Are You Emotionally Ready for Football? by Oklahoma Gazette

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P.24 The first season games are behind us, but the mania that is college football fandom in Oklahoma has just begun. Both the University of Oklahoma (OU) Sooners and Oklahoma State University (OSU) Cowboys have 10 more games before they meet for their Dec. 3 Bedlam matchup in Norman. During those three months, the fortunes of each team could swing wildly, and with them the moods of fans across the state, especially when those fans are married and support opposing teams. Story Greg Elwell. Cover illustration Christopher Street. Photo bigstock.com.

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NEWS

Ongoing concern

An OKC citizens survey shows streets are still a concern, which likely will prompt action in a 2017 bond proposal. By Laura Eastes

A majority of Oklahoma City residents said they’re concerned about the conditions of local streets, according to a recent survey. The 2016 City of Oklahoma City Citizen Survey report included anonymous comments that advocated for overall road improvements as well as installation of sidewalks, added protected bike lanes and new initiatives to improve traffic safety. “The roads throughout Oklahoma City — but most specifically central Oklahoma City — are in horrible condition, beyond an eyesore,” one surveyed individual wrote. “It is a safety hazard.” Another wrote, “The downtown area is well cared for, but the remainder of the city lacks good roads, sidewalks, crossing lights and effective public transit.” The concerns are not new to OKC, which stretches across 620 square miles and into three other counties. For several years, the annual survey, conducted online and through paper questionnaires, has consistently shown roads as a top concern. Of the more than 1,300 randomly selected respondents, 77 percent said they were dissatisfied with road conditions. A year earlier, 58 percent checked the dissatisfied box. In 2014, 44 percent said they were dissatisfied. “Frankly, I’ve said this last year and the year before,” said Chris Tatham of ETC Institute, the company that conducted the survey, as he addressed the Oklahoma City Eric Wenger is director of Oklahoma City’s public works department. | Photo Gazette / file

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Council. “Streets continued to be the No. 1 concern and priority for residents.” Tatham hand-delivered the report to council members during its Aug. 30 meeting. In the past, survey results have helped shape and support city leaders’ policy decisions.

Council reaction

The results puzzled a handful of council members, including Vice Mayor James Greiner, who speculated many residents hold perceptions that streets are in bad shape. Annually, city staff updates the council on the city’s pavement condition index (PCI), a qualitative measure for road surface quality. The city’s current PCI is 65, which is slightly higher than 2011’s score of 60. A 100 is a rating given to a new road and

OKC residents rated street conditions as their top concern in a recently released citizen survey. | Photo Gazette / file

a zero to one is undrivable. In coming months, a special council session could be planned to examine road conditions. Two council members, including Ward 5 Councilman David Greenwell, suggested the session after viewing the report. Greenwell, who represents a portion of south central OKC, indicated feedback on roads could affect municipal election outcomes, which are slated for March. The survey showed that discontent with major city streets spanned all eight of the city’s wards, although some residents of northwestern portions of the city and some living east of Ward 4’s Tinker Air Force Base were less likely to be troubled with roads. Ward 6 respondents residing north of Interstate 40 and west of Broadway Extension said they were “very dissatisfied” with major road conditions. Overall satisfaction with neighborhood streets crept into all wards but appeared more dominant in Wards 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7. “When I ran for office, people would ask what were the two or three most important issues we need to address,” Ward 8 Councilman Mark Stonecipher said. “At the time, we were in the middle of a drought. Water was my primary concern and roads were next; I think we solved our water issue. “Right now, we need to do something quickly in the neighborhoods. I’ve heard people say, ‘If your neighborhoods aren’t thriving, if your neighborhoods aren’t happy, no one is happy.’”

Ongoing public investment

The city has agreed to invest $50 million into road construction projects, including work along residential streets, over the next 10 months, said Eric Wenger, director of the city’s public works department. The department has witnessed multimillion dollars pumped steadily into OKC road projects over the last nine years, in-

cluding the recent streetscape improvements along NW 23rd Street and widening in west OKC near Morgan Road. Staff oversees the addition of new lane miles to roads, construction of new sidewalks and resurfacing projects. Typically, significant street projects require a bond issue. The last time city voters approved a significant bond measure was 2007. “The 2007 bond issue was the first time roads took front and center,” said Wenger, who started working for the city in 1994. “It’s not that road construction work wasn’t done before, but that bond issue dedicated nearly $500 million of the more than $800 million to just road construction.” OKC voters approved $445 million for 31 resurfacing projects, 49 road-widening projects and 57 road reconstruction projects. Reserves pushed the total to just under $500 million. Nearly a decade later, more than 50 percent of all listed 2007 bond issue projects, including downtown’s Project 180, are either completed or under construction. Road widening projects started first in growing areas, mostly on the outskirts of the city’s urban core. Road resurfacing and reconstruction projects to come up first were based on high traffic numbers and reports of poor conditions. More projects remain to be started. Even with a half a billion dollars dedicated to roads, Wenger admits not all roadways that needed enhancements were included in the last bond issue. The director views the proposed 2017 bond issue as the follow-up and road projects missed a decade earlier or newly problematic streets. Public participation in upcoming public meetings is key, Wenger said. While the city reviews road conditions, narratives from daily travelers can propel projects to be included. “In the next bond issue, it is likely we wouldn’t be able to completely fund all the streets, but it is definitely going to help us launch into the next five to seven years with street improvements,” Wenger said. The final 2007 bond sale is slated for 2020, and competition of the final bond projects will likely coincide. For streets, city staff is working to launch neighborhood resurfacing projects next. As he flipped through city documents, Wenger pointed to shaded areas in neighborhoods across all wards slated for work. “We have projects in your area of the city and more coming in the next years,” Wenger said. “A typical neighborhood project will include resurface of all neighborhood streets and added sidewalks to at least one side of the street, if the street didn’t have sidewalks previously.” Annually, the public works department is allocated funding for city street maintenance, which has a crew of 220 employees. On any given day, 12 to 14 teams of pothole crews are stationed at troubled roads. “We are going to stay committed to investing, improving and enhancing city streets because we know, through the survey, it is the No. 1 priority,” Wenger said. “We are seeing improvements, but satisfaction has slid. We hope we have the opportunity to maintain the public support moving forward. We are making a difference.”

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NEWS lineman, came to football another route. After losing his father when Christy was young, he eagerly awaited his opportunity to join the youth team. At his mom’s request, he didn’t begin playing until he was a thirdgrader, a year after his peers. From the stands, no one can tell Christy had a late start as the teen comes up from making big tackles. During those moments, Christy glances toward the stands. “You think to yourself, ‘These people came to watch us,’” Christy recently told Oklahoma Gazette. “You can’t believe it. It is something you will never forget. To hear the crowd scream when you score a lastsecond touchdown, you know the whole town is right behind you and has your back. After (the game), you hear people say, ‘Good game.’ People you don’t even know.”

e d u c at i o n

Parental involvement

Lion pride

Big-time football finds its home in the small Oklahoma County town of Luther. By Laura Eastes

Traveling north along Hogback Road in far northeastern Oklahoma County, travelers see horses grazing in a pasture, rural driveways leading to several-acre farms and the town sign for Luther, described as “A Friendly Community.” As the two-lane highway veers left near the intersection at NE 178th Street, Wilson Field comes into view. On any given Friday in the fall, the sound of cheering high school football fans regularly surges and ebbs over the town, which boasts a population of 1,221 residents. A referee whistles, taps tick off a snare drum and cheerleaders chant as the crowd hollers. Four stadium light posts illuminate 30 players in black jerseys with “Lions” printed across their chests. The stands resemble a checkerboard with shades of Luther red and black throughout the hometown crowd. The Class 2A team went undefeated in the 2015 regular season and earned the title of district champion. “We always laugh and say the stadium is too small,” said Sydney Scheer, 2016 Luther graduate and former team manager. “It was too small when it was built. Parents come Thursday nights to put tape down to mark their spots. It’s first-come, first-serve, but you have to get there earlier to get your seat.” On the Fridays the Lions are on the road, Luther becomes an even quieter, sleepier little community located 15 miles east of Edmond and 30 miles northeast of downtown Oklahoma City. Parents and fans gather in the school parking lot to tailgate hours before away games. They decorate cars, make signs and sing the school fight song. Together, parents 6

Blake Christy left and Chad Pridemore at Luther’s South Cedar Street. The two highschoolers are leaders on the Luther Lions football team | Photo Laura Eastes

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and fans caravan along Oklahoma roadways to schools like Crooked Oak and Millwood. “We hoot and holler the whole way,” said Tracy Pridemore, mother of a Luther player and president of Luther’s Touchdown Club.

Close bond

High school football is no-nonsense in the Sooner State. On Friday nights — in stadiums dotted across all 77 counties — high school athletes stride onto fields with dreams and goals. Some dreams come true and some don’t, but memories last a lifetime. Football players Chad Pridemore and Blake Christy have too many Luther Lion memories to count. The two upperclassmen and leaders of the 2016 squad started in peewee football, listened to their volunteer coaches and learned the game. They also tried to replicate the moves of their idols: the players on the field the Friday before. “Friday nights were it,” Pridemore, senior quarterback and the son of Tracy Pridemore, said. “I would have my little league jersey on. My teammates and I would all mess around during those games.” Football caught Pridemore’s attention at an early age. His parents graduated from Luther Public Schools. He recalls hearing many Luther stories from his father, a former quarterback, and his brothers, who also played. For the Pridemore family, football is tradition and the Lions jersey is a badge of honor. Christy, a junior offensive and defensive The Luther Lions are coming off an undefeated regular season and hold high hopes for this season. | Photo Laura Eastes

Dedicated parents and grandparents formed The Touchdown Club, which holds T-shirt fundraisers and organizes team meals Thursdays before game days and on game days. “We have 50 people, but we plan for 100,” Tracy Pridemore said as she watched players make their way through the buffet line at First Baptist Church Luther. “They come through the line twice.” Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, bread rolls, salad and cookies were spread across the church’s kitchen counter the day before a game against Wellston, a Route 66 foe. Donations from parents and Luther congregations make these meals a reality. On Fridays, club members meet to make hundreds of sandwiches and place homemade cookies and chips into bags. After games, parents give the sack lunches to players. During the week, club members also assemble player goodie bags often filled with treats and messages of good luck. The club stands ready to assist the players and coaches in any way, win or lose. Although, after winning four games three years ago and six the following year, the parents and community were ready for the team’s 11-1 season. “It was off the charts. We were so excited for these boys,” said club member Patrice Christy, Blake Christy’s mom. “We’ve been with them since little league; you see them develop. We are one big family. To see the boys accomplish what some of them thought was only a dream was beyond belief.”

Town encouragement

Win the day, which was last season’s mantra, has stayed on Blake Christy’s mind for this year’s 10-game regular season. The 6-foot2-inch teenager said the motto gives him and his teammates the confidence and determination to achieve on and off the field. While players still drop the phrase into everyday conversations, this season’s mantra is “#MyTown,” which is a tribute to those on Wilson Field and the immense support and loyalty shown by fellow classmates, player families and the Luther community. The motto comes from country music duo Montgomery Gentry, who recorded radio hit “My Town,” describing the lifelong intimacy one develops with small communities. First-year head coach Zack Smith instantly noticed the Luther pride when he arrived at the Route 66 town. Throngs of parents attended his first parent meeting. The former college football player said he had never seen parent meeting attendance as high in any other community he has been in. “I wanted people to see that I am proud to be a part of the Luther community. Also, I wanted the team to demonstrate that same pride,” Smith said about #MyTown. “We have great facilities and great people. We are proud to be from Luther.” Smith’s coaching philosophy is simple. He coaches each player the way he would coach his own child. It works, because in Luther, the football team and its supporters view themselves as a family. “They really are a family,” said Scheer, who covers the high school sports beat for The Luther Register. “It isn’t just players, but parents and many that are not parents. People just want to help the team.” Luther is a place where churches outnumber businesses and most residents hold deep roots. The town has fallen upon hard times. In January, Wal-Mart pulled out of its new neighborhood market store. State budget cuts, coupled with what many say are poor decisions among district leaders, have negatively impacted the district, which now does more with less. “Despite all the bad things people said about Luther last year, one of the good things was this football team,” Christy said. “People look forward to Friday nights in Luther.”

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Hookah habits An OSU psychology student studies the effects of hookah use and alcohol. By Christine Eddington

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Elly Leavens spends more time than most outside hookah bars, waiting for patrons to leave and politely approaching them as they do. “We do a lot of field work. We get permission from the hookah lounges, and when people are leaving, we invite them to be a part of our research,” she said. “Most hookah lounges are very welcoming to us.” Leavens, a Kansas City native and a clinical psychology graduate student at Oklahoma State University (OSU), has received the Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (an F31 grant) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to examine the co-use of alcohol and hookah, or water pipe, tobacco. In Oklahoma, tobacco use is generally down except for e-cigarettes and water pipe or hookah smoking. “Water pipe smoking is very social, with its participants often consuming alcohol as a part of the experience. One 45-60minute session can equal as many as 200 cigarettes in terms of smoke exposure,” Leavens said. “We are hoping to learn whether alcohol consumption increases the likelihood or amount of water pipe use. If we find that it does, it could mean that we need to regulate alcohol use in hookah bars.” How big could this problem really be? “It’s much more common than you might think,” Leavens said. “Ten percent of the population uses water pipes for Elly Leavens is a grad student at OSU who was recently awarded a grant to research hookah use. | Photo provided

tobacco, with most of those people being college age and young adult males. That’s the group seeing increases in use. There are two hookah bars in Stillwater and at least four in Oklahoma City.” Hookah use is often perceived as a social activity and, therefore, less harmful than regular cigarette smoking, Leavens said, but many believe the risk factors are identical. “Addiction, smoke exposure and lung diseases are all byproducts of water pipe use,” she said. “Water pipe use is also a risk factor for cigarette use and becoming a daily smoker.” A general interest in addictive behaviors brought Leavens to OSU for graduate school after earning her Bachelor of Science degree at St. Louis University. “I had identified college alcohol use as an area of interest because many students

do not have problems with alcohol postcollege, despite engaging in problem drinking behaviors while in college,” she said. Her undergraduate mentor at St. Louis University, Jeremiah Weinstock, introduced her to Thad Leffingwell, head of the psychology department at OSU, who connected her with Ted Wagener at the Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. “Wagener studies tobacco use and suggested I look at hookah to see if we could get people to quit,” Leavens said. “I got excited about that.” The F31 award is extremely competitive. “There are only 25 awarded each year, and we wrote this proposal not at all expecting to be funded in the first round,” Leavens said. The fellowship totals $86,000, which will be used for Leavens’ tuition, a stipend and some travel and training costs. “The effect of this fellowship on my career as a scientist is immediate, in terms of making me more competitive for top research internships,” Leavens said. The next step is to prepare and run the research project. Data collection takes about a year and involves 40 pairs of people. Each pair makes two visits to the study’s lab, where they will drink and smoke and are given information about the study’s goal.

Addiction, smoke exposure and lung diseases are all byproducts of water pipe use. Elly Leavens “Of course, the study will use subjects who are already users of alcohol and who already use water pipes to smoke tobacco,” Leavens said. “We will dose them with alcohol until we get their blood alcohol level where we want it to be, which will be very safe.” There will be a hookah in the room, and the researchers will watch what happens next and to what degree. Subjects are paid around $200 to participate in the study, she said. Leffingwell and Wagener co-sponsored Leavens’ NIH application, as did national hookah research expert Tom Eissenberg from Virginia Commonwealth University. Leavens became interested in science in a roundabout way. “I took a semester off after my freshman year because I hadn’t found what really interested me,” she said. “I worked in restaurants and in wedding photography, which was fun and exciting, but I realized that I really needed intellectual stimulation, and I have always been innately interested in psychology. Ultimately, I hope to be at an academic medical center or at a research university.”

metro

Good gas

Oklahoma County ranked No. 1 in oil-producing economies in a recent study. | Photo Gazette / file

According to a recent study, Oklahoma County’s oil and gas economy is in good shape. By Michael Kinney

Oklahoma relies on its energy sector. Fortunes in gas and oil have been made across the state for decades. But 2015 was an especially prosperous year from at least one county in the oil and gas business. According to economic and demographic data aggregator and analysis firm Headlight Data, Oklahoma County led the nation in job creation in oil and gas last year. The county’s 660 jobs created were 230 more than Kern County, California, which had the second highest totals. In fact, combined job creation for the rest of the top five counties — Ector County, Texas; Williams County, North Dakota; and Eddy County, New Mexico — created just 669 jobs. One of the biggest reasons Oklahoma City tops the list is because the state’s oil and gas production is diversified, experts said. “The oil and gas sector in Oklahoma City is very different than in the state of Oklahoma as a whole,” said Roy H. Williams, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber CEO. “Oklahoma City has the energy company headquarters, not the drilling and much of the service sector, which tends to get the brunt of a downturn when commodity prices drop. Companies tend to pull in during downturns, which sometimes mean consolidation and moving things to one location rather than many locations. Headquarters tend to be that one location.” According to Chris Engle, Headlight Data president and chief analyst, Oklahoma City’s job creation surge goes against the trend the county had been on. “Oklahoma County in OKC created nearly 700 oil and gas jobs in 2015, the most of any county in the US,” Engle said. “This 7.6 percent growth rate occurred after a decline of 5.2 percent the previous year. This growth demonstrates the strength of Oklahoma City’s employers

in the face of low energy prices.” The economic and workforce development website produced its numbers by studying Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Specifically examining the 261 oil and gas economies that showed the greatest increase and decrease in job production allowed the company to formulate its list. Out of 261 counties with oil and gas economies, two of the top 10 — Ector County and Montgomery County — are in Texas, according to Headlight Data. The nation as a whole has benefited from oil and gas since 2000, when job creation stood at nearly 125,000 people employed in some capacity. After reaching 150,000 in 2008, it stayed steady until 2011, when job growth in the industry began to increase. According to Headlight Data, job creation in the oil and gas sector grew 22 percent and created 34,000 new jobs in the past five years. There are now 193,000 people working in the oil and gas field. No place in the United States showed as much growth as Oklahoma City, according to the study. “The oil and gas sector represents about 3 percent of employment in the OKC metro,” Williams said. “While it has contracted, the aviation and aerospace sector, the biosciences sector and the hospitality sector have all seen growth. As well, there is a shortage of IT talent in the region. So we are now very diversified with many strong economic sectors.” Yet not all the news coming out of the Headlight Data report was good for the state. While Oklahoma City was No. 1 in job creation, Washington County was No. 6 in job losses in the oil and gas sector. Bartlesville lost 165 oil and gas jobs last year. But that was a fraction of the number Harris County Texas (Houston) lost, leading the list with 1,413. O kg a z e t t e . c o m | S E P T E M B E R 7, 2 0 1 6

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friedNEWS

Mustache fever

Tom Selleck, Hulk Hogan, Sam Elliott, Burt Reynolds, Freddie Mercury and Steven Adams. All great men — all great mustaches. With great facial hair comes great responsibility, like spreading the good news of grin brush. No longer are beards just for perpetually unkempt bros, Argentine Marxist revolutionaries and Santa Claus. Whiskers are front and center on Oklahoma City Thunder’s center as well as the T-shirts for his New Zealand Camp, according to NewsOK.com. Move over, Walt Frazier (NBA legend and rebel in the facial hair arena) Steven Adams has pro-baller skills, a baller beard and a baller heart. Earlier this month, Adams returned to Auckland, New Zealand, with fellow Thunder players Nick Collison and Andre Roberson. After a volunteer opportunity at the Ronald McDonald House, the group arrived at a youth basketball camp. There, Adams gave away white T-shirts with his mustache-inspired logo. As The Ada News recently explained, every basketball camp needs uniforms. So of course Adams should design a logo that highlights basketball and mouth brows. After all, the Kiwi athlete is most known for his hoop skills and fantastic facial hair. Adams was unfazed by the media hubbub over the lip wig logo. For him, the camp was all about the kids. “I invited some boys from the Oklahoma City Thunder and we’re going to go teach kids high fives and make sure they enjoy the game, just keep the excitement up around it,” Adams told New Zealand Herald. “And give them free stuff.” The T-shirt was part of the free stuff.

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Religious freedom?

A court recently agreed with a Christian woman who believes she was inappropriately arrested while protesting the religious rights of satanists. The New Jersey woman traveled to Oklahoma City in 2014 to pray outside Civic Center Music Hall after learning about a black mass ceremony happening inside, according to okcfox.com. Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals dismissed the charges, which alleged Joan Bell blocked an entrance and thereby trespassed on private property, the TV news outlet recently reported. She and her appellate lawyer argued that she was actually praying outside an exit, not an entrance. Also, Civic Center Music Hall isn’t private property — it’s a municipal building adjacent to a public park. “She was there for a significant amount of time and left completely unmolested until the very moment that she begins to practice religion,” Brian McCall, an appellate lawyer for Bell, told okcfox.com. (He also is University of Oklahoma College of Law’s associate dean of academic affairs, associate director of the

school’s law center and director of legal assistant education.) City officials refused multiple requests from the station to explain why the city attorney prosecuted the case and why it chose not to amend the charges against Bell, according to okcfox.com. Bell also claimed she went limp when officers approached her as a means of protesting her arrest, which the appeals court also said she had the right to do.

Warrant forfeiture

There’s nothing more annoying than getting a traffic ticket! Oh, there is? Yes, traffic tickets you don’t know about are worse. What’s that? It can get even worse? Yes, not paying them does usually end in warrants being issued for your arrest, but surely it can’t get any more annoying than that. Oh, you’re a senator? Well, that is super, duper awkward and vexatious. Sen. Kyle Loveless, R-Oklahoma City, learned about his warrant the hard way after applying to join police on a ride-along to learn more about civil asset forfeiture. Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater turned down Loveless’ request due to an outstanding warrant. “[Someone] delivered a bunch of information to me regarding active warrants that Senator Loveless had at that time related to an Oklahoma City traffic ticket that hadn’t

been paid,” Prater told News9.com. Loveless claimed he forgot about the ticket or didn’t know about it at all. In any case, he told News9.com that he paid it and his driver’s license is reinstated and “everything’s kosher.” He also said he still wants to do the ridealong, but Prater squashed those dreams. “I’m not interested in having him ride. … If he has that disregard, that much disregard for the law and for the laws that he’s involved in writing, I’m not interested in him being a part of it,” Prater said. Loveless wants to change Oklahoma’s civil asset forfeiture law, which allows police to seize property and cash found during traffic stops even if no charges are filed and use profits to fund police budgets. “I just started researching it. And the more I researched it, the more angry and the more upset I got,” NewsOK.com quoted Loveless in a May 2015 article. “I don’t want to get rid of it. What I want to do is put safeguards into place … so law enforcement agencies don’t have an incentive to take things illegally.” Loveless’ proposed law is called the Personal Asset Protection Act.

Fixed progress

Oklahoma City’s streetcar project is right on track. A recent report from NewsOK.com said installation of rails on a 4.6-mile main line and 2.3-mile Bricktown track is expected

The city council will select a contractor from several project bids in early November. Just like our future streetcars, there’s nowhere to go but forward.

Sourgrapes, Oklahoma

to begin in November. The process for setting the track will take an estimated two years. The rail project was one of the key components of the MAPS 3 construction plan. The main line will link Midtown with Bricktown, making stops at places like St. Anthony Hospital, Automobile Alley and Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Bricktown loop will circle between Bricktown and the ’Peake. Together, the rail, streetcars and surrounding infrastructure is expected to cost $131 million. Oklahoma City’s streetcars will be assembled in Pennsylvania and shipped here in May 2017, but shipments of rail components and switches are already underway.

In unrelated Thunder-related news, in a move that sounds like the municipal version of a country music song, some Oklahomans are requesting a name change for the city of Durant. Durant (DOO-rant) has no relation to former Oklahoma City Thunder superstar (and new Golden State Warrior) Kevin Durant (DURHrant), but that didn’t stop Edmond resident Ryan Nazari from launching a Change.org petition to rename the city “Westbrook,” for Russell Westbrook, who recently signed an extension with the team. The petition claims Durant (the basketball player) betrayed the state, “torn out our hearts and left our beloved Oklahoma City Thunder in depleted shape.” Of course, the Bryan County seat wasn’t named for the basketball player, but for its founder, Dixon Durant. Members of the

Choctaw Nation, which is headquartered in the city, Durant’s family (the Choctaw Nation members) traveled up the Trail of Tears, with his parents settling in the area that would someday bear his name. But the history is irrelevant, according to the petition, which said the name “is just another hideous reminder of what happened to our community.” Durant vice mayor Destry Hawthorn is even onboard, telling KOCO that a name change is a great idea and might finally solve the age-old argument of how to pronounce the city’s name. At Chicken-Fried News press time, the petition had had almost 2,800 supporters. If it reaches 5,000, it will be delivered to Gov. Mary Fallin and Durant (or is it Westbrook?) mayor Stewart Hoffman.

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letters

NEWS 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.

Raise wages

Many men and women will spend this Labor Day working at their second or third jobs, desperately trying to make enough money to pay rent and afford groceries. They are forced to rely on minimumwage jobs that do not cover the most basic of living expenses. With wages stagnating and child care and educational costs soaring, many of my friends and family could use a raise. Too many working families are suffering because politicians refuse to raise the minimum wage. Jobs should help people build better lives, not trap them in poverty. It is past time to raise the minimum wage to a living wage and put the interests of working people first. Robin Patten Oklahoma City

Bleeding-heart parrots

I get so tired of hearing how many millions are being cut from this or that school program, but nobody ever mentions how much it is percentagewise; if it’s one or two percent, who cares? Give me the full story. Don’t just parrot what the unions and the bleeding hearts tell you, Gazette. Thomas L. Furlong Oklahoma City

Freedom stand

Re: San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand for the National Anthem: When I’m at a football game or similar, I stand with my hand over my heart and sing the anthem out loud with full voice. But the same freedom I celebrate is why I respect the right of others to not stand, sing or pledge allegiance. I despise when somebody burns an American flag or when a hate group marches with vulgar signs, but I’m glad I live in a country where they can do it without being arrested or worse. Because the guarantee of free speech doesn’t guarantee one won’t be shunned or financially punished by peers or fans, I often appreciate even more those who take the risk of speaking up for what they think is right, even when I think they’re wrong. Jack Bowen Fort Worth, Texas (formerly of Oklahoma City)

Government gone bad?

Federal and local governments have gone disgustingly bad. Asset forfeiture is a very good example of government gone awry. People who have not broken any laws or been convicted of any crime are having their assets taken and not returned. In Tenaha, Texas, law enforcement had systematically taken assets from innocent drivers. Two sisters in Philadelphia had their home taken away after their brother who was wanted by the law showed up at their home. At a Detroit art event, 100 cars for auction were seized because they didn’t have a liquor license. In Norman, Oklahoma, a merchant’s merchandise was seized upon suspicion of selling pot paraphernalia. How dumb is it that people lose their homes for failure to pay their water/sewer bills or property taxes, resulting in asset forfeiture? Various states like New Mexico and Nebraska have passed laws to stop asset forfeiture, but local police get around the law by teaming up with the Feds or DEA, who have no boundaries and are willing to share the bounty. Citizens not convicted of any crime have to spend their own money and time going to court to get their assets back. Also, the success rate of getting their property back is not good. Innocent children are being Tasered in the break-ins being done by “government gendarme goons.” The attempts to stop organized crime have turned into a revenue generator for

those various government entities. The “War on Terrorism” has not caused as much damage to our U.S. citizens as asset forfeiture has. Local police are armed with the latest military equipment for what reason? Why are we spending three times the amount of money for prisons than for childrens’ education? Where are our priorities? One quarter of the world’s prison population are in U.S. prisons, but we are only 5 percent of the world’s population. Private prisons, which started in Oklahoma under former Gov. Frank Keating, are turning out to be a sham across America. Also, government spying on all citizens is out of control, thanks to legislation such as the Patriot Act. Innocent people are being shot and killed, SWAT teams are raiding the wrong houses and killing people and their pets, along with illegal strip searches are being done. When is this tyrannical government gone disgustingly bad, going to end? Why don’t presidential nominees Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have debates or discussions about those major concerns like asset forfeiture? By not voting for Hillary or Donald, you won’t be giving them a mandate when they get into office. It’s time to throw their duopoly and our administrative state snakes back in the swamp! Sevier White Norman

A SeASonAl Guide to CentrAl oklAhomA PubliShinG SePtember 21, 2016 There is a lot to do, see and purchase throughout Autumn, and Gazette gives its readers direction on where to find the best festivals, fashion, foods and more!

Featuring a 3 month CAlendAr including: Labor Day Events Fall Theater Season Fairs, Festivals, Special Events

Concerts, Music and Clubs Art Exhibits and Shows Day Trips

Museums Kid Events & Classes Sports Schedules

expanded editorial content on fall activities in central oklahoma and a special section on the mother road. route 66 shopping, eating and attractions across the state.

DEADLinE For AD SpACE iS SEpTEMbEr 13, 2016. specialsections@okgazette.com | 405.528.6000 12

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EAT & DRINK and local. He takes what Oklahoma has to offer and uses his kitchen training to create something exciting and new for diners. There will always be certain proteins — fish, steak, chicken — available, but the flavors are always changing. While the petite filet might come whole one day, it could be served sliced and sauced the next, Lack said. Gray said that’s why it is rare to find a menu online. He doesn’t want to disappoint a customer who comes in looking for one item after it has been removed and replaced. A recent menu included crispy salmon with baby arugula, a braised chicken with cheese grits and a house-made pasta dish in a spicy corn broth. Variations of those might return with the season, Lack said, but Dérailleur has shifted gears to its next menu.

Ride together

f e at u r e

Chef Hilary Roper places bananas atop a dessert at Dérailleur. | Photo Garett Fisbeck

Shifting expectations

Dérailleur changes the way locals think about dining in Yukon. By Greg Elwell

In bicycle terminology, dérailleurs are the devices that change gears when a rider shifts to control the amount of resistance. That mechanism is, ostensibly, the reason mountain bike racer Richie Bean named his Yukon restaurant Dérailleur, 10 W. Main St., Suite 100. “One girl described us perfectly,” he said. “She talked about how the menu is always changing and how we’re always shifting gears.” That’s not the real reason the new culinary destination got its name, but Bean said customers will have to come have a drink with him at the bar to learn that secret.

Sharp turn

Bean came to Yukon as a teenager and found the city’s Main Street to be “a place where anything can happen.” When he returned after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, the area he loved had been abandoned. “[Interstate] 40 by Garth Brooks Boulevard was built up, but Main Street was left to fend for itself,” he said. “We don’t even have a bowling alley anymore. That was one of the few places to hang out.” Bean is a man of many interests. In addition to mountain bike racing on the Tour de Dirt circuit, he owns a wine-andpainting studio called The Paint Mill next

door to Dérailleur and a catering business, which he’s planning to move into the shopping center. Mike Gray, the restaurant’s general manager, plans to open an ice cream parlor nearby, and Bean wants to open a bicycle shop, too. “We’re trying to create a district here, like the ones in Oklahoma City,” he said.

Some restaurants are defined by a dish or by a chef, but Gray said Dérailleur is truly a team effort. He came to the business after years of working with Bean. Lack’s creativity and skill in the kitchen are the drivers of the dinner menu, while Hilary Roper is constantly coming up with new ideas for sweet and savory breakfast pastries and desserts for lunch and dinner. She said her productivity is pushed by demand. “I’m always cooking something new because we sold everything else,” she said. “It’s so good, it doesn’t last.” As fall approaches, she’s preparing to turn away from the fresh berries of summer and into more apples and stone fruit. Everything is seasonal. And when the fruits are gone, so are the desserts.

Soups and appetizers shift even faster, Gray said. And that’s part of the draw. “Every time a customer comes in, the experience should be different,” he said. That’s not an easy feat, given the crowd of regulars visiting Dérailleur a few times each week, but Bean said they manage. The bowling alley might be gone, but the restaurant is becoming the new place for Yukon to hang out, whether it’s teachers stopping by for coffee before classes start or music lovers who crowd the patio for live shows every week. “We’re trying to create a place you can take the whole family out, get some good food and not totally break the bank,” Bean said. It can be as laid-back or as upscale as the customer wants it to be, he said.

Blazing trails

Part of that comes from the wine and beer menu, Bean said. His staff worked hard with wine representatives to create the best selection in town. All of the beers served at Dérailleur, save Not Your Father’s Root Beer, are locally brewed. That commitment to fresh and local is one reason Bean thinks the restaurant will stay small no matter how big the crowds get. “I don’t see this as a franchise or a means to an end,” he said. “My goal in a few years is to see this area bursting at the seams.” The field behind the shopping center could be used for outdoor concerts, food trucks and art festivals. Bean said Main Street can be great again. He just wants to see Dérailleur packed every night, feeding Yukon residents seasonal fare they don’t have to drive 30 minutes or an hour away to enjoy. Dérailleur owner Richie Bean | Photo Garett Fisbeck

Changing course

To do that, Bean knew he needed something Yukon hadn’t seen before. After the closing of Hensley’s Top Shelf Grill, 1551 Garth Brooks Blvd., in October, the city hasn’t had an upscale restaurant to retain residents looking for a special dinner or draw in visitors from surrounding municipalities. While Dérailleur is a coffee bar with cafe-style counter service during breakfast and lunch, Bean hired Ludivine alum Bryce Lack as his executive chef to create a dinner scene the likes of which the area hadn’t experienced before. New menus are printed weekly, but the menu changes more often than that, Lack said. “My style is peasant food,” he said. “There’s refinement with bold, but simple flavors.” And like the field workers in Spain and Italy, Lack’s food is focused on what is fresh O kg a z e t t e . c o m | s e p t e m b e r 7, 2 0 1 6

review

EAT & DRINK

Moroccan masterpiece Recently expanded Couscous Cafe is the perfect spot to delve into Mediterranean cuisine. By Greg Elwell

If it’s been a while since diners last visited Couscous Cafe, 6165 N. May Ave., the restaurant might seem a little different. Gone is the bird shop next door and the wall separating the two spaces. In its place are new booths, new bathrooms and a lot more room to spread out. Go with a friend who hasn’t been for

and Mediterranean eatery, there is much to discuss. Step 1: Check the weather outside. Is it blazing-hot? Are the streets salty from the collective sweat of the populace? If the answer to either of those is yes, it doesn’t really matter: Order harrira ($3.50). There’s never a bad time for harrira, a Moroccan soup with a vegetable broth base filled with peas, vermicelli, tomatoes, Couscous Cafe onions and herbs. In the depths of winter, this petite 6165 N. May Ave. couscouscafeokc.com | 405-286-1533 bowl provides welcome heat and the starchy goodness of What works: Life only gets better with the pasta and peas. introduction of zaalook. During a scorching What needs work: The namesake summer, it tastes too good to couscous salad is a little bitter. pass up. Supplement it with a giant glass of the famed iced Tip: The restaurant has a drive-through mint tea ($1.99). Let the mint window for customers who call ahead. trickle down, extinguishing the soup’s heat and washing away the stress of surviving the a bit and watch the gears turn behind his sun-cracked wasteland outside. Step 2: Harrira is an amuse bouche of eyes. Much of the restaurant is the same, like the big case full of desserts by the sorts at Couscous Cafe. It could be an register and the clang of the kitchen appetizer in its own right, but this is the point when one orders more appetizers. putting together orders. But there’s just Hummus ($2.95) is practically a given. enough different that returning guests might spin around once or twice, trying Ask the table if they’d like to share some to place what has changed. and watch their eyes light up. In fact, if their What has not changed is the food. eyes don’t light up, it’s time to get new Couscous Cafe, despite the remodel friends. Good riddance, hummus haters. and expansion, retains the recipes and The olive oil-heavy chickpea dip pairs service that made the restaurant so perfectly with pita, but it’s also amazing beloved in the first place. But if one hasn’t with zaalook ($3.95). yet experienced the charms from left Zaalook, Moroccan salad and hummus | of this Moroccan Photo Mark Hancock / for Gazette

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Kefta and grilled vegetable kebabs | Photo Mark Hancock / for Gazette

Don’t let the name scare anybody off. Zaalook is a delightful dish of cooked eggplant, tomatoes and garlic with a seasoning blend that includes a touch of cinnamon. This also goes well with pita and probably anything else. Mildly sweet, zaalook has a pop of spice and smoke that would be a welcome addition to eggs, roast beef and possibly ice cream. Get this. Grape leaves (three for $2.50) aren’t usually my favorites, but the ones served at Couscous are killer. The marinated leaves had a fresh snap to them, and the dill rice stuffing was soft and had a lovely zing. Couscous salad ($5.25) is another option, but the last serving of it had a bitterness that was a bit off-putting. Perhaps it was just that batch. Regardless, it was light and is a vegetarian option for those interested. The best bet for newcomers is to get the vegetarian combo ($6), which lets diners pick three from couscous salad, hummus, grape leaves, falafel balls, Moroccan salad and zaalook. Step 3: Is it fair to call it a main course if one plans to eat two or three of them? Let’s leave that to the philosophers and just eat. Another vegetarian option is a falafel burrito ($5.95), which is almost selfexplanatory. Diners receive a pair of burritos filled with rice, a bit of salad and those gorgeous, deep-fried chickpea balls known as falafel. The burritos are delightful dipped in hummus, zaalook or tzatziki sauce or simply eaten quickly in an attempt to keep anyone else from asking for a bite. A classic gyro sandwich ($4.99) is much less vegetarian. A pita filled with chewy, tender chunks of a spiced beef-and-lamb mix and topped with lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles is definitely for carnivores only. It seems as if Couscous cuts its gyro meat a little thicker than most, which adds a new dimension of juiciness and mouthfeel. It’s one of the best in the metro, for sure. In the kebab section, look for a combo of kefta (sometimes called kofta) and vegetables ($6.99). The

grilled and seasoned ground beef balls would make delicious Mediterranean hamburgers, but these tender concoctions are best with a bite of grilled zucchini and a spoonful of Couscous’s perfectly cooked rice. If there’s some zaalook left over, try a little on top. Otherwise, dip it in the tzatziki and let the sharpness of the sauce and the savory, fatty juiciness of the kefta wash over taste buds. It’s like a snuggle on a stick. At any other meal, kefta might be the topper, but the restaurant has a few aces up its sleeves. Step 4: Strap in, because, to paraphrase Beyoncé, I don’t think you’re ready for this tagine. Tagines are braising vessels used to slow-cook foods and create intensely flavorful and fall-apart-tender dishes. Couscous’ lamb tagine ($10.99) is simply bonkers. Under the conical lid is a bed of fluffy long-grain rice and a lamb shank with meat so tender, the pages of its tear-stained diary are filled with John Mayer lyrics. Step 5: Stop reading this and get going already. Couscous Cafe was a home run before the remodel, and now it’s a bigger, nicer place to get some of the best Mediterranean fare in Oklahoma City. Just be warned: Even with more tables, the food is so good the restaurant can fill up in a hurry.

Lamb tagine | Photo Mark Hancock / for Gazette

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Cafe 501 Edmond general manager Ryan Young mixes a cocktail. | Photo Garett Fisbeck

•Fair-ly wonderful Continuing its run of captivating cocktail dinners, Cafe 501 is taking diners on a trip to a very upscale version of the fair. Even as Oklahoma State Fair begins its 10-day run of rides, competitions and food, the Edmond location of Cafe 501, 501 S. Boulevard, is putting on a State Fair Inspired Dinner Sept. 15. Usually an opportunity for the bartenders to strut their stuff with new twists on a favorite liquor, this $49 ticket will take customers on a rollercoaster of gourmet takes on fair favorites. Courses include a beef slider with a porter shandy, a tenderloin corndog with a mule and an Indian taco-inspired tamale with a kettle corn old fashioned before finishing the evening with cornflake fried ice cream and a funnel cake martini. 501 Edmond general manager Ryan Young, former bar manager for the Classen Curve restaurant, said he’s in charge of making the cocktails for the evening. Cafe 501 Classen Curve, 5825 NW Grand Blvd., will follow up on the same theme Sept. 20 with an extra course and cocktail pairing for $59 each. The restaurants’ “dine at your own pace” dinners require reservations but allow diners to show up throughout the evening rather than at a set time. Call 405-359-1501 to reserve a spot at the Edmond dinner or 405-844-1501 for the Classen Curve dinner.

Kenny and Maggie Ketron compete in Thomas’ Breakfast Battle with 49 food trucks from across the country. | Photo Gazette / file

•Breakfast battle

Starting Sept. 12, local mobile cuisine lovers can test out a recipe created by Parking Lot Party (PLP) Food Truck as part of the Thomas’ Breakfast Battle. Fifty food trucks from across the country will compete to create the best breakfast recipe using Thomas’ English muffins or bagels, including the Loaded Avocado Bagel Bowl from PLP owners Kenny and Maggie Ketron.

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The sandwich-centric food truck will be at The Patriarch, 9 E. Edwards St., in Edmond Tuesday and Sept. 17 for customers who want to try the dish. Starting Sept. 12, visitors to thomasbreakfastbattle.com will be able to vote for their favorite. If PLP receives enough votes, the truck could move on to the next round of competition in which 25 trucks face off in another challenge.

•Slam dunk

Kd’s Southern Cuisine relaunches Sept. 12 as Legacy Grill. | Photo Hal Smith Restaurant Group / provided

It turns out there was someone thinking about Kevin Durant’s departure from Oklahoma City well before he signed with the Golden State Warriors: Kd’s Southern Cuisine co-owner Hal Smith, chairman and CEO of Hal Smith Restaurant Group. “When Kevin and I got together and decided to open up Kd’s, I was fully aware that he might not be in Oklahoma City forever,” said Smith. That might explain the speed with which the restaurant is pivoting away from Kd’s to the new name and concept Legacy Grill, 224 Johnny Bench Drive. “I think it’s a pretty neat concept,” he said. “It’s a restaurant that will be a premiere destination for people who want to enjoy Oklahoma history and Oklahoma food.” Smith is working with the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and said the restaurant will be decorated with classic photos of people who made a lasting impact on the state. As he has been going through the photos, he said he has been reminded of so many individuals who “made Oklahoma what it is through the years.” It won’t be available at opening, but Smith said he’s going to put together an A-Z book of the people featured in the restaurant with information about their impact on the state. The turnaround from Kd’s to Legacy Grill is a quick one at just 45 days, but Smith said the restaurant can pull it off because of great leadership from managing partner Nathan Couch and by keeping so many former staff members onboard. “During that time, we’ve been paying employees who want to stick around, so we’ll reopen with a lot of the same group,” he said. The menu will change a little, but not a lot. Legacy Grill will keep fried catfish, chicken-fried steak, meatloaf and shrimp and grits for customers but will also add a new linguine Smith’s mother used to make and a pan-seared tilapia he has been taste-testing. After Legacy Grill opens Sept. 12, the restaurant will be open seven days a week for dinner. It will be open for lunch on Friday and Saturday and brunch and lunch on Sunday.

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•Beer Park

Theron Jessop considers himself a craft beer lover, so he jumped at the chance to create a menu for an evening of Black Mesa Brewing Company beers with paired courses. Jessop, chef de cuisine at Park Avenue Grill in Skirvin Hilton Hotel, 1 Park Ave., will cook for Oklahoma Brews Beer Dinner 6 p.m. Friday at the restaurant. “They brought us samples over, so we got to taste them, of course,” he said. “I started working with the lighter beers and then through the heavier, richer beers. I kind of went crazy on this menu, because it’s stuff I like to do and I get to have free reign.” That means a course pairing Black Mesa’s Altbier, a light, longer-aged beer, with sea urchin. “I’m really excited to get to use that,” he said. “The purveyor is getting it for me live, so it’ll be flown in.” For dessert, he’s planning to pair the rich and slightly sweet ES-ESB (extraspecial Endless Skyway Bitter) with a gorgonzola dulce with honeycomb and figs. The dinner is $75 per person with seating cut off at 50 diners. Reservations are available at 405-702-8444.

Friday’s Oklahoma Brews Beer Dinner features Black Mesa Brewing Company selections. | Photo Gazette / file

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event

EAT & DRINK

Sudsy creation

OKCMOA’s ARTonTAP returns for its 13th year. By Christine Eddington

Of the million and a half or event’s 13th year. so people in the Oklahoma “This is one of the oldest ARTonTAP City metro, a scant 800 beer-tasting events in the will be lucky enough to buy city, so we’ve had a lot of 7 p.m. Sept. 23 tickets to ARTonTAP, time to think through loOklahoma City Oklahoma City Museum gistics and make the event Museum of Art of Art’s annual event dedthe best it can be,” Worrell 415 Couch Drive icated to beer. said. “The selection of okcmoa.com The Sept. 23 event feabeers, the atmosphere, the 405-236-3100 tures beer on the rooftop, food and the music are all $45-$50 beer in the lobby, local what keep people coming beer, foreign beer, dark back year after year. This beer and light beer. event always sells out.” “We had exactly 800 tickets available, Local restaurants, including James E. and after a week of sales, we have about McNellie’s Public House, Brown Egg Bakery, Old Germany Restaurant, 300 left,” said Kimberley Worrell, Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA) Texadelphia and the Museum Café will associate development director. provide guests with a variety of nosh “The gala features 80 varieties of beer, ranging from snacks to sweets. including local beers like Anthem ARTonTAP has become a significant [Brewing Company], Rough Tail [Brewing fundraiser for the museum, with proceeds Co.] and COOP [Ale Works], as well as supporting its exhibitions budget, making beers from unique places like Israel and things like the current Matisse in his Time: Spain,” she said. Masterworks of Modernism from the Centre The 2016 edition of ARTonTAP at Pompidou, Paris exhibit, which closes a few OKCMOA, 415 Couch Drive, marks the days before ARTonTAP, possible.

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EDMOND | NEW LOCATION

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3404 S. Broadway Edmond, OK 73013

405-778-6227

405-844-7267

We Care, You’ll See

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“In 2015, we raised $58,000,” said Becky Weintz, OKCMOA director of marketing and communications. “Since the event was started 13 years ago, we’ve grown the number of tickets sold, sponsors and beers to taste. We also added the Roof Terrace as additional space for tasting and dancing.” The ARTonTAP event includes more than beer and food. The rooftop becomes the Heineken USA Roof Terrace Beer Garden, where local pop-rock cover act Hook will perform. In the museum lobby, DJ Brian Smith from Chameleon Entertainment also will entertain. ARTonTAP is unique for OKCMOA because it’s the only museum event not planned and executed by a volunteer committee. “This is the one event that is staff-run,” Worrell said. “And staff loves this event.” The full roster of beer vendors for this year’s event includes Anthem Brewing Company, Belle Isle Brewing Company, Bricktown Brewery, Capital Distributing, COOP Ale Works, Marshall Brewing Company, Oklahoma Beer Imports, Paragon Brands, Premium Brands Wine & Spirits, Quality Beverage Company, Rahr & Sons Brewing Company and Roughtail Brewing Company. OKCMOA also offers options for guests thirsty for something other than beer. “If guests would like mixed drinks or

ARTonTAP guests can sample 80 beer varieties. | Photo Oklahoma City Museum of Art / provided

wine, we will offer those at a cash bar inside the Museum Café,” Weintz said. Tickets are $45 for museum members and $50 for nonmembers and must be purchased in advance. Each guest receives a sample mug, which holds about 4 ounces. With that mug comes the power to taste test as many of the sudsy offerings as the bearer wishes. Guests must be at least 21 years of age. Learn more at okcmoa.com.

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g a z e di b l e s

eat & DRINK

Go-gogood

Not every night is suitable for going out on the town. In fact, after a long day at the office, being seen by impeccably dressed swells is probably the last item on the agenda. But a night in doesn’t mean grabbing dinner in a paper sack from a drivethru window or spending hours cooking. There are plenty of great restaurants that can prepare your dinner to go. By Greg Elwell | Photos Garett Fisbeck and Gazette file

Provision Kitchen

6443 Avondale Drive provision-kitchen.com | 405-843-2310 Who has time to get out of the car these days? That’s the beauty of Provision Kitchen’s curbside service, in which customers can order from a variety of healthy and delicious meals and have them brought out to the car. Whether it’s a breakfast of banana pancakes, an order of chicken bolognese or a selection of nutritious delicacies from the hot bar, give Provision Kitchen a call and the helpful staff will pack it up and get it ready to go.

Nhinja Sushi & Wok 13905 N. May Ave. nhinja.com | 405-463-6622

It’s a luxury to sit in a quiet dining room and leisurely indulge on plates of expertly made sushi, but it’s also pretty cool to veg out in front of the TV with a veggie roll. Nhinja Sushi & Wok makes perfectly portable rolls, like the spicy blend of yellowtail, tuna and salmon with dynamite sauce in a 911 roll or grilled steak, asparagus and eel sauce in the JoJo roll. For those hungry for something other than sushi, the rice and noodle bowls are easy to take home, too.

Chelino’s Mexican Restaurant

6509 Northwest Expressway chelinosmexicanrestaurant.com 405-728-2770 Calling in an order is fine, but one local restaurant chain makes it easy to skip the human interaction and get right down to the great Tex-Mex food. Chelino’s is a metro favorite, and now it’s conquering the internet with online ordering of its expansive menu. Start off with botana, a platter of grilled onions, fried jalapeños and potatoes served with avocado and tomato slices. It’s perfect for a picnic on the go.

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Tacoville

3502 Newcastle Road tacoville.us | 405-681-0661 Bring cash and an appetite if Tacoville is on tonight’s agenda. Since 1967, Tacoville has served OKC delicious crunchy tacos, stuffed burritos and chili with beans. This little restaurant packs them in at lunch and dinner, so feel free to get Tacoville to-go. The enchilada dinner or the tamales might be hard to handle on the road, but a Sancho burrito filled with beef, cheese, lettuce, onions and sour cream can be eaten with ease, even in a hurry.

Zorba’s Mediterranean Cuisine

Tai Pei Chinese Restaurant

Mediterranean food is built to move. Maybe that’s part of the reason the diet is considered so healthy — everybody eating is in constant motion. Zorba’s grilled beef, chicken and vegetable kebabs are easy to transport, as are its always-delicious gyros. Whatever the choice, those getting takeout should call ahead; Zorba’s cuisine attracts big crowds at lunch and dinner, so avoid any wait and order by phone.

Takeout doesn’t get much more traditional than Chinese food from Tai Pei. Great for a quick bite on the go or a full-fledged feast at the kitchen table, this Warr Acres Chinese restaurant has been a local favorite for many years. Start off with a bowl of egg flower or wonton soup, and then check out the sweet and tangy tangerine-flavored beef or dig into the crispy fried goodness of frittered garlic chicken. It’s the answer to classic Chinese takeout cravings.

6014 N. May Ave. zorbasokc.com | 405-947-7788

5005 N. MacArthur Blvd. 405-787-7427

Iron Star Urban Barbeque 3700 N. Shartel Ave. ironstarokc.com | 405-524-5925

If such a thing as diet barbecue exists, it’s definitely not in a plate of ribs. The juicy, succulent taste of ribs comes from fat that melts while they’re being slowly smoked. Some of the best in town are available at Iron Star, where the staff is happy to pack a portion of perfectly seasoned ribs, delicious whole fried okra and the restaurant’s signature fancy mac and cheese. Best of all, Iron Star’s portions are big enough that leftovers from tonight’s dinner can easily become tomorrow’s lunch.

Shawarma

Fresh middle Eastern Food

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

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Adult education

The kids are back in school and getting smarter every day. Don’t let their youthful minds outpace those of the adults surrounding them — it’s a recipe for insurrection. Instead, metro residents should take advantage of numerous opportunities to improve themselves by visiting some local venues for continued learning. By Greg Elwell | Photos Garett Fisbeck

in the Plaza 1759 NW 16th • Oklahoma City • 405-528-4585 Open Tues-Sat 12-7 • Like us on Facebook

• Learn about Oklahoma history

Full Circle Bookstore 1900 Northwest Expressway fullcirclebooks.com 405-842-2900 As the wise LeVar Burton taught us, “Take a look; it’s in a book.” Oklahomans who want to know more about the state need look no farther than Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, where they can both shop and read local. Full Circle Bookstore is the destination for a veritable rainbow of Oklahoma history knowledge. With more than 30 years in business, this independently owned bookstore combines a great selection with personalized service that’ll have you flying twice as high as a butterfly.

the day so visitors can admire others’ creations and purchase one-of-a-kind gifts for friends.

• Learn about wine

• Learn to make pottery

Paseo Pottery 3017 Paseo St. thepaseo.com | 405-525-3017 Don’t let the creative fire burn out — transfer the skills learned in art class to a new medium at Paseo Pottery, where owner Collin Rosebrook has been teaching students to make and decorate clay masterpieces since 1989. Classes are held Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings for students looking to make their own works of art, but the gallery is open during 22

s e p t e m b e r 7, 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

Grand Cru Wine & Spirits 9275 N. May Ave. facebook.com/grandcru wineandspirits | 405-749-9463 It might take a full-time tutor to keep parents ahead of their kids in trigonometry or AP biology, but a few areas in which it’s easy to outpace minors are enology (the study of wine), zythology (the study of beer) and mixology (the study of cocktails). Dive mouth-first into the tipsy arts at Grand Cru Wine & Spirits, where customers can take home a tasty array of Champagne, locally brewed beers and specialty liqueurs for an evening of edification with fellow adults.

• Learn to run

OK Runner 1189 E. 15th St., Edmond 3720 W. Robinson Ave., Norman myokrunner.com | 405-285-1455 Gym class was a painful period — both mentally and physically — for many of us. Leave behind the scarring sound of the coach’s whistle and rediscover a love of fitness at OK Runner. With locations in Edmond and Norman, this runners’ repository has the gear for novices and experts alike. It’s not just shoes and socks, either — OK Runner gives customers a foot assessment and gait analysis to find the right fit as well as training, advice on injuries and even running camps.

A v A i l A b l E At

200A SE 8th St. • Moore • 912-4450 forrestfireplaces.com

• Learn to cook

Forward Foods Carriage Plaza Shopping Center 2001 W. Main St. #111, Norman forwardfoods.com | 405-321-1007 Perhaps the only thing more rewarding than cooking a great meal is eating one, and with the help of Norman’s Forward Foods, both are within reach. Fork over a little time to enjoy a wineand-cheese pairing class or sprinkle some new ingredients into the usual cooking repertoire to make the dinner table a destination for friends and family. With one of the best cheese selections in the metro and great customer service, it’s not difficult to develop a taste for the very best.

Learn to knit

David’s Yarn 16526 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Edmond davidsyarn.com | 405-562-1839 Knitting rocketed back into the mainstream a few years ago as capable crafters rediscovered the joy of making their own hats, scarves and sweaters. At David’s Yarn, needle ninjas will find a bounty of fine yarns and other supplies as well as instruction on how to use them. The shop hosts classes for beginners interested in crochet, stitching and knitting, but with limited admission, so sign up early. Or just pop by, browse and relax with other hobbyists who are learning new skills.

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | s e p t e m b e r 7, 2 0 1 6

ARTS & CULTURE

cov e r

Extreme

(emotional) sports

As college football season ramps up, is insanity around the corner for fans that live for their teams? By Greg Elwell

The first season games are behind us, but the mania that is college football fandom in Oklahoma has just begun. Both the University of Oklahoma (OU) Sooners and Oklahoma State University (OSU) Cowboys have 10 more games before they meet for their Dec. 3 Bedlam matchup in Norman. During those three months, the fortunes of each team could swing wildly, and with them the moods of fans across the state.

House divided

It started innocently enough. Forrest Bennett was volunteering at a fundraiser when he saw her. “To be frank, you’re invited to those things either because you have the means to write a nice check or they need you to help out at the event,” he said. “Obviously, we were both helping out.” Most volunteers were the regulars he saw every time, but then he spotted Meg McElhaney. “But I saw this beautiful girl — who was certainly not a usual suspect — and I didn’t know who she was,” he said. After a little recon, he introduced himself and they talked. McElhaney wasn’t available then, but when the pair ran into each other at another political function a few months later, she was single. Thus began a relationship in 2013 that led to living together ... and friction. Both now work in Oklahoma City. (Bennett is running against Joe Griffin to replace

Image Mat DeKinder / provided

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term-limited Democratic incumbent Richard Morrissette for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 92, which includes Midtown, but that’s a whole other battle. Politics and sports don’t always mix well, so that might be a conversation for another time.) Bennett is an OU grad. McElhaney matriculated at OSU. Both had previously dated someone from the other’s school, he said. “I think we both came into this arrangement having already dealt with those challenges once,” he said. “It was probably good to have that prior experience.” McElhaney said they both knew what not to do, like act “a bit too happy” when OU loses to Texas. It’s easy enough to dance around the subject of team dominance during nonconference games. That task grows more difficult when Big 12 matchups start and the intrastate squads grow closer to a showdown. McElhaney and Bennett admitted they get most testy about the rivalry during Bedlam. Those conflicts are no small thing, he said. “We always make our Bedlam plans well enough ahead of time such that there’s no turf war with regard to who gets to have their watch party at the house and things like that,” he said. “It takes some extra strategic planning ahead of time to avoid too much conflict.” All the planning in the world can’t cool the fiery competition between Cowboys and Sooners, McElhaney said. “As a rule, we are in separate ZIP codes for Bedlam each year,” McElhaney said. “I don’t see that changing anytime in the near future.”

Forrest Bennett, an OU grad, and his partner, OSU alum Meg McElhaney, still love each other despite their interschool rivalry. | Photo Mark Hancock / for Gazette

And if it did, everyone would know about it, Bennett said. “Because we may cause a scene worthy of the 10 o’clock news,” Bennett said. Last year, he hosted a watch party at their house. When OSU lost, McElhaney came home early to beat the traffic. “I had to kick everyone out,” he said.

Deep connections

Something was wrong with Mathew DeKinder. The Bethany native is a lifelong OSU fan. No matter the sport, the Cowboys are his team. Growing up in the 1980s and ’90s, there were some years when loving his team was particularly painful. “I remember caring who won or lost games, but the point where I realized I was caring too much was the 1988 Bedlam game when Brent Parker dropped the pass in the back of the end zone,” he said. “My brother and I bawled our eyes out, especially with the knowledge of the hell we would catch on Monday as essentially the only OSU fans in our elementary school.” When he started college in Stillwater in 1996, the connection only grew deeper as he formed friendships with other sports obsessives. His love of OSU not only brought him closer to his father and grandfather, but to thousands of people he never met. “When I meet another passionate OSU fan for the first time, there is an instant Wait Till Next Year author and Bethany native Mathew DeKinder | Photo Julie DeKinder / Provided

bond, because I know that person has experienced many of the exact same joys and sorrows in their life that I have,” DeKinder said. “That’s tough to beat.”

Everybody hurts

There’s also a dark side to fandom. As gloriously high as the wins can be, the lows of losing are arguably more extreme. And every team loses. “Being a die-hard sports fan is like getting warm, comforting hugs from grandma where grandma will occasionally, and without warning, knee you in the crotch,” DeKinder said. “It’s a rough way to live.” After graduation, he married his college sweetheart Julie in 2003 and moved to St. Louis, Missouri. As his wife was expecting their first daughter, Athena, the couple made a decision: He would give up sports for a year. The process and progress of that agreement is the subject of DeKinder’s 2009 book, Wait Till Next Year: A Die-Hard Fan’s Year Without Sports. “I knew having an entire weekend wrecked by grown men chasing a ball around was not a healthy way to live my life, and it was hastened by the fact that my wife was pregnant with our first child,” he said. “It was pretty clear that extreme sports fandom is easily passed from one generation to the next, and what I wanted for my kids was to be able to enjoy the positive aspects of sports without losing their damn minds over it.” For 365 days, DeKinder avoided sports

Sooner football Saturday vs. Louisiana-Monroe Sept. 17 vs Ohio State Oct. 1 at Texas Christian University Oct. 8 at University of Texas Oct. 15 vs Kansas State Oct. 22 at Texas Tech Oct. 29 vs University of Kansas Nov. 3 at Iowa State Nov. 12 vs Baylor Nov. 19 at West Virginia Dec. 3 vs Oklahoma State

about as much as someone in a pro-sports mecca like St. Louis can. Each morning, Julie removed the sports page from the newspaper. ESPN became anathema. Even fantasy football was suspended, and DeKinder handed over his team’s management to a friend for the season. “Logistically, the biggest challenge isn’t avoiding sports, but continuing to interact with the rest of humanity still engaged with sports,” he said. “You don’t realize how many social activities have sports woven through them.” What he found was that the amount of time he spent watching sports was vastly eclipsed by the amount of time he spent

reading about sports, listening to people talk about them or watching game highlights. Disconnecting didn’t curb his love of OSU, though. Instead, it helped him reconnect with the good and let go of the bad. “I still watch the games and I am still happy with a win and sad about a loss, but I don’t carry it with me anymore,” he said. “It’s basically like I’ve stopped stalking Ben Affleck but I’m still a member of the Ben Affleck Fan Club.” The perspective he gained from the hiatus is the positives people gain from loving a team can be easily washed away by the ugliness of obsession — if one lets it. “I’ve learned that just focusing on the game itself can go a long way to maintaining your sanity. Avoiding the sports media echo chamber in good times and in bad help to keep things on an even keel,” he said. “Life is too short to let a ‘leisure activity’ beat you up like that.”

Playing games

It’s easy to imagine football superfandom as nothing but trouble. Even scientists examine the issue, as in a 1998 paper published in the journal Physiology & Behavior, which showed that people watching their favorite teams win experienced increases in testosterone, while those whose team lost experienced decreased levels of the steroid hormone.

The paper purports findings suggesting wins or losses have “physiological consequences that extend beyond changes in mood and self-esteem.” But the rivalry can also be a fun way to troll your significant other, Bennett said. “Once, when Facebook had those profile picture filters with the ‘Go Pokes’ and the ‘Boomer Sooner’ graphics, she used the OSU one on a picture of us,” he said. “So I found a selfie she sent me, where she was wearing red lipstick, and made it my profile picture with the ‘Boomer Sooner’ add-on. I think I won that battle.” And he said the back-and-forth helped break the ice in what could have been an uncomfortable family situation. “I did feel a rite of passage with Meg’s dad when he bet me that OU would lose the Tennessee game. That was a nail-biter, but we won,” Bennett said. “In a funny way, the OU-OSU thing has sort of been a way to break the tension one usually feels with a significant other’s parents.” Growing up in Oklahoma, football is embedded in the culture, he said. As a fifthgeneration Okie, that means his fandom is a part of who he is. “Any native Oklahoman knows the frustration of being associated with outdated stereotypes, so when football rolls around, we lean into our traditions,” he said. “OU was named one of the greatest football programs of all time this year, which is pretty great. And I’ll be honest, I couldn’t

Cowboy football Saturday vs Central Michigan Sept. 17 vs University of Pittsburgh Sept. 24 at Baylor Oct. 1 vs University of Texas Oct. 8 vs Iowa State Oct. 22 at University of Kansas Oct. 29 vs West Virginia Nov. 5 vs Kansas State Nov. 12 vs Texas Tech Nov. 19 at Texas Christian University Dec. 3 at University of Oklahoma

be more thrilled that OSU is building a sustainably competitive program up in Stillwater, because that makes the rivalry more fun.” A little kindness goes a long way, he said. “It’s all about balance, I think,” Bennett said. “Being able to be simultaneously happy for your team and sympathetic to the other’s — or the other way around — can be tough.” But like so many things that are tough, it’s worth the effort, McElhaney said. “You have to not only love the other person, but actually like them,” she said. “Sometimes enough to cheer for their team.”

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p er f o r m i n g arts

Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park’s balcony isn’t exactly like the Romeo & Juliet balcony in Verona, Italy, but it is staged at the lush Myriad Botanical Gardens and runs Sept. 8-24. | Photo bigstock.com

What’s Shakin’

Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park transcends time and place to bring ‘European hipster’ Romeo & Juliet to a modern audience.

By Ian Jayne

In fair Oklahoma, we lay our scene. “Everything we do is to try to bring the play Through September, Oklahoma to a contemporary audience.” Shakespeare in the Park (OSP) closes its While OSP strives to make Shakespeare summer season with Romeo & Juliet at accessible to audiences through creative Myriad Botanical Gardens. stylistic adaptations, one thing has reKathryn McGill, OSP executive director mained unchanged since the 16th century. and art director, said she usually directs “We never change the language,” McGill one show a year. said. “We will sometimes cut lines to make “This year, I’m doing Romeo & Juliet,” it shorter, but we never change she said. Shakespeare’s actual language.” In a world full of texting and tweeting, McGill’s approach to William Shakespeare’s tragic romantic play blends McGill sees language as limited and old and new, classic and modern. reduced. “When people think of Romeo & Juliet, “We get our information in short sound they think of the doublets, that kind of bites,” she said. “Shakespeare’s kind of the Italian Renaissance costume look,” she antithesis of that.” said, “This year, we’re doing it in a very The Bard’s words set him apart from his contemporary world.” peers and ensured his place in the Western McGill described the costumes as literary and dramatic canon. “European hipster” and said she had given “Shakespeare hits a nerve that not all the set designer images from modern playwrights can hit,” McGill said. “It’s that Italian cities. idea of language … as expanding thought, rather than reducing thought.” “We just believe that every time you approach a play … you should have a fresh approach,” McGill said. Stage-to-page Shakespeare’s continued and broad While McGill has been planning multiple appeal, seemingly uninhibited by time and aspects of Romeo & Juliet for about six place, allows for endless interpretations months, the actors’ five-week rehearsal and productions of period operates on an Shakespeare’s work. assumed familiarity with According to McGill, Shakespeare’s words. Romeo & Juliet some organizations, such “The actors we use have usually done as Shakespeare’s Globe in 8 p.m. Sept. 8-10, Shakespeare before,” London, attempt to recre15-17 and 22-24 ate his works as they were McGill said. “It makes all Water Stage originally performed, the difference in the Myriad Botanical Gardens whereas OSP has more world; you’re relying on 301 W. Reno Ave. creative flexibility. their technique and expeoklahomashakespeare.com “I find it enlightening rience.” 405-235-3700 McGill said the actors to choose a theme or an $15-$20 approach that is different playing Juliet (Hannah McCue) and Romeo each time,” McGill said.

(Tommy Stuart) are familiar with Shakespeare. “She just graduated from Oklahoma City University, so she has a great deal of Shakespeare background,” she said. “The young man playing Romeo is a senior at [the University of Oklahoma], and he’s worked with us in the past.” Actors who understand the meaning they must convey can make Shakespeare more enjoyable for audiences. “I always tell people, ‘When you come to the play, just really listen for the first five minutes, and if you really focus on the language … then you can relax,’” McGill said. “It becomes easier and easier the more you listen to it and watch it.” While many people first encounter Shakespeare in the pages of textbooks, McGill and OSP want to change that. “I always believe that the best way to introduce Shakespeare to young people is to have them see a live performance. It was not written to be read; it was written to be seen,” she said of Romeo & Juliet. McGill said OSP also offers student matinees during September. “I just have so much feedback from teachers who rely on us to help them introduce Shakespeare in a fun and exciting way,” she said. OSP provides a unique setting for audiences of all ages to take in the Bard’s works.

1 7 0 0 B L O C K OF N W 1 6 T H S T R E E T

I find it enlightening to choose a theme or an approach that is different each time. Kathryn McGill “People who like outdoor Shakespeare tend to be a different audience than people [who] go to traditional indoor plays,” McGill said. She also said that watching Shakespeare in the park lends informality to the experience. “You’re outdoors, you’re probably wearing shorts. The actors talk right to you because that’s something that Shakespeare includes in his plays,” she said. OSP also dissolves any possible barriers to Shakespeare in other ways. “We start the play in daylight so there’s no light to separate the actors from the audience,” McGill said. While Shakespeare’s plays are verbose and layered, McGill said they ultimately portray simple human truths. “And certainly, Romeo & Juliet is full of those — the idea of first love, the idea of hatred,” she said. “He says it in ways that we wish we could speak.” OSP’s production of Romeo & Juliet runs Sept. 8-24 at Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave. Learn more at oklahomashakespeare.com.

SAT 9. 24 . 2 01 6 1 2 P M -1 0 P M / F R E E

A R T / FO O D / K I D S ’ AC TI V ITI E S / M U S I C / P L A Z A WA L L S MURAL EXPO

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | s e p t e m b e r 7, 2 0 1 6

ARTS & CULTURE

p er f o r m i n g arts

Working mom Becky (Lilli Bassett) works through a midlife crisis with some audience help in Becky’s New Car. | Photo Carpenter Square Theatre / provided

GAME Great spot for

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opEn DAilY CornEr of ClASSEn & BoYD, norMAn 405.329.3330 | thEMont.CoM 11AM - 2 AM 28

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Thoughtful comedy

Becky’s New Car rides dark humor through a series of personal dilemmas. By Jessica Williams

Don’t just sit back and watch Becky stumble through her midlife crisis; have a heart and help her get dressed. Prepare to participate in Carpenter Square Theatre’s current production Becky’s New Car. Director Rhonda Clark recently spoke with Oklahoma Gazette about dark comedy, the need for women-centric theater and breaking the fourth wall. “In the first minute of a play,” Clark said, “if the character hands a roll of toilet paper to the audience, you know it’s ... unique.” Launching Carpenter Square’s 33rd season, Becky examines generational and class struggles following the 2008 economic crisis. Rather than doling out solutions, Clark said the narrative offers audiences different ways to view timely issues. “The play could easily fall into the drama genre, considering the depressing subject matter,” Clark said. “What’s rare, though, is its ability to make people think while they laugh.” Written by Steven Dietz in 2008, the story centers on a woman (Lilli Bassett as Becky) tangled in a chaotic web. She is stuck in an unsatisfying job and a marriage on the brink of disaster while dealing with the stress of an economic crisis, but Clark says this is not any typical midlife crisis. “We’re used to seeing the midlife crisis through the male perspective. The man usually has an affair or he gets his muscle car; that’s usually the norm,” Clark said. “But this is a woman’s story, [and] all the other characters revolve around Becky.” Rather than buying muscle cars, Becky sells them to pay for her son’s graduate school, which she continuously justifies to her husband, herself and the audience. “In the first act, Becky hints she wants

a change from her current situation,” Clark said. “We experience the perspective of several other women, all of whom are affected by financial and identity crises.” Dietz’s play deals with dire situations with a level of consciousness that balances comedy and thoughtfulness. Clark said the show represents Carpenter Square Theatre’s current contemporary repertoire. “The play keeps audiences engaged with a self-aware, tongue-in-cheek style,” she said. “Scenes sometimes start before Becky can catch up to them, which accelerates the action and keeps the story light.” Becky’s episodic style lends itself to current TV trends and audience expectations. Clark said this is a positive aspect for an intimate theater setting. “With this play, I expect the audience to be propelled with the narrative; they won’t feel the need to check Twitter or Facebook,” she said. Although small, Carpenter Square draws strong local talent. Clark said audiences will delight in Bassett’s high-energy performance and how well the cast works together. “Directors often get nervous when a group of actors gets along well, because this level of comfort sometimes results in weakened performances,” Clark said. “I can safely say that this is not the case in the slightest for this cast.” Becky launches its season with a sense of humor and depth. “You can start over, even at 50,” Clark said. “That message will resonate the most with audiences because it gives us all hope.” Visit carpentersquare.com.

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ARTS & CULTURE

New view

Guests enjoy new perspectives inside Tomás Saraceno’s Cloud City as it was displayed at Green Box Arts Festival in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado, in 2013. | Photo Tom Kimmell Photography / provided

Oklahoma Contemporary’s Cloud City exhibit invites guests to experience the city from different and fun perspectives. By Jessica Williams

See Oklahoma City from a cloud. An ephemeral outdoor installation introduces the city to Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center’s skyward future on Thursday. Tomás Saraceno’s Cloud City allows visitors inside 16 interconnected, partially open, reflective and transparent modules in Campbell Art Park adjacent to Oklahoma Contemporary’s planned Automobile Alley location at 11th Street and Broadway Avenue. Jeremiah Matthew Davis, Oklahoma Contemporary artistic director, spoke with Oklahoma Gazette about the large-scale steel and acrylic installation and the auspicious implications Saraceno’s work brings to OKC. “We chose this installation for its architectural and communal qualities,” Davis said. “Saraceno changes how we look at cityscapes with his art, particularly focusing on how humans move through different spaces.” Saraceno, a native of Argentina, wants guests to actively engage with his art, the city and fellow installation voyagers while glimpsing singular views of OKC. Mirroring Oklahoma’s open landscape, Cloud City summons visitors to project their own meanings onto the artwork. Davis said Cloud City unites people in a miniature world of varying lenses as both a reflection and alteration of its respective setting. “Interacting with this installation makes things we take for granted like buildings, grass or trees novel, and Oklahoma is the

perfect place for Saraceno’s work,” Davis said. “The piece was originally shown in Manhattan on the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s roof, but I think Oklahoma’s open skies and flat lands are an ideal match for Cloud City.” It also spent time on display at Green Box Arts Festival in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado, in 2013. Participatory artwork draws in crowds for assorted reasons. Some find it artistically challenging while others relish in its ability to amuse. Whatever the motivation, Davis hopes climbing inside the geometric form enables community bonding through perspectival shifts. “Interactive art changes your perception of the world, and Oklahoma Contemporary is all about inspiring people to actually act on their creativity,” Davis said. “Even if you only go for entertainment purposes, after you leave [Cloud City], your perception of OKC might be different, or we hope even enhanced.” Just off downtown OKC’s busy Broadway Avenue, Saraceno’s 28-foot installation sits on relatively vacant land, denoting Oklahoma Contemporary’s future growth. Supported by the venue’s $26 million capital campaign, the expanded arts campus is scheduled to open in 2018 on the plot just behind the exhibit. “To my mind, this installation is a sign of things to come for the OKC arts community,” Davis said. “Oklahoma Contemporary will expand most of its

programming and also increase its partnerships with other local institutions. There are so many avenues of art offered in the city now, and it’s a great time to get involved.” The city’s visual and metaphorical DNA shifts within and outside the modules comprising Cloud City. It’s an architectural experiment with many literal and symbolic angles stemming from Davis’ artistic trajectory. “I moved to New York after college, thinking I wouldn’t find a career in the arts in Oklahoma,” Davis said. “I’m glad I was proven wrong. This is truly an energetic, exciting time for OKC, and Oklahoma Contemporary will directly contribute to its growth.”

Interactive art changes your perception of the world. Jeremiah Davis For four weeks, Cloud City will be open for exploration Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Oklahoma Contemporary uses an online ticketing system for reservations. Because of the installation’s size, interior visitors are required to sign a waiver to enter. Visitors can experience the installation from ground level 24 hours a day, organizers said. “The fact that we’re even having to do an online sign-up for the exhibit is great news,” Davis said. “We already know this will draw big crowds to a developing location in the city.” For more information, visit oklahomacontemporary.org.

1. Pick uP your FREE coPy of 2. read the book 3. come to the discussion

SEPTEMBER 28th

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2 tickets to

Shopping

The Factory menswear boutique | Photo Garett Fisbeck

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24 cambria enter to win 2016 okgazette.com/gWW

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Stylish investment

The Factory offers fashion-forward styles, designers and shopping experiences for Oklahoma City residents. By Bailey Chambers

With an ever-growing city around them, Oklahoma City residents can discern fashion faux pas like never before. Fortunately, local tastemakers Megan Uber and Ashley Liddell noticed there was an upscale fashion niche that needed to be filled. Early on, it became clear that the market gap in menswear was large and, therefore, the shop’s path to success. Only in their early 20s, Uber and Liddell had a vision for Oklahoma City’s growth, especially in the fashion industry. “[As lifelong lovers of fashion], we wanted the city to have something they’ve never seen,” Uber said. The duo traveled to different cities and even countries to find designers that could be exclusive to The Factory, 1100 N. Broadway Ave., Suite 103. Uber said it was challenging to convince people to take their start-up seriously. “It was pretty difficult. We were young, and we were two girls. It was hard to get people to trust us, to find a space,” Uber said. “Having to get a brand to trust us was so foreign; they want their brands in big places. People asked us where Oklahoma is or if we had roads. We had to figure out how to get people to trust us with the vision of OKC.” Uber said there are many reasons the city is a great place to start a creative business, one being that there is room to grow. “We represent progression, something new; OKC is different than even five years ago,” Uber said. “We want to be leaders in more than fashion, [and] we are also entrepreneurs. We want the city to help the city grow in technology.” After gaining the trust of big brands like 3.1 Phillip Lim, “best of the best” brands for Oklahomans, including some

high-end Italian brands and Yeezy sneakers designed by Kanye West, it seems the company has gained the trust of fashion connoisseurs. “We get a call every day about Yeezys,” Wonder said. The shoes can cost several hundred dollars. “People see our price point as high, but we have high school kids who come in to look and ask our opinion,” Uber said. “It’s cool to see the young kids come in; they teach us.” The Factory employs three people other than the owners, including Jimi Wonder, creative director and proud wearer of in-store products. As time passes, the crew keeps meeting the mounting challenges of business expansion, especially online store. In addition to bringing luxury to locals inside its modern, Fitzsimmons Architects-designed brick-and-mortar shop, The Factory also expands OKC’s commerce economy. Due to its central U.S. location, Oklahoma is a more convenient place for shipping. “We can ship to either coast quicker than the coasts can ship to each other,” Uber said. “It’s really picked up this summer. It’s our main thing now.” One attribute The Factory shares with the local community is its encouragement of local fashion gurus as well as anyone who wants to be a part of the city’s expansion, especially youths. Its message to them is “Don’t give up.” “We get to have a voice in the community since what we do is so new,” Wonder said. “You can do something too, even though it’s not Los Angeles or New York.” Visit shopthefactoryokc.com.

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ARTS & CULTURE

Early birds

Local sports fans and waking commuters make The Morning Animals part of their daily routines. By Ben Luschen

Curtis Fitzpatrick knew little about the expected timetable for returning to work after a heart attack, but he firmly believed the medical emergency would sideline Morning Animals co-host Phil Inzinga for more than a week. He believed in his assertion so firmly that he was willing to make a bet on it. The Morning Animals is the 5:30-9 a.m. morning show super team formed around three years ago on 98.1 FM WWLS The Sports Animal. Its roster includes Fox 25 sportscaster Fitzpatrick, SoonerScoop.com manager Carey Murdock and former classic rock and music radio DJs Inzinga and Ron “Spinozi” Benton. The hosts are also joined by producer Michael Doutey. Fitzpatrick made his bet on-air against Spinozi, who sought advice from heartattack veterans in the office at Cumulus Media, The Sports Animal’s mother company. The insider tip proved valuable. Inzinga, who suffered the attack in June, returned after a week and Fitzpatrick lost the bet. Fitzpatrick, whose bet was placed tonguein-cheek, said the entire Sports Animal team was immediately frightened by news of Inzinga’s brush with death. But like any band of brothers, it was time to have a little fun after they knew he was going to be OK. “Him having a heart attack led to some great source material on the show,” Fitzpatrick said during a recent Oklahoma Gazette interview. Inzinga, the show’s executive producer,

joked that heart attacks are no fun and he does not recommend them. The incident illustrates the jovial, bar-buddy tone the co-hosts strive to set for their morning listeners. “That [heart attack] sucked,” Inzinga said. “That’s an eye-opener. But it does play into the show, because if there was anyone on the show who was going to have a heart attack, it was going to be me.”

Role players

The current Morning Animals lineup materialized after a pair of the show’s former hosts left The Sports Animal for another station. Fitzpatrick was the only host left. At first, management tinkered with a few different looks before settling on the team as it exists today. Murdock was not new to sports radio — he gave University of Oklahoma (OU) football practice reports on the morning show before joining as a host. Inzinga and Spinozi were transplants from the Cumulus station known then as 96.9 BOB FM. “I knew literally within 25 minutes that it was going to work,” Inzinga said, “because it was like sitting at the lunchroom table in high school, which, prior to this, is where I did my best work.” Spinozi, who was on vacation at the time of this interview, had some previous experience in sports radio and had already been a fill-in host for The Sports Animal. Inzinga, however, had never worked on a sportsthemed show before.

from left Carey Murdock, Curtis Fitzpatrick, Michael Doutey, Ron “Spinozi” Benton and Phil Inzinga can be heard on The Morning Animals 5:30-9 a.m. weekday mornings on 98.1 FM. | Photo The Sports Animal / provided

“I would have never picked sports to be the format that worked,” he said. “And it’s definitely the format where I’ve had the most success. As far as the show goes, there’s just so much room for creativity that I did not expect.” The five-member morning show is large by industry and market standards, but each personality brings something distinct to the table. Fitzpatrick and Murdock, though laid back on the show, are rooted in journalistic discretion. Spinozi, on the other hand, is an unapologetic fan. Inzinga cracks jokes, not pretending to be an expert. “People are like, ‘Phil’s not a sports guy,’ but if we don’t have Phil, we don’t have the show we have,” Murdock said, stressing the importance of each member.

I always just say I don’t [sleep]. Curtis Fitzpatrick

Worth it

Someone tuning in to The Morning Animals, especially during the slower summer season, is as likely to hear Game of Thrones talk or the newest viral news blooper as they are hardcore sports coverage. The show is intentionally light and accessible. On a groggy Monday morning when few people want to be anywhere near work, Inzinga said he wants the show to be at least one bright spot in someone’s day. “This has been the most fun I’ve ever had,” Inzinga said. “As far as doing radio, it’s the most fun you could ever have. It can be stressful, but it is certainly fun.” A lot of work goes into making the show sound effortlessly fun. Sports talk DJs don’t have the freedom some of their music coun-

terparts experience. Before Inzinga and Spinozi joined The Sports Animal, Fitzpatrick remembers walking by their studio as they cooked or took calls while music and commercials played. The Morning Animals has no music to play. The hosts are the show. “With this show, we’re busy,” Fitzpatrick said. “We’re on the air, and when we go to break, we’re working even more because we’re setting up bits for the next segment.” As the commercials play, the hosts race to prepare for what is next. “We’re running out of seconds and I’m trying to send Phil something through email so we can play it before we get done with the show,” Murdock said. “I’m like, ‘Is it there?’ and he’s like ‘It’s not here! Where is it?’” One question has undoubtedly crossed many fans’ minds as they catch Fitzpatrick on an evening television sportscast or see Murdock tweeting during a night OU game: When do these guys ever sleep? “My naps have gotten shorter now [that I have] my daughter,” Fitzpatrick said. “I always just say I don’t.” Inzinga said he usually heads to bed around 9 p.m. with an added nap somewhere in the day. He arrives at work sometime around 4 a.m. Murdock’s sleep comes more irregularly. Hosting the morning show would be work enough for many, but his role with Sooner Scoop is another full-time job on top of that. How, then, do they stay up to watch a late Oklahoma City Thunder game knowing they have to get up before even the crack of dawn the next morning? To The Morning Animals, that’s exactly what makes the job worth it. “We are fans too, so we want to be watching that stuff,” Fitzpatrick said. “It beats a real job,” Inzinga added. “Trust me.” O kg a z e t t e . c o m | s e p t e m b e r 7, 2 0 1 6

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ARTS & CULTURE

True independence

La Independencia de México 2016 is an authentic observation of the Mexican Independence Day. By Ben Luschen

Oklahoma City Community College 2016-2017 Performing Arts Series presents

Oklahoma City Jazz Orchestra with Polly Gibbons

Enjoy an outstanding evening of Blues and Big Band favorites!

Tuesday, September 13, 7:30 p.m.

OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater Tickets: $20-$25 tickets.occc.edu, Box Office 405-682-7579 Oklahoma City Community College • 7777 South May Avenue www.occc.edu/pas Presenting sponsor:

S e p t e m b e r 7, 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

Cinco de Mayo is widely La Independencia derived from German recognized and celebrated oompah and polka bands. de México 2016 in the United States. The “Many of these are day is often misidentified international recording 1-9 p.m. Sept. 18 by those not of Mexican artists that are coming Interstate 35 and SE 44th St. descent as Mexico’s in from Mexico or [Los near Buy for Less Independence Day. Angeles] and other facebook.com/scissortailcdc Robert Ruiz, chief opplaces, so they’re really Free erating of f icer at some widely renowned Scissortail Community Development groups,” Ruiz said. Corporation, hopes to one day dispel that The ceremonious portion of the festival misconception in Oklahoma City. begins 7 p.m. with traditional folkloric Scissortail, in partnership with the dancing. There will be a coronation of the Mexican Consulate in Little Rock, festival queen, who will be presented with Arkansas, presents La Independencia de a traditional Aztec crown of feathers. México 2016 1-9 p.m. Sept. 18 at Interstate Mexican Consulate General Rodolfo 35 and SE 44th St. near Buy for Less. The Quilantán will deliver the traditional yell free, family-friendly celebration includes for independence known as El Grito de many authentic takes on Mexican food, Dolores, or the Cry of Dolores. Ruiz compared the historic exclamation by Father music and traditional culture. Organizers expect around 20,000 guests. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla at the start of the Mexican Independence Day is officialMexican revolution to Paul Revere’s Ride. ly recognized on Sept. 16, which is historiThe festival is fortunate to have a partcally considered the first day of the Mexican nership with the consulate, Ruiz said, War of Independence. The local observabecause he is essentially a representative of the Mexican government. tion is part of a larger celebration of “That’s a big deal, especially for people Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15-Oct. 15. The festival was first celebrated locally that have been in Oklahoma for a long time six years ago at the Oklahoma State Fair. It and sometimes don’t have access to these traditions and culture,” Ruiz said. “We’re moves to its new location this year after trying to make sure the gaps between the previously residing outside Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads, 7000 Crossroads Blvd. Ruiz new generation of kids and their parents is also known for helping organize the large doesn’t grow too quickly.” annual OKC Cinco de Mayo festival. That This year, the festival moves to a new festival benefits from a partnership with location to highlight an area of HispanicOklahoma City’s Mexican sister city owned businesses, including OKC Plaza Puebla, where Cinco de Mayo originates. Latina, 1024 SE 44th St. In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is sparsely “There’s a lot of things happening on celebrated outside the Puebla region. the corner that definitely we’re going to be “For most people of Hispanic descent,” able to talk about and promote throughout Ruiz said, “Mexican Independence Day is the event, which is nice,” he said. definitely the bigger holiday.” It is being debated whether the festival La Independencia de México festival should make a new home in the area or will include demonstrations of traditioncontinue to move around the city. Ruiz said al Mexican horse and cowboy culture, the festival is for people of all backgrounds including horse dancing and roping. Live and could be considered a learning experimusic will be played from a variety of ence for people from different cultures. genres within Mexican music, including Visit facebook.com/scissortailcdc for mariachi and banda, a brass-based style more information. Thousands are expected at La Independencia de México 2016. | Photo Manuel Lozano / provided

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Courageous compatriots

A member of the Thunderbirds in the documentary Citizen Soldier. | Photo Gravitas Ventures / Broad Green Pictures / provided

Documentary Citizen Soldier, now available on demand, follows the deployment and return of Oklahoma soldiers. By Michael Kinney

Sgt. Eran Harrill returned home in 2012. He and his National Guard unit had just completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan, and he was ready to sink back into his civilian life of being a single father and head of the Oklahoma City Black Chamber of Commerce. However, there was something poking at Harrill when he got home. His latest tour of duty had been a traumatic experience for his unit. There was a story he felt a need to get out, but he couldn’t figure out how. “It’s really hard for infantry guys and guys who’ve served on the front line, men and women who had done and seen some of the things we’ve seen, to tell that in words,” Harrill said. Then one day Harrill had to get a new computer. From that mundane task came the foundation of groundbreaking documentary Citizen Soldier, which is the story of a group of soldiers in the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the Thunderbirds, during the 2011 surge in Afghanistan. “The concept came really six months after I’d been back,” Harrill said. “It started with getting a new laptop, and with that new laptop, I’m transferring files. I see this

folder that says ‘military film.’ I opened it up, and I spent hours and hours just going through footage and reliving so much. It was really at that time I said, ‘If there is a way to tell a story, this is it.’” Produced by Harrill and directed by David Salzberg and Christian Tureaud of Strong Eagle Media, the live footage was taken from the helmet cameras the soldiers wore during their tour of duty. It gives viewers an up close and personal look into what the men experienced in their daily lives while deployed. “So this was helmet cam footage that we had was taken for no particular reason,” Harrill said. “We didn’t take the helmet cam footage to make the documentary. It’s something that we did that, after we came back, I started to process. I think that’s an important part to understand because that makes it more real. It makes it a lot more realistic to understand that what you see wasn’t soldiers that were acting because they knew a camera was capturing what they did. They were doing what they do as soldiers, and the footage you see is what ends up out of it.”

Moving moments

The film’s most dramatic sequence involves the death of Sgt. Mycal Prince of Minco. It was so intense that when Prince’s wife saw the scene for the first time on the big screen at the Warren Theatre in Moore, she hurried out of the theater crying. “When they were having to carry my husband’s body up the side of the mountain, it showed a lot more than, actually, what I thought it did,” Shurama Prince said. “It kind of made all of those emotions from five years ago come back up.” Captain Tyler Brown, who was a lieutenant with the unit in 2011, said he was hesitant at first to agree to be part of the documentary because it shows the raw emotion of what he and his men went through in the mountains of Afghanistan, including watching two members of their unit die in the line of duty. But after Brown and other members of the unit got together, they decided it would be a good idea to have the film made to address issues such as PTSD. They also wanted to let the public know the National Guard has been a key part of the war since the very beginning. “It’s been a surreal monument just getting to this point,” Harrill said. “The purpose came from misperceptions that the state had had on the deployment that we had went on. We had the largest deployment in the state in 2011 since the Korean War. Coming back from that in 2012, there was just a disconnect between the state, its citizens and its citizen soldiers. For me, there was something I felt there could be done to tell a story — not just a story about our unit that was there in Afghanistan, but really the story of a nation and its citizen soldiers.” According to Salzberg, the term “citizen

soldier” goes back to a time before the Revolutionary War. “Citizen soldiers are your neighbors, your doctors; they’re your firemen, they’re your policemen, they’re your lawyers. They are everybody that all come together from every background in every state to help make a difference. They make a difference sometimes with natural disasters, like Moore (tornado) or Katrina (hurricane). Or they make a difference when they are deployed over and over again to fill the void that the regular army and Marine Corps can’t.” One of those citizen soldiers was 1st Lt. Damon Leehan, who worked as a radiology technician at Integris Southwest Medical Center when he wasn’t on duty with the National Guard. Leehan was killed in action Aug. 14, 2011, by an improvised explosive device (IED) in eastern Afghanistan, and his funeral is highlighted in the film. “I think the toughest thing was seeing all the things that led up to Damon’s death,” said Leehan’s wife, Audrey Leehan-Brasee. “You see the timeline and date at the bottom of the screen. You know that when it reaches Aug. 14 that it’s Damon’s time. Also, seeing Sgt. Mycal Prince carried up the mountain after he is deceased and seeing his soldiers and his brothers going out there in harm’s way and carrying him up there because they don’t leave a man behind — it was really touching to me because it shows how strong the brotherhood really is.” The film had a limited release Aug. 5-11. According to Salzberg, it can be seen on all major video on demand (VOD) and cable/ satellite On Demand providers as well as DVD and Blu-ray. Visit citizensoldierfilm.com. O kg a z e t t e . c o m | S e p t e m b e r 7, 2 0 1 6

ARTS & CULTURE

co mmu n it y

Lights of Hope is 5 p.m. Saturday at OCARTA’s Wellness Hub. | Photo provided

Support network

A local woman organizes a candlelight vigil in support of people in recovery and their families. By Mark Beutler

Lights of Hope 5 p.m. Saturday OCARTA Wellness Hub 2808 NW 31st St. ocarta.org 405-848-7555 Free

Charla Collins’ daughter was 11 years old when she was hit by a car while riding her bicycle on the sidewalk. The suspect drove away, leaving the child near death. She had multiple injuries, including a traumatic brain injury that inhibited her math and language skills. It also left her with seizure and anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Collins’ daughter, now age 22, is facing another battle — this time with addiction. “For the past six years, addiction has taken center stage. Five overdoses and six treatment centers later, I feel like we are not any closer to a normal life,” Collins explained. “The self-sabotage roller coaster is relentless, and my family has endured so much pain. But in the end, anytime she gets triggered, she jumps right back on the hamster wheel.” Collins said before the driver injured her, her daughter was “bright and amazing.” But afterward, her personality significantly changed. “Her father, my ex-husband, abandoned her because she was just a totally different kid and he couldn’t handle it,” she said. 34

S e p t e m b e r 7, 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

“Before, other parents would tell me … how they wished their son or daughter would turn out just like her. Those days are long gone. “All of my daughter’s pre-accident friends are gone. Most of mine are too.” Collins and said people — including family — find it challenging and uncomfortable to be around someone who has the disease of addiction. “Being an addict’s mom is the hardest job I ever had,” she said. In an effort to help her child and herself, Collins studied everything she could find about the chronic, relapsing brain disease, often called a “substance use disorder” by medial professionals, according to the American Medical Association and National Institute of Drug Abuse. That research led her to a group called The Addict’s Mom (TAM). It’s a national organization with 75,000 members and chapters in every state. TAM offers resources and treatment scholarships and connects mothers and family members to come together to share and overcome challenges they face with loved ones who are addicts.

Sharing light

The group hosts candlelight vigils called Lights of Hope. Collins said after joining the Oklahoma chapter of TAM, she organized a vigil in Oklahoma City. “These candles illuminate homes, workplaces, community centers and churches,” she said. A white candle represents a person in recovery, a red candle represents those in active addiction and a black candle represents those who have died as a result of

addiction, she explained. “Personally, I will be carrying a red candle,” Collins said. The Oklahoma City Lights of Hope vigil is 5 p.m. Saturday at the Oklahoma Citizen Advocates for Recovery & Treatment Association (OCARTA) headquarters, 2808 NW 31st St. September also is National Recovery Month. “There have been many times I thought my situation was hopeless; however, I know I am not alone,” Collins said. “My faith, friends and the groups I attend help me. If my child had cancer, I would research all I could to learn about treatment options, and that is exactly what you have to do with addiction.” Collins talked to OCARTA about helping sponsor the event, and its members agreed. A Texas organization called Winning the Fight is participating and will screen a film documenting the journey through addiction to recovery. Collins also approached Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel and asked him to join. “I was honored and accepted the opportunity,” Whetsel told Oklahoma Gazette. “Sadly, we in law enforcement deal with addicts and the results of addiction every day, usually manifested in criminal behavior caused by addiction … [It] is not just a personal issue, but an issue that also impacts families, friends, employers and communities. It is our challenge to be a ‘Light of Hope’ for someone.” Collins said more research must be conducted and treatment programs developed that address both mental illness and addiction. She believes treatment stays must be

Addiction is not just a personal issue, but an issue that also impacts families, friends, employers and communities. John Whetsel increased, as it is rare that someone can receive adequate care in 30 days or less. “Bottom line: I want people to never give up hope; you need to become an advocate for your loved one,” she said. “I have found there is no magic, one-size-fits-all cure. Many people will give you advice, but in the end, you have to follow your heart and never give up. As long as they are alive, there is hope. Remember, you are doing the best you can, and in the end, that is all any of us can do.” For more information on the Lights of Hope vigil, visit ocarta.org or find it on Facebook at Oklahoma City Lights of Hope 2016.

co mmu n it y

Chugging along

Operation Christmas Train Set uses a fundraiser to help raise spirits this holiday season. By Ben Luschen

Dustin Fisher founded Operation Christmas Train Set Foundation to spread holiday joy to local children in need. | Photo Operation Christmas Train Set Foundation / provided

Charity Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show and Toy Drive 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 17 First Moore Baptist Church 301 NE 27th St., Moore operationchristmastrainset.org 405-519-3716 $15 or a new, unwrapped toy

A charity car show and family fun event at summer’s end will help ensure a brighter holiday season for some area families. Operation Christmas Train Set Foundation is dedicated to improving Christmases for children from low-income or underprivileged backgrounds by providing them with a model train set and other gifts during the holiday. The foundation is hosting its first Charity

Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show and Toy Drive 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 17 at First Moore Baptist Church, 301 NE 27th St., in Moore. The event is open to the public. Dustin Fisher, founder and CEO of the organization, said many large car and motorcycle clubs have committed to the event. The registration fee for entering the car and bike show is $15 or a toy donation for the foundation’s gift drive. Fisher said all guests are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the event for the drive. Visitors will find a variety of family fun options — including bouncy castles, dunk tanks and pictures with Santa — in the church parking lot. Live music will be played throughout the day, and several food trucks will be nearby. Fisher said participating food trucks have agreed to donate a percentage of proceeds to the foundation. A number of auction items and gift baskets, including Kansas City Royals tickets, Remington Park passes, restaurant packages and more, will be available.

Fisher was a child in 1987 when a couple from the church his family attended gifted him his first electric train set for Christmas. The gift came at a time when his family was facing tough financial times. Fisher said he played with the set until he was a teenager. “Going back to how someone helped my parents for Christmas, it was totally the birth of the mission of what I do with this organization,” he said. “That first train set I got is the reason why I’m doing what I’m doing today.” He got back into the model train hobby as an adult. Two years ago, while he was between jobs, he considered selling his trains on eBay, but he eventually decided to turn his hobby into an opportunity to help other children in the same way a couple helped him decades ago. There’s a special joy in giving kids at least one day of the year to look forward to, the founder said. The foundation also hands out other toys. Some children are too young to enjoy an electric train set.

Fisher said the charity is often as much a benefit for the parents as it is the children. It can be hard for some families to live up to cultural and media images of what a good Christmas is supposed to look like. “You know in that time [parents] are stressing out about whether they’re going to be able to buy something for their kids or not,” Fisher said. It is the satisfaction of spreading joy to local children and families that compels him. “For them to not know where Christmas is coming from and then just to see the joy on their face when Christmas shows up — it’s great,” he said. Operation Christmas is active yearround. It often has fundraisers throughout the year at area restaurants and works with local charities to donate toys to children in families who have lost their homes in fires or tornadoes. Visit operationchristmastrainset.org for more information.

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Local Love Run starts 6 p.m. Sept. 15 at Fassler Hall. | Photo bigstock.com

See it before it’s gone! Open through September 18th.

Henri Matisse (French, 1869-1954). L’Algérienne, 1909. Oil on canvas. Collection Centre Pompidou, Paris. MNAM-CCI. Legs du Victomte Guy de Cholet aux Musées nationaux, 1916, 2009. AM 2009-214. © 2016 Succession H. Matisse/Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY

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Joyful journey Red Coyote plans run to show love to local businesses. By Tyler Talley

Those wishing to enjoy the crisp fall air this Red Coyote also hosts other runs, inmonth can revel in it during a new fun run cluding its weekly Pack Pint Run, a leiemphasizing local business in Midtown surely three-mile course that starts at its and downtown Sept. 15. Classen Curve location. Rules for the The inaugural Local Love Run orgaweekly run, which begins at 6 p.m., require nized by Red Coyote Running and Fitness participants to sign a waiver, show ID if begins at Fassler Hall. It will feature local they opt to drink alcohol at the run’s conclubusinesses as raffle ticket stops, where sion and avoid parking behind the Classen participants will collect tickets. The farther Curve building for safety reasons. Dogs are away the stop, the more tickets are awarded. also prohibited if the temperature is over Runners have one hour to run and collect 80 degrees on the date of the run. Beck said as many raffle tickets as possible, returning Pack Pint Runs typically see anywhere between 150 to 200 participants each to Fassler Hall at 7 p.m. More tickets means more chances to Thursday. win at the post-run raffle at 7:15 p.m. Prizes Red Coyote is also prepping for its fourth include free Red Coyote annual Runtoberfest 5K swag and other surprises Oct. 15 co-sponsored COOP Ale Works and from participating local Local Love Run Fassler Hall. Like Local businesses. Red Coyote reveals its Love, the race will start at 6 p.m. Sept. 15 map of its over 20 local Fassler Hall. Online regisFassler Hall businesses/ticket stops at tration closes Oct. 13 at 421 NW 10th St. 6 p.m. Physical and digital midnight. Registration is redcoyoterunning.com copies are made available $25-$30. 405-840-0033 to runners, allowing them “We have a beautiful Free new course this year to map out routes. COOP through Heritage Hills Ale Works will be on-hand, providing one free beer to participating and Mesta Park,” Beck said. “It is a familyfriendly event, and dogs and strollers are runners who are at least 21 years old. welcome.” Red Coyote is a locally owned running specialty store that has operated at its Proceeds for Runtoberfest 5K benefit Classen Curve location since 2010. Girls on the Run of Oklahoma County. Preparations for a second location in “Hopefully with a successful race, we Edmond this November are well underway can provide scholarships for many girls to according to co-owner Burke Beck. participate in this wonderful running Beck said that plans were in place to program that helps build confidence, selfhold the run back in June but the store was esteem and joy in young girls through forced to cancel due to extreme summer running!” Red Coyote write on the race heat. information page. She emphasized that the run is not a For more information on Red Coyote race, meaning any and all interested indiand its upcoming events, visit redcoyoterviduals can participate. unning.com. “Participants can walk or run to as many ticket stops as they want in one hour,” she said. “Many of the ticket stops are just around the corner from Fassler Hall.”

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

BOOKS Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma, lecture series over the book The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan, discussion led by Dr. Kenny Brown, 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 7. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. WED Holly Bailey Book Signing, author signs her book, The Mercy of the Sky: The Story of a Tornado; an acclaimed reporter returns to her hometown after the worst twister on record and emerges with a suspenseful story of human courage in the face of natural disaster, 6:30-8 p.m. Sept. 8. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-8422900, fullcirclebooks.com. THU Russell Ferrell Book Signing, author signs The Bone War of McCurtain County, the tale of two men’s quest for treasure, truth and justice in McCurtain County, 5-7 p.m. Sept. 9. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. FRI Robert Hoge, UCO’s College of Education and Professional Studies along with Best of Books host Australian author Rober Hoge who has worked as a journalist, speechwriter, a science communicator for the CSIRO and a political advisor for the former Queensland Premier and Deputy Premier; Q&A and book signing of Hoge’s memoir, Ugly, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 9. Best of Books, 1313 E. Danforth Road, Edmond, 405-340-9202, bestofbooksok.com. FRI

Drums Along the Mohawk, (US, 1939, dir. John Ford) Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert in this frontier romance set during the American Revolution, directed in Technicolor by the legendary John Ford and featuring some outstanding location cinematography, 1-3 p.m. Sept. 7. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. WED

Science in Action & Object ID Day, bring your arrowheads, fossils, rocks, seashells, bones and any other objects from the natural and cultural world and experts help you to identify the treasures you bring in, 1-5 p.m. Sept. 11. Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 405-325-4712, snomnh.ou.edu. SUN

FOOD

Complete Unknown, (US, 2016, dir. Joshua Marston) As a man contemplates moving to a new state with his wife for her graduate program, an old flame, a woman who often changes identities, reenters his life at a birthday dinner party, 5:30 and 8 p.m. Sept. 9-10, 2 and 5:30 p.m. Sept. 11. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. FRI-SUN Passport to Global Korea: Songs from the North, (US, 2015, dir. Soon-Mi Yoo) interweaving footage from the director’s three visits to North Korea with songs, spectacle, popular cinema and archival footage, this film takes a different look at this mysterious, closed-off country, 1 p.m. Sept. 12. Pegasus Theater, UCO Campus, 100 N. University Drive, Edmond, 405-974-2000, uco.edu. MON Tuesday Night Classics: The Money Pit, (US, 1986, dir. Richard Benjamin) a young couple struggles to repair a hopelessly dilapidated house, 7 p.m. Sept. 13. Harkins Theatre, 150 E. Reno Ave., 405-231-4747, harkinstheatres.com. TUE The Royal Tenenbaums, (US, 2001, dir. Wes Anderson) an estranged family of gifted siblings comes together after receiving the news that their father is terminally ill, 8 p.m., Sept. 13. The Bleu Garten, 301 NW 10th St., bleugarten.com. TUE

BOB Writing Series, a five-week course offering viewpoints and tips from the five important areas involving writing and publishing books, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday evenings. Best of Books, 1313 E. Danforth Road, Edmond, 405-340-9202, bestofbooksok. com. TUE

They Died With Their Boots On, (US, 1942, dir. Raoul Walsh) the last of Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn’s eight films together, Raoul Walsh’s biopic of General George Armstrong Custer is a marvel of Hollywood’s skill for pseudo-history and entertaining, adventurous storytelling, 1 p.m. Sept. 14. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. WED

Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma, discussion over The Known World by Edward P. Jones, the wellresearched historical novel weaves together different time sequences and family histories as it follows the story of a former slave in early 19thcentury Virginia who works to buy his own plantation and his own slaves; novel shakes up assumptions about the antebellum world and raises important questions about ambition, power, identity, race and property and the consequences that come with the decisions made in regards to them, 7 p.m. Sept. 13. OCU Walker Center, Room 151, 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave., okcu.edu. TUE

OKC Flea, a market for makers, artists, crafters, curators, designers and upcyclers, noon-7 p.m. Sept. 11. OKC Farmers Public Market, 311 S. Klein Ave., 405232-6506, okcfarmersmarket.com. SUN

The Wind Will Carry Us, (FR, 1999, dir. Abbas Kiarostami) film following a city engineer Behzad who goes to a rural village in Iran to keep vigil for a dying relative and tries to fit in with the local community and shows how he changes his own attitudes as a result, 5:30 and 8 p.m. Sept. 8. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. THU

Edgar L. Frost Book Signing, author signs his book, That’s A Good Question! OU Football Trivia before kick-off, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Sept. 10. University Bookstore, 1185 Asp Ave., Norman, 405-325-3511. SAT

Pawsitively Pampered Pets and People, huge event with over 20 vendors, food trucks, dog washing and grooming, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 11. YNB Parkway, 1550 Garth Brooks Blvd., Yukon. SUN

FILM

Snowden Live, one-night event giving audiences the first opportunity to view the entire highlyanticipated feature film Snowden ahead of its nationwide release and includes an exclusive live (via internet) conversation with Edward Snowden and Oliver Stone immediately following the screening, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14. Cinemark Tinseltown, 6001 N. Martin Luther King Ave., 405-424-0461, cinemark. com. WED

Black Mesa Beer Dinner, reserve your seat now for this exclusive one-night event with Chef Theron Jessop and Black Mesa Brewing Co.; a tasting reception followed by a delectable five course culinary menu paired with top-tiered brews, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9. Park Avenue Grill, 1 Park Ave., 405-7028444. FRI

Polly Gibbons and the Oklahoma City Jazz Orchestra Put a little jazz and blues in your life by attending Polly Gibbons’ performance 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at Oklahoma City Community College’s Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater, 7777 S. May Ave. At just 31 years old, the London-born singer is known worldwide for her talent. Gibbons is joined by Oklahoma City Jazz Orchestra, which features some of the state’s top musicians. Tickets are $20-$25. Visit tickets.occc.edu or call 405-682-7576.

Weekly Farmers Market, shop goods from local produce, bakers and artisans, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sept. 10. OKC Farmers Public Market, 311 S. Klein Ave., 405232-6506, okcfarmersmarket.com. SAT

Sept. 13 Photo provided

HAPPENINGS Trivia Night, Oklahoma’s highest skill level hosted by Chris Clinton, 8 p.m. Sept. 8. Opolis, 113 N. Crawford Ave., Norman, , opolis.org. THU Streets Gone Wild, ’80s rock street festival featuring Night Ranger, Quiet Riot, Queensrÿche and many more, Sept. 9-10. Downtown Tulsa, Detroit St. and First Ave., Tulsa. FRI-SAT U.S.-Iran Relations: How should the new president engage?, OCU hosts speaker Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian ambassador and veteran of U.S.-Iran relations, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 9. Meinders School of Business, NW 27th St & McKinley Ave., 405-208-5351, okcu.edu/business. FRI Drinks X Design, hop on a party bus and take a behind-the-scenes tour of four architectural firms while indulging in unique offerings from local brewers and restaurants, 6 p.m. Sept. 9. Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture Office, 1300 N. Shartel Ave., 405-948-7174, okcarchitecture.com. FRI 41st Annual Renaissance Ball, the largest annual fundraiser benefiting the Oklahoma City Museum of Art; cocktails and an elegant dinner honoring Martha Vose Williams and late Dr. G. Rainey Williams, 7 p.m. Sept. 9. Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club, 7000 NW Grand Blvd., 405-848-5611, okcgcc.com. FRI Junklahoma, junk, vintage, antique and boutique style show; family friendly event is kicked off with a parade, live entertainment and includes inflatables and pony rides for the kids along with plenty of food vendors, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 10. The Old Store, 100 Monroe Ave. NW, Piedmont, 405-373-2093, facebook.com/theoldstoreok. SAT Septemberfest, free family festival exploring the rich heritage and diversity for which Oklahoma is known; event features crafts, music, storytelling, agricultural exhibits, theater, face-painting and everything in between, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 9. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, 405-521-2491, okhistory.org/historycenter. SAT

Wiggle Out Loud Quick! Put your wiggle pants on! The wiggliest festival in OKC returns for its fourth year. Wiggle Out Loud is a free outdoor music festival featuring musicians who develop their songs and stage acts especially for the young among us. This year’s lineup includes Lucas Ross, Alegria Real, Andrew & Polly, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Aaron Nigel Smith and Sugar Free Allstars. The festival also features food trucks and outdoor activities. The music starts 11 a.m. Sept. 18 on the Great Lawn at Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave. Visit wiggleoutloud.com. Sept. 18 Photo bigstock.com

West Coast Cheese & Wine, explore everything from Willamette Valley Pinot Noir to a terroir-driven example of Sonoma County Chardonnay, all the while enjoying cheeses which are, in their delicious diversity, a testament to this country’s flourishing artisanal cheese movement, 6:45-8:15 p.m. Sept. 9. Forward Foods-Norman, 2001 W. Main St., Norman, 405-321-1007, forwardfoods.com. FRI

Food, Move and Groove, Dr. April shares her top 7 tips that have transformed her life and many of her patient’s lives as well. Simplicity and baby steps are the key, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 10. Natural Grocers, 7013 N. May Ave., 405-840-0300, naturalgrocers.com. SAT

Russian Revelations Brightmusic launches its 2016-17 season with Russian Revelations, a program featuring two violin, cello and piano trios by famed Russian composers Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Dmitri Shostakovich. The concert begins 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 127 NW Seventh St. Individual tickets can be purchased at the door for $20. Admission is free for children, students and active-duty military personnel. Visit brightmusic.org. Tuesday Photo Gazette / file

Let’s Make Organic Apple No-Bake “Cookies”, customize the perfect good4u snack with an organic apple no-bake “cookie” and a selection of 100% organic bulk toppings: spices, nuts, dried fruits, chocolate, coconut and granola, 6-8 p.m. Sept. 12. Natural Grocers, 7013 N. May Ave., 405-840-0300, naturalgrocers.com. MON Thirst for a Cause, an annual event raises funds to help with urgent medical expenses for members of Oklahoma City’s hospitality industry; sample food from some of Oklahoma City’s best restaurants, meet and interact with winemakers from all over the wine world, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14. Jim Thorpe Museum Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, 4040 N. Lincoln Blvd., 405-427-1400, oklahomasportshalloffame.org. WED

continued on page PB

A View of OKC, a downtown district open house; featuring several local eateries offering delicious samples, as well as a wine tasting, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 10. The Regency, 333 NW Fifth Street, 405-235-9303, regency-tower.com. SAT

go to okgazette.com for full listings!

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | S E P T E M B E R 7, 2 0 1 6

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

PERFORMING ARTS Tracy Smith, having made the treacherous climb towards the “sexual peak,” Tracy Smith has honed a hilarious insight perfect for navigating through the regrets and choices in the mean streets of “Singletown”; Tracy’s sharply written, on-target material offers a perspective sure to make men and women laugh out loud, 8 p.m. Sept. 7-8, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Sept. 9-10. Loony Bin Comedy Club, 8503 N. Rockwell Ave., 405-239-4242, loonybincomedy.com. WED -SAT Love Jones, the Musical, What happens after love at first sight? That’s exactly what we find out as Chrisette Michele, Musiq Soulchild and Marsha Ambrosius join forces to tell the classic and iconic love story of Darius Whitehall and Nina Mosley in Love Jones, the Musical, 8-11 p.m. Sept. 9, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10, 3 and 7 p.m. Sept. 11. Oklahoma City Community College, 7777 S. May Ave., 405682-1611, occc.edu. THU -SUN Stand-Up Comedy with Henry Cho, Henry’s a comedian so versatile that he can headline Vegas and then tour with Michael W. Smith in the same month, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8. UCO Nigh University Center: Constitution Hall, 100 N. University Drive, Edmond, 405-974-2000, uco.edu. THU Romeo & Juliet, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the park presents the story of the Montague and Capulet families, 8 p.m. Sept. 8-10. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-4457080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/events. THU -SAT Driving Miss Daisy, Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer Prizewinning play puts together a crotchety white Southern lady and a proud, soft-spoken black man who form a bond that endures for 25 years, 8 p.m. Sept. 8-10, 2:30 p.m. Sept. 11. Jewel Box Theatre, 3700 N. Walker Ave., 405-521-1786, jewelboxtheatre.org. THU -SUN

Second Sunday Poetry Reading It’s once again time for The Depot’s Second Sunday Poetry Reading. This event’s poet is James Hochtritt, who spends his days as a history professor at Rose State College. Hochtritt started writing poetry over 40 years ago. His work touches on his childhood in California and the landscape of the Great Plains and its people. The free poetry reading begins 2 p.m. Sunday at The Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., in Norman. Visit normandepot.org or call 405307-9320.Sunday Photo provided

SQUAD GOALS!, comedy night, 9:30 p.m. Sept. 8. Russell’s Lounge, 3233 NW Expressway, 405-8426633. THU Oklahoma Vaudeville, enjoy an evening of a variety of entertainment featuring Darci Farmer featured on NBC’S Little Big Shots with Host Steve Harvey and winner of America’s Got Talent in 2015 along with singer/songwriter Bella Brown and other talented guests, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Sept. 9-10. Yellow Rose Dinner Theater, 1005 SW Fourth St., Moore, 405-793-7779, yellowrosetheater.org. FRI-SAT OKC Improv Fall Show, improvisational music and comedy from local performers, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Sept. 9-10. The Paramount Room, 7 N. Lee Ave., 405-517-0787, theparamountroom.com. FRI-SAT Bill Gaither & Gaither Vocal Band, the Gaither Vocal Band, with all-star lineup David Phelps,

continued from page 38

YOUTH Reading Wednesdays, storytime based off nature and the season; includes small craft; ages 2-5, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Sept. 7 and 14. Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-297-3995, myriadgardens.com. WED/WED Homeschool Family Workshop: Matisse in His Time, families learn more about artist Henri Matisse and his artwork and create your own Matisse-inspired art using a variety of high quality materials; ages 6-13 + adult, 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 9. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. FRI Revenge of the Plants! All about Carnivorous Plants, learn about some of the wackiest vegetation in the world including how these meat-eating plants work, why they eat meat and how to keep them alive followed by a hunt to find them in the Crystal Bridge and a fun craft, 10-11 a.m., Sept. 10. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/events. SAT Matisse Vases: Ages 15-36 Months, explore the wonderful world of Matisse and create your own abstract shapes on construction paper, then cut them out and and mod podge them together on a balloon which dries at home and becomes a Matisse vase after you pop the balloon, 10-11 a.m. Sept. 10. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. SAT Matisse Vases: Ages 3-5, explore the wonderful world of Matisse and create your own abstract shapes on construction paper, then cut them out and and mod podge them together on a balloon which dries at home and becomes a Matisse vase after you pop the balloon, 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 10. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. SAT Art Adventures, young artists are invited to experience art through books and related art projects for children ages 3-5, 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 405-325-3272, ou.edu/fjjma. TUE

S E P T E M B E R 7, 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

Oklahoma Designer Show House Oklahoma Designer Show House is back to showcase the work of Oklahoma City’s best interior designers and firms. The show house is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday and Sept. 16-18 at 3101 Oakdale Ridge Court, in Edmond. Advance tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Designer’s Market, 11900 N. Santa Fe Ave. Tickets are $15 at the door. Proceeds benefit Free to Live Animal Sanctuary. Visit oklahomadesignershowhouse.com or call 405749-0070. Friday-Sunday, ongoing Image The Weinstein Company / provided

go to okgazette.com

Wes Hampton, Adam Crabb, Todd Suttles and Bill Gaither, will share timeless gospel classics as well as refreshing, inspiring new favorites embraced by audiences of all ages and backgrounds, 6 p.m. Sept. 10. Crossings Community Church, 14600 N. Portland Ave., 405-755-2227, crossings.church. SAT Sarah Silverman, a night of ironic hilarity in fullforce brought to you by one of today’s funniest women, 8 p.m. Sept. 10. WinStar World Casino, 777 Casino Ave., Thackerville, 580-276-4229, winstarworldcasino.com. SAT

Sun, Sept 18

BRIAN FALLON & THE CROWES & RYAN BINGHAM

Fortune Feimster, comedy show presented by Blue Whale Comedy Festival; also featuring Monroe Martin, Jasmine Ellis and Spencer Hicks, 8 p.m. Sept. 10. Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main St., Tulsa, 918-5842306, cainsballroom.com. SAT

Mon, Sept 19

TEGAN & SARA w/ Shura

Fri, Sept 23

Classics 1: Conducted by Maestro Joel Levine, performance presented by OKC Phil, 8 p.m. Sept. 10. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 405-2972264, okcciviccenter.com. SAT

GLEN HANSARD thurS, Sept 29

SAINT MOTEL

ACTIVE OKC Dodgers vs. Nashville Sounds, minor league baseball game, 7:05 p.m. Sept. 7-8. Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive, 405218-1000. WED -THU Dr. Dennis L. Portis III Memorial Golf Tournament, fundraiser golf tournament benefiting Metro Tech Foundation, 7 a.m., Sept. 9. Lincoln Park Golf Course, 4001 NE Grand Blvd., 405-424-1421, okcgolf. com. FRI Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Central Michigan, college football game, 11 a.m. Sept. 10. Boone Pickens Stadium, 700 W Hall of Fame Ave., Stillwater, 405-744-7714. SAT OU vs. ULM, college football game, 6 p.m. Sept. 10. Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, 180 W. Brooks Drive, Norman, 405-325-8200, soonersports.com. SAT Rayo OKC vs. Jacksonville Armada FC, professional soccer game, 7 p.m. Sept. 11. Miller Stadium, 1777 S. Yukon Pkwy., Yukon. SUN OKC Energy vs. Seattle Sounders FC 2, professional soccer game, 6 p.m. Sept. 11. Taft Stadium, 2901 NW 23rd St. SUN

VISUAL ARTS Art Show at INTEGRIS Cancer Institute, The show includes more than 200 pieces of art by artists whose lives have been touched by cancer. Integris Cancer Institute, 5911 W. Memorial Road, 405-7736400, integrisok.com. Artist Talk, a talk with Adam Lanman as he discusses the meaning and process of Skyline: Timeline, 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 13. Oklahoma City University School of Law, 800 N. Harvey Ave., 405-208-5337, okcu.edu. TUE

As We OKC It, art exhibition featuring the works of Sue Hale and Carl Shortt, presenting artistic photographs and acrylic paintings depicting OKC from what inspires them. In Your Eye Gallery, 3005 Paseo St. #A, 405-525-2161, inyoureyegallery.com. Brown Bag Lunch Series, take part in casual conversations about the museum’s current exhibitions, noon-1 p.m. Sept. 8. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. THU Christie Owen: Surroundings, a diverse collection of abstract 2-D and 3-D works inspired by everyday environments; materials and compositions in Owen’s body of work perpetually change in relation to time and her life experiences. Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum, 1400 Classen Drive, 405-2354458, oklahomaheritage.com. Drop-In Art: Modigliani Self-Portraits, join guest artists each Saturday as they interact with families to create extraordinary works of art inspired by the museum’s collection, exhibitions and special occasions, 1-4 p.m. Sept. 10. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa. com. SAT Farewell Reception and Watch Party, say farewell to the Skirvin Hilton’s artist in residence, sip on complimentary cocktails, nibble tasty treats and try your hand at encaustic art; stick around to watch OETA’s Gallery featuring Gayle Curry and her artwork, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8. Skirvin Hilton Hotel, 1 Park Ave., 405-272-3040, skirvinhilton.com. THU Focus on Dark Art, group exhibit debuts a selection of new works from a signature group of artists who dabble in the realm of dark art. Kasum Contemporary Fine Arts, 1706 NW 16th St., 405604-6602, kasumcontemporary.com. Hell on Wheels: Uniting a Nation by Rail, exhibition of the labor force that built the first transcontinental railroad reflecting the colorful diversity of the American West in the 1860s through a display of wardrobes. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org.

ette.com for full listings!

w/ Jr Jr & weatherS

INTEGRIS Fit Club There are ways to get into shape without a costly gym membership. INTEGRIS Fit Club is aimed at fighting obesity and hypertension in the local community. Certified instructors lead low-impact, core-strengthening exercises and touch on health topics like nutrition, mental health and lifestyle. Classes are 6:30-7:30 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at Crossings Community Center, 10255 N. Pennsylvania Ave. The classes are free, and no registration is required. Guests are encouraged to bring their own yoga mats. Call 405-749-0800. Monday and Wednesday, ongoing Image provided

Hidden Prairie, abstract artist Ginnie Baer plays with the reality of Oklahoma’s land and the fantasy of our subdivisions. The Project Box, 3003 Paseo St., 405-609-3969, theprojectboxokc.com.

Fri, Sept 30

LOCAL NATIVES Sat, oct 1

ST. PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES Mon, oct 3

BAND OF HORSES w/ the wild FeatherS

tueS, oct 4

THE NAKED & FAMOUS wed. oct, 26

COLE SWINDELL down hoMe tour

Mon. oct, 31

RAE SREMMURD w/ lil YachtY

Tulsa, OK ★ 423 NOrTh MaiN sT.

TICKETS & INFO: caiNsballrOOM.cOM

Lucem Ferre, an exhibition featuring the silicone artworks of Central adjunct professor Lopeeta Tawde, MFA; silicone jewelry draws on the relationship between art and biology. Melton Gallery, 100 N. University Drive, Edmond, uco.edu. OKCurrent, consists of original works by Matt Glazner, Colby Bowers, Jay Gourley, Gretchen Rehfeld, Charles Davis,Nora Bisher, Kevin Lee Wells, Brent Learned, JD Merryweather, Zack Parker and Micah Moad; benefiting Big Dogs Huge paws. Studio 3108, 3108 N. Classen Blvd., 405-210-5701. Oklahoma Stories, photography exhibition from Charles Rushton. Mainsite Contemporary Art, 122 E. Main St., Norman, 405-360-1162, mainsite-art.com. Russel Hughes, oil paintings. 50 Penn Place Gallery, 1900 Northwest Expressway, Suite 113-R, 405-8485567, 50pennplacegallery.com. The Colors of the Spirit, works of alcohol ink artist Kim Harrison; brilliantly colored abstract landscapes. The Purple Loft Art Gallery, 514 NW 28th St., Suite 400, 405-412-7066.

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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UPCOMING EVENTS AT FIRELAKE ARENA

405-273-1637 • FIRELAKEARENA.COM 18145 OLD RANGELINE RD • SHAWNEE, OK FIRELAKE.ARENA 40

s e p t e m b e r 7, 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

FIRELAKEARENA

event

MUSIC

Real deal

Jason Isbell | Photo Wes Frazer / provided

Singer-songwriter Jason Isbell shares more than music with his audiences — he shares the bittersweet glory of the human experience. By Jezy J. Gray

Jason Isbell with Lucero 7 p.m. Monday The Criterion 500 E. Sheridan Ave. criterionokc.com 405-840-5500 $30

On Monday, Jason Isbell — a former member of acclaimed Southern rock outfit Drive-By Truckers — brings his soulful brand of Americana to The Criterion along with Memphis folk-punk darling Lucero. Isbell gave a shot in the arm to those believers of country music when the Alabama-born singer-songwriter’s album Something More Than Free debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Music chart in 2015. (It also topped U.S. folk, rock and indie charts.) This might sound contradictory, but it isn’t: The same year that “bro-country” cash machines dumped radio-friendly and clichéd hits on genre fans, Isbell found success with integrity and a whole lot less radio play. “It’s kind of like the difference between Wal-Mart and a family-owned grocery store. Some people love Wal-Mart and they go to Wal-Mart when they don’t have to,” Isbell said during a recent Oklahoma Gazette interview. “You know, they actually enjoy being there. I worked at one when I was 16 or 17 years old, and I saw about as much of Wal-Mart as I think I ever want to see.” Isbell offers more than an alternative to this decade’s model of mega pop stars. His music weaves together a vibrant tapestry of autobiographical experience, alternative country, Southern rock, classic country, Americana and even gospel genres and themes. Indeed, he offers an altogether different model of white male Southern artist.

Genre bender

One of the things making Isbell’s genre bending significant is that he is one of few

commercially successful country-styled singer-songwriters in the 21st century brave enough to sing about the realities of white masculinity in the American South. On “Different Days,” from 2013’s Southeastern, Isbell laments “another drunk daddy with a white man’s point of view.” On “Flying Over Water,” a character looks out the window of a Southern-bound plane to consider a “little empire . . . built by slaves.” By acknowledging that the world — and the South, in particular — means different things to different people, Isbell’s narrative bends the modern country and Americana playbook toward a richer account of American life. Isbell’s songs also portray women as human beings with complex motivations and desires. Tunes like Isbell’s “Children of Children,” in which the narrator reminds a character born to a young mother about “all the years you took from her just by being born,” are a far cry from Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl (Shake It for Me).” “Children of Children” is deeply personal for Isbell, he explained, because his mother was 17 years old when she gave birth to him and raised him in rural north Alabama. When asked about the song, Isbell pointed to the fundamentals of storytelling. “There are just bigger and broader stories out there” he said. “The difficulty is telling a story that’s bigger than yourself without being vague. You have to choose the right details. And if you’re writing from someone else’s perspective, you better be able to empathize.” Empathy is something Isbell has, and it’s part of what separates his signal from the noise of much of today’s modern music. Instead of flattening and oversimplifying other perspectives, Isbell renders them with sharp emotional intelligence and a remarkable sensitivity for human detail. “I feel like what we’re doing is more of a boutique thing,” he said. “My goal, really, is to communicate with people more than anything else — more than selling them something.”

Bettering business

To that end, Isbell called the music industry what it is: a business. Making and selling music is a job, after all.

The difficulty is telling a story that’s bigger than yourself without being vague. You have to choose the right details. Jason Isbell

He started playing music as a boy, and his grandfather taught him how to play mandolin. “They’re trying to make as much money as possible,” he said. “That’s what all of ’em are trying to do. If they tell you any different, they’re lying to you.” While Isbell maintains autonomy from that world, he acknowledged he still has a foot in it. He lives in Nashville, the epicenter of the country music establishment, and has enjoyed many of the traditional markers of industry success. Isbell recognizes that value, but he’s careful not to get too engrossed in it. He’s married to singer-songwriter Amanda Shires, and the couple had a baby girl a year ago. Shires also helped Isbell find sobriety in 2012 and recruited valuable industry friends to help. She, with Isbell’s manager Traci Thomas at Thirty Tigers (who also manages musicians like Oklahoma’s John Moreland and Alabama Southern soul act St. Paul and The Broken Bones) and musician Ryan Adams — who himself battled life- and career-threatening addiction around a decade ago — held an intervention and found Isbell treatment. He has said his Southeastern album is largely

informed by that experience and his newfound, whiskey-free clearheadedness. “I’m lucky to have a second chance at all this. I don’t remember a lot of the good times from my days with the Truckers,” he told The New York Times in a 2013 interview. During the Gazette interview, he added, “Being at the top of the charts was exciting. It was really fun for a week or two. … Because it’s another thing that says, ‘You get to be a successful musician. You don’t have to go back to pushing shopping carts.’ But it’s not a reflection of the quality of what we’re doing. Those things are arbitrary.” Real life is what matters to this singersongwriter. These days, he focuses on his live shows and touring. The troubadour has more than two dozen concerts planned through October in venues spanning arenas, music halls and clubs. Isbell performs with Lucero 8 p.m. Monday at The Criterion, 500 E. Sheridan Ave. Doors open at 7 p.m. Learn more at criterionokc.com. Lucero and Isbell also perform Saturday at BOK Center’s Mother Road Revival show in Tulsa. Visit bokcenter. com for more details on that show. O kg a z e t t e . c o m | s e p t e m b e r 7, 2 0 1 6

MUSIC

event

Six bassists were included on Basses Loaded, released in June by The Melvins (pictured). | Photo Mackie Osborne / provided

Playing ’toons The recently animated Melvins brings its Basses Loaded tour on a three-day Oklahoma trek. By Ben Luschen

The Melvins Cartoon Network animaknown for playing by “the tors wanted grunge frontrules.” Osborne is content 9 p.m. Sept. 15 runner and metal band The that the project is distinct. ACM@UCO “I’m glad we have a new Melvins on their show Performance Lab record at all,” he said. “It’s Uncle Grandpa. Frontman 329 E. Sheridan Ave. a bonus, a total bonus.” and guitarist Buzz Osborne acm.uco.edu immediately said yes. One of the album’s bassticketstorm.com “We agreed,” Osborne ists is Nirvana co-founder 405-974-4711 said. “We had a new song Krist Novoselic. The $18-$20 that was going to be on our Melvins’ ties with Nirvana new album, and it just so and the Seattle sound run happened that it was going to be done right deep. Crover drummed for the alternative around the time the album was coming rock act on its 1988 demo. Osborne introout. The stars all aligned, and that’s exactly duced musician Dave Grohl to Kurt how it worked — boom!” Cobain. Real-life Osborne, known by fans as Basses Loaded also features original King Buzzo, looks like he was born to be Melvins drummer Mike Dillard. Crover animated. His tall, frizzled and cooly moved to bass when Dillard rejoined the unkempt shock of gray hair makes him lineup referred to as Melvins 1983. That instantly recognizable. He appears on group is responsible for much of the band’s Uncle Grandpa alongside drummer and sillier output, including past versions of longtime bandmate Dale Crover. “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.” Nine of the 12 tunes on Basses Loaded The Melvins play three consecutive shows Sept. 14-16 in Oklahoma as part of are rare, previously released material, and its Basses Loaded tour in support of the the album closes with a version of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The album also namesake June 2016 album, which features an astonishing six bassists. The longfeatures a heavy and gloriously profane time alternative-experimental metal act version of the humorous novelty song plays in Oklahoma City Sept. 15 at ACM@ “Shaving Cream,” originally written by UCO Performance Lab, 329 E. Sheridan Benny Bell in the 1940s. (Each line ends with mind rhymes of the word “shit.”) Ave. The band also performs Sept. 14 at Tulsa’s Cain’s Ballroom and Sept. 16 at “That [song] seemed to fit right in with Norman’s Opolis venue. [Melvins 1983],” Osborne said. “I came up Osborne was happy to be featured in with the idea that I wanted to do that, and that’s what I did; it was great.” the Cartoon Network project. The musiOsborne is known for being a tireless cian fondly recalls watching Looney Tunes and Warner Brothers animated shows like worker. His three-day Oklahoma stint Bugs Bunny when he was a child. should feel leisurely compared to other “They were super violent, all the stuff tours. In 2012, The Melvins played all 50 they mostly don’t show the kids anymore states and Washington, D.C. in 51 days. for some unknown reason,” he said. “We A slower pace does not mean more time pretend now children are God’s little for sightseeing for Osborne. “We get there and we do soundcheck,” angels. I can’t figure that one out.” he said. “We won’t have too much time — On Uncle Grandpa, the band performs a version of “Choco Plumbing,” the second we won’t have much downtime at all, actutrack on Basses Loaded. Osborne said using ally. We’re busy doing what we’re supposed six bassists was a happy accident that deto be doing. We’re here for a reason, and it veloped naturally as they were putting the doesn’t require a lot of twiddling your album together. The Melvins isn’t a band thumbs.” 42

s e p t e m b e r 7, 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

Blake Shelton 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday Chesapeake Energy Arena 100 W. Reno Ave. chesapeakearena.com 800-745-3000 $36.75-$81.75

country singer from Ada, I had heard of Blake back when he used to do shows at the McSwain Theatre. But I didn’t meet him until early 2001 when his label at the time, Giant, brought him by KXY for a concert in our conference room.” Reed said Shelton gave the KXY staffers a sampling of some of the music from his upcoming first album. One of those songs, “I Wanna Talk About Me,” was set to be the first single, but it was ultimately scrapped and later became a hit for fellow Oklahoma artist Toby Keith. The album yielded two more Top 20 songs, “All Over Me” and “Ol’ Red,” and became Shelton’s first gold album.

There were not a lot of tall singers with long hair running around, and he made quite an impression on everyone. Bill Reed

EVENT

Blake Shelton performs shows Friday and Saturday at Chesapeake Energy Arena. | Photo bigstock.com

Okie troubadour

Oklahoma native Blake Shelton returns home for two performances in OKC. By Mark Beutler

About 15 years ago, a relatively unknown country singer from Ada hit the national spotlight. Just like Oklahoma performers Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire and Vince Gill before him, Blake Shelton found himself on a fast ride to stardom. His debut 2001 single “Austin” spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard country charts. Since then, he racked up an impressive 21 No. 1 singles and was nominated for seven Grammy Awards. Besides maintaining his recording and touring schedules, Shelton is also a judge on the long-running NBC TV talent show The Voice.

He brings his tour home with shows Friday and Saturday at Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W. Reno Ave. In his early days, Shelton struggled as a singer trying to make it in the changing world of country music. He left Ada right out of high school and headed for Nashville. Bill Reed, music director at Oklahoma City’s legendary KXY 96.1-FM, remembers meeting Shelton for the first time. “There were not a lot of tall singers with long hair running around, and he made quite an impression on everyone,” Reed recently told Oklahoma Gazette. “Being a

“I would have to say it was a good move to release ‘Austin’ as his debut single,” Reed said. “We are still playing it on KXY to this day.” By 2003, Reed said, Shelton’s record label had folded and he was signed with parent company Warner Brothers. He struck gold again when his lead single “The Baby” reached No. 1. More hits followed, and in 2011, Shelton’s career took a turn as he entered the prime-time world of reality TV. “By then, his career was doing well and he was playing pretty good gigs, including several here in Oklahoma City at the State Fair and the Ford Center,” Reed said. “But it was his personality and popularity of The Voice that put him in the superstar category. His ability to relate to the contestants and his funny banter between the other judges make him the true star of the show.” Shelton’s much-publicized 2011 marriage to fellow country singer Miranda Lambert made the couple a favorite of the supermarket tabloids. They often stayed at Shelton’s Tishomingo ranch. Their divorce last year and Shelton’s subsequent romance with former Voice judge and pop musician Gwen Stefani have kept him in the headlines. Entertainment Tonight “exclusive” reports speculate he’s building a home at

Lake Texoma. But underneath it all, his music peers say Shelton is still the same guy he has always been.

Kind compliments

Singer Pam Tillis, who is working on a new album of her own, performed with Shelton recently at a concert in Idaho. “We headlined the Mountain Home Music Festival near Boise last summer,” Tillis recently told the Gazette. “He has such a commanding presence when he hits the stage. I grew up in an era when artists didn’t need big screens and laser beams and all those production elements. They just sang. And when I saw Blake perform, he didn’t bring any of that with him. It was simply him connecting with the audience. And that’s the best compliment I can give.” Tillis is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and said she was proud to have Shelton on board. “The opry is like the hallowed mother church of country music,” Tillis said. “So many great entertainers have walked across that stage, people like Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline and my dad (Mel Tillis). I was asked to join in 2000, and it was exciting to see Blake join the family. We are a younger generation of artists with our own sound, but we are proud to continue the legacy of those who came before us.” In advance of Shelton’s Oklahoma City concerts, KXY is giving listeners a chance to win free tickets to the shows. “Listen to us in the mornings and we’ll tell folks how they can win,” Reed said. “And I’m very proud to say KXY is the only morning show that has a history with Blake all the way back to the beginning. I can honestly say he’s just as comfortable having chips and salsa at Nacho Mama’s in Tishomingo as he is in Hollywood. His personality hasn’t changed — what you see now is what he’s always been, and that’s a true Okie.”

Bill Reed played Blake Shelton’s debut tracks at 96.1 KXY in 2001. | Photo provided

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | s e p t e m b e r 7, 2 0 1 6

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

WEDNESDAY, 9.7 Amarillo Junction, JJ’s Alley. COUNTRY Ben Stalets, The Root. FOLK No Render, Red Brick Bar, Norman. ROCK Stars go Dim/Consumed By Fire/Ben Kilgore, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. ROCK

THURSDAY, 9.8 Garage Band Jam, Bourbon Street Bar. BLUES Naturalist/Holy Smokes, 89th Street Collective. ROCK Vanessa Silberman, Music Room OKC All Age Venue. SINGER/SONGWRITER Bent Knee, The Vanguard, Tulsa. ROCK Dixie Chicks, BOK Center, Tulsa. COUNTRY

FRIDAY, 9.9 Bad Company, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Catoosa. ROCK Blind Date, Landing Zone, Midwest City. COVER Brad Good Band, Riverwind Casino, Norman. COUNTRY

Chase Kerby, 51st Street Speakeasy. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Cody and Jess, Grady’s 66 Pub, Yukon. ACOUSTIC

Broncho It isn’t just the dreamy haze of Broncho’s new album Double Vanity that has you seeing two of everything. The Norman rock band is playing two consecutive nights in its hometown. The first show is 10-11:30 p.m. Friday at Opolis, 113 N. Crawford Ave., in Norman. Broncho is joined by Oklahoma City new-wave act Sensitive Southside Boy. The second night is 10-11:30 p.m. Saturday and features multi-talented musician Blake Lusk. Guests must be at least 21 years old. Admission for each show is $15. Visit ticketstorm.com or opolis.org or call 405-6734931. Friday-Saturday

Broncho | Photo Pooneh Ghana / provided

Gladys Knight, WinStar World Casino, Thackerville. R&B Kick Start Concert Series, Rodeo Opry. COUNTRY Lisa and Laura, Full Circle Bookstore. ACOUSTIC

Martha Stallings, Lottinvilles Restaurant, Edmond. VARIOUS Matthew McNeal, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK Michael Summers: The Nashville Sessions, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. JAZZ Mike Tramp/The Flying Eddies/Oakville, Oklahoma City Limits. ROCK Patt Green/Shotgun Rider, Wormy Dog Saloon. COUNTRY

Dee-1, 89th Street Collective. HIP-HOP Magical Musical History Tour: Bob Powers/Mark Galloway/Howard Brady, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Twilight Concert Series: Meanstreak, Myriad Botanical Gardens. ROCK

TUESDAY, 9.13 Beth Hart, Brady Theater, Tulsa.

SINGER/SONGWRITER

Cyndi Lauper, Civic Center Music Hall. SINGER/SONGWRITER

FACS: Peggy Moran, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond.

RPM, Remington Park. ROCK Street Kings, Bourbon Street Bar. ROCK

SATURDAY, 9.10 Big G, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. BLUES Blind Date, Landing Zone, Midwest City. COVER Cody Howell, Grady’s 66 Pub, Yukon. COUNTRY DJ Chitty and the Robros, 51st Street Speakeasy. VARIOUS

CLASSICAL

Kublai Khan/Jesus Piece, 89th Street Collective. ROCK

Soul Time Tuesday with DJ Tom Hudson, Blue Note Lounge. VARIOUS

WEDNESDAY, 9.14 Maurice Johnson, R&J Lounge and Supper Club.

JAZZ

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

Faster Pussycat/36 Inches/Fist of Rage/Coming Up Zero, Oklahoma City Limits. ROCK Get Fired/WMD/Breakfast, Snug Lounge. ROCK Gladys Knight, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Catoosa. R&B Jahruba & The Jahmystics, Othello’s Italian Restaurant, Norman. REGGAE Lacy Saunders, Remington Park. VARIOUS Midas 13, JoJo’s Bar, Yukon. ROCK Ravens Three, Full Circle Bookstore. FOLK Signal 8, Bourbon Street Bar. ROCK SK Love/Dresden Bombers, The Root. ROCK

SUNDAY, 9.11

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

Bad Company, Zoo Amphitheatre. ROCK Blues Jam, Bourbon Street Bar. BLUES

s e p t e m b e r 7, 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

go to okgazette.com for full listings!

free will astrology ARIES (March 21-April 19) Two seven-year-old

girls showed me three tricks I could use to avoid taking myself too seriously and getting too attached to my dignity. I’m offering these tricks to you just in time for the letting-go phase of your astrological cycle. Trick #1: Speak in a made-up language for at least ten minutes. Example: “Groftyp hulbnu wivgeeri proot xud amasterulius. Quoshibojor frovid zemplissit.” Trick #2: Put a different kind of shoe and sock on each foot and pretend you’re two people stuck in a single body. Give each side of you a unique nickname. Trick #3: Place an unopened bag of barbecue-flavored potato chips on a table, then bash your fist down on it, detonating a loud popping sound and unleashing a spray of crumbs out the ends of the bag. Don’t clean up the mess for at least an hour.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) In accordance with

the astrological omens, I suggest you spend less energy dwelling in profane time so you expand your relationship with sacred time. If that’s of interest to you, consider the following definitions. PROFANE TIME happens when you’re engulfed in the daily grind. Swarmed by a relentless flurry of immediate concerns, you are held hostage by the chatter of your monkey mind. Being in SACRED TIME attunes you to the relaxing hum of eternity. It enables you to be in intimate contact with your soul’s deeper agenda, and affords you extra power to transform yourself in harmony with your noble desires and beautiful intentions.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) About 1.7 million years

ago, our human ancestors began using primitive hand axes made from rocks. This technology remained in use for over 60,000 generations before anyone invented more sophisticated tools and implements. Science writer Marcus Chown refers to this period as “the million years of boredom.” Its slow pace contrasts sharply with technology’s brisk evolution in the last 140 years. In 1880, there were no cars, planes, electric lights, telephones, TVs, or Internet. I surmise that you’re leaving your own phase of relatively slow progress, Gemini. In the coming months, I expect your

By Rob Brezsny

transformations will progress with increasing speed -- starting soon.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Prediction #1: You will

attract truckloads of good luck by working to upgrade and refine the way you communicate. Prediction #2: You will tickle the attention of interesting people who could ultimately provide you with clues you will need to thrive in 2017. #3: You will discover secrets of how to articulate complicated feelings and subtle ideas that have been locked inside you. Prediction #4: You’ll begin a vibrant conversation that will continue to evolve for a long time. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) You know you have a second brain in your gut, right? (If not, read this: http://bit. ly/secondbrain.) During the past three weeks, I have been beaming telepathic instructions toward this smart part of you. Here’s an edited version of the message I’ve been sending: “Cultivate your tenacity, darling. Build up your stamina, sweetheart. Feed your ability to follow through on what you’ve started, beautiful. Be persistent and spunky and gritty, my dear.” Alas, I’m not sure my psychic broadcasts have been as effective as I’d hoped. I think you need further encouragement. So please summon more fortitude and staying power, you gutsy stalwart. Be staunch and dogged and resolute, you stouthearted powerhouse.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Is “Big Bang” the best

term we can come up with to reference the beginning of the universe? It sounds violent and messy -- like a random, accidental splatter. I would much prefer a term that suggests sublime elegance and playful power -- language that would capture the awe and reverence I feel as I contemplate the sacred mystery we are privileged to inhabit. What if we used a different name for the birth of creation, like the “Primal Billow” or the “Blooming Ha Ha” or the “Majestic Bouquet”? By the way, I recommend that you consider those last three terms as being suitable titles for your own personal life story in the coming weeks. A great awakening and activation are imminent.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) The last few weeks have

been fraught with rich plot twists, naked dates with destiny, and fertile turning points. I expect there will be further intrigue in the near future. A fierce and tender decision at a crossroads? The unexpected arrival of a hot link to the future? A karmic debt that’s canceled or forgiven? In light of the likelihood that the sweetand-sour, confusing-and-revelatory drama will continue, I encourage you to keep your levels of relaxed intensity turned up high. More than I’ve seen in a long time, you have the magic and the opportunity to transform what needs to be transformed.

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

will have more than your usual access to help and guidance. Divine interventions are possible. Special dispensations and charmed coincidences, too. If you don’t believe in fairy dust, magic beans, and lucky potions, maybe you should set that prejudice aside for a while. Subtle miracles are more likely to bestow their gifts if your reasonable theories don’t get in the way. Here’s an additional tip: Don’t get greedy. Use the openings you’re offered with humility and gratitude.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) When my daughter Zoe was growing up, I wanted her to be familiar with the origins of ordinary stuff that she benefited from. That’s why I took her to small farms where she could observe the growth and harvest of organic food crops. We visited manufacturing facilities where cars, furniture, toys, and kitchen sinks were built. She saw bootmakers creating boots and professional musicians producing songs in recording studios. And much more. I would love it if you would give yourself comparable experiences in the coming weeks, Sagittarius. It’s an excellent time to commune with the sources of things that nurture you and make your life better. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Unless you were

brought up by a herd of feral donkeys, the coming weeks will be an excellent time to embark on your second childhood. Unless you’re allergic to new ideas, the foreseeable future will bring you strokes of curious

luck that inspire you to change and change and change your mind. And unless you are addicted to your same old stale comforts, life will offer you chances to explore frontiers that could expose you to thrilling new comforts. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) These days, my dear, your eccentric beauty is even more unkempt than usual. I like it. It entertains and charms me. And as for your idiosyncratic intelligence: That, too, is messier and cuter and even more interesting than ever before. I’m inclined to encourage you to milk this unruly streak for all its potential. Maybe it will provoke you to experiment in situations where you’ve been too accepting of the stagnant status quo. And perhaps it will embolden you to look for love and money in more of the right places.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) I’m giving you an

ultimatum, Pisces: Within the next 144 hours, I demand that you become at least 33 percent happier. Fifty percent would be even better. Somehow you’ve got to figure out what you can do to enhance your sense of well-being and increase your enjoyment of life. I’m sort of joking, but on the other hand I’m completely serious. From my perspective, it’s essential that you feel really good in the coming days. Abundant pleasure is not merely a luxury, but rather a necessity. Do you have any ideas about how to make this happen? Start here: 1. Identify your four most delightful memories, and re-enact them in your imagination. 2. Go see the people whose influences most thoroughly animate your self-love.

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.

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | S e p t e m b e r 7, 2 0 1 6

puzzles New York Times Magazine Crossword Puzzle The First Shall be Last

By Paolo Pasco | Edited by Will Shortz | 0904 79 Church response that’s taken as ACROSS a given? 1 Ditch 83 Lead-in to Pablo or Carlos 6 See-through clothing material 84 Like Navy SEALs 10 Listens to Shakespeare? 85 “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” 15 Taiping Rebellion general sounds 18 Tourist’s report 86 “Got it” 20 Ring or sphere 87 Newspaper essay on why not to 21 Mail go outdoors? 22 Reason to scream, “Why won’t this 89 Skit show, for short damn thing locate airplanes?!”? 90 E-cigarette output 23 Honorary title in Wisconsin? 91 Frat-boy types 25 ____ Aduba of Orange Is the 92 Assn. New Black 93 Top of the agenda 26 Insect that shorted out an 95 Fastener with a ring-shaped head early computer, spawning the 97 Cries of approval term “computer bug” 101 Tennis’s King of Clay 27 “Ciao” 102 Cry from comic-book civilians 29 Surmise 105 Futile 30 Hamiltons 107 Meadow 32 Domain of Hamilton 108 Woody playing a medieval baron? 34 City with 500 attractions? 110 Books written entirely in chat 36 Takes in rooms? 38 Bay ____ 113 Robert of Airplane! 39 Section of Aida,e.g. 114 Singer LaBelle 41 Letters after CD 42 “Hey, let’s gather 100 people to 115 TLC and Destiny’s Child 116 Most Doctor Who characters, enact laws and ratify treaties”? for short 46 Fired (up) 117 “What if …,” informally 47 Glow 118 ____ cone 48 Get by 119 On edge 49 Super ____ 50 Listen to violinist Itzhak’s music? DOWN 52 Like blue moons 1 Walk with pride 53 Norm: Abbr. 54 California missionary Junípero ____ 2 Crosswords in 1924-25, e.g. 55 “Ready to relieve ’em of a ____ 3 Home inspector’s concern 4 Selma director DuVernay or two” (Les Misérables lyric) 5 Locks in place for a while? 56 Stamp incorrectly, in a way 58 Group that appeared in the movie 6 What the “1” of “1/2” represents 7 Intellectual Grease 8 Litigate 60 Oscars grp. 9 Home-remedy drink 64 Out of gas, informally 65 Soft drink favored by the Marines? 10 Bill of Trainwreck 11 Aladdin, e.g. 68 Stephen of Interview With the 12 Ratatouille rat Vampire 13 Embroiled (in) 69 Sticky spots? 14 Biological pouch 71 Cathedral feature 15 Los Angeles Lakers’ home until 1999 72 Blazing successes 16 Assent to a married mujer 74 “Oh, you’re funny-y-y-y …” 17 89-Across character played by 76 Indian wear Adam Sandler 77 Super ____ 19 Tao Te Ching philosopher 78 Setting for the beginning of 21 Mailed The Book of Mormon

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

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Laugh-filled broadcast Racer’s brand More see-through Noted tea locale The Titanic, e.g. Gucci competitor Bit of expert advice Fill with gas Like pageant contestants, typically “Full speed ahead!” Push-up muscle, informally “That means …” Passing remarks? Showed over Nisan observances Green spirit Something felt at Christmas Post-Christmas events

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

Sudoku Puzzle easy

Receptionist/calendar Arden Biard, Coordinator

108

“Howdy” “____, verily” Gray, say Mythical father of Harmonia, strangely enough Southern chain Took in America’s Cup, e.g. Rostand protagonist ____ de Bergerac Sunday delivery Bush labor secretary Chao Sips Puts under Bits of truth Name on many a college hall, informally One easily bowled over?

Accounts receivable Karen Holmes

95 103

Accounting/HR Manager Marian Harrison

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Hit upside the head, in slang Snoot Eternally, to poets Words of concession Liable to spoil? Cousin of a lemming Sch. whose honor code includes chastity 94 Staffs 95 Start of a few choice words? 96 Big dipper 98 Native of Alaska 99 Goes, “Ow, ow, ow!” 100 Like the response “Talk to the hand!” 103 Adele, voicewise 104 Spot checkers? 106 One of Asta’s masters 109 College-level H.S. courses 111 “Dios ____!” 112 The “V” of fashion’s “DVF”

New York Times Crossword Puzzle answers

Puzzle No. 0828, which appeared in the August 31 issue.

S A A B S R I V A L A V A S T A N N U L E T E R I T U G R I L L E S B E A S T I E S K I F F L I P L O C K D E C L A P H O E C H I U Z I S Y E L L O W S T O N E R U N E L E N A E X P E D I T I O N S A M O S F D A N I L L A C D C P A L E O C E D E O F F S R E B U S A A A M O O R E D R A M A I R E P H D E D M O N D S L A V I C O N E Y O S E M I T E H O M E L O A N A P U D O C S P A E M O N I H N A T I O N A L P A R K S E R V I C E S O L E M N I O N I A D E M E A N U S M A P M E T G A L A G A Y L E B E S T R O N G N E P A L E S E E V E R S O W B O S O N H O L Y C O W A R M E Y P E D A N T S T R E V I M I N D C A N D Y I N A W E M E T E S E N D E A V O R S E N D I T L O O S E N P R N E W S T E A T S 46

S e p t e m b e r 7, 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

VP, CORPORATE AFFAIRS Linda Meoli Marketing Manager Kelsey Lowe

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Associate Publisher James Bengfort

publisher Bill Bleakley

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Advertising Director Christy Duane, cduane@okgazette.com Account Executive / Advertising assistant Leah Roberts Account EXECUTIVES Stephanie Van Horn, Saundra Rinearson Godwin, Elizabeth Riddle, Nathan Ward, Joel Scott EDITOR-in-chief Jennifer Palmer Chancellor jchancellor@okgazette.com Assistant EDITOR Brittany Pickering Staff reporters Greg Elwell, Laura Eastes, Ben Luschen Contributors Mark Beutler, Bailey Chambers Christine Eddington, Jezy J. Gray Ian Jayne, Michael Kinney Tyler Talley, Jessica Williams Photographer Garett Fisbeck Marketing & Editorial Intern Ian Jayne Circulation Manager Chad Bleakley ASSISTANT Circulation Manager Duke Fleischer Art Director Chris Street Print Production Coordinator Ashley Parks Advertising/Marketing Design Coordinator Erin DeMoss Graphic Designer Anna Shilling www.okgazette.com Order mounted or ready-to-frame prints of Oklahoma Gazette covers, articles and photos at okgazette.yourheadline.com 3701 N. Shartel Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73118-7102 Phone (405) 528-6000 Fax (405) 528-4600 Copyright © 2016 Tierra Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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