Toast to the Metro by Oklahoma Gazette

FREE EVERY WEDNESDAY | METRO OKCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEPENDENT WEEKLY | DECEMBER 21, 2016

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INSIDE You don’t have to travel to the coasts to find a perfectly entertaining New Year’s Eve event. From Opening Night in OKC to Prohibition-themed parties in rural parts of the state, Oklahoma has your perfect New Year’s Eve celebration, whether that includes getting glam for a party or heading out in your jeans and T-shirt to welcome 2017 with friends. Cover by Anna Shilling.

City First Christian Church for sale City general obligation bonds

EAT & Drink

10 Chicken-Fried News 12 Letters 13 Review Fat Dog Kitchen & Bar 14 NYE FlashBack RetroPub party 15 NYE The Pump Bar party 15 Briefs 16 NYE Museum Cafe dinner 17 NYE Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse party 18 Feature The Pritchard Wine Bar

A&C

20 Gazedibles school favorites 22 23 24

Comedy Eddie Izzard at WinStar Theater Beyond the Stratosphere

arts & Culture

Education personalized learning

music

news

4 6

FUN

COVER

inside

26 27 28 30 31 32 32 33 34 35

NYE Opening Night NYE Battle of the Gods art show Holiday Services Directory NYE out-of-town events NYE holiday light displays NYE Topgolf party NYE OKC Thunder vs. LA Clippers Community Red Andrews Christmas Dinner Youth OKC Thunder youth basketball camps Calendar

37 Event Jarvix 38 Feature Blu Fonk 39 Event Hush Hush Commotion 40 Live Music

41 Astrology 42 Puzzles sudoku | crossword

Buy This

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e d u c at i o n

NEWS

Instruction shift

Oklahoma students drive their own learning process through personalized learning, a school reform model taking shape in the Sooner State. By Laura Eastes

The expectation that learning occurs simply by student attendance in lecture settings is challenged by the many who work in education and more specifically personalized learning and know that, on the whole, students lack the attention, curiosity and passion to continue to justify the decades-old traditional school model. One such educator is Chickasha Superintendent David Cash. “It’s hard to find a kid truly engaged in the content,” Cash told Oklahoma Gazette as he described traditional high school. “You will find [that] kids comply, but that’s where the confusion is for most adults. They believe if a kid is in class, they are engaged.” There’s perhaps no better place to see the juxtaposition between traditional learning and personalized learning, a model of education reform gaining traction in school districts across the state and United States, than Chickasha Public Schools, a medium-sized district in central Oklahoma. As the longtime educator walks the halls of Chickasha’s Personalized Learning Campus, a single building for 120 students located next to the district’s high school, Cash describes an education model that meets each student’s distinctive needs and personal interests. It’s a departure from the traditional template in which students listen to a teacher, complete an assignment, earn a letter grade and accumulate credits to graduate. “Here, it’s about learning,” Cash said 4

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as he pointed to the Personalized Learning Campus and then to the district’s traditional high school. “There, it’s about grades.” Last January, the Chickasha Board of Education endorsed a plan by Cash and fellow school leaders to implement a personalized learning model at the high school, which serves about 700 students. Months later, the district’s ninth-grade building converted to the Personalized Learning Campus, where classrooms more closely resemble coffee shops and each student has access to a desktop or laptop computer. In August, when the 2016-17 academic year began, students and teachers embraced the model, which takes advantage of technology, personalizes instruction and challenges pupils to take ownership of their education. On the campus, most students work quietly on their computers or are grouped together as they work on joint assignments. Others are meeting one-on-one with teachers. “You have the best of both worlds,” Cash said. “Students have the ability to advance as quickly as they want or work on things as slowly as they need to. Bottom line: It’s on them to earn the credits they need to graduate.”

Unorthodox approach

In a state dedicated to improving academic achievement for all students, school reform has found a ready ally in Oklahoma. Policymakers and parents have called for

Chickasha students from left Mackenzie Pullman, Meredith Noland and Lauren Palesano work through assignments inside the district’s Personalized Learning Campus. | Photo Laura Eastes

new programs and initiatives to transform learning. With personalized learning, school leaders present a fresh and somewhat unorthodox approach to learning, explained Carole Kelley, Oklahoma Public School Resource Center (OPSRC) director of teaching and learning. For the past two years, Kelley has worked closely with Oklahoma districts to implement the model, which meets the needs of students who score within basic, proficient and advanced levels in core subjects. The former classroom teacher and school administrator notes that personalized learning is a culture shift and a learning and education process change that impacts entire school communities. Moving to student-centered learning, she said, is much like handing over the keys to students and trusting them to drive their own learning. “The more freedom you give students, the more control teachers have,” Kelley explained. “Treat them as who they are, and they will engage. This is where the paradigm shift is. Teachers feel like the teaching comes out of their mouths. Now, students are engaging in their own education. When students hit a roadblock, that’s where the teacher comes in.” At personalized learning schools, students have flexibility in how, what, when and where they learn, Ken Grover, principal of Salt Lake City’s Innovations Early College High School, told a group of administrators at the OPSRC office in October. Grover’s urban Utah school has become the archetype for personalized learning. When the school opened in 2012, its new model addressed the district’s attrition rate. Students worked at their own pace and personalized schedules through online coursework and met in small groups with teachers. These days,

Innovations students graduate at higher rates than other schools across the state. In addition to serving as principal, Grover travels the country and works with districts interested in developing the model. During the 2015-16 school year, Oklahoma’s Oologah-Talala, Union City and Chickasha districts worked with Grover through OPSRC to adopt personalized learning models in portions of their schools. Grover visits more Oklahoma schools as the interest in personalized learning spreads. In addition to OPSRC efforts to inform schools, research and writing about the model has intensified over the past year. In October, Education Week, a national newspaper covering education trends, published a special report dedicated to personalized learning. The publication reported positive early results at some schools that recorded significant student learning and engagement improvements. “I think it is going to take off,” said Kelley, who predicted five to six more districts will implement similar models for the 2017-18 academic year.

Early success

At Chickasha’s Personalized Learning Campus, Cash counts off first-semester successes: Teachers report students are engaged in learning, hold higher grade point averages and show greatly reduced tardiness and disciplinary incidents. Each student is assigned a mentor teacher, who is responsible for building a relationship with the youth. Through weekly meetings, the mentor is the point person for keeping students on track with coursework and discussing life goals. “I think there were a lot of people that had the ‘wait and see’ approach,” Cash said about the community’s reaction to the school model, which also includes opportunities for students to participate in band, choir, agriculture and athletics. Eighteen high school students will switch from traditional to personalized learning in January when the district returns from winter break. The growing challenge for the district is how to accommodate increased student interest and explore opportunities to implement personalized learning in elementary and middle schools, Cash said. To Principal Michelle Pontikos, improved academics, attendance and disciplinary results aren’t limited to spreadsheet reports. The administrator also notes the quality of student transformation each time she visits the Personalized Learning Campus: the blossoming curiosity and the surge in academic success. During the fall semester, the lowest grade earned by any student was a C. “Every student is different, and that’s the beauty of this,” Pontikos said. “There are all kinds of challenges in education, but you have to find a way to meet your kids’ needs. This is a great pathway.”

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NEW LOCATION

Plans ahead

Oklahoma City midcentury architectural marvel and “Church of Tomorrow,” along with more than 30 acres of property surrounding it, is for sale. By Laura Eastes

The First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) structure, with its iconic concrete domed sanctuary, is a behemoth of a building located on more than 30 acres at the edge of Oklahoma City’s Crown Heights and Edgemere Heights neighborhoods. Sixty years ago this week, people filled the pews for Rev. Bill Alexander’s inaugural sermon in the “Church of Tomorrow.” The energetic preacher, who believed his parish should be more than a house of Sunday morning worship, put in motion the mission to serve the greater community by building a modern and ambitious campus at the corner of NW 36th Street and N. Walker Avenue. For more than half a century, First Christian Church, besides being a community of faith and idol of midcentury modern architecture, with its rounded theater sanctuary, education building, amphitheater and Jewel Box Theatre, has been a community gathering spot. Youth programs, arts groups, nonprofit organizations, disaster relief programs and others found a welcoming home at First Christian Church, which earler this year was renamed Restoration Church at the Dome. Its domed sanctuary has long been popular with architecture and design enthusiasts, even as much of Oklahoma City’s midcentury modern architecture has succumbed to redevelopment and demolition. In May, Okie Mod Squad, a group of midcentury architecture lovers, celebrated the church and other metro architectural jewels during its inaugural Oklahoma Modernism Weekend. Earlier this month, a commercial real estate firm erected a large “for sale” sign on the property after the congregation

voted to sell the property. The church, while it continues to serve the community, is a much smaller congregation than the one that ushered in the “Church of Tomorrow” in 1956. Now, the future of one of Oklahoma City’s most well-known buildings, a community landmark, hangs in the balance.

Church heart

The property spans 31.8 acres and includes the church building, Jewel Box Theatre, Trinity School and an office building currently utilized by Oklahoma Disciples Foundation. The listing price is $8.2 million for the “development land for sale,” according to the Price Edwards and Company sales listing. It hasn’t been easy for the congregation to see the “for sale” sign, longtime parishioner Michelle Jenkins told Oklahoma Gazette. The church traces its roots back to the Oklahoma Land Run, followed by worshipping in downtown Oklahoma City for decades. In the 1940s, when Alexander led the church, he envisioned a church with an expansive campus for plenty of activities for youth and families. Nearly a decade before the first service in the Church of Tomorrow, parishioners and neighbors gathered in the 3,500-seat amphitheater for Sunday-evening Edgemere Under the Stars worship services and Fridayevening Twilight Time music events. Since the church’s inception, the goal has always been “a church with a heart and a message of sharing God’s love,” Jenkins said.

Extraordinary property

There is perhaps no better place to view midcentury modern architecture than

Restoration at the Dome, formerly known as First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), hit the real estate market this month. | Photo Garett Fisbeck / file

Oklahoma City, where homes, office buildings, churches and dwellings epitomize the forward-looking styles and far-fetched characteristics popularized between the end of World War II and 1970. Founded in 2009, Okie Mod Squad began as a group where friends and fans of midcentury architecture, art and design connected to promote and preserve the architectural style, including the First Christian Church building, one of the first to use thin-shell concrete in its design. “Oklahoma City is blessed to have a lot of great midcentury architecture,” said Okie Mod Squad cofounder Lynne Rostochil. “First Christian Church is definitely the pinnacle. There is no building like that in the world, and it’s right here in Oklahoma City.” Every building has a story to tell, especially First Christian Church, and it’s imperative to know its history, said Rostochil, who is the granddaughter of church architect R. Duane Conner. “Back then, thin-shell concrete was still in development phase,” Rostochil said. “That building was a risk; everyone thought it would fall down. The fact that it is still standing strong 60 years later speaks to the design of the church as well as the experiment with the different types of materials.” The group has advocated against demolition of unique Oklahoma City midcentury modern properties like Stage Center and Union Bus Station. They preach venue reuse and maintaining architectural heritage. Indeed, local developers have considered the adaptive reuse potential of many midcentury buildings, such as Gold Dome at NW 23rd Street and Classen Boulevard, which Colorado-based organic grocery chain Natural Grocers purchased and plans to transform into a food market. Okie Mod Squad hopes for a similar positive outcome for First Christian Church. “We have extraordinary buildings that set us apart from other cities,” Rostochil said. “I like the idea of us looking individual and unique — not like every other city. The way to do that is continuing to preserve our architectural heritage.”

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NEWS Civic Center Music Hall renovations are one of 850 projects listed for consideration. | Photo Gazette / file

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Bond proposals

As citizens submit ideas for a 2017 bond program consideration, Oklahoma City Council members face a big tax rate decision. By Laura Eastes

Nearly a decade ago, Oklahoma City voters approved an $835.5 million general obligation bond program to finance 241 needed infrastructure projects in 46 different locations throughout the city’s eight wards. Since that 2007 election, city staff has worked to widen roads, resurface streets, improve parks, renovate aging fire stations, construct new libraries and public buildings, purchase new buses and more. Much work remains to be done, as about half of the city’s bond projects are complete. It will likely take the city three to four more years to close out the bond program. Despite nearing the program’s end, OKC is far from meeting all of its infrastructure demands. City leaders know that better than anyone as annual citizen surveys point to inadequate streets and their office phones ring with resident complaints over everything from potholes to public safety. The reality is the city needs another bond program because of new issues that have arisen since the 2007 election, Ward 8 Councilman Mark Stonecipher said during a recent special meeting dedicated to the planning of a 2017 general obligation bond program. The first-term councilman often receives constituent calls and emails about road concerns. If the road is not listed as an upcoming 2007 bond project, Stonecipher suggests it could be included in the upcoming bond package. Constituents then ask when the project would start, and the answer, “two to three years after an election,” doesn’t always suffice. “There is a critical need,” he said. Stonecipher and other Oklahoma City Council members are dedicated to bringing a 2017 general obligation program before voters on Sept. 12. Over the next 10 months, the nine-member council will spend much of its time focused on developing a bond program that could be the largest proposal in the city’s history and have a resounding

impact on its future.

Bond knowledge

Since 1989, Oklahoma City has funded thousands of capital improvement projects through voter-approved general obligation bonds. The bonds are a tool to raise funds for specific projects that otherwise would not be funded through city revenue. Sales tax supports the city’s operations. When voters approve bond propositions, the city is allowed to borrow up to the amount listed on the ballot and pays back the bonds by collecting property taxes. Oklahoma City has a 14.81 mill levy, which translates to 13 percent of collected property taxes going to city government. Over the past 27 years, city leaders have vowed to keep tax rate at 16 mills. (A mill levy is the tax rate applied to assess the value of a property. A mill is one-thousandth of a dollar.)

Council discussion

Earlier this month, each member of the council was delivered a list of 850 infrastructure projects totaling $1.86 billion for consideration in the upcoming bond program. The list was generated from city staff and initial citizen recommendations. As neighborhoods submit project ideas and citizens weigh in at eight workshops, the list will likely grow. Councilmembers are expected to make final decisions on specific bond projects in the spring, after February council elections. During a Dec. 13 special meeting, City of Oklahoma City finance director Craig Freeman told the council that a bond program could range anywhere from $400 million to $1.4 billion, depending on the bond term and property tax rate. Traditionally, the council has been glued to a property tax rate around 16 mills, but with a swelling list of infrastructure needs, some councilmembers are open to increasing the tax rate either one mill or two mills.

“We can’t artificially hold ad valorem taxes where they are and expect to keep up with the growth that is happening,” Ward 4 Councilman Pete White said in support of raising the tax rate. Raising the tax rate on a $150,000 home to 18 mills would raise a property owner’s tax by $31, to $279 annually, according to figures released by the city. City staff does not recommend the council pursue raising the tax rate to 20 mills because it would negatively impact the city’s financial management record. A few councilmembers support raising the rate, while others question the impact during a down economy. Mayor Mick Cornett and Stonecipher recommended residents be asked about tax rates in addition to possible projects during upcoming town halls and neighborhood meetings. Perhaps a big question both the council and residents will have to answer is how quickly they want to see improvements and how willing they are to see their taxes rise. “Our property tax is very low compared to the rest of the country,” Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid said. “I think there is room for increasing it. … It allows us to move into a five or seven-year bond [program] as opposed to 10 years, which means it is 10 to 12 years later before projects are complete. No one in this room can possibly know what Oklahoma City’s needs are 10 years from now. This allows us to be more adaptable.”

Bond workshops

The public can weigh in on infrastructure projects and city needs during these free workshops. Ward 1: 5-8 p.m. Feb. 6, Council Grove Elementary School, 7721 Melrose Lane Ward 2: 5-8 p.m. Jan. 19, Bishop McGuinness High School, 801 NW 50th St. Ward 3: 5-8 p.m. Feb. 2, Windsor Hills Elementary School, 2909 N. Ann Arbor Ave. Ward 4: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 18, Southern Oaks Community Center, 400 SW 66th St. Ward 5: 5-8 p.m. Feb. 21, Southwest Library, 2201 SW 134th St. Ward 6: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 25, Leadership Square, 211 N. Robinson Ave. Ward 7: 5-8 p.m. Feb. 28, Metro Tech at the Springlake campus, 1900 Springlake Drive Ward 8: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 21, Patience Latting Northwest Library, 5600 NW 122nd St.

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chicken

friedNEWS

(Horse) Thief

Apparently, Thieves are not immune to robbery. In all fairness, the five-piece indie rock outfit and warmly adopted Okies by way of Denton, Texas, are known as nothing short of upstanding community members and popular contributors to the fabric of the Oklahoma City and national music scenes. To the knowledge of Chicken-Fried News, and contrary to the quintet’s name, bandmates have not amassed a corral of kidnapped equines. Sadly, Horse Thief is as impervious to criminal activity as any other band or citizen. While touring on the West Coast this December, the band had iPads, computers, passports and merch money stolen from its tour van while as it performed a gig inside a venue. The band wrote on its subsequent GoFundMe page that the items were taken from the safe on board the vehicle during a tour stop in Portland, Oregon. “We have been touring for years and this is something that is always in the back of our minds,” the band wrote. “Tonight it finally happened.” Horse Thief set a $7,500 GoFundMe goal to replace the stolen items and make it safely back home to Oklahoma. The band wrote on the page that it hated asking for monetary help and was only doing it as a last resort. According to numbers from the crowdfunding page, Horse Thief exceeded its goal by $50 in just six days thanks to donations from 167 family members, friends and fans. The page was shared more than 800 times on Facebook. Horse Thief tweeted its thankfulness Dec. 11 before a show at Hotel Utah Saloon in San Francisco, California. “Tour continues,” it wrote. “The support the past two days has been unreal.” Horse Thief launches a three-week European tour in 2017 beginning Jan. 20 in Dublin, Ireland.

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Aborted intentions

Hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants and public schools are required to post signs for a lot of things, ranging from fire code building capacity to run-of-the-mill safety warnings for slippery floors. A recently passed bill requested by anti-abortion group Oklahomans for Life requires these public places — entities regulated by the State Department of Health — to display signage directing pregnant women to prenatal services as part of an effort to “develop informational material to ‘achieve an abortionfree society,’” Tulsa World reported. The signs, which must be posted by January 2018, will include a link to the health department’s website and say “There are many public and private agencies willing and able to help you carry your child to term and assist you and your child after your child is born, whether you choose to keep your child or to place him or her for adoption. The State of Oklahoma strongly urges you to contact them if you are pregnant.” The sign’s verbiage and the bill itself have caused outcry throughout the state. Many citizens, from restaurant owners to concerned women, have voiced their opinions on the controversial mandate. Oklahoma City resident Tony Westlund, in response to a Facebook post

of Tulsa World’s story, noted the replacement cost of the signs, which “are going to get vandalized all to hell.” “Before making complex medical decisions, I make it a point to consult what’s written on the stalls of public restrooms in Oklahoma,” state resident Jennifer Klein Plato commented on a KWTV-News 9 Facebook post. Ryan Kiesel, executive director of ACLU of Oklahoma, called the signs “billboards for a government anti-abortion statement” in a Dec. 13 press release. “In addition to being a politically motivated attack on Oklahoma’s women, the requirement that many businesses, including restaurants, post signs that advance a backwards and misogynist agenda amounts to forced political speech, which is impermissible under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution,” Kiesel said. Tulsa World reported the Oklahoma Hospital Association estimated its cost for posting the signs would total $225,000 and other licensed industries would spend about $2.1 million. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. A.J. Griffin, R-Guthrie, sent out a press release Dec. 13 assuring the public that the bill depends on funding for the signs and lawmakers will listen to businesses’ concerns.

“As to the logistics of making information available through notifications in public restrooms, the language clearly states that this is contingent on the availability of funds being appropriated by the Legislature specifically for this purpose. Also, it should be pointed out that the bill included no fines or penalties — it really would be on an honor system,” Griffin said. “[We] will be listening to the concerns of our business community and working with them to ensure this effort to protect Oklahoma infants will not be overly burdensome.” It isn’t clear how much protection a sign could provide Oklahoma’s infants, who face other obstacles regarding health care and education in the state, but only time will tell. After all that haggling and fighting and pushing for alleged unborn fetus-saving, Griffin aborted her battle during its final moments. Friday, she announced her belief in preserving the lives of businesses and health care providers across the state. “It was never intended to be a burden on businesses or health providers,” Griffin said in a media statement.

Multitasker

A governor does a lot, like signing bills into law, convening special sessions of the state legislature, delivering a “state of the state” address, granting commutations and pardons to prisoners and appointing people to various judicial and state offices. It’s a big job. The to-do list of Oklahoma’s governor also includes dealing with a budget shortfall, addressing manmade earthquakes, lecturing against four-day school weeks, reevaluating executions after drug mix-ups, checking on Capitol renovations and traveling in the state’s plane to New York for a meeting with president-elect Donald Trump. We at Chicken-Fried News get a headache just listing the tasks and responsibilities of our governor. Somehow, Gov. Mary Fallin found time to travel to Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan and Germany to visit Oklahoma troops stationed overseas. According to Associated Press, two other governors joined Fallin in a trip arranged by the Pentagon and the U.S. State Department. “The trip was an incredible experience and really brought to life the risks and sacrifices that our men and women in uniform make every day,” Fallin told AP. Talk about a multitasker! In addition to discussing her trip to the Middle East, the two-term governor got down to business estimating a budget hole of $500 to $600 million for fiscal year 2018, according to Tulsa World.

Suspicious minds

Christmas came early for an Oklahoma City man when his fiancée tried to give him a hammer. Unfortunately, she decided to test it out on his home, located near NW 159th Street and San Miguel Circle, OKCFox.com reported. Dec. 8, the man called Oklahoma City Police to report his girlfriend, Jennifer Finley, 59, was banging on his front door with a hammer. Officers who responded to the call said they found Finley inside the house, holding a sharpened broomstick in her bloody hand. When asked what happened, police said Finley responded, “Do you have something against women, you fucking assholes?” According to OKCFox.com, the homeowner told police he and Finley became engaged after a dating for the last year, but when he went to a bar on Dec. 7, she thought he was cheating on her. When she arrived at his house started banging on the door, he locked himself in his room and called the police, according to OKCFox.com. Then he said he heard glass break and Finley inside the house, banging on the walls. Finley was arrested on suspicion of first-degree burglary, destruction of property and destroying private property.

The homeowner could really use the hammer if police let him keep it. Officers said the encounter left holes in the hallway walls. None of this bodes well for Santa Claus, either. Something tells us the man won’t be happy to hear tapping on his rooftop or the sound of a red-suited visitor inside his home on Christmas Eve, no matter how many presents Saint Nick brings.

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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.

Willful ignorance

Mickey McVay’s letter regarding global warming (Opinion, Letters to the Editor, “Greenie weenies?,” Nov. 9, Oklahoma Gazette) takes the cake. Those who reject human-caused global warming are being willfully ignorant or, in the case of politicians, corrupt. He tells us of “PhD chemists, physicists and microbiologists” he’s encountered over a 30-year period who all considered global warming to be hooey. Nevermind that McVay’s evidence is anecdotal or that the PhDs are not climatologists, meteorologists or physical geographers; he apparently believes that hearsay carries more weight than all of the scientific bodies and nearly all of the scientists in the world that do not doubt the fact of global warming. Mr. McVay, like all science deniers, conveniently ignores the scientific discoveries of Joseph Fourier (1824), John Tyndall (1859), Svante Arrhenius (1896), Guy Stewart Callendar (1938), Gilbert Plass (1956) and Roger Revelle and Hans Suess (1957) and mounds of evidence proving global warming theory. McVay also states in his letter that he “well remembers” when scientists believed that the atom was the smallest particle. Huh? The electron was discovered in 1897 and scientists have understood that the atom contained smaller particles ever since. Of course, McVay’s point was that scientists can be wrong, as if science has not advanced over time as new discoveries are made. Modern satellite remote sensing has revolutionized climate science. The global and fine-scale spatial coverage of modern satellites is unparalleled and has led to

important discoveries that could not have been detected by conventional observations or climate models of just a couple of decades ago. All of that data is now in digital form, meaning that today’s scientists can quickly obtain new information directly from the source and enter it into an appropriate analysis program such as a GIS (geographic information system). This has greatly reduced the time it takes to conduct climate research. And what has all of this improvement in data compilation, satellite coverage, real-time observational ability, remote sensing technology and computer-powered analysis gotten us? Even more evidence that anthropogenic global warming is a fact. That’s how a good scientific theory works. The more information you obtain and the more discoveries are made, the more that theory is supported and proven. The only folks that don’t see it are the willfully ignorant. Brent Payne Oklahoma City

Messy situation

I read with interest the article on indigent court reform (News, “Court reform,” Laura Eastes, Dec. 14, Gazette). All anyone talks about is what it costs to keep someone in jail or how that will not help them. I own two pieces of property near the westside

catalan chicken

lunch & dinner

6014 n. May 947.7788 | zorbasokc.coM 12

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Homeless Alliance on Third Street and N. Virginia Avenue. My alley is constantly full of homeless who leave mountains of trash. They defecate on my sidewalks, leave trash and start fires. When I call the city and complain, a code inspector comes by and sites me and my neighbors for trash while the people who put it there are left undisturbed. Two months ago, a fire was started beside my building and it went under the siding and burned it. I have had my heart hardened. I am told about 25 percent are mentally ill or on drugs or alcohol. When considering the cost in lives and money to incarcerate them, consider what the cost is for them to be on the streets. Property owners should have some rights, too. John Harris Oklahoma City

Coveted coffers

Municipal, county and state governmental entities throughout Oklahoma are allowed to confiscate public property for their own governmental entity benefit (Title 60, St. § 176-180.4). They place ownership of the public’s property in the false trust estate created of, by and for the governmental entity. A prime example is the Stillwater Utility Authority (SUA) or its predecessor, the Stillwater Public Works Authority

(SPWA). The local officials are the governing body who appoint themselves as trustees and then assign their governmental entity as beneficiary, removing the public from oversight, control or voice in what they do. Thus, the trust indenture becomes a contract with themselves that they change at will. Think New Year’s resolutions. These “trusts” ignore previous legal precedent and established trust law. They do not act as a trust for the benefit of the public. They act as tax-exempt and monopolistic corporations without restraint by the public, Corporation Commission, FTC or any other state or federal governance. If these were private-sector corporations, they would face strict antitrust laws, such as Title 79, Oklahoma St. § 79-205, to limit their greed. It seems in Oklahoma, there are no limits placed on government greed. Dennis Gronquist Stillwater

Just deserts

Donald Trump as the GOP candidate appealed to voters with fear, hate and ignorance, and violence was accepted by many. He mocked women, Latinos, Muslims, blacks, Native Americans, a Gold Star family, the disabled and veterans. In the debates, he showed his ignorance of how our government functions. He reneged on payments to subcontractors, used substandard Chinese steel in his buildings and conned students at his fake university. More than a dozen women came forward and recounted how he sexually assaulted them. The GOP candidate easily gained the support of racists and white supremacists. But what kind of mental gymnastics did the evangelicals, conservatives, women and Tea Partiers have to go through to believe that he was suited for our highest office? He doesn’t have the most basic sense of human decency. His campaign was an insult to America and our values. Those who voted for him are getting the “president” they deserve. Bill Fuller McAlester

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EAT & DRINK

Dog pound

review

Mac and cheese | Photo Garett Fisbeck

The bites are even better than the barks at canine-friendly Fat Dog Kitchen & Bar. By Greg Elwell

Some appetizers are meant for a single person and some Fat Dog Kitchen & Bar are meant to share. The enormous basket of thin-cut chili1234 N. Western Ave. fatdogokc.com | 405-609-3647 cheese fries is probably enough for a small army. The crisp fries What works: The chicken-fried steak were all akimbo in the big, sandwich and mac and cheese are howl-worthy. silver bowl, making the application of chili and queso sporadWhat needs work: The carne asada tacos were bland without salsa. ic and captivating. Yes, I am captivated by fries, Tip: Bring your dog along, but bring a leash especially when I’m never sure and be prepared to stay on the patio. with each bite how much cheese they have soaked up or how the mildly spiced chili will It’s time to start demanding more of bar stick to them before they get to my mouth. food. One warning about this appetizer: It’s difficult to stop eating, even knowing Maybe it’s because people are drinking, but it seems like customers are more apt more food is on the way. to let standards slide when they’re eating If you’d rather reserve your daily at a tavern. Those folks need to visit Fat french fry intake for later in the meal, I Dog Kitchen & Bar, 1234 N. Western Ave. recommend ordering a chicken-fried “It’s just bar food,” is a common neighsteak sandwich ($10), which comes with borhood watering hole refrain as diners fries on the side. Then again, as delightful partake of a plate of nachos or a basket of as the petite fries are, the sandwich is stiff fries. But one shouldn’t accept less just competition for your attention. because there’s a big beer selection or the Chicken-fried steak is tricky to get bartender knows how to make a good right. If you cook it incorrectly, the steam cocktail. from the meat will leave the crust soggy or it will spend too much time in the oil One doesn’t have to make that concesand arrive at the table with scorched bits sion at Fat Dog. The pro-puppy restaurant and off flavors. is happy to serve customers alcohol Fat Dog serves its chicken-fried steak without sacrificing the quality of the food. with a golden-brown crust that retains a That was clear from the first bite of chilinice crunch while protecting the tendercheese fries ($8).

ized steak inside. The seasoning is spoton, as well, with enough salt to bring out the taste of the beef. I was also quite taken with the Fat Dog burger ($10, including a side). The skill of a cook shines through on dishes like this one, specifically because burgers are so commonplace. People who see a dish everywhere mistakenly believe it is easy to prepare. Fat Dog’s burger is a model of simplicity: a grilled beef patty on a buttered, toasted bun. Add cheese or any of the usual vegetables or condiments that come on the side if you like, but I think this is worth tasting without any additions. The burger comes made-to-order, which is always reassuring because it means the cooks aren’t just holding a bunch of patties on the grill, waiting for someone to order one. Each bite of the burger was juicy and tender, a perfect medium-rare, and seasoned beautifully. That’s often the difference between a home cook and someone who works in a restaurant. Professional cooks aren’t afraid to use salt. Carne asada tacos ($9) are a big seller at Fat Dog, but the flavor of the beef didn’t make much of an impact on me. The tacos are served with a smattering of diced red onion and cilantro and a side of chips and salsa. The salsa was the big winner for me and should absolutely be applied to the tacos for a big burst of freshness and a nice, lingering heat. Fans of Iron Star Urban Barbeque’s fancy mac and cheese side dish should look forward to Fat Dog’s macaroni and cheese ($7). Both use a mild, creamy cheese sauce that is decadent and delicious. I enjoyed the way the restaurant reincorporated the

Chicken-fried steak sandwich and fries | Photo Garett Fisbeck

queso into the menu, and the hungry noodles definitely hang onto the sauce, giving each bite a lot of richness. It’s a filling dish and perfect for keeping diners warm during the cold months. Much like the chili-cheese fries, an order of apple fritters ($5) is great for a group. The dessert includes pieces of apple in each fried ball of dough and comes covered with a sweet blizzard of powdered sugar. One thing that’s missing is some kind of dipping sauce on the side. The fritters and the sugar can leave one feeling a bit parched, which isn’t too big a problem in a restaurant that serves plenty of drinks. The bar has a small selection of local craft beers and a great wine list with bythe-glass and bottle-only options. The bartenders can make all the usual cocktails, but Fat Dog offers several pun-driven specialty drinks, including Downward Dog ($7) with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, club soda, 7-Up and cranberry juice and Leg Humper ($9) with Cielo reposado tequila, Sprite and lime juice. Fat Dog is well-known for its dogfriendly patio and laid-back vibe. In the warmer seasons, the restaurant hosts bands outside, but it switches to solo acoustic performers once the outdoor area becomes inhospitable. The patio has plenty of bar games, including giant Jenga sets, which add to the friendly neighborhood pub feel. The owners made an intentional choice naming it Fat Dog Kitchen & Bar. Food is not an afterthought, which is what sets this establishment apart from the competition. O kg a z e t t e . c o m | D E c e m b e r 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

EAT & DRINK

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FlashBack RetroPub guests partake in vintage arcade games, music and nostalgia at 814 W. Sheridan Ave. in Film Row. | Photo Gazette / file

Delirious new year ’Cause FlashBack RetroPub sings ‘Two-thousand zero-zero, party over, whoops out of time’ with retro-fantastic fanfare as it rings in 2017. By Adam Holt

Party Like It’s 1999 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31 FlashBack RetroPub 814 W. Sheridan Ave., Suite A facebook.com/FlashBackRetroPub 405-633-3604 | $10-$75 | 21+

When the clock strikes midnight Jan. 1, many in this city welcome the New Year while reveling a bygone era. FlashBack RetroPub hosts its Party Like Its 1999 celebration with ’80s and early-’90s flare 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31 at 814 W. Sheridan Ave., Suite A, in Film Row. True old-school retro fans won’t be fooled by the “1999” moniker — a hat-tip to pop icon Prince and The Revolution’s hit 1982 album and single of the same name. The venue’s ’80s memorabilia and throwback arcade game selections will expand for the celebration. “[We know] that a lot of people will be downtown and probably looking for places to go,” said owner José Rodriguez. “We want to make it a place that is attractive and [have] guests partake in a lot of the fun we are going to have, not just with arcade games, but with dancing, celebrating and kicking off the new year.” The night includes a midnight countdown, balloon drop and champagne toast, cocktails and beer. DJ Sirok spins ’80s and ’90s hits and requests 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. This year’s cover charge is $10, comparing favorably to last year’s $25. “Last year, we learned a little bit, being our first year,” he said. “We just want people to come out and have a good time [for] a fun event that is cost-efficient.” And, unlike many New Year’s Eve celebrations, black-tie, white-tie and cocktail attire and fancy shoes aren’t required.

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10/14/16 5:05 PM

“It’s casual to semiformal,” he said. “If people want to dress up, they can.” Guests receive party favors at the door. Rodriguez said they might want to keep heavy coats at home or in their car because there is no coat-check. Table reservations, which are $50 for a table of four and $75 for a booth of six, include cost and taxes for a bottle of champagne. However, reserved seating is going fast. FlashBack RetroPub also offers 70 locally and regionally brewed craft beers, 10 signature shots and a full bar. The venue’s retro-fantastic ambiance is a great fit for this year’s party theme, Rodriguez said. The arcade bar boasts more than 50 stand-up arcade games, including retro classics Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Centipede, Asteroids, Defender, NBA Jam, NFL Blitz and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Multiple ’80s-era televisions glow behind the bar with a VHS film selection guests can select from, giving the full effect of the decade’s nostalgia, including Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Top Gun, E.T. the ExtraTerrestrial, Footloose, Dirty Dancing and Pretty Woman. The venue recently celebrated its oneyear anniversary, and Rodriguez said he’s proud and grateful for the support the bar has received. “The turnout and the feedback we’ve gotten has been tremendous,” he said. “It’s been humbling to see how many people really enjoy what we’ve done, what we’ve put together and how true we’ve stayed to the ’80s and how many people appreciate it.” Rodriguez said the bar’s popularity now reaches beyond the metro area. “We’re thankful for the turnout we’ve had from Oklahoma City and surrounding cities,” he said. “We get people from all parts of the state; I can’t thank everyone enough. Hopefully year two will be even better than year one and we will continue to grow and get more people in.”

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Party portal The Pump Bar’s Blast Off bash encourages revelers to orbit Uptown 23rd District venues on New Year’s Eve. By Adam Holt

Blast Off to 2017 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31 The Pump Bar 2425 N. Walker Ave. pumpbar.net 405-702-8898 Free 21+

Uptown 23rd District watering hole The Pump Bar goes intergalactic as it speeds into the new year with its space-themed, retro-futuristic Blast Off to 2017 bash 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31. The party spans the venue’s bar and heated outdoor tent at 2425 N. Walker Ave. and features a champagne toast at midnight.

“It will actually be warmer out there than in here,” co-owner Hailey McDermid said about the toasty-warm tent, which covers the venue’s outdoor patio area. Vinyl Carte Blanche DJs spin soul, funk and disco hits 9 p.m.-2 a.m. McDermid said dress for the celebration — all the dining, drinking, retail and entertainment district’s New Year’s Eve events are “come as you are.” Blast Off to 2017 is part of this year’s districtwide holiday celebration. “I have a great relationship with all the different bars,” she said. “The Savings and Loan Co., Rockford [Cocktail Den], we’re all doing a no-cover thing.” Though The Pump never charges a cover, many of the district’s establishments are foregoing at-the-door admission on Dec. 31 to encourage guests to stay longer and enjoy the full district. “You’re not locked into one thing,” McDermid said. “You can barhop — you can go to the other bars, and you are not

New Year’s Eve events, including The Pump Bar’s Blast Off to 2017 party, happen at venues across Uptown 23rd District on Dec. 31. | Photo Garett Fisbeck / file

going to get locked down into one place.” The Pump’s past is significant to Oklahoma City and venue owners Ian and Hailey McDermid.

Storied past

The location’s history includes rumors of bootlegging that date back to the former Texaco service station’s initial owner, native Oklahoman and pro sports player Chili Mac. “Chili Mac, he was a ballplayer,” McDermid said. “This was the late 1920s, early ’30s. I don’t know if he was specifically a bootlegger or whether they just used this [location] as an operation, but there was a battery house in the back and you would pull into the back and they would load crates of booze into your car.” The rumors persisted even after Elmer Gentry bought the venue and renamed it

b r i e f s By Greg Elwell

Holiday revelry

•Boxing Day

Picasso Cafe culinary director Ryan Parrott and owner Shaun Fiaccone are planning a Boxing Day Brunch Monday at the restaurant. | Photo Gazette / file

If the holidays have you feeling punchy, relieve a little stress and let Picasso Cafe handle your meal the day after Christmas at its Boxing Day Brunch 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday at 3009 Paseo St. Boxing Day is an annual British holiday held Dec. 26. Traditionally, it was the day when churches opened alms boxes and distributed their contents to the poor. It was also the day when people who worked on Christmas celebrated with their families. Picasso Cafe serves its dinner menu, a few brunch menu items and Boxing Day specials. Reservations are accepted. Visit picassosonpaseo.com or call 405-602-2002.

Local restaurants are banking on Oklahoma City’s strategic ugly sweater supply as they host a bevy of celebrations for partygoers who prefer warmth to fashion. The parties start Friday with an ugly sweater contest 6-10 p.m. at Twin Peaks, 6500 SW Third St. The first 50 guests receive a Peaks Party pass — a round of drinks and appetizers for 10 — for use at a future date, and there will be prizes for the ugliest Christmas sweater. Visit twinpeaksrestaurant.com or call 405-384-5791. Next, Belle Isle Restaurant & Brewing Company, 1900 Northwest Expressway, hosts its Ugly Sweater Holiday Jam 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday. Equilibrium, which won an Oklahoma Gazette Woody Award in 2009, performs its blend of jazz, funk and soul. Entry is $7 and includes a craft beer from the brewery. Visit belleislerestaurant.com or call 405-840-1911. Anthem Brewing Company’s Festivus Party 6-9 p.m. Friday at its taproom, 908 SW Fourth St., is less sweater-clad but still fun. Inspired by Seinfeld, the party includes the company’s Festivus beer on tap and a “feats of strength” game for prizes. Comedians Heather King and Josh Lathe host The Airing of Grievances. Brewmaster Patrick Lively said this is the third year Anthem has brewed the Festivus beer, which features predominant cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger flavors. “We mess with the base beer each year, so it’s a different vintage,” he said. “We were shooting for kind of an apple pie sort of aesthetic with a little tartness to it.” Call 405-604-0446 or visit anthem-

Elmer’s Texaco in 1953. “He had the most expensive gas in town — that was the story,” McDermid said. “You would come in and he gave you a key to the bathroom liquor cabinet. The guys would come in, get their gas and have a nip.” It closed in 1976 and sat dormant till 2012, when the McDermids took it over and spent two years making renovations before opening in December 2014. Two years later, riding the success of The Pump Bar, the McDermids are developing The Bunker Club, which they describe as a dive bar, at 443 NW 23rd St. It’s inspired by 1950s and ’60s Cold War-era public service announcements and propaganda and should open soon. “I never thought we’d be opening a second location two years after opening this place,” she said.

brewing.com. On Christmas Eve, Cosmopolitan, 7 S. Mickey Mantle Drive, hosts its ugly sweater party 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. Guests wearing an ugly sweater get in for half price, receive a domestic beer and are entered into a drawing for a $50 Cosmopolitan gift card. Visit cosmopolitanokc.com or call 405-225-1956.

Refectory reception

When executive chef Ryan Murphy took over the kitchen at The Meat Market Refectory, 2920 NW 63rd St., in August, he decided to push the menu toward a more French-style steakhouse feel. He hopes guests will ring in the new year with Meat Market’s prix fixe menu Dec. 31. The restaurant is open 3-5 p.m. and serves its light bar menu before it hosts its reservation-only New Year’s Eve dinner 5-10 p.m., which is $80 for four courses or $110 with wine pairings. The menu includes truffle scrambled eggs on brioche toast points with crème fraîche and chives, Caesar salad with micro brioche croutons and a choice of 10-oz. beef filet or sautéed Chilean sea bass. A 5-oz. lobster tail can be added for $30 more. Murphy described the restaurant’s ambiance as European casual. The dinner ends at 10 p.m., and then the bar remains open to help diners welcome 2017. Visit meatmarketrefectory.com or call 405-608-8866.

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EAT & DRINK

Art of the meal

OKCMOA festivities feature gallery access, family fun and a special, grownups-only fivecourse meal followed by a view of Opening Night fireworks atop the museum. By Jessica Williams

Photo provided

S AT U R D AY, D E C E M B E R 3 1 , 2 0 1 6 7PM - MIDNIGHT DOWNTOWN OKC PERFORMANCES BY David Bruster and The Walkabouts, Jabee, L.T.Z., Moetowne Alex and the Nightview Band, Orquesta d’Calle, OKC Improv, Ali Harter, Michael King, Yung Tray, Susan Herndon, Sativa Prophets, Kinsey Charles, Bricktown Clowns

$ 8 I N A D VA N C E , $ 1 0 AT T H E E V E N T Purchase advance wristbands starting December 1 at 7-Eleven Stores of Oklahoma, OKC Museum of Art, and MidFirst Bank locations. Kids 5 and under are admitted free.

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A RT S C O U N C I L O K C . C O M

Oklahoma City Museum of Art opens its doors New Year’s Eve as it raises a toast to the past year and welcomes the next one. On Dec. 31, the museum (OKCMOA), 415 Couch Drive, offers gallery admission, hands-on family art projects, a film screening and a special dinner hosted by Museum Cafe, a champagne toast and a visit to the museum rooftop terrace to watch Opening Night fireworks. The night’s highlight is Museum Cafe’s special five-course New Year’s Eve dinner. At $83.14 per person, reservations fill up fast, said OKCMOA marketing and communications director Becky Weintz. The dinner event is 5 p.m.-midnight Dec. 31. Seatings are available at 45-minute intervals from 5 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Reservations are required. Call 405-235-6262. “We offer three different seating times so we can accommodate as many people as possible,” Weintz said. Weintz previews the cafe menu with items like stuffed grilled calamari, salad with mussels, seared sea bass, steak and vegetarian items. “We’re offering different entrée choices for those who don’t eat meat, including dishes like butternut squash ravioli,” Weintz said. “There will be something for everyone and every diet.” Save room for dessert featuring festive Napoleons paired with champagne. At 9 p.m., The Music Makers entertain guests with a live jazz performance. “The roof has got to be one of the best places to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks,” Weintz said. The fireworks are part of Arts Council Oklahoma City’s annual Opening Night gala, which spans downtown. “Guests get to start 2017 on top of an art museum with live music and a glass of champagne. It doesn’t get much classier than that.” Sometimes, watching the city crowds from above beats joining them on the street below.

“I attended the rooftop event five years ago; it was such a great time with my friends,” Weintz said. Bringing art to as many people as possible remains the museum’s mission, especially during the holidays. It’s part of Arts Council Oklahoma City’s annual Opening Night celebration, in which tens of thousands of guests visit related parties and events spanning downtown. Weintz said museum gallery admission is free for guests wearing Opening Night admission wristbands. Visit okcmoa.com for museum information and artscouncilokc.com for Opening Night details.

OKCMOA New Year’s Eve 2017 Oklahoma City Museum of Art 415 Couch Drive okcmoa.com | 405-236-3100 Free-$83.14

New Year’s Eve Dinner: Museum Cafe hosts a five-course meal 5 p.m.-midnight Dec. 31. Reservations are $83.14 per person and are available at 45-minute intervals from 5 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. by calling 405-235-6262. Live music starts at 9 p.m., and guests visit the museum rooftop for a countdown, champagne toast and Opening Night fireworks display (weather permitting).

Galleries:

Galleries are open

7-11 p.m. Dec. 31 for all Arts Council Oklahoma City Opening Night 2017 event guests. “That is a great option for people who prefer to end the night earlier than midnight but still want to celebrate the New Year,” Weintz said.

Film: The Royal Tenenbaums screens 2 p.m. Dec. 31 as part of the museum’s A Very Wes Anderson Christmas series. The film is rated R. Tickets are $5-$9.

Family: The Drop-In Art program runs 1-4 p.m. Dec. 31, and families can make their own New Year’s Eve poppers. The come-and-go session is free with museum admission.

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Double play

Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse and #7 Lounge and Bar pampers downtown diners with special menus and a party. By Kara Stewart

As it has since opening in 2000, Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse rings in each Oklahoma New Year with New York City style. The Bricktown restaurant at 7 Mickey Mantle Drive features a four-course, seated New Year’s Eve dinner, optional wine and champagne pairings, party favors and live music. Guests who also attend the Oklahoma City Thunder game against the Los Angeles Clippers that evening can enjoy complimentary limousine service to and from the arena. Although guests partake in an upscale party and meal, restaurant director of private events and marketing Brittany Leemaster said there is no dress code. “While we encourage our guests to come dressed to impress,” she said, “you can expect to see everything from Thunder gear to black-tie.”

Fresh food

Mickey Mantle’s New Year’s Eve menu changes yearly to provide new tastes for partygoers. This year, it offers rack of lamb, grilled oysters, lobster and rib-eye. Tickets are $89, and people making reservations for 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. are eligible for a $10 discount. Local Top 40 band Cover Me Badd also Mickey Mantle’s New Year’s Eve celebration features a four-course dinner, champagne and live music. | Photo Gazette / file

performs. Guests can expect to hear a wide range of music, from Katy Perry to Michael Jackson, Leemaster said. If you need a specific tune, the band also will take requests. Those wanting something that’s still classy but a little more relaxed can visit the venue’s #7 Lounge and Bar. The cigar lounge and upscale bar serves a limited New Year’s Eve menu. Reservations are highly recommended, Leemaster said.

All-nighter

At either venue, finding parking won’t be a problem, Leemaster said. Valet parking costs $8 per car. “We are in the center of downtown, with hotels within walking distance,” Leemaster said. “You can make a night of it.” Diners can top off the party with a midnight champagne toast that includes complimentary party favors. Guests are encouraged to take their time enjoying the celebration at Mickey Mantle’s; Leemaster understands many people hit multiple events on New Year’s Eve, and restaurant staff is prepared to accommodate guests needing to make it out to other special events, including the Thunder game. Call 405-272-0277 to make reservations. The doors open at 4 p.m., and staff will seat tables until midnight.

RUSTIC ITALIAN FOOD AND ITALIAN WINE

New Year’s Eve 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 31 Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse #7 Lounge and Bar 7 Mickey Mantle Drive mickeymantlesteakhouse.com

Tues-Thurs 5PM-10PM | Fri & Sat 5PM-11PM Sun 5PM-9PM

Now taking reservations on Open Table 1 block from Civic Center & OKC Museum of Art

Gift Cards Available

405-272-0777

Four-course NYE menu Appetizers: Mushrooms a la Davalos

305 N. Walker

patroNookc.com

405.702.7660

Blackened pan-seared diver scallops Grilled oysters Crab cake Salads: Caesar Blue crab and roasted corn chowder Hearts of romaine Kale Entrees: 16-oz New York strip North Atlantic lobster tail Smoked sea bass 7/10-oz blue ribbon filet Pistachio pesto encrusted rack of lamb 18-oz charcoal-smoked rib-eye Dessert: Campfire Cake (chocolate cake, peanut butter sauce, chocolate mousse, toasted marshmallow, graham cracker crumble)

NEWS COVERAGE

WORTH SUPPORTING Donate before December 31st

Give at www.kgou.org Melody Harwell, Owner Coffee Slingers Roasters KGOU listener and giver

O kg a z e t t e . c o m | D E c e m b e r 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

EAT & DRINK A three-cheese plate featuring from left Dansk blue with rosemary walnuts, Drunken Goat with Marcona almonds and Project X with house orange marmalade | Photo Garett Fisbeck

The Pritchard Wine Bar serves wines in varietalspecific Riedl stemware. | Photo Garett Fisbeck

Bricktown ExprEss convEniEncE storE M–TH 10a–9p | F 10a-2a | Sat 12p-2a

Snacks | Candy | Tobacco Beer & More

222 E SHEridan, OKC

BourBon St. Cafe Thunder up at #bourbonstcafe

wiTh free

thunder beads RiveRwalk | bRicktown

100 E. California | 232.6666 | bourbonstCafE.Com

OKC’S CELEBRATION

DESTINATION Book your special moment today! RiveRwalk | bRicktown

f e at u r e

BourBon St. Cafe

Bottle service

The Pritchard Wine Bar fills a need in the beer-centric Plaza District, giving guests an elevated and friendly experience. By Greg Elwell

100 E. California | 232.6666 | bourbonstCafE.Com The Plaza District needed a wine bar. Aimee Ahpeatone was happy to oblige. The Pritchard Wine Bar, 1749 NW 16th St., fills the void (and the restaurant space) left behind when Urban Wineworks closed earlier this year. Ahpeatone is a longtime Plaza District volunteer and booster, buying up properties as a partner in Sweet Sixteenth LLC before the area’s recent resurgence and helping develop the district as a retail, dining and entertainment destination. “Urban Wineworks fulfilled a need before it closed,” she said. “That’s how I approach curating buildings for the district. It’s about providing a service that’s lacking.” Though she’s fond of many neighboring businesses — she had a hand in developing properties for Empire Slice House, Pie Junkie and DNA Galleries — the district needed a wine bar to complement the craft beer bars. Not everyone is a fan of beer, Ahpeatone said. “It’s a place my girlfriends can hang out,” she said.

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Bottle bounty

A great wine bar needs great wine, which is why Ahpeatone reached out to sommelier Mindy Magers to become The Pritchard’s general manager. Magers came to Oklahoma City to be the beverage director at The George before leaving to work at Flint with Michael O’Hara, who taught her a lot about running a restaurant. When someone asked where she wanted

to be five years ago, Magers described a wine bar with a great selection and gourmet small plates. “This is my dream job,” she said. “When I was approached about The Pritchard, it was almost like I was being punked.” Magers can often be found tableside, talking to guests about the extensive smallbatch wine selection, and she also views her role as that of a teacher for servers. “If I hand a bottle to the server, they need to know about the wine, about its story,” Magers said. She wants to help diners find new wines that will become their favorites. Every wine on the menu is varietally correct, meaning they’re made with grapes grown in the traditional region for those vines. The staff can direct guests by favorite vintages, wine types or even whether they want something more fruit forward or with a bigger hit of tannins.

George reunion

Magers isn’t the only former George staffer at The Pritchard. Executive chef Shelby Sieg was the pastry chef at the now-defunct prime steakhouse atop Founders Tower. Sieg said Ahpeatone and fellow developer Steve Mason had already fleshed out the idea of The Pritchard when she came aboard and everything they said appealed to her. “We’re not messing with the ingredients too much. We just use quality ingredients and let them speak for themselves,” she said. That quality attracts a different kind of customer, Sieg said. The majority of people

who visit The Pritchard want to try something haven’t had before and trust that the kitchen staff knows the right pairings. One of the main sellers are seared Brussels sprouts with Spanish chorizo ($9), which has a more solid, sausagelike consistency compared to Mexican chorizo. The cheese selection is also top-notch, as the restaurant gets products from Murray’s Cheese Shop in New York City. Sieg created pairings for each one, including a housemade orange marmalade that works well with Murray’s nutty cave-aged Project X cheese. “Pairings are important to me. They’re not just garnishes,” she said. She prepares delicate rosemary walnuts to enhance the experience of creamy Danish blue cheese and uses salty Marcona almonds with Drunken Goat, a chèvre aged in red wine. The Pritchard’s kitchen is a playground for flavors and unique ingredients, including delicata squash served with burrata cheese and fried sage. While some dishes will rotate in and out based on the season, Sieg said she doesn’t envision ever doing a complete menu overhaul. And some dishes simply cannot go, having grown so popular in the restaurant’s short history. “We have the best freakin’ grits,” Ahpeatone agreed.

Sharing meals

Ahpeatone said the atmosphere they’re going for is friendly and casual. “We throw paper on the tables and markers for people to write and draw,” she said. “There are quiz cards on the bar.” The tapas menu and selection of wines play into that fun, cozy vibe. Magers said customers interact with one another as they share small bites of grilled skirt steak and seared duck rather than staring at their phones. Those who stick around until 11 p.m. hear the cookie bell that hangs outside the kitchen. Customers receive a free, freshly baked cookie that signals the kitchen is switching to the smaller late night menu. It’s an unpretentious place, Ahpeatone said. If someone doesn’t know anything about wine, that’s fine. “Come in, because our servers do,” she said.

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eat & DRINK

Childhood favorites

Whether the school cafeteria brings back good memories (your first kiss) or bad memories (your first fight), unfortunately, one thing most everyone remembers is the food. But don’t let the plastic trays of plastic-tasting cuisine mar your view of some otherwisegreat dishes. Take a culinary journey through the lunch line and reclaim those halcyon days with great versions of cafeteria classics. By Greg Elwell Photos Garett Fisbeck and Gazette file

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Jim’s Famous Chicken

Cheever’s Cafe

Anchor Down

The chicken nuggets of our youth were more nugget than chicken. That’s why adult nugget connoisseurs forgo minced meat pressed into molds in favor of Jim’s Famous Chicken. Diners are treated to big chunks of breaded-and-fried chicken tenderloin. Juicy and tender, Jim’s nuggets are more than sauce delivery vehicles. Each one is a miniature labor of love with all the flavor of fried chicken and none of the bone.

Much as one might have trouble locating the nugget on a chicken, many a child pondered precisely where on the cow the fingers might be found. As adults, however, we know steak fingers are just a lesser version of chicken-fried steak and some of Oklahoma City’s best are found at Cheever’s Cafe. They come smothered in savory jalapeño gravy and served with a side of redskinned mashed potatoes as well as Cheever’s famously gracious hospitality.

Getting tots loaded is illegal if you’re talking about children. Do not do that. But if you’re talking about appetizers at Anchor Down, a purveyor of all sorts of delicious fried comestibles, loaded tots are a must. Choose from chili-cheese tots drizzled in the housemade ghost pepper ranch dressing or pizza tots served in tomato gravy with Swiss cheese melted on top. Anchor Down’s tots are crispy outside, creamy inside and built to share.

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Do not confuse Patrono’s excellent spaghetti polpettine with the weekly Death Star cafeteria feature Spaghetti Palpatine. Polpettine literally translates as “little meatballs,” which Patrono serves with perfectly al dente noodles; a sauce of tomato, garlic and basil; and a dollop of ricotta cheese on top. Spaghetti Palpatine was just dry spaghetti Stormtroopers had to “force” themselves to eat. Alderaan over to Patrono and eat until you forget that last pun.

If you still have difficulty believing it’s not butter, The Red Cup’s Sloppy Jane will really throw you for a loop. It’s vegetarian throughand-through, like everything else the coffee shop and restaurant serves. The Sloppy Jane tastes so meaty, it’s difficult to fathom that there isn’t ground beef in every hearty, filling bite. The texture is perfect — a little sticky and a little crumbly — so you’ll feel like a kid again.

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It’s far from the best part of Junction Coffee’s hot chocolate, but it is nice that customers don’t have to struggle with that cardboard spout that comes on cafeteria chocolate milk cartons. Was there even chocolate in that milk? There surely is in Junction Coffee’s delightful hot chocolate. Climb aboard the double-decker bus and you’ll find that each mug of the cold weather antidote is made with steamed milk and rich chocolate and served with a warm smile.

What is more glorious than a perfectly cooked grilled cheese sandwich? Nothing can beat crisp, buttery bread with gooey, melted Colby-Jack and Swiss cheeses inside. Well, nothing but Uncle Joe’s Lunch Box at Slaughter’s Hall, which pairs that excellent grilled cheese sandwich with a cup of tomato soup that is just right for warding away the winter chill. For dessert, there’s even a fresh chocolate chip cookie. I’m not sure who Uncle Joe is, but his lunch box proves he’s living his best life.

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Keeping course

Eddie Izzard | Photo Amanda Searle / provided

Comedian Eddie Izzard talks global politics and standing up to LGBT harassment ahead of his Dec. 29 show at WinStar World Casino. By Ben Luschen

Eddie Izzard completed 27 marathons in 27 days this year, but when it comes to hatred and discrimination he isn’t running from anything. The English comedian and actor is known for his unconventional, train-ofthought comedic style displayed prominently in the popular and hilarious 1999 special Eddie Izzard: Dress to Kill. He performs Dec. 29 at WinStar World Casino and Resort, 777 Casino Ave., in Thackerville. Izzard finished the amazing streak of marathons in March. In 2009, he completed 43 in 51 days, benefiting the Sport Relief charity. Though it’s an endurance feat even some of the most fit runners would not dream of attempting, Izzard surprisingly does not have a long history of distance running. In November, the comic put on hold his bilingual stand-up tour through Spain so he could appear as a litigant in a court case and testify against a man accused of making threats and using transphobic slurs. Izzard describes himself as transgender. The court found the accused guilty on two counts for the threats and harassment. In a recent interview with Oklahoma Gazette, Izzard said he pursued the case as a way of standing up to abuses he and many other LGBTQ people have endured through the years. The multilingual comedian is politically outspoken and is a vocal supporter of the European Union and larger cultural understanding. He publicly decried “Brexit,” the United Kingdom’s June vote to withdraw from the international union. Oklahoma Gazette: Are you touching on many current events for this coming show? Eddie Izzard: Well, if you know my stuff, I don’t tend to adjust it. The one thing politics does is it completely dates things. So to do Brexhate, Trump-hate and all of that stuff, it’s not my thing. I do stuff on historical politics, sexual politics, social politics — everything about how the world has been going around for centuries. I just put the world into context as opposed to saying, “Hey, Trump, isn’t he a weird dickhead?” OKG: Does comedy have a role in opening people up to the world? EI: I think comedy and journalism. Comedy is like a cousin of journalism. Journalists point out intellectual truths and psychological truths about things that are going on in the world. Comics, we can 22

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

point out things that make people laugh by pointing out the fallibility, the strangeness and the twisted nature of things. We’re both doing a similar job in slightly similar ways. But to me, I’m doing it in a nonpolitical way. That’s the odd thing. Politics are politics, and the show that I do when I go out to the casino will just be pure comedy. OKG: You were in some headlines recently for that harassment case. What inspired you to pursue that case specifically? EI: Well, you know, LGBT people have been harassed over hundreds and thousands of years. But [being gay or transgender] is built-in. I believe it’s genetic. I know I didn’t choose it; it’s something that’s inside, expressing female attributes as well as male attributes. I’m being honest. Honesty in this world is a lot better than the lies that are being made up by the extreme right, the alt-right, the farright, the Trump-right. This guy insulted me because of nothing. Nothing had happened, and all of a sudden he’s screaming at me. Then I find out his name from the pub nearby and I said, “Well, I better make a note of that.” He threatened to rob me and burgle my house. Then a month later, he does it again, but this time, it’s just homophobic abuse. And I say, “All right, that’s it; I’m putting his name in the piece just in case something happens.” Then the Crown Prosecution Service ... followed through and said, “No, these are actually hate crimes, and we’re going to take action on them.” OKG: Did the case affect any of your dates in Spain? EI: It did; we actually cancelled about four dates. We didn’t put them on sale, essentially. But these things happen. ... We came away with two guilty verdicts, so it’s good to see justice going down. If someone screams abuse at you, you say, “This is not right.” You report it and something happens. That’s a good thing in this day and age. OKG: What’s it like performing Spanish-language shows in Spain? EI: Well, we start the show in English and I do an encore in Spanish. The encore is about 15 minutes, probably getting up to 20 minutes. But as we go, the Spanish encore will get longer as I build up to it and eventually, the Spanish bit may be longer than the English bit. And I’d like to do it in America. I can come to America and do a show in Spanish. It will be bloody

amazing. I can go to Latin America, South America, and I can go to Cuba now. I could have gone before, but now I can go there and logically, no matter which way you look on the Fidel Castro situation, there should be even easier relationships between America and Cuba and Cuba and the world. It would be nice to go over there and say “Hello” en Espanol. OKG: When you’re performing in another language, does it change the intricacies of the humor at all? EI: No. It means I can’t ad lib as much because of my ability in the language. In French, I can ad lib — I can ad lib quite well. In German, I can ad lib a little bit, but in Spanish, no. It’s going to be line-byline for the moment. But the actual language, the quality of the comedy, is exactly the same as the English. ... It’s the same comedy, and people laugh at the same

place because I am playing to the alternative audience; I’m not playing to the mainstream. Read more of the Gazette interview online at okgazette.com.

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Beyond the superficial holiday lights and cheer lies true humanity and brotherhood.

By Jack Fowler Oklahoma City Theatre Company continues that this show needed to be in this season, because it’s a subject that’s just not talked to bolster its reputation as one of the city’s about enough.” most daring troupes with its latest production, Beyond the Stratosphere. As for the nuts-and-bolts benefits of Written by Oklahoma City playwright working with a playwright that lives down La’Charles Purvey, Beyond the Stratosphere the street, Coburn said she hopes the results is just the latest challenge to performers and will speak for themselves. audiences alike in the company’s 2015-2016 “We’ve been doing a lot of work on the season, aptly themed Barely Legal. show because it’s actually been workPurvey’s story features a diverse group shopped here for about two or three years now,” Coburn said. “La’Charles Purvey is a of five black men who are trying to find meaning in their lives at an early 1990s very talented playwright, and we’re so lucky Christmas party. Each one is marginalized that he’s allowed us to take his work and in some respect and is dealing with HIV workshop the piece and hopefully make a and AIDS. product that he is proud of. “I’m really lucky because he is local, so It’s anything but George Bailey running he’s been involved in the process, from rethrough the streets of Bedford Falls, and even Purvey’s synopsis seems a bit dark. hearsals to feedback and everything else. If However, director Callison Coburn said you’re doing a Chekov piece, that’s not possible.” holiday audiences (the play runs through When asked why audiences should take Dec. 30) will leave feeling determined, not downtrodden. time from their frantic holiday schedules to “It is some heavy stuff, and it deals with see Oklahoma City Theatre Company’s people from a marginalized community, but latest offering, Coburn echoed the group’s mission. it’s ultimately a message of hope,” Coburn “It’s different from anything and everysaid. “It’s fun, and there are some real moments of comedy, so it’s more like a thing else you’re going to see this holiday modern Christmas tale. It deals with heavy season,” she said. “We love our traditions, stuff, but we don’t want people to go away especially at this time of year, but this is feeling like the Earth caved in on them.” something that breaks the mold and gets Coburn said it was especially vital to you out of that Christmas rut. If you’ve had everyone that the play be presented during enough Rudolphs and Frosty the Snowmen, this time of year. then this is perfect.” “I feel like it’s really imThe production runs portant because it talks through Dec. 30, with shows Beyond the about a taboo subject, and 8 p.m. Dec. 29 and 30 at Stratosphere CitySpace Theatre inside that’s HIV and AIDS. People are still suffering from this Civic Center Music Hall, 201 8 p.m. Dec. 29 and 30 today, and although it’s not N. Walker Ave. Tickets are CitySpace Theatre as prevalent as it was, $12.50-$25. Civic Center Music Hall African-American men are Visit okctc.org and okc201 N. Walker Ave. still the No. 1 affected group civiccenter.com for more okctc.org in America when it comes to information. 405-297-2264 the disease,” Coburn said. $12.50-$25 “We immediately decided

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ARTS & CULTURE

Revelry renewed Opening Night’s first official hip-hop showcase highlights the downtown event’s 31st year. By Ben Luschen

Since the late ’80s, Arts Council Oklahoma every generation. City’s annual Opening Night events have “We try to be for all audiences,” drawn tens of thousands of metro-area Pendleton said. “We definitely do cater to revelers to venues across downtown as families, but we cater to different age they usher in the new year. groups as well.” Each year, organizers add new elements Pendleton said Opening Night will have that keep guests coming back. This year, its own Snapchat filter available on-site it builds on its past success of featuring a during the event. variety of performing acts, including “We’re trying to expand our reach, singer-songwriters, improv comedy, rap keeping Opening Night family-friendly and hip-hop, Latin and jazz acts, along while also trying to embrace the growing younger population,” she said. with food, youth activities and other events in venues spanning downtown, and ends with a countdown and fireworks extravaMany options ganza. The event runs 7 p.m.-midnight There are still many familiar favorites Dec. 31. Entry to Opening Night events are populating the expansive downtown festivities. included with the purchase of a wristband, which costs $8-$10. Michael King performs magic at City This year, Opening Night adds its first Hall, 200 N. Walker Ave. OKC Improv official rap and hip-hop showcase 7-11 p.m. showcases its improvisational comedy in in Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s upper the museum auditorium. The performanclobby at 415 Couch es largely revolve around Drive. audience suggestions and Local rapper Jabee could be compared to the Opening Night headlines the showcase, comedy on the television and Rappers L.T.Z., show Whose Line Is It 7 p.m.-midnight Dec. 31 Sativa Prophets and Anyway? Bicentennial Park Yung Tray join the “Literally every per500 Couch Drive lineup. formance is different,” artscouncilokc.com said Peter Dolese, Arts “We’re super excited 405-270-4848 to have Jabee,” said Council Oklahoma City Free-$10 Opening Night and executive director. council projects director A children’s area Katelyn Carter. “He’s had such an exploinside Meinders Hall of Mirrors at Civic sive year with the release of [his August Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 2016 album] Black Future and his show at features Bricktown Clowns with faceThe Criterion. He’s so good about working painting and balloon animal-making. A with us and with the community.” photographer will take group photos with Arts Council communications director props in front of a backdrop. Kids can also Lindsey Pendleton said Opening Night has participate in a large, collaborative art developed a bit of a reputation as being an project by adding decorations to a foam exclusively family-friendly event. This board that eventually will take on a life of showcase, she said, helps highlight the its own. 31-year-old event that always offers some“It’s like an interactive sculpture,” thing for every crowd and Pendleton said. “You can keep adding to

it, and as the night goes on, it’s going to keep growing and growing.” Moetowne Alex & the Nightview Band also will perform Motown covers for young visitors. Many other music acts, including folk singer-songwriters Kinsey Charles, Ali Harter and Susan Herndon, who perform in City Hall council chambers, participate in Opening Night. Salsa band Orquesta d’Calle performs all night at Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, 300 Park Ave. As midnight nears, music from pop act David Bruster and The Walkabouts fills Bicentennial Park, 500 Couch Drive, as revelers gather to watch the fireworks finale and ball raising. Admission to the midnight event is free, Dolese said. He said total attendance for the midnight spectacular is weather dependent. Organizers will sell 5,000-15,000 Opening Night wristbands, but as many as 75,000 have gathered downtown for the free display. “It’s a lot of fun having the fireworks right there in Bicentennial Park,” Dolese said. “You’re surrounded by all those beautiful buildings, and it’s just awesome.” Purchase $8 wristbands before the event at artscouncilokc.com or in person at Arts Council offices, Plenty Mercantile, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 7-Eleven or MidFirst Bank. The price increases to $10 the day of the event, and tickets will be available at Civic Center Music Hall and

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Opening Night celebrates 31 years on New Year’s Eve. | Photo Arts Council Oklahoma City / provided

You’re surrounded by all those beautiful buildings and it’s just awesome. Peter Dolese the downtown library.

Start, finish

Before the sun sets and the party even gets rolling, though, Opening Night launches its annual Opening Night Finale 5K, beginning at 4 p.m. just east of Bicentennial Park. The USA Track & Field-certified, chip-timed course takes runners through downtown and the historic Heritage Hills neighborhood. Everyone who finishes gets a completion medal. Top male and female finishers also receive an original windscape sculpture created by artist Dean Imel. The top three finishers in each category and the most festively dressed also receive prizes. “We see a lot of elves show up in the evening,” Dolese said about costumed runners who also often wear their outfits to Opening Night events. Visit artscouncilokc.com for a full schedule of events.

Battle of the Gods art show features suspension performers who pierce their skin and hang from hooks and cables. | Photo SB Body Arts / provided

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Hooked A team of local body suspension artists plan a New Year’s Eve show. By Sara Yonker

It started for Joey “Danger” Covey when he was 7 years old and pierced his own ear. He kept doing it at home, ignoring the blood and pain, to the point that his mother gave in, took him to a shopping mall jewelry store and had his ear professionally pierced. “I think she thought, ‘Alright; you’re done now, right? This is just a phase, right?’” he said. He wasn’t finished, though — not even a little bit. Covey, now 33 years old and covered in tattoos and piercings, is a member of a tightknit, passionate and eccentric troop of body suspension artists in Oklahoma City. They pierce themselves several times with needles up to as thick as a pencil and thread what look like industrial-strength hooks through the piercing holes. Then they hang from the hooks using a complex system of cables hung from a steel frame, sometimes suspended half an hour or longer. Completely sober and willing, they’re inflicting enough pain on themselves to undergo a mind-altering experience they said is only understood once encountered.

Rare occurrence

New Year’s Eve, Covey performs a live suspension as part of SB Body Arts’ Battle of the Gods art show and celebration, which starts at 7 p.m. at the tattoo and piercing studio, 6717 N. May Ave. The free show for guests age 21 and up features artwork for sale from local artists as well as complimen-

tary food and drinks. Although the group performs suspensions as often as twice a month at conventions and events around the country, Battle of the Gods is a rare local performance. SB Body Arts shopowner and suspension team organizer Dustin Mathis hopes the show gives people who might have only heard about suspension or seen it on TV a chance to experience it. Most of the group’s performances are at piercing and tattoo industry conventions, where such displays are not outside the norm. But despite the obvious pain and bleeding, Mathis said, the show isn’t about shock or gore at all. “A lot of people may look at it and think it’s the most excruciating thing in the world,” Mathis said. “When you watch someone [suspending] and they conquer that goal, it’s like a big weight has been lifted off their shoulder. … It’s art. It takes away the graphic and the fear and turns it into a beautiful experience.”

Holistic history

Suspension, with roots in some Native American cultures, typically attracts people interested in a more extreme version of tattoos and piercings. But for some of the participants, it’s more than just a radical act of body modification. It’s part therapy and part public display of spiritual artwork as performers experience and embrace the pain. “It’s kind of like a psychedelic drug,” Covey said. “You can’t really explain the experience, but you won’t view the world in the same way afterwards. You’ll always see it different. Some people go their entire lives without experiencing that.” Covey admitted the pain can be brutal. His body is typically sore for days following a suspension. Once, he said, he felt it “up to [his] ears” after a more extreme performance in which he also swung from ropes while suspended.

Covey said the adrenaline and mental clarity from the experience makes it worth it. Giving into the pain and accepting it is what he refers to as “flying.” “Once you fly, your mind crosses over,” Covey said. “It’s a peaceful experience. If you can do that, you can carry it with you forever. Life doesn’t seem as hard anymore.” Several people involved in suspension treat it almost like therapy. Mathis first experimented and embraced it while processing pain during a divorce. Watching a suspension and the full range of human emotions has brought his wife, Stephanie Mathis, to tears. She co-owns SB Body Arts with Dustin Mathis and does first aid for the team that prepares for one person’s suspension, which involves sterilizing equipment, setting up cords and preparing the staging area. Unlike Dustin Mathis and his team of suspension artists, she has no interest in participating in body suspension, even though she appreciates it. “It can be beautiful to watch and to experience to see the person work through pain or able to connect with whatever they’re trying to work through in life,” she said. “You get to see how powerful your body is and how much people can naturally withstand. Your skin can take a lot more than you think.” Visit sbbodyarts.com.

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

Battle of the Gods Art Show 7 p.m. Dec. 31 SB Body Arts 6717 N. May Ave. sbbodyarts.com 405-607-2278 Free 21+

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

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD CATHOLIC CHURCH

Join us this holiday season!

2016 Christmas mass sChedule

54th Annual Presentation of a Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols 9:15 AM and 11 AM

(carols begin 30-minutes before Masses)

Christmas eVe Saturday, Dec. 24 5:00pm (Children’s Program: 4:30pm) 8:30pm, Midnight Christmas daY Sunday, Dec. 25 10:00am

NeW Year’s eVe/daY

Sunday, December 18th

Saturday, December 24th Christmas Eve Service 4:30 PM Children’s Pageant Family Eucharist 10:30 PM Choral Prelude 11 PM Midnight Mass

sOlemNitY OF marY

Saturday, Dec. 31 5:30pm Sunday Jan. 1 8:00 am, 10:00am, 12:30pm 7336 W. BrittON rOad, OKC 73132 (405) 722-2110

www.epiphanyokc.com

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

Sunday, December 25th Christmas Day Service 10 AM Holy Communion

Come join us this Christmas season! Sunday, december 18th Joseph: A Call To Protect 8:30am and 10:45am Worship 9:30am Sunday School for all ages

Saturday, december 24th The Call To Praise 6:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Service

Sunday, december 25th The Call of Christmas Anthem 10:00am Worship

new covenant chriStian church

(diScipleS of chriSt) 12000 N. Rockwell Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73162 (405) 722-7445 NCCCOKC.ORG

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

ARTS & CULTURE

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Roll out Head out of town for a new view as you ring in the new year. By George Lang

Schelly’s Aesthetics

Schelly Hill, R.N.

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C u lt u r e

MICRODERMABRASION

Shoppes at Northpark, 12028 May Ave. 405-751-8930 Open Mon-Sat www.skincareokc.com Gift Certificates Available

An overnight stay in another part of the state might be the perfect thing to shake loose the sheer terror of 2016 and ring in a shiny, happy new year. Oklahoma offers a wide range of champagne-based options for the final hours of Dec. 31. Just make reservations for an overnight stay — there’s nothing fun about highway driving in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

K Phillips | Photo provided

Cheers!: Giant cocktail enthusiasts and

those who like to roar like the 1920s on New Year’s Eve should pile into the Studebaker and make the trip to Bartlesville, where Price Tower Arts Center hosts its annual Olive Drop celebration. Price Tower gallery, 510 S. Dewey Ave., in Bartlesville will be done up like a 1929 speakeasy perfect for the fringe-skirted flapper in your life. The showstopper happens when the giant olive is lowered down Price Tower into an enormous martini glass. Drink responsibly. Visit pricetower.org.

Dirty Wonder: West Texas-bred alt-

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Oklahoma Gazette 30

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

country singer-songwriter K Phillips lives stylistically in that middle ground between Keith Richards’ rootsier blues leanings and the hyper-intelligent storytelling of Hill Country bards Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen. Phillips performs songs from his forthcoming second album Dirty Wonder 10 p.m. Dec. 31 at Mercury Lounge, 1747 S. Boston Ave., in Tulsa. He might ring in the new year with a performance of his superb new single, “Hadrian,” featuring Adam Duritz of Counting Crows. Visit mercurylounge918.com.

Giggle water fantasies: In Oklahoma,

prohibition was not just a 1920s phenomenon — the Sooner State continued the traditions of legally enforced temperance, bootlegging, bathtub gin and denatured alcohol poisoning until 1959. Even so, plenty of people still want to party like Jay Gatsby in the Jazz Age. New Year’s Eve is a perfect time to party old Hollywood glam Prohibition style 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31 at The Wine Loft, 7890 E. 106th Place South, in Tulsa. Tickets are $45-$170 and include party favors, champagne, signature cocktails, cigars on the patio and live music from Southern Shine. The Wine Loft is encouraging period Prohibition-era clothing — that’s 1920s, not 1950s. Visit thewinelofttulsa.com.

Soul Man: Having joined the Blues Brothers

as a legacy, Jim Belushi knows his way around the bar band staples of classic R&B, plus he starred in 182 episodes of ABC’s According to Jim in eight years, yet few people believe it. Buffalo Run Casino & Resort hosts Belushi and his Sacred Hearts Band 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at 1000 Buffalo Run Blvd. in Miami. For $50,

Don Henley | Photo provided

revelers enjoy hors d’oeurves, a midnight champagne toast, a balloon drop, party favors and proximity to the star of K9. Visit buffaloruncasino.com.

Peaceful, easy feeling: With the death

of Glenn Frey earlier this year, Don Henley became the true standard-bearer for The Eagles’ legacy. Three months ago, Henley hinted that the venerated country-rock group could reunite if Frey’s 22-year-old son, Deacon Frey, joined them to fill his father’s shoes. Until that happens, Henley’s concert 8 p.m. Dec. 31 at WinStar World Casino and Resort, 777 Casino Ave., in Thackerville is the closest an Eagles fan can get to that peaceful, easy feeling. Tickets are sold out, so start harassing Facebook friends into selling theirs. If that doesn’t work out, singer Aubree-Anna performs selections from the Great American Songbook in the Rotunda Bar from 9 p.m. until 2017. Visit winstarworldcasino.com.

Race into the New Year 5K: Not only

is New Year’s Eve the last day of the year, it’s usually the culmination of wretched holiday excess, that night when eating and drinking like a Roman emperor is given a pass because you’ll turn it all around Jan. 1, right? Well, why wait? The Race into the New Year 5K, starting at 21st Street and S. Jackson Avenue at Tulsa’s River West Festival Park, is a healthy, active alternative to the “blerghing in the bushes” tradition. This 5K event includes a chip-timed 5K, a one-mile fun run, fireworks, champagne and beer along the route, music and a black-eyed peas and cornbread meal at the finishline. The fun run is $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under, and the 5K is $30 for adults and $15 for 12-and-under runners. Visit runnersworldtulsa.com.

c u lt u r e

Last call

Catch these glowing OKC metro events and light displays before they’re gone. By Christine Eddington

Across the metro, holiday elves programmed lights to music, donned donkey costumes for your amusement or enlightenment, baked cookies and prepared to wow you with lights, performances and more holiday magic than you can shake on a Festivus pole. Get out there and see some of them before they’re over.

Downtown in December Holiday Lights

dusk to dawn through Jan. 1 Bricktown Canal Automobile Alley, Bricktown and Film Row districts downtownindecember.com Free The folks at Downtown in December outdid themselves and added a burst of twinkle to pockets of downtown OKC that are perfect for strolling. Some 180,000 brilliant LED lights make spirits bright along eight blocks of Automobile Alley’s main drag, N. Broadway Avenue. Bricktown Canal is also resplendent, with the added bonus of free water taxi rides several nights during the season. Film Row, full of rich history and unique architecture, has also been festively draped.

Markwell Lights

6-10 p.m. nightly through Sunday N. Markwell Avenue from Graham Avenue to NW 20th Street Free The 2100 block of this heavily treed, quaint Oklahoma City street became a holiday destination the moment its synchronized light show began in 2007. As you drive past the street’s elaborately lit homes, be sure your radio’s tuned to 107.1 FM, because the

North Pole Adventures brings the joy and wonder of Santa’s world to Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads. | Photo North Pole Adventures / provided

animated displays are set to music. The show doubles as a food drive benefiting Putnam City West food pantry, so bring a canned food item to contribute. Event organizer Mark Metalik recommends visitors enter the street from the north, starting at NW 23rd Street and Graham Avenue, which leads to Markwell.

North Pole Adventure

noon-8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday noon-6 p.m. Saturday Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads 7000 Crossroads Blvd. northpoleadventure.org 405-605-6123 free-$14 When John Conner opened his magical North Pole Adventure three years ago, it was housed in the parking lot in a series of heated tents. Today, it fills 24,000 square feet inside Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads. It’s home to elves, a toy factory, Santa’s Post Office, live reindeer, the Elf Clubhouse, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus’ kitchen, which offers cookies and milk to all who attend. Admission is $14 per child and includes all of the fun and activities. One adult may accompany each child at no charge. Additional adult admission is $6.

Midwest City Holiday Lights Spectacular

6-10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 6-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 30 Joe B. Barnes Regional Park 8700 E. Reno Ave., Midwest City midwestcityok.org

405-739-1293 Free What began in 1995 with 44 lighted displays has become an epic 1.5-mile journey through more than 100 displays, including a 118-foot-tall Christmas tree festooned with 9,000 LED lights, a fly-fishing Santa and much more. Signs at the park’s entrances direct viewers to tune their radios to a dedicated FM station that will fill their cars with music.

Downs Family Christmas Light Ministry

6 p.m.-midnight through Dec. 30 and 6 p.m. -1 a.m. Dec. 31 2900 72nd Ave. SE, Norman downsfamilychristmas.com Free For the Downs family, sharing more than 280,000 painstakingly placed lights with the community at large is a joyful ministry. More than 18 miles of light strands, 80 control boxes and 800 pounds of glimmering bulbs on the enormous trees are guaranteed to create Christmas memories for all who visit. The family also uses the beautiful display as a ministry for the hungry. All donated goods go to Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Since it began, the event has raised more than $209,821 and collected 62,865 pounds of food.

Live Nativity Scene

6-7 p.m. Friday First United Methodist Church of Edmond 305 E. Hurd St., Edmond

fumcedmond.org 405-341-0107 Free For one night only, First United Methodist Church of Edmond creates a living nativity scene. Visitors also can enjoy the petting zoo and snacks of cookies and hot chocolate. After the nativity performance, guests can watch Worship on Hurd. “Members of our choir will perform and the Christmas story will be read,” said Erica Lawrence, director of youth ministries. “All of the parts will be played by church members, including the animals.” Lawrence recommended parking in the south or west church lots; the living nativity will be staged in the east lot next to the main building.

McIntire Christmas Light Show

6-10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Monday and 6-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday 4102 Calm Waters Way, Edmond 405-471-6091 Free Chris McIntire, wife Katie and their kids are enthusiastic about Christmas. By that, we mean Katie and the kids choose their favorite holiday tunes, which Chris then breaks into two playlists and synchronizes to 103,000 lights on the family’s property. This year, they added snow machines. Tune your car radio to 97.7 FM and enjoy crowdpleaser “Heathens” by 21 Pilots.

Christmas in the Park

6-11 p.m. through Dec. 31 multiple Yukon parks cityofyukonok.gov 405-354-8442 Free-$2 Three Yukon parks spanning more than 100 acres are filled with 425 light displays. You can drive its nearly three miles, or you can set out on foot on the 2.2 miles of walking trails guaranteed to dazzle the senses. A train, the Santa Express, is located in Chisholm Trail Park, and rides cost $2 per person. Visit Christmas in the Park at Yukon City Park at 2200 S. Holly Ave., Freedom Trail Park at 2101 S. Holly Ave. and Chisholm Trail Park at 500 W. Vandament Ave. in Yukon.

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Act i v e

ARTS & CULTURE

Swing time

Topgolf’s year-end celebration includes unlimited gameplay and a whole lot more. By Tyler Talley

Act i v e

After what some could conservatively refer that’s almost always overpriced and overto as a rough year, the end draws nearer rated,” said Ken Branstetter, director of by the hour. The community looks to clear operations for Topgolf’s Oklahoma City off the dust, whether it be in solitude or location. surrounded by friends and family. Topgolf, 13313 Pawnee Drive, provides No mulligans Oklahoma City a means by which to raise Topgolf’s celebration includes unlimited a glass to the good, the bad and the bizarre gameplay, live entertainment, a chef-in2016 offered in addition to hope for the spired menu, music and dancing. new year — all while improving one’s golf General registration for Topgolf’s event swing. includes a reserved bay on the first or third New Year’s Eve 2017 at Topgolf features level for up to six people, unlimited gamean exclusive New Year’s play 9 p.m.-1 a.m. and, of course, New Year’s Eve Eve celebration keeping you out of the hustle and party favors. bustle of the bar scene Those willing to spend Topgolf New and away from unneeded a little extra can partake in Year’s Eve planning stress. the VIP option, which in“New Year’s Eve at cludes all of the aforemen9 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 31 Topgolf is a one-of-a-kind tioned perks as general Topgolf experience that provides registration in the reserved 13313 Pawnee Drive the fun atmosphere evVIP bay on the main level, topgolf.com eryone is looking for exclusive access to the 405-607-7154 without the rowdy, Signature Event Room and $225-$450 crowded bar or club scene access to the Chef’s Choice

Star play

Since it opened in the summer of 2015, response to OKC’s Topgolf location has been positive. Notable past visitors include Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma State University head football coach Mike Gundy and country music superstar Toby Keith. “We are so pleased to be a part of the OKC community,” Branstetter said. “We

Topgolf offers two New Year’s Eve packages that guarantee a night of fun to ring in the new year. | Photo Topgolf / provided

recently placed sixth on the top workplaces list, which shows what a great place Topgolf is to work and play. We look forward to seeing what the future holds.” Players hit balls equipped with microchips tracking shots’ accuracy and distance while awarding points for hitting targets. In addition to its 215-yard outfield, the OKC venue features a full-service restaurant and three bars, indoor gaming areas, a rooftop terrace, HDTVs at each bay and 3,000 square feet of private event space. Once the new year has been properly celebrated, Topgolf gears up for the beginning of the Winter 2017 Leagues at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 and continues for a six-week regular season and two weeks of playoffs. Visit topgolf.com.

Ball bash

The Oklahoma City Thunder starts its New Year’s celebration with a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. By Michael Kinney

In the build-up to the clock striking mid“We ask for it every year from the NBA,” night Jan. 1, people can choose to be just Mahoney said. “It’s been a more successful about anywhere in the world. From Times tradition than we ever thought. Square in New York City to the Space Needle in Seattle, all are amazing sights to behold. Bitter battle However, none of them offer the chance This season, the Thunder closes out 2016 to see Russell Westbrook sprinting down the by playing one of its most bitter rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers. The two teams have court for monster triple-doubles or Steven Adams blocking shots into the fifth row. squared off twice this season with each one Yet those who attend Oklahoma City winning a close game. OKC native and former Oklahoma AllThunder’s annual New Year’s Eve game get to see all of that and more before American Blake Griffin leading the Clippers will make for an even more heading out into the city to celebrate the raucous environment at Chesapeake coming year. “It’s become a tradition for our fans and Energy Arena, 100 W. Reno Ave. the community,” said However, Los Angeles Dan M a h o n e y, will find that beating the Thunder vice president Thunder on New Year’s Oklahoma City Eve is not an easy prosof broadcasting and Thunder vs. Los corporate communicapect. Oklahoma City has Angeles Clippers tions. “We think it’s a 7-1 record over the past becoming an integral eight years and has sold 7 p.m. Dec. 31 out every game. part of the Opening Chesapeake Energy Arena Night festivities.” A Thunder victory 100 W. Reno Ave. The Thunder has helps send patrons into nba.com/thunder hosted a game on New the New Year’s Eve cel1-800-653-8000 Year’s Eve for the past ebration in an even $15-$370 eight years. better mood. 32

Buffet, a bottle of Chandon Rose for guests at least 21 years old and unlimited fountain drinks, coffee, tea and soda. A general bay reservation for six costs $225, and a VIP reservation is $450. This is the third year Topgolf has hosted a New Year’s Eve party at its venues and the second at the OKC location. As the event typically sells out, Branstetter recommends purchasing tickets in advance.

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

The Oklahoma City Thunder helps OKC kick off Opening Night when it plays the Los Angeles Clippers 7 p.m. Dec. 31. | Photo Zach Beeker / Oklahoma City Thunder / provided

“People come to the game, they enjoy the game, they are out by 9:30-9:45 p.m.,” Mahoney said, “just in time to celebrate the new year. It really has blended well and become an important part of Opening Night.”

Winning combination

But Thunder officials stressed they aren’t trying to interrupt the party already taking place in downtown OKC. “We wanted to make sure we blended properly with the Opening Night festivities,” Mahoney said. “We wanted to complement it.” Reaction to the New Year’s Eve games has let the Thunder know they have a winning formula that they can keep on requesting.

“The fans, they love it. They love a chance to be indoors,” Mahoney said. “As you can imagine on New Year’s Eve, some nights, it’s cold. Our fans see it as a great way to start off the evening.” The Thunder pointed out that the annual game isn’t just for those who come to the arena. “It’s also always a highly rated TV game for us,” Mahoney said. “It’s been some of our highest local TV ratings we’ve ever had. It’s become part of people’s annual holiday … tradition — not just in downtown, but wherever they are enjoying the Thunder. It’s a great chance to end the year on a good note.” Tickets are $15-$370. Visit nba.com/ thunder or call 1-800-653-8000.

Each year, Red Andrews Christmas Dinner provides a place where guests can enjoy Christmas with others. | Photo Red Andrews Christmas Dinner / provided

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Co m m un i ty

Submit your listings online at okgazette.com or e-mail them to listings@okgazette.com. Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

Holiday warmth Red Andrews Christmas Dinner will feed an expected 8,000 people in need. By George Lang

Ernest Andrews was promoting boxing These days, the dinner feeds people who matches at the Stockyards Coliseum in the are in financial straits as well as military 1940s when he discovered the living condimembers unable take leave to go home for the holidays and others who, for whatever tions of some of his young parking lot workers who lived in the Mulligan Flats area. reason, have nowhere else to spent Some of them lived in one-room houses with Christmas Day. mud floors. Moved to help these families “We have people from all walks of life, find joy during the holidays, he invited them and it’s just the most heartwarming thing, to participate in a Christmas dinner. because the community gets together, they Because of the ongoing needs of the city’s celebrate together and everyone is treated exactly the same,” Pointer said. less fortunate families, Andrews built the dinner into a tradition, one that continued Pointer, who is senior vice president of long after his death in 1977. Republic Bank & Trust, was part of the group “The community embraced it, and we’ve of community leaders who responded when since grown to serve over 8,000 people,” the event was in danger of being discontinsaid Mary Blankenship Pointer, Red ued in 2012. They set up Red Andrews’ Andrews Christmas Dinner secretary and Christmas Dinner Foundation, which works treasurer. “It’s had a ripple effect as people to organize the dinner in perpetuity. invited people, and it just grows and grows Recently, a large supply of men’s coats and grows. It’s now one of the largest comwas inadvertently donated to the event, munity dinners in our region.” which historically had not distributed warm This year’s 70th Annual Red Andrews clothing as part of its outreach. But Pointer Christmas Dinner is 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Cox said organizers soon discovered that the Convention Center, 1 Myriad Gardens. Each coats fulfilled a special need. guest receives a hot meal with turkey and “We didn’t realize that a lot of the parents all the trimmings, and every child can have didn’t have warm coats,” she said. “They a photo taken with Santa Claus and receive would sacrifice and buy their children coats, a toy. Pointer said she expects about 1,000 but they didn’t have coats themselves. A lot of these people are making $20,000 a year people to volunteer for the event, cooking and carving turkeys on Christmas Eve and and working hard, but they can’t provide serving the diners Christmas Day. everything their families need.” “We don’t reach out for volunteers; they Donations of new, unwrapped toys and just show up,” Pointer said. “They want to coats are being accepted at Jackie Cooper be part of it, and a lot of the volunteers are BMW, 14145 N. Broadway Extension, in actually in need themselves. They are the Edmond; Goldman Law Firm, 222 NW 13th working poor, and they’re giving back to the St.; and all Republic Bank & Trust locations. community.” Cash donations can be made to Red This is in keeping with Andrews’ backAndrews’ Christmas Dinner Foundation ground. Born in Houston, care of Pointer. Call 405-253Texas, in 1900, Andrews 8641 or email mpointer@rbt. was a teenager when his com. In the meantime, the Red Andrews family of 13 moved to a farm foundation is now stocking Christmas near Edmond. He made the up for the thousands who will Dinner decision to stay behind and start Christmas Day at Cox live in a boys’ home run by Convention Center. 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday friends of his family. The “We’ve already ordered Cox Convention Center experience of living and 2,000 pounds of turkey,” she 1 Myriad Gardens working around children said, “so we’re ready.” redandrewsdinner.org who lived on the margins Visit redandrewsdinner. Free informed his life’s work. org. O kg a z e t t e . c o m | D e c e m b e r 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

Yout h

ARTS & CULTURE

High fliers

OKC Thunder’s youth basketball program expands into the metro and beyond. By Michael Kinney

Thunder Youth Basketball Winter Camp is for children ages 6-14. | Photo Oklahoma City Thunder / provided

From almost the very outset of the arrival of the Oklahoma City Thunder, one of the ways the franchise integrated itself into the community was hosting basketball camps. For years, the camps grew and grew and were highly successful. However, a year ago, the Thunder brass decided something was wrong. They were getting a great response from the traditional camps, but they still weren’t reaching the fan base outside the Oklahoma City metro area like they felt they should.

Open look

“Whenever we did a court dedication or we make a community relations effort out in the community, there is a huge appetite whenever we get into Ada, Woodard, Altus, Lawton, Bixby, wherever we are,” said Brian Byrnes, senior vice president of sales and marketing for the

Thunder. “There was a huge appetite and demand for the Thunder.” So they did something about it. They took a break and thought about ways it could improve. The hiatus of the basketball camps ends later this month with the Thunder Youth Basketball Winter Camp. It runs 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 27-29 at Solid Rock Basketball, 140 W. 15th St., in Edmond. The three-day camp is for boys and girls ages 6-14 and costs $185. “The idea is we’re going to host traditional multiday camps throughout the year,” Byrnes said. “The first one Thunder Youth is during the winter break Basketball right after Christmas in Winter Camp Edmond. We’re almost sold. We have almost 150 people 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 27-29 signed up already. That Solid Rock Basketball speaks to the appetite of 140 W. 15th St., Edmond basketball camps and inokcthunder.com struction.” /youthbasketball The second camp is $189 March 14-16 at Tandy

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

Family YMCA Healthy Living Center, 5005 S. Darlington Ave., in Tulsa. Registration begins Jan. 6.

Home-court advantage

This new installment of the program is just the opening salvo to what the franchise has planned. The team wants to increase its reach throughout the state and find more ways to interact with Oklahoma’s youth. Byrnes said the clinics are modeled after a program run by the Utah Jazz. “We think we might be in a pretty select category that’s looking at this from a bigger perspective,” Byrnes said. “Every NBA team is running some type of youth basketball program. But the Utah Jazz, the New York Knicks have done a good job of developing more reach. The Utah Jazz are in a multistate area where they are hosting camps and clinics all throughout the year. So we’ve tried to model what they are doing. We’ve also looked at European soccer teams and their structure.” The clinics can be held anywhere in the state at any time of the year. Those inter-

ested in hosting a Thunder camp or clinic are encouraged to visit okcthunder.com/ youthbasketball. “Our goal over the course of the year is to be all over the state,” Byrnes said. “One of the things we’ve done to that is we’ve hired 20 coaches from Tulsa and Oklahoma City. We’ve put them through a Thunder orientation program teaching them curriculum, helping them to refine their teaching skills. They’ve been through a coaches clinic. They now can host these camps and clinics for us.”

Fill the lanes

In five years, Byrnes sees the Thunder camps spreading outside the state and into Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. “When you are a kid and participating in this camp, we want you to love the game of basketball,” Byrnes said. “We want you to learn something that makes you a better basketball player. But we also want you to grow up and be a Thunder fan. We weren’t prepared to do all those things. We had to take a step back to reinvest in our business.”

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

FILM Bottle Rocket,(USA, 1996, Wes Anderson) three friends plan to pull off a simple robbery and go on the run, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa. com. WED Moonrise Kingdom,(USA, 2012, Wes Anderson) a pair of young lovers flee their New England town, which causes a local search party to fan out to find them, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 22. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa. com. THU Rushmore, (USA, 1998, Wes Anderson) the extracurricular king of Rushmore preparatory school is put on academic probation, 8 p.m. Dec. 22. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. Movie Night : Christmas Vacation, (US, Jeremiah S. Chechik, 1989) 7-10 p.m. Dec. 23. Omerta Cigar Co., 700 S. Western Ave. Ste B. , 405-600-3499, omertacigar.com. FRI

The Grand Budapest Hotel, the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous hotel from the fictional Republic of Zubrowka between the first and second World Wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend (USA, 2014, Wes Anderson) 8 p.m. Dec. 23. and 5:30 pm Dec. 29. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. Fantastic Mr. Fox, (USA, 2009, Wes Anderson) an urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmer’s retaliation, 1 p.m. Dec. 24. and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 30. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. Harkins Theatres Presents: Die Hard, (US, John McTiernan, 1988) 7 p.m. Dec. 27. Harkins Theatre, 150 E. Reno Ave., 405-231-4747, harkinstheatres. com. TUE

HAPPENINGS Tour of Historic Parlor Car, visitors escaping the December chill at Science Museum Oklahoma have an extra reason to head to the museum during the holiday season: tours of SMO’s 1929 Pullman parlor car, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Jan. 1. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Pl., 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. PAMBE Ghana’s Global Market, seasonal fairtrade shop that provides destination shopping for unusual and unique gifts, including a wide selection of folk art from around the world; all proceeds benefit PAMBE Ghana’s La’Angum Learning Center in northern Ghana, noon-6 p.m. Dec. 20-24. PAMBE Ghana’s Global Market, 6516 N. Olie Ave., pambeghana.org. WED Eggnog Karaoke, drink it and be merry, Dec. 23. Opolis, 113 N. Crawford Ave., Norman, 405-673-4931, opolis.org. FRI Ugly Sweater Christmas Party, grab your ugly Christmas sweater, vest, t-shirt and hat and come party, 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 23. Chisholm’s Saloon, 401 S. Meridian Ave., 405-917-2200, chisholmsokc. com. FRI Holiday Jazz & Wine, get into the holiday spirit with the smooth sounds of Maurice Johnson, cheese pairings, games, a full wine menu and more. 7-10 p.m. Dec. 23. Waters Edge Winery, 712 N. Broadway Ave., 405-616-5031, wewokc.net. FRI Christmas for the City, a fun and free event for the family with children’s activity during the service, hot chocolate and coffee available for purchase, noon, 3 and 6 p.m. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 405-297-2264, okcciviccenter.com. SAT

A Stylish Celebration Partygoers and Thunder fans can enjoy a lavish meal to welcome in 2017 at A Stylish Celebration 5 p.m.-midnight Dec. 31 at Flint, 15 N. Robinson Ave. The $79 prix fixe menu includes an appetizer, salad and a choice of 7 oz. beef tenderloin filet, 5 oz. lobster tail or 10 oz. chicken breast. The event wraps up with a Chocolate Decadence dessert and a midnight champagne toast with a keepsake flute. Visit flintokc.com/upcoming_ events or call 405-605-0657. Dec. 31 Photo Gazette/ file

Community Kwanzaa, learn traditional African culture, language, customs and more, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 26. Oklahoma Black Museum & Performing Arts Center, 4701 N. Lincoln Blvd., 405-213-8077, obmapac.org. MON Sorghum Mill Christmas Tree Farm, choose and cut your perfect tree for the holidays, through Dec. 23. Sorghum Mill Christmas Tree Farm, 7121 Midwest Lane, Edmond, 405-340-5488, christmastree.com/real/ok/sorghum.

New Year’s Eve celebration at The Artesian Hotel, Casino and Spa There’s nothing like starting the new year with a little getaway. The Artesian Hotel, Casino & Spa in Sulphur rings in 2017 with dancing and live jazz from Justin Echols. The night begins 8 p.m. Dec. 31 at The Artesian, 1001 W. First St., in Sulphur. The event is open to the public. A full cash bar will be on hand for the celebration. A champagne toast happens just before midnight. Guests staying at the hotel Dec. 30 and 31 receive a complimentary gift basket. Visit artesianhotel.com or call 855-455-5255. Dec. 31 Photo The Artesian Hotel, Casino & Spa / Koch Communications / provided

Business Improvement District, 6-9 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, through Dec. 31. Bricktown Canal, 115 E. California Ave., 405-234-8263, welcometobricktown.com. When the Earth Shakes, learn all about the science of earthquakes, tsunamis and tectonic plates; an immersive interactive exhibit exploring the world below our feet, through Jan. 2. Sam Noble Museum, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 405325-4712, snomnh.ou.edu. Lost Ogle Team Trivia, the brainiest folks in town descend on the old Speakeasy and have brain battles to see who indeed is the smartest of them all, 8-10:30 p.m. Dec. 27. 51st Street Speakeasy, 1114 NW 51st St., 405-4630470, 51stspeakeasy.com. TUE Red Earth Tree Festival, celebrate the Christmas season with a decidedly Native twist. This popular new holiday tradition features over 15 Christmas trees decorated with handmade ornaments created by Oklahoma Native tribes 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri through Jan. 13. Red Earth Museum, 6 Santa Fe Plaza, 405-427-5228, redearth.org.

FOOD 4th Friday Holiday Pop-Up Market, food trucks, vendors, live music, and Sterlings Grocery pop-up market, 6-10 p.m. Dec. 23. Delmar Gardens Food Truck Park, 1225 SW Second St., 405-445-9435, delmargardensokc.com. FRI Weekly Farmers Market, shop goods from local producers, bakers and artisans, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. every Saturday. OKC Farmers Public Market, 311 S. Klein Ave., 405-232-6506, okcfarmersmarket.com. SAT

Woolaroc’s Wonderland of Lights, a wonderful holiday tradition returns again this year with the spectacular Wonderland of Lights, 5-9 p.m. through Dec. 23. Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve, 1925 Woolaroc Ranch Road, Bartlesville, 918-336-0307, woolaroc.org.

Brunch/Beer Bust, Sunday Funday wouldn’t be the same without some free grub and cheap beer, 3-7 p.m. Dec. 25. HiLo Club, 1221 NW 50th St., 405-843-1722, www. hilookc.com. SUN

Free Holiday Water Taxi Rides, enjoy a fun-filled float down the beautifully adorned Bricktown canal free of charge, courtesy of the Downtown

Food Trucks at National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, join for food and fun at hosted local food trucks, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 26-31 National

Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. December Wine Down Wednesdays, each Wednesday in December will feature a different Merlot from Washington State, 2 p.m.-12 a.m. Dec. 28. O Bar, 1200 N. Walker Ave., 405-600-6200, obarokc.com. WED

YOUTH Cupcake Wars, fight the clock to create the most delicious, literary inspired cupcakes, 2-3:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Norman Public Library West, 300 Norman Center Ct., Norman, 405-701-2644, pioneerlibrarysystem.org.

WED

Gingerbread House Workshop, houses baked and assembled for you, with at least 30 things to decorate with, 9 a.m., 1 p.m., & 6 p.m. Dec. 21. The Craft Room, 3017 N. Lee Ave., Suite F, 817-4552972, thepaseo.org. WED Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt, explore the library’s shelves full of interesting characters and a tasty gingerbread craft, 2-3:30 p.m. Dec. 22. Almonte Library, 2914 SW 59th St., 405-606-3575, metrolibrary.org. THU Maker Mobile: Laser Cutter, learn how to code and use the machine, registered participants will leave with their own creations in-hand, 2-4 p.m. Dec. 22. Norman Public Library West, 300 Norman Center Ct., Norman, 405-701-2644, pioneerlibrarysystem. org. THU Weird Winter Wonders, four unique days of camp will explore chilling science, go behind the scenes of Science Live, blast off into space, uncover the marvel of dinosaurs and more, 9 a.m-4 p.m. Dec. 22-23 and 29-30. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Pl., 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org.

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New Year’s Eve A l l D Ay C e l e br At ion

NYE CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH 11AM TO 3PM REGULAR MENU 11AM TO 10PM NYE SPECIALS 4PM TO 10 PM NYE MASqUERAdE BALL 10:30 PM $25 AdvAnce | $30 @ dOOr

BourBon St. Cafe RiveRwalk | bRicktown

100 E. California | 232.6666 | bourbonstCafE.Com

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

calendar OKC Thunder Basketball, Thunder vs Timberwolves, 7 p.m. Dec. 25. Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W. Reno Ave., 405-602-8700, chesapeakearena.com. SUN

c a l e n da r

continued from page 35 Electronic Music: Unleash your inner DJ, spend time with the Library’s new Akai MPK Mini MKII boards, learn how to manipulate your musical imagination with the MPC Essentials software, and even write your own songs using the Reaper DAW, 2-3:30 p.m. Dec. 26. Norman Public Library, 225 N. Webster Ave., Norman, 405-701-2600, pioneerlibrarysystem.org. MON

Milk Moms, whether you’re currently breastfeeding or pregnant, back to work or staying home, new to parenthood or a seasoned pro; join us for support, troubleshooting, an evening play date and/or adult conversation. Partners, family, friends and siblings are always welcome, 6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 26. Thrive Mama Collective, 1745 NW 16 St., 405-413-7337, thrivemamacollective.com.

PERFORMING ARTS

The Dinner Detective, an interactive murder mystery dinner show, through January 28. Sheraton Hotel, 1 N. Broadway Ave., 405-235-2780, sheratonokc.com. Cody Woods, comedian, Dec. 21-23. Loony Bin Comedy Club, 8503 N. Rockwell Ave., 405-2394242, loonybincomedy.com. Holiday Carols at Full Circle, hosting a group of talented violin students as they play beloved holiday songs, 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 22. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-8422900, fullcirclebooks.com. THU Acoustic Open Mic Night, family-friendly singers, songwriters, musicians, spoken word, poetry, prose and even comedy, 7-9 p.m. Dec. 22. Michelangelo’s Coffee and Wine Bar, 207 E. Main St, Norman, 405579-3387, michelangeloscoffeeandwine.com. THU HubBub Weekly, featuring Take One Improv, a weekly comedy show, alongside Take One Improv group. Performing rapid-play short-form games, and ends with HubBub performing scenes inspired by audience members’ stories, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 22. District House, 1755 NW 16th St., 405-633-1775, districthouseokc.com. THU Shen Yun 2017, an extraordinary journey through China’s 5,000 years of divine culture, from the origins of civilization to modern day; experience ancient legends and heavenly realms spring to life through classical Chinese dance, 7 p.m. Dec. 22, 2

OKC Blue vs Reno Bighorns, basketball, 7 p.m. Dec. 28. Cox Convention Center, 1 Myriad Gardens, 405-602-8500, coxconventioncenter.com. WED

VISUAL ARTS Art Is A Serious Thing, Peeter Allik and Toomas Kuusing exhibition, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through Jan. 13. Mainsite Contemporary Art, 122 E. Main St., Norman, 405-360-1162, mainsite-art.com.

2017 Family New Year’s Eve Event Just because kids go to bed early doesn’t mean they can’t celebrate New Year’s Eve with the family. Dave & Buster’s 2017 Family New Year’s Eve Event 5-8 p.m. Dec. 31 at the restaurant, 5501 N. May Ave., includes an appetizer buffet, dessert, unlimited soft drinks and a video ball drop. Packages are $32.59-$38.58 per person. An adult celebration runs 9 p.m.-midnight, and those tickets are $53.65-$63.78. Visit daveandbusters.com/oklahoma-city or call 405-254-9900. Dec. 31 Photo bigstock.com

p.m. Dec. 23. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 405-297-2264, okcciviccenter.com. A Territorial Christmas Carol, adapted by Oklahoma playwright, Stephen P. Scott, this version of Charles Dickensâ€™ classic tale of redemption and brotherly love is set in the days of the Oklahoma Land Run, through Dec. 23. Pollard Theatre Company, 120 W. Harrison Ave., Guthrie 405-282-2800, the pollard.org.

Child Labor in Oklahoma: Photographs by Lewis Hine, 1916-1917, exhibit highlighting a collection of 25 powerful photographs taken by Lewis Hine while he was in Oklahoma 100 years ago. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, 405-521-2491, okhistory.org/historycenter. Da Vinci - The Genius, the most comprehensive exploration of Leonardo da Vinci’s work ever created; interactive experience immersing guests in da Vinci’s timeless brilliance through full-scale interpretations of the mastermind’s inventions and unparalleled studies of his iconic art. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2100 NE 52nd St., 405-6026664, sciencemuseumok.org. From Diaghilev to Terekhov and Chouteau, an exhibition of material from the Ballets Russes special collections and archive, through Dec. 30. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 405-325-3272, ou.edu/fjjma. John Hammer: Pop Impressionism, painter John Hammer is inspired by Vincent Van Gogh, Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol. “The subjects of my paintings are immediately recognizable”, he says. “I take the liberty of adding vibrant colors that allow them to pop off the canvas”. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through Dec. 30. Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 110 E. Second St, Tulsa, 918-596-7122, tulsapac.com.

Paseo Art Works Gallery, Edwin Eldridge, sculpture design through Dec. 31. Paseo Art Works Gallery, 3005 Paseo, 405-525-2688, thepaseo.org.

Ambassadors’ Concert Choir, special guests Mitch Brew & The Ambassadors Children’s Choir, 7-10 p.m. Dec. 24. St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 5700 N. Kelley Ave., 405-478-3344, stjohnokc. org. SAT

Rebecca Mannschreck, acrylic paintings, through Dec. 31. 50 Penn Place Gallery, 1900 Northwest Expressway, Suite 113-R , 405-848-5567, 50pennplacegallery.com.

James Johann, comedy hitting upon the universal theme of failure and providing a truthful and hilarious reflection of life as he sees it, Dec. 28-30. Loony Bin Comedy Club, 8503 N. Rockwell Ave., 405-239-4242, loonybincomedy.com.

ACTIVE Winter Solstice Ride 2016, ride bikes at the Draper Bicycle off-road trails, 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 23. Lake Stanley Draper, 8301 SE 104th St., 405-799-0870, okc.gov/lakes. FRI

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day at The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City The late-night parties get all the attention, but The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City has events planned for the morning after, too. On Dec. 31, the hotel’s Park Avenue Grill serves the pre-game Thunder crowd a $35, three-course Prelude to Victory prix fixe menu 5-7 p.m. at the restaurant, 1 Park Ave., and a $75 four-course menu 7-11 p.m. with live entertainment across the lobby in Red Piano Bar. Reservations are required. Jan. 1, Park Avenue Grill serves a breakfast buffet 7-10:30 a.m. and a $30 New Year’s Brunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Visit skirvinhilton.com or call 405-702-8444. Dec. 31-Jan.1 Photo Jeremy Charles / Skirvin Hilton Hotel provided

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

Beginner’s Yoga, lead by a certified YMCA instructor, wear comfortable clothing and please bring a yoga mat or towel. Yoga is a low-impact activity designed to increase flexibility, balance, and coordination with poses. 6-7 p.m. Dec. 26. Moore Public Library, 225 S. Howard Ave., Moore, 405-793-5100, pioneerlibrarysystem.org. MON Family Skate Night, package includes: admission, skate rental, pizza, and drinks for up to 5 family members, 6 p.m. Dec. 28. Skate Galaxy, 5800 NW 36th St., 405-605-2758, skategalaxyokc.com. WED Devon Ice Rink, ice skating, through Jan. 29. Devon Ice Rink, 100 N. Robinson Ave., 405-235-3500, downtownindecember.com. Edmond Ice Skating Rink, enjoy ice skating under the open skies, through Dec. 31. Mitch Park, 1501 W. Covell Road, Edmond, 405-359-4630, edmondok. com/parks. OSU Men’s Basketball, OSU vs Texas A&M: Corpus christi, 12 p.m. Dec. 22. Gallagher-Iba Arena, W. Hall of Fame Ave., Stillwater, 877-255-4678, okstate.com. THU

Photo bigstock.com

Off the Beaten Path, a photo documented joint art exhibit by Scott and Katie Henderson; tour many of the state’s unusual, intriguing and lesserknown areas, through May 4. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Pl., 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org.

The Golden Girls Christmas Live!, a funny and loving parody tribute to your favorite sitcom senior citizens, 8 p.m. Dec. 22-23. The Boom, 2218 NW 39th St., 405-601-7200, theboomokc.com. FRI

Lyric’s A Christmas Carol, go on a magical journey with Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, through Dec. 24. Lyric Theatre, 1727 NW 16th St., 405-524-9312, lyrictheatreokc.com.

Remington Park’s New Year’s Eve Big Cash Bash If 2016 wasn’t the best year, maybe you’re due some good fortune in 2017. Test your luck Dec. 31 at Remington Park, where there will be $500 cash drawings every 30 minutes until 11:30 p.m. After midnight, cash drawings increase to $2,017. Motown Soul Revue and 411 provide live music. The evening begins 6 p.m. Dec. 31 at Remington Park Racing & Casino, 1 Remington Place. Admission is free. Guests receive free party favors beginning at 8 p.m. Visit remingtonpark.com or call 405-424-1000. Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve Party at Lumpy’s Sports Grill Lumpy’s Sports Grill offers patrons a couple alternatives to car- and crowd-filled downtown festivities with its New Year’s Eve Party 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31 at both Lumpy’s locations, 12325 N. May Ave. and 5909 Northwest Expressway. The May Avenue event features live music from Signal 88, a best dressed contest and a champagne toast at midnight. On Northwest Expressway, the party features live music from 737, door prizes and a midnight champagne toast. Admission is free. Visit lumpyssportsgrill.com or call 405728-7000. Dec. 31 Photo Gazette / file

Lu Beard and Beth Hammack, celebrating over 25 years in business, displaying oils, acrylics, mixed media, handmade jewelry and photography, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. through Dec. The Studio Gallery, 2642 W. Britton Road, 405-752-2642, thestudiogallery. org. Melvin Edwards: In Oklahoma, a pioneer in the history of contemporary African-American art and sculpture returns for his first solo exhibition in Oklahoma in the last 25 years; Edwards creates new, site-specific complex welded sculptures from chains, tools and steel found in Oklahoma scrapyards along with works from his noted Lynch Fragments series, through Dec. 27. Oklahoma Contemporary, 3000 General Pershing Blvd., 405951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org.

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The Complete WPA Collection, the museum’s Works Progress Administration collection features a large proportion of rural American landscapes and depictions of labor, infrastructure and industrial development. All are figurative, as was favored by the WPA, and there are significant representations of female and foreign-born artists in the museum’s holdings, through July 2. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com.

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

For okg live music

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MUSIC Jarvix aka Evan Jarvicks | Photo Chris J. Zähller / provided

Jarvix 10 p.m. Dec. 29 The Deli 309 White St., Norman facebook.com/jarvixschmarvix 405-329-3534 $5

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Creative movement

Musician Evan Jarvicks makes a big noise with a tiny, four-stringed guitar and an abundance of passion. By Ben Luschen

Those who see live acoustic performances or open mics in the metropolitan area have likely at least crossed paths with Evan Jarvicks, a local songwriter and ukulele player who regularly defies the impression many have of the instrument. The small lute is usually associated with swing time, jazzy or Hawaiian strumming without much depth. Jarvicks, whose birth name is Steven Hardin, performs and records under the stylized name Jarvix and uses a loop pedal in his live sets for in-themoment sampling and playback often enhanced by sounds from a personal collection of items and knick-knacks not necessarily considered artful or even musical. His creativity draws intriguing, cerebral sounds from egg shakers, Slinky-like toys, paper, whoopee cushions, bells, tambourines and more. In this company, the ukulele’s peculiarity is appropriate. “It’s fun to mine everything you can out of an instrument that nobody has any expectations of,” he said. The small, guitarlike instrument will be

prominently featured in his $5 show 10 p.m. Dec. 29 at The Deli, 309 White St., in Norman. Guests must be at least 21 years old to attend. Jarvicks actively supports the local arts and music scenes in part because his current endeavors were inspired by community shows and art. “If it weren’t for the scene, I would not be anything that I am now,” he said. He is a self-described late bloomer because he committed to his music career in his mid-20s. He grew up without much exposure to anything happening within his own state and played French horn in school band, but that was the extent of his playing career before he picked up the ukulele. His brother Michael was a fan of experimental rock band of Montreal. When the group was named a Norman Music Festival headliner in 2009, Michael attended and had a good enough time that he invited his brother to attend the next year. The festival broadened Jarvicks’ view of a local scene he knew little about. After

that, he started attending local shows at Norman’s Opolis music venue before eventually discovering The Spy KOSU (91.7 FM) and, in turn, the local NPR station’s Oklahoma Rock Show. Jarvicks felt compelled to create. He tried learning piano but quickly become impatient. He wanted to make music right away. One day in 2011, he found a cheap ukulele at a music store and immediately fell in love with its sound and how easy it was to pick up and play. He began writing songs and posting music anonymously to the internet as he worked up the courage to perform at open mic events around the city. His influences and experiences snowballed into the experimental and quirky sounds of Jarvix. “I never thought [making music] was viable or feasible because … I don’t own a guitar and I haven’t been practicing in my bedroom for eight hours a day like some of these guys do,” he said. As Jarvicks began releasing original music, he realized he needed a new handle. He did not want to use his birth name because, one, there already were plenty of Steven Hardins around (including Oklahoma songwriter and musician Steve Hardin). He also felt a little insecure, and it helped to start with a blank slate. “With music, I felt a need to create a new identity, in a sense,” he said. “And from a branding perspective, I think that’s certainly part of it. I think Jarvix is a much more interesting name.” Most people never realize Jarvicks is

a pseudonym. He just doesn’t like to talk about himself. “I kind of do a weird double-life thing,” he said. “But it works really well for me.” Jarvicks released two EPs this year, and the two projects couldn’t be more different. In March, he put out the 130 BPM EP, an automated, tongue-in-cheek critique of Top 40 radio that featured no ukulele whatsoever. In September, he released the far more serious As You Are: The Looper Sessions, a raw collection of longer, more meaningful songs, each recorded in one take, with no edits. On the EP, Jarvicks explores loneliness and self-acceptance. Moving on, Jarvicks is focusing on what he calls “Jarvix 3.0.” His first incarnation was him and the ukulele. Later, he added the loop pedal and his trademark creativity. Now, he wants to improve and expand his live show, which includes upgrading his equipment. He also wants to book better shows and increase his crowd interaction. In recent months, Jarvicks has played gigs at Power House and Norman’s The Deli. “I’m trying to get a good feel for what my live presence is going to be before I delve into any new material,” he said. Jarvicks has quickly created a local niche for himself by creating music in truly original ways. He said everyone, regardless of age, should follow their dreams. “There’s no better time,” he said. Visit jarvix.bandcamp.com.

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f e at u r e

MUSIC

Feeling blues

Drummer Walter Taylor III uses the Blu Fonk movement to resurrect the thrill of a fading genre. By Ben Luschen

On a warm evening overlooking the city skyline, an out-of-towner from New York asked Walter Taylor III, on break from drumming a jazz set on the Oklahoma City Museum of Art rooftop terrace, where he could find a jazz club in town. Taylor, an Oklahoma City-born musician who first played in a jazz club in the 1960s, had no answer. There are places that sometimes play jazz, he said. But few, if any, options exist for jazz or blues joints geared exclusively toward the American genre. Even Edmond’s University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Lab is not exclusively jazz, Taylor said. Blu Fonk is one of Taylor’s many efforts to revitalize blues in Oklahoma City and beyond. Not as much of a band as it is a movement, Blu Fonk is the umbrella label Taylor applies to the multiple musicians he occasionally gathers for blues showcases across the city. “We’re just trying to start a movement here that hasn’t been started, because in our community, the blues no longer exists

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

like it used to,” he said. The 60-year-old, multigenre drummer, bassist and music revivalist said local and national clubs and dancehalls started dying out after they faced competition from other night entertainment options like casinos. How people consumed music changed, too. Organic, live music gave way to overdubbed musicians and DJs. In the transition, Taylor said music lost some of the fun coming from the less predictable and polished jazz or blues genres. “I like spontaneity,” he said. “I like for it to be not so rehearsed sometimes, because you can hear some of the best music when it happens like that.” Taylor said his music experience began at a young age. He played drums at age 11, and his bass-playing stepfather, Ashley Monroe Taylor Jr., brought 13-year-old Taylor along for his first club gig. He wasn’t old enough to be there, so whenever the band took a break from playing, he waited outside. Taylor, who spent his youth in Kansas City before moving back to Oklahoma,

eventually tired of playing jazz and blues and wanted to move on to other genres. He returned to his roots later in life when he realized his deep personal history with jazz and blues and their underlying connection to spirituality.

‘We’ll take it’

Blu Fonk was born in 2014 as an entrant into the International Blues Challenge music competition. Taylor’s band included members “Sir” James Walker Sr. (guitar and lead vocals), Larry Banks (saxophone), Danny White (harmonica and vocals) and Vernon King (bass). They advanced into the finals in Memphis, Tennessee. He has gathered musicians to compete every year since. “I don’t go in there to win; I go in to play the best that we can play,” he said. “If we

Oklahoma-born multigenre drummer Walter Taylor III began playing blues and jazz as a teenager. | Photo Garett Fisbeck

win, we’ll take it.” Beyond competition, Taylor also helps organize occasional Blu Fonk showcases around the city. The most recent show was in November in front of a large audience at Bistro 46 Restaurant & Grille. Taylor is planning his next one for sometime in the spring. He said bringing blues back is an important mission to him because he recognizes it as the groundwork of a larger culture and the countless genres that sprang from it. “I saw how personal it was, how spiritual it was ...,” he said. “When you get deep into the authentic blues, that’s where you really see it happen.” Visit facebook.com/blufonkrealokblues.

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Hush Hush Commotion | Photo provided

Joyful noise

Hush Hush Commotion reunites bandmates and fans for a pre-Christmas show and a gift of new music. By Lauren Dow

Holiday homecomings are standard in the metro. Oklahoma City indie act Hush Hush Commotion is no exception. The group disbanded in 2011, and the 10:30 p.m. Friday show at 51st St. Speakeasy, 1114 NW 51st St., is its first performance since the split. Hush Hush Commotion reunites for one night in what guitarist Andy Adamson Chris Lusk described as “a cool callback” to the music they loved to perform and metro music week recording in Nashville, Tennessee, fans loved to hear. where Adamson lives. Hush Hush Commotion vocalist Scott Michael said the band never truly broke “This band was always a unique situaup. tion because everyone always says they’re “We all agreed that our approach to the in a band with their best friends,” music industry was doomed to fail,” Adamson said. “And as cheesy or corny as Michael said. “We ultimately decided to it is, that really was the case with us — no pursue those options and most of the band one in the band had animosity; we were moved to different parts of the country to always friends.” do that.” He said the group wants to do a fun Adamson said the guys maintained show without taking themselves too seritheir friendships in the wake of the split. ously. Adamson and Michael said the show Over the past five years, the opportuis an opportunity for the band and fans to nity to play music together was rare, but reconnect while they’re in town for the creating music was something they all holidays. continued to enjoy and do when they did Michael said they strategically chose get together. That evolved into spending a the night before Christmas Eve because weekend together at a recording studio in most people — the band and fans alike 2014; Adamson said they worked on new — would be home for the holidays. material that eventually morphed into “The mix of nostalgia and timing were Hush Hush’s latest release, “Keep Up.” too perfect,” Lusk said. Hush Hush Commotion will perform “You couldn’t have wiped the smiles most of their fan favorites off our faces that day,” said keyboardist and guitarist and a few new songs. Adamson said listeners Chris Lusk. “It was a blast. Hush Hush Sure, it was also a total can expect the same sense Commotion mess — we were sloppy and of energy and fun that with Forum were probably pretty bad became the band’s tradeat playing music that day mark. 10 p.m. Friday Forum opens the show — but it was electric.” 51st St. Speakeasy The song came to frui10 p.m. Friday. Hush Hush 1114 NW 51st St. tion over the next year, and Commotion takes the 51stspeakeasy.com utilizing iPhone technolstage around 10:45 p.m. Free ogy, the band brought the 21+ song to reality, spending a

You couldn’t have wiped the smiles off our faces that day.

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

BAKER STREET PUB & GRILL NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH DECEMBER 31

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

WEDNESDAY, 12.21 Jessica Hicks, Oklahoma Foundation for the Disabled. VARIOUS Krampus Xmas Metal Party, Your Mom’s Place. ROCK Maurice Johnson, The R&J Lounge and Supper Club. JAZZ The Friends No BS Jam, Friends Restaurant & Club. VARIOUS

THURSDAY, 12.22 Dave Thomason Band, Grady’s 66 Pub, Yukon. ROCK

PARTY FAVORS

DJ Ku Rx, Coyote Ugly Saloon. DJ Evin Brady, Wormy Dog Saloon. BLUES Infected Mushroom/Gurt/Travis Traps/ Dropshop, OKC Farmers Public Market. DJ

MIDNIGHT CHAMPAGNE TOAST LIVE MUSIC BY

VOODOO

Jam Session/The Garage Band, Bourbon Street Bar. BLUES

Stealing Saturn Rock into the new year with Stealing Saturn, an Oklahoma City-based quartet covering a wide range of rock styles. The show begins 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at Oklahoma City Limits, 4801 S. Eastern Ave. A champagne toast happens at midnight. Party favors are provided. Admission is $10. Visit oclimits.com or call 405-619-3939. Dec. 31

Photo Stealing Saturn / provided

Smooth and Soulful Sax and Axe, Jazmo’z Bourbon St. Cafe. JAZZ

Jam Session, Ghost Riders Saloon. VARIOUS

Steve Crossley Solo, Margarita Island. VARIOUS

The Direct Connect Band, Elmer’s Uptown. R&B

FRIDAY, 12.23

MONDAY, 12.26

Afistaface, Soundpony Bar, Tulsa. DJ Belle Isle’s Sweater Holiday Jam with Equilibrium, Belle Isle Restaurant & Brewery. JAZZ

Metal Jam/Comin Up Zero, Bourbon Street Bar.

ROCK

Steve Parnell, Bourbon Street Bar. ROCK Thomas Cherry, Robinson Renaissance. VARIETY

David Wayne Broyles, Mooney’s, Norman. COUNTRY

TUESDAY, 12.27

Dwight Twilley, The Shrine, Tulsa. ACOUSTIC

Greg Northwood, Oklahoma Tower. ACOUSTIC

Hosty Christmas Show, with your host, Mike Hosty, 10 p.m. Dec. 23. VZD’s Restaurant & Club, 4200 N. Western Ave., 405-602-3006, vzds. com. FRI

Jam Session/Austin and Marie Nail, Bourbon Street Bar. BLUES

Jade Castle, Noir Bistro & Bar. SINGER-SONGWRITER

Jamie Bramble, Full Circle Bookstore. ACOUSTIC Jason Young Band, Riverwind Casino, Norman. COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, 12.28 Jamie Bramble, Oklahoma City Museum of Art. ACOUSTIC

Scott Lowber/Will Galbraith/Ed VanBuskirk, Friends Restaurant & Club. COVER The Soulmen, Bourbon Street Bar. R&B

JL Jones, Bourbon Street Bar. ROCK John Moreland, The Vanguard, Tulsa. FOLK

Nicnōs, Grady’s 66 Pub, Yukon. ROCK Rev Jones, Oklahoma City Limits. ROCK Rick Jawnsun, Jazmo’z Bourbon St. Cafe. VARIOUS

Scott Keeton, Remington Park. ROCK Softaware/Gum/Masterhand/LCG & The X, Blue Note Lounge. VARIOUS Souled Out, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. VARIOUS The Chad Todd Band, Mooney’s, Norman. COUNTRY

Uncle Freddy, Oklahoma City Limits. ROCK

Blake Parks | Photo provided

SATURDAY, 12.24 Andy Adams, Noir Bistro &Bar. FOLK

MotherDuck, Bourbon Street Bar. ROCK The 411 Band, Riverwind Casino, Norman. VARIOUS

2701 W. Memorial 405.751.1547 bakerstreetpub.com 40

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

SUNDAY, 12.25 Blake Lankford, JJ’s Alley. COUNTRY

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

go to okgazette.com for full listings!

free will astrology Homework: Send me predictions for your life in 2017. Where are you headed? Go to RealAstrology.com; click on “Email Rob.” ARIES (March 21-April 19) NPR’s Scott Simon interviewed jazz pianist and songwriter Robert Glasper, who has created nine albums, won a Grammy, and collaborated with a range of great musicians. Simon asked him if he had any frustrations -- “grand ambitions” that people discouraged him from pursuing. Glasper said yes. He’d really like to compose and sing hip-hop rhymes. But his bandmates just won’t go along with him when he tries that stuff. I hope that Glasper, who’s an Aries, will read this horoscope and take heart from what I’m about to predict: In 2017, you may finally get a “Yes!” from people who have previously said “No!” to your grand ambitions. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Humans have drunk

hot tea for over two millennia. Chinese emperors were enjoying it as far back as the second century B.C. And yet it wasn’t until the 20th century that anyone dreamed up the idea of enclosing tea leaves in convenient one-serving bags to be efficiently brewed. I foresee you either generating or stumbling upon comparable breakthroughs in 2017, Taurus. Longrunning traditions or customs will undergo simple but dramatic transformations that streamline your life.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) “What you do is what

counts and not what you had the intention of doing,” said Pablo Picasso. If I had to choose a single piece of advice to serve as your steady flame in 2017, it might be that quote. If you agree, I invite you to conduct this experiment: On the first day of each month, take a piece of paper and write down three key promises you’re making to yourself. Add a brief analysis of how well you have lived up to those promises in the previous four weeks. Then describe in strong language how you plan to better fulfill those promises in the coming four weeks.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) During the campaign for U.S. President in 1896, Democratic candidate

By Rob Brezsny

William Jennings Bryan traveled 18,000 miles as he made speeches all over the country. But the Republican candidate, William McKinley, never left his hometown of Canton, Ohio. He urged people to visit him if they wanted to hear what he had to say. The strategy worked. The speeches he delivered from the front porch of his house drew 750,000 attendees and played an important role in his election. I recommend a comparable approach for you in the coming months, Cancerian. Invoke all your attractive power as you invite interested parties to come see you and deal with you on your home turf.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) “Poetry is a way of knowledge,

but most poetry tells us what we already know,” writes poet Charles Simic. I would say the same thing about a lot of art, theater, film, music, and fiction: Too often it presents well-crafted repetitions of ideas we have heard before. In my astrological opinion, Leo, 2017 will be a time when you’ll need to rebel against that limitation. You will thrive by searching for sources that provide you with novel information and unique understandings. Simic says: “The poem I want to write is impossible: a stone that floats.” I say: Be on the lookout for stones that float.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) *The Economist*

magazine reports that if someone wanted to transport $10 million in bills, he or she would have to use eight briefcases. Sadly, after evaluating your astrological omens for 2017, I’ve determined that you won’t ever have a need for that many. If you find yourself in a situation where you must carry bundles of money from one place to another, one suitcase will always be sufficient. But I also want to note that a sizable stash of cash can fit into a single suitcase. And it’s not out of the question that such a scenario could transpire for you in the coming months. In fact, I foresee a better chance for you to get richer quicker than I’ve seen in years.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) For a bald eagle in flight,

feathers are crucial in maintaining balance. If it inadvertently loses a feather on one wing, it will

purposely shed a comparable feather on the other wing. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, this strategy has metaphorical meaning for your life in 2017. Do you want to soar with maximum grace and power? Would you like to ascend and dive, explore and scout, with ease and exuberance? Learn from the eagle’s instinctual wisdom.

shells, which he didn’t actually write, but merely translated and edited. If I’m reading the astrological omens correctly, 2017 will bring events to help ensure that your fate is different from Poe’s. I see the coming months as a time when your best talents will be seen and appreciated better than ever before.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) In August 2012, a group

a life that I don’t need a vacation from,” says motivational author Rob Hill Sr. That’s an implausible dream for most people. But in 2017, it will be less implausible than it has ever been for you Aquarians. I don’t guarantee that it will happen. But there is a decent chance you’ll build a robust foundation for it, and thereby give yourself a head start that enables you to accomplish it by 2019. Here’s a tip on how to arouse and cultivate your motivation: Set an intention to drum up and seek out benevolent “shocks” that expand your concepts of who you are and what your life is about.

of tourists visited the Eldgja volcanic region in Iceland. After a while, they noticed that a fellow traveler was missing. Guides organized a search party, which worked well into the night trying to track down the lost woman. At 3 a.m., one of the searchers suddenly realized that she herself was the missing person everyone was looking for. The misunderstanding had occurred many hours earlier because she had slipped away to change her clothes, and no one recognized her in her new garb. This is a good teaching story for you to meditate on in 2017, Scorpio. I’d love to see you change so much that you’re almost unrecognizable. And I’d love to see you help people go searching for the new you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) In 2017, you will

be at the peak of your ability to forge new alliances and deepen existing alliances. You’ll have a sixth sense for cultivating professional connections that can serve your noble ambitions for years to come. I encourage you to be alert for new possibilities that might be both useful for your career and invigorating for your social life. The words “work” and “fun” will belong together! To achieve the best results, formulate a clear vision of the community and support system you want.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Capricorn writer

Edgar Allan Poe has been an important cultural influence. His work appears on many “must-read” lists of 19th-century American literature. But during the time he was alive, his best-selling book was not his famous poem “The Raven,” nor his short story “The Gold-Bug,” nor his novel *The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket.* Rather, it was *The Conchologist’s First Book,* a textbook about mollusk

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) “My goal is to create

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) The birds known as

winter wrens live in the Puget Sound area of Washington. They weigh barely half an ounce, and their plain brown coloring makes their appearance unremarkable. Yet they are the avian equivalents of the opera star Pavarotti. If they weighed as much as roosters, their call would be ten times as strong as the rooster’s cock-a-doodle-doo. Their melodies are rich and complex; one song may have more than 300 notes. When in peak form, the birds can unleash cascades at the rate of 36 notes per second. I propose that we make the winter wren your spirit animal in 2017, Pisces. To a casual observer, you may not look like you can generate so much virtuosity and lyrical power. But according to my analysis, you can.

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 | d e c e m b e r 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

puzzles New York Times Magazine Crossword Puzzle Retronyms By Tom McCoy | Edited by Will Shortz | 1218 ACROSS 1 “The cauldron of Democracy” 8 Leaving word 13 Figure skater Cohen 18 Opponents of the Protestant Reformation 19 Pickup truck’s capacity, maybe 20 Common word in insurance company names 21 Dialect that was called 22-Across before the age of colonialism 23 Giving heat? 24 Share 25 Dummy symbols in ciphers 26 Fever fit 28 ____ point 29 “Fernando” band 31 Stops 33 System that was called 34-Across before the Internet 35 Concept that was called 36-Across before research into the square root of negatives 37 Airport figs. 38 PBS’ ____ Can Cook 39 Small newt 40 Coins that pay for passage over the River Styx 41 Believes (in) 43 Gridiron gains: Abbr. 45 Terrier carrier 47 ____ splints (runner’s ailment) 48 Machinelike 51 Cackle from a greedy person 52 Food that was called 53-Across before Twizzlers and the like 54 Skimobile, informally 55 “Tell me how you really feel!” 57 Gross 58 Squeeze (out) 59 Symbol for density 62 Cinnamon candies 65 Personal datum: Abbr. 67 Jackson 5 No. 1 hit 70 Against 72 WWII danger 74 Source of the saying “It is more blessed to give than to receive” 78 Fastener that was called 80-Across before a rounded design was implemented 82 Dancer Duncan 85 Belonging to the highest level

86 Part of the names of four state capitals 87 Escapes 88 Whoop 89 Rids of vermin, in a way 91 Peddler’s stock 92 Quaint contraction 93 Nickname of a Game of Thrones dwarf, with “the” 95 Realtor’s goal 96 Entertainment category that was called 97-Across before talkies 98 Object that was called 100-Across before electronic documents 101 “Good enough” 102 ____ dixit 103 Part of Dixie: Abbr. 104 Ages and ages 105 Something you might have a gut feeling about? 106 Painter Jean 107 Horror and mystery 109 Activity that was called 111-Across before pesticides 115 Degree 116 Not belonging to anybody 117 Property recipient 118 Aids in filing 119 Main points 120 “Oh, jeez!” DOWN 1 Police broadcast, for short 2 Disfigure 3 Climax of many a fantasy novel 4 Mass, e.g. 5 Doubter’s question 6 Small monetary amts. 7 Light-colored wood 8 Rod user 9 Apple alternatives 10 Reply to 5-Down 11 “Rosy-fingered” Greek goddess 12 Releases, dramatically 13 Without a doubt 14 Something to bank on 15 Look for business? 16 Site of the infamous Hoa Lo Prison 17 ____ bloom (result of fertilizer pollution) 19 Burdens

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Accounts receivable Karen Holmes Digital Media & Calendar Coordinator Aubrey Jernigan Advertising Director Christy Duane, cduane@okgazette.com

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83 Court reporter, e.g. 84 Helper: Abbr. 87 Caesar’s Commentaries on the ____ War 90 “The Real Slim Shady,” for one 91 Actor Bruce 94 Primps 96 “Brown Sugar” band, with “the” 97 Not as lax 98 Vibrating device 99 Siri : iPhone :: ____ : Amazon Echo 100 Go for 101 “____ even” 105 I’s 106 “O mio babbino caro,” for one 108 Be an agent (for) 110 Charles, par exemple 111 Ice Bucket Challenge, for one 112 Quaff in Middle-earth 113 Opposite of paleo114 Goal for some dropouts, for short

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Puzzle No. 1211, which appeared in the December 14 issue.

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New York Times Crossword Puzzle answers F L O G

Marketing Manager Kelsey Lowe Accounting/HR Manager Marian Harrison

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20 Home of Haleakala National Park 22 Empower 27 Stomach-related 29 South American corn cakes 30 Happened to 31 Mark of success in business? 32 Portrays feelings 33 Was horrible 34 Onetime title for Bernie Sanders 36 “Me neither” 37 Former attorney general Holder 41 “Oof!” 42 They go about two feet 44 Ailing 46 Spock’s rank: Abbr. 47 Declined 49 Target demographic for Hot Wheels 50 Bee follower

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