon included the course as a full-time activity. It will be improved and other water attractions will be added to the second lake, which is now being dredged to deepen it and improve safety for a waterslide feature that’s now under construction. The Skeens said they teach about 40 people daily at the cable park and book birthday, corporate and church events. In addition, the larger lake will be used for hydroboarding, which uses jetpacklike water propulsion to send riders into the air. A new bar will be incorporated into a bigger music venue and amphitheater on the shore of the larger lake, and a floating “island bar” will be created from the hull of an old houseboat the Skeens bought. The water slide and music pavilion will be finished in time for the Aug. 19 grand opening. The Skeens said all other attractions should be completed by May 2017. Due to its centralized location, the venue already is a popular pick for health and cross-fit programs, and the owners said organizations book annual mud runstyle fitness events. One group, Rugged Maniac, organizes an annual 5K obstacle run event and recently secured a threeyear agreement to hold its future events at Lost Lakes Amphitheater and Water Park. Visit lostlakesamp.com or call 405702-4040 for more information.

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Yoga, Pilates and more are offered all day Aug. 20 at Sweatstock free fitness festival. | Photo Chad Hamilton / provided

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Sweatstock free fitness festival returns for its third year and moves to a larger location. By Christine Eddington

Get ready to get sweaty. Aug. 20, lululemon our community green,” Campbell said. athletica Oklahoma City hosts its third Betina Wills, owner of This Land Yoga, Sweatstock free fitness festival, and this has been involved with Sweatstock since year’s event will be at 323 NW 10th St. in it began. She was a lululemon fitness amMidtown. bassador for the festival each year and “This annual celebration is our store’s welcomes any opportunity to bring yoga to the masses. For Wills, yoga, like life, is birthday party, and it’s an entire day of a journey that changes as she goes. fitness classes,” said Rachel Campbell, “I began practicing yoga in 2004,” she lululemon athletica Oklahoma City key said. “It began as a strictly physical pracleader. This year, the event moves to Midtown tice to supplement running track and from Classen Curve to allow more space rowing. Yoga quickly transformed into a for guests and activities, Campbell said. practice that allowed me to connect more “It will be right next to The Bleu deeply with body, breath and mind, and I was hooked.” Garten,” she said, “and we’re putting up a huge tent for shade, because it’s going to She began teaching in 2010 and opened be a scorcher.” This Land Yoga in 2014. And a calorie torcher. Classes begin at Wills said This Land Yoga participates 7 a.m. and go until about 9 p.m. and feature in Sweatstock primarily to connect with the community. yoga, Pilates, CrossFit and barre workouts. “And since we’re right near food trucks “This event is a great deal of fun, a truly and Organic Squeeze, there’s more for exciting glimpse into the interest in wellpeople to do,” Campbell ness in Oklahoma City said. “For our first year, and a totally free opporwe used a space in tunity for the city to try Sweatstock OKC Classen Curve that had out a variety of classes housed the old Tamazul with a diverse group of 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 20 restaurant. Last year, studios and instrucLot next to The Bleu Garten tors,” she said. “It has we grew it and took it out 323 NW 10th St. been incredible to into the parking lot in facebook.com/ front of our store, but witness the great things lululemonoklahomacity this year, we wanted to [event organizer] lulule405-842-8346 make it even bigger and mon athletica has done Free give people more to do for Oklahoma City and and more reasons to the fitness community.” stay longer.” Wills said guests can expect “to laugh, Local fitness and yoga studios offer sweat, listen to good music — definitely classes for all levels of experience, as orsome hip-hop beats — and engage in yoga meant for all levels.” ganizers also wanted Sweatstock to provide the community an opportunity Other participating studios include to try traditional offerings like yoga and Balance. Yoga. Barre., barre3, Club Fitz, Pilates as well as newer classes like Koda CrossFit, Orangetheory Fitness, The Orangetheory Fitness, which is new to the Pilates Body, 5th Quarter Performance, metro, or CrossFit. Guests are required Red Coyote Running and Fitness, Soul to sign a participation waiver. Yoga OKC, Tribe Gym, Trinity Exercise “Aside from signing the waiver, which Studio, Union Performance, Yoga at you can do online or in person, people Tiffany’s and The Yoga Box. should just bring their own yoga mats and Visit facebook.com/lululemonoklawater, but in a reusable bottle to help keep homacity for more information. 32

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Children learn roping skills during a themed See You Saturdays event at Oklahoma Hall of Fame. | Photo provided

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Super Saturday Oklahoma Hall of Fame and Gaylord-Pickens Museum wraps up its family-friendly summer program with its Frontier Country event.

By Alissa Lindsey

The Oklahoma Hall of yoga classes for kids at 10:30 Fame and Gaylord-Pickens and 11:30 a.m. From 11 a.m. See You Museum rounds up its to 2 p.m., Momma Oaktree’s Saturdays family-friendly summer Kitchen will sell lunch in activities program this the museum’s parking lot. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday weekend with its Frontier Additionally, Riversport Oklahoma Hall of Fame/ Country-themed See You Adventures, 800 Riversport Gaylord-Pickens Museum Saturdays event, which Drive, hosts kayaking and 1400 Classen Drive begins 10 a.m. Saturday at rowing demonstrations oklahomahof.com Oklahoma Hall of Fame, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In the 405-235-4458 1400 Classen Drive. spirit of the 2016 Olympics, Free-$7 “It’s great because activities include yoga on people can come and get a the front lawn, an inflatable little slice of Oklahoma in one place,” said obstacle course will be set up 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Shelley Rowan, hall of fame and museum and Nike, Inc. Access to Sport will offer a relay course for kids. director of marketing and communica“Part of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is tions. “It’s like you’re taking a trip without having to go far.” instilling pride in Oklahoma by telling Through the summer, See You Saturdays stories of Oklahomans’ accomplishments,” programming and the museum have Rowan said. “We thought it was a good way offered activities and crafts themed around to continue our mission for the commuTravel OK’s six tourism countries: Green, nity by raising awareness about what our state has to offer.” Red Carpet, Chickasha, Choctaw, Great See You Saturdays admission is $1 per Plains and Frontier. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, the person and free to children 5 and under, museum features the last tourism country families can enjoy the rest of the museum, for the summer: Frontier Country, which including the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is located in Central Oklahoma. gallery of 677 members and the current The museum will offer Olympicstemporary exhibit O. Gale Poole: themed crafts and highlight Oklahoma Rediscovered Oklahoma Master, on display Hall of Fame members like Jim Thorpe, through Aug. 27. Wayman Tisdale, Bart Conner and Kevin “The Oklahoma Hall of Fame inducts Durant, who are also past and present people who’ve made great strides in their Olympians. industry,” Rowan said. “We don’t necesGymnast Shannon Miller, who is feasarily induct famous people in the way our tured in the gallery, also will be honored. pop culture uses the word.” See You Saturdays has been so popular “It’s visitor guided,” Rowan said. “So you come and you decide which things you that Rowan said the museum plans to hold want to see first and how to time out your monthly events — organized around indusSaturday. We’ve actually seen people tries or themes relating to Oklahoma — in staying for longer than we usually see here 2017 so guests can learn more about at the museum.” Oklahoma places and hall of fame members. Yoga instructor Alexis Persico will lead Learn more atoklahomahof.com. O kg a z e t t e . c o m | a u g u s t 1 0 , 2 0 1 6

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

Dragon Inn, (TW, 1967, dir. King Hu) after beheading his rival General Yu, Cao, the leader of the all-eunuch East Espionage Chamber, plots to kill Yu’s children, 5:30 and 8 p.m. Aug. 11. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-2363100, okcmoa.com. THU Phantom Boy, (US, 2016, dirl Jean-Loup Felicioli) a super-powered boy helps a wheelchair-bound policeman in his attempt to bring down a mob kingpin, 5:30 and 8 p.m. Aug. 12-13, 2 and 5:30 p.m. Aug. 14. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. FRI Floating Films: Jaws II, (US, 2004, dir. Steven Brill) after their friend dies, three men decide to fulfill their childhood dream by going on a camping expedition for the lost D. B. Cooper bounty, with calamitous results; enjoy watching the film projected outdoors at the new Riversport Rapids, watch on the lawn or rent a tube or raft and watch on the water, 9:15 p.m. Aug. 12. RIVERSPORT Rapids, 800 Riversport Drive, 405-552-4040, riversportokc.org. FRI Animal House, (US, 1978, dir. John Landis) relive the glory days as the college classic returns to theaters for a one-night event, 2 and 7 p.m. Aug. 14 and 17. Cinemark Tinseltown, 6001 N. Martin Luther King Ave., 405-424-0461, cinemark.com. SUN

Tuesday Night Classics: Friday “For most people, Friday’s just the day before the weekend.” For others, it’s what they’ll watch 7 p.m. Tuesday at Harkins Bricktown Cinemas 16, 150 E. Reno Ave. Ice Cube and Chris Tucker play Craig and Smokey in this stoner classic about two buddies who smoke up a dealer’s weed instead of selling it and have to make $200 by the end of the day so they don’t end up in a world of hurt. Tickets are $5. “Take advantage, man. Take advantage.” Visit harkinstheatres.com or call 405231-4747. Tuesday Photo New Line Cinema / provided

BOOKS Mike and Jime Wimmer, professional artists and illustrators sign and read from their children’s books, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 13. Best of Books, 1313 E. Danforth Road, Edmond, 405-340-9202, bestofbooksok.com. SAT Deanna Harris Book Signing, author signs Taters Go to School: The Feud, the third book in the Tater trilogy tells the story of a young spud who discovers his hidden talents and winning ways when he’s confronted by bullies, 3-5 p.m. Aug. 13. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. SAT Book Release and Poetry Reading, Emily Kzany releases her book Another Year Closer to Death, which includes original poems and drawings by Kzany and photographs by Aaron Stark, 7 p.m. Aug. 13. IAO Gallery, 706 W. Sheridan Ave., 405232-6060, iaogallery.org. SAT Poetry Reading, Larry Griffin has published more than 100 nonfiction articles and more than 300 poems, 2 p.m. Aug. 14. The Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., Norman, 405-307-9320, pasnorman.org. SUN

FILM Wide Open Wednesday Western Movie Matinee: The Cowboys, (US, 1972, dir. Mark Rydell) when his cattle drivers abandon him for the gold fields, rancher Wil Andersen is forced to take on a collection of young boys as his drivers in order to get his herd to market in time to avoid financial disaster, 1 p.m., Aug. 10. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. WED Sonic Summer Movies: Spiderman, (US, 2002, dir. Sam Raimi) when bitten by a genetically modified spider, a nerdy, shy and awkward high school student gains spider-like abilities that he eventually must use to fight evil as a superhero after tragedy befalls his family, 8 p.m. Aug. 10. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/events. WED Dive-In Movie: Jurassic World, (US, 2015, dir. Colin Trevorrow) a new theme park is built on the original site of Jurassic Park and everything is going well until the park’s newest attraction escapes containment and goes on a killing spree; pull up a tube or lounge chair and enjoy a familyfriendly flick in the wave pool, 9 p.m. Aug. 10. White Water Bay, 3908 W. Reno Ave., 405-9439687, whitewaterbay.com. WED

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The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, (US, 1984, dir. W.D. Richter) adventurer/surgeon/rock musician Buckaroo Banzai and his band of men, the Hong Kong Cavaliers, take on evil alien invaders from the eighth dimension, 7 p.m. Aug. 16. District House, 1755 NW 16th St., 405-633-1775, districthouseokc.com. TUE

HAPPENINGS In the Light Bulb Room, panel-based conversation explores issues of race and society in a nonpartisan way designed to transcend the politics of our current election cycle, 6:30-8 p.m. Aug. 11. The Paramount Room, 7 N. Lee Ave., 405-517-0787, theparamountroom.com. THU 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk, any Normanite will tell you this monthly event is a can’t-miss, and come early if you’re coming at all; offering free snacks, wine, live music, and local vendors, Art Walk is the best Norman has to offer all in one place, 6-9 p.m. Aug. 12. Downtown Norman, 122 E. Main St., Norman. FRI Live! on the Plaza, join the Plaza District every second Friday of the month for an art walk featuring artists, live music, street pop-up shops, live performances and more, 7-11 p.m. Aug. 12. Plaza District, 1618 N. Gatewood Ave., 405-367-9403, plazadistrict.org. FRI Dog Days of Summer Party, dog washes, microchipping and puppy adoptions along with a pet psychic, hilarious “hot dog” contest, samples, treats, prizes and more, noon-3 p.m. Aug. 13. GreenAcres Market, 7301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., 405-681-6060, greenacres.com. SAT

Matisse Shape Art: Ages 6-10 + adult, learn about geometric and organic shapes and search for them in the Matisse exhibit; adults and children work together to create artwork that uses both kinds of shapes, 10 a.m.noon Aug. 13. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. SAT Story Time Presents: Sea Me See Me, author, Cheryl Jones reads her Oklahoma best seller Sea Me See Me, to children, 3-4 p.m. Aug. 13. Natural Grocers, 7013 N. May Ave., 405-840-0300, naturalgrocers.com. SAT Weekly Walk-Ups, each day holds a new activity; make and take crafts on Monday, play with food on Tuesday, story time on Wednesday, crafts focusing on the environment on Thursday and a scavenger hunt on Friday, 10 a.m.-noon, Aug. 10-17. Children’s Garden, 301 West Reno and Harvey avenues, 405445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com. WED -WED Titanoba: Monster Snake, exhibit of a realistic replica of the largest snake on record weighing an estimated one and a half tons and measuring 48 feet long. Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 405-3254712, snomnh.ou.edu. Be the Dinosaur, A state-of-the-art video game exhibit that turns the player into a virtual Triceratops or a T-rex. Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 405-325-4712, snomnh.ou.edu. Kids Bowling, kids bowl free all summer long; program designed to give back to the community by providing a safe, secure and fun way for kids to spend time this summer. Sooner Bowling Center, 550 24th Ave., Norman, 405-360-3634.

PERFORMING ARTS The Drowsy Chaperone, Tony-Award winning musical; this musical-within-a-comedy combines rogue gangsters, comic asides and larger-than-life leading ladies, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9-11, 8 p.m. Aug. 12, 2 and 8 p.m. Aug 13. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 405-297-2264, okcciviccenter.com. TUE -SAT JR Brow, comedy composer who draws from his eclectic collection of jokes, impressions, music and characters, 8 p.m. Aug. 10-11, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Aug. 12-13. Loony Bin Comedy Club, 8503 N. Rockwell Ave., 405-2394242, loonybincomedy.com. WED -SAT Neighborhood Girl Tango Musical, a dance drama tells the story of a girl who falls in love with tango and wants to become a great dancer; produced by Joseph Septier, an Argentine-born American citizen, and the only authentic tango dancer in Oklahoma, 7-9:30 p.m. Aug. 12-13. Main Auditorium-Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College, 3701 Interstate-35 South Service Road, Moore, 405-912-9000, hc.edu. FRI -SAT

The Village Block Party, live music, free burgers and hot dogs, lawn games and more, 5-9 p.m. Aug. 13. Duffner Park, 10801 Victoria Place. SAT Baubles & Boots, Oklahoma’s third fundraiser for Lone Survivor, story based on Marcus Luttrell’s No. 1 New York Times bestselling book that tells the raw account of Marcus’ survival and the deaths of his comrades-in-arms in Operation Red Wings; silent auction, dinner, speakers and more, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 13. OKC Farmers Public Market, 311 S. Klein Ave., 405-232-6506, okcfarmersmarket.com. SAT

The ABC’s of What You Eat: Watermelon, learn the facts about watermelon including nutritional benefits, how to select, store and serve them, 9:30 a.m. Aug. 16. Uptown Grocery Co., 9515 N. May Ave., 405-2426080, uptowngroceryco.com. TUE

YOUTH Pizza Pie Party, create your own solar pizza ovens and learn some cooking basics as you create your own pizza, 10 a.m.-noon, Aug. 13. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/events. SAT

Innocence Lost: Silene Tomentosa, fourth piece in a four-part performance art series by artist Valerie Sharp; exposes the experience of shattered innocence during childhood and the continual search for solid grounding or a rock, 8 p.m. Aug. 12. Kasum Contemporary Fine Arts, 1706 NW 16th St., 405-604-6602, kasumcontemporary.com. FRI

An Accordion Affair, The Oklahoma Accordion Club presents a free concert, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Aug. 14. Yukon Czech Hall, 205 N. Czech Hall Road, Yukon, 405-324-8073, czechhall.com. SUN

Art After 5, enjoy the OKC skyline along with live music, friends and cocktails on top of OKCMOA, 5-11 p.m. Aug. 11. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. THU

Vegan/Paleo Salad Dressings and Dips, dress your veggies with recipes taught at this class and maintain a balanced intake of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and support optimal health, 3-4:15 p.m. Aug. 14. Natural Grocers, 7013 N. May Ave., 405-8400300, naturalgrocers.com. SUN

Photo Gazette / file

Classic Radio Theatre, enjoy beverages and hors d’oeuvres and travel back in time to the golden days of radio; live performance of scripts from various radio shows from the 1930s to 1960s, 7 p.m. Aug. 13. Actor’s Casting & Talent Services, 30 NE 52nd St., 405-702-0400, actorscasting.com. SAT

FOOD

Weekly Farmers Market, shop goods from local produce, bakers and artisans, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Aug. 13. OKC Farmers Public Market, 311 S. Klein Ave., 405-405-232-6506, okcfarmersmarket.com. SAT

Make + Take Art: Tissue Transfer Art Everyone loves an art project, especially ones created with family and friends. Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center’s come-and-go art workshops feature projects that are fun and easy for the whole family. At Saturday’s workshop, artists create “watercolor” paintings without paint — tissue paper is layered to trick the eye of the beholder. This class is inspired by Summer Wheat’s Pry the Lid Off exhibit. The free Tissue Transfer Art workshop runs 1-4 p.m. Saturday at Oklahoma Contemporary, 3000 General Pershing Blvd. Visit oklahomacontemporary.com or call 405-951-0003. Saturday

Sunday Twilight Concert Series, Free concert every Sunday, 7:30-9 p.m., through September. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/ events. SUN

Comedy’s Best Kept Secret Tour Some people are really bad at keeping secrets about certain things. Apparently, comedy is one of them. You probably don’t even know who Dan Frigolette (Boardwalk Empire, Totally Biased), Andrew Frank (Trial by Laughter) and Spencer Tegtmeyer even are. They stop in OKC as part of Comedy’s Best Kept Secret Tour 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Fat Dog Kitchen & Bar, 1234 N. Western Ave. Tickets are $15-$25. Visit comedysbestkeptsecret.com or call 405-609-3647. Friday-Saturday Photo Corey Woodruff / provided

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Ron Babcock, comedy performance presented by Black Mesa Brewing Co., 10 p.m. Aug. 16. Saints, 1715 NW 16th St., 405-602-6308, saintspubokc.com. TUE

ACTIVE Zumba in the Gardens, participate in the Latininspired cardio-dance, 5:45-6:45 p.m Aug. 11. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens. com/events. THU Drop-In Yoga, yoga class in the museum’s galleries, 5:45-6:45 p.m. Aug. 11. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. THU Enid Just Tri, professionally timed event consisting of a 400 meter swim, followed by a 12-mile bike course, ending with a 2.75 mile run through downtown Enid, Aug. 13. Champlin Public Swimming Pool, 400 W. Cherokee Ave., Enid. SAT

Sailing at Lake Hefner, sunset sailing and sailing lessons aboard a full-size boat; sails from Oklahoma City Marina and East Wharf, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday nights. OKC Municipal Marina, 4407 S. Lake Hefner Drive, 405-922-7787, SailorBrains.com. SAT

House & Garden, solo exhibition from Alex Emmons. Mainsite Contemporary Art, 122 E. Main St., Norman, 405-360-1162, mainsite-art.com. Icons of Badassery, group show featuring the art of Todd Bane; see artistic interpretations of badassery in the years that lead up to 1984. Studio 3108, 3108 N. Classen Blvd., 405-210-5701.

Rage in the Cage 47: Night of Champions, featuring several of Oklahoma’s top ranked MMA cage fighters; main event pits Jon Hill, a top Oklahoma heavyweight, vs. one of Colorado’s top ranked heavyweights, Kevin Sears, 7 p.m. Aug. 13. Firelake Arena, 18145 Rangeline Road., Shawnee, 405-273-1637, firelakearena.com. SAT

Janet Massad, showcase of Massad’s ceramic pieces. JRB Art at The Elms, 2810 N. Walker Ave., 405-528-6336, jrbartgallery.com. Jerron Johnston, artist showcases work in water color, pencil pastels and oil. In Your Eye Studio & Gallery, 3005-A Paseo St., 405-525-2161, inyoureyegallery.com.

OKC Energy vs. LA Galaxy II, professional soccer game, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13. Taft Stadium, 2901 NW 23rd St. SAT OKC Dodgers vs. Albuquerque, minor league baseball game, 7:05 p.m. Aug. 16-19. Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive, 405218-1000. TUE-SAT Ultimate Adventure Camps, camp giving kids a chance to try adventures like zip lining, the SandRidge Sky Trail, high speed-slides, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and whitewater rafting, through Aug. 12. Boathouse District, 725 S. Lincoln Blvd. , 405-552-4040, boathousedistrict.org.

VISUAL ARTS A Beastly Affair, metal sculpture by Stephen Schwark and photography by Arlie Mornhinweg with an intent to present modern-day beasts as they are fearful beings constantly consumed by the fight to survive in an effort to expose such tendencies in ourselves that have been suppressed. The Paseo Plunge, 3010 Paseo, 405-405-315-6224, paseoplunge.com. A Hiding Place, group exhibition of poetry, video and visual art. Artspace at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405-815-9995, artspaceatuntitled.org. Art Gone Wild, paintings by the OKC Zoo animals; from gorillas to giraffes and stingrays to sea lions, animal art is created using a wild palette at The Oklahoma City Zoo. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/events. Art Show at INTEGRIS Cancer Institute, the show includes more than 200 pieces of art by artists whose lives have been touched by cancer. Integris Cancer Institute, 5911 W. Memorial Road, 405-7736400, integrisok.com. Brushstroke Dreams, bold brushstrokes and bright colors in expressionist paintings by local artist Brad Price. The Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., Norman, 405-307-9320, pasnorman.org. Crossroads of Commerce, Oklahoma history buffs won’t want to miss this exhibit showcasing the growth and development of Oklahoma’s economy from 1716 to statehood, the Dust Bowl and the Depression to present day. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, 405-521-2491, okhistory.org/historycenter. Da Vinci: The Genius, the most comprehensive exploration of Leonardo da Vinci’s work ever created; interactive experience immersing guests in da Vinci’s timeless brilliance through full-scale interpretations of the mastermind’s inventions and unparalleled studies of his iconic art. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2100 NE 52nd St., 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. Drop-In Art: Self-Portrait Play, join guest artists each Saturday as they interact with families to create extraordinary works of art inspired by

Linda Hiller, acrylic paintings. 50 Penn Place Gallery, 1900 Northwest Expressway, Suite 113-R, 405-848-5567, 50pennplacegallery.com.

Tiny Works: Miniatures and More We challenge you to find something more cute or interesting than tiny art. Go on. We’ll wait. Okay, so now that you’ve given up, we can tell you about an infinitely interesting art show focused on small works. Three eclectic artists are featured in Tiny Works: Miniatures and More at Kasum Contemporary Fine Art through Sunday. The exhibit is comprised of extraordinary repurposed toys by Allin KHG, narrative folk art by Jeannette Herrera (aka Blue Face Killer) and street-style works by Chris Harjo. Tiny Works’ free closing reception is 7-10 p.m. Friday during Live! on the Plaza at Kasum, 1706 NW 16th St. Visit kasumcontemporary.com or call 405-604-6602. Friday Photo provided the museum’s collection, exhibitions and special occasions, 1-4 p.m. Aug 13. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. SAT Edmond People, Edmond Politics, showcases a variety of political memorabilia and historic photographs that illustrate the many ways Edmondites have participated in local, state and national politics; political brochures, elections guides and even a Bellmon Belles dress with matching jacket complement the many posters on view in the Sign of the Times exhibit. Edmond Historical Society & Museum, 431 S. Boulevard, Edmond, 405-340-0078, edmondhistory.org. Encaustic Transfers & Collage Workshop, one-day workshop on transfers and collaging with encaustic wax; hands-on workshop introducing guests to adding imagery from a variety sources such as toner based copies, carbon paper, graphite, Saral and oil pastels, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 14. Paseo School of Art, 3110-A N. Paseo St., 405-205-8990, paseoschoolofart.com. SUN FiberWorks 2016, an annual, juried fiber exhibition giving artisans an opportunity to showcase their work from traditional crafts to innovated art. IAO Gallery, 706 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-232-6060, individalartists.org.

Matisse in His Time: Masterworks of Modernism from the Centre Pompidou, Paris, experience the full scope of Matisse’s extraordinary career through nearly fifty of his paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints dating from the late nineteenth century to after World War II; including additional major works by Picasso, Renoir, Braque and more. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com.

Through the Eyes of the Lynx: Galileo and Microscopy, the second of two Galileo’s World exhibitions; the Academy of the Lynx, or Accademia dei Lincei, were responsible for the first published report of observations made with a microscope (Apiarium, 1625), as well as with the telescope. At the same time Galileo was making his telescopic discoveries, he was also experimenting with lenses to magnify the small. Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 405-325-4712, snomnh.ou.edu.

Noble Figures, artist John Brandenburg showcases his paintings and mixed media drawings of figurative as well as semi-abstract and organic or landscape-like content. JRB Art at The Elms, 2810 N. Walker Ave., 405-528-6336, jrbartgallery.com. O. Gail Poole: Rediscovered Oklahoma Master, over the course of five decades, O. Gail Poole built, tore down and rebuilt his artistic style with breathtaking regularity, creating one of the most diverse bodies of work of his generation; a headturning collection of the master’s portraiture and landscapes. Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum, 1400 Classen Drive, 405-235-4458, oklahomaheritage.com. OKCurrent, consists of original works by Matt Glazner, Colby Bowers, Jay Gourley, Gretchen Rehfeld, Charles Davis, Nora Bisher, Kevin Lee Wells, Brent Learned, JD Merryweather, Zack Parker and Micah Moad; benefiting Big Dogs Huge paws. Studio 3108, 3108 N. Classen Blvd., 405-210-5701. Oklahoma Roots on Route 66, exhibit of original artwork by Shel Wagner featuring a selection of her whimsical, must-see assemblage pieces. Spraycan Creative, 420 West Main St., Yukon, 405494-0321, spraycancreative.com. Oklahoma Stories, photography exhibition from Charles Rushton. Mainsite Contemporary Art, 122 E. Main St., Norman, 405-360-1162, mainsite-art.com. Our City, Our Collection: Building the Museum’s Lasting Legacy, exhibit tells the story of the museum’s history as a series of transformative gifts, bequests and acquisitions; including artists such as Georgia O’Keefe, Rembrandt van Rijn, Gustave Courbet and many more. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive , 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com.

Vape Jam Vape Jam is an opportunity for vendors and vape enthusiasts alike to gather, learn and communicate with industry leaders. The event also includes the Mid-American debut of Billions of Lives, a movie examining how outside forces are at odds with the industry. Billions of Lives premieres 7 p.m. Thursday at Harkins Bricktown Cinemas 16, 150 E. Reno Ave. The film also will be screened multiple times throughout the weekend at Cox Convention Center. Vape Jam runs 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday-Sunday at Cox Convention Center, 1 Myriad Gardens. Guests must be at least 18 years old. Visit okvapejam.com or call 405-703-6549. Thursday-Sunday Photo bigstock.com

Outta the Ball Park, work by photographer Alan Ball and oil painter Nancy Park. Contemporary Art Gallery, 2928 Paseo St., 405-601-7474, contemporaryartgalleryokc.com. Pry the Lid Off, exhibition of artist Summer Wheat, explores history, revealing “the world behind the white kitchen wall” of Johannes Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid” depicting the four rooms of the maid’s personal chambers and includes a variety of 2- and 3-D media, from faux stained-glass panels made of mylar and mesh to silhouetted dishes and a peek inside imagined dresser drawers. Oklahoma Contemporary, 3000 General Pershing Blvd., 405951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org. Savages and Princesses: The Persistence of Native American Stereotypes, the exhibit curated by America Meredith features 16 Native American artists and explores the stereotyping of Indigenous peoples using an often humorous approach. 108 Contemporary, 108 E. Matthew Brady St., Tulsa, 918-895-6302, 108contemporary.org. Spring 2016 Show, featuring works in oil, acrylic, watercolor and mixed media; handmade jewelry and ceramic sculptures will also be featured. The Studio Gallery, 2642 W. Britton Road, 405-7522642, thestudiogallery.org.

Hertz Grand Slam Mission Night The Oklahoma City Dodgers have collected fan donations of new and gently used sporting equipment all season to benefit Cleats for Kids. That effort’s finale comes this Friday with Hertz Grand Slam Mission Night. Representatives from Hertz and Cleats for Kids will be honored on the field before the game. The Dodgers face the El Paso Chihuahuas 7:05 p.m. Friday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive. Tickets are $8-$24. Visit okcdodgers.com or call 405-218-1000 for tickets. Friday Photo bigstock.com

The Modernist Spectrum: Color and Abstraction, explore the invigorating ways in which postwar American artists, especially those associated with the Washington Color School, made it new, producing novel work that sought to reinvent abstract art through an alternatively rigorous and playful manipulation of color, line and shape. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com.

The Creator, August exhibit showcasing work by Behnaz Sohrabian who hopes that her body of work about the female character and form can help dispel the objectivation of women that is so prevalent in our society. JRB Art at The Elms, 2810 N. Walker Ave., 405-528-6336, jrbartgallery.com.

go to okgazette.com for full listings!

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.

For okg live music

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O kg a z e t t e . c o m | a u g u s t 1 0 , 2 0 1 6

a u g u s t 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

event

MUSIC

Road trip

Journey’s Neal Schon and Traffic’s Dave Mason embark on one of this summer’s biggest rock tours. By George Lang and Ben Luschen

The ’70s and ’80s are alive again Tuesday in Oklahoma City. Journey and The Doobie Brothers, both classic bands hailing from California’s Bay Area, will deliver classic hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Listen to the Music” to Oklahoma City fans 7 p.m. Tuesday at Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W. Reno Ave. They will be accompanied by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Dave Mason, known for his work in the English band Traffic. Oklahoma Gazette recently spoke with two of the world’s most famed guitarists, Mason and Journey’s Neal Schon, ahead of their OKC tour stop.

cians of the ’60s British Invasion era, including Jimmy Page. To form his earliest playing style, Schon said he fused English influences with American jazz and blues. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2013, a distinction he said he never would have expected. “It was a big surprise and what an honor,” he said. “I wasn’t that aware of it and how many great people are already in.” His band Journey is still waiting to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and Schon said that is an honor he could take or leave. He stores boxes of platinum records and old awards in his attic. “So many people I know just rest on the State honored laurels of the stuff that Schon is proud to be an Journey with they’ve done,” he said. Oklahoman, even if some The Doobie might consider his mem“‘Oh, well, I don’t have to Brothers and bership more of a technido anything more; look at Dave Mason cality. this.’ They think this is all The guitarist and vopeople want to hear, the 7 p.m. Tuesday calist best known for greatest hits. That’s not Chesapeake Energy Arena playing in bands Santana true.” 100 W. Reno Ave. and Journey was born at Schon is proud of his chesapeakearena.com achievements, but his Tinker Air Force Base to 800-745-3000 military parents, though biggest concern is what’s $36.50-$96.50 the family moved away to come. when he was an infant. “The cool thing about Schon, like many military kids, spent the name Journey is that it’s always evolvhis youth pinballing around the country. ing and it’s about travel,” he said. “I don’t He moved with his parents from Oklahoma want to be stuck in any one place for too to New Jersey, where they were closer to long. I have to move forward, you know?” his dad’s side of the family. He lived there until he was 6 or 7 years old, when his Steady Traffic family relocated to the West Coast. He Through his work with some of the most spent a couple of years with his mom’s side important British bands of the last halfof the family near Hollister, California, century, singer-guitarist Mason built a before settling in San Francisco. reputation as a key figure in post-British It was a fortuitous move for Schon and Invasion rock. Mason brings a wealth of music fans alike, as the guitarist became music to his performance, including bona synonymous with Bay Area rock of the ’70s fide rock standards. However, Mason said and ’80s along with friend and Santana founder Carlos Santana. Schon’s father led a jazz band and taught Schon to play many instruments from a young age. Everything clicked when he was introduced to the guitar. “My whole world started changing,” Schon said during a recent a phone interview with Oklahoma Gazette. “I would say in two years, from 10 to 12, I really got attached to the instrument and I really loved the blues artists I was listening to.” The often soulful musician said B.B. King, Albert King, Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters were early influences. He remembers his dad taking him to see Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. Schon also was influenced Jimi Hendrix and musiTraffic’s Dave Mason performs Tuesday with Journey and The Doobie Brothers. | Photo Jensen Communications / provided

Oklahoma-born guitarist Neal Schon returns Tuesday. | Photo Marta Gianotti / provided

he has no plans to commemorate those 50 years in music. “Not really,” Mason said. “I’m just living my life.” In 1967, 18-year-old Mason joined former Spencer Davis Group vocalist Steve Winwood in Traffic with Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood. However, his tenure came with stops and starts. Mason departed shortly after the band released its debut record, Mr. Fantasy, to produce Family’s album Music in a Doll’s House. He returned in 1968 for Traffic’s self-titled sophomore effort, which included his classic contribution “Feelin’ Alright.” The song became an undisputed classic when Joe Cocker famously covered it on his landmark 1970 album Mad Dogs & Englishmen. During this time, Mason operated as an unsung hero of British rock. He performed on George Harrison’s debut record, All Things Must Pass, and played with Derek and the Dominos. Mason returned for one last Traffic jam, live release Welcome to the Canteen. He then launched a successful solo career that produced a massive 1977 hit, “We Just Disagree.” Strangely, Mason capped the 1970s with an appearance in the aggressively awful 1979 roller boogie epic Skatetown, U.S.A., starring Scott Baio, Maureen McCormick and Patrick Swayze, in which he performed the title song. His embrace of dance continued with his 1980 Michael Jackson duet, “Save Me,” a lost gem from Jackson’s golden era. A

period of relative inactivity followed until Mason resurfaced as a member of Fleetwood Mac for 1995’s Time. That record, which featured Mason and Bekka Bramlett along with classic members Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, did not sit well with Fleetwood Mac fans accustomed to hearing Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. Mason soon departed the group. In recent years, Mason has toured with a band called Traffic Jam, performs songs spanning his career and records only sporadically, as he did with 2008’s star-packed 26 Letters, 12 Notes and 2014’s Future’s Past, which revisited tunes going back to his teen years. Now living in the U.S., Mason said he is enjoying touring with Journey and The Doobie Brothers. “It’s a great tour. A great show, great music and great venues. It’s really cool,” he said. “It’s one of the most successful summer tours out there this year. It’s a lot of good music.” Mason said the current economics of the music industry require musicians to be road warriors since the payroll has largely shifted from album sales to concert tickets. “It’s pretty much what we have to do,” he said. “Life on the road doesn’t change. … It’s traveling, a lot of traveling.”

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | a u g u s t 1 0 , 2 0 1 6

MUSIC

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a u g u s t 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

f e atu r e

Her name’s Salli Denner, but most people know her as Salli. | Photo provided

High time

Salli Denner’s sweet and sultry sound is showcased on her debut EP, XLIV. By Keaton Bell

Music is Oklahoma-based pop singer Salli Denner’s obsession, and performing is her drug of choice. “The first time I sang in front of people, I just got this crazy rush that was addictive,” said Denner, who performs and records using only her first name. “I just felt so passionate and alive onstage that I would honestly almost black out. After that, I just couldn’t stop.” The 19-year-old singer-songwriter is not too far out of high school. She released her debut EP, XLIV, in late July. Named after the Roman numeral for 44, it signifies hard work, success, wholeness and inner wisdom. With tracks like ’90s-style rocker “Mona Lisa” and somber ballad “Used To,” XLIV represents one of the strongest pop debuts from an Oklahoma artist in quite some time. That’s especially remarkable since the EP marked her first time working in a studio. Denner always held a passion for music and regularly wrote songs in her bedroom. Her career was launched after her mother had a chance meeting with Ashton Starks, who co-owns Castle Row Studios with his brother, Garrett. Ashton executive produced the effort, Garrett produced it and Denner cut songs in the studio as the Starks helped fine-tune her sound. “It was definitely very scary at first, but once I got going, I just fell in love with it,” she said. “It was just such an amazing process to see this song you’d written in your bedroom come to life around you. It’s such an insane feeling, but in such a great way.” Denner’s voice possesses a raw, soaring and soulful quality that melds well with the EP’s charmingly quirky, often clubready beats. She considers Ella Fitzgerald and Lana Del Rey among her influences, and it’s easy to see how genres spanning soul, pop and R&B shaped her sound. While most of the songs on XLIV center

around Denner’s relationships, she doesn’t like to limit herself when it comes to lyrical content. “I just love writing about what I’ve been through,” she said, “boys, friends and my relationships with various people in my life.” Her process can range from sitting down to piece together a song to letting it develop organically, as she did with “Mona Lisa.” “I wrote that at my piano because I was looking at the back of this CD with all of these songs on it, just picking out words, and one of them was ‘Mona Lisa,’” she said. “I started randomly singing about it and it all kind of just came together in the end.” She’s already creating material for future projects, with three new songs ready for production. “Writing music has never felt like homework to me because it’s just such a fun and creative process,” she said. Even though her momentum perpetually carries her forward, Denner said she still makes time to bask in the afterglow of her first EP. She recently celebrated with a release show and party at VZD’s Restaurant & Bar. The venue was so packed that there weren’t enough seats and people sat on the floor. “That feeling was such a rush, and the energy in there made me feel like I was on cloud nine,” she said. “It was so crazy, and I honestly thought I was in a dream.” Denner also hopes to perform more live shows, including festivals or showcases, within the next year. While the thought of getting signed to a major label or performing at the Grammys certainly sounds appealing, she said she’s also happy to be able to pursue a career in music. “If you love your job and what you’re doing, it just gives you confidence and allows you to express yourself,” she said. “I hope I get the chance to keep doing it for the rest of my life.”

event

Sundry sounds

Country legend Pam Tillis is working on a new record and will soon make two tour stops in Oklahoma. By Mark Beutler

Sat, auguSt 13

GUIDED BY VOICES w/ Broncho Sat, auguSt 20

BLUES CHALLENGE (10 BandS for $7)

John Anderson with Pam Tillis

tueS, auguSt 30

GAELIC STORM

7 p.m. Aug. 20

Sun, Sept 18

Choctaw Grand Theater

BRIAN FALLON & THE CROWES & RYAN BINGHAM

4418 S. Highway 69/75, Durant choctawcasinos.com

Mon, Sept 19

800-745-3000 $25-$35

TEGAN & SARA

Lorrie Morgan & Pam Tillis: Grits and Glamour Tour

GLEN HANSARD

fri, Sept 23

thurS, Sept 29

SAINT MOTEL

8 p.m. Oct. 22

fri, Sept 30

Sugar Creek Casino Event

LOCAL NATIVES

Center 5304 N. Broadway Ave., Hinton

Sat, oct 1

ST. PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES

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Mon, oct 3

BAND OF HORSES There’s something timeless about the music of Pam Tillis. During her radio heyday, she brought a new sound and style to country music. Sometimes it was earthy, sometimes it was traditional, but it was always fun. Grammy-nominated “All the Good Ones Are Gone,” Latin-flavored “Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life)” and her signature song “Maybe It Was Memphis” kept her at the top of the country charts. Now Tillis is back in the studio, working on her first album in nearly a decade. Longtime fans rediscovered her music as she gains new fans who were too young to remember when she first hit the charts three decades ago. “My creative process is very unruly,” Tillis told Oklahoma Gazette during a recent phone interview from her Nashville home. “It’s been so long since I’ve made an album, and I keep turning things over in my head. I’m three-quarters of the way done, but now I’m thinking of doing something a little bit different. In my mind, I have a second album I’d like to get out there. So I may decide to go back and do a double album, kind of like what Vince Gill did a few years ago.” The new album has a ’70s flavor, Tillis said. “Beneath the surface, some of those ’70s country, rock and pop sounds will be there,” she said. “There may be some bluesy elements you haven’t heard in my voice for a while … I’m mixing in some California country styles too.” Tillis has long been an Oklahoma favorite. Soon, she will make two tour stops here. Her first is 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at Choctaw Grand Theater, 4418 S. Highway 69/75, in Durant. The second is 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at

Tulsa, OK

★ 423 NOrTh MaiN sT.

TICKETS & INFO: caiNsballrOOM.cOM

Pam Tillis performs in Oklahoma Aug. 20 and Oct. 22. | Photo provided

Sugar Creek Casino, 5304 N. Broadway Ave., in Hinton.

Musical influences

Tillis describes herself as a “second-generation show-biz brat.” Her father is legendary singer/songwriter Mel Tillis, who has been battling some health issues recently. “Daddy had some surgery back in January, and it’s been a long road back,” Tillis said. “But he’s gaining weight and making some progress.” Growing up with a famous father meant Tillis was around country music greats. Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and Merle Haggard were common names around the Tillis dinner table. “Of course I loved all those entertainers, but I also loved Willie and Waylon and that whole outlaw sound,” Tillis said. “Then there was Emmylou Harris, Don Williams and Southern rock bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd. I remember a phrase back then that said, ‘This is not your father’s Oldsmobile,’ and that’s how I felt about my favorite singers: ‘They’re not your father’s type of country.’” Some of the first records Tillis remembers buying reflect her eclectic music tastes and influences. “The first time I went to a store and bought a record, I actually remember buying three,” she said. “I bought

‘Yesterday’ by The Beatles, ‘Brown Sugar’ by The Rolling Stones and Carole King’s ‘So Far Away.’ In fact, I think I still have them somewhere.” Tillis admits times have changed. Today’s country radio stations have narrower playlists, and while she hopes they embrace her new material, she is grateful for the hits she has already had. “[Radio has] been so good to me, and I still have a career and can work 20 years later,” she said. “I appreciate country radio, and as a legacy artist, there are so many options for my music than in the ’90s. I have been working very hard on this album; it is much more organic than my work used to be, but the common thread of my music shines through.” Over the years, Tillis has won Grammy awards, acted on Broadway in the musical Smokey Joe’s Cafe and appeared on television series including Diagnosis Murder and L.A. Law. In 1994, she was named Country Music Association’s Best Female Vocalist. Many of her albums have gone either gold or platinum. “To be blessed with a long career is not anything I take for granted,” Tillis said. “It’s the fans who put you there, and it’s the fans who keep you there. I am grateful they still come out to my shows. Every day, I look forward to all their Facebook posts, tweets and emails. That’s what keeps me going.”

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Oklahoma Gazette O kg a z e t t e . c o m | a u g u s t 1 0 , 2 0 1 6

LIVE MUSIC These are events recommended by Oklahoma Gazette editorial staff members. For full calendar listings, go to okgazette.com.

WEDNESDAY, 8.10 Annie Oakley/Derek Paul and Wink Burcham, The Deli, Norman. FOLK Dirty Heads, Diamond Ballroom. ROCK Robotic Wednesdays 10 Year Anniversary, Kamps 1310 Lounge. ELECTRONIC

THURSDAY, 8.11 Aaron Newman, Flint. ROCK David Morris, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO Drive, Red Rock Canyon Grill. ROCK Katie Williams, Wormy Dog Saloon. COUNTRY Lil Debbie, OKC Farmers Public Market. HIP-HOP Touch Amor/Ceremony/Gouge Away, 89th Street Collective. ROCK

FRIDAY, 8.12 737/Xhalen, Oklahoma City Limits. ROCK Aaron Einhouse, Wormy Dog Saloon. COUNTRY Aaron Woods, Remington Park. ROCK Akiba/Wizurdz/Celadon City, Opolis, Norman. VARIOUS

Avenue, Red Rock Canyon Grill. COVER Bruce Benson/Larry Banks/Delon Ellis/ James Blackmon, Bricktown Brewery. JAZZ

Disturbed

Kattfest Kattfest is back and loud as ever. Metal kingpin Disturbed and post-grunge hard rocker Breaking Benjamin headline this year’s rock festival. The bands are joined by special guests Alter Bridge and Saint Asonia. Music begins 6:30 p.m. Thursday at The Zoo Amphitheatre, 2101 NE 50th St. General admission is $39.50$89.50. Visit thezooamphitheatre.com or call 405-602-0683. Thursday Photo Travis Shinn / provided

Stars, Newcastle Casino, Newcastle. COVER The Rounds/Colin Nance/The Mosaic/Space 4 Lease, The Root. VARIOUS Wicked Shimmies/Los Eskelots/Gawd Damn One Man Band, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK

SUNDAY, 8.14 Edgar Cruz, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. ACOUSTIC Justin Young, Flint. JAZZ Speedealer/The Costanzas/Merlin Manson, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK

Carly Gwin and The Sin, The Deli, Norman. VARIOUS

The Red Devils/Mike Hosty, The Deli, Norman. ROCK

Christian Pearson/Gary Johnson, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO

Twilight Concert Series: Mountain Smoke, Myriad Botanical Gardens. BLUEGRASS

Daniel Jordan, Fuze Buffet & Bar. ACOUSTIC Dolly Parton, BOK Center, Tulsa. COUNTRY Grazzhopper/Dirty Little Bettys, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK Martha Stallings, Lottinvilles Restaurant, Edmond. VARIOUS Midas 13, Crosseyed Moose. ROCK

MONDAY, 8.15 Castle/LOST Empires, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK Volbeat/Killswitch Engage/Black Wizard, Brady Theater, Tulsa. ROCK

TUESDAY, 8.16

Randy Cassimus, Full Circle Bookstore. ACOUSTIC

Blind Staggers/Caught Stealing/Shut Up Matt Jewett, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK

Shortt Dogg, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. BLUES

Caleb McGee, The Deli, Norman. SINGER/

The Stir, Othello’s Italian Restaurant, Norman. VARIOUS

SONGWRITER

Culture Abuse/Colorblind/Filaments/Ghost Lake, 89th Street Collective. ROCK

SATURDAY, 8.13 100 Bones Band, Tapwerks Ale House & Cafe. ROCK 2AM/Aguilar Band, Oklahoma City Limits. ROCK Captain Eyeball/Dresden Bombers, Opolis. ROCK Daniel Jordan, Red Rock Canyon Grill. ACOUSTIC DJ Jason Daniel, Russell’s, Tower Hotel. VARIOUS Drive, Riverwind Casino, Norman. ROCK Frequency Jones, The Deli, Norman. VARIOUS

Debbie Henning, Puebla Tacos y Tequileria, Norman. ACOUSTIC God Module/Dismantled/Voicecoil, Thunder Alley Grill and Sports Bar. ELECTRONIC Mike Black & The Stingrays/Travis Ledoyt, Newcastle Casino, Newcastle. ROCK

WEDNESDAY, 8.17 Grant Wells, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO Harumph, The Deli, Norman. JAZZ

Funk Frequency, Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse.

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

Guided by Voices, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. ROCK

Smile Empty Soul/Romantic Rebel/Shallow Side, 89th Street Collective. ROCK

VARIOUS

Jahruba, Othello’s Italian Restaurant, Norman. REGGAE

John Carnuccio, Full Circle Bookstore. FOLK Kaitlin Butts, Grady’s 66 Pub, Yukon. COUNTRY MercyMe, Frontier City. CHRISTIAN Michael Kleid, Fuze Buffet & Bar. VARIOUS Mike McClure, The Blue Door. SINGER/

SONGWRITER

Miss Brown To You, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. JAZZ Nathan Kress, Wormy Dog Saloon. FOLK

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Live music 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 to listings@okgazette.com. Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

go to okgazette.com for full listings!

free will astrology Homework: What do you foresee happening in your life during the rest of 2016? Make three brave, positive predictions. Truthrooster@ gmail.com. ARIES (March 21-April 19) Using scissors, snip off

a strand of your hair. As you do, sing a beloved song with uplifting lyrics. Seal the hair in an envelope on which you have written the following: “I am attracting divine prods and unpredictable nudges that will enlighten me about a personal puzzle that I am ready to solve.” On each of the next five nights, kiss this package five times and place it beneath your pillow as you sing a beloved song with uplifting lyrics. Then observe your dreams closely. Keep a pen and notebook or audio recorder near your bed to capture any clues that might arrive. On the morning after the fifth night, go to your kitchen sink and burn the envelope and hair in the flame of a white candle. Chant the words of power: “Catalytic revelations and insights are arriving.” The magic you need will appear within 15 days.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) This would be a good

time to have a master craftsperson decorate your headquarters with stained glass windows that depict the creation stories of your favorite indigenous culture. You might also benefit from hiring a feng shui consultant to help you design a more harmonious home environment. Here are some cheaper but equally effective ways to promote domestic bliss: Put images of your heroes on your walls. Throw out stuff that makes you feel cramped. Add new potted plants to calm your eyes and nurture your lungs. If you’re feeling especially experimental, build a shrine devoted to the Goddess of Ecstatic Nesting.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) You Geminis are as full

of longings as any other sign, but you have a tendency to downplay their intensity. How often do you use your charm and wit to cloak your burning, churning yearnings? Please don’t misunderstand me: I appreciate your refined expressions of deep feelings — as long as that’s not a way to hide your deep feelings from yourself. This will be an especially fun and useful

By Rob Brezsny

issue for you to meditate on in the coming weeks. I advise you to be in very close touch with your primal urges. CANCER (June 21-July 22) Be vulnerable and sensitive as well as insatiable and irreverent. Cultivate your rigorous skepticism, but expect the arrival of at least two freaking miracles. Be extra nurturing to allies who help you and sustain you, but also be alert for those moments when they may benefit from your rebellious provocations. Don’t take anything too personally or literally or seriously, even as you treat the world as a bountiful source of gifts and blessings. Be sure to regard love as your highest law, and laugh at fear at least three times every day.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Let’s assume, for the sake of

fun argument, that you do indeed have a guardian angel. Even if you have steadfastly ignored this divine helper in the past, I’m asking you to strike up a close alliance in the coming weeks. If you need to engage in an elaborate game of imaginative pretending to make it happen, so be it. Now let me offer a few tips about your guardian angel’s potential purposes in your life: providing sly guidance about how to take good care of yourself; quietly reminding you where your next liberation may lie; keeping you on track to consistently shed the past and head toward the future; and kicking your ass so as to steer you away from questionable influences. OK? Now go claim your sublime assistance!

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Although you may not yet be fully aware of your good fortune, your “rescue” is already underway. Furthermore, the so-called hardship you’ve been lamenting will soon lead you to a trick you can use to overcome one of your limitations. Maybe best of all, Virgo, a painful memory you have coddled for a long time has so thoroughly decayed that there’s almost nothing left to cling to. Time to release it! So what comes next? Here’s what I recommend: Throw a going-away party for everything you no longer need. Give thanks to the secret intelligence within you that has guided you to this turning point.

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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Here comes a special

occasion — a radical exemption that is so rare as to be almost impossible. Are you ready to explore a blessing you have perhaps never experienced? For a brief grace period, you can be free from your pressing obsessions. Your habitual attachments and unquenchable desires will leave you in peace. You will be relieved of the drive to acquire more possessions or gather further proof of your attractiveness. You may even arrive at the relaxing realization that you don’t require as many props and accessories as you imagined you needed to be happy and whole. Is enlightenment nigh? At the very least, you will learn how to derive more joy out of what you already have.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) In the coming weeks,

I suspect that Life will attempt to move you away from any influences that interfere with your ability to discern and express your soul’s code. You know what I’m talking about when I use that term “soul’s code,” right? It’s your sacred calling; the blueprint of your destiny; the mission you came to earth to fulfill. So what does it mean if higher powers and mysterious forces are clearing away obstacles that have been preventing you from a more complete embodiment of your soul’s code? Expect a breakthrough that initially resembles a breakdown.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Maybe you know

people who flee from the kind of Big Bold Blankness that’s visiting you, but I hope you won’t be tempted to do that. Here’s my counsel: Welcome your temporary engagement with emptiness Celebrate this opening into the unknown. Ease into the absence. Commune with the vacuum. Ask the nothingness to be your teacher. What’s the payoff? This is an opportunity to access valuable secrets about the meaning of your life that aren’t available when you’re feeling full. Be gratefully receptive to what you don’t understand and can’t control.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) I placed a wager

down at the astrology pool. I bet that sometime in the next three weeks, you Capricorns will shed at least

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some of the heavy emotional baggage that you’ve been lugging around; you will transition from ponderous plodding to curious-hearted sauntering. Why am I so sure this will occur? Because I have detected a shift in attitude by one of the most talkative little voices in your head. It seems ready to stop tormenting you with cranky reminders of all the chores you should be doing but aren’t — and start motivating you with sunny prompts about all the fun adventures you could be pursuing.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) What you are most

afraid of right now could become what fuels you this fall. Please note that I used the word “could.” In the style of astrology I employ, there is no such thing as predestination. So if you prefer, you may refuse to access the rich fuel that’s available. You can keep your scary feelings tucked inside your secret hiding place, where they will continue to fester. You are not obligated to deal with them squarely, let alone find a way to use them as motivation. But if you are intrigued by the possibility that those murky worries might become a source of inspiration, dive in and investigate.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Are you ready for your

mid-term exam? Luckily I’m here to help get you into the proper frame of mind to do well. Now study the following incitements with an air of amused rebelliousness. 1. You may have to act a bit wild or unruly in order to do the right thing. 2. Loving your enemies could motivate your allies to give you more of what you need. 3. Are you sufficiently audacious to explore the quirky happiness that can come from cultivating intriguing problems? 4. If you want people to change, try this: Change yourself in the precise way you want them to change.

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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Tickets Available At CriterionOKC.com Or Order By Phone By Calling 1.800.745.3000 Purchase Tickets At Our Box Office From 12pm-5pm On Weekdays For Premium Seating Or Season Ticket Info Contact: MorganKatz@Livenation.com O kg a z e t t e . c o m | A u g u s t 1 0 , 2 0 1 6

puzzles New York Times Magazine Crossword Puzzle Make that a double By Ruth Bloomfield Margolin | Edited by Will Shortz | 0807 ACROSS 1 What an urgent message may be in 8 Person in handcuffs, for short 12 The Fonz, for one 19 Dish site, maybe 20 Leaf 21 Stuffed, in Mexican cuisine 22 Flip-flop 24 Puts on 25 Times for many Tours tours 26 Holds up 27 Juniors 29 Mentalist Geller 30 ____ Tamid (synagogue lamp) 31 Question asked at the cash register 35 Match 37 Drink with mint or lemon 39 Ed of Up 40 See 46-Across 42 Persistent 44 It may require a password 46 With 40-Across, visitor on high- school career day 47 Spot for a shopping list 51 Collect 53 Some email attachments 56 Travis who sang “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’” 59 Occasion to learn a secret handshake 63 Opposite of fast 64 Man of morals 66 Blackening 67 Tangle of hair 68 Spot for vaccinations, for short? 69 Chest organs 71 Q neighbors 72 Knock unconscious 74 Q neighbor 75 Apartment-ad abbr. 76 Playful 78 Q preceder, in song 79 Passing note? 80 Fib 83 Romance writers’ awards 84 ____ buco 86 “Amazing Grace” verse ender 87 Bush campaigns? 89 Ho-hum response 91 Pet cause, in brief 94 French city known for its porcelain

98 Laugh uproariously 101 Powerhouse in women’s b-ball 105 “… or I quit!,” e.g. 106 Trophies for Tiger Woods and LeBron James 107 Way to get to know a father in law? 110 Home of the NCAA’s Cyclones 111 King of Portugal 112 Regarding 113 Actor Bremner of Black Hawk Down 114 One side of the Bosporus strait 115 Lead-up to mating 118 Stay cool … or a hint to this puzzle’s theme 123 It might land you in a trap 124 Singer with an eponymous 1956 #1 album 125 Persona non grata 126 Melodic passages 127 Fossey who was “in the mist” 128 Ones who say, “We’ll be right back” DOWN 1 What gets As in chemistry? 2 Hardly electronic wizardry 3 One who’s outstanding? 4 Ozone destroyers, for short 5 Phys-ed dept. 6 Carbonated drink 7 Reproduction Unit 8 Cause of Romeo’s death 9 Xanadu group, for short 10 ____ Tin Tin 11 Group surrounding a star 12 Curling-stone stone 13 Makes the calls 14 Keebler baker 15 Carbonated drink 16 Landlord’s request 17 Something with two sides? 18 More promising 20 Activity-tracking devices 23 Carbonated drink 28 Newswoman Soledad 31 End of geologic time? 32 The Evil Dead director 33 “<<” button: Abbr. 34 Wash’n ____ (towelette brand) 35 Flight-board abbr. 36 Oscar-winning Hanks role 38 Beat it

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70 Striking down 72 Baby whale 73 Arrow on a screen 76 Private transportation? 77 Shepherd’s place 81 Anne Rice antihero 82 “It was you,” à la Verdi 85 Like Cheerios 88 Paintball cry 90 “I wish I ____ [sic] homeward bound”: Paul Simon 92 Signal 93 Horizontal: Abbr. 95 Kimono-clad hostesses 96 Like Monday crosswords 97 English royal family 98 Hats for artistes 99 Early online forum

Receptionist/calendar Arden Biard, Coordinator Advertising Director Christy Duane, cduane@okgazette.com

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Account Executive / Advertising assistant Leah Roberts

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41 What a star may denote 43 Doesn’t accept, say 45 Throat problem 48 Hummus holders 49 Cause of inflation? 50 Lawyer who defended Leopold and Loeb 52 Relating to heraldry 54 Tissue surrounding a muscle 55 What’s at risk 56 Something hard to get off your chest? 57 Places to get clean 58 Climber in a children’s rhyme 60 NYU’s ____ School of the Arts 61 Senses 62 Terminal info, for short 65 It’s a stitch

Accounts receivable Karen Holmes

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Accounting/HR Manager Marian Harrison

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Marketing Manager Kelsey Lowe

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VP, CORPORATE AFFAIRS Linda Meoli

publisher Bill Bleakley Associate Publisher James Bengfort

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First-class mail subscriptions are $119 for one year, and most issues at this rate will arrive 1-2 days after publication.

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Oklahoma Gazette is circulated at its designated distribution points free of charge to readers for their individual use and by mail to subscribers. The cash value of this copy is $1. Persons taking copies of the Oklahoma Gazette from its distribution points for any reason other than their or others’ individual use for reading purposes are subject to prosecution. Please address all unsolicited news items (non-returnable) to the editor.

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Account EXECUTIVES Stephanie Van Horn, Saundra Rinearson Godwin, Elizabeth Riddle, Nathan Ward, Joel Scott

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EDITOR-in-chief Jennifer Palmer Chancellor jchancellor@okgazette.com

100 Overturns 102 The first to go on a strike, usually 103 Dummies 104 Duma dissent 108 Took a hit 109 Hoity-toity sort 112 Patron god of ancient Thebes 114 Record label for Cream and Sonny & Cher 116 Federal management org. 117 Tuna type 119 Giant Manning 120 Señora Perón 121 Statehouse resident, informally 122 Archaic verb ending

Assistant EDITOR Brittany Pickering Staff reporters Greg Elwell, Laura Eastes, Ben Luschen Contributors Mark Beutler, Brett Dickerson Christine Eddington, Jack Fowler George Lang, Alissa Lindsey, Candice Macis Photographer Garett Fisbeck Editorial Interns Keaton Bell, Hannah Meeske Marketing & Editorial Intern Ian Jayne Circulation Manager Chad Bleakley

Stumped? Call 1-900-285-5656 to get the answers to any three clues by phone ($1.20 a minute).

ASSISTANT Circulation Manager Duke Fleischer

Sudoku Puzzle Easy

Art Director Chris Street

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

New York Times Crossword Puzzle answers A B Y S S

S L O P S

P O N D S

R A T I O

D O D O

U R D U

S R O A N G O 42

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Print Production Coordinator Ashley Parks

Puzzle No. 0731, which appeared in the August 3 issue.

H A D O N

A Z U R

R E D T A D P E T E T S H M E T E L A R M C L E T O R T T S Z O S S A H C K E N A B N N A

P R E S A L E O D I E

S O B R R O U S N C H H E T S A N M A O T A C N H

O P E R A A T F U E L L O D

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

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

G R O K

D I K E S

I V I E S

S U E T E L H D E M E T O R A A B B E T R H R A M Y T A I E T B A A U C I G H

G E E S E S I N E S S O P H

R E T

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P h o n e (4 0 5 ) 5 2 8 - 6 0 0 0 | E - m a i l a dv e r t i s i n g @t i e r r a m e d i ag r o u p. c o m

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