Best Of OKC 2015 by Oklahoma Gazette

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CONTENTS 55

ON THE COVER

In case you haven’t noticed, this is it. This is Oklahoma Gazette’s Best of OKC issue, filled with the winners of 124 categories that were voted on by you, our readers. It’s the biggest Best of OKC awards program we can remember, with more categories and hundreds of thousands of votes. Pick up your copy now. P.18

NEWS

LIFE

County: jail series, part 1

OKG picks

City: tall grass

Best of OKC Results

Chicken-Fried News

Commentary

Letters

Food & Drink: You’ve been Served: Kamala Gamble, food briefs, The Butcher BBQ Stand, OKG eat: noodles

Culture: 2015 Oklahoma City Storytelling Festival

Leisure: Doug Tallamy

Visual Arts: OU Leaning Tower of Pisa

Performing Arts: Canterbury Choral Society auditions, Argus Hamilton

Education: bilingual schools

Sudoku / Crossword

Active: Eastern OK County Sportsmen’s Dinner

Music: Bob Wills, listings

Film: Straight Outta Compton

Astrology

Classifieds

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

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P HOtO: OKLa HOM a P uBLI s HI N g COM Pa N Y COL L E C tI ON / COuRtE sY OKL a HOM a HI stOR I C a L s OC I E t Y

NEWS COUNTY

Locked up The history of Oklahoma County’s jail is a controversial one filled with frustration, investigations and public ridicule. BY JACK MONEY

T Y JA I L

HOM A CO

R IE S

Editor’s Note: This is the first installment of an ongoing series about Oklahoma County Jail, its development and history, ongoing structural issues and and possible remedies. Visit okgazette. com for ongoing coverage, supporting documentation and more. UN

We’ve talked about the need to replace Oklahoma County’s jail before. In the 1980s, Oklahoma County housed its prisoners on the top few floors of the courthouse, the same lockup used since the 1930s. Overcrowding there prompted threats of closure from state health officials and forced the Board of County Commissioners to act. Commissioners set an October 1987 election seeking voters’ approval of a yearlong penny sales tax to raise about $51 million to build a new jail for county and city use. It passed. According to County Election Board data, in a light turnout, about 82 percent of voters supported it. The county awarded design contracts to international engineering and architectural firm HTB Inc. and Oklahoma City architectural and planning firm RGDC. Two years later, it hired Tulsa-based Manhattan Construction Co., Inc. to build it. In 1991, the county began moving prisoners into the building only to learn that problems later blamed on design and construction flaws allowed opportunities for some inmates to escape. Subsequent repairs addressed the

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problems. Even so, security and health issues plagued guards and inmates. Many problems continue today. As the jail’s population grew, those difficulties became harder to manage, contributed to overcrowding and spawned another investigation. This time, however, the U.S. Department of Justice intervened. Its findings brought a new threat to close the lockup. Later this year — much like 28 years ago — voters will likely be asked to consider approval of another sales tax increase in order to fund construction of a new jail that would avoid the problems that ravaged the prior one.

‘Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’

In March 1988, the community received its first look at county jail designs as the story hit newsstands (“County, City Jail Design Emerges,” March 20, 1988, The Oklahoman). County representatives and designers told a reporter that they examined other new jails for ideas on how to make this one functional and aesthetically complementary to the central business district architecture around it. Domby Zinn, HTB project director, said the task was challenging but HTB was up to it. “We think this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Oklahoma County and Oklahoma City,” he said. “Great emphasis was put on the fact that it needed to be done right, and that it is probably the only jail Oklahoma County will ever build.” The 460,000-square-foot, 12-story structure was designed in the shape of an

In September 1990, Oklahoma County and city officials celebrated after the jail was “topped out,” meaning the building reached its greatest construction height. X. Pods in each arm contained detention cells on all levels except the top and ground floors. It was configured with 50, one-inmate cells so that, theoretically, one centrally located guard could more easily manage each detention floor pod. Staff offices and support spaces were placed on the ground floor. The cafeteria and laundry, meant to serve the inmate population, went into the basement. Horizontal rows of “unbreakable” glass windows around the outside of each detention floor would allow natural light to flood its interior. Inside, walls would be made with reinforced concrete blocks. A cash shortage during construction, however, prompted on-the-fly revisions that substituted or eliminated materials used to construct walls and windows. These changes were later blamed for security weaknesses that enabled several attempted escapes. None were successful, although the public ridiculed county officials as tempers flared.

Frustration surfaces

Oklahoma County Treasurer Joe Barnes expressed his anger at a December 1992 commissioners meeting in which a potential lawsuit against building designers and builders was discussed. Barnes said other law-enforcement agencies would not house inmates in the new structure, meaning the sheriff was

losing needed revenue. “We now have a $5 million shortfall in the income. No one has addressed how (or whether) we are going to recover that,” Barnes said, according to minutes from the Dec. 21, 1992, Oklahoma County Board of County Commissioners meeting. “If it continues as it has for a another year to two years, we are looking at a cash shortfall of 20 percent to what the sheriff received last year to operate, and that is the problem. We need to get some answers.” Commissioners, who heard the jail’s contractor and designers fault each other for the problems, also were upset. Commissioner Shirley Darrell said she couldn’t understand why it took months to get an official report. “Maybe we should get some of Sheriff (J.D.) Sharp’s inmates who are smarter than these other people. They know what’s wrong with the building, and they can tell us probably faster than anyone else,” Darrell said, according to meeting minutes. “And trust me; we are not going to get a sales tax on anything … The public has no confidence in the way we administered that money.” Minutes from a Feb. 1, 1993, Oklahoma County Board of County Commissioners meeting show that commissioners demanded repairs from both the jail’s designers and builders and also ordered additional evaluations of the building. Later that year, they sued Manhattan, HTB and RGDC, seeking remedies to problems with windows and interior walls. In addition, the lawsuit, CJ-935188, sought remedies for problematic furniture, leaky walls, floor construction and design, exterior wall mortar and other issues. Minutes from a Dec. 6, 1993, commissioners meeting show that a split commission settled the case. It received $370,000 from Manhattan and two of its subcontractors, $153,800 from RGDC and an agreement from another subcontractor on the project to pay the county $6,500 and guarantee to repair ongoing plumbing problems. Legally, the issue was settled, but controversy about the building remained. Eventually, one of the jail’s designers was acquired by a competitor, and the other was reorganized. Manhattan, meanwhile, found itself an unsuccessful bidder on Oklahoma City-area government construction projects for years to come. The jail’s construction remained controversial through the mid-1990s. In 1995, a county grand jury was seated to investigate. While it didn’t find any criminal wrongdoing, it had no problem assigning blame.

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OFFERING LISTENERS

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NEWS CITY

M a RK Ha N COC K

ON-AIR AND ONLINE!

Tall problem KG O U .O R G

Community involvement is vital in cutting short the city’s long list of code violators. BY BRETT DICKERSON

Leadership in Oklahoma City and The Village told Oklahoma Gazette the complaint they get the most is about tall weeds and grass. If agitation about the neighbor’s overgrown yard causes you Jumanjilike nightmares, there are solutions available to remedy the problem. Both cities have responsive systems in place that allow them to take action on nuisances such as a lots that promote mosquitos, rats, snakes and other creatures. And residents are an important part of those systems.

Oklahoma City

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“We can’t fix what we don’t know about,” said Beth Crounse, Oklahoma City Action Center manager. The center depends on residents to let it know about most problems, though Oklahoma City Police also will report them as they see them. “Don’t assume that somebody has already reported it,” she said. The center’s success hinges largely on the common mantra “If you see something, say something.” Crounse said most complaints that come in involve code violations. “High weeds and grass are always our No. 1 concern that people call in about,” she said. It’s a code violation to let either grow taller than 12 inches, she said. When the center gets a community report about overgrowth, its goal is to have a code enforcement officer report to the site within about four days. However, she said unusually high rainfall amounts this year have contributed to a surge in growth, so the city might be delayed in getting to all of them within that time. Two contractors with several mowing crews work to correct problem properties, and the heavy

David Oen surveys the tall grass growing in a lot on the corner of SW Fourth Street and Lee Avenue. rains and resulting growth slow them down, too. David Oen is the city’s chief building inspector, and his department handles the tall grass and weed violations. There are 621 square miles within Oklahoma City’s boundaries, and during summer months, more than 50 complaints come in daily. After receiving an Action Center complaint, the site is inspected. If the problem is confirmed, Oen said a notice is posted on the front door of the home, the owner is verified through county records and then the city also mails a notice to the owner. The process can take several days. Then the property owner has 14 days from the mailing date on the letter to correct the issue. After that, the inspector goes out again to determine if a code violation remains. If it does, contractors are then dispatched to mow. But the service isn’t cheap. The bill covers mowing fees plus a $250 administrative fee, and if isn’t paid, a lien can be filed against the property and the unpaid amount can be folded into the owner’s yearly ad valorem taxes. And once a property owner has been cited, if he’s cited again within 60 days, the two-week “grace period” is removed and contractors can be dispatched immediately, which means yet another bill for the property owner. The Action Center hotline is 297-2535, and it operates 8:30-11:45 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. City residents can file and track most CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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P HOtOs BY M a RK Ha N COC K

NEWS CITY

complaints online at okc.gov/action and via the OKC GOV smartphone app. The app also allows users to submit photos. The center is organized under the Public Information and Marketing (PIM) office. “The City’s Action Center helps put a face and voice to City Hall,” said PIM Director Kristy Yager.

The Village

Compared to Oklahoma City, The Village occupies about two and a half square miles, and its upkeep enforcement is more regulated. There, a yard with grass and weeds taller than 7 inches gets a sizable “Public Nuisance Abatement Pending” sign stuck into it. Even though state law prohibits all cities from officially citing property owners for overgrowth below one foot tall, Village City Manager Bruce Stone told Oklahoma Gazette that the earlier notice is a proactive measure that helps reduce the number of citations given. It also avoids a legal abatement process that is expensive for both the city and for property owners. “We have about 200 signs out [right now],” he said. And they are noticed. “[Because the signs are so obvious,] it isn’t the most popular program,” he said. “But it gets the job done … [and it will] let the neighbors know that we know about the problem and are working on it.”

Tall grass and weeds take over an intersection, almost hiding a fire hydrant, at the corner of McAuley Boulevard and W. Memorial Road. If a resident doesn’t act upon or acknowledge the early warning in The Village, the legal nuisance abatement program is similar to OKC’s. Stone said it just happens less frequently. Residents can call The Village City Hall at 751-8861 or code enforcement at 751-0493 and can learn more at thevillageok.org. Calls to two other small metro cities, Warr Acres and Nichols Hills, requesting information about their abatement programs were not returned by deadline.

Another solution

John Thompson is a member of Central Park Neighborhood Association, which helps organize OKC residents in the neighborhood around Harding Charter Preparatory High School at NW 33rd Street and N. Shartel Avenue. In order to foster better relations, he said the school encourages residents in surrounding neighborhoods to talk over issues with each other before calling the OKC Action Center. Over time, it has worked well. In addition to dealing with absentee landlords, Thompson said residents have experienced the value of “conversing with each other for winwin solutions.”

A lot at SW Fourth Street and Lee Avenue was recently pinged with a code violation notice.

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CHiCKEN CKEN

FRiED NEWS

Gift horse

Do you even prance, bro? All you Bronies (which we assume is all of you) need to get your coats brushed and your tails primped for a new My Little Pony movie featuring the Sooner State’s favorite pixie sprite, Kristin Chenoweth. Time,, a magazine everyone remembers as being important at some point, reported that Chenoweth will voice a new character in the animated film, set for release in 2017. The pint-sized Oklahoma native and Oklahoma City University graduate is so perfect as the voice of a small horse that it’s now impossible to go to Remington Park without imagining the paddock filled with ponies belting out hits from Wicked. As always, Chenoweth fans, we advise you not to try to look in her mouth.

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Held back

Graduation rates in Oklahoma declined from last year. Maybe. When Oklahoma Watch asked the state Department of Education to release graduation rates, it received a heavily redacted stack of documents. It also said releasing graduation rates for 58 percent of the state’s public school districts and charter schools would be a violation of state laws protecting student privacy. Oklahoma law prevents the release of records with counts of 10 or fewer students. So if only 10 graduated or didn’t graduate — or if the class size was less than 10 — schools are not allowed to release the information … for some reason that no one seems to quite understand. For the schools that were listed, the state’s overall graduation rate for 201314 was 82.7 percent. That’s down from

the prior year, when the graduation rate was 84.9 percent. Or maybe it was higher. Or even lower. It’s hard to tell, given all that redaction and the lack of other stuff. So, either let’s panic or celebrate or do nothing! That basically encapsulates the way most Oklahomans react to public school anyway.

Dallas drinkers

Readers of The Dallas Morning News recently saw a story about “5 fabulous bars in Oklahoma City” and they gave a shout-out to some of our favorite watering holes. But as much as we love the Plaza District and Midtown, it appears that the writer was only able to write about places within walking distance of his hotel. Poor guy! So here are a few we’d like to submit in case Dallas folks need a little more help finding booze:

>> Best Place to Get Blasted On Moonshine: Hillbilly Po-Boys & Oysters >> Best Place to See People Tall Enough That They Might Be Basketball Players But It’s Too Dark to Be Sure: WSKY Lounge >> Best Place to Pick Up Your Friend’s Newly Single Mom or Dad: Applebee’s >> Best Place for A Drink After Buying Fresh Produce At Urban Agrarian: Power House >> Worst Place to Be When People Figure Out You’re From Dallas: The Garage Burgers & Beer in Norman See also: This issue’s roundup of Oklahoma Gazette Gazette’s Best of OKC awards. You’re welcome.

Pesky kids

Retired Oklahoma City firefighter and Army veteran Philo Gravitt was robbed and dragged beneath a getaway truck as three suspects fled, and he’s not even that mad about it.

Gravitt was walking his dogs after church recently when three teens approached him to ask if he could spare a few bucks for gas, News9. com reported. When he took out his wallet to help them, a male allegedly snatched it and took off in his truck, dragging and running over Gravitt in the process. Gravitt appears to be an exceedingly gracious and forgiving target, as he told KOCO.com that he “prayed God would show them mercy” because “he’s shown [him] mercy in [his] lifetime, and [he] ask[ed] him to do the same thing for them.” Now, that’s a generous act if we’ve ever seen one.

Mobile mansion

Shots were fired in the Great Oklahoma RV Debate of 2015, and while it got pretty ugly, all’s well that

ends well. The state has been in an uproar since it discovered that 28-year-old Christina Fallin, daughter of Gov. Mary Fallin, had been living in an RV on the grounds of the governor’s mansion since April. Many outraged citizens said Christina’s RV violated city code. Helicopters hovered overhead to confirm the trailer’s location. KFOR.com reported that city code stated that “travel trailers cannot be used as a dwelling for more than 14 days in any calendar year” but Christina’s RV didn’t violate any city codes since the governor’s mansion is on state property. Others upset by the situation claimed Christina and the governor didn’t care about codes, Christina was receiving special treatment and this incident was yet another example of how she’s spoiled. The #hipsterbooboo hashtag even made a brief comeback.

(Thanks, Lost Ogle!) Gov. Fallin defended Christina, saying it isn’t unusual for children of the governor to reside in the mansion, but former Gov. Frank Keating told KFOR.com that his children did not live there as “working adults.” Lo and behold, the manse is considered part of a Capitol medical center zoning area, so the temporary dwelling had to go. And so it went. “It never dawned on me that a mansion — a governor’s mansion — might be on a Capital medical zone,” Fallin said in a live interview on NewsChannel 4. “So, we’re gonna remove the trailer … and she’s going to make other living arrangements.” Since this “scandal” occurred around the same time Christina’s art gallery, Sloan Installation Gallery, closed and she separated from boyfriend and Pink Pony bandmate Steven Battles, we might be inclined to say that maybe this was all just a case of a girl down on her luck. But what do we know? We live in our mother’s basement.

Hot lunch

We have good news and we have bad news for all you food truck lovers. The good news is Midwest City has decided to get rid of a silly code that prevented the businesses from operating within its limits, KOCO.com recently reported. They are now liberated to roll freely about areas zoned for business and industrial uses. Yay! The bad news is NewsOK.com reported that this ridiculous heat has ruined a lot of the fun for everyone. Many food truck vendors around the metro, including Oklahoma City outdoor Epcot Center of food truck cuisine, The Bleu Garten, briefly screeched to a halt when dangerously high outdoor temperatures threatened the safety of the operators, visitors and trucks and the functionality of the equipment inside of them. Vendors lost an afternoon’s worth of profits, and we all lost an afternoon’s worth of good food. After the sun went down and temperatures became tolerable, engines roared back to life and all was well in the world. Amen.

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COMMENTARY GA ZE TTE STA FF / FI L E

Would you like to play a game? BY JENNIFER CHANCELLOR

There’s an old saying: “Don’t trust anyone over 30.” Maybe you’ve heard it. Rumor has it that counterculture icons and social and anti-war activists like Jack Weinberg, Jerry Rubin and Abbie Hoffman coined the phrase in the mid-’60s. It meant, “Back off, man. You can’t tell us what to do.” That call for social change went further underground into the 1980s. As video games like Pac-Man and Street Fighter drew youth into a surreal world of new technology, many of those teens also became the first computer hackers. Groups like The 414s exposed the

establishment’s folly regarding “private” data — and the control of information — as they gained access to the Los Alamos National Laboratory and major health and banking networks. This generation grew up with the world at its fingertips. Like playing a huge game of Tetris, millennials and Gen-Xers have never been afraid to innovate, experiment, play with, break, rebuild and redefine their environment, as they’re doing now with Oklahoma City’s eclectic and diverse music, theater, culinary arts, fine arts, sports, retail districts and neighborhoods. Oklahoma Gazette is smart enough

to know the value of reader input. You, the reader, have invested your time, thought, lives and dollars to help discover the finest people, venues and districts across the metro. We believe, too, that your participation in Best of OKC over the past 31 years is why it’s still so successful today. (Hey, baby boomers! There’s an important seat here for you, too! And you, too, Generation Z.) This city wouldn’t be as awesome without all of you in it. Best of OKC has become the default password that lets the rest of the city gain access to the unique and wonderful cultural, culinary and creative development

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

happening right now. This year’s contest includes more categories than ever, spanning from Best Free Entertainment, Best Art Gallery, Best Local District and Best Place to Geek Out to Best Community Leader, Best Place to Volunteer and even Best Place to Meet a Hipster. Hundreds of thousands of votes were dropped in this year’s coin slot as readers told us their favorites in 124 categories. This issue showcases 2015’s highest scorers and best players. It represents your voice, your community and the best of what’s in it. Thank you for playing. Jennifer Chancellor is editor-in-chief of Oklahoma Gazette.

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

True faith

In his letter, Michael Moberly turns the Ten Commandment debate into a condemnation of homosexuals and implies that God will no longer bless America because of actions like removing the monument from the capital grounds (Commentary, Letters to the Editor, “Heathen rage,” July 22, Oklahoma Gazette). Moberly spews the nonsensical “homosexuals … get special treatment for their unnatural sexual practices and call it marriage …” as an example why the monument’s placement on state grounds should not be considered an “affront to equality.” This is a classic example in debate where the two cases are unrelated. Whatever your stance on marriage equality, the recent decision by the Supreme Court has absolutely nothing to do with the debate on the Ten Commandments monument in Oklahoma.

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To you, it seems obvious these “reasonable and orderly commands” should remain as we can all agree to them. I wonder if you have actually read them or the story form, which show up in the Bible for context. There are actually 613 commandments dictated by the Lord through Moses. Among them are rules against eating pork or shellfish, wearing clothing made of artificial materials and all the regulations one needs when sacrificing a ram. This argument that these commandments — all 613 or the first 10 — are the basis for American principles and even laws is ridiculous. Only two of the 10 are actually laws. I can want my neighbor’s car and house (and slaves because it’s okay to have slaves but not to covet your neighbor’s) all I want; only stealing them is against the actual law. As a society, our laws are guidelines to which we collectively agree. We have no need for a monument to the first time those in our lineage decided to write them down. However, I want to respond more to the assertion that doing so does not benefit a particular religion. This is the very core of why it has been decided to take down the monument. On that so holy list, we have honor your parents, don’t use the lord’s name in vain, don’t steal, don’t murder, remember the holy day and the aforementioned don’t covet commands, but at the very top of the list

are the ones that disturb me as an atheist and should bother any believer in a nonChristian religion even more. Those state that the God who dictated these commandments is the one and only true god and nobody can make an object of worship (graven image) of any other god. This is the purpose of Moses bringing down the tablets from the mountain, and this is the purpose of displaying them anywhere: to declare the Judeo-Christian god as the only god and make it against the law to worship another. The capitol is public ground, meaning all Oklahomans own the area. Memorializing these commands is not only offensive to those who do not share the beliefs; it is wrong. In 2015, society no longer has this need. Basics like murder and stealing are obvious, and even the most religious among us cherry-pick the rules they want to follow and throw aside the ones that are no longer necessary.

If your God truly is fair, merciful and gracious, he will understand that placing a higher value on one group’s beliefs than another’s is wrong. I wish you and people like you could see that. Trust me; you’ll still get to heaven. — Dustin Waltes Oklahoma City Corrections

>> In the July 29 cover story “Semipermanent” (Life, Greg Elwell, Gazette), we misidentified the artist who tattooed an Australian customer as Think Ink owner Joshua Crain. The artist was former employee David Bruehl. >> In the article “Helpful pioneers” (Life, Mark Beutler, Aug. 5, Gazette), we misidentified the event organizer in an info box. RED Rooftop is an event of AIDS Walk of OKC, not OK AIDS Care Fund. The website is aidswalkokc. org and phone number is 673-3786.

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okg picks are events

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

BOOKS Signing with Leonard Hansen, if sheep hunting was the popular children’s franchise Pokémon, Leonard Hansen would be Ash Ketchum; Hansen has documented his quest to bring home the Dall, Rocky Mountain, Stone and Desert species of rams in his new book, The Great Wild Sheep Adventure, a quest at which he succeeded and thus earned his place as a Pokémaster, or rather, earned the Grand Slam of North American Sheep Hunting, 6:30 p.m., Aug. 20. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. THU

Talk with Sonia Gensler, Gensler talks to young readers about the experience of writing her newest book, Ghostlight, an atmospheric ghost story for ages 10 and up; according to 12-year-old Avery, nothing ever happens on her grandmother’s farm, where she and her brother spend the summers, that is, until Avery meets Julian, a city boy with a famous dad whose family is renting a nearby cottage, noon, Aug. 22. Best of Books, 1313 E Danforth Road, Edmond, 3409202, bestofbooksok.com. SAT Settlers or Colonizers?: A Postcolonial View of Silko’s Ceremony, part of the University of Central Oklahoma’s Passport to Native America Wednesday Noon Lecture Series; a short talk on the work of Laguna Pueblo writer Leslie Marmon Silko and its impact on the literary world, noon, Aug. 26. ROOM 226, Max Chamber Library, University of Central Oklahoma, 100 N University Drive, Edmond. WED

FILM Guardians of the Galaxy, (2014, US, dir. James Gunn) cheer on a bunch of a-holes led by unlikely hero Starlord as they try to save the universe from an evil super villain and keep an orb of unknown power out of the wrong hands; Chris Pratt’s dancing appropriate for all ages, 9 p.m., Aug. 19. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W Reno Ave., 445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/events. WED Horse Money, (2014, Portugal, dir. Pedro Costa) Ventura is lost in an abstract and indeterminate space that blends Portugal’s revolutionary past and its stark present, memory and grim social reality, 8 p.m., Aug. 20. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 236-3100, okcmoa.com. THU

p rovi ded

Nothing Daunted Women’s Book Club, this week the book club will be discussing Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James, a murder mystery set six years after the events in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. 7 p.m., Aug. 20. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. THU

Cookies & Cocktails If you’re crazy for Girl Scout cookies, don’t miss this special event featuring craft beer and appetizers and desserts made with the celebrated confections. Also, enjoy live music from Hosty Uno 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at DC on Film Row, 609 W. Sheridan Ave. Entry is $30, and proceeds support the Girl Scout Gold Award scholarship fund. Guests must be at least 21 years old to participate. Visit gswestok.org or call 528-4475.

Thursday William F. Buckley, Jr. and Gore Vidal, 5:30 & 8 p.m., Aug. 21 & 22, 2 p.m. & 5:30 p.m., Aug. 23. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 236-3100, okcmoa.com. FRI-SUN

and beauty services in a clean and calming environment, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Aug. 20. Longevity Medical Spa, 3110 SW 89th St. Suite 101, 703-4990, http://longevityok.com/. THU

The Visitor, (1979, US, dir. Giulio Paradisi) this science fiction horror film depicts a tale of good and evil and aliens and monsters and space weapons and Christianity, and there is not really much more to say; a young and vaguely telekinetic girl’s soul hangs in the balance in this Bible-meets-Barbarella cult masterpiece, 7 p.m. & 9:00 p.m., Aug. 22. The Paramount, 701 W Sheridan Ave., 517-0787, theparamountokc.com. SAT

Snow Day: Back to School White Out Party, beat the heat and the back to school blues at this 18+ indoor snow party complete with music and an industrial snow machine; allwhite attire is encouraged, because it looks cool, camouflage, and snow probable does not stain, 9 p.m., Aug. 20. OKC Farmer’s Market, 311 S Klein Ave. THU

Only God Forgives, (2013, France, dir. Nicolas Winding Refn) a violent and disturbing gang drama starring Ryan Gosling as Julian, a well-respected drug lord and boxing club manager in Bangkok, Thailand who goes on a mission of vengeance in the name of brotherhood, 7 p.m. & 8:45 p.m., Aug. 21. The Paramount, 701 W Sheridan Ave., 517-0787, theparamountokc.com. FRI

HAPPENINGS

Best of Enemies, (2015, US, dir. Robert Gordon and Morgan Neville) part of OKC MOA’s Summer of Documentaries, this film follows the legendary 1968 televised debates between

Longevity’s Sip & Social, come down to Longevity Medical Spa to enjoy wine and food tastings, local business showcases, and a free skin analysis; Longevity offers a full range of health

Premiere on Film Row, a family-friendly event on the third Friday of each month, featuring film screenings, live music, art exhibitions and gourmet food trucks; 7-10 p.m., Aug. 21. Film Row, 700 W Sheridan Ave., filmrowokc.com. FRI

Local Vendor Fair, Whole Foods brings you Third Thursdays once again this month, with local vendors galore so you can shop responsibly, 1 p.m., Aug. 20. Whole Foods Market, 6001 N Western Ave., 879-3500, wholefoodsmarket.com. THU

Through the Eyes of the Lynx: Galileo, Natural History and the Americas, The Academy of the Lynx was one of the worldís earliest scientific societies, whose star pupil happened to be Renaissance artist and scientist (among other vocations) Galileo Galilei; this exhibit celebrates the contributions of Galileo and the Academy of the Lynx in the areas of natural science and history. Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 325-4712, snomnh.ou.edu.

minecraft Challenge

provided

Gamers who love the creative world of Minecraft should get ready for Minecraft Challenge 4-5 p.m. Thursday at Belle Isle Library, 5501 N. Villa Ave. Use Xboxes to play in survival mode and compete for prizes while enhancing problem solving and engineering skills. This event is free. Visit metrolibrary.org or call 843-9601.

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Thursday

m a rk ha n coc k / fi l e

Oklahoma Born & Brewed Join Oklahoma Born & Brewed for a night of locally brewed revelry 7-11 p.m. Friday on the second and fourth floors of Gaylord-Pickens Museum, 1400 Classen Drive. Benefitting the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and Oklahoma Craft Brewers Guild, the event showcases craft beer makers such as Anthem Brewing Company, (405) Brewing Co. and Bricktown Brewery. Tickets are $65 and must be purchased in advance via oklahomahof.com or by calling 523-3207.

LIKE US!

Best Sushi Best Japanese

Best Japanese

Friday The Drumbeat Festival, come enjoy a free festival for a cause; the Drumbeat Festival is dedicated to ending violence in Oklahoma City and showcasing talent and diversity in the form of live dance and music performances, food, art, crafts, and much more, Aug. 22. Langston University, Oklahoma City Campus, 4205 N Lincoln Blvd., 962-1620, langston.edu. SAT Lifesquire Q&A, if you have unanswered questions about how to get organized, Lifesquire has the info you need and even has answers to questions you never thought to ask; Lifesquire’s personal assistants are experts on organization and can help tackle even the most cluttered of spaces, and they will be on hand to answer your questions free, noon, Aug. 22. West Elm, 6150 NW Grand Blvd, 879-3314, lifesquire.com. SAT Good News Festival, Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association bring the good news of Christ to Oklahoma City; no tickets are required, seating is first come, first served, 7 P.M., Aug. 22, 4 p.m., Aug. 23. Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W Reno Ave., 602-8700, chesapeakearena.com. SAT Jim Thorpe Courage Award Gala, enjoy an evening of dancing, dining, and donation with INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation as it presents Courage Awards to individuals who display bravery throughout their journey toward rehabilitation, 6 p.m., Aug. 22. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. SAT

Best place to pick up your Gazette Best Chef

Kurt Fleischfresser

Miss Teen OKC/Tulsa, enjoy the glitz and glamour as local teens compete for the crown, prestige and scholarships, 4 p.m., Aug. 23. Rose State College, 6420 SE 15th St., Midwest City, 733-7673, rose.edu. SUN Passport to Native America’s Opening Ceremony, join UCO in celebration of the 12th anniversary of its Passport Program, which encourages student members to investigate and explore the culture of a different country or region each year; in conjunction with UCO’s 125th anniversary, the Passport Program looks at Native America, 1 p.m., Aug. 24. Heritage Room, Nigh University Center, University of Central Oklahoma, 100 N University Drive, Edmond, 974-2000, uco.edu. MON

Sushi Neko • Musashi’s Best Western Avenue District Restaurant

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Mock the Vote Popular political satire group Capitol Steps performs 8 p.m. Saturday at Oklahoma Community College’s Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater, 7777 N. May Ave. Most of the Capitol Steps cast has actually worked on Capitol Hill, and it has plenty of satire fodder to work with. No matter where you land on the spectrum, this perfect mix of musical and political comedy will have you in tears … in a good way. Tickets are $35-$45, and the show is appropriate for early teens and up. Visit tickets.occc.edu or call 682-7579.

Saturday WATERS EDGE WINERY 1ST YEAR ANNIVERSARY SOIREE

Mr. Rococo, Killer East Coast Cuisine The Lee Rucker Trio, Live Jazz Casino, Vintage Cars & Vino $65 SINGLE $120 DUO | $75 DOOR TICKETS VIA EVENTBRITE:

Vino Casino Royale at Waters Edge Winery

Wine, Women & Shoes, the event name says it all: they’ll bring the wine and shoes, provided the women bring themselves; this evening of wine and fashion benefits Impact Oklahoma, a community of women funding local charitable organizations in the areas of family, health and wellness, community, education and culture, 5 p.m., Aug. 25. Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club, 7000 NW Grand Blvd., Nichols Hills. TUE

FOOD Fiesta Friday, an evening with music, food, beer, dancing, games and a bit of Capitol Hill history, 6-10 p.m., Aug. 21. Calle Dos Cinco, 319 SW 25th St., historiccapitolhill.com. FRI Weekly Farmers Market, shop goods from local produce, bakers and artisans, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., Aug. 22. Farmers Public Market, 311 S Klein Ave., 232-6506, okcfarmersmarket.com. SAT

Drop-In Art, this week’s Drop-In Art will have you getting abstract with packing materials; cardboard can be layered, stacked, cut, glued, and anything else your artistic little mind can fathom in order to make abstract cardboard sculptures, 1 p.m., Aug. 22. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 236-3100, okcmoa.com. SAT Weekend Keeper Connections, from anemones to zebras, learn about your favorite Zoo animals from the people entrusted to care for them; connect with wildlife while hearing how the Zoo strives to preserve natural resources, and what you can do to help. Oklahoma City Zoo, 2000 Remington Pl., 424-3344, okczoo.com. SAT & SUN Little Big Chefs, every Sunday, join Uptown Grocery for a cooking class fun for the whole family; this week it makes waffles, and you can too, 2 p.m. & 3:30 p.m., Aug. 23. Uptown Grocery Co., 1230 W Covell Road, Edmond, 5092700, uptowngroceryco.com. SUN

Saturday Cooking Class, join the Gourmet Grille and Buy For Less to learn to make herbed leek gratin (extra credit homework: say ‘herbed leek gratin’ five times fast), a delicious and cheesy vegetable casserole coated with breadcrumbs, 1 p.m., Aug. 22. Buy For Less, 3501 Northwest Expressway, 946-6342, buyforlessok.com. SAT

PERFORMING ARTS

YOUTH Summer Bash, end of summer bash with live music, a bounce house, ice cream, games, a raffle, and more; free admission, 7 p.m., Aug. 21. Douglas Boulevard United Methodist Church, 208 S Douglas Blvd., Midwest City. FRI

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Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body, exhibit based on the bestselling book by Sylvia Branzei; lets visitors see the good, bad, and ugly facts about the human body. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2100 NE 52nd St., 6026664, sciencemuseumok.org.

Uptown Grocery Cooking Class, join Uptown Grocery for a cooking class with a different dish every week, with this week’s dish being stuffed pork chops; what they are stuffed with, nobody knows, so you should probably sign up to find out, 10 a.m., Aug. 22. Uptown Grocery Co., 1230 W Covell Road, Edmond, 509-2700, uptowngroceryco.com. SAT

Paleo on the Patio, eat like a caveman, feel like a superman; discover the eating craze everyone is talking about, from soccer moms to athletes to physicians, and get your body back to basics by learning how you can eliminate processed foods and look and feel better and live longer, probably, 6 p.m., Aug. 26. Whole Foods Market, 6001 N Western Ave., 879-3500, wholefoodsmarket.com. WED

712 N BROADWAY | 405.232.WINE (9463) | WEWOKC.COM WED 11AM-7PM | THURS-SAT 11AM-11PM | SUN 1PM-7PM

22. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd. SAT

Clay Creatures, Oklahoma Contemporary’s Saturday art classes combine learning and creating in interactive ways; this week, kids ages 5-9 can learn about the art of Holly Wilson and create clay animals of their own, 10 a.m., Aug.

Steve Kramer, see the man who has been doing impressions and impersonations (and getting in trouble for them) since elementary school; on top of his comedic talents, Kramer also taught himself to play guitar so he could introduce a musical element to his act and fashion himself as a Renaissance man of comedy, 8 p.m., Aug. 19-22, 10:30 p.m., Aug. 21 & 22. Loony Bin Comedy Club, 8503 N Rockwell Ave., 239-4242, loonybincomedy.com. WED - SAT Whodunit Dinner Theater: Win, Lose or DIE, Oklahoma’s longest running dinner theater presents: Win, Lose or DIE, a comedy murder mystery featuring a handful of hilarious characters, each with more motive than the last, 6 p.m., Aug. 21. Whodunit Dinner Theater, 11736 SW 3rd St., Yukon, 420-3222, whodunit.net. FRI Argus Hamilton, come enjoy dinner and an evening of authentically Oklahoman comedy legends starring Dr. K, Stan Silliman, Brett James, and Argus Hamilton; warning: enjoying food and laughter simultaneously may cause choking hazard and caution is advised, 7:30 p.m., Aug. 21. Will Rogers Theater, 4322 N Western Ave. FRI

Powerful Words, join Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Lauren Zuniga, Richard Ray Whitman and experimental musician Sun Riah for an evening of words and music, of food for the body and for the soul, in support of the Oklahoma Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), 6:30 p.m., Aug. 21. Guildhaul, 3010 NW 23rd. FRI Rickey Shaw Presents: Open MIC, watch brave comedians, singers, performers, and poets fight to the death for your attention, affection, and the number one prize of one hundred dollars cash; sign up begins at 9:30, 10:30 p.m. show, Aug. 21. Kangs Asian Bistro, 6600 Olie Street. FRI Adrianne Chalepah, join UCO for an evening with Native lady comic Adrianne Chalepah, from Anadarko, Oklahoma, who has trekked her way across North America and even opened for Michelle Obama, 7:30 p.m., Aug. 24. Constitution Hall, Nigh University Center, University of Central Oklahoma, 100 N University Drive, Edmond. MON

ACTIVE OKC Dodgers vs. Reno Aces, come out and support your OKC Dodgers as they try to beat the opposite team at America’s pastime and also beat the heat; enjoy beer, hot dogs, and maybe even catch a foul ball, 7 p.m., Aug. 19-22. Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S Mickey Mantle Drive, 218-1000, milb.com. WED-SAT Sunset Rooftop Yoga, enjoy Yoga Flow every Thursday evening at sunset on the Caliber Building’s rooftop; class is accompanied by live music, 7-8 p.m., Aug. 20. Balance. Yoga. Barre., 911 N Broadway Ave., 620-6807, balanceyogabarre.com. THU Access Medical Open House, parents of student athletes are in luck this Friday and Saturday, because Access Medical Centers holds a two-day open house with free backpacks and sports physicals, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Aug. 20 & 21. Access Medical Centers, various locations. 855-898-6639, amc. nextcare.com. THU-FRI One Healthy Bod Fitness Expo, if you’re a muscled American, a self-described health nut, or just a person who is interested in getting your body into any shape that isn’t bread dough, then come on down to this daylong fitness expo, complete with physical competitions, sports and health vendors, an auto show, and appearances by the Thunder Girls, 5:30 a.m., Aug. 22. Cox Convention Center, 1 Myriad Gardens, 602-8500, coxconventioncenter.com. SAT

VISUAL ARTS

! e u q i t u o b

A World Unconquered: The Art of Oscar Brousse Jacobson, exhibit celebrating Oscar Brousse Jacobson featuring over 50 of his pieces and insight into the role he played in visual arts in the region. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 325-3272, ou.edu/fjjma. Art Gone Wild, if Dorothy Gale were around to view this exhibition, she would probably have a few animal-themed exclamations in response; come check out this awesome jungle of art and have yourself a wild time, Aug. 7-31. AKA Gallery, 3001 Paseo St., 606-2522, akagallery.net.

Sizes from little girls up to women’s 3XL accessories, hats, jewelry and Harry Barker (for your dogs)

Fabergé: Jeweler to the Tsars, exhibit featuring more than 230 rare and storied treasures created by the House of Faberge; showcasing Peter Carl Faberge’s fine craftsmanship in pieces of jewelry and adornments once belonging to the Russian Imperial family. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 236-3100, okcmoa.com. Gallery Talk: Posed & Composed, this talk encompasses 12 portraits by 11 American artists who, despite varying experiences and practicing at a time when abstract and impressionistic works were in vogue, have stayed true to the female form, noon, Aug. 19. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 236-3100, okcmoa.com. WED

9621 N. MAY AVE. - OKC 430-7915 | TUES-FRI 10-6, SAT 10-5

Jim Keffer/Robert Peterson/Michael Hatcher, three unique and talented painters come together for a one-ofa-kind viewing experience this month. JRB Art at The Elms, 2810 N Walker Ave., 528-6336, jrbartgallery.com. Once Upon a Prairie/Journeys, these two displays explore internal and external journeys: Burian uses watercolors and mixed media to explore the excitement and sadness of open spaces forgotten by time, while Lawrence presents her inner journeys through ink and photography. Contemporary Art Gallery, 2928 Paseo St., 601-7474, contemporaryartgalleryokc.com. The Bite, join UCO’s student-run Clocktower Design Studio for a collection of letterpressed works exhibiting for one night only and experience how art can both influence and be influenced by social change, all through the magic of the letterpress, 5 p.m., Aug. 21. Letterpress Lab, 1020 Waterwood Parkway, Edmond. SAT The Interpretation of an Enigma, AK Westerman’s art is otherworldly: technically, Westerman manipulates acrylics to behave with the luminosity of oils and the soft dreaminess of watercolors; visually, her work is a juxtaposition of the bright and fantastical against the mysterious and grotesque. The Project Box, 3003 Paseo St., 609-3969, theprojectboxokc.com. The Print as Fine Art, one thinks of etchings and lithographs as sought-after artwork; the artist creates the printing plate and usually handles the actual printing, and several prints of a limited amount are created before the plate is destroyed; this exhibit will be showing these kinds of fine art original prints that stand alone as a print or become a part of a mixed media work. Jann Jeffrey Gallery, 3018 Paseo St., 607-0406.

provided

21st Annual Art Show at INTEGRIS Cancer Institute, artists of all ages wishing to express how their lives have been affected by cancer have their work on display; the exhibit is open to all forms of art such as fiber, oil, watercolor, mixed media, photography, pottery, sculpture, writing, or poetry. Integris Cancer Institute, 5911 W Memorial Road.

t s e w e n s ’ C K O

Beverly Hills Cop Every Tuesday night, Harkins Bricktown Cinemas 16 goes back in time with a classic hit. Coming up next is 1984 hit Beverly Hills Cop at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the theater, 150 E. Reno Ave. For $5, movie lovers can experience this Eddie Murphy-led action-comedy film on for okg the big screen. Visit harkinstheatres.com or call 231-4747.

music picks

Tuesday, ongoing

see page 71

O k l a h O m a G a z e t t e | au g u s t 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 | 1 7

BY GREG ELWELL, BRITTANY PICKERING, JENNIFER CHANCELLOR, KORY B. OSWALD, TAYLOR DUANE AND KALEY PATTERSON PHOTOS BY MARK HANCOCK, GARETT FISBECK, KEATON DRAPER AND GAZETTE STAFF

his Best of OKC issue is our gaming sandbox, and it’s time to roam. This year, we added almost 40 new categories related to local music and entertainment, family, drinking, views, craft beers, arts, eateries and up-and-coming districts. Indeed, this is the most expansive Best of OKC contest we can remember. (But, hey, we drink a lot sometimes.) This time, no vidiot will sweep in behind you to usurp your high score. Why? Because you’re a winner. And so is Oklahoma City.

Readers cast more than 600,000 votes in this year’s contest, and these 124 winners earned each one of ’em. This is no role-playing dungeon crawler game, unless that’s your code phrase for “dive bar.” If it is, we have the best one right here in front of you. (And it just might be named Edna’s.) We present to you Best of OKC, the expansive collection of your favorite people, food and social gathering spots across the city. And we’re saying this so you don’t have to: It’s on like Donkey Kong. >>>

SPONSORED BY

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Best Radio Personality or Team Jack and Ron, 98.9 KISS FM, KYIS Best Person to Follow on Social Media The Lost Ogle Best Local Website or Blog The Lost Ogle, thelostogle.com Best Local Living Author S.E. Hinton Best Big-Time Oklahoma Singer/ Songwriter Garth Brooks Best Local Singer/Songwriter (Not National) Graham Colton Best Community Leader Kevin Durant Best Chef Bruce Rinehart, Rococo Best Wait Staff Ted’s Cafe Escondido Best Bar Team Louie’s Grill & Bar lakeside Best Waiter or Waitress (And Their Restaurant) Renee Hilton, The Boom Best Bartender (And Their Bar) Shannon Barrow, Flip’s Wine Bar and Trattoria Best Business Owner (And Their Business) Keith and Heather Paul, A Good Egg Dining Group Best Local Band My So Called Band Best DJ Katie Wicks Best Performing Arts Group (ex. Theater Company, Dance Company, Orchestral Groups) Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma Best Weather Team KWTV News 9 Best 5k or 10k Race Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Best Local Annual Event or Festival Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts Best Charity Event Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

Best Local Homebuilder Richardson Homes

Best Family In-State Staycation The Oklahoma City Zoo

Best Place to Pick Up Your Gazette Jimmy’s Egg

Best Local Contractor/Handyman Tommy Poole

Best Local District Bricktown Districtt

Best Pub Quiz/ Trivia Night The Garage Burgers & Beer

Best LGBT Event Oklahoma Pride Festival & Parade

Best Adult Entertainment Establishment The Boom

Places

Best New Retail Establishment To Open After 6/1/14 The Factory

Best Place to Volunteer Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Best Free Entertainment H&8th Night Market Best Live Music Club University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Lab Best Concert Venue Chesapeake Energy Arena Best Dance Club Groovy’s

Best Nonprofit Central Oklahoma Humane Society Best Vapor Shop OKC Vapes Best Place to Meet a Hipster Plaza District Best Place to Buy a New Vehicle Bob Moore Auto Group Best Place to Buy a Used Vehicle Bob Moore Auto Group

Best Karaoke Bar Nancy’s 57th Street Lighthouse

Best Place to Buy Workout Gear Red Coyote Running and Fitness

Best Art Gallery Individual Artists of Oklahoma (IAO) Gallery

Best Place to See or be Seen OKC Thunder game

Best Museum Oklahoma City Museum of Art

Best Place to Spend Adult Time That Is Kid-Friendly OKC Thunder game

Best Fine Jewelry BC Clark Jewelers

Best Place to Get Needled 23rd Street Body Piercing Best Place to Make the Most Out of Your Game Room or Pad Hobby Lobby Best Place to Work Up a Sweat Bert Cooper Trails Best LGBT Bar or Club The Boom Best Pre-Game or Pre-Concert Spot Bricktown Brewery Best Post-Game or Post-Concert Spot Fassler Hall Best Rooftop (Bar or Restaurant) Rooftop at Oklahoma City Museum of Art Best Boutique of Local Oddities Blue Seven

FOOD AND DRINK

Food & Drink

Best Pizza Place Hideaway Pizza Best Steakhouse Cattlemen’s Steakhouse Best Sushi Sushi Neko Best Vegetarian, Glute-Free or Healthy Menu Options Coolgreens

Best Food Truck or Food Cart Big Truck Tacos

Best (National or Regional) Restaurant You Wish Was Locally Owned* Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar Best Seafood Restaurant Pearl’s Restaurant Group Best Dessert Restaurant, Shop or Bakery Pie Junkie Best Mexican Restaurant Ted’s Cafe Escondido Best Latin Restaurant Cafe do Brasil Best Italian Restaurant Flip’s Wine Bar & Trattoria Best Western European Restaurant, Not Italian (Danish, English, French, German, Irish, Scottish, Spanish, etc.) Ingrid’s Kitchen

Best Men’s Clothier Blue Seven

Best Local Winery Urban Wineworks

Best Women’s Clothing Boutique Blue Seven

Best Pet-Friendly Patio The Bleu Garten

Best Place to Find the Perfect Gift On a Whim

Best Place to Treat Your Pet (ex. Supplies, Vet, Park) Barking Dog Bakery

Best Cocktail (and the Restaurant/ Bar That Serves It) Lunchbox at Edna’s

Best Place to Get a Home or Auto Loan Tinker Federal Credit Union

Best Breakfast Jimmy’s Egg

Best Chinese Restaurant Dot Wo Garden

Best Weekend Brunch Ingrid’s Kitchen

Best Thai Restaurant Thai House Restaurant

Best Lunch Spot The Mule

Best Vietnamese Restaurant Pho Lein Hoa

Best Place for Continuing Education University of Oklahoma Best Place to Get Cosmetic Surgery Dr. Tim R. Love, M.D. Best Place to Get an Aesthetic Update Dr. Tim R. Love, M.D.

Best Place to Celebrate an Anniversary or Birthday Cheever’s Cafe

Best Bicycle Shop Al’s Bicycles

Best Casino Riverwind Casino

Best (National or Regional) Retail Establishment You Wish Was Locally Owned* Target

Best Place to Geek Out Science Museum Oklahoma

Best Hamburgers S&B’s Burger Joint Best Sandwich Shop The Mule Best Barbecue Restaurant Iron Star Urban Barbeque

Best New Bar to Open Since 6/1/14 The Pump Bar

Best Liquor Store Byron’s Liquor Warehouse

Best Place to Pay It Forward Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

Best Beer Selection TapWerks Ale House

Best Upscale Bar Republic Gastropub

Best Diner Jimmy’s Egg

Best Coffee or Tea House Cuppies & Joe

Best Local Craft Beer COOP Ale Works

Best Dive Bar Edna’s

Best Patio Dining The Bleu Garden

Best Place to Take a ‘Selfie’ OKC Thunder game

Best Vintage, Thrift or Resale Store Bad Granny’s Bazaar

Best Neighborhood Pub James E. McNellie’s Public House

Best Mediterranean Restaurant Zorba’s Mediterranean Cuisine & Bar Best Indian Restaurant Taj Cuisine of India Best Japanese Restaurant Musashi’s

Best Pho Restaurant Pho Lein Hoa

Best Uptown 23rd District Restaurant Cheever’s Cafe Best Plaza District Restaurant The Mule Best Paseo Arts District Restaurant Paseo Grill Best Asian District Restaurant Grand House Asian Bistro Best Automobile Alley District Restaurant Hideaway Pizza Best Bricktown District Restaurant KD’s Southern Cuisine Best Classen Curve District Restaurant Republic Gastropub Best Deep Deuce District Restaurant The Wedge Pizzeria Best Midtown District Restaurant Waffle Champion Best Stockyards City District Restaurant Cattlemen’s Steakhouse Best Western Avenue District Restaurant The Wedge Pizzeria Best Downtown Restaurant (Includes Arts District, Film Row District, and Farmers Market District) Kitchen No. 324 Best Local Restaurant to Order To-Go Big Truck Tacos Best Local Restaurant That Delivers Sauced on Paseo

Best New Restaurant to Open Since 6/1/14 Pizzeria Gusto Best Fine Dining Establishment Cheever’s Cafe O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | AU G U S T 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 | 1 9

THE LOST OGLE

JACK & RON

KEVIN DURANT

GRAHAM COLTON

THE LOST OGLE GARTH BROOKS

BEST RADIO PERSONALITY OR TEAM

JACK AND RON 98.9 KISS FM, KYIS

For more than 20 years, Jack Elliott and Ron Williams have taken over the radio waves of Oklahoma City while also winning the Best of OKC Gazette title for half of their KYIS careers. Oklahoma City’s two favorite smart alecks wake up their weekday listeners with tunes from today’s hits as well as segments like Too Tough Trivia, Fact or Crap and Asinine Trivia and features such as Ask Jack and Ron Emails and News of the I’ll Be Damned. OKC loves to start its workdays with Jack and Ron. 2. Joey and Heather WILD 104.9, KKWD 3. Rick and Brad ROCK 100.5, The KATT Worth mentioning: Scott Mitchell, Talk 1520, KOKC; TJ, Janet and J-Rod, 102.7 KJ103, KYJO

BEST PERSON TO FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA

THE LOST OGLE It’s hard to filter through news that matters and news that doesn’t. The Lost Ogle might not make that any easier, but it keeps Oklahomans updated regardless. TLO reports on all things somewhat newsworthy, irreverent, satirical and just plain humorous. Since 2007, TLO has blogged, tweeted, Facebooked and reported on other

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social media platforms about topics ranging from Gov. Mary Fallin and her daughter (#hipsterbooboo) to a white rapper from Lawton singing about his shorts and boots. Our readers definitely agree that it’s the best site to follow on social media. 2. Kevin Durant 3. Aaron Tuttle Worth mentioning: Russell Westbrook, Steve Lackmeyer

BEST LOCAL WEBSITE OR BLOG

THE LOST OGLE thelostogle.com

This independent information site discusses some of the important, not-so-important and questionable things about Oklahoma. The Lost Ogle content is written with a satirical voice that has readers laughing and relating to most of its posts. As of 2007, Oklahomans have visited The Lost Ogle site to read about how their state is just OK. With shares on multiple social media platforms, posts from The Lost Ogle travel faster than the latest gossip in a small town in Kiowa County. 2. Keep It Local OK keepitlocalok.com 3. Daily Thunder dailythunder.com Worth mentioning: OKC Talk, okctalk.com; Oklahoma City Moms Blog, oklahomacity.citymomsblog.com

BEST LOCAL LIVING AUTHOR

S.E. HINTON Best known for her moving tale of two socially divided groups in The Outsiders, Susan Eloise Hinton changed

S.E. HINTON

the world of young adult literature. Hinton wrote that novel, her first, when she was 15, and it was published in 1967. Her instant fame caused her to be known as The Voice of the Youth, and her writing still influences young adults today. Hinton resides in Tulsa with her husband David while their son Nick is away at college. 2. Steve Lackmeyer 3. Blake Bailey Worth mentioning: Bob Burke, P.C. Cast

BEST BIG-TIME OKLAHOMA SINGER/SONGWRITER

GARTH BROOKS Born in Tulsa and raised in Yukon, Garth Brooks has been around in more ways than one. While he has climbed to the top of multiple charts and set numerous records for album and concert ticket sales, he has never forgotten his roots. In fact, he credits his Oklahoma upbringing for everything. (In 2003, he released a boxed set titled Blame It All On My Roots.) His music can be heard from local dance halls to high school football games and just about everywhere else in the state. In January, 53-year-old Brooks performed six consecutive concerts at BOK Center in Tulsa, selling more than 105,000 tickets. He has seven shows slated for Dallas in September. The man is a machine! 2. Blake Shelton 3. Carrie Underwood Worth mentioning: Reba McEntire, Toby Keith

BEST LOCAL SINGER/ SONGWRITER (NOT NATIONAL)

GRAHAM COLTON Originally from Oklahoma City,

Graham Colton might be the Best Local Singer/Songwriter, but he will soon top the national listing, too. On his last album, Lonely Ones, Colton decided to delve deeper into his Oklahoma roots by working with Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips. His songs have been featured on TV shows including American Idol, Pretty Little Liars and Castle. 2. Mike Hosty 3. Samantha Crain Worth mentioning: Chelsey Cope, John Moreland

BEST COMMUNITY LEADER

KEVIN DURANT When he’s not playing small forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant can be seen in the community playing basketball with children or renovating public basketball courts through his personal charity, Kevin Durant Charity Foundation. After being injured for much of last season, Durant continued to give back to his supportive fans. With Kevin Durant Charity Foundation, the globally acclaimed basketball player’s mission is to enrich the lives of at-risk youth through educational, athletic and social programs. Durant continues to be Oklahoma’s MVP. 2. Mayor Mick Cornett 3. Ed Shadid Worth mentioning: Gov. Mary Fallin, Jonathan Fowler CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

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TED’S CAFE ESCONDIDO

LOUIE’S GRILL & BAR

Just South of 4th Street on I-35 in Moore Movie Line:

( 405 ) 703-3777 • WarrenTheatres.com

BRUCE RINEHART

BEST CHEF

BRUCE RINEHART Rococo

“The Boss” of the Rococo restaurant empire has won Oklahoma City over again as its best chef. He won the title in 2009, 2013 and 2014. Rinehart brings the taste of the East Coast to Midwest America with Rococo. He is an expert at wine and food pairing and has cooked as a professional for more than 30 years. He moved to Oklahoma with the sole purpose of opening an East Coast-style restaurant we all know and love. 2. Kurt Fleischfresser 3. Ashley Nguyen, In The Raw

Worth mentioning: Jonathon Stranger; Patrick Clark II, The Red Cup

BEST WAIT STAFF

HEY OKC! WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR A GREAT YEAR AND ALL YOUR SUPPORT. WE LOVE YOU FOR REAL!

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TED’S CAFE ESCONDIDO

several metro locations

Walking into Ted’s Cafe Escondido, each customer is greeted with a friendly smile and a happy “Welcome to Ted’s.” With plenty of locations to choose from in the metro, Ted’s Cafe Escondido keeps each restaurant full of patrons, but the staff makes it worth the wait. After being seated, a server is at your table with complimentary chips, salsa

and queso before you can even think about asking for Ted’s homemade tortillas. Customers never find themselves wondering, “Where’s my waiter?” at Ted’s Cafe Escondido. 2. Cheever’s Cafe, 2409 N. Hudson Ave.

3. Hideaway Pizza, several metro locations

Worth mentioning: In The Raw, Red PrimeSteak

BEST BAR TEAM

LOUIE’S GRILL & BAR LAKESIDE 9401 Lake Hefner Parkway

If you’re looking for a lively place to drink with your buddies, have Louie’s Lakeside bar team fix you up one of its Perfect Margaritas to get your party started. Or if it is after a long day of nonstop work, go let the staff at Louie’s lakeside help you relax and enjoy the sunset over Lake Hefner. Regardless of the circumstances, the bar team at Louie’s knows how to make your beer colder, your drinks stronger and your day much better. That’s why it is Gazette readers’ choice for best bar team. 2. The Pump Bar, 2425 N. Walker Ave.

3. HiLo Club, 1221 NW 50th St. Worth mentioning: O Bar at the Ambassador Hotel, WSKY Lounge

KATIE WICKS

MY SO CALLED BAND

LYRIC THEATRE

RENEE HILTON

SHANNON BARROW

THE BEST WAITER OR WAITRESS (AND THEIR RESTAURANT)

RENEE HILTON The Boom

Nothing is better than dinner and a show, and at The Boom, customers get dinner, drinks, dancing and drama all in one place. With an endless cast of glamorous drag queens at The Boom, Oklahoma City voted Renee Hilton as the best of the best. Hilton works at The Boom every Thursday for Trashy Thursdays and every Saturday for the G-Spot. Of course, there are many other fabulous entertainers at The Boom and waiters/waitresses in the area, but Hilton stole the spotlight as this year’s best. 2. Art Doxey, Red PrimeSteak 3. Scott Parker, Vito’s Restaurant Worth mentioning: Kyrstin Baird, In The Raw; TJ Brown, In The Raw

BEST BARTENDER (AND THEIR BAR)

SHANNON BARROW Flip’s Wine Bar & Trattoria

A trattoria is a casual dining and drinking gathering place where the customers are treated like special guests. It’s no wonder Oklahoma City voted Shannon Barrow, from Flip’s Wine Bar & Trattoria, the best bartender in town. Barrow serves as bar manager at Flip’s, and every person on the other side of the bar is a friend. A good bartender makes any bar good, and Barrow has earned Oklahoma City’s approval. 2. Chris Barrett, Ludivine 3. Dave DeLeon, HiLo Club Worth mentioning: Jessica Halliburton, In the Raw; Kevin Alexander, Tramps

HEATHER AND KEITH PAUL

BEST BUSINESS OWNER (AND THEIR BUSINESS)

KEITH AND HEATHER PAUL

A Good Egg Dining Group

Keith and Heather Paul love food. They’ve dedicated their lives to making good eats with A Good Egg Dining Group. With eight successful restaurants across Oklahoma City, it’s easy to see Keith and Heather are good eggs inside and out. Their livelihood can be experienced at Cheever’s Cafe, Iron Star Urban Barbeque, Red PrimeSteak, Republic Gastropub, Tucker’s Onion Burgers and Kitchen No. 324. With this range and selection, it is easy to see why our readers voted Keith and Heather Best Business Owners. 2. Bryn Kerr, Moore Liquor 3. Drew and Anna Mains, In The Raw and Knuck’s Wheelhouse

Worth mentioning: Christopher Simon, HiLo Club; Ryan Vice, Vapor World

BEST LOCAL BAND

MY SO CALLED BAND The ’90s gave youth an alternative way to rock with mixtapes at the helm of music sharing, thus making the decade its own soundtrack. My So Called Band gained fans by smelling of teen spirit and losing their religion; the ’90s tribute band is Oklahoma’s own musical time machine. Hailing from Norman, My

KWTV NEWS 9

So Called Band has more than 4,000 likes on Facebook. This band can’t be touched as OKC’s Best Local Band. 2. Horse Thief 3. Lower 40 Worth mentioning: Born in November, Red City Radio

BEST DJ

KATIE WICKS Katie Wicks can now be known around Oklahoma City as the Best DJ in town, thanks to our readers. Wicks is also a producer and part of DJ duo Crystal Vision. She can be found jamming out at her weekly dance party, Robotic Wednesdays at Kamps. Wicks also produces a playlist for SpyLab, 91.7 KOSU. It features all the dance hits of yesterday, today and tomorrow every Saturday night from 9 p.m. to midnight. 2. DJ Diverse 3. DJ Chipmunk, HiLo Club Worth mentioning: Blake O the DJ, DJ J2O

BEST PERFORMING ARTS GROUP (EX. THEATER COMPANY, DANCE COMPANY, ORCHESTRAL GROUP)

LYRIC THEATRE OF OKLAHOMA Since 1962, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma has held its standard as a Broadwaycaliber theater. Today, Gazette readers

praise it as the Best Performing Arts Group in Oklahoma City. Lyric Theatre has had a successful season this year with performances of Pageant, Murder for Two, Oklahoma!, Mary Poppins, Big Fish and Billy Elliot. The 2015 season continues with Bernice Bobs Her Hair and A Christmas Carol. Oklahomans can see the bright lights of off-Broadway with Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. 2. Oklahoma City Philharmonic 3. Oklahoma City Ballet Worth mentioning: Carpenter Square Theatre, Whodunit Dinner Theatre

BEST WEATHER TEAM

KWTV NEWS 9 Complete with six meteorologists and a fleet of News 9 StormTrackers, the News 9 weather team keeps its eyes on the skies of Oklahoma. In 2014, perennial favorite meteorologist Gary England left his watchtower after 41 years and was replaced by David Payne. Other members of the News 9 weather team include Jed Castles, Cassie Heiter, Matt Mahler, Justin Rudicel and Lacey Swope. When Oklahoma weather takes a turn for the worst, Oklahoma City is tuning to KWTV News 9 for updates from its Best Weather Team. 2. KFOR Channel 4 3. KOCO 5 News Worth mentioning: Fox 25 CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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Del City 5301 Main St. Ste. 117 405-813-8337

Lawton 3807 Cache Road 580-699-8337

OKC 2836 NW 68th St. 405-848-8337

Edmond 801 E. Danforth Rd 405-810-8337

Broken Arrow 3202 W. Kenosha St. 918-254-8337

South OKC 8324 S. Western Ave. 405-635-8337

Norman 700 N. Interstate Dr. 405-307-8337

Tulsa Hills 7848 S. Olympia Ave. WEST 918-301-8337

OKC MEMORIAL MARATHON

Dine-In • ToGo • Catering • Banquet Facilities

FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

BEST 5K OR 10K RACE

Park. The aroma of gyros, bratwurst and funnel cakes fill the air while bright, colorful creations steal attendees’ gazes. Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts is a must-see mark on everyone’s calendars.

bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995. Now, 20 years later, more than 25,000 participants of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon run for the lives of those lost. The first race took off in 2001, and one weekend every year since, runners from all over the country run through downtown Oklahoma City. Race proceeds benefit the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, a rooted, living monument in the heart of Oklahoma.

2. Paseo Arts Festival 3. Norman Music Festival Worth mentioning: deadCENTER Film Festival, OKC Pride

OKLAHOMA CITY MEMORIAL MARATHON Oklahoma lost 168 lives in the

2. Redbud Classic 3. Dirty 30 Worth mentioning: Midnight Streak, Oklahoma Contemporary; The Equality Run, Cimarron Alliance

BEST LOCAL ANNUAL EVENT OR FESTIVAL

OKLAHOMA CITY FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS Since 1967, Arts Council Oklahoma City has hosted Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts, a celebration of artists and their talents. During the festival, which takes place April 19-24, 2016, various food vendors, art displays, tents and activities take over downtown and Bicentennial

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BEST CHARITY EVENT

OKLAHOMA CITY MEMORIAL MARATHON The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon started in 2001 with just 5,000 participants running to honor the 168 lives lost from the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995. Since then, the number has more than tripled with 25,000 participants from across nation running to celebrate life and remember those who lost their lives. All of the proceeds from the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon go to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is the museum’s largest fundraiser, and it occurs annually in downtown. 2. Infant Crisis Service Boots & Ball Gowns Gala 3. AIDS Walk of Oklahoma City Worth mentioning: ARTini, Allied Arts; Red Tie Night

RICHARDSON HOMES

TOMMY POOLE

OKC PRIDE

BEST LOCAL HOMEBUILDER

RICHARDSON HOMES For almost 20 years, Richardson Homes has brought to life the dream homes of Edmond and Oklahoma City residents. Richardson Homes allows its clients to custom-design their homes and take part in the construction process. With offices in Tuttle, Clinton and Enid, Richardson Homes strives to be the best custom homebuilders in Oklahoma. According to Gazette readers, the company has built a firm foundation with its customers, which is why it was voted Best Local Homebuilder. 2. Home Creations 3. Ideal Homes Worth mentioning: Jeff Click Homes, Neal McGee Homes

BEST LOCAL CONTRACTOR/ HANDYMAN

TOMMY POOLE After moving back to his home state of Oklahoma six short months ago, he has already built up quite a business for himself. Gazette readers have voted his company, Tommy Poole Interior Design and Contracting, Best Local Contractor/Handyman in OKC. He specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodels and restoration. Take any

picture out of a magazine of a dream kitchen or bathroom and Poole can design it from the ground up. 2. Bill Medlock, Mr. Bill’s Handyman 3. Handymen R’Us Worth mentioning: Bob Doggett, Jeremy Gregston

BEST LGBT EVENT

OKLAHOMA PRIDE FESTIVAL & PARADE The Oklahoma Pride Festival & Parade is the largest LGBT celebration in Oklahoma with more than 70,000 attendees each year. The annual festival has grown so large over the years it had to be turned into a two-day event during the Saturday and Sunday of Pride Week. A variety of gay pride festivities, concerts, block parties and local entertainment can be enjoyed during the festival. On Sunday, the Oklahoma City Pride Parade makes its way through the streets of OKC with colorful floats, rainbow flags and proud participants. 2. Sunday Gospel Brunch at The Boom 3. Bang Bang Queer Punk Variety Show Worth mentioning: Alibi’s Pride Weekend Party; The Equality Run, Cimarron Alliance CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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REGIONAL FOOD BANK

H&8TH NIGHT MARKET

GROOVY’S

NANCY’S 57TH STREET LIGHTHOUSE

UCO JAZZ LAB

BEST PLACE TO VOLUNTEER

REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF OKLAHOMA One in four children and one in six adults in Oklahoma do not know where their next meal will come from. These could be the children in a teacher’s classroom or a person you passed on the streets during a commute to work. Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma provides enough food to feed more than 110,000 Oklahomans every week, which is why Gazette readers voted the organization Best Place to Volunteer in OKC. 2. Central Oklahoma Humane Society 3. Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity Worth mentioning: Infant Crisis Services, Sunbeam Family Services

admission and entertainment is free. 2. Festival of the Arts, downtown

3. Sonic Summer Movie Nights at Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave.

Worth mentioning:Arts Council of Oklahoma City’s Twilight Summer Concert Series at Myriad Botanical Gardens, Myriad Botanical Gardens

BEST LIVE MUSIC CLUB

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA JAZZ LAB 100 E. Fifth St., Edmond

BEST FREE ENTERTAINMENT

H&8TH NIGHT MARKET

Hudson Avenue between NW Sixth and 10th streets

OKC’s premier food truck event began in 2011, drawing a crowd of 200 to the area around Hudson Avenue and Eighth Street. Today, it is one of the country’s largest food truck events and boasts monthly crowds of 20,000-40,000, making it a model for similar festivals in other cities. It features an array of the city’s most popular local trucks and live music, a vendors’ market and even valet parking for your bicycle. And the best part about H&8th Night Market is that

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University of Central Oklahoma’s Jazz Lab is a little slice of the New Orleans jazz scene tucked into a quiet corner of an OKC suburb. For 15 years, it has offered local music aficionados and students a chance to see internationally famous musicians in a smaller, more personal setting and allowed local bands to play in a professional venue. By day, it serves as a learning center for UCO’s music students as well as a world-class recording studio, but at night, it gives patrons a music experience they can’t get anywhere else in the metro. 2. Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E. Sheridan Ave.

3. The Blue Note Lounge, 2408 N. Robinson Ave.

Worth mentioning: Blue Door, Don Quixote Club

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY ARENA

BEST CONCERT VENUE

Wednesday-Saturday to music from the last five decades on a packed dance floor. You’ll be sad when you hear “Last call!” and realize you actually do have to leave the party eventually.

100 W. Reno Ave.

2. The Copa,

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY ARENA

If you want to see some of the hottest touring acts in music, Chesapeake Energy Arena is the place to be. It’s one of the largest venues in OKC and regularly hosts Top 40 artists from around the world and classic acts from the heyday of rock — that’s right; you can see Lil Wayne and Def Leppard in the same venue! As you get comfy in the stadium seating, you and more than 16,000 of your friends can rest easy knowing that when it comes to concerts, the ’Peake knows what it’s doing. 2. The Zoo Amphitheatre, 2101 NE 50th St.

3. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave.

Worth mentioning: Diamond Ballroom, Myriad Botanical Gardens

BEST DANCE CLUB

GROOVY’S

5705 Mosteller Drive

You don’t have to spend your club nights in a bar playing the same music as the other three down the street with the same people you see every time you go out. Groovy’s is a local club venue unlike any other. Patrons of all ages dance the night away every

2200 NW 40th St.

3. Cowboys OKC, 2301 S. Meridian Ave.

Worth mentioning: Club One 15, Dollhouse Lounge & Burlesque

BEST KARAOKE BAR

NANCY’S 57TH STREET LIGHTHOUSE 5708 N. May Ave.

Are you itching to belt out Journey songs at the best karaoke bar in the city? Do you believe you could give Dr. Dre and Eminem a run for their money? Want to make all the drunk people depressed by singing with Radiohead about how you’re just a weird “Creep” who doesn’t belong anywhere? Well, that last one’s a little bit of a downer, but you don’t need to look any further than Nancy’s 57th Street Lighthouse, an OKC favorite for years. 2. Henry Hudson’s Pub, several metro locations

3. Cookie’s, 2304 N. Western Ave.

Worth mentioning: By George Tavern, Don Quixote Club

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BC CLARK JEWELERS

IAO GALLERY

OKC MUSEUM OF ART

BEST ART GALLERY

the city’s destination museum since 1945 and features a large selection of American and European art. It also has the distinction of being one of the only art house movie theaters in the state, showing world-renowned films from all over the globe every week.

706 W. Sheridan Ave.

2. Science Museum Oklahoma,

INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS OF OKLAHOMA (IAO) GALLERY IAO Gallery’s particular mission — showing art that is “intellectually or aesthetically provocative or experimental in subject matter or technique” — gives it the distinction of being one of the most interesting and eclectic galleries anywhere. Since 1979, IAO has provided a professional space in which experienced and up-and-coming contemporary artists can display socially relevant works. It’s located in the historic Film Row district and hosts music performances as well as artist talks and exhibitions. 2. DNA Galleries, 1709 NW 16th St.

3. The Howell Gallery of Fine Art, 6432 N. Western Ave.

Worth mentioning: JRB Art at the Elms, Kasum Contemporary Fine Art

BEST MUSEUM

OKLAHOMA CITY MUSEUM OF ART 415 Couch Drive

From dazzling traveling exhibits to its permanent collection of Dale Chihuly glass — one of the largest in the world — Oklahoma City Museum of Art is a metropolitan museum with something to suit everyone’s artistic tastes. OKCMOA has been

2100 NE 52nd St.

3. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St.

Worth mentioning: Museum of Osteology, Sam Noble Museum of Natural History

BEST FINE JEWELRY

BC CLARK JEWELERS several metro locations

If you’ve lived in Oklahoma through at least one holiday season, you’re familiar with BC Clark Jewelers’ catchy jingle insisting that “jewelry is the gift to give ’cause it’s the gift that’ll live and live.” (It’s stuck in your head now, isn’t it?) But do you know it’s the best fine jewelry shop in OKC? The store was established in 1892 in what was then Indian Territory and has provided the metro with quality fashion jewelry, watches and engagement and wedding rings ever since.

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2. Lewis Jewelers, 2705 S. Interstate 35 Service Road, Moore

3. Naifeh Fine Jewelry, 9203 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Worth mentioning: Huntington Fine Jewelers, Mitchener-Farrand CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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BAD GRANNY’S BAZAAR

BLUE SEVEN

BEST VINTAGE, THRIFT OR RESALE STORE

up shirts and denim and has kept up with trends while maintaining a penchant for individuality. It is a premier destination for men who like to keep things casual while still looking like they actually showered.

1759 NW 16th St.

2. Mr. Ooley’s,

BAD GRANNY’S BAZAAR

There’s no thrift store in the metro as eclectic as Bad Granny’s Bazaar in the Plaza District. It’s full of clothing, accessories and homeware that would even impress your good granny and rival all the treasures she has stored up in the attic. Do you spend your days dreaming of finding a fringed leather jacket as glorious as Macklemore’s? Then why are you still reading this? You and your hipster friends need to hurry up and pop some tags at this gem. 2. Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma, several metro locations

3. Uptown Thrift, 2215 SW 74th St.

Worth mentioning: Nearly New, RINK Gallery

BEST MEN’S CLOTHIER

BLUE SEVEN

7518 N. May Ave., Suite A

In the past few years, men’s fashion has melded dressed-up and casual and resulted in a polished, cool look that would make even James Dean jealous. Blue Seven carries everything from socks and boots to quality button-

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BLUE SEVEN

1901 NW Expressway, Suite 1023A

3. Spencer Stone Company, 6492 Avondale Drive, Nichols Hills

Worth mentioning: Steven Giles, Trade Men’s Wares

BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE

BLUE SEVEN

7518 N. May Ave., Suite A

Whether they need to find a flirty dress and some funky new jewelry to wear to a festival or a new pair of jeans and sandals to lounge around in for the rest of the summer, women know that Blue Seven is a one-stop shop. Each trip to Blue Seven promises established essentials and loads of unexpected surprises, making it the best women’s boutique in the city for the last few years. 2. Lush Fashion Lounge, 14101 N. May Ave.

3. Lucca Fashion Boutique, several metro locations

Worth mentioning: Bow & Arrow Boutique, The Black Scintilla

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405-649-2229 WWW.LUCILLESOK.COM

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

BEST PLACE TO FIND THE PERFECT GIFT

ON A WHIM

5850 N. Classen Blvd.

This boutique is stocked full of gorgeous gifts for every occasion. Whether you’re on your way to a party or you’re registering for a wedding or baby shower, On a Whim has you covered. This shop is so full of fine china in a wide variety of patterns, candles, makeup and beauty supplies and trendy dresses, shoes and jewelry that you will find yourself making up excuses to stop in and buy yourself a little treat just for being so awesome. 2. Blue Seven, 7518 N. May Ave., Suite A

3. Plenty Mercantile, 807 N. Broadway Ave.

Worth mentioning: Collected Thread, DNA Galleries

BEST PLACE FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

660 Parrington Oval, Norman

Thirty thousand students learn from nearly 3,000 faculty members and study everything from engineering to linguistics at the University of Oklahoma (OU) each year. With a nationally famous athletic department, a sprawling campus, renowned medical and law programs and a wealth of undergraduate and post-graduate degree programs, it’s not hard to see why OU is OKC’s favorite

university. The Princeton Review agrees and has repeatedly named OU one of the best academic and cost-effective schools in the country, and it’s right here in the metro. 2. University of Central Oklahoma, 100 N. University Drive, Edmond

3. Oklahoma State University at Oklahoma City, 900 N. Portland Ave.

Worth mentioning: Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Oklahoma City Community College

BEST PLACE TO GET COSMETIC SURGERY

DR. TIM R. LOVE M.D.

, 11101 Hefner Pointe Drive, Suite 104

Whether the effects of aging are making you uncomfortable, your nose identifies just a little too much with Rachel Green’s old nose or you’re interested in reconstructions, Dr. Tim. R. Love is here help. One of OKC’s most respected cosmetic surgeons, Dr. Love has experience in a range of surgeries, from face-lifts to breast augmentation and reconstruction. And you can rest easy knowing that Dr. Love is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. 2. Shadid Plastic Surgery Associates; Dr. Derek Shadid M.D., 13820 Wireless Way 3. Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates; Dr. Erik J. Nuveen M.D. D.M.D., 2100 NW 63rd St.

Worth mentioning: Jones Plastic Surgery; Dr. Juan A. Brou, M.D. CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

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DR. TIM LOVE TARGET

THE FACTORY

AL’S BICYCLES BRICKTOWN DISTRICT

BEST PLACE TO GET AN AESTHETIC UPDATE

DR. TIM R. LOVE M.D.

11101 Hefner Pointe Drive, Suite 104

Are you envious of model and reality star Kylie Jenner’s voluptuous new lips? Want to get rid of those pesky eye crinkles and stress wrinkles? Afraid to be put under but still want to look and feel like you did ten years ago? Want a transformation without the hassle of an invasive procedure? Dr. Tim R. Love can still help you. In addition to cosmetic surgery, Love offers a number of nonsurgical procedures including Botox injections, Fraxel laser treatments and even hair implants. 2. Laser Light Skin Clinic, 15316 N. May Ave., Edmond

3. Advanced Aesthetics, 14001 McAuley Blvd., Suite 150

Worth mentioning: Dr. Juan A. Brou, M.D.; Mariposa MedSpa

BEST BICYCLE SHOP

AL’S BICYCLES

several metro locations

If your bicycle needs a tuneup or you’re in the market for a new ride so you can enjoy all of OKC’s new trails and bike lanes, look no farther than Al’s Bicycles. Its shops carry an array of bikes for all your riding needs, whether you’re hitting the trails, riding back and forth to work or into learning BMX tricks with your friends. Al’s has two locations in OKC, one in Edmond and one in Norman to serve your cycling needs in whichever part of the city you’re pedaling through. 2. Schlegel Bicycles, 900 N. Broadway Ave.

3. Wheeler Dealer, 2729 NW 50th St.

Worth mentioning: Charley’s Bicycle Laboratory, Melonbike

BEST LOCAL DISTRICT THE OKC ZOO

BEST (NATIONAL OR REGIONAL) RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT YOU WISH WAS LOCALLY OWNED

TARGET

several metro locations

Target has absolutely everything. We like to pretend it’s a local store while we walk around for hours and spend all our money on things we didn’t know we needed before we walked in. And with six locations in the metro, it’s pretty difficult to ignore — especially when its glowing red sign and the smell of popcorn, coffee and great deals are calling your name. Why oh why can’t Target be local?! 2. Anthropologie, 6100 NW Grand Blvd.

3. Nordstrom Rack,

BRICKTOWN DISTRICT

, area west of S. EK Gaylord Boulevard, around Reno Avenue

OKC has spoken! Bricktown is the district to rule them all! In the past few decades, it has seen extensive revitalization and has become the city’s destination for date night, a night out with the girls, a fun day trip with the family or even a quiet afternoon stroll alone. It boasts a canal, dozens of restaurants, a movie theater, a bowling alley and a ballpark. Bricktown is also home to numerous holiday celebrations, festivals and concerts that help make it one of OKC’s favorite and busiest districts. 2. Midtown District, area surrounding Ninth Street and N. Walker Avenue NW 16th Street between Classen Boulevard and Pennsylvania Avenue

Worth mentioning: Forever 21, West Elm

Worth mentioning: Paseo Arts District, Uptown 23rd District

BEST FAMILY IN-STATE STAYCATION

BEST ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENT

2101 NE 50th St.

2218 NW 39th St.

Lions and tigers and bears — oh my! And don’t forget the elephants, primates, reptiles, seals and birds! When Oklahoma residents want to feel like they’ve taken a trip to an exotic location but don’t want to deal with the hassle of traveling, they head to The Oklahoma City Zoo. One of the top zoos in the country, it is home to more than 1,800 animals and offers countless educational activities for the whole family. 2. Beavers Bend State Park,

You haven’t experienced all OKC has to offer if you haven’t been to The Boom. It’s located in the city’s LGBT district and attracts revelers of all kinds — no matter their sexual orientation — six days a week. The Boom’s Sunday Gospel Brunch is legendary, and you won’t find a better dinner show in the city. What are you waiting for? Go dance the night away with your friends and maybe even some fabulous drag queens.

435 OK-259A, Broken Bow

2. Dollhouse Lounge & Burlesque,

1741 Belle Isle Blvd.

THE OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO THE BOOM

3. Turner Falls Park, US-77, Davis

Worth mentioning: Broken Bow Lake Cabins, Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees

THE BOOM

3. Plaza District,

210 E. Sheridan Ave.

3. Night Trips,

BEST NEW RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT TO OPEN AFTER 6/1/14

THE FACTORY

1100 N. Broadway Ave., Suite 103

Trendsetters consider The Factory the best new shop to open in the past year, and it isn’t hard to see why. The Factory carries stylish statement pieces perfect for any occasion, whether you’re dressing for a fancy party or just hanging out with friends. It also stocks an array of men’s formal and casual clothing and men’s and women’s accessories, hats and shoes. Plus, Thunder fashion king Russell Westbrook shops there, so you know it’s full of classy statement pieces. 2. Out on a Limb, 1710 NW 16th St.

3. Vintiques Market, 219 W. Main St., Norman

Worth mentioning: Sara Kate Studios, The Black Scintilla

220 S. Vermont Ave.

Worth mentioning: Little Darlings, Red Dog Cafe

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BOB MOORE AUTO GROUP

OKC VAPES

PLAZA DISTRICT

RED COYOTE RUNNING AND FITNESS

CENTRAL OKLAHOMA HUMANE SOCIETY

BEST NONPROFIT

BEST PLACE TO BUY WORKOUT GEAR

CENTRAL OKLAHOMA HUMANE SOCIETY

RED COYOTE RUNNING AND FITNESS

7500 N. Western Ave.

Everyone in Oklahoma loves animals, and nobody loves them more than Central Oklahoma Humane Society. If you want to foster or adopt a dog or cat or just want to donate some of your time or money to help out Oklahoma’s little furry friends, the humane society is the place to do it. It also offers spaying and neutering services in addition to its mission to end needless animal euthanasia. That’s what makes it OKC’s best nonprofit. 2. Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, 3355 S. Purdue Ave.

3. Infant Crisis Services, 4224 N. Lincoln Blvd.

Worth mentioning: Sunbeam Family Services, Inc.; The Bella Foundation

BEST VAPOR SHOP

OKC VAPES

3710 NW 50th St.

Vaping and vapor shops have been rapidly growing in popularity, but OKC Vapes is one step ahead of the game. Never heard of vaping before? Where have you been?! Don’t worry; employees at OKC Vapes have the answers to all your questions. Are you already a vaping enthusiast in need of the latest and greatest technology? OKC Vapes has a wide selection of advanced vapors and accessories. Wherever you stand in the world of vaping, OKC Vapes is the place to go for your vaping needs. 2. Vapor World, 8911 SE 29th St.

3. Liquid Vapor Lounge, 6608 N. May Ave.

Worth mentioning: Captivape, Party Moore

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5720 N. Classen Blvd.

OKC THUNDER GAME

BEST PLACE TO MEET A HIPSTER

PLAZA DISTRICT

NW 16th Street between Classen Boulevard and Pennsylvania Avenue

employees will show you a wide selection of fresh-from-the-factory Audis, Cadillacs, Jeeps and more. They’ll have you cruising the streets in a perfect brand-new ride in no time.

The Plaza District is the hipster’s paradise, so if you’re looking for the hipster of your dreams, you’re likely to find him or her hanging out here. Guys with beards and girls in vintage clothing spend their free time roaming the retail shops, dining establishments and performance venues that make up the Plaza District. Let one of them tell you about a band you’ve never heard of over lunch at one of the district’s many food joints.

2. Fowler Auto Group,

2. Paseo Arts District,

several metro locations

Paseo Street from 28th Street and N. Walker Avenue to 30th Street and N. Dewey Avenue

3. The Mule, 1630 N. Blackwelder Ave. Worth mentioning: Empire Slice House, The Pump Bar

BEST PLACE TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE

BOB MOORE AUTO GROUP

several metro locations

Everyone knows that buying a new car can be a stressful experience. Thankfully, Bob Moore Auto Group is here to make the entire process a little less painful. Its knowledgeable

several metro locations

3. Bob Howard Auto Group, several metro locations

Worth mentioning: Diffee Auto Group, Hudiburg Auto Group

BEST PLACE TO BUY A USED VEHICLE

Red Coyote knows what it’s doing when it comes to fitness. This locally owned shop will find you the perfect running shoe with its fit analysis system, hook you up with a dietician to help you achieve your wildest nutrition dreams and have you dressed head to toe in top-of-the-line workout gear. With a wide selection of only the best fitness brands and a staff bursting with product knowledge, Red Coyote is the ultimate go-to for all things fitness. 2. MetroShoe Warehouse, 2210 W. Memorial Road, Suite A

3. OK Runner, several metro locations Worth mentioning: Charley’s Bicycle Laboratory, Fit Circle

BOB MOORE AUTO GROUP

BEST PLACE TO SEE OR BE SEEN

Not looking for a brand-new ride? Bob Moore Auto Group happens to be the No. 1 choice for pre-owned vehicles too. You’re guaranteed to find something you like among its huge selection of used cars and trucks, all at reasonable prices. You’ll drive off the lot feeling confident in your purchase with the help of Bob Moore’s expert staff.

Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W. Reno Ave.

2. Fowler Auto Group, several metro locations

3. Bob Howard Auto Group, several metro locations

Worth mentioning: Diffee Auto Group, Hudiburg Auto Group

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER GAME

With a seating capacity of 18,203, it’s no wonder that an OKC Thunder game at Chesapeake Energy Arena won this category. Where else can you be seen by more than 18,000 people while watching your favorite NBA team dominate the court? So get decked out in your best Thunder gear and cheer on your team along with an arena chock-full of your closest friends. 2. The Bleu Garten, 301 NW 10th St.

3. Bricktown, downtown area around E. Reno Avenue

Worth mentioning: Fassler Hall, Plaza District

BEST DESSERT SHOP & PLAZA DISTRICT RESTAURANT NOMINEE STOP IN TO FIND YOUR NEW FAVORITE Macadamia Key Lime Drunken Turtle Peanut Butter Chocolate

Coconut Cream Strawberry Rhubarb Bird Dog Buttermilk

flavors change daily

LOCATED IN THE PLAZA DISTRICT • 1711 NW 16TH PIEJUNKIE.COM • 405.605.8767

OKC THUNDER GAME

REGIONAL FOOD BANK

OKC THUNDER GAME

BEST PLACE TO SPEND ADULT TIME THAT IS KID-FRIENDLY

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER GAME

Chesapeake Energy Arena 100 W. Reno Ave.

There are few activities that are pleasurable for both parents and children alike. The McDonald’s playground offers no entertainment value for adults, but a Thunder game is fun for the whole family. Kids admire professional athletes, and they’ll love watching Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in action while Mom and Dad enjoy the game. Plus, if your little ones are 2 years old or younger, they get into Chesapeake Energy Arena for free. 2. The Oklahoma City Zoo, 2101 NE 50th St.

3. H&8th Night Market, 815 N. Hudson Ave.

Worth mentioning: Myriad Botanical Gardens, The Bleu Garten

BEST PLACE TO TAKE A ‘SELFIE’

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER GAME

Chesapeake Energy Arena 100 W. Reno Ave.

The selfie has been dominating social media for a while now, and everyone knows that the place you snap your selfie is a deciding factor

in the number of Instagram likes it receives. For maximum social media praise, ditch the mirror pic and snap a selfie while having a blast at an OKC Thunder game. You’re sure to earn the envy of all your social media followers while also showing your love for the team. 2. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave.

3. Vast, 333 W. Sheridan Ave. Worth mentioning: O Bar at the Ambassador Hotel, Skydance Bridge

BEST PLACE TO PAY IT FORWARD

REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF OKLAHOMA 3355 S. Purdue Ave.

Fighting hunger isn’t easy, but Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is doing an exceptional job. Every week, it serves meals to more than 110,000 hungry Oklahomans with the help of volunteers and community support. You can pay it forward and help fight hunger by volunteering to serve meals, donating money or organizing a food drive. 2. Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, 5005 S. Interstate 35 Service Road

3. Jesus House OKC, 1335 W. Sheridan Ave.

Worth mentioning: Knuck’s Wheelhouse, S&B’s Burger Joint CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

BEST

PUB QUIZ/TRIVIA NIGHT

BEST

NEIGHBORHOOD PUB BEST

........................ .......................

KARAOKE BAR

10 METRO LOCATIONS | WWW.HENRYHUDSONSPUB.COM

BEST

PRE OR POST-GAME OR PRE OR POST-CONCERT

SPOT

27 EAST SHERIDAN | 405-605-4995 | HHPUBLICHOUSE.COM O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | AU G U S T 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 | 3 3

PLACES

BARKING DOG BAKERY

TINKER FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

THE BLEU GARTEN

BEST PET-FRIENDLY PATIO

THE BLEU GARTEN 301 NW 10th St.

Dogs are part of the family too, and that’s why you should eat at The Bleu Garten, where the food is delightful and dogs are welcome as long as they’re on a leash. Open every day but Monday, The Bleu Garten offers a changing selection of the city’s best food trucks as well as a full-service liquor bar in an outdoor dining environment unlike any other in Oklahoma. This venue is open year-round with shaded seating and misters in the summer and heaters in the winter. 2. Louie’s Grill & Bar Lakeside, 9401 Lake Hefner Parkway

3. Picasso Cafe, 3009 Paseo St.

Worth mentioning: Sauced on Paseo, The Pump Bar

BEST PLACE TO TREAT YOUR PET

BARKING DOG BAKERY 10455 N. May Ave.

When it comes to spoiling pets, Barking Dog Bakery has it down to a science. It offers gourmet treats ranging from cupcakes to popcorn that are prepared with love and the highest quality ingredients. It also has hand-picked products like luxury shampoos and conditioners, locally made leashes and collars and more for that special dog or

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cat in your life. Whether it’s your pet’s birthday, a reward for a job well done at the vet or just to show some love, Barking Dog Bakery has what you’re looking for. 2. Edmond Dog Park, E. 33rd Street and Rankin Terrace, Edmond

3. A1 Pet Emporium, 2911 W. Britton Road

Worth mentioning: K9 University, Midtown Vets

BEST PLACE TO GET A HOME OR AUTO LOAN

TINKER FEDERAL CREDIT UNION several metro locations

As much as we would all like to never need to borrow money, sometimes it’s unavoidable. When you need extra cash for that new house or car, Tinker Federal Credit Union will help you out with low interest rate loans and financial guidance. As the largest credit union in Oklahoma, TFCU has provided more than 305,000 members with financial excellence for nearly 70 years. 2. Bank of Oklahoma, several metro locations

3. BancFirst, several metro locations

Worth mentioning: Oklahoma Employees Credit Union, Weokie Credit Union

CHEEVER’S CAFE SCIENCE MUSEUM OKLAHOMA

JIMMY’S EGG

RIVERWIND CASINO

BEST PLACE TO CELEBRATE AN ANNIVERSARY OR BIRTHDAY

CHEEVER’S CAFE 2409 N. Hudson Ave.

If you want to please that special someone in your life on their birthday or an anniversary, you’ll take them to Cheever’s Cafe. It offers comfort food with a twist and a fabulous selection of wines. Nothing says “Happy birthday!” or “Happy anniversary!” better than a menu complete with Cheever’s chicken-fried steak and bleu cheese potato chips. The restaurant is popular, so be sure to make reservations for your celebratory night. 2. Paseo Grill, 2909 Paseo St.

3. Red PrimeSteak, 504 N. Broadway Ave.

Worth mentioning: Ranch Steakhouse, Vast

BEST CASINO

RIVERWIND CASINO

, 1544 W. State Highway 9, Norman

No one likes to go to the casino and lose, which is why Riverwind Casino is your best bet. Whether you’re into the entertaining electronic games or you’re looking for a high-stakes poker match, Riverwind has it all with 17 poker tables, 19 table games, off-track betting and more. Not only is it the most rewarding casino in OKC, but it also offers excellent hotel accommodations so you have a place to crash after a long night of gaming. If you’re feeling lucky, head to Riverwind Casino. 2. Winstar World Casino and Resort, 777 Casino Ave., Thackerville

3. Grand Casino Hotel & Resort, 777 Grand Casino Blvd., Shawnee

Worth mentioning: Newcastle Casino, Remington Park Racing & Casino

23RD STREET BODY PIERCING

BEST PLACE TO GEEK OUT

10 metro locations, it is as accessible as your mother’s house, except it’s better because the folks at Jimmy’s Egg won’t nag you about your shortcomings. 2. Byron’s Liquor Warehouse, 2322 N. Broadway Ave.

SCIENCE MUSEUM OKLAHOMA

3. City Bites,

In the nearly 60 years since it opened, Science Museum Oklahoma has become the metro’s ideal geek playground. With unique exhibits, a planetarium and the impressive Dome Theater with a screen 70 feet in diameter, there’s no better place to get your geek on. You don’t even have to be a science wiz to enjoy this place. In June, the museum opened CurioCity, a 20,000-square-foot exhibition that is bigger than most standalone children’s museums. Its displays integrate science and art, resulting in a learning experience that visitors easily mistake for fun.

THE GARAGE BURGERS & BEER

2. Full Circle Bookstore,

2. 51st Street Speakeasy,

2100 NE 52nd St.

50 Penn Place, 5000 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

3. Guestroom Records, several metro locations

Worth mentioning: Empire Strikes Books, New World Comics

BEST PLACE TO PICK UP YOUR GAZETTE

several metro locations

Worth mentioning: Party Moore, Sushi Neko

BEST PUB QUIZ/TRIVIA NIGHT

several metro locations

With a handful of locations from which to choose, there is hardly a night of the week that you can’t play trivia at The Garage Burgers & Beer. Get your friends together, check eatatthegarage.com for the nearest location and trivia night and then fill up on ale and hamburgers while you push your brainpower to win $20 cash and bragging rights. It even offers prizes for second and third place! 1114 NW 51st St.

3. Henry Hudson’s Pub, several metro locations

Worth mentioning: Belle Isle Restaurant & Brewing Company, HiLo Club

BEST PLACE TO GET NEEDLED

JIMMY’S EGG

23RD STREET BODY PIERCING

Whether you’re nursing a hangover or tackling an omelet before work, Jimmy’s Egg has what you need to start your day right, including your current issue of Oklahoma Gazette. There isn’t a better way to kick-start your day than with endless coffee, a huge plate of fried eggs and a way to learn about your city’s coolest and most current nightlife. With around

With four in-house piercers and guest artists coming in from places such as New Orleans, 23rd Street Body Piercing earned OKC’s top vote for body modification. And it doesn’t surprise us here at the Gazette because the piercers there have more than 50 years of combined experience. It also claims to have the state’s only members of the Association of Professional Piercers

, several metro locations

THE GARAGE BURGERS & BEER

411 NW 23rd St.

HOBBY LOBBY

and meets or exceeds Oklahoma State Department of Health safety standards. 2. Atomic Lotus Tattoo, 409 NW 23rd St.

3. No Regrets Tattoo, 1712 NW 16th St.

Worth mentioning: Beauty from Pain Tattoo & Art Studio, Bloodline Elite Tattoo

BEST PLACE TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR GAME ROOM OR PAD

HOBBY LOBBY

several metro locations

With at least 10 metro locations and many more across the region, Hobby Lobby makes it challenging to find a more accessible store for your crafting and makeover needs. If you want to frame your latest concert poster or painting from a local artist, we challenge you to find a less expensive place in which to do it. Need some fabric or fake flowers? Hobby Lobby is your place to make the most of your home. You voted for it, and it won like that epic biblical faceoff between David and Goliath. 2. RetrOKC, 1708 NW 16th St.

3. Mathis Brothers Furniture, 3434 W. Reno Ave.

Worth mentioning: Amini’s Galleria, King’s Green Cleaning CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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BRICKTOWN BREWERY

BERT COOPER TRAILS

BEST LGBT BAR OR CLUB

THE BOOM

2218 NW 39th St.

THE BOOM

BEST PLACE TO WORK UP A SWEAT

BERT COOPER TRAILS (FORMERLY LAKE HEFNER TRAILS) Lake Hefner

The Bert Cooper Trails surround the lake and offer more than nine miles of asphalt trails that connect many of Lake Hefner’s recreational areas. Bike, walk or run wild on these trails — which are as wide as 12 feet in some parts — and you will see why it was voted Best Place to Work Up a Sweat. The trails also feature playgrounds, access to Lake Hefner Golf Course, picnic areas, fishing docks, sail boarding, a restaurant and ball fields — everything you might need to have fun in the Oklahoma sun. 2. YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, several metro locations

3. 10GYM,

1909 S DOUGLAS BLVD MWC 405-741-9494 7745 S WALKER (I-240 & WALKER) • 405-631-0783 SAND GERS.COM 20 NW 9THBBUR • 405-270-0516 5929 N MAY • 405-843-8777 14020 N MAY • 405-418-8477 3 6 | AU G U S T 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 | O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E

Get your fill of dinner, drinks, dancing and drama — the fun kind! — at The Boom. The venue features a full-service kitchen and bar, Sunday Gospel Brunch with Kitty and Norma, Trashy Thursday, musical theater, female and male illusion revues, bingo and karaoke. The only thing missing right now is you. We’ll see you there. 2. HiLo Club, 1221 NW 50th St.

3. Copa, 2200 NW 40th St.

Worth mentioning: Partners 4 Club, Tramps

BEST PRE-GAME OR PRE-CONCERT SPOT

BRICKTOWN BREWERY several metro locations

Founded in 1992, Bricktown Brewery offers its distinctive handcrafted beers, burgers made with Creekstone Farms beef (free of antibiotics, hormones and growth-promoting drugs) and Neuske’s bacon and plenty of pregame and pre-concert party space in which to unwind, wind up, rally fans and loudly boast about your crush on Oklahoma City Thunder mascot Rumble the Bison.

several metro locations

2. The Mont Restaurant,

Worth mentioning: Four Star Fitness, Zombie Bunny CrossFit

3. TapWerks Ale House,

1300 Classen Blvd., Norman 121 E. Sheridan Ave.

Worth mentioning: Flint, Henry Hudson’s Pub

OKCMOA ROOF TERRACE

BLUE SEVEN

BEST ROOFTOP (BAR OR RESTAURANT)

ROOF TERRACE AT OKLAHOMA CITY MUSEUM OF ART 415 Couch Drive

The masterpiece on display atop Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA) is its gorgeous view of our downtown skyline. OKCMOA Roof Terrace also is home to Art After 5, held 5 p.m. each Thursday through summer. It features live music, cocktails and access to museum galleries. Cheers! FASSLER HALL

BEST POST-GAME OR POST-CONCERT SPOT

2. Packard’s New American Kitchen, 201 NW 10th St.

3. Cafe do Brasil, 40 NW 11th St., Suite 100

FASSLER HALL

Worth mentioning: Fassler Hall, O Bar at the Ambassador Hotel

Fassler Hall serves huge mugs filled with your choice of over a dozen styles of German and English draft selections and countless bottled varieties of local, regional, national and international craft beers. Grab a Euro-style bench for you and your coed indoor soccer teammates while you revel in the brutal win you just scored. This post-game and post-concert party spot also features a Late Night Sausage Party special with half-priced sausages 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday.

BEST BOUTIQUE OF LOCAL ODDITIES

2. TapWerks Ale House,

2. Bad Granny’s Bazaar,

421 NW 10th St.

121 E. Sheridan Ave.

3. The Mont Restaurant, 1300 Classen Blvd., Norman

Worth mentioning: Flint, Red Piano Lounge

BLUE SEVEN 7518 N. May Ave.

This quirky, artistic, eclectic shop owned by Caleb and Julie Arter sells everything you never knew you needed. Open six days a week, Blue Seven is popular for its variety of Oklahoma-centric tees, jewelry, art, books and gifts. In fact, you’ll find its Just OK specialty shop nestled right inside this boutique location! 1759 NW 16th St.

3. Plenty Mercantile, 807 N. Broadway Ave.

Worth mentioning: Craig’s Emporium, DNA Galleries CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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CUPPIES & JOE URBAN WINEWORKS

TAPWERKS ALE HOUSE

LUNCHBOX AT EDNA’S

JIMMY’S EGG

BEST COFFEE OR TEA HOUSE

CUPPIES & JOE 727 NW 23rd St.

Originally called Cupps and Joseph, a fine men’s retailer, Cuppies & Joe has become a mainstay for caffeine addicts across the city by serving great espresso drinks with cupcakes that will make you forget that we all declared the cupcake fad over five years ago. The popular hangout has become a makeshift workspace for many and is also an excellent place to meet, hit on and be turned down by attractive Oklahoma City University students or listen to strangers Skype with their families via laptops. 2. The Red Cup, 3122 N. Classen Blvd. 3. Elemental Coffee Roasters, 815 N. Hudson Ave.

Worth mentioning: All About Cha, Coffee Slingers

BEST LOCAL WINERY

URBAN WINEWORKS 1749 NW 16th St.

Proud to call its products “damn fine table wine,” Urban Wineworks is known for its signature blends of easyto-drink vino and its casual, laid-back dining room and bar. Sit in the Plaza District and sip on a glass of Plaza Red or Cab+ on the patio or grab a couple of bottles to-go and pop those

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BEST BEER SELECTION COOP ALE WORKS

TAPWERKS ALE HOUSE 121 E. Sheridan Ave.

corks at home — or in someone else’s home. Look, just make sure it’s legal to drink wherever you’re drinking. Urban Wineworks will not post your bail. 2. Put a Cork in It Winery, 115 E. California Ave.

3. Waters Edge Wineries, 712 N. Broadway Ave.

Worth mentioning: Farfalla Wines, Tres Sueno Winery & Vineyard

BEST LOCAL CRAFT BEER

COOP ALE WORKS

4745 Council Heights Road

If you like beer, you like COOP. This local brewery was one of the first to make a name for itself in Oklahoma City, both for great beers and a constant community presence. Any bar worth visiting in the metro likely has a keg or two of COOP on tap, and with new 3.2 versions, its beers can now be found in grocery stores. One of its most popular products is DNR, as in “do not resuscitate.” Careful, sailor. 2. Bricktown Brewery, several metro locations

3. Mustang Brewing Company, 520 N. Meridian Ave.

Worth mentioning: Anthem Brewing Company, Prairie Artisan Ales

And while the legendary Edna has left us, her bar is still pouring her legendary cocktail every night of the week. 1.3 million and counting ...

You like the way they werk it. No diggity. You want to pour it up (to the top of the glass and then into your mouth). Readers chose TapWerks Ale House for its wide-ranging beer selection and its frequent work with local breweries to tap “one-off” kegs that might never be tasted again. Hopefully that new Domino’s around the corner won’t siphon away too much business. Hashtag sarcasm.

2. Any bloody mary at S&B’s Burger Joint, several metro locations 3. Old Fashioned at The R&J Lounge and Supper Club,

2. James E. McNellie’s Public House, 1100 Classen Drive 3. Republic Gastropub,

several metro locations

5830 N. Classen Blvd.

Worth mentioning: Oak & Ore, The Patriarch

BEST COCKTAIL (AND THE RESTAURANT/ BAR THAT SERVES IT)

LUNCHBOX AT EDNA’S

5137 N. Classen Circle

Why do they call it a Lunchbox? Why do they call you Lunchbox?! Sorry. That was a low blow, but everybody at Edna’s is probably tired of hearing people ask that question. A frosty mug with a shot of Amaretto in the bottle, a slow pour of Coors Light on top and finished with orange juice, it’s a sweet treat that drinks so smooth, you’ve already ordered a second one.

320 NW 10th St.

Worth mentioning: Holy Diver at HiLo Club, Hummingbird at In The Raw

BEST BREAKFAST

JIMMY’S EGG

Though it has spread out to Texas, Kansas and Nebraska since Vietnamese immigrant Loc Le and family purchased the original eatery at 16th Street and May Avenue from Jim Newman in 1980, Jimmy’s Egg still feels like a hometown breakfast place to our readers. The menu has expanded in recent years, but Jimmy’s famous omelets still stack lines to the door on weekend mornings as diners clamber for biscuits and gravy, hash browns, bacon and big mugs of coffee. Best of all, there’s almost always a Jimmy’s close by. 2. Waffle Champion, 1212 N. Walker Ave., Suite 100

3. Kitchen No. 324, 324 N. Robinson Ave.

Worth mentioning: Cafe Kacao Latin Cuisine, Classen Grill CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

Not valid in conjunction with any other offers. Not redeemable for cash. Some restrictions apply. Good towards the purchase of $2,500 or more.

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S&B’S BURGER JOINT

THE MULE INGRID’S KITCHEN

THE MULE

BEST WEEKEND BRUNCH

INGRID’S KITCHEN

HIDEAWAY PIZZA IRON STAR URBAN BARBEQUE

3701 N. Youngs Blvd.

“Mmmm, I’m not much for brunch” is not a thing real people say. Not liking brunch is the kind of insane behavior that would get Jerry to dump a girl on Seinfeld. So, it’s no wonder that so many people voted for Ingrid’s Kitchen as their favorite place to get their brunch fix. Buffets are available on Saturday, with mostly breakfast favorites, and Sunday, with fried chicken, roast beef and eggs Benedict. But the real show is the dancers who come in Saturday at noon. 2. Cheever’s Cafe, 2409 N. Hudson Ave.

3. Picasso Cafe, 3009 Paseo St. Worth mentioning: Cafe Kacao Latin Cuisine, Kitchen No. 324

BEST LUNCH SPOT

THE MULE

1630 N. Blackwelder Ave.

“Don’t worry about the mule; just load the wagon!” is the motto that inspired your favorite lunch spot’s name. The guys who opened The Mule said it means put in the work, which they did, turning their melted sandwich grill and bar into one of the Plaza District’s signature restaurants. The menu runs the gamut with vegan options, straightforward grilled cheese

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sandwiches and one with pulled pork and macaroni inside. Go hungry and get there early; just like the owners, The Mule is always busy.

BEST SANDWICH SHOP

2. Empire Slice House,

What is a sandwich but stuff between two pieces of bread? Or sometimes stuffed inside one piece of bread. Is a burrito a sandwich? Geez, this gets complicated fast. But it’s pretty uncomplicated to order a good sandwich at The Mule. Readers voted the home of Fancy Pants, The Cortez and Big Ass Grilled Cheese as the best sandwich shop in Oklahoma City, and they chose well.

1734 NW 16th St.

3. Saturn Grill, several metro locations Worth mentioning: Cafe 501, Soda Pops Cafe

BEST HAMBURGERS

S&B’S BURGER JOINT several metro locations

If there’s one thing Oklahomans love, it’s not being trapped in a Chilean coal mine for more than 60 days. But they’re also very fond of hamburgers, which is why it’s easy to find great burgers in every part of the city. S&B’s Burger Joint has been on a tear in recent years, opening up new locations and introducing specialty burgers monthly. Whether full-sized fatties or bite-sized sliders, there is something good grilling at S&B’s. 2. The Garage Burgers & Beer, several metro locations

3. Nic’s Grill, 1201 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Worth mentioning: Johnnie’s Charcoal Broiler, Tucker’s Onion Burgers

THE MULE

1630 N. Blackwelder Ave.

2. City Bites, several metro locations 3. Someplace Else A Deli & Bakery, 2310 N. Western Ave.

Worth mentioning: N D Foods, Neptune Submarine Sandwiches

BEST BARBECUE RESTAURANT

IRON STAR URBAN BARBEQUE 3700 N. Shartel Ave.

You know you want that meat. Iron Star, part of the venerable Good Egg Dining Group, dropped an “r” off its name, but it didn’t drop the ball when it comes to smoking brisket,

turkey, pork and those succulent, tender ribs. And what is barbecue without the sides? The fancy mac and cheese and the Dutch oven sweet potatoes mean even vegetarians can find something to love at Iron Star. 2. Earl’s Rib Palace, several metro locations

3. Swadley’s BBQ, several metro locations

Worth mentioning: Back Door Barbecue, Leo’s Barbeque

BEST PIZZA PLACE

HIDEAWAY PIZZA several metro locations

Hide yo wife. Hide yo kids. And while they’re hidden, grab a Hideaway Special from this winning pizzeria and see what all the fuss it about. This perennial favorite took the category again with its top-to-bottom great pizzas. With its crisp, chewy crust; its famous Hideaway red sauce; and heaping helpings of tempting toppings, it’s little wonder that this Stillwater favorite has taken over Oklahoma City as well. 2. Empire Slice House, 1734 NW 16th St.

3. The Wedge Pizzeria, several metro locations

Worth mentioning: Knuck’s Wheelhouse, Pizzeria Gusto

SUSHI NEKO

CATTLEMEN’S STEAKHOUSE

BEST STEAKHOUSE

CATTLEMEN’S STEAKHOUSE

1309 S. Agnew Ave.

COOLGREENS

make it affordable to belly up to the bar and watch sushi masters create culinary works of art. All the classic rolls are there and there a few you can only find at Sushi Neko, like the Neko Nugget and the Nuclear Roll.

We have no beef with your choice for best steakhouse. This is a state with a lot of great choices for getting a rib-eye or filet, but few have the history of Cattlemen’s in Stockyards City. Open since 1910, the restaurant has fed John Wayne, Reba McEntire and President Bush (the good, first one), who dined on a T-bone. And if you’re feeling adventurous, why not try its famed lamb fries?

2. In The Raw,

2. Red PrimeSteak,

several metro locations

504 N. Broadway Ave.

3. Ranch Steakhouse, 3000 W. Britton Road

Worth mentioning: Boulevard Steakhouse, Mahogany Prime Steakhouse

BEST SUSHI

SUSHI NEKO

4318 N. Western Ave.

The best sushi is the least touched but the most eaten. Sushi Neko specializes in perfectly sliced raw fish, expertly cooked rice and service that is both friendly and attentive. The upscale atmosphere makes it a natural choice for special occasions, but daily specials

200 S. Oklahoma Ave., Suite 130

3. Tokyo Japanese Restaurant, 7516 N. Western Ave.

Worth mentioning: GoGo Sushi, The Sushi Bar

BEST VEGETARIAN, GLUTEN-FREE OR HEALTHY MENU OPTIONS

COOLGREENS

Coolgreens was once thought of as just a salad place — probably because it makes great salads. But the new owners have put in work to solidify its other offerings, which means sandwich supporters, flatbread fiends and wrap relishers can find something when a salad isn’t enough. And the cookies ... oh my. You’d never guess they were healthy by the way they taste. If you’re looking to eat right, Coolgreens is the place to visit. 2. Picasso Cafe, 3009 Paseo St. 3. The Loaded Bowl, food truck Worth mentioning: Elemental Coffee Roasters, The Red Cup CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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PIE JUNKIE WHISKEY CAKE KITCHEN & BAR

THE BLEU GARTEN

BYRON’S LIQUOR WAREHOUSE

PEARL’S RESTAURANT GROUP

BEST PATIO DINING

coconut-flavored cocktails, Byron’s is the place to find a steady supply of the stuff that makes you walk unsteadily.

301 NW 10th St.

2. Moore Liquor,

THE BLEU GARTEN Feeling bleu? You won’t be when you head to the food truck haven at The Bleu Garten. This wide-open Midtown favorite has benches and seats galore; an excellent selection of beers, wine and liquor; and, of course, a rotating roster of trucks offering everything from pizza and pasta to salads, sandwiches, chili and cheesesteaks. Readers voted it the top patio in the city, so if you’re looking to dine al fresco, you know it’s time to get bleu. 2. Louie’s Grill & Bar, several metro locations

3. The Mont Restaurant, 1300 Classen Blvd, Norman

Worth mentioning: Sauced on Paseo, The Pump Bar

BEST LIQUOR STORE

BYRON’S LIQUOR WAREHOUSE 2322 N. Broadway Ave.

If you like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain (and if you also like other drinks and don’t care for that song), you’re probably a fan of Byron’s Liquor Warehouse. It’s a drinker’s paradise, with bounteous shelves stacked high with all your favorite liquors, liqueurs and other potables. So even if you’re not overly fond of

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914 SW Fourth St., Moore

3. Broadway Wine Merchants, 824 N. Broadway Ave.

Worth mentioning: Freeman’s Liquor Mart, Grand Cru Wine & Spirits

BEST (NATIONAL OR REGIONAL) RESTAURANT YOU WISH WAS LOCALLY OWNED

WHISKEY CAKE KITCHEN & BAR

1845 Northwest Expressway

Straight out of Texas, it’s hard to call Whiskey Cake a “chain” restaurant. There are only two of them, and one is in Oklahoma City. But the expert bartenders and seasoned kitchen staff make it easy to see why Gazette readers wish this restaurant was an Oklahoma native. The menu, though, takes full advantage of local produce and flavor. So even if Whiskey Cake is technically a Texan, let’s go ahead and claim it as one of our own — especially that ridiculously delicious eponymously named dessert. 2. Panera Bread, several metro locations

3. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, several metro locations

Worth mentioning: Chili’s, Zoës Kitchen

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

PEARL’S RESTAURANT GROUP several metro locations

Ahoy, land lubbers! We pried open our voting chest and — Avast! — ye’ve given top seafood honors to that Oklahoma City treasure called Pearl’s. With a proclivity toward the cuisine of New Orleans, Pearl’s might also be the city’s best swamp food restaurant, serving up crawfish étouffée and alligator bites like it’s Mardi Gras all year long. Whether it’s swimming or crawling or whatever clams do, it will be cooked up right. 2. The Shack Seafood & Oyster Bar, 303 NW 62nd St.

3. Hefner Grill, 9201 Lake Hefner Parkway

Worth mentioning: Land and Sea, Rococo

BEST DESSERT RESTAURANT, SHOP OR BAKERY

PIE JUNKIE 1711 NW 16th St.

Despite their shop’s name, the ladies of Pie Junkie do not recommend boiling their pies in a spoon and trying to inject them between your toes. It’s much more enjoyable (and less deadly) to use that spoon to shovel big bites of chocolate peanut butter pie, diner cherry or delectable drunken turtle into your

TED’S CAFE ESCONDIDO

mouth. That’s why this Plaza District mainstay captured Gazette readers’ votes as the best of the best for sweet treats. 2. La Baguette Bakery & Café, 2100 W. Main St., Norman

3. Ingrid’s Kitchen, 3701 N. Youngs Blvd.

Worth mentioning: Cuppies & Joe, Sara Sara Cupcakes

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT

TED’S CAFE ESCONDIDO several metro locations

Ay caramba, when will Ted’s lose the “Escondido” from its name? Because if there’s one thing this Mexican food powerhouse is not, it’s “hidden.” Sure, the original location was a little hard to find, but its legendary menu of TexMex favorites has long since put it on everyone’s radar. And since we all have GPS on our phones now, you’re more likely to get lost inside its packed-full restaurants than on the way to one. 2. Iguana Mexican Grill, 9 NW Ninth St.

3. Chelino’s Mexican Restaurant, several metro locations

Worth mentioning: Abel’s Mexican Restaurant, Alfredo’s Mexican Cafe

CAFE DO BRASIL

FLIP’S WINE BAR & TRATTORIA

BEST LATIN RESTAURANT

CAFE DO BRASIL

440 NW 11th St. Suite 100

For an authentic South American meal, Oklahoma City loves Cafe do Brasil. A Midtown staple since 2005, the restaurant serves up topnotch Brazilian foods that can’t be found anywhere else, like feijoada (black beans, pork, rice and collard greens), arroz de pescador (tomatosauce cooked shrimp, calamari, clams, black mussels and tilapia mixed with rice) or churrascada Brasileira (meat, meat and more meat with fried plantains and polenta). But no one will blame you if you’re only going for the famous cocktails served upstairs at its Bossa Nova bar. 2. 1492 New World Latin Cuisine, 1207 N. Walker Ave.

3. Cafe Kacao Latin Cuisine, 3325 N. Classen Blvd.

Worth mentioning: Chiltepe’s Latin Cuisine & Bar, Zarate’s Latin Mexican Grill

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

FLIP’S WINE BAR & TRATTORIA 5801 N. Western Ave.

Italy is, by some accounts, home to the best Italian food in the world. But getting delivery across the ocean can be murder, so it’s good that Oklahoma City has more than a few great places for spaghetti, pizza and pesto. Flip’s is one of the metro’s oldest and most venerated Italian eateries and is this

INGRID’S KITCHEN

year’s winner, thanks to great service, a tremendous wine selection and oodles of noodles. And rather than get caught up in being authentic, the staff is focused on being good, which means a lot more people leaving happy and full.

www.shopbowandarrow.com 617 N. Broadway Ave. • 601-0605 Hours: Mon-Fri 11-6 • Sat 11-4

2. Stella Modern Italian Cuisine, 1201 N. Walker Ave.

3. Gabriella’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria, 1226 NE 63rd St.

Worth mentioning: Bella Vista Italian Kitchen, Vito’s Ristorante

BEST WESTERN EUROPEAN RESTAURANT, NOT ITALIAN (DANISH, ENGLISH, FRENCH, GERMAN, IRISH, SCOTTISH, SPANISH, ETC.)

INGRID’S KITCHEN 3701 N. Youngs Blvd.

Italy is, by some accounts, not even the best country in Europe. And at Ingrid’s Kitchen, this year’s winner for Best Western European Restaurant, Not Italian — kind of a mouthful — you can get wienerschnitzel, knackwurst and a dynamite sauerkraut — which is also kind of a mouthful. Its weekend breakfast buffets pack the tables in the spacious restaurant on a regular basis, so get there early. And save room for dessert (or just skip the meal), because its pastry case and cookie selection are the stuff of legends. 2. La Baguette Bistro, 7408 N. May Ave.

3. Fassler Hall, 421 NW 10th St.

Worth mentioning: Old Germany Restaurant, Royal Bavaria CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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MUSASHI’S

ZORBA’S MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE

BEST MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT

ZORBA’S MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE 6014 N. May Ave.

There are two kinds of people in the world: Those who like hummus and those who are plotting to destroy America. And proving your allegiance to the red, white and blue is just one of many good reasons to head to our winner for Best Mediterranean Restaurant: Zorba’s. Other reasons include gyros, falafel, gyros, kabobs, seriously the gyros, fresh fish and meats that are carved off a giant cone into a pita. For many in the metro, Mediterranean food begins and ends at Zorba’s, always with a clean plate. 2. Basil Mediterranean Cafe, 6620 E. Reno Ave.

3. Couscous Cafe, 6165 N. May Ave.

Worth mentioning: Mediterranean Imports & Deli, Nunu’s Mediterranean Cafe & Market

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT

TAJ CUISINE OF INDIA 1500 NW 23rd St.

If you’ve got an Indian jones, you’ve likely scratched it at Taj Cuisine of India before. During the day, the buffet overfloweth with favorites like chicken tikka masala, vegetable korma and piles of fresh, pillowy naan. At

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TAJ CUISINE OF INDIA

night, the restaurant moves to a menu that delves deeper into the spicy world of Indian food, serving masala dosa, channa batura and fresh fish curry. Scared of the heat? Don’t be. Taj can take individual dishes from mild to wild, giving everyone a chance to taste the reason it’s Oklahoma Gazette’s Best of OKC winner. 2. Gopuram Taste of India, 4559 NW 23rd St.

3. Himalayas Aroma of India, 709 N. Moore Ave., Moore

Worth mentioning: Ajanta Cuisine of India, Sheesh Mahal

BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT

MUSASHI’S

4315 N. Western Ave.

“Chop-chop!” takes on a whole new meaning at Musashi’s, where diners get dinner and a show as seasoned teppanyaki chefs slice and sizzle plates of steak, seafood and vegetables on seasoned teppanyaki tables right before their eyes. There’s no fried rice quite so good as the kind you see being made. If onion volcanoes aren’t your thing, Mr. Fancy, then you still have plenty to choose from. Musashi’s knows its way around a sushi roll, and its expertly cooked robata skewers keep a steady crowd at this Western Avenue favorite. 2. Sushi Neko, 4318 N. Western Ave. 3. Tokyo Japanese Restaurant, 7516 N. Western Ave.

Worth mentioning: Shiki Japanese Restaurant, Yamato Japanese Steakhouse

CHEEVER’S CAFE

PHO LIEN HOA THAI HOUSE DOT WO GARDEN

PIZZERIA GUSTO

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT

DOT WO GARDEN 6161 N. May Ave.

More like Dot Whoa Garden! Am I right? When it comes to Chinese food, Dot Wo is known for quality and selection with a menu that includes plenty of Americanized favorites (sesame chicken and sweet-and-sour pork) and more traditional dishes (clams with bean sauce and ma la ji ding). Even hard-to-find delicacies can be found there, including sizzling rice soup, an intoxicating feast for the senses. That’s why Dot Wo has long been a destination for Chinese immigrants and those of us who love great food alike. 2. Grand House Asian Bistro, 2701 N. Classen Blvd.

3. Golden Phoenix, 2728 N. Classen Blvd.

Worth mentioning: Chow’s Chinese Restaurant, Fung’s Kitchen

BEST THAI RESTAURANT

THAI HOUSE RESTAURANT 500 NW 23rd St.

Thai me up, Thai me down, just keep serving that sweet, spicy and seductive Thai food at Thai House Restaurant. This Uptown 23rd District mainstay is known for its expansive buffet and extensive menu. Take it

slow with the dish that’s friendly for beginners and old pros: pad thai. Or go nuts on your taste buds with the intensely bright and searing hot green curry. Whatever you order, it’s a sure bet your mouth will enjoy a cooldown with the sweet caffeine hit of Thai coffee, keeping you awake until you’re hungry for more Thai House. 2. Thai Kitchen, 327 Dean A. McGee Ave.

3. Sala Thai, 1614 NW 23rd St.

Worth mentioning: Panang Thai Restaurant, Tana Thai Bistro

BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

PHO LIEN HOA 901 NW 23rd St.

Vietnamese food is more than just pho, but, man, pho is all the way awesome. And while it’s right there in the name, Pho Lien Hoa can feed you with its small-but-excellent menu. The vermicelli bowls pile noodles, lettuce and bean sprouts together with fresh, crunchy vegetables and bright, inviting sauces that are topped with sliced prawn, pork, chicken and fried spring rolls. The rice plates are hearty, filling and simply done. That said, no one will blame you for ordering its steaming hot pho, no matter the temperature outside. 2. Lido Restaurant, 2518 N. Military Ave., Suite 101

3. Mr. Pho, 1133 NW 25th St. Worth mentioning: Golden Phoenix, Pho Cuong

PHO LIEN HOA

BEST PHO RESTAURANT

PHO LIEN HOA 901 NW 23rd St.

Every year, the competition for Best Pho Restaurant gets hotter and hotter, like someone who went a little crazy with the bottle of Sriracha. Oklahoma City’s pho game runs deep, but this year’s winner is the highly respected and beloved Pho Lien Hoa. Its guide helps neo-pho-ytes and pho-xperts to the perfect blend of broth, noodles and beef. First timer? Try the pho chin nac with brisket. And old pro? Get it with rare steak and fatty flank meat. Or get really adventurous and dive into a bowl with chewy tendon and tripe. It’s all good. 2. Mr. Pho, 1133 NW 25th St.

3. Pho’Ever, 6929 Northwest Expressway

Worth mentioning: PhoBoulous, Pho Cuong

BEST NEW RESTAURANT TO OPEN SINCE 6/1/14

PIZZERIA GUSTO 2415 N. Walker Ave.

Oklahoma City’s restaurant scene hit it out of the park this year. Any of the contenders are worthy choices, but Gazette readers chose runaway hit Pizzeria Gusto as the best to open since last June. It’s easy to see why, as the new venture from Big Truck Tacos and Back Door Barbecue’s Kathryn

Mathis and Chris Lower once again wowed diners with crowd-pleasing and palate-challenging pizzas cooked Neapolitan-style. And it offers so much more than pizza, with great appetizers, salads and sandwiches, too. 2. The Pump Bar, 2425 N. Walker Ave.

3. Fassler Hall, 421 NW 10th St.

Worth mentioning: Bonjour, Broadway 10 Bar & Chophouse

BEST FINE DINING ESTABLISHMENT

CHEEVER’S CAFE 2409 N. Hudson Ave.

We all strive to enjoy the finer things in life: silk underwear, rock operas and, of course, chicken-fried steak with jalapeño gravy. That’s why Cheever’s Cafe is once again the city’s best fine dining spot. There’s a casual elegance at Cheever’s mirrored in the friendly-but-attentive wait staff and the food that somehow captures rustic charm and precise attention to detail. A special occasion spot for some, it’s also home to decadent weekend brunches and a bustling lunch crowd. But it’s always, always a treat. 2. Red PrimeSteak, 504 N. Broadway Ave.

3. Vast, 333 W. Sheridan Ave. Worth mentioning: Mahogany Prime Steakhouse, Ranch Steakhouse CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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Athens Greek & American

RESTAURANT WEEKLY SPECIAL

Gyro With Rice

$6.99 7700 NW. 23rd St. Bethany, OK

405.787.4414

MON - SAT 11-8:30

JAMES E. MCNELLIE’S PUBLIC HOUSE

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21 to Enter Pool Closed No swimming

EDNA’S

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD PUB

JAMES E. MCNELLIE’S PUBLIC HOUSE 1100 Classen Drive

Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. And sometimes you just need a beer and a burger in a welcoming atmosphere. That’s what makes McNellie’s such a popular local watering hole — everybody feels at home. Ride a stool at the counter and watch bartenders pull beautiful pints or hide yourself away with friends upstairs for a more intimate after-work drink. McNellie’s variety of foods also gives visitors plenty to nosh on while they’re ordering just one more beer. 2. The Pump Bar, 2425 N. Walker Ave.

3. Henry Hudson’s Pub, several metro locations

Worth mentioning: JJ’s Alley, Saints

BEST DIVE BAR

EDNA’S

5137 N. Classen Circle

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I-40 EXIT 178 | SHAWNEE, OK | 405-964-7263

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Is “dive” a code word for “fun”? Because that’s what you’ll find at Edna’s. The staff isn’t worried about putting on airs or turning drinks into intricately designed works of art. It’s pulling beers, pouring cocktails

REPUBLIC GASTROPUB

and keeping a thirsty crowd sated with a steady supply of its famous Lunchboxes. Maybe it gets a little rowdy in there, but with The Door (the Twittering bouncer) on guard, it’s lots of fun. So if you’ve been waiting to try out one of the city’s least-kept secrets, we say dive in. 2. Cock o’ the Walk, 3705 N. Western Ave.

3. HiLo Club, 1221 NW 50th St.

Worth mentioning: Cookie’s, The Pump Bar

BEST UPSCALE BAR

REPUBLIC GASTROPUB 5830 N. Classen Blvd.

Republic is a sports bar with a food problem. Namely, the problem is its food is too good. And while there’s always somebody ready to chow down on one of its luscious burgers or fresh salads, at night, Republic becomes the place to see and be seen with a mixed drink or beer. The giant TVs are always showing games — it’s a great place to go on Sundays during NFL season — but it never overpowers the experience for those more interested in making new friends. 2. O Bar at the Ambassador Hotel, 1200 N. Walker Ave. 3. Sidecar Barley & Wine Bar, 1100 N. Broadway Ave.

Worth mentioning: Red Piano Lounge, Vast

THE PUMP BAR

BIG TRUCK TACOS

JIMMY’S EGG

BEST NEW BAR TO OPEN SINCE 6/1/14

THE PUMP BAR 2425 N. Walker Ave.

It’s a good time to be a drinker. Much as the restaurant scene has blown up, so has our thirst for new, fun places to toss back a few cold ones. The Pump Bar is one of a kind, transforming an old gas station into one of the busiest and best watering holes around. The expansive patio comes to life in the afternoons and evenings, and the Tiki drinks flow like water. Best of all, the chefs send out amazing daily food specials that make The Pump a must-visit for the 21-and-up crowd. 2. Fassler Hall, 421 NW 10th St.

3. Oak & Ore, 1732 NW 16th St.

Worth mentioning: Power House, Sidecar Barley & Wine Bar

BEST DINER

JIMMY’S EGG

several metro locations

The term “greasy spoon” has thankfully lost favor and been replaced by “oldfashioned diner.” Maybe that’s because places like Jimmy’s Egg take such great care in keeping the place spick-andspan. Whether you’re in the market for a plate of eggs, a stack of pancakes or a bottomless cup of coffee, Jimmy’s is an easy and affordable choice. And

lunch is no slouch, either. In true diner style, this locally owned chain is here to please no matter your tastes. 2. Nic’s Grill, 1201 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

3. Classen Grill, 5124 N. Classen Circle

Worth mentioning: Beverly’s Pancake House; The Diner, Norman

BEST FOOD TRUCK OR FOOD CART

BIG TRUCK TACOS 530 NW 23rd St., mobile

All hail the king of the food trucks! It seems like a new truck hits the streets every day, but they all owe a debt to Big Truck, which brought the meals on wheels concept roaring down our roads. Upscale taqueria fare and kitschy, caring service have made this truck (and its home-base eatery) enduringly popular, even as competition increases. Keeping it fresh is the 5th Amendment, a daily special the contents of which are kept secret until the next day. Fun fact: Stop in early to see night-shift nurses unwinding after a tough day. 2. Roxy’s Ice Cream Social, 1732 NW 16th St., Suite B, mobile

3. The Saucee Sicilian, 2837 NW 63rd St., mobile

Worth mentioning: Kaiteki Ramen, The Loaded Bowl CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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CHEEVER’S CAFE GRAND HOUSE ASIAN BISTRO

THE MULE

PASEO GRILL

KD’S SOUTHERN CUISINE

BEST UPTOWN 23RD RESTAURANT

CHEEVER’S CAFE

BEST ASIAN DISTRICT RESTAURANT HIDEAWAY PIZZA

2409 N. Hudson Ave.

One of the biggest battles for culinary domination takes places on 23rd Street. A panoply of restaurants have opened in recent years to great acclaim, but this year’s best Uptown 23rd District spot goes to Cheever’s. Consistently delightful and innovative, it changes its menu roster seasonally while retaining its greatest hits. It’s an eatery where the dress code can be as fancy or relaxed as you like — everyone is treated equally — and the food remains steadfastly excellent. Cheever’s continues to look down the road, daring any competitors to come at it, bro. 2. Big Truck Tacos, 530 NW 23rd St.

3. Guernsey Park, 2418 N. Guernsey Ave.

Worth mentioning: Pizza 23, Pizzeria Gusto

BEST PLAZA DISTRICT RESTAURANT

THE MULE

1630 N. Blackwelder Ave.

The Leave-a-Drink board catches one’s eye upon entering The Mule, which takes the honor for Best Plaza District Restaurant. The overflowing list of drinks awaiting customers isn’t the only reason to check it out, but it’s as good an excuse as any to stop by. When you do, don’t be surprised to find a happily packed house, a stereo playing great music and lots and lots of sandwiches

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coming out of the kitchen. Plenty of challengers vied to usurp The Mule’s place at top, but the boys from Hungry Town Concepts (its parent company) are always happy to defend the title. 2. Empire Slice House, 1734 NW 16th St.

3. Pie Junkie, 1711 NW 16th St.

Worth mentioning: Chiltepe’s Latin Cuisine & Bar, Saints

BEST PASEO ARTS DISTRICT RESTAURANT

PASEO GRILL

2909 Paseo St., Suite A

Yes, those are reading glasses on the table. In the funky Paseo Arts District, Paseo Grill has outlasted many of its neighbors by providing an upscale menu, an excellent bar and an elegant place in which to enjoy both. Even on the brightest days, the dining room stays cool and dim. At night, the twinkling lights of the Paseo make their way inside. The patio is inviting, as are favorite dishes as they arrive at your table. At lunch, try the curry-infused cast-iron skillet chicken pot pie. For dinner, the prime rib is what you crave. 2. Picasso Cafe, 3009 Paseo St.

3. Sauced on Paseo, 2912 Paseo St.

Worth mentioning: The Other Room, The Red Rooster Bar & Grill

GRAND HOUSE ASIAN BISTRO

2701 N. Classen Blvd.

How grand is Grand House Asian Bistro? Grand enough to capture the always-contentious competition for Best Asian District Restaurant. A big, beautiful eatery that runs like clockwork, Grand House serves classic Chinese dishes, straight-fromthe-tank seafood and a variety of sushi. But to see a real show, turn up Saturday and Sunday mornings for its dim sum brunch. Servers wheel around carts covered in dumplings of all sorts, noodles galore and meats and vegetables of every type past tables, allowing diners to pick and choose as the buffet rolls by. 2. Golden Phoenix, 2728 N. Classen Blvd.

3. Lido Restaurant, 2518 N. Military Ave., Suite 101

Worth mentioning: Pho Cuong, Pho Lien Hoa

BEST AUTOMOBILE ALLEY DISTRICT RESTAURANT

HIDEAWAY PIZZA 901 N. Broadway Ave.

It’s hard to beat a great pizza. Even as Automobile Alley’s comestible portfolio expands, Hideaway Pizza still brings in diners who are hungry for a slice or three. The classic pepperoni or supreme get lots of love, but Hideaway is always innovating and adding new specialty

pies. Meat lovers will find happiness in The Capone, and vegetarians love the Twitter-created Tweetza with its powerful punch of pesto, roasted garlic, sundried tomatoes and feta. And if you have a favorite that left the menu, just ask your server, who might be able to make it for you anyway. 2. S&B’s Burger Joint, 20 NW Ninth St.

3. Iguana Mexican Grill, 9 NW Ninth St.

Worth mentioning: Broadway 10 Bar & Chophouse, Red PrimeSteak

BEST BRICKTOWN DISTRICT RESTAURANT

KD’S SOUTHERN CUISINE

224 Johnny Bench Drive

Anyone looking for a slam-dunk dining experience will want to lay up into a booth at KD’s Southern Cuisine and bounce-pass its plate to ... uh ... additional basketball reference. Hey, Kevin Durant might be known for his prowess on the court, but we’re talking about food here. OKC’s eateratti named his restaurant the best in Bricktown because the high-class, down-home cooking is too good to ignore. Shrimp and grits? Take it to the hole! The mouth hole! No wonder our readers are making fast breaks for KD’s. 2. Bricktown Brewery, 1 N. Oklahoma Ave.

3. The Mantel Wine Bar & Bistro, 201 E. Sheridan Ave.

Worth mentioning: In The Raw, Pearl’s Crabtown

WAFFLE CHAMPION

Meet Rebecca Our repair & gold buying expert Rebecca’s never one to meet a stranger, and it’s not just her integrity or professional service that keep our customers coming back; it’s her genuine care for our clients old and new.

THE WEDGE PIZZERIA

BEST CLASSEN CURVE DISTRICT RESTAURANT

REPUBLIC GASTROPUB 5830 N. Classen Blvd.

Plenty of bars will serve you food, but Classen Curve’s best offers gourmet burgers, fancy sandwiches and pubstyle favorites. Republic doesn’t just have an amazing selection of beer and JumboTron-sized TVs hanging from the ceiling — it’s also home to some of the city’s tastiest food. The casual atmosphere means it’s great for dates and birthdays and equally comfortable for a quick bite with friends. And if you save room for dessert, don’t leave without trying Meme’s doughnuts. 2. Tucker’s Onion Burgers, 5740 N. Classen Blvd., Suite 3

3. Cafe 501, 5825 NW Grand Blvd.

Worth mentioning: Green Goodies, Pearl’s Oyster Bar

BEST DEEP DEUCE DISTRICT RESTAURANT

THE WEDGE PIZZERIA 230 NE First St.

“You’re fired!” is a thing that Donald Trump sometimes says on TV. But would he dare wood-fire them? No. That would be illegal. Luckily, no such laws apply to the pizza wizards at The Wedge Pizzeria in Deep Deuce, where wood-fired pizzas come to you hot and crisp out of the oven. And unlike poor Omarosa, you’ll always have a place in your organization for The Beet

REPUBLIC GASTROPUB

Goes On salad and the chickenand-mushroom glory that is the Truffle-Shuffle pizza. Warning to all visitors with Trumplike hair: If you sit on the patio, a breeze could carry that wig all the way to Bricktown. 2. Deep Deuce Grill,

“They say I’m a people person, but I say I’m a problem solver. I love to bring smiles to our clients’ faces.”

Come in today to meet Rebecca and select the perfect piece for you.

307 NE Second St.

3. Urban Johnnie Bar & Grille, 121 NE Second St.

Worth mentioning: Slaughter’s Hall, WSKY Lounge

BEST MIDTOWN DISTRICT RESTAURANT

WAFFLE CHAMPION

1212 N. Walker Ave., Suite 101

Pancakes cower. Strudels hide. In Midtown, the victor is Waffle Champion. A food truck-turnedstorefront, this waffle-slinging breakfast-and-lunch spot creates some of the best and most unique sandwiches in the city. Even though Midtown has become brunch central, the lines are always forming at Waffle Champion because people are hungry for a winner. So smack down your hunger, suplex that cereal and come getcha some at the self-proclaimed and undisputed Midtown champ. 2. James E. McNellie’s Public House,

exclusively at

1100 Classen Drive

3. Stella Modern Italian Cuisine, 1201 N. Walker Ave.

Worth mentioning: Fassler Hall, 1492 New World Latin Cuisine CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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KITCHEN NO. 324

THE WEDGE PIZZERIA

CATTLEMEN’S STEAKHOUSE SAUCED ON PASEO

BEST STOCKYARDS CITY DISTRICT RESTAURANT

CATTLEMEN’S STEAKHOUSE

1309 S. Agnew Ave.

Every time you see a Chick-fil-A billboard covered with illiterate cows, remember how much better off they’d be just accepting that they’re destined for steakly greatness. And in Stockyards City, the best place to chow down on a T-bone is Cattlemen’s. What nabbed it the top spot? Was it the early morning diner-style breakfast? The out-there items like calf brains and eggs? Or how about that salad dressing? Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the fact that it prepares top-notch sirloins, rib-eyes, strip steaks and more every single day. 2. Panaderia La Herradura, 2235 SW 14th St.

3. Stockyards City Cafe, 2501 Exchange Ave.

BEST WESTERN AVENUE DISTRICT RESTAURANT

THE WEDGE PIZZERIA 4709 N. Western Ave.

Wedge can have so many meanings. Sure, The Wedge Pizzeria on Western is probably talking about a lovely wedge of its artfully made, wood-fired

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BIG TRUCK TACOS

pizzas. But it could be talking about its wedge salad. Or the people who wedge into line for its $5 Grab-nGo breakfast-and-coffee combo. Or maybe it has been a secret proposal scheme all along. Wed G.E.? Is The Wedge asking Oklahoma Gazette food writer Greg Elwell to marry it? No. It’s the pizza. But Greg’s standing outside in a white gown just in case. 2. Sushi Neko, 4318 N. Western Ave.

3. Musashi’s, 4315 N. Western Ave.

Worth mentioning: The Drum Room, West

BEST DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT (INCLUDES ARTS DISTRICT, FILM ROW DISTRICT AND FARMERS MARKET DISTRICT)

KITCHEN NO. 324 324 N. Robinson Ave.

It’s not that Kitchen No. 324 only serves poached eggs; it’s that it does them so well. Order up fried green tomato Benedict or open-faced toast and look at that gorgeous orb of white. A gentle nudge with a fork and a silky ribbon of yellow yolk emerges, giving every bite on the plate an intense decadence. Lunch and dinner are equally impressive, and the pastry counter is a wonderland. It’s no

surprise Kitchen again tops the heap. 2. Museum Cafe at Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive

3. Vast, 333 W. Sheridan Ave. Worth mentioning: Flint, Joey’s Pizzeria

BEST LOCAL RESTAURANT TO ORDER TO-GO

BIG TRUCK TACOS 530 NW 23rd St.

The drive-through at Big Truck Tacos is reserved for call-in orders, which makes picking up things such as tacos, burritos and queso a breeze. Wrapped up tight in foil, to-go tacos mean fans don’t have to brave the always-busy dining room to get their fix of fried avocados, pulled pork and spicy grilled beef wrapped up in corn or flour tortillas. Just call in, pull up and drive off with a bag of tacos so tasty they might not make it home. And be sure to grab plenty of OMG and Asphalt salsas, too. Those Taco Bell packets you have at home just won’t measure up. 2. Hideaway Pizza,

BEST LOCAL RESTAURANT THAT DELIVERS

SAUCED ON PASEO 2912 Paseo St.

There is no sound sweeter than the doorbell when you know Sauced is waiting for you outside. Delivery is decadent, a luxury. It doesn’t matter if you’re in sweatpants, a stained T-shirt and three days’ worth of missed showers — it will bring you hot food that you can eat. Most delivery food comes from chains and the results are, at best, mediocre. So when you want good food from a local kitchen, get Sauced. With crazy combinations like the Green Lantern (spinach, capicola, pear) and old favorites like the Loaded Hawaiian, there’s something for everybody. 2. China House, 2103 Riverwalk Drive, Moore

3. Stars & Stripes Pizza, several metro locations

Worth mentioning: Knuck’s Wheelhouse, Pizza House

several metro locations

3. Ted’s Cafe Escondido, several metro locations

Worth mentioning: Iron Star Urban Barbeque, Johnnie’s Charcoal Broiler

GAME OVER

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䘀伀䰀䰀伀圀唀匀㨀 O K L A H O M A G A Z E T T E | AU G U S T 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 | 5 1

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P HOtOs BY M a RK Ha N COC K

LIFE FOOD & DRINK

Kamala Gamble left with chef Barbara Mock

OUtDOOR DINNeR SeRIeS:

You’ve been served Kamala Gamble and Barbara Mock use their urban farm and catering company to share their love of homegrown flavor with the community.

Farm-to-Table featuring Chefs Kamala Gamble and Barbara Mock 7-8 p.m. Aug. 28 Meinders Terrace Myriad Botanical Gardens 301 W. Reno Ave. myriadgardens.org $60-$75 21+

BY GREG ELWELL

Editor’s note: You’ve been served is an occasional feature spotlighting chefs, bartenders and others involved in making and serving food in Oklahoma City. There are no tomatoes in June. Well, there are grocery store tomatoes and maybe greenhouse tomatoes. But anyone looking for that fresh, ripe, just-off-the-vine tomato taste is usually out of luck until at least July, Kamala Gamble said. As the head of Kam’s Kookery (a local catering company) and Guilford Gardens (a rambling 2-acre urban farm behind her northwest Oklahoma City home), Gamble and chef Barbara Mock look to the seasons for inspiration. Planning a wedding reception often means peering into a crystal ball, sussing out what will (hopefully) be growing in six or 12 months. Seasonality is vital to flavor, Gamble said. The difference of a week or a month can mean fresh, fully ripened tomatoes and luscious, juicy melons. “We get to introduce them [catering clients] to the best versions of foods,” she said.

Flavor bank

Despite a veritable food revolution in Oklahoma, Gamble said many are still stuck in the past and expect produce

shipped from halfway across the globe, regardless of flavor. Their business, however, is about marrying expectations with their expertise. Mock was a convert as well. She didn’t even like tomatoes before she came to work at Kam’s. But when slicing ruby-red globes that are bursting with the sweet juice of the summer’s sun, it’s hard not to fall in love. Gamble fell out of love with her first chosen career. After receiving a degree in finance from the University of Oklahoma, she went to work as a banker for 10 years. By 1997, she had enough and quit. Her next stop was culinary school, eventually working with famed chef and Oklahoma native Rick Bayless, an experience that shaped her philosophy. Mock’s story is similar. After leaving a job working with numbers, she found her passion in cooking. “I was tired of budgeting. I didn’t want to be stuck in an office for the rest of my life,” she said. During Mock’s culinary training, her class visited Kam’s Kookery to see how a catering business was run. When Gamble was looking for help in the kitchen, she turned to Mock’s instructor, who suggested Barbara for the job. “Kam said, ‘Can you fry okra?’ and I said, ‘Yes.’ And that was that,” Mock said.

Synchronicity

In the kitchen, Gamble and Mock often move as if they’re one person in two bodies. Each understands her role and exactly how their shared work will come together. Watch them slicing side-byside and you’ll see the long, graceful cut of skilled hands — nimble, but sure. Yet if you ask them what they do best, they both say it’s when they do the least. “Summer is my favorite time to cook,” Gamble said. “Everything is so perfect; the less done the better.” Or as Mock likes to say, get really good ingredients and don’t screw them up. Their philosophy is flavor before all else. Presentation plays a part, but when cooking from the garden, flavor is everything. It’s evident in their work. Their panzanella salad — a catering favorite — includes beautiful bread chunks soaked in a lemon vinaigrette set off by a variety of fresh tomatoes, basil and cucumbers from the garden. “Salads are an art form,” Gamble said. “You have to have good ingredients in a salad because that’s where you see them the most. You can’t make a great salad out of season.” She said having access to Guilford Gardens has spoiled her on lettuce. She won’t eat lettuce she doesn’t grow herself.

“Salads are an art form,” said Kamala Gamble, head of Kam’s Cookery and Guilford Gardens in Oklahoma City.

Growing goodness

Kam’s is just as passionate about cooking meats, focusing on local producers that raise great-tasting animals. “Again, it’s all flavor,” Gamble said. “It’s about what the animals eat. Beef where the hooves hit the ground until they’re processed. Happy animals taste better.” As she walks along rows of tomatoes, eggplants and herbs, Gamble said it’s hard to believe how much it has grown over the last 15 years. The impetus to start came from a simple need to get the best ingredients around. Now Kam’s delivers CSA (community-supported agriculture) produce bags across the city, sharing whatever is fresh with home cooks and restaurants. In the spring, there’s lettuce and beets and pea shoots. Come fall, there will be squash, carrots, sweet potatoes and more. Years after leaving their office jobs behind, the women of Kam’s Kookery still have passion for the dishes they create. Because it’s not just happy animals that make great food — it’s also happy chefs. And while their cooking classes have lessened considerably, Gamble and Mock still want to share the joy of cooking locally grown produce. Aug. 28, they’ll use produce from Guilford Gardens to prepare and serve a farm-to-table outdoor dinner as part of the Outdoor Dining Series at Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave. The last day to register for the event is Friday. For more information on Kam’s Kookery, visit kamskookery.com. Learn more about the Outdoor Dining Series at myriadgardens.org.

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FOOD BRIEFS

M a RK Ha N COC K

BY GREG ELWELL

Aw, shucks

Chile roast Roasted Hatch green chiles are a New Mexican staple, going in everything from soup to burgers and pizza. For the last four years, Buy For Less has brought a tumble roaster to Oklahoma City to share those flavors with local residents. This year, produce and floral director Doug Lawrence said it planned on doing it every weekend in August until severe weather hit New Mexico. “Rain has dampened down on the harvest, but as soon as we can get back in the fields, harvesting the peppers, we’ll bring them back,” he said. “We have had such an intense following. People in the Oklahoma City metro have been so thrilled and happy to have the ability to get roasted peppers.” When the roasts return, they will be at 3501 Northwest Expressway in Oklahoma City and 10011 SE 15th St. in Midwest City.

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Vastly thirsty Vast and Thirst Wine Merchants team up for the third Wine for the People event 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday on the 50th floor of Devon Tower, 333 W. Sheridan Ave. Thirst sales representative Allie Day said the event’s inspiration came from Vast director of operations Kurt Fleischfresser (pictured), who wanted people to try wines from around the globe at an affordable price. Guests can sample a variety of South American wines from Thirst and nibble on South American cuisine prepared by the chefs at Vast. “It’s great for after work to come and socialize and try some new wines,” Day said. “Last time, we served Spanish wines and they served tapas.” Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Visit vastokc.com/specialevents or call 702-7262 for tickets and more information.

gaZEttE staF F / F ILE

PROVIDED

The Drake Seafood and Oysterette, 519 NW 23rd St., Suite 111, opens Tuesday. The concept from A Good Egg Dining Group will not feature duck on the menu. General Manager Jon Clark said that’s because The Drake is named for Sir Francis Drake, the rumored inventor of the cocktail. As a sailor, Drake spent plenty of time on the sea and likely ate many exotic fish, which Manager Maggie Abston said is something Oklahomans can do at The Drake. The “oysterette” is a section of the lengthy bar dedicated to shuckers, who will pry apart a rotating roster of six oyster varieties for customers to try. However, Abston said the menu is not exclusively for pescatarians. “We know not everyone is crazy about fish, so we’ll have a Wagyu skirt steak on the menu and a fried chicken sandwich, ” she said. The restaurant will also serve a seafood paella for two, fried catfish, cod, shrimp, lobster, scallop ceviche and a variety of salads. Learn more at thedrakeokc.com.

P HOtOs BY ga REtt FI s BEC K

LIFE FOOD AND DRINK

Killer ’cue

Ribs, burnt ends, smoked hot link and sausage, pulled pork and Apple Pie BBQ Beans at The Butcher BBQ Stand

Father-and-son pitmasters serve up seriously good barbecue in Wellston. BY GREG ELWELL

How far are you willing to drive for great barbecue? Just Bing “barbecue road trip” on your Google to discover how many people drive hundreds of miles to gorge on smoked meats and sweet sauces. And you only have to go to Wellston. A quick jaunt down the Turner Turnpike delivers you to the long, red shipping container where Levi Bouska and his crew cook up some amazing meat candy at The Butcher BBQ Stand, 3402 W. Highway 66. “There’s good barbecue in Oklahoma City, Greg,” you might say. “Why should I drive all the way to Wellston?” Because you want to taste the low-and-slow creations that have won competitions for Levi and his father, David, and landed them on the TLCDestination America cable reality show BBQ Pitmasters. Bouska calls his father the “mad scientist” of the barbecue world, always working on new injection methods and rubs to create tender, flavorful meats. The food they serve is prepared exactly like their award-winning competition entries. Levi isn’t on the road much these days because running the restaurant is a full-time job. The Butcher BBQ Stand is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

the Butcher BBQ Stand 3402 W. Highway 66, Wellston 240-3437 | butcherbbqstand.com What WORkS: amazing ribs and tremendous pulled pork What NeeDS WORk: the brisket is moist but lacks punch. tIP: If burnt ends are on the menu, get those.

and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays. It closes even earlier when it sells out. Great barbecue takes time, and if you taste the food coming out of that kitchen, you’ll agree that is time well spent. What should you order? Everything. And if you get the Meat Locker ($25.99), you get to try them all: ribs, pulled pork, brisket, chicken, sausage and hot link. It’s not easy choosing favorites, but $20 is a pretty good price to pay for a full slab of Butcher’s ribs. Hickory smoked, these are some of the juiciest ribs you’ll ever have. The meat doesn’t fall off the bone; it pulls away gently as you bite into it. The outside of the rib, sometimes called the bark or the crust, is a rich, shimmery shade of mahogany. The

smoke, the fat and the seasonings combine to create a gorgeous product. Butcher offers sauces, too, but I didn’t need any for these ribs. Their flavor is potent and intoxicating. While I thought the brisket ($4 per 1/4-pound) was a little bland, I think all brisket is kind of bland. If you want something to put sauce on, this is it. I was much more taken with the pulled pork ($3.25 per 1/4-pound), which had lots of fatty flavor and a tender texture. The Bouskas won their first World Championship Barbecue title with this recipe, and you can taste it. For the kids (or picky adults) the Chick-Q Nuggets ($4 per 1/4-pound) are smoked breast bites soaked in barbecue sauce. They are addictively good. The hot link and sausage (each

$3.25 per 1/4-pound) are less about the smoke and more about the meat, and it is just spicy enough to add a zing to every bite. On the side, you will not be happy with yourself if you miss the Apple Pie BBQ Beans ($1.99 for a serving, $5.29 for a pint, $10.59 a quart). Beans, pulled pork, apple pie filling and plenty of seasoning makes for a sweet and spicy bite you’ll want to take again and again. I did not try the 1/2-pound smoked cheeseburger ($8.99), made with a 60-percent beef/40-percent bacon mix, but that just gives me another reason to head back to Butcher BBQ Stand next weekend. It’s a short drive that’s long on flavor.

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Ermagerd! Nerdles! Give a man a fish and you’ll feed him for a day. Give a man a bowl of noodles and he’ll be like, “Oh, man! This will go great with the fish!” Don’t bother trying to teach that man anything because he’s going to be in a carbohydrate coma soon and there’s no sense in wasting your time. If you want to get blissed-out on noodles, here are a few of our favorites. — by Greg Elwell, photos by Mark Hancock, Garett Fisbeck and Keaton Draper

NO ME MBER SH

Pho Ca Dao

Papa Dio’s

Kaiteki Ramen

2431 N. Classen Blvd. 521-8819

10712 N. May Ave. papadiosokc.com | 755-2255

Food truck kaitekiramen.com

Pronounce it “ foe” and you’re dumb. Pronounce it “ fuh” and you’re a poseur. That’s why you should march into Pho Ca Dao, point at a menu and grunt that you’d like one of those big noodle soup things. Don’t mess around with words. Words don’t matter anymore. Noodles, broth and beef — this is your life now.

The definition of first-world problems is not being able to decide which rich, delicious sauce you’ll enjoy over a heaping plate of tender pasta. And Papa Dio’s has a first-world solution: The Trieste. Choose your pasta, and then the chef will make an Italian flag of your meal with marinara, Alfredo and pesto sauces. This first world is starting to look pretty good.

Sorry, horn-lovers. Kaiteki serves up ramen noodles, not ram-in noodles. It’s simply too costly to grind up those bonelike protrusions from sheep and goats and make them into long strands. Instead, this is Japanese ramen with a savory broth, roasted pork belly or tofu and gorgeous marinated eggs. It’s so good you’ll want to butt heads with your friends to establish dominance.

IP FE ES

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Beef Tripe

OFF YOUR PURCHASE OF $75 OR MORE

Coupon needs to be presented for deal. No duplication of coupon is permitted. Limit one offer per customer. Coupon is valid only at US Foods® CHEF’STORE®. Offer valid through 9/1/15. OKC2C

• Come to CHEF’STORE® for value, variety and convenience.

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OFF YOUR PURCHASE OF $200 OR MORE

Coupon needs to be presented for deal. No duplication of coupon is permitted. Limit one offer per customer. Coupon is valid only at US Foods® CHEF’STORE®. Offer valid through 9/1/15. OKC2D

515 W. I-240 SERVICE RD. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73139 405.634.3060 CONVENIENT STORE HOURS Monday–Friday: Saturday: Sunday: 5 6 | au g u s t 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 | O k l a h O m a G a z e t t e

7 am – 7 pm 7 am – 6 pm 9 am – 6 pm

LIKE US ON

Vito’s Ristorante

Della Terra Pasta

7521 N. May Ave. vitosokc.com | 848-4867

dellaterrapasta.com

Spaghetti and meatballs gets a bum rap. Head over to Vito’s and order up Fat Tony’s Pasta Special and you’ll find folks who are working hard to rehab its image. Vito’s pasta is covered in owner Cathy Cummings’ sugo sauce, and you can add a couple of juicy, fall-apart tender meatballs on top. Or go lighter and get linguine tossed with olive oil, garlic and parsley for a simple dish that will leave you smiling.

For the finest in locally made pasta, look no farther than Della Terra. Chris Becker trained in New York before bringing his expertise back to Oklahoma. He uses a brass dye when pressing his noodles, giving them more texture to hold onto sauces. And fresh pasta, straight from the refrigerator, is one of the easiest, tastiest meals you can get.

Victoria’s The Pasta Shop

Tommy’s Italian American Grill

327 White St., Norman victoriasthepastashop.com | 329-0377

5516 W. Memorial Road tommysitaliangrill.com | 470-5577

Be prepared for flavor overload when you stop in at Victoria’s. Its classic lasagna rolls stuffed with shrimp, spinach and cheese and baked in marinara and Alfredo sauces will leave your taste buds reeling. But don’t count out the black pepper linguine, which is tossed with lemon-garlic butter and sweet, sweet snow crab meat.

Nobody leaves Tommy’s hungry. That’s not a threat, by the way. Nobody holds you down and force-feeds you penne. But with big portions of delicious Italian favorites, it will take Hal Jordan levels of willpower to resist stuffing yourself with linguine con frutti di mare and rich, decadent bianco verde. Mangia!

SUSHI, APPETIZERS, ENTREES SALADS, NOODLES, DESSERT

BEST SUSHI NOMINEE

1201 NW 178TH ST, EDMOND | 2ND & WESTERN 285.8484 | THESUSHIBAROK.COM

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

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LIFE CULTURE

Spinning webs P HOTOS P ROVI DE D

Three acclaimed storytellers perform at Oklahoma History Museum.

BY KALEY PATTERSON

2015 Oklahoma City Storytelling Festival 7 p.m. Aug. 27, 8 p.m. Aug. 28-29 Oklahoma History Museum 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive artscouncilokc.com 270-4848 $10-$50

Each year, Arts Council Oklahoma City provides the community with a weekend dedicated to the art of storytelling with featured performances, engaging workshops and a family matinee. The 35th annual Storytelling Festival is Aug. 27-29 and features three nationally acclaimed orators: Charlotte Blake Alston, Jim May and Megan Wells. According to Christina Foss, communications director at Arts Council Oklahoma City, the art is not limited to a specific age group. “When people hear the word ‘storytelling,’ they automatically think of kids,” Foss said. “Our evening performances are actually geared towards adults; it’s adult material. But the family matinee is for kids.” Each evening, the audience will witness performances from all three, but only one will be the featured teller. Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Doors open an hour earlier. Thursday features Jim May, an Emmy Award-winning storyteller and

2015 OKLAHOMA CITY STORYTELLING FESTIVAL FULL SCHEDULE THURSDAY, AUG. 27 Evening Performance Jim May with Charlotte Blake Alston and Megan Wells (Pre-show entertainment provided by Jade Castle) 7 p.m.: Devon Great Hall, $10

author from Illinois. He received his Chicago Emmy award in 1989 for his performance of “A Bell for Shorty.” Most of his stories are autobiographical, but he also performs literary pieces. Wells takes the stage Friday. She is a former actress and director, which allows her to bring her theatrical background into her work. Her bestknown performance is her adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Wells prefers fairy tales, historical tales and personal narratives. Alston closes out the festival with African-American oral, cultural and traditional stories. She has performed for more than 25 seasons in venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to African refugee camps. According to Foss, Alston brings multiple facets of African culture to the festival. “It’s really great that we get to have a prominent African-American storyteller, really one of the best out there,” Foss said. “I’m hoping she can bring in a diverse audience because she’s just fantastic. She brings a lot of rhythm to her stories and songs and music, so she has a really wide repertoire.” Multiple workshops take place during the Storytelling Festival, and each featured teller will hold his or her own. Wells will present teaching methods for using personal wounds and revealing how storytelling can heal. May will do a workshop on how myths guide our culture and the influences those myths have. Charlotte Blake

FRIDAY, AUG. 28 Art of Storytelling Workshops 9 a.m.: Registration 10-11:30 a.m.: Wound to Gold by Megan Wells 12-12:45 p.m.: Lunch, Open Mic Storytelling by Territory Tellers (Free) 1:30-3 p.m.: Personal Narrative, Culture, and Myth by Jim May Chesapeake Event Room, $15-$25

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Megan Wells

Charlotte Blake Alston

Evening Performances Megan Wells with Charlotte Blake Alston and Jim May 8 p.m.: Devon Great Hall, $10

SATURDAY, AUG. 29 Family Matinee Performance Crawlies! Caterpillars and Worms by Megan Wells and Jim May 10 a.m.: Free

Jim May

Alston will teach one on rhythm and African-American folk traditions. “The workshops are really unique in the sense that they can appeal to anyone, not just people wanting to be storytellers,” Foss said. “These can help you tell everyday stories like to your children or pulling in stories from the past. They can help you just in normal conversation or also in presentations at work.” The workshops start at 10 a.m. on Friday and noon Saturday after the family matinee at 10 a.m. May and Wells will perform a joint collaboration for the family matinee. Attendees will also be able to take part in an interactive art activity. The festival has activities for adults and children, and it’s one of Foss’ favorite events Arts Council Oklahoma City presents each year. “You never really know what you’re going to get, but it’s always something that’s going to draw you in completely,” Foss said. The event is at the Oklahoma History Museum, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive. Performance tickets are $10, and workshop passes are $10 or $15 for a day. Tickets for both Friday and Saturday workshops are $25. A festival pass is $50. The family matinee is free. For more information or for tickets, visit artscouncilokc.com/storytelling or call 270-4848. Tickets also may be purchased at the Oklahoma History Museum each day of the festival.

Art of Storytelling Workshops 12-12:45 p.m.: Lunch, Oklahoma Olio by Territory Tellers (Free) 1:15-2:45 p.m.: Rhythm This and Melody That by Charlotte Blake Alston 3-4:30 p.m.: Finding Your Own Voice featuring Charlotte Blake Alston, Jim May, and Megan Wells Chesapeake Event Room, $15-$25

Evening Performances Charlotte Blake Alston with Jim May and Megan Wells (Pre-show entertainment provided by Clayton Stroup) 8 p.m.: Devon Great Hall, $10 Tickets for Friday and Saturday workshops are $25. A festival pass is $50. The family matinee is free.

P R OVI DE D

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Shrub life

Oklahoma Native Plant Society sows seeds of awareness with lecturer Doug Tallamy.

Doug Tallamy

MECU 07-01-15 Summer Splash GAZ.indd 1

7/1/15 4:21 PM

BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON

Bringing Nature Home by Creating Living Landscapes 2-4 p.m. Saturday OSU-OKC Student Center 900 N. Portland Ave. oknativeplants.org 947-4421 Free Donations appreciated

Some of our deeply rooted notions about landscaping might be leaving our local ecosystem dying on the vine. However, Oklahomans will have two opportunities to learn how to strengthen the plant life in their yards and hear from a college professor who has written books on integrating native plants into yards and landscapes. Doug Tallamy will be in Oklahoma City this weekend. His appearance is a collaborative effort of the Oklahoma Native Plant Society and OSU-OKC. Tallamy’s lecture, Bringing Nature Home by Creating Living Landscapes, is 2-4 p.m. Saturday in OSU-OKC’s Student Center, 900 N. Portland Ave. Get there early if you want a seat — Tallamy draws standingroom-only crowds. He is a professor and chairman of the department of entomology and wildlife ecology at the University of Delaware and has been writing and lecturing about native plant use for 15 years. He also has written 82 research articles and taught Insect Taxonomy, Behavioral Ecology, Humans and Nature, Insect Ecology and other courses for 34 years. He is an entomologist and ornithologist whose interest in native plants stemmed from a house on 10 wildly overgrown acres that he and his wife bought in 2000. “It went untended for years and was left open to invasive plants. It looked like Sleeping Beauty’s castle,” he said.

While restoring the home and grounds, Tallamy realized that insect herbivores were not eating the outof-control, non-native plants. At the time, despite his background, he hadn’t realized that 96 percent of birds feed their young insects, which depend on plants. Insects need plants, birds need insects and people need all of them. This realization is what keeps him motivated. He said there are four things a landscape should accomplish. It should aid in watershed management, sequester carbon from the atmosphere, support food webs and support pollinators. Without pollinators, we lose between 80 and 90 percent of all plants. Tallamy’s talk will elaborate on these concepts. “My favorite people to talk to are people who have not heard of any of this,” Tallamy said. “I often hear that by talking with the people who come to my lectures that I am preaching to the choir. So I say to the choir: Bring a guest. Bring a neighbor.” Joe Roberts, president of the Oklahoma Native Plant Society, is pleased to see interest in native plants blossom in recent years and feels it is part of a larger shift in thinking when it comes to gardening. “The paradigm used to be to plant all exotic plants in your garden, things not remotely native to your home,” Roberts said. “People are realizing that there is a beneficial cascade effect that happens from the bottom up. We are part of nature, and we’re beginning to take our sterile subdivisions and make them our habitat.” Tallamy’s two books, Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants and The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden, will for sale at the event, and he will sign books before and after the talk. Learn more at oknativeplants.org.

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Crooked fingers Art and science collide to create an Oklahoma-based version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. By James BenJamin

Taking 1,500 hours of work and about a year’s time to complete, the 18-foottall, 1/10th replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa found in the University of Oklahoma’s (OU) Bizzell Memorial Library is a definite eye-catcher. The structure, a long tube of construction-grade Styrofoam with steel interior framing, introduces students to the work of Galileo Galilei, who famously used the Italian bell tower to demonstrate gravity’s effect on objects with different masses. The scale model also is a winner on social media. “As you can guess, there is no shortage of people who like having their photo taken ‘holding up’ the tower,” said Theresa Marks, an assistant dean in OU’s College of Engineering. Marks was a key organizer in the project, which is one piece of Galileo’s World exhibits and programs offered as part of the school’s 125th anniversary. Chelsea Julian, project coordinator for Galileo’s World, said it includes about 20 exhibits across all three of OU’s state campuses. The university’s Bizzell Memorial Library is home to one of the best collections of historic science texts, including a complete first-edition set of Galileo’s works. Julian said several different entities within the university were called upon to help illustrate Galileo’s significance. “When they started approaching departments to look into these connections, we got more and more interest to the point where it evolved into the giant endeavor that it is now,” she said. Firsthand observations of the famous tower were used in the model. A group of 19 engineering students studying abroad in Italy last summer took a side trip to Pisa to gather color swatches and measure the exact lean of the structure: 3.99 degrees. OU’s replica has a 5.5 degree lean, which was how far the original tilted before it was straightened to keep the 14,500ton landmark upright (a project started in 1992 and completed in 2001). Three-dimensional computer modeling replicated the facade. A programmable, three-axis router cut the exterior as accurately as possible. “Sounds easy, but there were many

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details in every phase that had to be studied and planned for during the fabrication,” Marks said. The structure also includes a balldropping mechanism used to replicate an experiment attributed to Galileo, in which he dropped balls of differing weights from the tower to show that their fall times were independent of their mass. A primary team of five faculty and staff members, 15 students and additional volunteers worked on the project, which will be on display for at least 18 months. A variety of typical challenges, such as machinery not always working and ideas not always coming out as hoped, arose during the construction phase. Marks explained that this one-of-a-kind project has no template to follow other than the original tower itself. “Fortunately, we had an amazing crew, great student interest, amazing colleagues and support for the overall exhibit,” she said. Marks said she has never been involved in a project quite like this one, but she is excited to see art and science come together in this ambitious project. “Aside from this project, the synergy, creativity and discovery that such integration inspires has undeniably shaped and continues to shape our world,” she said.

life performing arts

Grassroots choir

5676 NW 39th St. Warr Acres, OK 7312 2 405-491-2547

Canterbury Choral Society is holding auditions for its 48th year of making music in the city.

Custom Jeep & truCk Competition Over $3,000 in Prizes

By alissa lindsey

Canterbury Choral society auditions 6-8 p.m. friday oklahoma City University 2501 n. Blackwelder ave. 8:30 a.m. saturday Chapel Hill United methodist Church 2717 W. Hefner road canterburyokc.com 232-7464

Canterbury Choral Society, an adult chior that performs at Civic Center Music Hall, will open auditions for 20 to 30 new members on Friday and Saturday. The choir, which is in its 48th year, usually has between 125 and 140 adult singers, making it the largest of its kind in the state. “The wonderful uniqueness is that it still retains that grassroots spirit from its beginning,” Executive Director Kay Holt said. “All of our singers are still volunteers; there are no paid singers. That spirit permeates the whole organization.” Prospective chorus members can audition 6-8 p.m. Friday at Oklahoma City University, 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave., or 8:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 2717 W. Hefner Road. Those wishing to audition should prepare an a capella or piano-accompanied piece of music to sing for the chorus conductor. The audition piece can be a folk tune, hymn, art song or aria. Holt recommended singers audition with a song they’re comfortable with and one that shows off their range.

Singers rehearse 7-9:15 p.m. each Monday to prepare for three performances at Civic Center Music Hall. “To be a part of something in our city at this time that has called forth some greatness in all of us — our city has changed so much and is changing continuously — by contributing and being a strong arts organization, we want that for our citizens,” Holt said. “We want that for people moving into our city, and especially young professionals, I have found, are looking for things to do downtown.” Returning members and new members join together for a retreat at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. “That’s where everybody gets together and begins to start anew,” Holt said. “But it’s also a chance to socialize and to get to know one another and make the new people feel welcome.” While the choir members are mainly from the metro area, they also drive from places such as Ada, Stroud, Chickasha and Enid. “They’re brought together by this great love of singing and the passion they share to perform,” Holt said. Canterbury’s first performance is Belshazzar’s Feast at 8 p.m. Oct. 2 at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave. Visit canterburyokc.com or call 232-7464 to schedule an audition. If singers cannot make the set audition times, they can schedule one for another time.

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Comedy central Veteran funnyman Argus Hamilton comes home for a standup show Friday at Will Rogers Theatre. By mark BeUtler

argus Hamilton with stan silliman, Brett James and kelly “dr. k” flanagan 7 p.m friday Will rogers theatre 4322 n. Western ave. ticketstorm.com 866-966-1777 $55-$70

It was life in the fast lane for comedian Argus Hamilton. He grew up in Oklahoma City, the son of a Methodist minister. He went to college at the University of Oklahoma, where he and aspiring journalist Linda Cavanaugh wrote their first daily columns for the campus newspaper. Life was good, but the bright lights of Hollywood beckoned. Soon, he was schmoozing on the Sunset Strip with other young comedians like Robin Williams, who called Hamilton the “Will Rogers of the Baby Boom.” Hamilton returns to his roots for one show 7 p.m. Friday at Will Rogers Theater, 4322 N. Western Ave. “I can’t wait to come home and perform for a real Oklahoma crowd,” Hamilton said in a recent phone interview from his Beverly Hills home. His mother still lives here, and he returns as often as he is able.

The Tonight Show one night, he learned about The Comedy Store, a new standup venue in Los Angeles. “At that moment, I knew that was where I needed to be,” he said. “Before, I always thought I would have to move to New York City and freeze in the winter. Now I knew I could head west.” By 1976, Hamilton had taken his first steps on The Comedy Store stage and soon became a regular. Not long after that, he appeared on Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show. “It was a golden time, the late ’70s in Los Angeles,” Hamilton said. “The Baby Boomers were young and making money and coming out to the comedy shows. If I had a time capsule, I would go back to 1978 and stay there.”

Changed man

But the 1980s hard-partying lifestyle caught up with him, he said, and things started spinning out of control. He checked himself into the Betty Ford Center in 1986 and got sober. “They took cocaine users and alcoholics and turned us into sex addicts and overeaters,” Hamilton said and then laughed. “And while I was raising hell, Jay Leno moved past me into a hosting

job on The Tonight Show.” His Oklahoma upbringing and connections brought him full circle. Hamilton said former Oklahoman editor Ed Kelley talked him into writing a daily column, much like he did in college. It first appeared in 1991 and became syndicated. Today, it still runs in papers nationwide. Hamilton says many friends from his wilder days wouldn’t recognize him by the life he lives now. He is still active in his addiction recovery and goes to church. He runs eight miles each morning before he turns on the TV to catch up on the day’s news before writing his jokes. “By evening, I send them to my publicist, who gets them out to all the newspapers that carry me,” he said. “Then I jump in the shower and head over to The Comedy Store, where I still do a 20-minute set every night. Right now, the millennials are coming out to my shows just like baby boomers did in the ’70s and ’80s. I just love those kids.” Also performing Friday are special guests Stan Silliman, an author/ comedian, and Brett James, a two-time World Series of Comedy qualifier. Kelly “Dr. K” Flanagan will open.

argus Hamilton

Comedy kid

Hamilton says his passion for comedy came at an early age, when his father was pastor at Village Methodist Church (now called Village United Methodist Church). “It was at a Christmas pageant in 1958 when it happened,” Hamilton said. “I was supposed to come out and sing ‘Away in a Manger,’ a cappella. Instead, I sang Perry Como’s ‘Hot Diggity.’” The rush of approval he felt from the audience hooked him. “From then on, I found myself most comfortable and most loved on the stage, making people laugh,” he said. His college fraternity brothers also encouraged him to nurture his natural instinct for comedy. While watching

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Reaching out Oklahoma City Public Schools deals with a language divide.

The sights and sounds of a highachieving school are immediately present when one visits Heronville Elementary School on the southwest side of Oklahoma City. Senior citizen volunteers can be found in the hallway, busy with a big bulletin board, and the sounds of teachers instructing their classes dominate the air. Energetic Principal Leon Hill can often be found doing what most principals do as a matter of course: talking to five people at the same time. Hill is in his fifth year at Heronville and is seeing changes in the overall neighborhood attitude concerning the school as policies have been updated to meet the needs of children and their parents. Heronville sits in a part of southwest OKC that has the highest percentage of students who come from homes in which Spanish is the first language. “The first year I was here, they had graffiti all the time,” Hill said. “Since then, I’ve had no graffiti.” He said the school is moving closer each year to what he wants it to be: the “hub of the neighborhood.” The playground now stays open. A community garden provides vegetables to those who need them, as well as critical interaction between school staff and the people who live close by as they tend the garden together. Hill credits Gloria Torres, a board member who was once a principal in the district and grew up speaking both Spanish and English on the south side of Oklahoma City. Hill said that Torres taught him the importance of multiple generations in Hispanic culture. “I started seeking out grandfathers and grandmothers and started bringing them in,” he said. Engaging grandparents, parents and children as a whole family has yielded results. “It’s all been very positive,” Hill said. “We have to have a strong community, and I think that we do.”

Starting out

During a visit to the school, one will find Delilah Juarez, one of the pre-K teachers, and her assistant busy with an attentive circle of 4-year-old students who are being instructed in Spanish. It was only their third day of school when Oklahoma

mark h ancock

By Brett diCkerson

Gazette visited earlier this month. Juarez and her fellow teachers start their Spanish-speaking children in their first language. This is based on the Gómez & Gómez Dual Language Enrichment Model, which is a language education and enrichment model for teaching in schools where English is not the first language. The Gómez & Gómez system was first developed in south Texas in 1995 for students who spoke Spanish as a first language and needed to acquire English to thrive in school. The system was recognized early as a solid concept, so much so that today, more than 700 schools in 10 states use it. This is the second year for Heronville Elementary to use the system in its lowest grades. “Right now, it’s just getting them used to school and getting them comfortable with it, getting the procedure down, getting comfortable with each other and with me as well,” Juarez said. Those are common goals of any pre-K room, but what’s different about Juarez’s classroom is that the students do not have to struggle with language at first. Instead, learning English is a part of the overall process of becoming comfortable with school as a whole. And

it happens one word at a time. Juarez points to their “word wall,” where the Spanish words that students know are in blue. This is so they associate the words they know by sound and the words that they write. Then, on English days, the students learn to write the same words in English.

Teaching everyone

OKCPS is the largest district in the state, with around 45,000 students in pre-K through 12th grade. Out of that number, 46 percent of students come from homes in which Spanish is the first language, and 51 percent are from homes where English is the first language. The other 3 percent of students are from homes in which Vietnamese or other languages are the first language. The district’s positive response to that language ratio is gaining traction as it continues to find its way through a multiple-year process of educating all students, including the ones who speak little, if any, English when they arrive. Unlike private schools, publicly controlled neighborhood schools are required to accept and teach the students who live in their district. They can’t be shipped away to a different facility if there are any problems. The solutions

Delilah Jaurez teaches class at Heronville Elementary School. have to happen in place. “We have to embrace the children we have,” Hill said. Torres had similar thoughts in an email response to the Gazette. “We cannot separate language from culture, and we cannot separate culture from a child,” Torres said about the necessity of dual-language instruction in the district.

Dual-language instruction

Students who come from homes in which English is not spoken generally have some English language skills anyway. Torres pointed out that almost 50 percent of OKCPS students “already have some command of a second language,” which she said is “a tremendous skill.” Christopher Berry, director of language and cultural services for the district, said they are trying to “provide equitable access to education for [the] English language learners.” He said that there are around 115 English language development teachers, whose role is to train classroom teachers in strategies such as the Gómez & Gómez method.

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By Melanie Miller / Edited by Will Shortz

across 1 Debate, with “out” 5 How some TV series are sold 10 Use a witching rod 15 Travel with Sinbad, say 19 “Come ____ me, all ye that labor …” 20 Port of Puerto Rico 21 Tony-winning Andrew Lloyd Webber musical 22 Children’s TV character who refers to himself in the third person 23 Need rural real estate investor to … 25 Need retail marketer to … 27 Where to begin 28 Peaceful 30 Kind of oil 31 Projector unit 33 Characters in The Hobbit 34 Militant grp. in a 1994 peace agreement 35 Chrome alternative 38 Newspaper section, for short 40 See 44-Across 44 What a 40-Across produces in the summer 45 Need cocktail waitress to … 49 Photocopier option: Abbr. 50 Constellation between Perseus and Pisces 52 Starting or ending point for a commuter: Abbr. 53 Luxury rental 54 Polo of Meet the Parents 55 Bit of sauce 56 Need bakery assistant to … 61 Track runner 62 “Get lost!” 64 Vicious 65 Biblical mount that can be seen from three countries 66 Stockpiles 68 Be that as it may 69 Acting monarch 71 What a chair might provide 73 Sudden twist 76 Entered uninvited 79 Maguire of The Great Gatsby 80 Need cruise ship band to … 82 Prefix with -graph 83 Take orders, say 84 Complain, complain, complain 85 ____ Aviv 86 Something rolling in the dough?

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Letters of interest Need orchestra conductor to … ____ gear Chianti, e.g. Stage of the Tour de France Onetime “Be all you can be” sloganeer Onetime Benjamin of Law & Order Diamond protectors Crude house Go over again They can leave scars Need blackjack dealer to … Need magician to … Member of the 3,000-hit club, informally P. C. Wren’s Beau ____ Classical Greek theater Like certain educational publishing Musical pitch? Board Homage with humor Flow slowly

dowN 1 O’Hare and Dallas/Fort Worth 2 “What are you, some kind of ____?” 3 Bad eye sight 4 Tabletop cooker 5 Budding comic’s opportunity 6 Free, as a bank account 7 Part of a forensic database 8 Obsolescent tape holders 9 Mark off? 10 One side in football 11 Like ones welcomed to the fold? 12 Foxiness 13 The Rams, on scoreboards 14 Erodes 15 It takes two to do this 16 Bit of marine life 17 Man of Allah 18 Less than a full run 24 The “xx” of xx:yy 26 ____ welcome 29 First name on the Supreme Court 32 Warrior actor Nick 35 Lowercase 36 Cliffside home 37 Need stunt pilot to … 39 Calf cries

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40 Body opening? 41 Need control tower operator to … 42 Parts of Roman homes 43 Part of a forensic database 46 Pumped 47 Coal-mining waste 48 One who walks on the wild side? 51 “Easy there” 54 Part of L.G.B.T., informally 57 Magical start? 58 Actress Salma of Grown Ups 59 Wedding or concert, e.g. 60 Overhear 61 Accord 63 Pioneer in Impressionism 65 Indian tourist mecca 67 Promised 70 Source of a gut reaction?

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Like feudal states, often Freak out Tkt. stub, e.g. Highly emotional, in dated lingo ____ salts Jingle, e.g. Campaign Under attack Easter treat Marks taken off? Muck Listen Suffix with cigar Bull run target It’s up in the air Is unsatisfactory Lovers’ row Port in western France Page opposite verso D’Artagnan mentor

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New York Times magaziNe crossword Puzzle HELP WANTED

105 Deep-bodied herring 106 Fill a position 107 Half of a two-volume encyclopedia, say 109 Dullard 111 ____ marker 112 Feel pity (for) 113 Leave undone 115 When doubled, a Ramone 117 Social

Stumped? Call 1-900-285-5656 to get the answers to any three clues by phone ($1.20 a minute). The answers to the New York Times Magazine Crossword Puzzle that appeared in the August 12 issue of Oklahoma Gazette are shown at left.

Oklahoma Gazette Vol. XXXVii No. 33

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Duck tales The Eastern Oklahoma County chapter of Ducks Unlimited hosts its annual fundraiser to support waterfowl habitat conservation. BY BRENDAN HOOVER

Eastern OK County Sportsmen’s Dinner 5 p.m. Saturday Midwest City Community Center 200 N. MIdwest Blvd. ok.ducks.org $20-$350

Ducks Unlimited, a national conservation organization, has preserved more than 38,000 acres of waterfowl habitat in Oklahoma. It took around 20 years, $19.5 million and cooperation between the group and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) to accomplish this feat. “We’ve had a long history with Ducks Unlimited, among other groups that are concerned about wildlife,” said Don Brown, ODWC spokesman. “Without them, it would be hard to accomplish a lot of the good habitat work that we do.” Those good works continue Saturday as the Eastern Oklahoma County (EOC) chapter of Ducks Unlimited holds its fifth annual Sportsmen’s Dinner fundraising event at Midwest City Community Center, 200 N. Midwest Blvd. The chapter boasts about 200 members. Many who work in military or civilian positions at Tinker Air Force Base and joined to meet other likeminded hunters and conservationists, said Randall Cole, EOC chairman. “We’ve been very successful. Last year was our best year so far. We ended up raising over $44,000, and we hope to do better this year,” Cole said. Oklahoma’s 46 Ducks Unlimiteted chapters raised $664,418 in 2014. Cole said much of it, as well as matching funds from the national organization, is spent on Oklahoma projects, including recent work through the group’s Southern Prairies and Playas Initiative on wildlife management areas near Drummond and Waurika.

Good partners

Not too long ago, conservationists in bulldozers, without planning or design, would hastily push up a berm to create wetlands. Josh Richardson, an ODWC migratory game bird biologist, said that today, Ducks Unlimited offers engineering and design expertise to ensure that projects are done properly. “In the last five to seven years, we’ve really leaned on [Ducks Unlimited],” he said. Across the state, ODWC maintains wetland development units, waterfowl refuge portions and migratory bird refuge areas, all chiefly funded by state hunting license sales and part of larger managememnt areas. Ducks Unlimited also works with ODWC to secure funding for a public wetland area on the Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area in northwestern Oklahoma. The 19,659-acre area is bordered to the south by almost 10 miles of South Canadian River and historically has been important for waterfowl and other migratory birds. A key wintering and migration area, Oklahoma is part of the Central Flyway corridor, which includes 10 states and three Canadian provinces. Each fall, many waterfowl migrate from Canada and Alaska toward the Texas Gulf Coast. According to Ducks Unlimited, Oklahoma wetlands provide critical stopover and refueling habitats, especially in spring. Many species — including duck, merganser, coot, geese and crane — nest in the Prairie Pothole Region, shallow wetlands across the Great Plains carved out 10,000 years ago by receding glaciers. The organization considers the Prairie Pothole Region threatened and has made it a top priority in North America. Learn more at ok.ducks.org.

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Still king

OKP OP M us e uM / BOB W i l l s estat e COl l e Ct i On

life music

Bob Wills (in the white hat) with his Texas Playboys

Forty years after his death, Bob Wills gets a new vinyl release of rare tunes. By mark BeuTler

Besides wheat and oil, one of Oklahoma’s greatest exports is music — country music. One of the early pioneers of the country and Western swing sound was Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. Not only did Wills live in Oklahoma, but he traveled the state and across the nation as he took his music to the people. Songs like “San Antonio Rose” and “Faded Love” became staples in the country and Western genre. Singer Waylon Jennings wrote and performed “Bob Wills Is Still the King,” while artists from Mel Tillis to George Strait have covered Wills’ songs. Oklahoma History Center recently issued a set of newly discovered 1949 recordings on vinyl titled Let’s Play Boys. The original master recordings were given by Wills to his drummer Casey Dickens in the late ’60s. Dickens eventually gave them to the Bob Wills Foundation, which presented them to the Oklahoma Historical Society for inclusion in the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture (OKPOP). “The fragile nature of the records meant many of them deteriorated over the years, some worse than others,” said Jeff Moore, OKPOP project director. “However, we were able to get them digitized, and through countless hours of hard work, [musician and producer] Steve Ripley was able to digitally rescue them.” Not a lot is known about the particular sessions that produced these recordings, Moore said, other than they were recorded for a radio special in early 1949. Longtime Playboys vocalist Tommy Duncan left a year earlier to form his own band, so Wills sang lead on most of these tracks. In 2012, Oklahoma Historical Society received a grant from the Grammy Foundation to salvage and restore the discs. They were carefully

transported to George Blood Sound Studio in Philadelphia, and Moore said that allowed them to preserve what audio was still available. Not all of the songs were in good enough shape to be transferred. “The fragile nature of some of the discs was the real challenge. Some of the glass records had broken over the years,” Moore said. “Mold was also an issue, as was the acetate covering, which had begun to flake off in areas. The credit for the treasure hunting process has to go to Steve Ripley, who listened to a couple of hundred songs many times to narrow down to 50 or so, then down to 20 before deciding on the first 12.” After a track list was set, the next step, Moore said, was to decide on the format in which to release them. Ultimately, Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Director Bob Blackburn decided on vinyl. “I think there was a feeling of some to just go directly to digital or CD,” Moore said. “But the decision to start with vinyl was the right decision, and many lifelong Bob Wills fans and experts have commented that these are some of the best recordings ever released.” The historical society incorporated its own label — 46 Star Records — and pressed a limited number of LPs, which are available at the history center and on its website, okhistory. org. Moore said another Wills LP with more rare tracks will be released. “As the listener hears this music, they will be learning about Bob Wills’ life and career and his world, which revolved around performing, recording and living along Route 66,” Moore said.

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Live music WeDNesDAY, AuG. 19

Gary Johnson/Mike Turner, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO Gene Watson/Moe Bandy/Johnny Lee, Riverwind Casino, Norman. COUNTRY Gregg Kennedy, The George Prime Steakhouse. PIANO Hosty Duo, The Deli, Norman. ROCK

Drive/Tyler Smith Solo, Red Rock Canyon Grill. ROCK

Josh Sallee, 51st Street Speakeasy. HIP-HOP

Earl Day, Hefner Grill. JAZZ

Larry Mitchell Trio, Michelangelo’s Coffee & Wine Bar. VARIOUS

Edgar Cruz/Jeff Nokes, Avanti Bar & Grill. ACOUSTIC Goatwhore/Black Fast/Against the Damned, 89th Street Collective. ROCK Grant Wells, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. JAZZ Greg Trooper, The Blue Door. SINGER/SONGWRITER Lower 40, Baker Street Pub & Grill. COUNTRY Maurice Johnson, R&J Lounge and Supper Club. JAZZ

Matt Blagg, Red Rock Canyon Grill. BLUES Midnight Run, Mad Cow Saloon. COUNTRY Mike McClure/Dylan Stewart, The Blue Door. SINGER/SONGWRITER Mike Ryan, Wormy Dog Saloon. COUNTRY Patrick Kinsley, Grady’s 66 Pub, Yukon. FOLK Randy Cassimus, Full Circle Bookstore. ROCK

THuRsDAY, AuG. 20

Red Dirt Rangers/Kaitlin Butts, The Paramount. COUNTRY

Aaron Newman, O Asian Fusion, Norman. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Sex Snobs/Shishio, Opolis, Norman. ROCK

Brent Saulsbury/Will Galbraith/Wayne Duncan, Friends Restaurant & Club. ROCK Cale Lester, Wormy Dog Saloon. ACOUSTIC David Morris, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO Drive, Red Rock Canyon Grill. ROCK Josh Sallee, The Deli, Norman. HIP-HOP Justin Echols Trio, Hefner Grill. JAZZ Kate Ballew, Jazmo’z Bourbon St. Cafe. VARIOUS Lucky Duo, Colcord Hotel. COVER Ray Wild, Post 352. ROCK

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Ross Clayton Band, Sliders. COUNTRY

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Trent Tiger, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill. ACOUSTIC

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Premiere on Film Row, the free monthly block party, is back 7-10 p.m. Friday along W. Sheridan Avenue between Dewey and Shartel avenues. Meet new Oklahoma City Ballet dancers at 8 p.m. and enjoy live music from Matt Stansberry & The Romance at 8:30 p.m. Visit filmrowpremiere.com or call 235-3500.

Amanda Cunningham, Midway Grocery & Market. COUNTRY Banana Seat, Zaxby’s. COVER Big G, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. BLUES

FRiDAY, AuG. 21

Brad Paisley/Mickey Guyton, WinStar World Casino, Norman. COUNTRY

Aticus Tate Trio, Jazmo’z Bourbon St. Cafe. VARIOUS

Bruce Benson, Jazmo’z Bourbon St. Cafe. VARIOUS

Horse Thief/Jose Hernandez & The Black Magic Waters, 51st Street Speakeasy. ROCK

Boogie Fever, Remington Park. COVER

Centennial Rodeo Opry, Rodeo Opry. COUNTRY

Jay Falkner, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill. COUNTRY

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Don and Melodee Johnson, Twelve Oaks, Edmond. JAZZ

Justin Echols Trio, Hefner Grill. JAZZ

Rick Toops, Friends Restaurant & Club. ROCK

DJ Rodney Ladd, Colcord Hotel. VARIOUS

Flatland Band, Bourbon Street Bar. BLUES

Kristen Stehr, Riverwind Casino, Norman. COUNTRY

DJ Six, Russell’s, Tower Hotel. VARIOUS

Grant Stevens, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO

Electric Avenue, Grand Casino, Shawnee. COVER

Gregg Kennedy, The George Prime Steakhouse. PIANO

Mark Vollertsen, Newcastle Casino, Newcastle. ACOUSTIC

Empire Grey, Belle Isle Restaurant & Brewery. ROCK

Hi-Def Howlers, Captain Norm’s Dockside Bar. POP

Brent Giddens, Mad Cow Saloon. COUNTRY

Michaela & Michael, Colcord Hotel. VARIOUS My So Called Band, The Deli, Norman. COVER PrOvid ed

MyRock, Red Rock Canyon Grill. ROCK Scott Keeton, Remington Park. BLUES Soda Gardocki, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK

TuesDAY, AuG. 25 Cherry Death/Worst Gift/Calabar, Guildhaul. ROCK LUCKY, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. COVER Willie Watson/Sherree Chamberlain, Opolis, Norman. INDIE

The Stringents, Full Circle Bookstore. ROCK

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The Weathermen, Tapwerks Ale House & Cafe. ROCK

Grant Wells, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. JAZZ

We The Ghost/Junebug Spade, 89th Street Collective. ROCK

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

suNDAY, AuG. 23

Steve Crossley, Red Rock Canyon Grill. SINGER/ SONGWRITER

The Blend, Russell’s, Tower Hotel. ROCK

Earl Day, Hefner Grill. JAZZ

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

Tony Schwartz, Hefner Grill. VARIOUS

Edgar Cruz, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. ACOUSTIC Michael Kleid, Colcord Hotel. JAZZ Mike Hosty “One Man Band”, The Deli, Norman. ROCK Scott Lowber/Will Galbraith/Rick Toops, Friends Restaurant & Club. COVER The Elders, Lions Park, Norman. FOLK

the Red Dirt Rangers, the Paramount, Friday

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.

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p rovi ded

life film

Swagger Compton’s N the House with a new movie about a rap group that forever changed mainstream music. By James BenJamin

It has been said that history is written by the victors. It’s clear who the band’s victor’s are in in Straight Outta Compton, the film tribute to the iconic ’80s gangsta rap group N.W.A. The movie sparked interest in and out of hip-hop circles due to the direct involvement of both Dr. Dre and Ice Cube — each successfully parlayed the platform N.W.A. offered them into solo fame — and the intriguing decision to cast Ice Cube’s son, O’Shea Jackson Jr., as a young version of his father. You might have heard about the movie after a recent Beats by Dresponsored meme, Straight Outta Somewhere, went viral. Perhaps you noticed your niece or daughter, who doesn’t even know what state Compton is in, post a picture with a caption such as, “Straight Outta Toilet Paper.” But don’t let the meme confuse you. Straight Outta Compton is a fan movie. Aside from a trio of producers including Dre, Cube and Tomica Wright — the widow of Jheri-curled N.W.A. frontman and Ruthless Records founder Eazy-E — the film keeps it all in the family with F. Gary Gray (Friday) reuniting with Cube as director. The movie opens up with individual vignettes that serve to give us background on the group’s three main players. The backstories of N.W.A. members MC Ren (Aldis Hodge) and DJ Yella (Neil Brown Jr.) are not explored. After Dre (Corey Hawkins)

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successfully pieces the group together, Eazy (Jason Mitchell) has a chance run-in with down-on-his-luck but previously successful music manager Jerry Heller, played well by Paul Giamatti. The band’s notoriety skyrockets after signing to Priority Records — both positively and negatively. While N.W.A. plays in front of massive crowds, supposedly dishonest business dealings by Heller make Cube uneasy. Also, the success of the song “Fuck tha Police” and the rebellious nature of the band’s debut studio album causes conflict with law enforcement and concerned parents. In all honesty though, Straight Outta Compton is less of a movie about N.W.A. and more of a three-way biopic about the group’s biggest names. The band’s original roster is broken up halfway through the movie, and we spend the remainder watching Cube, Dre and Eazy struggle with their lives and careers before reconciling just prior to E’s death from HIV/AIDS. The movie would have benefited from a tighter story. Too much focus on post-N.W.A. years distracts from the impact it had when it was together. Straight Outta Compton is at its strongest when the group is together. A montage depicting the recording process of its debut studio album highlights the crew’s chemistry. The movie does a good job of conveying a sense of brotherhood, even while they’re being harassed by police.

The movie is also beautifully shot in parts, especially the depiction of Compton itself. Gray shows the city full of life, even if it wasn’t full of hope. And despite N.W.A.’s controversial history, the movie finds time for moments of levity even in the midst of serious drama. This is important, because while the group might have been protested for its violent and radical themes, N.W.A. was fun at its core, more bravado than bleak. Brown and Mitchell deliver laughs as Yella and Eazy. Gray even found a way to sneak in a few Friday references. The biggest shame in the making of this movie, and for fans of goldenera hip-hop in general, is Eazy-E’s early death. This film desperately needed his input. It’s clear that Eazy’s working relationship with Heller is told from Cube’s perspective. In fact, Eazy’s second act in Straight Outta Compton plays as a pity party. If he was alive, he probably would admit that he made mistakes during that time, but I doubt Eazy — the street kid that he was — would want himself portrayed as a hapless victim. It’s notable that Heller also was not consulted for this film. While the movie treated his character more fairly than expected, it also ignored any contribution he had to the group’s success.

Heller has been painted as the villain in the N.W.A. story, and it’s likely he used uncouth business practices. But he also took a chance on a group that was too radical for anyone else to consider and made it into a major success — all without sacrificing its street style. Those who actually did have some say in the film fell short of treating Heller’s character with any kind of journalistic distance. Dre and Cube, for the most part, come across as the faultless geniuses who carried the group. Jackson’s portrayal of his father, while visually striking, was reserved. And that might not be his fault. He did a great job depicting his dad’s own version of his younger self. But for all of its shortcomings in objectivity, it’s important to note that this is not a documentary, nor does it pretend to be. There are no shocking revelations made, and the story is well-known to N.W.A. fans. This movie was made for two kinds of people: old fans who want to escape back to rap’s most exciting years and young fans who might know the music but weren’t around to experience the impact the group had on hip-hop and pop culture. As a somewhat typical but entertaining band biopic, Straight Outta Compton is not a bad time at the theater.

fRee Will asTROlOGy Homework: Were you told there’s a certain accomplishment you’ ll never be capable of? Ready to prove that curse wrong? Testify at FreeWillAstrology.com. aRies (March 21-April 19) You’d probably prefer to stay in the romantic, carefree state of mind. But from what I can tell, you’re ripe for a new phase of your long-term cycle. Your freestyle rambles and jaunty adventures should now make way for careful introspection and thoughtful adjustments. Instead of restless star-gazing, I suggest patient earthgazing. Despite how it may initially appear, it’s not a comedown. In fact, I see it as an unusual reward that will satisfy you in unexpected ways.

TaURUs (April 20-May 20) In accordance with the current astrological omens, I recommend the following activities: Sing a love song at least once a day. Seek a message from an ancestor in a reverie or dream. Revisit your three favorite childhood memories. Give a gift or blessing to the wildest part of you. Swim naked in a river, stream, or lake. Change something about your home to make it more sacred and mysterious. Obtain a symbolic object or work of art that stimulates your courage to be true to yourself. Find relaxation and renewal in the deep darkness. Ruminate in unbridled detail about how you will someday fulfill a daring fantasy. Gemini (May 21-June 20) The ancient Greek epic poem the Iliad is one of the foundation works of Western literature. Written in the eighth century BCE, it tells the story of the tenyear-long Trojan War. The cause of the conflict was the kidnap of Helen of Troy, reputed to be the world’s most beautiful woman. And yet nowhere in the Iliad is there a description of Helen’s beauty. We hear no details about why she deserves to be at the center of the legendary saga. Don’t be like the Iliad in the coming weeks, Gemini. Know everything you can about the goal at the center of your life. Be very clear and specific and precise about what you’re fighting for and working towards.

CanCeR (June 21-July 22) The comedian puppets known as the Muppets have made eight movies. In The Great Muppet Caper, the muppets Kermit and Fozzie play brothers, even though one is a green frog and the other a brown bear. At one point in the story, we see a photo of their father, who has the coloring and eyes of Kermit, but a bearlike face. I bring up their unexpected relationship, Cancerian, because I suspect that a similar anomaly might be coming your way: a bond with a seemingly improbable ally. To prepare, stretch your ideas about what influences you might want to connect with.

liBRa (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) “The greatest and most important problems of life are all in a certain sense insoluble,” said psychologist Carl Jung. “They can never be solved, but only outgrown.” I subscribe to that model of dealing with dilemmas, and I hope you will consider it, too — especially in light of the fact that from now until July 2016 you will have more power than ever before to outgrow two of your biggest problems. I don’t guarantee that you will transcend them completely, but I’m confident you can render them at least 60 percent less pressing, less imposing, and less restricting. And 80 percent is quite possible.

leO (July 23-Aug. 22) English author Barbara Cartland published her first novel at age 21. By the time she died 77 years later, she had written more than 700 other books. Some sources say she sold 750 million copies, while others put the estimate at two billion. In 1983 alone, she churned out 23 novels. I foresee a Barbara Cartland-type period for you in the coming months, Leo. Between now and your birthday in 2016, I expect you to be as fruitful in your own field as you have ever been. And here’s the weird thing: One of the secrets of your productivity will be an enhanced ability to chill out. “Relaxed intensity” will be your calming battle cry.

sCORPiO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Hundreds of years ago, Hawaiians celebrated an annual holiday called Makahiki. It began in early November and lasted four months. No one worked very much for the duration. There were nonstop feasts and games and religious ceremonies. Communitybuilding was a featured theme, and one taboo was strictly enforced: no war or bloodshed. I encourage you Scorpios to enjoy a similar break from your daily fuss. Now is an especially propitious time to ban conflict, contempt, revenge, and sabotage as you cultivate solidarity in the groups that are important for your future. You may not be able to make your own personal Makahiki last for four months, but could you at least manage three weeks?

ViRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) ‘’On or about December 1910, human character changed,’’ wrote English author Virginia Woolf in 1924. What prompted her to draw that conclusion? The rapidly increasing availability of electricity, cars, and indoor plumbing? The rise of the women’s suffrage movement? Labor unrest and the death of the King? The growing prominence of experimental art by Cezanne, Gauguin, Matisse, and Picasso? The answer might be all of the above, plus the beginning of a breakdown in the British class system. Inspired by the current astrological omens, I’ll borrow her brash spirit and make a new prediction: During the last 19 weeks of 2015, the destiny of the Virgo tribe will undergo a fundamental shift. Ten years from now, I bet you will look back at this time and say, “That was when everything got realigned, redeemed, and renewed.”

saGiTTaRiUs (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Museum of Failed Products is a warehouse full of consumer goods that companies created but no one wanted to buy. It includes caffeinated beer, yogurt shampoo, fortune cookies for dogs, and breath mints that resemble vials of crack cocaine. The most frequent visitors to the museum are executives seeking to educate themselves about what errors to avoid in their own companies’ future product development. I encourage you to be inspired by this place, Sagittarius. Take an inventory of the wrong turns you’ve made in the past. Use what you learn to create a revised master plan. CaPRiCORn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.” Virtually all of us have

been guilty of embodying that well-worn adage. And according to my analysis of the astrological omens, quite a few of you Capricorns are currently embroiled in this behavior pattern. But I am happy to report that the coming weeks will be a favorable time to quit your insanity cold turkey. In fact, the actions you take to escape this bad habit could empower you to be done with it forever. Are you ready to make a heroic effort? Here’s a good way to begin: Undo your perverse attraction to the stressful provocation that has such a seductive hold on your imagination.

aQUaRiUs (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) “Everything I’ve ever let go of has claw marks on it,” confessed the late, great author David Foster Wallace. Does that describe your experience, too? If so, events in the coming months will help you break the pattern. More than at any other time in the last ten years, you will have the power to liberate yourself through surrender. You will understand how to release yourself from overwrought attachment through love and grace rather than through stress and force. PisCes (Feb. 19-March 20) “Most people love in order to lose themselves,” wrote Hermann Hesse in his novel Demian. But there are a few, he implied, who actually find themselves through love. In the coming months, Pisces, you are more likely to be one of those rare ones. In fact, I don’t think it will even be possible for you to use love as a crutch. You won’t allow it to sap your power or make you forget who you are. That’s good news, right? Here’s the caveat: You must be ready and willing to discover much more about the true nature of your deepest desires — some of which may be hidden from you right now. 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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X1 sDrive28i | $289/month*

14145 North Broadway Extension Edmond, Ok 73013 | 866.925.9885

IMPORTS 2015 528i Sedan, 36-month lease, $3000 down, MSRP $52,745, Standard Terms 2015 Z4 sDrive28i, 36-month lease, $3000 down, MSRP $52,245, Standard Terms

BMW

2015 328i xDrive Gran Turismo, 36-month lease, $3000 down, MSRP $46,345, Standard Terms 2015 X1 sDrive28i, 36-month lease, $2750 down, MSRP $35,595, Standard Terms

Web: www.cooperbmw.com Email: rkeitz@cooperautogroup.com Standard terms & Tag, Tax. 1st Payment, Aquisition fee, processing fee WAC See dealership for details â&#x20AC;&#x201D; offers subject to change without prior notice.