King of cups

OKC’S NUMBER

FRIDAYS IN AUGUST 7 PM-MIDNIGHT CELEBRATE OUR 13TH WINNIVERSARY WITH A CHANCE AT A SHARE OF $225,000 IN CASH AND BONUS PLAY INCLUDING TWO CARS!

13X ENTRIES SATURDAYS, SATURDAYS SUNDAYS AND MONDAYS

COMING SOON:

KANSAS

AUG

30

COOP CONCERT SERIES: AARON LEWIS - SEPTEMBER 13 BUDDY GUY - SEPTEMBER 20 DAVID FEHERTY - SEPTEMBER 21 COOP CONCERT SERIES: JOSH ABBOTT BAND - OCTOBER 04 JOSH TURNER - OCTOBER 25 RON WHITE - NOVEMBER 01 JAMEY JOHNSON - NOVEMBER 02 JIM GAFFIGAN - NOVEMBER 15 THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND - DECEMBER 13 GARY ALLAN - DECEMBER 31

JOHN ANDERSON

SEP

06 405.322.6000 • WWW.RIVERWIND.COM I-35 AT HIGHWAY 9 WEST, NORMAN, OK GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY 1.800.522.4700

2 A U G U S T 2 8August , 2 0 1 9 Combo | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M VR2.indd 1 UNI_19-CGR-108 NP_9-25x12-25

8/8/19 8:43 AM

INSIDE COVER P.42 Thousands of people turned out for

the first Oklahoma High Times Cannabis Cup at Lost Lakes Entertainment Complex over the weekend and were greeted with long lines and lack of food and water on Saturday, but attendees on Sunday had a much smoother time while watching a new class of cannabis royalty be crowned in the state.

By Matt Dinger Cover by Phillip Danner

NEWS CITY jail trust votes to hire jail administrator 6 CITY old city jail struck from demolition resolution 8 CITY MAPS 4 package vote 10 STATE Carnegie Farmers Bank update 4

12 CHICKEN-FRIED NEWS

14 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

EAT & DRINK

oct 4th 8pm

$ 35

15 REVIEW Pizza Planet

16 FEATURE Flower Child

18 FEATURE Mexican Radio

21 FEATURE John Bennett memorial 22 GAZEDIBLES mushrooms

ARTS & CULTURE 25 THEATER Every Brilliant Thing at

CitySpace Theatre

26 THEATER Frost/Nixon at Lyric at

the Plaza 29 BOOKS Oklahoma City Radio 30 Best of OKC winners and finalists 32 OKG LIFESTYLE Lauren Zuniga and Ryan LaCroix 34 CALENDAR

MUSIC 39 EVENT The Mavericks at Tower

Theatre

40 FEATURE Limp Wizurdz new

album Circles 41 LIVE MUSIC

THE HIGH CULTURE 42 COVER Oklahoma Cannabis Cup 50 CANNABIS

recipe

infused marshmallow

56 CANNABIS The Toke Board 56 CANNABIS strain review

COMING SOON

october 25-27

native ink tattoo festival

FUN 57 ASTROLOGY

58 PUZZLES sudoku | crossword

OKG Classifieds 59

GRANDBOXOFFICE.COM

I-40 EXIT 178 | SHAWNEE, OK | 405-964-7263 O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

3

NEWS

CIT Y

Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority voted to create a jail administrator position that will replace the sheriff as the jail’s operator. | Photo Gazette/file

Jail operations

The Oklahoma County jail trust decided an outside jail administrator should operate the jail. By Miguel Rios

Oklahoma County jail will no longer be operated by the sheriff. While still in the initial stages, Oklahoma Criminal Justice Authority (jail trust) is moving forward with the process to hire an outside jail administrator to take over the operations of the jail.

There is no concrete timeline yet for the application or interview processes and no details regarding salary, but a job description is expected to be presented Sept. 9. Kevin Calvey, county commissioner and trustee, also suggested they aim to hire an administrator sometime in November.

“The Authority hereby states that it will operate the Oklahoma County Detention Center by engagement of a jail administrator, to begin on a date determined in the future by the Authority,” reads the Aug. 19 resolution that passed 6-2 — trustee Todd Lamb was absent for the vote.

At an earlier jail trust planning session, the nine trustees discussed three options: retain the sheriff as the operator, hire a private company or hire an outside administrator.

Meeting discussion

Sheriff P.D. Taylor, a longtime critic of letting an outsider run the jail, voted against the resolution. During the meeting, he said he has been told by various leaders that his department is doing a “great job” considering the lack of funding it receives.

“I’m, of course, opposed to that motion,” Taylor said at the meeting.

“I’ve sat here for weeks and watched people line people up here to discredit the sheriff and my employees. I hear a lot of criticism with no solutions. I think 4

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

you all are really premature in going that route to hire a jail administrator when I’m not sure we’re ready or have the knowledge to operate a jail of this size. Hopefully this decision was not made before these meetings started. I hope you’re making your decision based on good faith.”

The trust is now here, the administrator [position] is now here, so it’s just a matter of transitioning.

Mark Myers Trustee M.T. Berry also voted against the resolution. He said he felt the trust was moving too quickly and took issue with the wording, saying it made two decisions: one to hire a jail administrator and one to operate the jail.

“While I don’t have a problem with hiring a jail administrator, there are some other options for the way the county jail would be operated,” he said.

“One, for instance, could be that the jail administrator would work for us with the sheriff to manage that jail.”

Calvey said the decision is not premature and the resolution is not perpetual. He said the trust could always make a different vote in the future.

“To me, it is not a hasty decision by anybody; it’s something that citizens have been asking for quite sometime,” he said. “I do think we need to press forward.”

During the meeting, trustee Frances Ekwerekwu requested the resolution

be read aloud, but trustee chairwoman Tricia Everest said they did not have a copy. Counsel John Michael Williams then passed out copies.

The agenda item, while similar to the resolution, did not include the full language. Some of the trustees and none of the community members in attendance had seen the resolution before the meeting. However, Williams said there was no legal issue with voting on the resolution.

“Maybe I missed it, but I didn’t see the resolution until today,” Ekwerekwu said. “Maybe it causes pause, but personally, I’m in a place where I think that the change is honest. And we need to make decisions that will improve matters for the inmates at the jail, the staff at the jail, the public, all of us involved in this whole system.”

Several attorneys with years of experience working in the public defender’s office advocated for an outside jail administrator to fix the jail’s poor conditions. They said the ongoing issues with the jails need to be fixed and believed an outside administrator could more readily address them. They cited their client’s issues with medical care, hygiene, security, access to visitation and other poor conditions.

Concerns

In an interview with Oklahoma Gazette, Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Mark Myers said Taylor’s main issue is with funding.

“The county’s budget is set for the detention center, so where’s that additional funding coming from?” Myers said. “And then, when that person comes in here, they still have the same amount of money the sheriff had. So where are the improvement costs going to be? How are improvements going to be made?”

The creation of the jail administrator position, Myers said, means the jail’s 67 Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) certified officers would lose their commission. Those of-

ficers investigate crimes, transport inmates and stay with inmates when they have to be taken to the hospital.

“When an administrator is over them, they will all lose their commission and no longer be police officers because they cannot be commissioned under a jail administrator. Those people are experienced, knowledgeable folks,” he said. “Between the sheriff’s office and the detention center, there are a lot of shared roles. The law enforcement officers who investigate crimes back there, which are about a 100 a month, they’re on track to investigate 1300 incidents this year. When they lose their commission, who’s going to investigate that?”

Myers said employee morale has fallen due to uncertainty and unanswered questions.

“People just don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said. “All these questions in the air and all the unknown make people feel horrible, and they’re leaving. … We have a 60 percent turnover with detention officers normally, but now what we’re finding is that our seasoned and veteran — our knowledgeable folks — because of all the uncertainty are walking out the door.”

Taylor is not opposed to having a jail trust, but Myers said he would prefer to maintain operations of the jail and work with the trust.

“That’s similar to what happens in Tulsa County. The trust has the purse strings, but the sheriff operates the jail,” Myers said. “It would provide for the employees a certain level of security and answer a few of the unknown questions. … He’s always wished that the county officials would’ve all just sat down and tried to figure out a direction and a way of working together to address the needs of the jail, but obviously, we’re way beyond that. And the trust is now here, the administrator [position] is now here, so it’s just a matter of transitioning.”

left Sheriff P.D. Taylor said the decision to hire an outside administrator is premature. right Kevin Calvey, county commissioner and trustee, said the decision was a long time coming. | Photos Miguel Rios

THANK YOU FO R VOT I NG US

#1

BEST NON-PROFIT BEST PLACE TO VOLUNTEER

SUPPORT LOCAL FOOD EVERY SATURDAY

9AM-NOON THROUGH OCT ..................

ACCEPTED

sponsored by

UNI_19-RP-162_Lucky Number.indd 1

5 8/23/19 4:05 PM

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

CIT Y

NEWS

Building’s fate

Applications to demolish the old police headquarters and former municipal court move forward, but the old city jail’s future is still up in the air. By Miguel Rios

The old city jail was saved from demolition for now, but there are no concrete plans to move forward with redevelopment.

The resolution to apply for demolition was deferred four times before a decision was made. It was first discussed June 4 and then every two weeks until Aug. 13, with councilmembers disagreeing on the value of saving the building, which would have been demolished to make way for surface parking.

The original resolution was to apply for demolition of the old city jail, the old police headquarters and the old municipal court building. The resolution states that the buildings are “in such condition that demolition of the three structures is the best course of action and would allow for the development of much needed parking around the public safety campus.” Demolition of the three buildings would have provided 166 additional parking spots, which the resolution said are critically needed in the area to support the five buildings nearby.

However, on Aug. 13, Ward 6 councilwoman JoBeth Hamon said she wanted to remove the jail from the resolution and move forward with the demolition application for the two other buildings.

“I’m still very interested in striking that item from that resolution and just moving forward with the other two buildings to demolish them,” Hamon said. “I think that we can be creative

of us losing historical old buildings.”

Marva Ellard, the developer interested in rehabilitating the jail, attended several meetings to continue the discussions. She has been working with Brent Bryant, finance director and economic development program manager, to find a solution.

“I very much would like to continue the discussion to see if we can find uses and an agreement on this building to keep this building standing. Mr. Bryant and I have been working on some proformas the past few days, and I think they still need some work, but we have been in discussion on some uses and potential income sources on that building,” Ellard said. “We’ve never really determined what uses might be agreeable to the city.”

The six-story jail has only one working elevator, according to the resolution. The first two floors have at least 8-foot ceilings while the rest of the floors’ ceilings are only 6 feet 10 inches high. The resolution also states that as the building has sat vacant, pigeons and other animals have made it their home.

Some councilmembers said this restricts much of what could normally be done to redevelop a facility like it, but Ellard and Hamon both said they can find a creative solution.

The jail, 200 N. Shartel Ave., was built along with Civic Center Music

time to work out a solution.

“I appreciate that this has been an ongoing discussion, but council’s changed, we haven’t been a good steward of our old buildings in the city, and the fact that we have a city-owned building that former council has just decided is not a priority is not to me a good reason for us to just throw up our hands and say, ‘Well, I guess we just gotta give up now,’” Hamon said.

I very much would like to continue the discussion to see if we can find uses and an agreement on this building to keep this building standing.

Marva Ellard

The old city jail is saved from demolition for the time being, but stakeholders must determine a new use for the building. | Photo Miguel Rios

and find ways to work with this developer and not use city assistance like we have for other projects. I hear from some staff that it’s a difficult project, but I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from people in the community that they are very tired 6

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

Hall, City Hall and Oklahoma County Courthouse. Greenwell recommended the city create walking tours for the other two buildings to honor the history and architecture and to move forward with the jail’s demolition. But Hamon said she wanted to strike the resolution to avoid having the same discussion every council meeting and allow more

Greenwell made a motion to approve the resolution. However, an amended motion was made to vote on the jail separately from the two other buildings.

“We could keep this discussion going for eight hours,” he said. “My mind is made, and any further discussion or additional information brought forward isn’t going to change my mind. So we can continue this discussion as long as you all want to, but I’m ready to vote on it.”

The council voted unanimously to apply for demolition for the police headquarters and municipal building, but the vote to apply for demolition for the jail failed 5-4.

Councilmembers Larry McAtee (Ward 3), Todd Stone (Ward 4), David Greenwell (Ward 5) and Mark Stonecipher (Ward 8) voted in favor of the resolution.

Mayor David Holt, councilmembers James Greiner (Ward 2), James Cooper (Ward 2), Hamon and Nikki Nice (Ward

Ward 6 councilwoman JoBeth Hamon wants to work with various parties to find a creative way to preserve the old jail building. | Photo Alexa Ace

7) voted against the resolution.

Historic significance

Though it has never been officially deemed historic, many argue that its historical role makes it significant.

Preservation Oklahoma named the property on its 2017 Most Endangered Places list. Preservation Oklahoma officials also wrote to the city council, urging members to “support the preservation” of the building.

In the past, Ellard told Gazette that the main roadblock for her to move forward was finding a use for the building that the city would agree on. She said the building needed a champion because the history was important.

“It’s a major part of our history as a city … and of course it’s a critical part of the history of the Oklahoma City Police Department. Once it’s gone, it’s gone,” she said. “No future development opportunity is going to replace the history that that building signifies, so we should take advantage of the opportunities that we have to make that a viable, visible part of our history going forward.”

After the meeting, Hamon said via Twitter that she didn’t like the idea of demolishing the two buildings but felt like she needed to choose her battles. She then tweeted about the history of the jail, which is where Clara Luper and others who participated in sit-ins where jailed.

Both Ellard and Hamon told Oklahoma Gazette that there have been no updates since Aug. 13, but they are dedicated to continue working with all parties to find a way to preserve the building. Hamon invites any ideas, resources or investors to email ward6@okc.gov.

LABOR DAY

CELEBRATION Saturday & Sunday August 31 - September 1 Make time now to experience the Chickasaw Cultural Center and the beautiful natural environment just across the Inkana Bridge in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area.

It’s just one unforgettable experience you can take part in during the festivities this Labor Day Weekend. Make and take your own crafts, join a stomp dance demonstration or just relax with films in the Anoli' Theater. CLOSED LABOR DAY

CULTURAL CENTER S U L P H U R, O K L A H O M A

C h i c k a s aw C u lt u r a l C e n t e r . c o m | 5 8 0 - 6 2 2-713 0

UNI_19-CNC-063 Labor Day FP4C_Gaz.indd 1

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

7

8/26/19 12:18 PM

NEWS

l r Specia Summeup your system,

We will fire flow valve, check the back d s an adjust the head x. bo l ro nt set the co

80

$

*

*Prices may vary depending on zones

DOC SPRINKLER

IRRIGATION • INSTALLATION • REPAIR

Call to set up appt.

405.408.5181

Email:TommyKeith1964@hotmail.com “The Doctor is Making House Calls”

Store Closing 60% off storewide

9313 n penn | okc 73120 |405.607.2842 m-f 10am-5:30pm & sat 10am-3pm

CIT Y

Barn Door Office Furniture Farm Tables Book Cases Computer Equipment Printers Holiday Decorations Light Fixtures And more!

MAPS package

All 16 projects with formal presentations at special meetings were included in the MAPS 4 package that was voted on Tuesday. By Miguel Rios

Oklahoma City council and mayor voted on a MAPS 4 slate Tuesday that included all 16 proposals with formal presentations at the special meetings. The vote had not yet taken place at press time.

Allocations are based on an estimate that the temporary 1-cent sales tax will generate $978 million in revenue. If passed by council, the package goes to a Dec. 10 vote for OKC residents. If passed by residents, the tax begins April 1 and would last eight years.

“I think everything we’ve done here is certainly transformational. You always wish you could do more with everything, but we think we’ve definitely created a package here where everything is funded at a level where it can dramatically change that particular subject area that it’s addressing in our city,” mayor David Holt said. “You have a package here that’s very broad, that meets a lot of different priorities in the community.

I think it falls into four buckets really: it’s neighborhood needs, human needs, quality of life and it’s jobs.”

The State Fair Coliseum, Innovation District, Chesapeake Arena and multipurpose stadium allocations account for 29.24 percent ($286 million) of the total estimated funds. Collectively, the other allocations ($692 million) make up 70 percent.

“That’s a total paradigm shift, but I think it’s responsive to where the people of Oklahoma City are in 2019,” Holt said.

The highest allocation of funds is 8

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

$140 million for parks, followed by $115 million for Chesapeake Energy Arena upgrades and then $110 million for youth centers.

Process

Throughout the process, Holt has repeatedly stated that he wanted MAPS to be inclusive and transparent. In an Oct. 11, 2018 video, Holt requested ideas for MAPS. Though the results were never explicitly revealed to the public, Holt said during his January State of the City address that they had received over a thousand submissions. He listed about 20 ideas that had “even the base level of credibility,” though at that point Freedom Center and Diversion Hub were not mentioned but a “world-class aquarium” downtown was.

“As I went through the spring, I was listening, listening to the public and listening to the councilmembers most of all,” Holt said. “The nine elected officials are ultimately the decision makers at every step of the way, and so I worked up this presentation schedule that seemed to me to reflect the council’s priority. Ultimately, that was their choice to adopt it — our choice, I should say, as an elected body to adopt it as we did in an open meeting. … Things that didn’t really have sufficient support on the council to move forward just didn’t move forward.”

Holt said it “was fairly heavily implied” that projects not formally listed as agenda

items on any of the four special meetings were going to have a “hard time” making the package. He said he wanted everything in the final package to have that level of public vetting.

“I could play with the numbers like anybody else could. I mean, I could see that that was possible, you know, like it was mathematically possible that they could all get in, but I also knew that they needed to withstand public scrutiny,” he said. “I think everything made its point. I found it was interesting that even things that maybe had a segment of the community that were naysayers sort of, at least partially, won them over through their presentations.”

One of the projects that didn’t have a formal presentation was a downtown aquarium proposal, which he listed in January as still being a part of the MAPS conversation. Holt said the idea did not really have any big advocates on the council or from the public, so it didn’t advance.

“It did not get a lot of traction with council and really with the public,” Holt said. “I don’t know that there’s any specific moment where you could say it didn’t move forward, but it never seemed to have the support necessary from any elected official or from the public at large to be a part of MAPS.” Though it did not have a formal presentation, Ward 7 councilwoman Nikki Nice had someone present the project under the item “other items brought forward by councilmembers” at the final meeting Aug. 6.

Ward 6 councilwoman JoBeth Hamon said her experience with the project has not been as open and transparent as it has been made out to be. Around April or May, Hamon said she was presented with a rough sketch of what the numbers would look like for “pretty much all of the projects that got onto” the special

Oklahoma City Council voted Tuesday on a MAPS 4 package that includes 16 projects. | Photo Alexa Ace

meetings’ agendas.

“Since that point, the only numbers that have kind of shifted around have been those numbers that are kind of at that neighborhood and human needs bucket,” she said. “As it relates to the number for the [Chesapeake] arena, the multipurpose stadium and the State Fair arena, those numbers haven’t really changed since the original numbers that were presented for me. So my concern is we talked about having a truly open and transparent process when that’s just not totally been my experience.”

Holt has also repeatedly stated that MAPS is a compromise, which Hamon agrees with. But she believes neighborhood and social needs suffered through that compromise much more than things like the multipurpose stadium.

“Every democratic process involves compromise, but to me, the folks that compromise before they even got to the negotiating table were the sidewalks, the transit, the housing proposal,” Hamon said. “The power dynamic between the State Fair Arena or the Chesapeake Arena are not the same thing as the dynamics of compromise for affordable housing or transit.”

Despite touting transparency, a Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce poll gauging the popularity of the MAPS projects has never been made public. Holt reconciles his calls for transparency with a private poll because he said polls don’t determine everything.

“To me, polling is interesting, and I’m not saying it’s irrelevant, but it’s not like you just poll everything and you just pick the 16 most popular things,” Holt said. “I don’t think anyone would ever say that a decision was made in its totality based on a poll. … In this context, things that didn’t move forward and If passed by council, the MAPS 4 package goes to a Dec. 10 vote for Oklahoma City residents.

The tax would begin April 1 and last eight years if approved by voters. | Photo Miguel Rios

aren’t in this package were ultimately viewed as not important and critical to the future of our city as the things that are. Or maybe they’re not a good fit for MAPS for any reason.

“I don’t think the polls, polling and people getting to see polls as if there’s some, I don’t know, mythical formula that is calling the shots — I don’t know.

I mean, I don’t have any polls; I just see polls. People like to show the mayor polls, and that’s fine. If I had polls, I’d share them with people, but I just see polls and I say, ‘Thank you,’ and I find it interesting analysis. And I think enough polls have leaked to the public that I think validate polls I have seen that didn’t leak to the public, so I don’t think there’s anything really, you know, that people don’t really know already.”

However, in an Aug. 22 tweet, Holt wrote that “the proposals made to council scientifically poll very high individually & as a package.”

Hamon said people have expressed their frustration for attending special meetings, which all lasted upward of five hours, and feeling like they were pointless. She was told in personal conversations with the mayor and other councilmembers that they didn’t want to give people a false sense of hope. Despite not seeing the chamber of commerce’s poll herself, Hamon said they did base decisions on their popularity. Holt communicated any polling to her, and she said “even that was still fairly selective.”

“There were other things that weren’t polling as well, but we asked them to present a smaller number, and so they were still included,” she said. “That’s the piece where it did feel like a certain extent like, ‘OK, these are the projects that are going to get included at some level.’ … I can say when we originally talked about the transit number and brainstorming, we were really talking more in the [$120 million] range, and that got pulled down to [$87 million] after other projects kind of came forward as having a lot of public push and support.”

BANKRUPTCY OVER 27 YEARS

IN BANKRUPTCY LAW

• We stop the calls!

• We can help people file for Bankruptcy Relief • Free consoltations CALL NOW • Reasonable Rates • Payment Plans

www.bankruptcyattorneyokc.com

CHRIS MUDD & ASSOCIATES PLLC

"I can't help you if you do not call"

(405) 529-9377

Se habla español • Saturday appointments available 3904 NW 23rd St, OKC • 7805 S. Pennsylvania, OKC • 2101 S. Air Depot, MWC

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY CAMPUS • 5k & 10k: 8am • 1-MILE FUN RUN/WALK: 9AM (kids, strollers, dogs welcome for 1-mile event!)

Course map, details and registration info: pinkupthepaceokc.com Proceeds benefit local breast cancer nonprofit, Project31 www.project31.com

WANT TO VOLUNTEER? CONTACT NORMA.GREEN@INSURICA.COM

2019 SPONSORS

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

9

S TAT E

NEWS

Mounting woes

Shortly after opening a high-profile branch in Midtown, Farmers Bank of Carnegie found itself entangled in various regulatory and legal problems that continue to advance. By Peter J. Brzycki

A new lawsuit has been filed by three bank shareholders claiming they were fraudulently induced into investing by former CEO Aaron Johnson, who had been elevated to that post in 2016 at age 34.

After being the focus of expansive bank marketing efforts, Johnson was abruptly replaced as president in February, but prior to his departure, the suit claims he facilitated a stock sale while withholding key information from investors R.D. Smith, Greg Smith and Derrick Ott, all of Oklahoma City.

The three plaintiffs purchased a combined 1,089 shares between 12/22/17 and 11/5/18, largely from Larry Johnson, Aaron’s father who was then chairman of the bank holding company.

The lawsuit claims Aaron failed to disclose the bank had been operating “in an unsafe and unsound manner” and that regulators had been critical of the Johnsons’ actions and had taken supervisory actions that were not adequately followed.

OKCTalk learned from sources that starting in 2012, the institution had been operating under administrative orders from the FDIC that outlined numerous issues with demands for corrective action. The orders were the result of regular examinations.

amination documents, administrative orders are not routinely made public.

The suit also claims all bank stock had been previously pledged in a loan to First State Bank, Anadarko, another material fact that was not disclosed to the plaintiffs.

The Smiths and Ott assert that had they been aware of this information, they would have not bought stock in the bank and are, therefore, seeking millions in damages from the bank holding company, Aaron and Larry Johnson and former bank chief financial officer (CFO) Tracy Robison, who sold her stock holdings to R.D. Smith.

In a separate legal filing, the Smiths are demanding payment of over $1.5 million they claim is owed to them by the Johnsons and the bank based on promissory notes issued in July 2018.

On Aug. 16, a summary judgment for the full amount owed by the bank was ordered by the judge in the case.

Bill increases

As a part of an ongoing lawsuit, Farmers Bank recently increased the amount it says is owed by Aaron Johnson for personal charges he made on an American Express card and had the bank pay on his behalf.

In the initial filing, the bank claimed that in just one year, Johnson had charged $398,389.49 to the bank and still owed a balance of $47,948.13.

The claim was recently revised to add $35,504.30 for the cost of the audit that revealed the personal charges, a $5,000 cash-out ticket drawn from the bank and $48,604.60 in audiovisual equipment for Johnson’s home that had been charged to Farmers.

In addition to claims of breach of fiduciary duty of care, breach of duty to act in good faith and conversion of bank funds for personal use, the total amount the bank is now seeking from Johnson is $137,057.03.

Bad loan

| Photo Miguel Rios

As OKCTalk previously reported, the bank is currently subject to a lengthy consent order made public by the FDIC earlier this year. Similar to bank ex10

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

In June of 2018, Melvin Lee Robison, D.O. was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to what the government alleges as an opioid “pill mill” in Sayre, Oklahoma.

The charges claim that Dr. Robison owned a medical practice that employed Moheb Hallaba, M.D. and that in a period between September 2015 and April 2017, the two physicians signed hundreds of prescriptions per week without reviewing patient files or seeing patients.

Robison and Hallaba were charged

with 54 counts of distributing controlled substances outside the usual course of professional medical practice and without legitimate medical purpose.

Robison is also charged with 51 counts for fraudulent Medicare billing.

As a part of an ongoing lawsuit, Farmers Bank recently increased the amount it says is owed by Aaron Johnson for personal charges.

According to the indictment, the criminal distribution of these drugs resulted in five patient deaths. If convicted of all charges, Robison would face a sentence of not less than 20 years and up to life.

On October 31, 2018 — just four months after the indictments and following over $128,000 in overdrafts — Farmers loaned Dr. Robison and his wife over $615,000; Aaron Johnson signed the documents on behalf of the bank.

In addition, Farmers had loaned Robison nearly $1.2 million in June 2017 even though a year earlier, Oklahoma State Board of Osteopathic Examiners had officially restricted Robison’s license to practice medicine so he could no longer write prescriptions for controlled drugs.

On July 9 of this year, the bank filed

The Farmers Bank location in Midtown had unusual amenities for a bank, including a coffee bar and pingpong tables. | Photo Miguel Rios

a claim against the Robisons for nonpayment of the October 2018 notes.

Melvin Robison is the brother of Tracy Robison, who at the time of the loans was the CFO for Farmers, hired into that role by Aaron Johnson. Tracy Robison left the bank not long after Johnson was replaced as chief executive.

New leadership gone

In February, the same month the board of the bank’s holding company signed a 25-page consent order outlining mandated changes by the FDIC, Farmers brought in David Braly as the new bank president.

In an interview with The Oklahoman, Braly stated that although the Johnsons owned controlling interest in the stock, “they have no influence over the bank whatsoever.”

Braly went on to say the bank has brought on experienced and independent directors and that the previous management had kept the board in the dark about many issues.

Addressing the issues outlined in the consent order is ongoing, Braly said.

However, after suffering a loss of $698,000 for 2018, Farmers recently reported numbers that show an additional loss of $500,000 through June 30 of this year.

A call placed to Farmers Bank in Midtown confirmed only six months after being hired, Braly is no longer with the bank.

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

11

chicken

friedNEWS

Scotchgarding ‘The Guardian’ The 22-foot-tall, 6,000-pound bronze statue “The Guardian” was installed atop the Oklahoma state Capitol building in 2002, but for nearly two full decades, the depiction of a Native American warrior has been exposed to the elements without being cleaned.

Talk about a perfect metaphor for the state and country’s treatment of its Native population. Six years ago, The Oklahoman published a story quoting leaders from Oklahoma Arts Council and Oklahoma Capitol Preservation Commission saying the statue was in need of cleaning and that the Capitol’s renovation would be the perfect time to get it done.

Well, the Capitol is in the middle of a six-year renovation with a 300-foot crane in place, and Tulsa World reported last week that there are still no plans to get the job done.

“On top of [the statue’s] lance, there is a feather flowing in the wind,” Alan Atkinson, Oklahoma Arts Council director of visual arts and Capitol Collections told Tulsa World. “The local raptors like to perch there as they keep in an eye on Capitol pigeons. He has suffered from the elements.”

According to Atkinson, the cleaning job requires the application of a special wax to preserve the surface.

“You can’t just power-wash him,” he said.

Even after six years, the state is still not sure how to clean the statue, which was designed by former state Sen. Enoch Kelley Haney, D-Seminole, and is still at an utter loss for how to get it done. Atkinson even said the crane has been offered as an in-kind donation for help in the cleaning process.

If we’ve learned anything with how the state handles tax regulation of the oil industry, they won’t make the correct decision, even when it’s staring them in the face.

12

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

Stay Golden

The bounty of cartoonishly ridiculous news stories that result from an internet search for “Florida man” is well known. At the time this was written, for example, the top two results were “Florida man caught with Trumpshaped ecstasy pills” and “Florida man attacked by a kinkajou [a South American raccoon-monkey] waiting at the front door.” Searching for “Oklahoma man,” [as in “Oklahoma man shoots Taco Bell employee after he’s asked to pull forward in drive-thru”] meanwhile, doesn’t usually make our state look any better. But last week, a search for “Oklahoma woman” would have brought up this delightful headline: “‘Thank you for being a friend’: Oklahoma woman rents out ‘Golden Girls’ themed AirBnB.” Proprietor Lori Harrison told Fox News 12 that she was “surprised, honestly, how much interest there has been,” but by decorating a threebedroom house on the property of Rue “Blanche Deveraux” McClanahan’s childhood home in Ardmore with “banana leaves and wicker furni-

ture” and dedicating rooms to the sitcom’s beloved characters, Harrison is not only providing visitors a memorable experience, but in essence constructed a small mental Airbnb for news readers amidst the ongoing horror show that is reality circa 2019.

So let us all take a brief respite from whatever fresh hell is currently dominating the day’s news cycle to picture four Florida women — sex-positive Blanche, sarcastic Dorothy Zbornak, gleefully sadistic Sophia Petrillo and sweetly naïve Rose Nylund — living their best lives and taking often impressively progressive stances between forkfuls of midnight cheesecake. Thank you for being a friend, indeed.

Enemy of the Broken Arrow people

We recently reported on Rep. Dean Davis’s arrest during which he “I need to speak to your manager”-ed the arresting officer. Now, thanks to NonDoc, his jail call recordings to several fellow legislators are public, and oh boy are they full of golden nuggets.

Davis was arrested Aug. 2 on suspicion of a DUI, speeding and obstructing an officer.

NonDoc reported Aug. 20 that Davis called two of his legislative buddies, a sheriff and “a woman with whom he lives” from jail.

All calls were placed after 11 p.m., so it’s no surprise that Sheriff Vic Regalado did not answer. But that didn’t stop Davis from leaving a totally innocent voicemail and calling twice more.

“I’m over here at the Broken Arrow Detention Center because I just got arrested, and I’m probably going to be sent over to your establishment. So I was calling you,” he said. “So if you would, I would really appreciate your assistance and help. I’m going to call you back right now. Thank you.”

In a statement to News On 6, Regalado said he wouldn’t have provided any assistance in “helping him to circumvent the criminal justice process.”

Davis seemed to want his friends to pull some strings for him, but it didn’t work. It didn’t work so bad that his attorney Bruce Edge is now saying “[Davis] was baited into making more calls.” This despite the fact that Davis himself said one of his former students who now works at the detention center gave him the option to “call a few people.”

“Right when I got pulled over, I called

[Chief Brandon Berryhill]. I go, ‘Hey I just got pulled over. I don’t even know why.’ I go, ‘I was following a car kind of close, but still,’” Davis said with no self-awareness whatsoever.

Once Davis is voted out of office (we’re being very optimistic here), he might steer clear of Broken Arrow altogether.

“This is not going to help Broken Arrow at all because they just made an enemy, and that’s not good at all. You know that,” Davis said of a town full of his constituents.

The calls, while somewhat entertaining, are also very revealing. Here’s one of the best snippets that highlights the “code of morals, ethics and professionalism” he campaigned on: “All DUIs go through county. They have to go through the district court, which I can talk to the DA … and they’ll drop it,” Davis told Rep. T.J. Marti with a laugh.

“Don’t be cocky and piss those guys off,” Rep. Marti replied.

Davis apologized with another laugh.

Well, we suppose he never specified that his code of morals, ethics and professionalism was, you know, ethical.

Thanks for voting KOSU Radio “Best Thing to Enjoy Without Commercials That’s Not ‘Stranger Things 3.’”

91.7 OKC 107.5 TULSA KOSU.ORG

THANK YOU OKLAHOMA CITY!

Title: First and Devon, OKC Size: 30” x 44” www.gregburns-fineart.com O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

13

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 editor@okgazette.com or sent online at okgazette.com. Include a city of residence and contact number for verification.

Living safely

As an Oklahoman, born and raised, it is truly troubling to see that a bill, House Bill 2597 or permitless carry, was passed that would cause public safety to be in jeopardy. This is not a partisan issue, as 88 percent of Americans believe you should receive a permit to carry a loaded firearm in public. Governor Mary Fallin saw these issues with this bill when it came to her desk in 2018 when she exercised her veto power and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spoke out against the bill then, saying it would impact “the safety and security” of Oklahomans. It is clear this bill does not make anyone safer, as the most recent state, Missouri, passed permitless carry in 2017 and had a 25 percent increase from 2016 in aggravated assaults with a gun in the major city of St. Louis. As a young adult

living in Oklahoma City, I would not want to start a family here, as their safety would be in jeopardy. It is extremely important that the threshold be met for signatures to get State Question 803 on the ballot to let the people of Oklahoma decide if they truly feel this will make them safer or only cause gun violence to increase in our state.

I am pleading with my fellow Oklahomans to find someone with a petition, sign it and vote no on SQ803. If people want more information on how/where to sign, visit facebook.com/noon803 or email noonsq803@gmail.com.

Matthew Ruiz Oklahoma City

Unkempt justice

I have long been a supporter of the MAPS Projects and what they have accomplished for Oklahoma City.

So it strikes me as unusual for the planners to work so hard on one phase of the beautification projects and completely ignore an adjacent property that undeniably ties into what was accomplished.

I’m referring to the landscape renovation project that took place at City Hall.

All sides of the building had significant improvements made to the landscaping … improvements that made the land and building much more attractive.

And on the west side of City Hall, significant improvements were made to the landscaping across Walker …

Peaches $6 & Cream

BREAD PUDDING with

Salted Caramel Ice Cream

between City Hall and the Civic Center [Music Hall].

But on the east side of City Hall, all improvements all too obviously stopped at Hudson. I say this because the landscaping surrounding the courthouse continues to be a monumental eyesore.

The trees have been allowed to assume the appearance of gigantic weeds because no shaping or pruning has been done on them in years. The flowerbeds are nothing more than accumulations of cigarette butts and trash. Hell, the paving outside the east side of the courthouse has even been allowed to heave … so much so that it is a dangerous place for people to walk on.

Surely, within the budgets allowed for “beautification,” the city can find funds to address this problem. Because as it stands now, our city looks like it takes great care of the government bureaucrats’ place of business and leaves the courthouse … the place where the people seek justice … in a state of malignant decay.

The courthouse is a beautiful building … adorned with quotations that enoble our democracy … and it too deserves to have beautiful landscaping surrounding and adorning it.

John Smelser Oklahoma City

thank you for voting

FA S T FAC T S

Oklahoma’s incarceration rank In the United States (2018) Source: prisonpolicy.org

Oklahoma’s per-student spending rank In the United States (2018) Source: Oklahoma State Department of Education

OKC!

best mexican Best taco

All Day, Every Day in August.

GRANDRESORTOK.COM I-40 EXIT 178 I SHAWNEE, OK I 40 5-964-7263

14

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

tedscafe.com ● @tedsmexican #bettermexican

REVIEW

EAT & DRINK

Unpredictable pizza

Pizza Planet offers solid pizza if you manage to place an order when it’s open. By Jacob Threadgill

Pizza Planet 1621 N. May Ave. pizzaplanetokc.com | 405-778-8850 WHAT WORKS: The melted cheese and crispy pasta edges from the oven bake were fun.

WHAT NEEDS WORK: The restaurant has a long wait time and inconsistent hours.

TIP: Make sure it’s actually open because advertised business hours appear to be a suggestion.

I ate a pretty good meal from Pizza Planet, but I’m not sure if it actually happened.

Located at 1621 N. May Ave., at NW 16th Street, Pizza Planet might or might not be an actual restaurant.

Repeated attempts to follow up with the restaurant’s ownership throughout the week found the business closed despite the fact that its business hours — clearly listed on its sign — say that it is open daily at 11 a.m.

Was it all a dream? I don’t think so because a takeout container of pasta is still in my refrigerator. Perhaps it’s a Meet Joe Black situation and a ghost prepared my food? Wait. Was that the plot of the movie? I never actually saw it.

Anyway, one of my favorite foodrelated activities is checking out local, independent pizza purveyors in the city.

This has led to finding a few favorites like the Luigi’s Pizza location at 7901 N. May Ave., where its standard thin crust and savory sauce are winners at less than $10 for a large pizza, as is its weekday lunch buffet. The venerable Pizza House at 2520 N. Pennsylvania Ave. serves a thick-crust pizza with ample cheese and mammoth calzones that can feed a family.

Other experiences can be affordable, but less memorable, like Argana Pizzeria and wackily named Pizza Zone, where the food was serviceable but not worth revisiting.

My experience with Pizza Planet is one-of-a-kind. I thought the pizza ranked in the upper tier of local, independent pizza of its weight class that excludes the likes of Empire Slice House, The Wedge Pizzeria, Sauced on Paseo and Pizzeria Gusto because they use better ingredients and charge higher prices.

While I found the food to be good, I find it impossible to recommend giving Pizza Planet a shot because its service is slow and you never actually know if it’s open.

After multiple attempts to speak with the owner, I gave up and called the bar next door, The Lost Highway. I spoke with an employee who said that they never know when Pizza Planet is going to be open either, and when they are

open, they get angry at Lost Highway patrons for parking in front of the restaurant, even though the lease agreement states that the businesses are supposed to share parking space.

The world of online reviews for Pizza Planet is a wild ride. The overwhelming majority of ratings are either five stars or one star. I managed to find only one three-star review across multiple platforms.

As I perused reviews before ordering, I thought perhaps many of the one-star reviews were because of slow delivery after a night out on the town. The restaurant advertises being open until 2 a.m. or 4 a.m., depending on the night of the week, but given my experience trying to get ahold of them, that is anyone’s guess.

The restaurant advertises being open until 2 a.m. or 4 a.m., depending on the night of the week, but given my experience trying to get ahold of them, that is anyone’s guess.

On a Monday night, I called in an order to Pizza Planet: one large American Favorite pizza ($13.99), which is pepperoni, sausage and mushrooms, and an Italian sausage marinara pasta dish ($7.99). The man answering the phone in a decibel not much louder than a whisper said that it would be about 35 minutes for pick-up. I thought that was kind of a long wait time just for in-store pick-up but figured that possibly they had other orders.

I arrived at the store exactly 35 minutes after placing the call, and he said that they were still preparing the food. I went ahead and paid for the meal and waited in my car for another 10-15 minutes. The man taking calls appeared to be turning out fresh dough and preparing food. I asked him if he was in there by himself, and he said he had help. A woman showed up while I was waiting, but I’m not sure if it’s just them.

After the long wait, I found the food was better than I expected.

After reading complaints online about a lack of cheese and cold orders, everything was warm and had plenty of cheese.

Baked penne pasta from Pizza Planet | Photo Jacob Threadgill

The crust is on the thinner side — somewhere between Luigi’s thin crust and Pizza House’s doughy hand-tossed crust — and it was uneven in spots, but it had a good flavor and served as a good vehicle for the toppings. The mushrooms were large and meaty, and Pizza Planet sourced my favorite kind of lowtier processed Italian sausage.

The pasta turned out to be penne, which is not listed on the menu. It was baked with a healthy portion of mozzarella cheese, more of that Italian sausage and lots of marinara. I liked the pasta that got crispy from the oven. The entrée is served with a piece of garlic bread that tasted like the kind you get from the grocery store freezer section and a salad that was leaf lettuce (surprisingly not iceberg) with onions, olives and tomatoes.

Judging just on food itself, I would err closer to four stars than anything else, but the wait time and price point ($26 total) knocks it down a few notches.

Add in the fact that it has unpredictable operating hours and it’s difficult to recommend giving it a chance.

Pizza Planet has the tagline, “Experience a taste out of this world.”

Maybe its owners have to travel from outer space to prepare each meal? A better tagline might be Pizza Planet: Where you can get some decent pizza, if the operators feel like it.

American Favorite pizza from Pizza Planet is mushrooms, pepperoni and sausage. | Photo Jacob Threadgill

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

15

EAT & DRINK

F E AT U R E

Flower Child, located on the southeast corner of NW 63rd Street and Grand Avenue, is slated to open before the end of 2020. | Photo provided

Fox expansion

Flower Child enters the Oklahoma City market with a boost from its acquisition

by The Cheesecake Factory. By Jacob Threadgill

Oklahoma City’s restaurant scene took notice in March with the announcement of Fox Restaurant Concepts’ entrance into the market with its successful health-focused Flower Child restaurant slated for Classen Curve.

Fox Restaurant Concepts got a boost with its overall expansion plans this week after it announced a $353 million acquisition by The Cheesecake Factory.

Founder Sam Fox remains in charge of the company’s day-to-day operations, menu and concept development.

The Cheesecake Factory previously invested $88 million in Fox Restaurant’s Flower Child and North Italia chains.

According to Forbes, The Cheesecake Factory was in discussions to buy North Italia but decided to buy the entire company.

Fox Restaurant Concepts also includes Blanco Tacos + Tequila, Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar, Culinary Dropout, The Arrogant Butcher, Wildflower, Olive & Ivy, The Greene House and The Henry and Dough Bird Pizza & Rotisserie for a total footprint of 45 operating restaurants in seven states. Fox will continue to oversee those brands from his Phoenix headquarters, while North Italia will relocate to The Cheesecake Factory’s headquarters in California and operate as a separate entity, according to a press release.

“I feel great,” Fox said in an interview with Oklahoma Gazette. “We’re excited about the future and the growth of all 16

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

of the other brands. We’ve been partners [with The Cheesecake Factory] for the last three years with Flower Child and North [Italia]. We’ve been able to look into each other’s businesses and our relationships, and it’s been great.”

Fox, a third-generation restaurateur, began his company in 1998 by opening Wildflower in Tucson. He is a 10-time James Beard Award semi-finalist for restaurateur of the year and has been named on Nation Restaurant News’ 50 most influential people in foodservice list for five consecutive years.

All of our bowls are really popular, but the Mother Earth is probably the most popular item on the menu.

Sam Fox Fox was ahead of the curve on fastcasual concepts, first creating Sauce Pizza & Wine in 1999, and he forayed into the health and wellness market with True Food Kitchen. Both concepts have been sold and scaled by other companies.

With North Italia heading to The Cheesecake Factory, where the housemade pasta franchise will be scaled nationally, Flower Child is Fox

ably the most popular item on the menu.”

The Mother Earth bowl combines ancient grains, sweet potato, portobello mushroom, avocado, cucumber, pistachio pesto, charred onion, leafy greens and red pepper miso vinaigrette with protein-packed hemp seeds.

Located at the southeast corner of NW 63rd Street and Grand Avenue, 3,500 square-foot Flower Child will have a big patio and share a lot next to Torchy’s Tacos. It is on track to open in early 2020.

Before entering a new market, Fox Concepts sends an ambassador team from its marketing department to partner with like-minded people from health and fitness communities to help promote the business. He said his research shows that people in the Oklahoma City market are aware of the Flower Child brand.

“Phoenix and Oklahoma City have a lot of crossover,” Fox said. “In the winter, we get a lot of people from Oklahoma City [in Phoenix], and so they know our brand and who we are.

Concepts’ biggest brand at over 20 locations. It is a fast-casual extension of the ethos established by sit-down True Food Kitchen.

Flower Child emphasizes organic and gluten-free ingredients that lean vegan and vegetarian, but much of the menu is mix-and-match with the option of adding sustainable salmon, grass-fed steak, all-natural chicken and organic, non-GMO tofu.

The brand has found success in Texas; It has seven locations in Dallas, Austin and Houston — the largest footprint in any state. As in Texas, Fox said Flower Child fills a void in Oklahoma City for restaurants that offer healthy options that are vegan-based seven days per week.

“We’re leading in the [healthy] category, and we’ve done really well in Texas,” Fox said. “I think we’ve found that our business is incredibly great there, and I believe the business is great because of that void. As we go into markets like Oklahoma City and, you know, maybe Tulsa one day, I feel like we are first to market in a big way. We’re excited for the opportunity to show the community what we’re all about.”

Flower Child has four regional menus across its footprint, and Fox expects Oklahoma to have similar offerings to what can be found in Texas.

He said his personal favorite item is the Flying Avocado Wrap with smoked turkey, Gouda, romaine, tomato and avocado hummus. He is also partial to the kale salad with grapefruit, apples, black currants, smoked almonds, white cheddar and apple cider vinaigrette.

“I order the kale salad with chicken,” Fox said. “All of our bowls are really popular, but the Mother Earth is probMother Earth Bowl with steak | Photo provided

[Entering Oklahoma City] felt like a great extension of Texas and Phoenix.”

On a personal level, Fox said he has visited Oklahoma City on many occasions because two of his friends from college live in Nichols Hills.

“I was really impressed, and it’s evolving. I stayed in the [21c Museum Hotel], and I thought that area was really neat,” Fox said. “There was a cool music venue going on (The Jones Assembly) and a lot of great buildings.

We’re excited too — really, really excited.”

Forbes reports that The Cheesecake Factory projects the acquisition of Fox Restaurant Concepts will increase its revenue by $450 million in 2020. Fox expects the influx of money into his brands will lead to further expansion in Oklahoma.

“We’re always looking at opportunities, and we are going to be growing,” he said. “We never take anything off the table until we look at it and make sure it works for us or doesn’t work for us.

We’ll get Flower Child open, and if we have success, I’m sure we’ll look at other opportunities in the market.”

Visit iamaflowerchild.com.

WE’RE SOCIAL.

FOLLOW US

ON INSTAGRAM AND NEVER MISS A POST

@OKGAZETTE

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

17

EAT & DRINK

LUMPYSSPORTSGRILL.COM

BEST SANDWICH SHOP Celebrating over 42 years of business!

Stop in today to grab any of our party subs, chef salads, cookie trays, lean meats or pastries!

MON-FRI 7am-6:30pm Sat 9:30am-4pm 2310 N Western 524-0887 18

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

F E AT U R E

PRESENTED BY: CROWN ROYAL

Designer tacos

Mexican Radio takes on the atmosphere of 16th Street Plaza District with a fun and lively take on tacos. By Jacob Threadgill

The rainbow canopy over the patio at Mexican Radio — the newest restaurant from A Good Egg Dining Group — serves both practical and aesthetic purposes.

It provides shield from the rain and allows the outdoors to be warm during the cold, but the bright colors also connect the restaurant to its home in 16th Street Plaza District.

Located at 1734 16th St., in the space formerly occupied by the original location of Empire Slice House before it moved a block west, A Good Egg founders Keith and Heather Paul wanted their first original concept in three years to be connected to its neighborhood.

“A concept usually starts with a menu or location, and this started with the location and we built around the neighborhood,” Keith Paul said. “All of the colors [in the restaurant] and in the canopy especially are a nod to happiness and being joyful. The Plaza District is a district for all, and it’s kind of a beacon.

So many people have already said, ‘Now we know where Mexican Radio exactly is,’ because of the colored canopy.”

The name Mexican Radio is inspired by the 1983 Wall of Voodoo new wave song, and the restaurant’s servers wear blue jeans and their favorite concert T-shirts as a uniform. The barbecued iguana mentioned in the song about geography is not on the menu.

“Music is a big part of the restaurant; it’s named after a song that takes us back to the early MTV days with Mexican Radio. It was fun coming up with the name,” Paul said. “Mexican Radio was fun right when [Heather and I] first started talking about it in the car one day, and we decided to stick with it two days later. We tried really hard to see if we could get away from it when we worked with the branding company.

If we come to them with a name, we want to see if they can change our minds, and no one could do it.”

Paul said it is important for a restaurant to come up with a tagline to let people know what they’re serving, and the new concept is simple and straightforward.

Mexican Radio: Tacos and cold drinks.

The restaurant serves what it refers to as “nondenominational” tacos. There are classics like carne asada, carnitas and pollo verde, but the menu also includes fusion, breakfast and vegetarian varieties.

A Good Egg culinary director Ryan Lawson and Mexican Radio chef de cuisine Amie Gehlert, who moved to the Plaza District restaurant after overseeing the restaurant group’s Barrios Fine Mexican Dishes for two years, worked with a collaborative process to take some of Heather and Keith Paul’s potential menu ideas to reality.

The couple tried a crispy rice dish while on vacation in California.

Crunch wrap, barbecue shrimp and crispy cod tacos at Mexican Radio | Photo Alexa Ace

Gehlert’s interpretation is on the menu as crispy green rice. Arborio rice is parboiled and deep-fried and then sautéed with cabbage, radishes and peas. It’s then tossed with “green juice” made from a blend of green onions, cilantro, jalapeños and spinach, then finished with crema and pea shoots.

“Heather described the rice as crispy all around,” Gehlert said. “So trying to create something inside someone else’s head and the experience they had is interesting, but we did it. …The rice is almost like a Rice Krispie; it has crunch, depth of flavor and a little bit of spice.”

Another suggestion that Gehlert brought to life is the pork belly char siu taco, which takes a Chinese preparation and wraps it in a flour tortilla.

“I decided to do something different with a fresh slaw made out of bok choy, which you don’t see very often,” Gehlert said. “The dressing is fresh lemon and ginger; it’s so amazing that I could drink it.”

The Brussels sprouts side dish also takes on Asian inspiration as they are finished with red miso paste and hoisinglazed cashews.

For a fried chicken taco, Gehlert drew inspiration from an Oklahoma institution: Eischen’s Bar in Okarache.

“When you go to Eischen’s, you get a boat of fried chicken with raw onions and pickles,” Gehlert said. “[The taco] is a delicious chicken strip with dill pickles, raw onion and a drizzle of honey.”

For seafood, Mexican Radio offers ahi tuna tartare served in a lettuce wrap with guacamole and Sriracha vinaigrette. It from left Brisket papas, half moon nachos, kale caesar tostada and Mexrad Chop salads | Photo Alexa Ace

PARK HARVEY SUSHI & WINE BAR

R S FO !

K N S T H A VOT EWE’RE E Y H H W T ST! E BE E SE HE COM E OF T N O

LOCALLY

OWNED GOURMET

(NW 35th and May Avenue)

RESTAURANT

THEPATTYWAGONOK.COM

BURGER also has a barbecue bacon and shrimp taco, and a crispy cod taco marinated for 24 hours with lime juice, Mexican oregano and jalapeños and a tempurastyle batter that utilizes Topo Chico.

“When you bite into it, there is a brightness of lime, and being in the 24-hour marinade, it is crunchy with freshness,” Gehlert said of the cod taco.

Keith Paul said his favorite taco on the menu is the breakfast taco with inhouse smoked brisket, fried egg, refried beans, potatoes, Chihuahua cheese and salsa rojo in a flour tortilla. The brisket also makes an appearance with avocado, green onion chimichurri, cabbage and cotjia cheese in a corn tortilla.

Mexican Radio also offers a bacon breakfast taco and a veggie breakfast taco with plant-based chorizo made from jackfruit and tempeh blended together. For vegetarian offerings, the chorizo stars with spinach, cotija, avocado crema and potato with a crispy Buffalo cauliflower taco and a potato crunch wrap, which is an ode to Taco Bell’s popular item.

The crunch wrap is a double-decker taco. A flour tortilla is fused with a crispy corn shell with Chihuahua cheese and filled with jalapeño mashed potatoes and topped with carrot (pico de gallo).

“We’re trying to adhere to people that don’t eat any meat products at all,” Gehlert said. “The menu can be modified to fit the needs of multiple palates.

The Brussels sprouts are vegan without the bacon. So are the beans if ordered without cheese. You can sub the chorizo on any of the tacos on the menu.”

Mexican Radio fulfills the “cold bev-

Mexican Radio’s patio is covered with a rainbow canopy that connects the restaurant to its vibrant 16th Street Plaza District neighborhood. | Photo Alexa Ace

erages” part of its tagline by offering four varieties of alcoholic slushies: the Peni-chillin with Highland Scotch, local honey, lemon and ginger five spice; the Dole Whip Margarita with blanco tequila, pineapple, banae du bresil, coconut cream, agave, lime and fruit pebble-salt rim; the Grapefruit Mule with vodka, grapefruit syrup, ginger juice, lime, cinnamon and a rainbow Airhead; and the spiked chai tea with rum, vanilla-chai syrup and almond milk. It also has eight house cocktails. Both Mexican and local craft beers on tap are served in 18-ounce schooners that are kept in the freezer.

“We definitely have the coldest beer — maybe not in the state, but definitely in the Plaza District for sure,” Keith Paul said.

Mexican Radio is the first full new concept for A Good Egg since opening a Tucker’s Onion Burgers location in Norman, Republic Gastropub in Chisholm Creek and Barrios in 2016.

The group also took over and revamped the Museum Cafe at Oklahoma City Museum of Art earlier this year.

“We learned to take our time and didn’t push it to get open fast because we didn’t need it to create income and took our time hiring and brought in some of our best people from other restaurants,” Keith Paul said.

Visit facebook.com/mexicanradiookc.

3600 N. May Ave

405-917-1711

HAPPY HOUR 3–6 PM M-F SUSHI & BEER SPECIALS 200 N. HARVEY | 405.600.7575

• BEST STEAKHOUSE • BEST RESTAURANT

• BEST SERVER

COME DINE WITH AN OKLAHOMA LEGEND HISTORIC STOCKYARDS CITY

1309 South Agnew • 1st Light South of I-40

405.236.0416

CattlemensRestaurant.com OPEN 6AM EVERY DAY O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

19

20

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

F E AT U R E

EAT & DRINK

Chef celebration

A memorial celebrates the larger-than-life memory of late chef John Bennett and makes plans to continue his legacy. By Jacob Threadgill

The oak that is Oklahoma City’s dining scene and has sprouted and grown sturdy over recent decades lost its roots on July 22 with the passing of chef John Bennett at the age of 77.

Bennett, who counted culinary luminaries James Beard and Julia Child as lifelong friends, helped push Oklahoma City out of the stigma of being the “cafeteria capital of the world” when he took over at The Cellar in the basement of the Hightower Building and used his training at Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and traveling across France after encouragement from Child to make it the city’s first true fine-dining destination in 1964.

More than 20 of the city’s most acclaimed chefs gathered in packed Will Rogers Theatre Aug. 19 with friends and family to honor Bennett’s unique personality and contributions to the city’s dining scene, but to also make sure his legacy continues.

Bennett was born in Ardmore in 1941 and grew up in Healdton and Norman, where he graduated high school and attended the University of Oklahoma but spent more time at Bizzell Memorial Library reading gourmet magazines than textbooks.

His sister Dr. Kaye Sears said that he developed a love for cooking while in school and called the results of his efforts “creations.”

“He would grocery shop and bring food to our house for his creations,” Sears said during the memorial service.

“We were glad to have food, and he would cook for several hours. Many of you know what the kitchen looked like when he finished. He said, ‘Don’t worry.

I’ll be back to finish cleaning up when I’m done with class.’ I should’ve asked which day.”

Bennett left OU for CIA in New Haven, Connecticut, where he began working at Mermaid Tavern in nearby Stratford. Beard worked for the restaurant as a consultant and struck up a friendship with Bennett as he worked on the line.

Bennett invited Beard to speak to his CIA class. Beard agreed, but under the condition that he could invite his friends, Julia and Paul Child. Following their meeting, Beard earned an invitation to the Child home, where he read galley copies of Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking, which launched Child’s career as the country’s first celebrity chef.

He helped put Oklahoma on the map, so I think you’d have to call him the patriarch of our culinary world here.

Kurt Fleischfresser Letters from Child written in French allowed Bennett to tour some of the top restaurants in France and expand his culinary learning experience beyond the classroom. Upon graduation from CIA, Bennett returned to Oklahoma, which surprised even him.

Frank Hightower installed The Cellar in the basement of his family’s building downtown and wanted to create it as a fine-dining experience. He enlisted Beard, with whom he had taken cooking classes, to find him a chef, and Beard recommended Bennett.

“When Jim Beard asked him to come [to The Cellar] in Oklahoma City, he

said, ‘Why are you there? No one there knows how to eat,’ said The Oklahoman’s Dave Cathey, who was one of Bennett’s closest friends.

The dining experience at The Cellar was unlike anything Oklahoma City has ever seen. Black-and-white marble floors led to a dining room with red carpet that matched upholstered chairs that sat next to and under crystal chandeliers and under ornate tabletop candelabras.

The menu was the best of French fine dining with plenty of flair, which exemplified two of Bennett’s lifelong mantras: “Everything worth doing is worth overdoing” and “You don’t sell the steak; you sell the sizzle.”

“He had influence on Oklahoma City, and some other instances were felt around the nation. For instance, I know of several hotel companies who undoubtedly changed their standard operating procedure after he managed to bring a live, uncaged elephant into a ballroom at a major hotel,” said Kyle Anderson, of Kyle’s 1025 catering, referencing a stunt that Bennett pulled at The Biltmore Hotel. “Who else but John Bennett could pull that off?”

Bennett left The Cellar in 1969 and briefly worked in San Francisco before returning to Oklahoma City to open The Grand Boulevard restaurant in 1975. He also served as chef at Nonna’s Ristorante & Bar and Christopher’s. He continued to travel around the country and frequently served as head chef for James Beard Award ceremonies and events at the James Beard House, entertaining and delighting the world’s preeminent cooking talents.

“All of these people around the country that know John know him as Oklahoma too,” said Kurt Fleischfresser, who said one of his career highlights was having Jacques Pepin introduce him as one of Bennett’s friends at a Beard Award ceremony. “He helped put Oklahoma on the map, so I think you’d have to call him the patri-

Chefs onstage at Will Rogers Theater Event Center for the John Bennett memorial | Photo provided

arch of our culinary world here.”

Chef Rick Bayless has built a culinary empire in Chicago, and it’s a journey that started in Oklahoma City with Bennett’s cooking. Bayless saved up money and traveled to The Cellar by himself when he was a preteen.

“There is a good chance that I would not be in the chef world today if were not for John Bennett,” Bayless said in a video message at the memorial. “I had read about this incredible restaurant, and I wanted that experience. In so many ways, I have taken that first experience that John Bennett offered me and turned it into the whole world of great dining that I’ve developed here in Chicago. I can’t say enough about John Bennett and that incredible chocolate mousse that I tasted when I was 12.”

Living legacy

At the memorial service, which included a spread of food with contributions from many of the city’s chefs like foie grasstuffed prunes and crab cakes with honey Dijon and blue agave, Cathey laid out plans to make sure Bennett’s legacy continues.

He will publish Bennett’s memoirs on an independent blog and wants to work with the city’s chefs to document and keep Bennett’s recipes alive. Cathey also said a fundraising campaign will be started in the coming months to build a rotating scholarship in Bennett’s name for University of Central Oklahoma.

“We can build something together that raises up the entire hospitality industry, that raises awareness to the 405 as a food destination because at the end of the day, that’s what JB wanted,” Cathey said. “He realized that to be the great chef that he wanted to be, he had to come from a better place culinarily, and [Oklahoma City] reflected on him, and he never did anything except try to make the place that he came from a more delicious place.”

Chefs Kurt Fleischfresser, John Bennett and David Henry | Photo provided

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

21

GAZEDIBLES

EAT & DRINK

Fungus among us

We’re getting a jump on a September celebration here in late August by highlighting our fungus friends.

September is National Mushroom Month, and here are seven restaurants to help you indulge.

By Jacob Threadgill with photos

by Alexa Ace and provided

Beth Lyon’s Black Cat

308 NW 10th St. facebook.com/bethlyonsblackcat 405-694-9343

Located inside the new Collective food hall, Beth Lyon’s Black Cat is all about providing high vibrational foods that will leave your body feeling great while nourishing your soul. The Third Eye Open bowl combines cauliflower rice risotto, grilled Oklahoma mushrooms and roasted vegetables with spirulina pesto.

The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro

Barrios Fine Mexican Dishes

The best way to chow down at Metro is to start with the mushroom ravioli as an appetizer. The fresh pasta is stuffed with mushrooms and then finished with mushroom cream and tomato relish.

The chicken fricassee with haricots verts, country ham and mushrooms as well as the chicken paillard with roasted tomatoes, spinach and wild mushrooms with angel hair pasta serve as fungus options during dinner.

We know Oklahomans love their queso, but the Barrios queso fundido takes it to another level with the addition of mushrooms and poblano peppers with fresh tortillas. You can go mushroom-crazy with entrees by ordering wild mushrooms sopes with sweet potato sofrito, kale slaw and guacamole and the wild mushroom tamale with huitlacoche, which is another type of fungus.

6418 N. Western Ave. metrowinebar.com | 405-840-9463

1000 N. Hudson Ave. barriosmexicanokc.com | 405-702-6922

THANK YOU OKC

FOR THE 60 YEARS OF CUSTOMER LOYALTY

You’re all winners in our book!

(And by “book” we mean “menu.”)

We are truly humbled and proud to have served OKC for 60 years and counting.

As a family owned & operated store we have a true understanding of what it means to be an Oklahoman. We know how hard you work for your dollar and we will continue to offer the lowest prices in town. We believe in customer satisfaction, this is why we train our valued employees extensively over our products, to make sure you find what you want! We have the largest selection in town and can even special order and have it for you in one business day.

2322 N Broadway, OKC (405) 525-2158 • byronsliquor.com

8 Metro Locations | HideawayPizza.com 22

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

EQD

Gorō Ramen

1634 N. Blackwelder Ave., Suite 102 gororamen.com | 405-606-2539

Gorō includes the Cadillac of mushrooms — sautéed shiitakes — covered in mustard soy vinaigrette on its appetizer menu. Continue the mushroom party into the next course with the yasai ramen with vegan broth, tofu, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, fried shallots and green onions.

Paseo Grill

2909 Paseo St. paseogrill.com | 405-601-1079

Paseo Grill is a staple of The Paseo Arts District, and its menu has shown plenty of flexibility since it opened, but there is one constant starter: the cream of mushroom soup. The luxurious, creamy broth is filled with button mushrooms and topped with Port Salut cheese for a simple and elegant way to begin a meal.

Combine it with the vegetable moussaka, which includes mushrooms and is one of the best vegetarian entrees in the whole city.

Belle Isle Restaurant & Brewery

1900 Northwest Expressway, Suite 44R belleislerestaurant.com | 405-840-1911

There are a bevy of mushroom options at Belle Isle, from beer-battered starters to multiple pizza options, but the real winner for fungus fanatics are the burgundy-braised mushrooms on its mushroom and Swiss burger. They are juicy and assert themselves in the sandwich with its wine-based finish.

Hideaway Pizza

5022 N. Western Ave. hideawaypizza.com | 405-840-4777

While Hideaway’s namesake pizza is very stellar, a lot of people very well might think of the Oklahoma-based chain as Hideaway Fried Mushrooms because no dining experience is complete without a heaping helping of those delectable deep-fried caps and stems.

Make it a mushroom lover’s meal with extra mushrooms on a pizza.

Thank You

For Voting Us Best Italian !!

VISIT US AT BOTH LOCATIONS Norman

434 Buchanan Avenue 405.701.4900

Edmond

1 South Broadway 405.330.9045

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

23

$375 Microblading PERMANENT MAKE UP $250 Eyebrows $250 Lip Line $250 Eyeliner $400 Full-Lips

VOTED BEST ART GALLERY!

PIN DAN C-HSOEPTEMBER 1

28 AUGUST

SSLIN7G E W N H JO BER 4 -

JUVEDERM RADIESSE “ALL IN” FOR EDUCATION

09 . 13 . 19

7:00 P.M.

CASINO NIGHT, SPIRITS & LIVE ENTERTAINMENT NATIONALCOWBOYMUSEUM.ORG/ANTE-UP

BOTOX $11 Per Unit

Schelly’s Aesthetics Shoppes at Northpark, 12028 May Ave. 405-751-8930 Open Mon-Fri www.skincareokc.com Gift Certificates Available

SEPTEM

THANK YOU, OKC! dnagalleries.com

405-525-3499

1709 NW 16th | OKC 73106 Plaza District

ANS JOHN BEEVR 11 - 14

SEPTEM

OWLES ERIKEKMNBER 18 - 21 SEPT

COME IN & SEE WHY WE RANK BEST

BEST! Selection of Premium & House eLiquids

BEST!

HOW ATURE S- 28 E F E L P I 5 TR , EMBER 2 SEPT

CRONIN MS, MIKEAN IA L IL W RAFE ENRY COLEM H EN MIC

& S H OW

OP AYS - ION BY 5 :30 N ES D T

E IN FR ESERVA $ 2 W/ R - LADIES GET MAN CE ) S R S DAY L PERFO TH U R FOR SPECIA ($ 2 WED

E!

8503 N. ROCKWELL 239-HAHA(4242)

WWW.LOONYBINCOMEDY.COM

Selection of Authentic Mods, RDAs & Tanks FALL 2019

BEST!

THE NUDE PARTY FREE SHOW

Selection of Salt Nic Liquids & Devices

LOCAL TAP

09.14.19

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW

10.03.19

JUDAH & THE LION

10.04.19

COLD WAR KIDS

10.08.19

X AMBASSADORS

10.11.19

ANDY GRAMMER

10.15.19

LUCERO

10.24.19

COIN

10.25.19

GREGORY ALAN ISKOV

11.08.19

ROBERT EARL KEEN’s

12.26.19

BEER TASTING + LIVE MUSIC

BEST!

BEST! VAPE SHOP

• Customer Service • Device Knowledge • Build Expertise

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 Nominee

08.31.19

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

WINTER 2019

6608 N MAY • OKC• 418-4996 WE PROUDLY SUPPORT VAPE ADVOCACY 24

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

TICKETS & INFORMATION AT

THEJONESASSEMBLY.COM 901 W. SHERIDAN, OKC

T H E AT E R

ARTS & CULTURE

Genuine moment

CityRep’s production of Every Brilliant Thing uses audience participation to explore the joy in difficult circumstances. By Jeremy Martin

The director and lead actor have already been chosen, but the rest of the cast for Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre’s (CityRep) latest production will be selected from whoever happens to show up.

Every Brilliant Thing runs Sept. 6-22 at CitySpace Theatre in Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave. The play, created by writer Duncan Macmillan with comedian and performer Johnny Donahoe, enlists audience members as supporting cast in what would otherwise be a one-person show.

“It breaks all of the normal conventions about theater,” said director Linda Kay Leonard. “There’s not a fourth wall.”

Jon Haque, who stars as the play’s unnamed narrator, said his goal is to “touch base” with every audience member before the play begins.

“I’m kind of meeting my fellow participants in the experience, and I’m casting them in my brain,” Haque said.

“Normal improv is like, ‘Well, let’s just see what happens.’ I kind of know what’s going to happen, but these people aren’t professional improv-ers. These people don’t know what the ‘Yes and’ is, but the idea is that if they know that it’s OK to be genuine, because I’m going to be as truthful as possible in how I’m expressing these moments, that they can be truthful with me if I call upon them in the show. And whatever their response is, that’s OK.” Following the advice of therapists, Haque will also be determining who might be willing and able to participate in the play, which details the narrator’s attempt to catalog a list of life’s enjoyable aspects to convince his depressed mother to go on living after a suicide attempt.

“How do you talk to an audience member and ask them to be part of this kind of show experience without causing shame or embarrassment or just putting them in a mind space that might bring up some past traumas?”

Haque said. “With standup comedy or with improv, there’s a little fun in poking fun at each other, and you can take that moment to have that kind of fun, but in this show, it’s more about that shared experience. … It’s never met with a negative joke or a joke that even slightly pokes fun at that audience member.

Hopefully towards the end of the show, everyone has permission not only to laugh, but they feel comfortable enough to cry, they feel comfortable enough to maybe go into a place that they have not really considered in a long time. Maybe that’s the moment that they reach out for help. That’s my hope, anyway.”

The script’s stage directions call for the narrator to pass out scraps of paper with numbered list entries to audience members, who are instructed to shout the entry (“ice cream,” “roller coasters,” “people falling over,” etc.) when their number is called.

The role is an uncommonly vulnerable one for Haque, who said he is “usually cast as the big, loud, funny, pratfall dude,” and preparing for it required him to consider his own emotional wellbeing to ensure he would be able to “go on this journey and not fall.”

“I’ve done heavy projects before, but you always get to hide behind a mask. This show almost encourages you to leave that behind,” Haque said. “If the audience doesn’t think I am being as genuine as possible, then they’re not going to be with me. If they think that I’m playing up a moment for a dramatic tug, then that doesn’t work.”

The play incorporates elements from improvisational theater, Haque said, but the goal is not to get laughs, but to create a genuine human moment.

“Sometimes I play a small child,” Haque said. “Sometimes I play a person who is avoiding himself. Sometimes I play a person who’s completely accepting of himself, and so I have to be able to get into those mindsets and then genuinely react to whatever those audience questions are. So it’s improv that way. It’s not for the punch line. It’s for the truth. … We call it emotional gymnastics because the show does turn quick, on some pretty steep corners. It’s joy one second, absolute devastation three words later. …This might be a fun moment, or it could be a pretty hard moment for everybody that’s here, but it’s going to be OK. We’re going to get through it.”

Guided experience

Leonard said she thinks Haque’s skillset is uniquely suited for the play.

“It really takes an actor who can handle not only the scripted work and make it genuine and empathetic and humorous,” Leonard said, “but also it takes an actor who has that improv skill to be able to take people on that journey, realistically, and then come back when they need to come back.”

Staging the play in CitySpace, which has seating on three sides of the stage, required Leonard to create multiple scenarios for blocking — “A, B, C and none of the above” — depending on where the audience members Haque chooses to participate are seated.

“For Jon, I think the biggest challenge is going to be having that new experience within this crafted play every night, because we don’t know what people are going to say next,” Leonard said. “Even though he helps them and gives them some words to say, they don’t sit with the script in their hand, so the opportunity for that to go south or go awry or go in a whole different direction than you would think, that’s going to be a challenge — going in with the audience so they stay with him, so they want to come up on stage, they

Jon Haque said preparing for this play required a lot of introspection to make sure he could handle it emotionally. | Photo mutzphotography.com / provided

Jon Haque stars in CityRep’s Every Brilliant Thing Sept. 6-22 at CitySpace Theatre in Civic Center Music Hall. | Photo mutzphotography.com / provided

want to be involved or be part of the story and at the same time guiding them all back to what the journey of the piece is about.”

Haque described the experience as “theatrical catharsis” but added that traditional theater is also a form of “group therapy.”

“We’ll see that in just regular shows, where if it’s a comedy, the first person who laughs … they kind of are alone,” Haque said, “but they give permission for the rest of the audience to go ahead and laugh. And that’s OK. By the end of the show, everyone is screaming and howling and crying, and they’ve had such a great time.”

CityRep’s founding artistic director Donald Jordan said the play is an example of the singular magic of live theater.

“We go to the movie theater for $1 and watch the Avengers blow up the universe and all that kind of thing, but this is the sort of inherently theatrical live experience that you can’t get any other way,” Jordan said. “It’s the highhuman-touch balance to our increasingly high-tech lives.”

Though Every Brilliant Thing deals with depression, loss and suicide, Haque emphasized that the play is meant to be uplifting.

“I hope people aren’t afraid of this show because it sounds like it’s a pretty steep climb,” Haque said. “It is about mental wellness. It is about depression, but it’s also about joy. It’s also about finding the humor in really dark areas.

I just want to make sure that everybody understands that this is going to be an enjoyable experience. It’s not something to be afraid of. It’s not a deep, dark climb into a depressive area. … The show is not that. The point of the show is about finding joy, about being able to laugh.”

Tickets are $40. Visit cityrep.com.

Every Brilliant Thing Sept. 6-22 CitySpace Theatre Civic Center Music Hall 201 N. Walker Ave. | 405-297-2264 $40

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

25

ARTS & CULTURE

T H E AT E R

The play, by Peter Morgan (The Queen, The Crown), recreates Frost’s historic 1977 interview with Nixon and the lead-up to it. | Photo K. Talley Photography / provided

Screen time

Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma’s production of Frost/ Nixon utilizes a video screen as well as the stage to bring the historic event to life. By Jeremy Martin

On May 4, 1977, millions of Americans witnessed Richard Nixon do something almost unthinkable. He admitted he had done something wrong.

“I let down the country,” Nixon told interviewer David Frost. “I let down our system of government and the dreams of all those young people that ought to get into government but now think it too corrupt. ... I let the American people down, and I have to carry that burden with me the rest of my life.”

Nixon, who resigned before he could be impeached and received a pardon from his successor Gerald Ford, would never stand trial for his role in attempting to cover up the 1972 break-in at Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate Hotel. The interview with British TV personality Frost would be the closest he would get

to publicly facing up to his actions.

Lyric Theatre stages Frost/Nixon, a play by Peter Morgan (The Queen, The Crown) recreating the historic interview and the lead-up to it, Sept. 4-22 at Plaza Theatre, 1725 NW 16th St. “It’s a really well-written, interesting play, that uses the interviews between Frost and Nixon as a sort of cornerstone and way to discuss how interviews with the president are negotiated … how they’re controlled, and ultimately how the medium of television was in some ways, at certain points in his career, Nixon’s downfall,” said director Michael Baron. “People think he lost to Kennedy because of his bad performance on television, and then here he is once again in an intimate interview where the camera and the medium allow him to come clean and tell the American people that he was

sorry. We got a window into his soul, if you will, beyond press conferences.”

The play stars Matthew Alvin Brown as Frost and D. Lance Marsh as Nixon. Baron said he wants them to portray the historical figures as human beings instead of attempting to recreate every gesture and inflection in the interviews.

“Watching the interview itself, I think, is helpful to a point,” Baron said, “but … an actor can’t do two things at once; you really can only play the scene that you’re in honestly. I’m sure there’ll be some vocal mannerisms that both will pick up from studying Frost and Nixon, but it isn’t a museum piece. You’re not watching history onstage. You’re watching a play, and it’s dealing with something greater, in one way, but also, it’s more interested in the private human experience. So, if anything, as opposed to a documentary, I would compare this to a Shakespeare play.

This portrait of Nixon is just as accurate or not accurate as Richard III or Henry VIII. … We kind of assume because of the events around their lives that they might have behaved in these ways. This, of course, you have a huge collection of actual taped documentation, but how actually Nixon and Frost got to that specific moment, we’re not exactly sure what was going on in their minds besides what we have on record.”

The play will feature a live video feed of the actors playing in real time on a screen above the stage.

“You’ll be able to see how the camera is influencing what you think about what you’re seeing,” Baron said. “You can actually see the live version in front of you and also what the camera and what television is just giving you on that big screen. … Today, everything is filmed, it seems, in some way, so it will be interesting to see how when we get to the interview part the cameras are static except for maybe a close-up. They

just kind of stood there, whereas today, we’re used to cameras moving and bringing us through a story. So that’ll happen throughout the show, sort of the modern-day, cinéma-vérité camera work, and then when we get to the actual interview, it’ll be interesting to see when the cameras stop and just kind of home in on Nixon and Frost.”

Though Baron is typically averse to incorporating this kind of technology into live theater, he said the video will provide an interesting subtext to the action and give him more options for staging scenes.

I wanted it to not only be an exciting piece of theater, but also explore this historical moment and its repercussions even today.

Michael Baron “I’ve never been a fan of video onstage because of the scale of it is larger than what you’re seeing in front of you and people, whenever there’s a television on, they tend to look at the television,” Baron said. “So I’m hoping to negate that by not having the television moments be special, but constant.

So eventually, you can choose to watch the whole entire show just on the video wall if you really want to, but I think after a while, you’ll get used to the two perspectives, and because our theater is intimate, you’re going be able to see the live perspective and the video version of what you’re seeing at the same time. So I think you’ll get used to it. Also, there’s a lot of private, intimate moments in the show, and usually those private moments that occur onstage, you have to put the actors right downstage as close as you can to the audience.

In this version, I can put them anywhere I want onstage. I can put them not even facing the audience, and the audience actually then at certain points if they see want to see the actor, they have to look at the video screen because they

OKIE BORN, OKIE BREWED

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT SINCE 2009

26

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

can’t see their face onstage. The freedom to not have everything what we call ‘cheating out’ in the theater or facing front is going to be exciting.”

Baron said the play’s issues are still relevant in the present political climate.

“We’re still grappling with who controls the media, who controls the presidency, the different tactics that are used on both sides to influence the public,” Baron said. “I just thought it was really timely. … I wanted it to not only be an exciting piece of theater, but also explore this historical moment and its repercussions even today as far as the blending of Hollywood and entertainment and actual news. And, of course, this president was in turmoil, as the current presidency is under turmoil, and so to see how each of them dealt with their specific and very different situations … whereas Nixon was not a fan of the camera and not very adept at using the television medium, Trump is a master at using television.

That’s what started his career. Even when he was just in real estate, he still was always on television and knew the power of press and PR.” While Frost/Nixon does more to humanize Nixon than the cartoonishly evil caricature common in pop culture, Baron said he thinks people should remember that historical figures are also people.

“This play certainly doesn’t absolve Nixon, but it makes him more human, and that, I think, is always helpful in dealing with world leaders who are so inaccessible, perhaps, or their personal-

Matthew Alvin Brown plays journalist David Frost and D. Lance Marsh plays former president Richard Nixon in Lyric Theatre’s Frost/Nixon Sept. 4-22. | Photo K. Talley Photography / provided

ity is larger than life, to see where they are real people and where they actually doubt themselves,” Baron said.

In a 2008 interview with NPR’s Terry Gross about the Oscarnominated film version of Frost/Nixon, historian James Reston Jr., who helped Frost prepare for the historic interview, said something similar.

“It humanizes Nixon, and that’s a very good thing,” Reston said. “When you move beyond humanization into sympathy, you get into much more dangerous territory. There is no reason to feel sympathy about Richard Nixon in relation to the Watergate scandal. … You can say the villain is complicated, and he is fascinating and enigmatic and riveting. But he’s still a villain and he did do these things, and we need to remember precisely what those crimes were.”

Tickets are $25-$65. Visit lyrictheatreokc.com.

VOTED BEST LATIN FOOD

THANK YOU, OKC METRO! Join Us in the Bossanova Bar

and Enjoy the Pat io

405-525-9779 440 NW 11th & Walker cafedobrazilokc.com

DQE

THANKS FOR THE NOMINATIONS

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR Frost/Nixon

BEST NEW BAR

Sept. 4-22 Lyric at the Plaza 1727 NW 16th St. lyrictheatreokc.com | 405-524-9312 $25-$65

1234 N. WESTERN AVE. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73118 21+ @GOODTIMESOK SUN–FRI 4PM – 2AM SAT 2PM–2AM Good vibes, good drinks & late night eats!

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

27

OKC You Guys ROCK!

Thank You! B E S T WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE

14101 N. May Ave Suite 114

405.936.0680

MON-SAT 10AM - 7PM CLOSED ON SUNDAYS

FOLLOW US!

.

.

SHOP LUSHFASHIONLOUNGE COM

Boathouse District Oklahoma City

September 21 2019 • 9am–5pm

Tammi Sauer

Chris Barton

okbookfest.org of the

klahoma

Laurie Williams

Attorney

Center for the Book

Follow us at okbookfest 28

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

OKLAHOMA CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The whole family is invited to Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District for a fun-filled day celebrating books for all ages!

The day will feature more than 90 authors from around the nation.

Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich Experience panel discussions, presentations, crafts, poetry readings, book signings, food trucks, and more!

The 2019 Oklahoma Book Festival is completely free to attend. See you there!

BOOKS

ARTS & CULTURE

Radio Okie

Michael Dean’s new book chronicles the history of radio in Oklahoma and the famous figures involved in its evolution. By Jeremy Martin

In Ardmore in 1953, Michael Dean saw a television for the first time. He was not impressed.

“The couple that lived on the end of the block bought a TV, and they had to put a tower in their backyard to be able to pick up a TV station,” Dean said.

“That Saturday night, everybody that lived on the block gathered around the TV in their living room, and me and the other kids, we spent maybe two minutes in front of that TV. It was just a kind of a flickering picture, and there wasn’t much to it. We went right back outside and continued playing.”

Dean, whose decadeslong broadcasting career began 11 years later in Idabel, was always drawn to radio. He signs copies of his book Oklahoma City Radio, part of Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series, 5:30-7 p.m. Friday at Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway.

“The history of Oklahoma City radio is in many ways a history of broadcasting in America,” Dean wrote in the introduction. “And much of it is also the history of Oklahoma.”

While the book chronicles Oklahoma’s radio history, Dean said he is considering writing a sequel because he believes radio has a future as well.

“I don’t think it’s going anywhere,” Dean said. “People have said, ‘Oh radio’s dying, blah, blah, blah.’ Well, it’s doing as well now as it ever has. Ratings are still good. Revenues are still good. It’s changed and evolved over the years. If you look at Oklahoma City, there are three major corporations that own the majority of the radio stations in

Oklahoma City, and two of those are not Oklahoma companies.”

The Oklahoma-based company, Tyler Media, started in Oklahoma City radio in 1971 with a country music station and found success expanding into the Spanish-language format. It currently owns several stations including Éxitos, JakeFM and V103.

Historic Oklahomans

Dean’s book begins in 1920 when Earl Hull and H.S. Richards built a 20-watt transmitter in the garage of a small house west of Stockyards City, establishing what would become WKY, where many nationally known programs and personalities originated. Dean credits WKY’s success to the business savvy of Oklahoman publisher and owner E.K. Gaylord, who bought WKY in 1928.

“He already had developed a tremendous reputation with the newspaper in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, cranking out a daily newspaper that was comparable to anything in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles,” Dean said. “When there was an opening, he would hire the best person he could find. He would make sure they had all of the tools that they needed to be able to do their job, and then he would support them to the nth degree.”

One notable example, Dean said, was a man Gaylord hired in 1937 to do playby-play commentary for University of Oklahoma football games.

“There was a guy working at KCMO in Kansas City, who on Saturday nights and Saturday afternoons, was recreating football games,” Dean said. “Now, back then, Western Union would send out the abbreviated play-by-play of particular football games so you got every play.

This was a fairly common practice in large cities — you’d have an announcer and a couple of sound effects guys working together, and they would recreate the football game from the wire copy they were getting from Western Union. So this guy was recreating football games on KCMO in Kansas City. Well, he applies to the OU job at WKY, and they hire him; only problem was he’d never done a live football game. He only sat in the studio, reading the abbreviated playby-play from the wire and then making up stuff to fill time while the sound effects guys were putting in the crowd noise and things like that. So he does the first football game and the managing editor of The Oklahoman Michael Dean signs copies of his book Oklahoma City Radio 5:30-7 p.m. Friday at Full Circle Bookstore. | Photo provided

is in the booth w it h t hem .

When they get off the air, they look at each other, and the guy says, ‘Well, that wasn’t very good,’ and the managing editor of the newspaper agreed with him.

“On Monday morning, E.K. Gaylord calls man into his office, and he starts the conversation by telling the playby-play guy, ‘I listened to the game Saturday, and I thought you did a splendid job. Keep it up.’ So he does the rest of the season, and he was the first employee that E.K. had ever hired on a contract. He was on a six-month contract.

At the end the football season, they had to pay him to do something, and they weren’t going to have him sit at home and draw salary, so Gaylord calls his office and he says, ‘I really like your delivery. I like your style. I like your voice.

I’m going to send you over to the Oklahoman newsroom, and you’ll be doing a couple of news broadcasts from the Oklahoman newsroom each day.’

That kid later wrote in his autobiography and in interviews and speeches and stuff would explain that for him, that was the beginning of his career in broadcast journalism. That was Walter Cronkite.”

[E.K. Gaylord] would make sure they had all of the tools that they needed to be able to do their job, and then he would support them to the nth degree.

Michael Dean Other notable radio personalities with Oklahoma chapters in their origin stories include sportscaster and voice of the Boston Red Sox Curt Gowdy, Top 40 radio pioneer Todd Storz, singing cowboy Gene Autry and Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Hall of Famer Danny Williams, pictured on the cover of Oklahoma City Radio.

“There’s so many other people like that,” Dean said. “Paul Harvey grew up in Tulsa. … His dad was gunned down by a gangster. He got into radio. He

Oklahoma City Radio, part of Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series, was released in July. | Photo provided

really wanted to be an actor, but he suffered from stage fright, while sitting in a room in a studio with just a microphone didn’t bother him in the least, but that’s how he got his start in radio, was at KVOO in Tulsa.”

Dean, who previously worked as public relations director for Oklahoma Historical Society, said Oklahomans are often exceptional in many different areas.

“It’s what we are as Oklahomans that whatever field we’re in, whatever endeavor we’re pursuing, we will typically exceed and excel at that far more than somebody from Kansas or Arkansas or Texas or whatever,” Dean said. “Case in point, Oklahoma has produced more astronauts than any other state in the nation since the beginning of the manned space program. That’s unbelievable, but it’s true. Tom Stafford is an example of that. He flew Gemini 6, flew in Apollo, flew in Skylab. His mother came to Oklahoma in the back of a covered wagon from Kansas, settled down in Weatherford and lived to see her son fly in space.”

Oklahoma City Radio retails for $21.99. Visit arcadiapublishing.com.

Michael Dean book signing 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday Full Circle Bookstore 1900 Northwest Expressway, Suite 135 fullcirclebooks.com | 405-842-2900 Free

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

29

BEST OF OKC WINNERS FOOD & DRINK

BEST DESSERT RESTAURANT, SHOP OR BAKERY

BEST LOCAL CRAFT BEER

Finalists: Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store, Brown’s Bakery, Ingrid’s Kitchen, La Baguette Bakery

COOP ALE WORKS

Finalists: Anthem Brewing Company, Prairie Artisan Ales, Stonecloud Brewing Co., Vanessa House Beer Co.

BEST COCKTAIL

LUNCHBOX EDNA’S

Finalists: Disco Nap, The Jones Assembly; Frosé, The Jones Assembly; Rosy Palmer, The Mule; The Black Betty, The Pump Bar

BEST BREAKFAST

JIMMY’S EGG

PIE JUNKIE

BEST FOOD TRUCK OR FOOD CART

BOBO’S CHICKEN

Finalists: Oh My Gogi!, Taqueria Sanchez, Taste of Soul Egg Roll, The Saucee Sicilian

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT

TED’S CAFÉ ESCONDIDO

Finalists: Abel’s Mexican Restaurant, Barrios Fine Mexican Dishes, Chelino’s Mexican Restaurant, San Marcos Mexican Restaurant

Finalists: Cafe Kacao Latin Cuisine, Hatch Early Mood Food, Neighborhood JA.M.,

BEST LATIN RESTAURANT

Sunnyside Diner

Finalists: 1492 New World Latin Cuisine, Cafe Antigua, Cafe Kacao Latin Cuisine, Zarate’s Latin Mexican Grill

BEST BRUNCH

CHEEVER’S CAFE

Finalists: Hatch Early Mood Food, La Baguette Bistro, Neighborhood JA.M., The Jones Assembly

BEST LATE-NIGHT EATS

EMPIRE SLICE HOUSE

Finalists: Beverly’s Pancake House, Bobo’s Chicken, Guyutes, The Pump Bar

BEST BURGER

THE GARAGE BURGERS & BEER Finalists: Nic’s Grill, Patty Wagon Burgers, S&B’s Burger Joint, Tucker’s Onion Burgers

BEST TACO

BIG TRUCK TACOS

Finalists: ¡Revolución!, Hacienda Tacos, Oso on Paseo, Ted’s Café Escondido

BEST SANDWICH SHOP

THE MULE

Finalists: City Bites, Neptune Sub Sandwiches, Scottie’s Deli, Someplace Else A Deli & Bakery

BEST BARBECUE

SWADLEY’S BAR-B-Q

Finalists: Back Door Barbecue, Earl’s Rib Palace, Iron Star Urban Barbeque, Maples Barbecue

BEST PIZZA PLACE

HIDEAWAY PIZZA

CAFÉ DO BRASIL

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

OTHELLO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Finalists: Gabriella’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria, Patrono Italian Restaurant, Stella Modern Italian Cuisine, Vito’s Ristorante

BEST WESTERN EUROPEAN RESTAURANT

INGRID’S KITCHEN

Finalists: Fassler Hall, La Baguette Bistro, Royal Bavaria, Sean Cummings’ Irish Restaurant

BEST MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT

ZORBA’S MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE

Finalists: Basil Mediterranean Café, Cous Cous Café, Mediterranean Imports & Deli, Nunu’s Mediterranean Cafe & Market

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT

TAJ CUISINE OF INDIA

Finalists: Gopuram Taste of India, Himalayas Aroma of India, Sheesh Mahal, Tikka Craze

BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT

GORŌ RAMEN

Finalists: Musashi’s, Shōgun Steak House of Japan, Sumo Japanese Steak House, Tokyo Japanese Restaurant

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

THE PUMP BAR

Finalists: Edna’s, Good Times, Henry Hudson’s Pub, Louie’s Grill & Bar

BEST NEW BAR

GOOD TIMES

Finalists: Banquet Cinema Pub, Barkeep, Chalk, Red Rooster

BEST PATIO DINING

THE JONES ASSEMBLY

Finalists: Barrios Fine Mexican Dishes, Louie’s Grill & Bar, The Mont, The Pump Bar

BEST DINER

SUNNYSIDE DINER

Finalists: Beverly’s Pancake House, Boomarang Diner, Sherri’s Diner, The Diner

BEST RESTAURANT

CATTLEMEN’S STEAKHOUSE

Finalists: Cheever’s Café, Taj Cuisine of India, The Jones Assembly, The Press

BEST CHEF

RYAN PARROTT PICASSO CAFÉ

Finalists: Bruce Rinehart, Rococo; Jeff Chanchaleune, Gorō Ramen; Kevin Lee, The Jones Assembly; Kurt Fleischfresser, Vast

BEST SERVER

RACHEL SMITH THE PUMP BAR

Finalists: Gwynivere Langer, The Jones Assembly; Hanna Slaymaker, The Jones Assembly; Nissi Benni, Taj Cuisine of India; Rodney, Cattlemen’s Steakhouse

BEST BARTENDER

NATHAN COVER THE JONES ASSEMBLY

Finalists: Henri Reiley, 51st Street Speakeasy; Melody Coffia, Night Trips; Ranier Crespo, The Pump Bar; Shannon Barrow, Flip’s Wine Bar & Trattoria

BEST PRE- OR POST- EVENT SPOT

THE BLEU GARTEN

Finalists: The Jones Assembly, The Mont, The Pump Bar, Thunder Alley

BEST NATIONAL OR REGIONAL RESTAURANT

FUZZY’S TACO SHOP

GRAND HOUSE ASIAN BISTRO

Finalists: Chick-fil-A, Outback Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse, Whiskey Cake Bar

BEST STEAKHOUSE

Finalists: China House, Chow’s Chinese Restaurant, Panda Garden Chinese Buffet & BBQ, Szechuan Bistro

Finalists: Mahogany Prime Steakhouse, McClintock Saloon & Chop House, Ranch Steakhouse, Red PrimeSteak

BEST THAI RESTAURANT

ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

Finalists: Empire Slice House, Sauced on Paseo, The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen, The Wedge Pizzeria

CATTLEMEN’S STEAKHOUSE

BEST SUSHI

SUSHI NEKO

Finalists: GoGo Sushi Express and Grill, The Sushi Bar, Tokyo Japanese Restaurant, Volcano Sushi Bar & Hibachi

BEST RESTAURANT WITH VEGAN OR VEGETARIAN MENU OPTIONS

PICASSO CAFÉ

Finalists: Coolgreens, Taj Cuisine of India, The Loaded Bowl, The Red Cup

PANANG THAI RESTAURANT Finalists: Sala Thai, Tana Thai Bistro, Thai House Restaurant, Thai Thai Asian Bistro

BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

PHO LIEN HOA

Finalists: Golden Phoenix, Lido Restaurant, Pho Cuong, VII Asian Bistro

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

OSO ON PASEO

Finalists: Osteria, Red Rooster, Social Deck + Dining, Stitch

BEST SEAFOOD

BEST FINE DINING RESTAURANT

Finalists: Crabtown, Off the Hook Seafood & More, The Drake Seafood & Oysterette, The Shack Seafood & Oyster Bar

Finalists: Mahogany Prime Steakhouse, Ranch Steakhouse, Red PrimeSteak, Vast

PEARL’S OYSTER BAR

30

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

CHEEVER’S CAFÉ

BEST LOCAL COVER BAND

MY SO CALLED BAND

Finalists: Nicnos, Superfreak, Uncle Zep, Weekend Allstars

BEST LOCAL ORIGINAL BAND OR SINGER

MIKE HOSTY

Finalists: Jabee, Kyle Dillingham & Horseshoe Road, Sophia Massad,The Dirty Little Betty’s

BEST RADIO PERSONALITY OR TEAM

JOEY AND HEATHER 98.9 KYIS

Finalists: Lisa and Kent, 92.5 KOMA; Rick and Brad, 100.5 KATT; Shawn Carey, 96.1 KXY; TJ, Janet and JRod, 102.7 KJ103

BEST PERFORMING ARTS GROUP

LYRIC THEATRE OF OKLAHOMA

Finalists: Carpenter Square Theatre, Oklahoma City Ballet, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Terre Rouge Burlesque

BEST VISUAL ARTIST

GREG BURNS

Finalists: David Bricquet, Denise Duong, Dylan Bradway, Jason Pawley

BEST LOCAL ANNUAL EVENT OR FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS ARTS COUNCIL OKLAHOMA CITY

Finalists: Heard on Hurd, Norman Music Festival, Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, Paseo Arts Festival

BEST CHARITY EVENT

OKLAHOMA CITY MEMORIAL MARATHON

Finalists: Boots & Ball Gowns, Infant Crisis Services; Crown of Beauty Gala, The Dragonfly Home; Hero Awards, Oklahoma Humane Society; Red Tie Night

BEST FREE ENTERTAINMENT

PASEO ARTS FESTIVAL

Finalists: Dust Bowl Dolls, Festival of the Arts, Heard on Hurd, Sonic Summer Movies

BEST BAR FOR LIVE MUSIC

VZD’S RESTAURANT & BAR

Finalists: 51st Street Speakeasy, Blue Note Lounge, JJ’s Alley Bricktown Pub, Saints

BEST CONCERT VENUE

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY ARENA

Finalists: The Criterion, The Jones Assembly, The Zoo Amphitheatre, Tower Theatre

GOODS & SERVICES

BEST NEW RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT

BEST PLACE TO BUY LIQUOR

LIFE & WELLNESS

BYRON’S LIQUOR WAREHOUSE Finalists: Freeman’s Liquor Mart, Moore Liquor, Quicker Liquor, Sean’s Wine & Spirits

BEST VAPOR SHOP

OKC VAPES

Finalists: Liquid Vapor Lounge, Prodigy Vapor Co. + CBD Supply, The Intake Vapor & Smoke, Vapor Shark (formerly Vapor World)

BEST FURNITURE STORE

MATHIS BROTHERS FURNITURE Finalists: Ashley HomeStore, Bob Mills Furniture, Galleria Furniture and Mattress Outlet, Suburban Contemporary Furniture

BEST CREDIT UNION

TINKER FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Finalists: Communication Federal Credit Union, Oklahoma’s Credit Union, True Sky Credit Union, Weokie Federal Credit Union

BEST FINE JEWELRY

BC CLARK JEWELERS

Finalists: Huntington Fine Jewelers, Lewis Jewelers, Mitchener Farrand Fine Jewelers, Naifeh Fine Jewelry

BEST PUBLIC ART/MURAL

BEST THRIFT STORE

Finalists: Flamenco by Jonathan Hills, The Paseo Arts District; Life in the Light by Denise Duong, Film Row; New Zealand OKC Thunder player Steven Adams by Graham Hoete, Film Row; The OKC Ring, City Center

Finalists: Community Thrift Store, Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma, Save-U-Moore, Uptown Cheapskate

PLAZA WALLS

BEST PLACE TO BUY LOCAL ART

THE PASEO ARTS DISTRICT

Finalists: 16th Street Plaza District; Artspace at Untitled; DNA Galleries; Festival of the Arts, Arts Council Oklahoma City

BEST ART GALLERY

DNA GALLERIES

Finalists: Artspace at Untitled, Individual Artists of Oklahoma (IAO), JRB Art at the Elms, Little D Gallery

BEST MUSEUM

OKLAHOMA CITY MUSEUM OF ART

Finalists: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, Sam Noble Museum, Science Museum Oklahoma

BEST LOCAL DISTRICT

16TH STREET PLAZA DISTRICT

Finalists: Bricktown, Midtown, The Paseo Arts District, Uptown 23rd District

BEST CASINO

RIVERWIND CASINO

Finalists: Grand Casino Hotel & Resort, Newcastle Casino, Remington Park Racing & Casino, WinStar World Casino and Resort

BEST LGBTQ+ BAR OR CLUB

THE BOOM!

Finalists: HiLo Club, Partners, The Copa, Tramps

BAD GRANNY’S BAZAAR

THE PEAK DISPENSARY

Finalists: 1032 Space, Get Bak’d, Lotus Gold Marijuana Dispensary by CBD Plus USA, Ringside Medical

CANNABIS BEST DISPENSARY

FIRE LEAF DISPENSARY

Finalists: BCC Collective, Lotus Gold Marijuana Dispensary, Ringside Medical, Sage Wellness, The Peak Dispensary

BEST HEAD SHOP

BEST PLACE TO VOLUNTEER

THE PEAK DISPENSARY

Finalists: Habitat For Humanity, Infant Crisis Services, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, The Dragonfly Home

BEST CANNABIS STRAIN

OKLAHOMA HUMANE SOCIETY

BEST NONPROFIT

OKLAHOMA HUMANE SOCIETY Finalists: Homeless Alliance, Infant Crisis Services, Mutt Misfits Animal Rescue Society, The Dragonfly Home

BEST PLASTIC SURGEON

TIM R. LOVE, MD FACS

Finalists: Courtney Caplin, MD, DMD, Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates; Derek Shadid, MD, Shadid Plastic Surgery Associates; Ivan Wayne, MD, Facial Plastic Surgery and W Facial Aesthetics; Justin Jones, MD, Jones Plastic Surgery

BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY CENTER

INTEGRIS JIM THORPE REHABILITATION CENTER

Finalists: Mercy Hospital, Oklahoma Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy Central, Valir Health

BEST HOSPITAL

Finalists: Drew’s Tobacco World, The Indigo Attic, Uncle Samz, Ziggyz Cannabis Co.

ORIGINAL GLUE (GG4) AKA GORILLA GLUE

Finalists: Blue Dream, Granddaddy Purple, Pineapple Express, Sour Diesel

BEST DISPENSARY FOR CONCENTRATES

THE PEAK DISPENSARY

Finalists: APCO Med Cannabis Products, Fire Leaf Dispensary, Rabbit Hole Cannabis Dispensary, Ringside Medical, Top Shelf Health & Wellness

BEST HEALTH AND BEAUTY CANNABIS-INFUSED PRODUCT

COLORADO CURES HOT CANNA CREAM CBD PLUS USA

Finalists: bath bombs, 420 Bomb; Cannagasm Spray, Green Goddess; lotion, Mr. Mack’s; PCRX Hemp Balm, Can-Tek Labs

MERCY HOSPITAL

BEST EDIBLE PRODUCT

LUSH FASHION LOUNGE

BEST MEDICAL SPA

LOTUS GOLD MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

BY CBD PLUS USA

BEST MEN’S CLOTHING

Finalists: Advanced Aesthetics, Bella Luce Med Spa, Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates, Mariposa Aesthetics & Laser Center

BEST WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE

Finalists: Blue Seven, Boutique 206, mode, The Black Scintilla

BLUE SEVEN

Finalists: Integris Baptist Medical Center, OU Medical Center, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, The Children’s Hospital at OU Medicine

REJUVENA COSMETIC MEDICAL CENTER

Finalists: Bad Granny’s Bazaar, Gil’s Clothing & Denim Bar, GQ Fashions Fine Menswear, Mr. Ooley’s

BEST SPA

MEDICAL GRADE THC GUMMIES - FRUIT PUNCH Finalists: brownie, Nature’s Key; caramels, Mr. Mack’s; gummies, Arcadia Brands; infused gummies, Simple Cure

BEST BUDTENDER

BRIDGET SHARP B.C.C. COLLECTIVE

THE SWEET MIMOSA

BEST BICYCLE SHOP

Finalists: Essence Salon Spa and Retreat, Saving Faces Salon/Spa, Three Graces, Udånder

Finalists: Erik Bradshaw, Ringside Medical; Kalev HaLevi, Lotus Gold Marijuana Dispensary

by CBD Plus USA; Lauren Rodriguez, Starbuds; Turbo, Green Plus

Finalists: Bike Lab, Celestial Cycles, Schlegel Bicycles, Wheeler Dealer Bicycle Shop

BEST PLACE TO GET FIT

BEST PET-FRIENDLY PATIO

Finalists: 10Gym, Crunch Fitness, Four Star Fitness, Lake Hefner

BEST ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE PRACTITIONER

Finalists: Angry Scotsman Brewing, Sauced on Paseo, The Jones Assembly, The Pump Bar

BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE

BEST NAUGHTY BUSINESS

Finalists: Akin’s Natural Foods, Dodson’s Health Food & Vitamins, Native Roots Market, Omega Health Foods

AL’S BICYCLES

THE BLEU GARTEN

CHRISTY’S TOY BOX

Finalists: Adèle Wolf Productions, Patricia’s, Red Dog Saloon, Terre Rouge Burlesque

BEST PLACE FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

Finalists: Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, Rose State College, University of Central Oklahoma

BEST PUBLIC BATHROOM

ONCUE

Finalists: Bar Arbolada, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, The Jones Assembly, The Pump Bar

YMCA

UPTOWN GROCERY CO.

GREEN HOPE WELLNESS

Finalists: Bloom Healthcare; Herba Verde Wellness Clinic; Natural Remedy MD of Oklahoma; Randy Whitekiller, Natural Choice Urgent Care

BEST CANNABIS KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF

THE PEAK DISPENSARY

BEST LOCAL HOTEL

Finalists: Green Plus, Lotus Gold Marijuana Dispensary by CBD Plus USA, Ringside Medical, Sage Wellness

Finalists: Ambassador Oklahoma City, Colcord, Embassy Suites, The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City

BEST PLACE TO BUY CBD PRODUCTS

21C MUSEUM HOTEL

CBD PLUS USA

Finalists: Sage Wellness, Steve’s Greens Cannabis & Wellness, The Peak Dispensary, UWD

BEST PLACE TO BUY CANNABIS PLANTS

THE PEAK DISPENSARY

Finalists: Okie Kush Club, Sage Wellness, Steve’s Greens Cannabis & Wellness, UWD

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

31

OKG Lifestyle

Around OKC EAT Café do Brasil WATCH

Broad City (Comedy Central, Hulu)

LISTEN This American Life podcast/radio show READ Lumberjanes by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Brooklyn A. Allen

and Noelle Stevenson

LOVE Mutt Misfits EXPERIENCE Rodeo Cinema

Outside OKC EAT Omega Chocolate in Bartlesville EAT Veronica Mars (Hulu) WATCH Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast and radio show LISTEN Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi READ Binging with Babish (YouTube) LOVE Bumbershoot music and arts festival in Seattle EXPERIENCE

Lauren Zuniga’s Picks EAT Carican Flavors WATCH Locked & Loaded drag showcase hosted by

Q & Topatio (last Friday of each month at The Loaded Bowl)

LISTEN Labrys READ Be/Hold: A Friendship Book is by a dear friend of mine

Shira Erlichman. Also anything by Danez Smith.

LOVE The Pattern app EXPERIENCE Mary’s Swap Meet Lauren Brazzle Zuniga is a internationally touring poet and activist currently obsessed with making Oklahoma City a cooler place for queer people to live.

CAFE DO BRASIL | PHOTO GAZETTE / FILE • BROAD CITY | IMAGE COMEDY CENTRAL / PROVIDED VERONICA MARS | IMAGE HULU / PROVIDED • CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE | IMAGE HENRY HOLT AND CO. BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS / PROVIDED LAUREN ZUNIGA | PHOTO ALEXA ACE • TOPATÍO HOSTS LOCKED & LOADED DRAG SHOWCASE | PHOTO ALEXA ACE BE/HOLD: A FRIENDSHIP BOOK | PHOTO IMAGE PENNY CANDY BOOKS / PROVIDED PROVIDED 32

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

Around OKC EAT Oh! Baby WATCH

American Greed (CNBC)

LISTEN Armchair Expert podcast READ Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell

Us About Who We Really Are by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz

LOVE Piehole Cherry Pie Whiskey EXPERIENCE Momentum art show

Outside OKC Wagamama EAT Patriot Act with Hasan Minaj (Netflix) WATCH Reply All podcast LISTEN Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid READ SciShow (YouTube) LOVE Jewel Cave National Monument in South Dakota EXPERIENCE

Ryan LaCroix’s Picks EAT beef bulgogi at B-Won Korean Restaurant WATCH

Last Chance U (Netflix)

LISTEN new music by Pigments, Mad Honey and Beau Jennings READ Boom Town: The Fantastical Saga of Oklahoma City,

Its Chaotic Founding, Its Apocalyptic Weather, Its Purloined Basketball Team, and the Dream of Becoming a World-Class Metropolis by Sam Anderson

LOVE Fat Tire Amber Ale EXPERIENCE peace and quiet Ryan LaCroix is the host of the Oklahoma Rock Show, an Oklahoma music radio show airing every Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. on KOSU and The Spy. OH! BABY | PHOTO BRITTANY PICKERING • ARMCHAIR EXPERT PODCAST | IMAGE ARMCHAIR EXPERT / PROVIDED DAISY JONES & THE SIX BY TAYLOR JENKINS REID | IMAGE PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE / PROVIDED • PATRIOT ACT WITH HASAN MINAJ | IMAGE NETFLIX / PROVIDED BOOM TOWN: THE FANTASTICAL SAGA OF OKLAHOMA CITY, ITS CHAOTIC FOUNDING, ITS APOCALYPTIC WEATHER, ITS PURLOINED BASKETBALL TEAM, AND THE DREAM OF BECOMING A WORLD-CLASS METROPOLIS | IMAGE RANDOM HOUSE / PROVIDED • RYAN LACROIX | PHOTO GAZETTE / FILE O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

33

CALENDAR are events recommended

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

BOOKS Brunching with Books a book club meeting every other week, with reading selections chosen by group preference, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays.

Buttermilk Paseo, 605 NW 28th St., 405-605-6660, buttermilkokc.com. SAT Oklahoma Voices hear featured poets read from their works at this monthly event, 2 p.m. the first Sunday of every month. IAO Gallery, 706 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-232-6060, iaogallery.org. SUN What Lies Between Us join journalist and activist Ayanna Najuma in a discussion of the book Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge, Tue., Sept. 3. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. TUE

FILM 40 Minutes or Less: Local Female Filmmakers a showcase of short films created by Oklahoma female filmmakers, 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 29. Artspace at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405-815-9995, 1ne3.org. THU Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969, USA, George Roy Hill) Paul Newman and Robert Redford star in this classic western about outlaws attempting to flee the law after a train robbery; aired on OETA as part of its weekly Movie Club, 9 p.m. Aug. 31. SAT The Farewell (2019, USA, Lulu Wang) Awkwafina stars in this tragi-comic film about a Chinese family reuniting around their dying matriarch without telling her she has weeks to live, through Aug. 29, Through Aug. 29. Rodeo Cinema, 2221 Exchange Ave., 405-235-3456. SUN-THU Floating Films: Jaws (1975, USA, Steven Spielberg) see Speilberg’s iconic aquatic thriller from the banks of the river, or rent a raft or inner-tube and watch it on the water, 9-10:30 p.m. Aug. 31. Riversport Rapids, 800 Riversport Drive, 405-552-4040, riversportokc.org. SAT Maiden (2019, UK, Alex Holmes) a documentary about the first female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989, Aug. 30, Fri., Aug. 30. Rodeo Cinema, 2221 Exchange Ave., 405-235-3456. FRI Mike Wallace Is Here (2019, USA, Avi Belkin) a documentary exploring the public and private life of the 60 Minutes interviewer, Aug. 30-Sept.1, Aug. 30-Sept. 1. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. FRI-SUN Pimpam! (2019, USA, Pratibha Gautam) a group of friends tries to supplement their income by renting out a sex robot in this comedy filmed in Oklahoma City, 6:30-8 p.m. Aug. 30. The Paramount Room, 701 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-887-3327, theparamountroom.com. FRI

VHS and Chill: Blockbusted Video riff along with comedians and film fans at this monthly movie screening where audience participation is encouraged, 7-9 p.m. first Wednesday of every month. The Paramount Room, 701 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-8873327, theparamountroom.com. WED

HAPPENINGS Afro Beats a dance party with soca, hip-hop, Caribbean, dancehall and other genres of music provided

by DJ Sinz, 11 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays. Glass Lounge, 5929 N. May Ave., 405-835-8077, glasshouseokc.com. FRI Board Game Day enjoy local craft beer while playing old-school board and arcade games with friends, 5-8 p.m. Sundays. FlashBack RetroPub, 814 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-633-3604, flashbackretropub.com. SUN Candle Magick learn how to make ceremonial candles at this hands-on workshop, 6-7 p.m. Aug. 29.

Labyrinth Temple, 417 NW 25th St., facebook.com/ labyrinthtempleokc. THU Coffee with Real Estate Investors network over coffee and discuss topics such as real estate investing, building a successful business and chasing the American dream, 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Starbucks, 5800 W. Memorial Road, 405-722-6189, starbucks.com. WED Conversational Spanish Group Meetup an opportunity for all experience levels to practice speaking Spanish, 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. TUE Doggie Paddle a dog friendly evening at the pool with food trucks, music and games, 6:30-9 p.m.

Sept. 2. Reno Swim & Slide, 101 S. Douglas Blvd., 405-739-0066. MON Drag Me to Bingo bingo night hosted by Teabaggin Betsy, 9 p.m. Tuesdays. Partners, 2805 NW 36th St., 405-942-2199, partners4club.com. TUE Fuzzy Friday a monthly happy hour meet-andgreet hosted by the Bears of Central Oklahoma, 5:30 p.m. Fridays. Apothecary 39, 2125 NW 39th St., 405-605-4100. FRI Grand Opening Festival a celebration featuring prizes, food trucks and performances by Giac Quang Lion Dance Association, Summerrain Band and Lao Natasinh, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 31. World Fresh Int’l Market, 10700 S. Pennsylvania Ave., 405-349-7200. SAT Moore Chess Club play in tournaments and learn about the popular board game at this weekly event where all ages and skill levels are welcome, 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Moore Library, 225 S. Howard Ave., Moore. SUN Music Industry Networking Night local musicians, promoters and fans are invited to socialize at this community meet-and-greet hosted by Elecktra Stanislava and Evan Jarvicks, 7-9:30 p.m. Aug. 28.

Angry Scotsman Brewing, 704 W. Reno Ave., 405673-7713, angryscotbrew.com. WED Pooches on the Patio bring your best friend to this dog-friendly happy hour with drink specials, appetizers and free pet treats, 4-7 p.m. Saturdays.

Café 501 Classen Curve, 5825 NW Grand Blvd., 405844-1501, cafe501.com. SAT

Bushcraft 101: Wilderness Survival Skills This hands-on introduction to staying alive in the wilderness with minimal resources promises to help you “survive getting lost in the woods, or the collapse of civilization as we know it,” but that’s silly, of course. What are the odds you’re going to get lost in the woods anytime soon? Get prepared 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at Southwest Oklahoma City Public Library, 2201 SW 134th St. Admission is free. Register by calling 405979-2200 or visiting pioneerlibrarysystem.org/sokc.

THURSDAY Photo bigstockphoto.com

Red Dirt Dinos: An Oklahoma Dinosaur Adventure learn about regional prehistoric reptiles at this hands-on exhibit featuring three interactive robotic dinosaurs, through Sept. 2. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. THU-MON

The Book of Will playwright Lauren Gunderson’s dramatization of the compilation of William Shakespeare’s First Folio; presented by Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park and directed by Rex Daugherty, through Aug. 31.

Shakespeare on Paseo, 2920 Paseo St., 405-235-3700, oklahomashakespeare.org. THU-SAT

Renegade Poker compete in a 2-3 hour tournament with cash prizes, 3 p.m. Sundays. Bison Witches Bar & Deli, 211 E Main St., 405-364-7555, bisonwitchesok.com. SUN

Dennis Miller, David Spade and Norm Macdonald the comics and Saturday Night Live alums will perform, 7 p.m. Aug. 30. WinStar World Casino, 777 Casino Ave., Thackerville, 866-946-7787, winstarworldcasino.com. FRI

Train Rides take a ride on the museum’s train and see motor cars, locomotive, passenger cars and railroad equipment, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 31. Oklahoma Railway Museum, 3400 NE Grand Blvd., 405-4248222, oklahomarailwaymuseum.org. SAT Trivia Night at Black Mesa Brewing test your knowledge at this weekly competition hosted by BanjoBug Trivia, 6:30 p.m. June 18. Black Mesa Brewing Company, 1354 W Sheridan Ave., 405-778-1865, blackmesabrewing.com. TUE Trivia Night at Matty McMillen’s answer questions for a chance to win prizes at this weekly trivia night, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Matty McMillen’s Irish Pub, 2201 NW 150th St., 405-607-8822, mattymcmillens.com. TUE

WriterCon a convention for aspiring writers with classes and speakers, presented by Red Sneaker Writers Center and Write Well Sell Well, Aug. 30Sept. 1. Skirvin Hilton Hotel, 1 Park Ave., 405-2723040, skirvinhilton.com. FRI-SUN

Frankie’s Friends and Family an evening of entertainment featuring performers from several regularly produced shows, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Aug. 30.

Frankie’s, 2807 NW 36th St., 405-602-2030, facebook.com/frankiesokc. FRI

YOUTH Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma Storytime children can hear stories and meet therapy dogs while their parents enjoy coffee, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Sept. 4. Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma, 600 NW 23rd St., (405) 600-9981, dsaco.org. WED Early Explorers toddlers and preschoolers can participate in fun scientific activities they can repeat later at home, 10-11 a.m. Thursdays. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, 405602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. THU Reading Wednesdays a weekly storytime with hands-on activities, goody bags and readingthemed photo ops, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays.

Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405445-7080, myriadgardens.com. WED

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

Don Quixote Open Mic a weekly comedy show followed by karaoke, 7:30-9 p.m. Fridays. Don Quixote Club, 3030 N. Portland Ave., 405-947-0011. FRI Driving Miss Daisy a widow and her chauffeur forge an unlikely friendship in Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play; directed by W. Jerome Stevenson and starring Brenda Williams and Albert Bostick, through Sept. 7.

The Pollard Theatre, 120 W. Harrison Ave., 405-282-2800, thepollard.org. FRI-SAT

Paseo Farmers Market shop for fresh food from local vendors at this weekly outdoor event, 9 a.m.noon Saturdays, through Oct. 19. SixTwelve, 612 NW 29th St., 405-208-8291, sixtwelve.org. SAT

34

Dolls at the Flea dancers from Dust Bowl Dolls Burlesque troupe will perform, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Aug. 30. The Flea, 733 NW Fourth St., 405-601-7256. FRI

Voter Registration Training learn how to register voters at the question and answer session led by David Glover of badvoter.org, 6 p.m. Aug. 29. Oklahoma Democratic Party, 3700 N. Classen Blvd., Suite 100, 405-427-3366, okdemocrats.org. THU

FOOD

Sisu Volunteer Training As the only overnight emergency shelter serving unaccompanied youth in Oklahoma City, LGBTQ+-affirming Sisu Youth Services is always in need of resources and people power. Learn how you can help with community outreach, donation collection, fundraising or as an overnight youth support specialist. The training is 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday at Sisu Youth Services, 3131 N. Pennsylvania Ave. The necessary background check is $15. To apply, visit sisuyouth. org/get_involved. THURSDAY Photo provided

Divine Comedy a weekly local showcase hosted

by CJ Lance and Josh Lathe and featuring a variety of comedians from OKC and beyond, 9 p.m.

Wednesdays. 51st Street Speakeasy, 1114 NW 51st St., 405-463-0470, 51stspeakeasy.com. WED

Storytime Science the museum invites children age 6 and younger to hear a story and participate in a related scientific activity, 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. TUE

PERFORMING ARTS 1UC Music Fest performers including Diamaste’ de Stoirme, Fred Hill and Ravens Three will play on the front steps; pets and children welcome, 6-10 p.m. Aug. 31. First Unitarian Church, 600 NW 13th St., 405-232-9224, 1uc.org. SAT

GO TO OKGAZETTE.COM FOR FULL LISTINGS!

Iron Horse Open Mic and Showcase perform music on stage at this show open to all experience levels, 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays. Iron Horse Bar & Grill, 9501 S. Shields Blvd., 405-735-1801. WED Kendell’s Open Mic play up to four songs at this weekly music open mic, 8-11 p.m. Tuesdays. Kendell’s, 110 S. May Ave., kendellsbar.com. TUE Laughs and Love Comedy a comedy showcase featuring performances by Georgina, Hynni B and Cece, 7-10 p.m. Aug. 30. Wyndham Garden Oklahoma City Airport, 2101 S Meridian Ave, 405-685-4000. FRI Lumpy’s Open Mic Night play a song of your own or just listen to the performers at this weekly show hosted by John Riley Willingham, 9 p.m.

Wednesdays. Lumpy’s Sports Grill, 12325 N. May Ave., 405-286-3300, lumpyssportsgrill.com. WED Monday Night Blues Jam Session bring your own instrument to this open-stage jam hosted by Wess McMichael, 7-9 p.m. Mondays. Othello’s Italian Restaurant, 434 Buchanan Ave., 405-701-4900, othellos.us. MON OKC Comedy Open Mic Night get some stage time or just go to listen and laugh at this open mic hosted by Travis Phillips, 7 p.m. Mondays. The Paramount Room, 701 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-887-3327, theparamountroom.com. MON OKC Improv performers create original scenes in the moment based on suggestions from the audience, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Oklahoma City Improv, 1757 NW 16th St., 405-4569858, okcimprov.com. FRI Triple’s Open Mic a music and comedy open mic hosted by Amanda Howle, 7:30 p.m. every other Wednesday. Triple’s, 8023 NW 23rd St., 405-7893031. WED Open Mic at The P share your musical talent or just come to listen at this weekly open mic, 7 p.m.

Wednesdays. The Patriarch Craft Beer House & Lawn, 9 E. Edwards St., 405-285-6670, thepatriarchedmond.com. WED

Othello’s Comedy Night see professionals and amateurs alike at this long-running weekly open mic for standup comics, 9 p.m. Tuesdays. Othello’s Italian Restaurant, 434 Buchanan Ave., Norman, 405-701-4900, othellos.us. TUE Paramount Open Mic show off your talents at this open mic hosted by musician Chris Morrison, 7 p.m. first Wednesday of every month. The Paramount Room, 701 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-887-3327, theparamountroom.com. WED Peace & Love Tour a celebration of Woodstock’s 50th anniversary featuring trivia, tie-dye and live music by Paisley Craze Band, 7-10 p.m. Aug. 31. Rose State College, 6420 SE 15th St., 405-733-7673, rose.edu. SAT Poetic City Mic Night a poetry open mic also featuring live music and a reading by featured poet Sharita Renee Wilson, 8-11 p.m. Aug. 30. Glass Lounge, 5929 N. May Ave., 405-835-8077, glasshouseokc.com. FRI Red Dirt Open Mic a weekly open mic hosted by Red Dirt Poetry, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Sauced on Paseo, 2912 Paseo St., 405-521-9800, saucedonpaseo.com. WED Rhyme in Reasons share your talent or just watch other artists perform at this weekly open mic, 7:30-10 p.m. Thursdays. Reasons Lounge, 1140 N. MacArthur Boulevard, 405-774-9991. THU

List your event in

BEST THRIFT STORE Thanks OKC! sories Clothing • Acces les Curious Collectab & More!

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.

in the Plaza 1759 NW 16th • Oklahoma City • 405-528-4585 Open Tues-Sat 12-7 • Follow Us Online!

Submit your listings online at okgazette.com or email them to listings@okgazette.com.

Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

Sanctuary Karaoke Service don a choir robe and sing your favorite song, 9 p.m.-midnight Wednesdays and Thursdays. Sanctuary Barsilica, 814 W. Sheridan Ave., facebook.com/sanctuarybarokc. WED That’s So Foxxi Benefit Show an evening of entertainment benefitting Miss Gay Oklahoma USofA At Large Foxxi Chanell Paige, 8-10 p.m. Aug. 31. The Boom, 2218 NW 39th St., 405-601-7200, theboomokc.com. SAT VZD’s Open Mic Night a weekly music mic hosted by Joe Hopkins, 7 p.m. Wednesdays. VZD’s Restaurant & Bar, 4200 N. Western Ave., 405-602-3006, vzds.com. WED Weekly Jams bring an instrument and play along with others at this open-invitation weekly jam session, 9:30 p.m.-midnight Tuesdays. Saints, 1715 NW 16th St., 405602-6308, saintspubokc.com. TUE

ACTIVE Botanical Balance an all-levels yoga class in a natural environment; bring your own mat and water, 5:45 p.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.com. SAT-TUE Mixed Doubles Sand Volleyball Tournament a co-ed tournament for teams of two, noon-5 p.m. Sept. 2.

Lighthouse Beach Bar, 3330 NW 112th Terrace, 405-2453163, lighthousebeachbar.com. MON Monday Night Group Ride meet up for a weekly 25-30 minute bicycle ride at about 18 miles per hour through east Oklahoma City, 6 p.m. Mondays. The Bike Lab OKC, 2200 W. Hefner Road, 405-603-7655. MON Namas-Bey Yoga a yoga class featuring Beyoncé’s music in celebration of her birthday, 6-7 p.m. Sept. 4.

Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-4457080, myriadgardens.com. WED Oklahoma Victory Dolls Roller Derby Open House an informational meeting for people interested in joining the Victory Dolls roller derby team, 7-8 p.m.

Sept. 2. Star Skate, 2020 W. Lindsey St., 405-329-1818, starskate.com. MON Run the Alley a three-mile social run for athletes of all abilities ending with beers at The Yard, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays. OK Runner, 708 N Broadway Ave., 405-702-9291, myokrunner.com. THU Stars and Stripes Spin Jam a weekly meetup for jugglers, hula hoopers and unicyclers, 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays. Stars & Stripes Park, 3701 S. Lake Hefner Drive, 405-297-2756, okc.gov/parks. WED Twisted Coyote Brew Crew a weekly 3-mile group run for all ability levels with a beer tasting to follow; bring your own safety lights, 6 p.m. Mondays. Twisted Spike Brewing Co., 1 NW 10th St., 405-301-3467, twistedspike.com. MON Wheeler Criterium a weekly nighttime cycling event with criterium races, food trucks and family activities, 5-8 p.m. Tuesdays. Wheeler Park, 1120 S. Western Ave., 405-297-2211, wheelerdistrict.com. TUE Yoga with Art workout in an art-filled environment followed by a mimosa, 10:30 a.m. Saturdays.

21c Museum Hotel, 900 W. Main St., 405-982-6900, 21cmuseumhotels.com. SAT

VISUAL ARTS Advancing the Pencil Portrait, Part II learn how to create better pencil portraits at this class for all experience levels, 6 p.m. Aug. 29-Sept. 19. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-4782250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. THU All My Sisters an exhibition of Janice MathewsGordon’s paintings of women, inspired by the feminist movement and her own childhood and family, through Aug. 31. JRB Art at The Elms, 2810 N. Walker Ave., 405528-6336, jrbartgallery.com. THU-SAT

Matthew Alvin Brown as David Frost

D. Lance Marsh as Richard Nixon

September 4 - 22 • Lyric at the Plaza Order Now for the Best Seats at the Best Price!

Written by Peter Morgan

• Directed by Michael Baron

Politics and the press collide spectacularly in David Frost’s 1977 landmark interviews of Former President Richard Nixon. What happens behind the television cameras is just as engaging as in front where image is king and the stakes have never been higher.

This timely, dramatic look at the Nixon Presidency post-Watergate television interviews is sure to leave you on the edge of your seat even though you know the ending. (Contains strong language)

TICKETS START AT JUST $25!

Charge Tickets by Phone: (405) 524-9312 or Online: LyricTheatreOKC.org

For Group Discounts and Preferred Seating, Email Groups@LyricTheatreOKC.org

continued on page 36

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

35

CALENDAR C A L E N DA R

continued from page 35 Art & Design Faculty Exhibit an exhibition of visual arts, design and research projects created by University of Central Oklahoma faculty, through Aug. 30. Melton Gallery, 100 N. University Drive, Edmond, 405-525-3603, uco.edu. MON-FRI Brenda Kingery: A Retrospective an exhibition of 23 paintings by the Chickasaw artist and Oklahoma City native, through Sept. 6. Oklahoma City University, 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave, 405-208-5000. SAT-FRI

Seeds of Being an exhibition examining the evolution of art created by Indigenous groups in North America, through Dec. 30. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 405-325-3272, ou.edu/fjjma. WED-SAT Seeing Now an exhibit of multimedia art works

by Hank Willis Thomas, Ken Gonzales-Day, Travis Somerville, Paul Rucker, Graciela Sacco, Terence Hammonds and Michael Waugh, through Dec. 31.

21c Museum Hotel, 900 W. Main St., 405-982-6900, 21cmuseumhotels.com. THU-SAT

READ US AT Crystal Reverie The translucent textile art created by Tulsa Artist Fellowship recipient Rachel Hayes is made for outdoor display and intended to interact with the natural environment around it. In Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, her work commingles with nature while being protected from some of the harsher elements of Oklahoma’s unpredictable weather. As an added bonus, you, the viewer, will be too. The exhibit is on display through Oct. 21 at Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory at Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave. Admission is free-$8.

Call 405-445-7080 visit myriadgardens.org.

THROUGH OCT. 21 Photo Doug Hoke / provided

Colors of Clay an exhibition of clay pots, bowls, pitchers and jars created by Native American artists, Aug. 30-May 10, Aug. 30-May 10. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. FRI-SAT

Thoughts on Africa an exhibition of Don Nevard’s photographs of native African wildlife, through Oct. 31. Inasmuch Foundation Gallery at Oklahoma City Community College, 7777 S. May Avenue, 4056827579. SAT-THU

From the Golden Age to the Moving Image: The Changing Face of the Permanent Collection view portraits painted by Kehinde Wiley, Anthony van Dyck, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and George Bellows, through Sept. 22. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. FRI-SUN

Urban Abstracts an exhibition of digital artworks created by abstract painter and photographer Lawrence Leif, through Aug. 31. Artspace at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405-815-9995, 1ne3.org. WED-SAT

INTEGRIS Art Show view a variety of art works created by people whose lives have been affected by cancer, through Sept. 6. Integris Cancer Institute, 5911 W. Memorial Road, 405-773-6400, integris.tv/ cancer. THU-FRI

THANK YOU

for voting for us in the BEST PLACE TO GET FIT category YMCAOKC.ORG 36

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

Leviathan I: The Aesthetics of Capital an experimental exhibition created by artist Pete Froslie exploring climate change, moral and political philosophy through electro-mechanics and game engine-based digital projection, through Dec. 31.

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Norman, 555 Elm Ave., 405-325-3272, ou.edu/fjjma. WED-SAT Life Imagined: The Art and Science of Automata see examples of mechanical proto-robots from 1850 to the modern day, through Sept. 29.

Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, 405-602-6664, sciencemuseumok.org. SUN Patrick Riley: A Retrospective an exhibit of drawings, jewelry, sculpture and other artworks created by the artist and educator, through Aug. 29. Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum, 1400 Classen Drive, 405-235-4458, oklahomaheritage.com. THU Remembering Regina Murphy an exhibit honoring the art and legacy of the painter and Paseo Arts District leader, Through Aug. 31. The Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave., Norman, 405-307-9320, pasnorman.org. FRI-SAT A Room in Bloom an exhibition of floral photography by Oklahoma City artist Renee Lawrence, through Sept. 1.

Contemporary Art Gallery, 2928 Paseo St., 405-601-7474, contemporaryartgalleryokc.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

see page 41

FRI-SUN

GO TO OKGAZETTE.COM FOR FULL LISTINGS!

2019 BLUE WHALE

FOLLOW

COMEDY FESTIVAL

TRICHOMES

AUGUST 29-31 + Tulsa, OK

LEAF STIGMA

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

@MAGAZINEEXTRACT FRIDAY Headliner

Saturday Headliner

Wolf

byer

Michelle

Nicole

featuring

matteo lane

+

DJ Pryor

+

Jackie Tohn

+

Rae Sanni

Cain's ballroOm

TICKETS + PASSES ON SALE NOW! BLUEWHALECOMEDYFESTIVAL.COM

Direct from Rome, the Four Italian Tenors perform the greatest tenor arias and songs of all time, in wonderful unique arrangements, created particularly for their U.S. debut tour.

Their performances are captivating, exhilarating, passionate and engaging—and trust us, their voices are magnificent!

Hear this new generation of world class tenors explore and present these beloved classics in Armstrong’s phenomenal, world-class acoustic! Act now—seating is limited!

Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853–1890). Daisies, Arles (detail), 1888. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.

Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon. Photo: Travis Fullerton. © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

37

Call 488-2400 for cannabis testing that’s second to none.

405 488 2400 | CannabestLabs.com

NOW OPEN IN NORMAN!

MUNCHIE MONDAY 15% off edibles

TWISTED TUESDAY

MMJ RecoMMendations

DA I LY S P ECI AL S

2 pre-rolls for $10

WAX WEDNESDAY

THANK YOU THURSDAY

2PM - 6PM

FOGGY FRIDAY

TA I LG AT E PAT I E N T DRIVE $75

20% off for military, first responders, healthcare & teachers (with ID) Buy 2 or more carts for $50 each (or 15% off one)

SELECT SATURDAY

$250 ounce of any platinum strain

OUT THE DOOR PRICE $6 PREROLLS TAX INCLUDED FLOWER PRICING 1 3 8 0 1 N W E S T E R N AV E # E | M E M O R I A L & W E S T E R N | 4 0 5 . 2 5 2 . 4 1 9 3 5 4 1 S U N I V E R S I T Y B LV D . | C A M P U S C O R N E R | N O R M A N 8 2 5 S W 1 9 T H S T, # 1 1 | M O O R E | 4 0 5 . 2 3 7. 3 4 7 1 401 NW 10TH | MIDTOWN | OKC

CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR UPCOMING FREE “HOW TO MEDICATE WITH CANNABIS CLASSES” OR TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

GREEN HOPEWEL L NE SS.C OM

405-543-7200

d i sp e n sa ry

9/1/19 | NORMAN

20% off shatter, wax, budder & diamonds

WWW.OKIEKUSHCLUB.COM

OKIE KUSH CLUB FLOWER BACK IN STOCK BEST FLOWER AT THE BEST PRICE

GET YOURS BEFORE IT’S GONE!

ACHH CAN

RID YOUR BODY OF HPV

Active Hexose Correlated Compound (ACHH) a supplement derived from Shiitake mushrooms has been proven to help the body fully eradicate HPV within 6 months!

Read more about the benefits of AHCC online at:

DISPENSARY HOURS

MON-THUR 10AM– 8PM FRI 10AM–9PM SAT 9AM–9PM SUN 12PM–6PM

405-676-5826

2301 S. I-35 SERVICE ROAD, MOORE PERSONALIZED CANNABIS TREATMENT PLANS

38

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

bit.ly/33ZWThE

MON - SAT 10A- 8P • SUN 10A - 6P 33 W. 15TH ST, EDMOND 73013 • 405.696.5354 NOW 1304 LINDSEY PLAZA DR, NORMAN, OK 73071 • 405.310.6100 OPEN

ACCREDITED BY:

MUSIC The Mavericks play 8 p.m. Sept. 5 at Tower Theatre. | Photo Haris Nukem / provided

artists, it never feels good to just keep repeating the same thing, no matter how successes may come or go. The point, as artists, is to keep being honest and genuine and true to that thing that you’re still looking for. Luckily, we’re all still looking for what that magic cut is going to be, that magic record, that performance, whatever it is, and I can say that there’s been no shortage of that.”

EVENT

Fitting in

Moving Mavericks

Members of The Mavericks continue growing musically after 30 years in the business.

By Jeremy Martin

When guitarist Eddie Perez joined The Mavericks in 2003, the hard-to-classify band was more than a decade old and had recorded multiple Grammynominated hit songs and albums. It broke up the following year.

“I think the first time around, I felt a little bit like, ‘Man, we just got this thing started, and now, it’s going away.

What a shame,’” Perez said. “And I’d always hoped that at some point, we would think about maybe trying to focus our lives and our ambitions to a common thing, trying to figure out how to do The Mavericks and do more of it.”

The Mavericks play 8 p.m. Sept. 5 at Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd St. The band — known for bringing elements of roots rock and Tejano to the country music charts with songs such as “Dance the Night Away,” “What a Crying Shame,” “There Goes My Heart” and “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down” — reunited in 2012. The current lineup, which includes founding members Raúl Malo (vocals/ guitar) and Paul Deakin (drums) as well as Perez and keyboardist Jerry Dale McFadden, reunited in 2012 and released comeback album In Time in 2013.

American Songwriter called it “as powerful and timeless as anything they have done, which is saying plenty.” Malo, who recorded several solo albums following

The Mavericks’ breakup, told American Songwriter he felt like the songs on In Time “really sounded like they needed to be on a new Mavericks record.”

Perez said the years apart, working on other projects, allowed the band to reconvene with a clearer sense of purpose.

“There just seems to be a very defined focus this time around,” Perez said. “It seems that the time away from each other and away from all of it has given us some reframing of sorts, mostly in our minds, about how we approach this.”

The music we create together is something that doesn’t have many bounds.

Eddie Perez Between iterations of the band, Perez also had the chance to acquire a better understanding of the realities of the music industry.

“I’ve had my own experiences within that time that the band didn’t exist and went off to play with lots of different people and got more experience and just more years of being on the road and trying to figure out how to stay in this

business and make it all happen,” Perez said. “Over the course of time, I can see pretty clearly, when I reflect back to that first time, I can see, on my part, of a lack of real experience.”

Working with Dwight Yoakam, an experience Perez called “about as rock star as a country music gig can get,” also provided a lesson in “professionalism to the nth degree.”

“It taught me all about focus, and it taught me about how the details and everything in this business are important,” Perez said. “To get it just right can mean different things to certain people, but what I saw in him was an absolute businessman and somebody that really knows his profession, knows his craft and his trade and knows how to keep moving himself forward.”

Reunited and celebrating the 30th anniversary of the band forming in 1989, The Mavericks also draw “absolute inspiration” from sometimes-tourmates Los Lobos, a similarly difficult-to-define and even longer-lived band.

“Musically, they still keep going and forging ahead,” Perez said. “I think all those guys are artists in their own right, let alone in all the same group. … We definitely look to them for inspiration, no doubt, musically and business-wise.

We just did some shows recently with them, and they’re still as spirited as ever and still sounding as good, perhaps even better, these days.”

The same could, and has been, said for The Mavericks.

“The music we create together is something that doesn’t have many bounds,” Perez said. “We’ve all committed to presenting ourselves in this business as a creative entity that keeps moving. As

The current tour includes music spanning from the band’s early days playing rock clubs in Miami to songs from 2017’s Brand New Day, The Mavericks’ most recent album and its first studio album to be released on its own label Mono Mundo Recordings. Though Perez was not part of the lineup that recorded the band’s first hits, he said he brings a different energy and viewpoint to the songs when he plays them live.

“I come to this band as a fan first, really digging the music, so to be able to have the opportunity to kind of dig out some of those older tunes from the days when I wasn’t there, it only gives me a chance to put a little bit more of my expression into something that I know just as well as they do, but only from a fan’s perspective,” Perez said. “I respect the music so much and the legacy and all of that. I believe in it. I fully support it, and at the same time, I try to bring what it is, in terms of sentiment and emotion, that it makes me feel, what the music invokes. So I always seem to find a place in all of it. I felt that way with Dwight, too. It was almost like somebody saying, ‘Hey, mi casa es su casa.’ So I walk in, and I feel comfortable.”

The Mavericks’ wide-ranging influences and experiences provide plenty of room for innovation and experimentation, Perez said. In his years with the band, he cannot recall anytime when an idea was rejected for not fitting into any preconceived notion of what the band should sound like.

“That’s the strange beauty about this imperfect, perfect thing, for me … it doesn’t limit anything,” Perez said. “The truth is we all play nice together, simply put. Whenever we tackle a cover tune or something silly or, you know, whatever, it never really seems to sound forced. It just sounds like our version of whatever it is we’re doing, and somehow we seem to find our place in it.”

Tickets are $39-$52. Visit towertheatreokc.com.

The Mavericks 8 p.m. Sept. 5 Tower Theatre 425 NW 23rd St. towertheatreokc.com | 405-708-6937 $39-$52

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

39

F E AT U R E

MUSIC

Wizurdz compromise Limp Wizurdz grapples with its roots while dealing with the reality of its present. By Jeremy Martin

Limp Wizurdz is getting serious — sort of.

“It definitely did start off as a joke,” said guitarist Jeffrey Simmons, who founded the band with vocalist Taylor Young. “Taylor hates when I say this, but when we started the band, we were listening to Limp Bizkit.”

At this point in the interview, Young interrupted to clarify that he and Simmons, friends since daycare, began playing together at “13 or 14.” Young taught Simmons to play “Smoke on the Water.”

“We never thought it would go anywhere,” Simmons continued, “but then from that, it turned into, you know, all our friends would come to the shows, and then we kind of got the realization of, ‘OK, we can do something, here.’ Fast forward five, six, seven years or whatever, and now, when we try to put something out that we perceive as a serious release, we definitely still fight with that stigma of ‘Limp Wizurdz, the joke band.’”

Young thinks the band name might have something to do with it.

“Well, we spell ‘wizards’ wrong,” Young said. “A lot of people are like, ‘Well, you could change it,’ and we could, but it would be so disingenuous.

Blink-182, that’s a silly band name. If they never got famous and they were still doing it seven years later, people would probably be like, ‘Blink-182,

Limp Wizurdz released Circles on Aug. 4. | Image Braden Crumly / provided

that’s a shitty band name.’ … If a band name is what makes you not like the music, then you should probably just maybe fuck off because there’s more important shit than a band name.”

Limp Wizurdz released its latest album, Circles, on Aug. 4. Simmons said Circles is the sound of the band members 40

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

growing without forgetting their roots.

“As musicians, I think it’s at another level, but at the same time, we have songs like ‘Bad Milk’ and ‘Assbeater’ and ‘If One of Us Moves’ to where if you like that old-school punk rock, loud bullshit, we still cover that because we love to do it, and that’s honestly the funnest stuff to play live,” Simmons said. “But then you’ve got songs like ‘Circles’ and ‘SOHO’ and ‘Mr. Pockets’ where … I definitely get a sense of more maturity, and I welcome that. … You want to have some growth without distancing yourself from that initial crowd that liked you for what you were doing.”

Lyrically, Young said, the album reflects a changing worldview as the band moves deeper into adulthood.

“The theme is a little bit darker, a little bit more serious than anything we’ve done,” Young said. “I think it’s always been organic, though. I don’t think we ever did anything like 100 percent where it was premeditated. A lot of it was very organic and just kind of playing what we feel and how we feel and talking about what we’re going through in whatever moment we seem to be passing through.”

Simmons said the band worked hard to ensure that Circles is “an honest record.”

“It took us a long time and a whole lot of effort to make this record, and no matter what, we just kept striving for it,” Simmons said. “I feel like, musically, we really hammered it down. Lyrically, in the studio, that’s what took so long to get this record out, just trying to figure out exactly what we wanted to express, but once we got it done, I don’t think any of us were underwhelmed or disappointed. We’re all big fans of it.”

After years of playing together, Young said the band is comfortable being candid about its thoughts and opinions.

“At this point, if I can’t come up to them with a song about feeling however, then maybe I shouldn’t be in a band with them,” Young said. “I feel like we’re all at a point where if one of them came up with some sappy, really just kind of ridiculous song, I trust that they would admire me enough to show me it, but at the same time, I think we’re close enough where if something was totally just wack and it sucked, they wouldn’t take offense if I told them or if they told me.”

Bassist and guitarist Frankie Kump agreed.

“If we don’t like something, if somebody in the in the group doesn’t like it, we’re not shy about it,” Kump said. “We think that there’s a reason why we don’t like something. We should take that kind of seriously and either try to rework it where we can compromise or, or maybe write something just better; you know, scrap the stuff we don’t like.”

Kump, who previously only played bass on Limp Wizurdz records, said the band’s evolving sound is also the result of “incorporating the switcheroo” for some songs, with Young playing bass so Kump can play guitar.

“That was really a lot of fun for me, but it kind of, I think, challenged us all a little bit to fill different roles than maybe what we had had to fill up to this point,” Kump said.

The band also credits Johnny Manchild’s sound engineering and songwriting input. Manchild previously recorded 2014’s 1603 and has filled in for drummer Rodrigo Serrano in concert on occasion.

“We had all the songs written kind of a long time ago, but lyrically and conceptually, we only had pieces of it,” Young said. “Johnny totally helped me out with some of the lyrics back and forth. So that was definitely different. … I’d be like, ‘Oh, here’s a verse, but I don’t like this line,’ and he’d be like, ‘Well, what if you did this?’ and then I’d be like, ‘Well, yeah, but what if I changed it?’ … I think on a couple of songs, like ‘Circles,’ I’ll just straight up give him credit on some of the lines. Sometimes he’d just write a line, and I’d be like,

Limp Wizurdz began as two teens joking around, but the band members are all in their mid 20s now. | Photo provided

‘Yeah, that’s good. I’m going to use that.’ … He’s a hell of a song builder.”

Though Circles represents a new phase for Limp Wizurdz in some ways, Simmons said the band is still about having a good time.

“I wouldn’t even say we’re trying to get past that because we fucking lean right into the fun, crazy aspect of it, but at the same time, hopefully, this record shows that also we can put out some serious jams that maybe actually mean something,” Simmons said. “It’s not just all a joke.”

Some aspects of getting older are just not very funny, Young added.

“In one interview, I think I explained [2017’s] Fugue State as being about young adulthood and journeying into the unknown of adulthood and kind of being optimistic about it, like, ‘Wow! It’s going to be crazy. We’re gonna look back and — whatever, all this shit,’” Young said.

“I think this album for me is lyrically kind of centered on the same idea of the unknown, but now it’s like we’re 24, 25 and you kind of realize the unknown isn’t always whimsical and you won’t always have that wanderlust. Sometimes the unknown is really mundane and it fucking sucks and you want out of it but you can’t because it’s life. You just gotta deal with it.”

Visit limpwizurdz.bandcamp.com.

LIVE MUSIC SUNDAY, SEPT. 1

These are events recommended

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

Gideon, 89th Street-OKC. METAL/HARDCORE Oberon/Terminus/Bones of the Earth, Blue Note Lounge. METAL Robert Cray, Tower Theatre. BLUES The Shitfits/Katy Kephart/Elecktra, Sauced on Paseo. ROCK

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 28

Wewoka Blues Band, Othello’s Italian Restaurant.

Hosty, The R & J Lounge and Supper Club.

BLUES

FOLK/ROCK

MONDAY, SEPT. 2

John Carlton & Kyle Reid, The Winston.

SINGER/SONGWRITER

Jason Hunt, Sean Cumming’s Irish Restaurant. FOLK

Rachel Lynch, Mary Eddy’s Kitchen & Lounge.

SINGER/SONGWRITER

TUESDAY, SEPT. 3

THURSDAY, AUG. 29

Kyle Reid, Scratch Kitchen & Cocktails.

SINGER/SONGWRITER

Asleep at the Wheel, Tower Theatre. COUNTRY

Shinyribs, Tower Theatre. BLUES/ROCK

Brad Fielder, Black Mesa Brewing Company.

AMERICANA

Joe Payne/Kodos/Plain Speak, 51st Street Speakeasy. ROCK

Steelwind Ten years ago, Blake Parks and Michael Henneberry began writing bluegrass songs together as Steelwind, and the Oklahoma City band has since gained members and released three albums — most recently Blue, in June. In true high-and-lonesome tradition, “Oklahoma Wind,” “My Baby’s Gone” and the title track offset emotively sung lyrics about heartbreak with dexterous uptempo instrumentation. Join Henneberry, Parks, Becca Herrod, Adam Davis and Kenny Parks to celebrate a decade of skillfully crafted songs and haunting harmonic chemistry. The show is 8 p.m. Saturday at The Blue Door, 2805 N. McKinley Ave. Tickets are $20. Call 405-524-0738 or visit bluedoorokc.com.

Los Lonely Boys, Tower Theatre. ROCK

SATURDAY Photo Alexa Ace

Proper/Alfred/Speak, Memory, Resonator Institute. HIP-HOP/ROCK Shelly Phelps & Dylan Nagode, Jazmo’z Bourbon St. Café. ACOUSTIC

FRIDAY, AUG. 30 Greg Jacobs/Wink Burcham, The Blue Door.

SINGER/SONGWRITER

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4 The Fixx, Tower Theatre. ROCK Soulfly/Unearth/Incite, 89th Street-OKC. METAL Why?/Barrie/Yip Deceiver, Opolis.

HIP-HOP/ROCK

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, 89th Street-OKC. ROCK Bobby Chill & the Wave/Space Cowboy, Resonator Institute. ROCK

Tyson Meade, Net, Poolboy Opolis. ROCK

SATURDAY, AUG. 31 Audio Empire/The Suspects, Vanessa House Beer Co. ROCK

Dire Gnome/Tokeback Mountain/Concubine, HiLo Club. ROCK

My So Called Band, Tower Theatre. COVER Sports/Hovvdy/Lomelda, Opolis. ROCK

Link/Deshazo/Nita Fruit, Ice Event Center. R&B

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!

Party LIKE IT’S 1920 Friday, September 6, 2019 7:30pm – 9pm • 21 & up

Step back in time to the Roaring 20s! Enjoy a selection of finger foods, wine, draft beer, and 2 prohibition-era cocktails, music, dancing, and so much more—all set to the tune of the Jazz Era. It’s an evening that will make you say, “Ain’t We Got Fun?!” Costumes not required, but welcomed.

Tickets available online at EdmondHistory.org • 405-340-0078

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

41

CANNABIS

THE HIGH CULTURE

Fire festival?

Oklahoma Cannabis Cup was held this past weekend at Lost Lakes Entertainment Complex, but logistical nightmares left a bad taste in many peoples’ mouths. By Matt Dinger

This is a tale of two festivals. One was disastrous and the other was a welloiled machine, depending on the day you attended.

On Saturday, Oklahomans arrived at their first High Times Cannabis Cup. By mid-afternoon, memes comparing the event to infamous Fyre Festival were popping up on social media. But by the time the gates opened on Sunday, the majority of the issues were mitigated.

The two-day event, announced in mid July, was highly anticipated in the weeks leading up to it.

“Are you going to the Cannabis Cup?” became the standard greeting between members of the cannabis business community and patients alike.

Everyone did, and then some.

The atmosphere Saturday morning on social media was jubilant and excited, with everyone taking photos of themselves and their parties heading out to the event.

I was offered a seat by Chase O’Grady from Ringside Medical on the maiden voyage of Oklahoma 420 Tours. It was an impossible offer to refuse, so I trekked to the Quail Springs dispensary and met Ty Saner, chief executive officer of Mary Mechanix, outside.

Saner and I had not seen each other in nearly 20 years, since we attended high school together. The reunion set the tone for the morning. After signing the disclaimer and boarding the limo, the half 42

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

dozen or so of us broke out our stashes, queued up a playlist and hit the road.

By the time we hit the turnpike, the limo was filled with smoke, a mobile hotbox in which multiple prerolls, dab rigs and pipes provided the ambience.

The smoke kept billowing as we exited the highway and made our way toward Lost Lakes Entertainment Complex, 3501 NE 10th St. About a mile out from the venue, the vehicle stopped.

The window to the driver was rolled up, so the only views were from the side of the vehicle. We crept forward a few yards at a time every few minutes for a while until we suddenly started seeing vehicles on either side whipping around in the middle of the road and driving up curbs. Reading lips and gestures, we discerned that the parking lot had already filled. It was 30 minutes after doors had opened for VIP ticketholders.

Over the course of the next half hour, we snaked our way up to the gates, passing throngs of festivalgoers on foot, eventually coming to the end of a line that was already several hundred yards long. The smoke roiled from the vehicle as we disembarked.

Thursday evening, a torrential downpour hit the metro, dumping rain on the area. While temperatures hovered in the mid 80s on Saturday, the humidity was about 70 percent, making the air a humid soup that immediately began pumping sweat out of the pores of the

THC

attendees. Within minutes of arrival, all of our party had beads of visible sweat on their faces and shirts were already beginning to dampen with perspiration.

Seconds after our feet hit the dirt, a woman was running toward us, screaming for a medic. An attendee was having medical issues while waiting in line.

Once I found out they were out of water for the people at the event, then I started thinking of the people in the line that were waiting for hours.

Ryan Vicedomini

“We were in the line for about an hour, and there was this girl that was like four or five people ahead of us, and she kept having to kind of get out of line and she wasn’t looking too good and her boyfriend really wasn’t doing anything about it,” said a witness who agreed to speak with Oklahoma Gazette on condition of anonymity due to her profession.

“It got up to about 30 minutes later when she just couldn’t take it anymore, and we started, like, screaming for medics or somebody for help, and most people didn’t do anything except for crowd her and make it worse, but we just happened to get out of her boyfriend that she was asthmatic and didn’t have her inhaler, and so we gave her my husband’s inhaler and she took a puff off of it and actually seemed to bounce back pretty well because she was, like, rolling on the ground, not being able to breathe.

And we were still screaming, ‘Medic!

Medic! Medic!’ and it must have taken like five minutes? It may have taken longer, honestly, for somebody that had any kind of authority or medical knowl-

Festivalgoers at the High Times Cannabis Cup stage | Photo Alexa Ace

edge to show up.”

This set the tone for the rest of the day.

The story, often repeated, is this: After parking and walking to stand in line (some people hiking more than a mile into the venue), festivalgoers stood in the line that began forming hours before the gates opened for those with VIP passes. The general admission crowd started to be let in an hour later.

During the wait in line, no water was provided and no High Times or event staff spoke to those in line, nor did they shoo away a hustler playing shell games and conning attendees out of cash while they waited.

Fortunately, our party did not have to endure this. Thanks to some unbelievable string-pulling by Steve McKinney, the owner of Oklahoma 420 Tours, our entire group was shepherded around the line, which people were already reporting was a wait of more than an hour, and immediately into the event.

The stage was dormant except for a live DJ. Across the water, the vendor area was bustling and a steady line of attendees traveled from one end to the other.

Much of the rain had dried by the time Saturday morning rolled around, but the shortcut to the vendor area was blocked. Instead, attendees were forced to walk a half-mile semi-circle around the water. The center of the path was impassable, with muddy puddles in the rut in the center of the road, forcing attendees to the edge of the path, trekking under the beating sun for the duration.

Those in good health were the lucky ones, slipping and sliding on the mud along the way. Several people in wheelchairs were being pushed on the same trail.

Upon arrival at the vendor village, staff were stripping visitors of any beers purcontinued on page 44

GOLDEN GRAMS

$10

Let us be the first stop on your journey to wellness.

Medical Marijuana Recommendations in a family friendly atmosphere.

EVERY DAY NO LIMIT

Bloom Healthcare, Inc 14020 N Western Oklahoma City, OK (405) 310-8420 bloomdoctors.com

QUALITY MEDICINAL CANNABIS PRODUCTS

3017 N. LEE

DAILY $40 CARTS* *1GM, SELECT

PENNY PRE-ROLL* FOR 1ST TIME PATIENTS WITH PURCHASE!

A T E G E M T R LE U O Y F O D N !

A V POU I H C T S E T E E SW

*SELECT STRAINS ONLY

CHECK OUT OUR SPECIALS ON A NURSE CONSULTANT COMPANY AND DISPENSARY DEVOTED TO PROVIDING QUALITY CANNABIS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

HIPPY HOUR SPECIAL! ALL GRAMS $10!* NOON - 1P *MAX 1 GRAM PER STRAIN *CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER DISCOUNTS

Bite Size Edible ONE PENNY* with PURCHASE

*with this coupon, while supplies last

Senior Sundays 10% OFF for Seniors YOU voted for it... and we’re here for YOU!

Flower | Edibles | Plants | Vapes | Tincture | & more!

Consistent Affordable Quality Products

Medical Marijuana Dispensary Family Owned & Operated

405.429.7570 | 1221 SW 59th ST, OKC MON-SAT 10AM-9PM SUN 12PM-6PM

CANNASOUTH.NET @canna_south

1015 NW 1ST, OKC * 405.992.0558 MON-SAT 10-7 * SUN 11-7 BCC 41.35.indd 1

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 28/23/19 8 , 2 0 1 9 3:02 43PM

THE HIGH CULTURE CANNABIS

continued from page 42

chased on the far side of the event.

The scent of cannabis in the air was already dense before stepping through the gate.

Water shortage

Inside, people were indulging left and right from their own stashes, but it was immediately apparent that there were no food or water vendors on that side of the lake. By that point, many people were glistening with sweat and some wore clothes that looked like they had taken a dip, but not a single person was in the water. Some people were woozy and fainted while others were vomiting from the heat.

By mid-afternoon, the throng was dense. Word was making it around that the line to get in was now more than four hours long. Shortly thereafter, people on social media began reporting that they were being turned away upon arrival, even those who had already purchased tickets before arriving.

Vendors were unaware that food was unavailable in the village, and most did not bring food with them. Some had enough staff to send representatives on food runs. Others went hungry.

The lines for the few food trucks on hand exceeded an hour’s wait, and by 5 p.m., word was getting around that almost all of the available liquids, including water, were sold out.

“Once I found out they were out of water for the people at the event, then I started thinking of the people in the line that were waiting for hours,” said CBD Plus USA and Lotus Gold CEO Ryan Vicedomini, whose company was a title sponsor of the event. “I went out personally to the bar, which is owned by the facility — they had nothing to do with High Times — and I went to the owner and said, ‘Look, I don’t know what you have available, but whatever you can spare, here’s my credit card.

Take whatever you can spare and give fluids to people in this line.’ They said High Times underestimated how much water they needed and did not order enough. This was not the facility’s fault.

The owner of the facility called in an emergency Freightliner full of waters, and we personally gave out over three Thousands attended Oklahoma’s first Cannabis Cup. | Photo Alexa Ace

44

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

pallets of water just from what the facility brought in as an emergency. We did it all night last night, and we did it all today.

We gave away nothing but free waters to make sure everybody got hydrated.”

Vicedomini said his company was charged $1 per bottle of water that was distributed. He was unsure how many bottles of water were distributed between Saturday evening and the end of the day Sunday.

Saturday night’s headliner, 311, played its set and the crowd dispersed without issues for the night.

However, another round of overnight storms created another slew of problems in the morning. Vendors were slipping and sliding on the muddy paths as they attempted to access their booths.

Several considered throwing in the towel before the event opened for the day.

“When I was talking to the executives and they were debating on canceling it, they did consider the safety, but they also considered that the show must go on,” Vicedomini said. “There were a lot of vendors that were cussing and hollering. I saw them this morning, pushing their products through the mud. I’ve got a three-quarter-ton lifted

bad-boy truck, and I got stuck twice at this facility.”

Once gates opened, the tone at the start of day Sunday was radically different. Not only were there no lines at the entrance, but there were pallets of water stacked just inside the gate. A golf cart with a wagon full of chilled water passed a moment later. Transport vehicles from the stage area to the vendor village were regularly transporting attendees every few minutes.

“Today went so smooth,” Vicedomini said. “Everybody was hydrated.”

The awards ceremony and Sunday’s performance from the headlining band, Slightly Stoopid, went off without a hitch. And thus ended the first High Times Oklahoma Cannabis Cup. But the damage was already done.

Social storm

Social media exploded on Saturday, with hundreds of furious patients and multiple vendors threatening to file lawsuits or refuse to pay bills for their booths.

The term “shitshow”

Attendees watch as Cannabis Cups are awarded Sunday evening. | Photo Alexa Ace

was bandied around in hundreds of posts and comments.

Vicedomini said he proposed a different venue before it was announced, having sponsored the Advance 788 event on the one-year anniversary of State Question 788 passing.

The event was held at Lost Lakes in lieu of Uncle Grumpy’s Green Retreat, which was supposed to have occurred on that date.

The second Cup is never the same as the first Cup. Jayson “Giddy Up” Emo

“I was not only concerned about it raining the whole time, but half of it was underwater. Asking people to come would have done something similar to what happened today. Plus the people I was asking to come out were true patients, so this idea of ‘roughing it,’ I continued on page 47

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

45

SKIP THE LINE, ORDER ONLINE! THEPEAKOK.COM/SHOP

PATIENT INQUIRIES HELLO@THEPEAKOK.COM PATIENT NUMBER 405.412.2448 PARTNERS INQUIRIES HIGH@THEPEAKOK.COM

MUNCHY MONDAYS

BUY 2 GET 1 50% OFF EDIBLES

WEEKLY SPECIALS

TOASTY TUESDAYS 10% OFF FLOWER

PRE-ROLL WEDNESDAYS GET A PENNY PREROLL FOR EVERY $50 SPENT (UP TO 5)

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CLINIC

N E W L O C AT I O N

Natural Choice Urgent Care MMJ Rec’s $70/$30 Vets Call for appointments 405.608.6820

THICK THURSDAYS 10% OFF CONCENTRATES

MON-FRI 9AM-6PM SAT 8PM-3PM

RANDY WHITEKILLER, DO SUMMIT BUILDING 5929 N. May Ave, Suite 500 Oklahoma City

THANK YOU OKC! BEST CANNABIS KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF BEST PLACE TO BUY CANNABIS PLANTS BEST DISPENSARY FOR CONCENTRATES BEST NEW RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT BEST HEAD SHOP

FOLLOW STIGMA TRICHOMES

LEAF

THEPEAKOK.COM @THEPEAKOKLAHOMA

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

@MAGAZINEEXTRACT

Yes Yes We We Cannabis.

Cannabis.

OKG OKG has has been been writing writing about about cannabis cannabis long long before before the the state state measure measure passed, passed, and and we’ve we’ve grown grown our our efforts efforts toto provide provide the the most most comprehensive comprehensive coverage coverage ofof the the industry industry in in Oklahoma Oklahoma every every week. week.

46

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

THE HIGH CULTURE CANNABIS CUP WINNERS

Growers with The Pound accept their Cannabis Cup for indica flower. | Photo Alexa Ace

Edibles

1st: OK Nice Cream — Strawberry Fruit Bar 2nd: Fire Leaf / Outlaw Edibles — Maple Bacon Krispi Barz 3rd: Mr. Mack’s — Caramel Pot Pops

CBD Edibles

1st: Too Sticky — Honey Almond Protein Bar 2nd: Simple Cure — Helpful Mango Sativa Tincture 3rd: Edipure — Raspberry Lemonade Gummies

Topicals

continued from page 44

CANNABIS

would not get on board with,” said Chris “Uncle Grumpy” Moe. “High Times committed to a venue that they never should have thought of based off the weather and elements leading up to the event. Lost Lakes did nothing wrong,” Vicedomini said. “High Times failed in a lot of their execution based off their communication and their prep for the event. High Times did nothing wrong besides pick the wrong facility.

Whoever’s job it was to hire the contract for the facility did not do enough research, period. The rest of it was highly executed in a very good manner based off the circumstances they were dealt. Whoever chose that spot not only needs to be fired, but everybody should get a full refund based off their mistakes and welcome them back to the right facility next year.”

But Jayson “Giddy Up” Emo, who has won five Cannabis Cups in the past, said the event was pretty much business as usual.

“They never seem to bring enough water on the first day. I think they plan for what, in a meeting, sounds like a good amount of water to have on the first day and they’re just constantly wrong,” Emo said. “Generally, people were happier to have it here. A lot of the places, people are super jaded with the Cup and they’ve been to a few. Everybody here that won, people got up on stage and were crying. The second Cup is never the same as the first Cup. My connections at High Times were really happy with the crowd and were really impressed by the movement here. I think they’ll be back next year, as long as there’s no laws set in place to stop them from coming.”

But some a re worried that the way the event was handled, including its lack of accommodations, might

Consumption of cannabis with a patient card was permitted at Cannabis Cup. | Photo Alexa Ace

Muddy conditions throughout the festival grounds made traveling between the festival’s different zones difficult. | Photo Alexa Ace

send the wrong message to not only Oklahomans who oppose cannabis, but also legislators.

“High Times Oklahoma Cannabis Cup has given more ammunition to those who don’t see cannabis as medical,” professor and patient advocate Lawrence Pasternack said. “Employers see what went on this weekend and choose against a cannabis-friendly work policy, judges see it and use cannabis as a mark against custody, parole officers see it and refuse to let parolees get a card, doctors see it and terminate patients, lawmakers see it and want to undo State Question 788 as much as possible. Unfortunately, events such as this just confirm to many that State Question 788 isn’t medical. It is a mockery of authentic medical needs.”

1st: Lotus Gold Dispensaries — Colorado Cures Pain Cream 2nd: Redbud Elixirs — R.L. Remedy Healing Lotion 3rd: Mr. Mack’s — THC Infused Lotion

Pre-rolls

1st: Gorilla Gardens — Kief Infused Funk Indica Pre-Roll 2nd: TB4U Farms / Rt. 66 Extracts — Holy Roller 3rd: Fire Leaf — Jeffrey Infused Pre-Roll

Infused Products

1st: New Leaf Medicinals — Moon Rock 2nd: Releaf Labs / Altrd — Moon Rock 3rd: Xen Xtracts — Infused Grape Moon Rock

Hemp-derived CBD Products 1st: White Mousse Oklahoma / CBD Plus USA — CBD BHO Badder 2nd: Terpenetics — Holos Botanica Eye Cream 3rd: None

Vape Pen and Cartridge

1st: Korova / Sublime Brands / Connoisseur Cannabis — Grandaddy Purp Cart 2nd: Electraleaf — Wedding Cake Cart 3rd: Fire Leaf / Oklahoma Dab Lab — White Pineapple

Non-solvent Concentrate

1st: Helix Extract — Purple Punch Live Rosin 2nd: Kiamichi Skies — KS Blend Live Rosin 3rd: Stability Growns / Country Hash — Forbidden Fruit Live Rosin

Sativa Concentrate

1st: Fire Leaf / Oklahoma Dab Lab — Lemon Cheese Quake 2nd: White Mousse / Rock Top Wellness — Oklahoma Mimosa Full Spectrum 3rd: Terpenetics — Blue Cookies Live Resin Sugar

Hybrid Concentrate

1st: Fire Leaf / Oklahoma Dab Lab — Fruity Pebbles OG 2nd: Solos Extracts — Canuck Cookies Diamonds 3rd: White Mousse / Rock Top Wellness — Kief Chief Full Spectrum

Indica Concentrate

1st: White Mousse / Red River Pharms — Grape Ape Full Spectrum 2nd: TB4U Farms / Rt. 66 Extracts — Wright White Live Sugar 3rd: Head of Honey / Diamond Labs — Member Berry Live Diamonds

CBD Flower

1st: Craft Cannabis — HGDP CBD 2nd: Sticky Tree Farms — Bronx Goo 3rd: Cloudi Mornings — CBDutch Treat

Sungrown Flower

1st: Helix Extract — Snowland 2nd: Green N’ Pink — Starmalade 3rd: None

Sativa Flower

1st: Full Moon Pharm — GG4 2nd: New Leaf Medicinals — Tropicana Cookies 3rd: Exotic Genetix — Truffle Butter

Hybrid Flower

1st: Emerald Wholesale — Chem D X I-95 2nd: Green Rush Gardens — Gelato Cake 3rd: Korova / Sublime Brands / Connoisseur Cannabis — G.A.S.

Indica Flower

1st: The Pound — Orange Cheddar 2nd: Emerald Wholesale — Orange Apricot 3rd: Stability Grows — Forbidden Fruit

Photo | Alexa Ace

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

47

48

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

49

THE HIGH CULTURE

THC

Smoke on the Mellow

CANNABIS

Ingredients 3 packages unflavored gelatin 1 cup blackberry juice or other fruit juice 1/2 cup ice-cold water 12 ounces granulated sugar, approximately 1 1/2 cups 1 cup infused corn syrup 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar 1/4 cup cornstarch Nonstick spray

Cloud high

The chefs at Guyutes take homemade marshmallows to a higher level with infused corn syrup. By Matt Dinger and Jacob Threadgill

Late August in Oklahoma is not the most comfortable time for s’mores around the fire, as temperatures often remain around 90 degrees Fahrenheit even for several hours after sundown. Fortunately, the chefs at Guyutes have found a workaround until autumn arrives.

Jarrod Friedel and Matt Pryor call this invention Smoke on the Mellow.

“The recipe is going to be a blackberry-infused marshmallow, so it’s going to be using corn syrup that we’ve infused,” Pryor said.

He said to bring the temperature of the infused corn syrup up, then stir the heated mixture.

“It’s almost to a caramel state. It’s not too hot, so it’s not going to go into a solid sugar state once it hits that cold liquid, but it’s going to hit it and you’re just going to start adding air into it and it’s going to become fluffy,” Pryor said.

“It’s going to start from a darker liquid to almost pale when you finish.”

Once they have set, drizzle them with chocolate and add graham crackers. For an added bonus, Friedel used a smoke gun on them to give the finished product a campfire smell.

“What I did was just drizzle all the way across from back and forth. You can do every single one, but trust me, it’s going to just ruin your hand,” Pryor 50

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

Smoke on the Mellow at Guyutes | Photo Alexa Ace

said. “You’re going to be cramped by the time you get done with them.”

He said the marshmallows will keep for about three weeks.

“You can use them in different purposes. You can make a hot chocolate and you can put one of these on top of it, let that infuse that way,” Pryor said.

Review

So much of what we associate with the flavor of marshmallows are the chemicals and preservatives used to keep them on store shelves. This was my first homemade marshmallow, and I could taste the difference. The blackberry acts as a subtle accent to mask the subtle cannabis flavor. The graham cracker and chocolate add additional flavor and textural elements and act as more than just garnish. Despite the marshmallow’s relatively high dosage (each square I had was about 32 milligrams THC), I ate a little over half of one marshmallow and received a very mellow body high. It was just enough to have a slight relaxed sensation throughout the body with no cloudiness in the head.

| Photo Alexa Ace

Directions 1. Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1 cup of juice. Have the whisk attachment standing by.

2. In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place the mixture over medium-high heat, cover it and allow it to cook for 3-4 minutes. Uncover it, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook the mixture until it reaches 240 degrees Fahrenheit, approximately 7-8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove it from the heat.

3. Turn the mixer on low speed and slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip the mixture until it becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12-15 minutes. Add the vanilla during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture is whipping, prepare the pan.

4. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula to spread it evenly in the pan. Dust the top with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover it. Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

5. Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut them into 1-inch squares using a pizza wheel dusted with the confectioner’s sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using more if necessary. Store the marshmallows in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Infused corn syrup Ingredients 1 1/4 cups light corn syrup 7 grams decarbed cannabis Directions (for the no-strain method) 1. Add water to a saucepan and heat the corn syrup up to 115-125 degrees Fahrenheit using a thermometer. Do not let the syrup bubble.

Turn down the heat if necessary.

2. Add 1 cup of syrup to a mason jar. | Photo bigstock.com 3. Place the top of a mason jar lid at the bottom of saucepan for a double boil setup.

4. Place 7 grams of decarbed cannabis into a cheesecloth sachet and tie it off with butcher string.

5. Place the sachet into the syrup and place the jar in saucepan.

6. Let the entire batch steep for 3-4 hours, and make sure the syrup does not bubble.

7. Carefully remove the sachet from the oil. Do not squeeze. Discard the sachet or squeeze the remaining corn syrup into a separate container to use elsewhere.

When you squeeze the decarbed cannabis, you release chlorophyll and it will make your dishes taste like the plant. You will lose some corn syrup in the process but should end up with a cup. Store it in cool, dark place.

Chem Dog from Samrath Dispensary 7g x 1000= 7000 7000 x 21.3 percent = 1491 1491mg divided by 16 tbsp = 93.1875 mg per tbsp Recipe uses 1 cup, so 1491 divided by 20 servings = 74.55 percent per marshmallow

Chocolate drizzle

Labor Day Sale

thursday 8/29 through monday 9/2

| Photo bigstock.com

Ingredients 1 1/2 to 2 pounds chocolate Directions 1. Finely chop 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of chocolate. Smaller amounts make it difficult to control the temperature changes.

2. Place two-thirds of the chocolate in a double boiler or metal bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Make sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water.

Place a candy thermometer or digital thermometer in the chocolate and stir it frequently with a rubber spatula.

3. Do not let the temperature of the chocolate exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit for dark chocolate or 105 degrees Fahrenheit for milk or white chocolate. When the chocolate has fully melted, remove the bowl from the heat.

Wipe the bottom of the bowl to get rid of any condensation.

4. Stir in the remaining third of the chocolate a little at a time. Let it melt before adding more.

5. Let the chocolate cool to about 82 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is warmer, keep stirring it and let it cool some more. If it is cooler, begin reheating it in the next step.

6. Once the chocolate is 82 degrees Fahrenheit, place it back over simmering water. For dark chocolate, reheat it to between 88 degrees Fahrenheit and 91 degrees Fahrenheit. For milk and white chocolate, reheat it to between 85 degrees Fahrenheit and 87 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the bowl from the heat once you have reached the right temperature.

7. Spread a small spoonful of chocolate onto a piece of wax paper. If it looks dull or streaky, re-temper the chocolate, starting with step 2. If it dries quickly with a glossy finish and no streaks, the chocolate is in temper.

8. Load the chocolate into a piping bag. Cut the tip and drizzle it on the marshmallows.

20% off every item in the store*

* excluding $8 & $10 house flower

military, vets, and new customers

10% off everyday

(no double discounts)

Happy Hour Munchie Monday

twofer tuesday

10% BUY TWO OFF ALL DIFFERENT EDIBLES! THC PRODUCTS, 10% OFF!

Wednesday Humpday

first and last hour of the day mon-sat 10am-11am & 9pm-10pm sun 12pm-1pm 7pm-8pm

thc thursday

PRE ROLLS 10% OFF!

Flower friday

shatterday saturday shatter & Crumble

CARTS & PREMIUM & MOON SYRINGES TOP SHELF ROCKS ARE FLOWER & HASH 10% OFF! 10% 0FF! 10%OFF!

SENIOR SUNDAY 10% 0FF FOR SENIORS 65+

on the green mile in south okc

HOURS

MONDAY- SATURDAY 10AM - 10PM SUNDAY NOON - 8PM

8805 S. Western • Oklahoma City, 73139

405-900-5668

We can help you with your Medical Marijuana recommendations check us out on leafly!

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

51

52

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

CONSUMERS Applications Received:

198,917 Applications Approved: 185,481

TOKE BOARD

THC

natural person or entity in whose name a marijuana license would be issued

GROWERS DISPENSARIES Applications allows the entity to purchase medical marijuana from a processer licensee or grower licensee and sell medical marijuana only to qualified patients, or their parents or legal guardian(s) if applicable, and caregivers

Approved:

1,848

Applications Approved:

4,287

allows the entity togrow, harvest, and package medical marijuana for the purpose of selling medical marijuana to a dispensary, processor, or researcher

SOURCE August 26, 2019 twitter.com/ommaok

FLOWER REVIEW

Cannabis effects vary wildly from patient to patient based on a multitude of factors, including THC tolerance, brain chemistry and personal taste.

This review is based on the subjective experience of one patient.

Strain name: DJ Short Blueberry Grown by: Savage Farms Acquired from: Mr. Mack’s Cannabis Co. Date acquired: Aug. 13 THC/CBD percentages: 20 percent/0 percent (per F.A.S.T. Laboratories/Research) Physical traits: light green with a moderate amount of trichomes and dull orange stigmas Bouquet: earthy with a distinct hint of blueberry Review: DJ Short Blueberry is one of those strains you have heard tell about over the years but were not likely to encounter, especially not in Oklahoma’s pre-medical days.

Breeder DJ Short reportedly crossed the landrace strains of Afghani and Purple Thai to breed the original California phenotype. It was not until earlier this year that I actually started finding strains that actually smelled like their namesakes, but this is one of them. The taste is excellent as well, with a nice even smoke. The physical effects of this indica were rather intense, which wobbled me a bit the first time I smoked it and then

quite a bit on the second round. The high was a little stranger physically than I am accustomed to and lasted longer than average as well. Because of that, I would not recommend it if you need to be active. It was definitely better suited for my 11 p.m. excursion than the one at 5 p.m., but it’s definitely worth checking out for its exotic smell and taste.

Strain name: Northern Russian Grown by: unknown grower Acquired from: Buddy Green’s Cannabis Co. Date acquired: Aug. 12 THC/CBD percentages: no testing available

that it is a White Widow cross. However, there is an accompanying energy jolt that comes with this flower, so it might be best consumed in the evening if, like me, you smoke very few heavy indicas. A little goes a long way with this one as well — a strong high manifesting after only two or three hits each time, though it does even out relatively quickly, so I would also venture that the THC in this particular crop averages over 20 percent.

Physical traits: dense, pale orange and green frosted popcorn buds Bouquet: pine and earth Review: As a man who has never had trouble sleeping, I rarely smoke cannabis to get myself into bed, so I tend to shy away from pure indicas and indica-dominant hybrids known to cause couch lock, as they tend to sap my energy and put me down very easily. But the appearance of this strain with its dull orange and green hues — as well as high praise from the staff — intrigued me. Buddy Green’s has carried this strain since opening its doors, and the dispensary manager could not remember its grower or the strain’s parents, but I am guessing from the name and the high, which feels about 70 percent indica,

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

53

54

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

55

Got Questions? Call us.

20% off one cbd or cannabis item limit one coupon per person EXPIRES 9/4/19

G A R D E N

S U P P LY

NOW OPEN We Deliver 1101 N Meridian 405.415.9480 cultivateokc.com Effective Sep. 2, 2019

The Industry Growers are turning half-baked ideas into full-blown business ventures.

Cox Convention Center. September 27/28.

The Medicine MAN all 1/2 oz products get $30 discount

10% discount when you purchase something new that you’ve never tried

20% discount on 1/8 or more 15% discount on 2 grams or more

Discuss the benefits of medical THC and CBD oils with our in-house team.

Buy two THC and CBD oils get third 1/2 off Tell us our best product, items we carry, let us know how we’re doing or offer suggestions on things to change/improve. Suggestions get a gram 1/2 off

GROW THE INDUSTRY donut & coffee free with your purchase of $30+ Veterans: free coffee or donut with your purchase of $15+

Where the industry does business.

Veterans 10% Discount Everyday 405-225-1323

5917 S. Sunnylane Road - OKC

themedicinemanok@yahoo.com 57

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

Ita *w

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Homework: What do you want most for the person or animal you love best? FreeWillAstrology.com ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Here are examples of activities I recommend you try in the coming days. 1. Build a campfire on the beach with friends and regale each other with stories of your most interesting successes. 2. Buy eccentric treasures at a flea market and ever thereafter refer to them as your holy icons. 3. Climb a hill and sit on the grass as you sing your favorite songs and watch the moon slowly rise over the eastern horizon. 4. Take naps when you’re “not supposed to.” 5. Sneak into an orchard at night and eat fruit plucked just moments before. 6. Tell a beloved person a fairy tale in which he or she is the hero.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

The hardiest creature on the planet may be the bacterium known as Deinococcus radiodurans. It can endure exposure to radiation, intense cold, dehydration, acid, and vacuum. I propose we make it your power creature for the coming weeks. Why? Not because I expect you’ll have to deal with a lot of extreme conditions, but rather because I think you’ll be exceptionally robust, both physically and psychologically. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to succeed at demanding challenges that require you to be in top form, now is a good time to do it. P.S. Deinococcus radiodurans is colloquially referred to as Conan the Bacterium, borrowing from the spirit of the fictional character Conan the Barbarian, who is renowned for his strength and agility.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

In the yearly cycle of many Geminis, retreating into a state akin to hibernation makes sense during the end of August and the first three weeks of September. But since many of you are high-energy sophisticates, you often override your body’s signals. And then nature pushes back by compelling you to slow down. The result may be a rhythm that feels like constantly taking three steps forward and two steps backward. May I suggest a different approach this year?

Would you consider surrendering, even slightly, to the invitation to relax and recharge?

CANCER (June 21-July 22) If you decide to travel to a particular place via hot air balloon, you must be prepared for the possibility that your route will be indirect. At different altitudes, the wind may be blowing in different directions: toward the east at a hundred feet high, but toward the southwest at two hundred feet. The trick for the pilot is to jockey up and down until finding a layer that’s headed toward the desired destination. I see your life right now as having a metaphorical resemblance to this riddle. You have not yet discovered the layer that will take you where you want to go. But I bet you will soon.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Considering how bright you have been burning since the Flame Angels designated you as the Hottest Cool Person of the Month, I hesitate to urge you to simmer down. But I must. Before there’s a meltdown in your vicinity, please lower your thermostat. Not a lot. Just a little. If you do that, everyone will continue to see your gleaming charisma in the best possible light. But don’t you dare extinguish your blaze. Don’t apologize for your brilliant shimmer. The rest of us need your magical radiance.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Shogun is a bestselling novel about an Englishman who transforms himself into a samurai warrior in seventeenth-century Japan. Written by James Clavell, it’s over 1,100 pages long. Clavell testified that the idea for the story sprang up in him when he read one line in his daughter’s school book: “In 1600 an Englishman went to Japan and became a samurai.” I suspect it’s highly likely you will soon encounter a seed like that, Virgo: a bare inspiration that will eventually bloom into a Big Thing.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Libran athlete Mickey Mantle is in Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame. He had a spectacular 18-year career, winning the Most Valuable Player Award three times, playing in 12 World Series, and being selected to the All-Star team 16 times. So it’s astounding that he played with a torn ligament in his knee for 17 years, according to his biographer Jane Leavy. She quoted an

orthopedic surgeon who said that Mantle compensated for his injury with “neuromuscular genius.” I’m thinking that in the next few weeks you’re in a position to accomplish an equivalent of Mantle’s heroic adjustment.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Most people who belong to the Church of Satan neither believe in nor worship Satan. (They’re atheists, and don’t believe in the supernatural.) I think a comparable principle is true for many rightwing fundamentalist Christians. Their actions and words are replete with bigotry, hard-heartedness, materialism, and selfishness: so contrary to what the real Jesus Christ taught that they in effect don’t believe in or worship Jesus Christ. I mention this, Scorpio, in hope of inspiring you to take inventory of whether your stated ideals are reflected in the practical details of how you live your life. That’s always an interesting and important task, of course, but it’s especially so for you right now. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to purge any hypocrisy from your system and get your actual behavior in close alignment with your deepest values.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

It’s the right time for you to create a fresh mission statement and promotional campaign. For inspiration, read mine: “My column ‘Free Will Astrology’ offers you a wide selection of realities to choose from. With 4,212 years of dedication to customer service (over the course of my last 13 incarnations), I’m a reliable ally supporting your efforts to escape your oppressive conditioning and other people’s hells. My horoscopes come with an ironclad guarantee: If the advice you read is wrong, you’re under no obligation to believe it. And remember: a panel of 531 experts has determined that ‘Free Will Astrology’ is an effective therapy for your chronic wounds and primordial pain. It is also dramatic proof that there is no good reason to be afraid of life.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Here are good questions for you to meditate on during the next four weeks. 1. How can you attract resources that will expand your mind and your world? 2. Are you bold enough to reach out to wise sources and provocative

influences that could connect you with useful tricks and practical treasures? 3. What interesting lessons can you stir up as you explore the mercurial edges, skirt the changeable boundaries, journey to catalytic frontiers, and make pilgrimages to holy hubbubs? 4. How best can you encourage lyrical emotion over polished sentimentality? Joyous idealism over astringent zealotry? Exuberant integrity over formulaic kindness?

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

“It is the beginning of wisdom when you recognize that the best you can do is choose which rules you want to live by,” wrote author Wallace Stegner, “and it’s persistent and aggravated imbecility to pretend you can live without any.” That will be an excellent meditation for you during the coming weeks. I trust you are long past the time of fantasizing you can live without any rules. Your challenge now is to adjust some of the rules you have been living by, or even dare to align yourself with some new rules— and then completely commit yourself to being loyal to them and enjoying them.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Given the astrological omens that will symbolize your personal story in the coming weeks and months, I think Piscean author Nikos Kazantzakis articulated the perfect prescription for you. I invite you to interpret his thoughts to fit your circumstances. “We’re going to start with small, easy things,” he wrote. “Then, little by little we shall try our hand at the big things. And after that, after we finish the big things, we shall undertake the impossible.” Here’s an additional prod from Kazantzakis: “Reach what you cannot.”

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.

TA it y be the

GE sop I su

CA dir rig

LE in yo

VI tha Vir

LI be com

SC fun Ch bu

CA wi to c

Mr. Mack's Lotion BEST HEALTH & BEAUTY CANNABIS INFUSED PRODUCT

AQ to the

PI yo un

[Ed

Ho

MR. MACK'S CANNABIS CO. 7220 S. Western Ave, Suite 109 | OKC

O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

AR ecc wh

SA to ho yo

THANK YOU FOR NOMINATING MR. MACK'S. Mr. Mack's Caramels BEST EDIBLE PRODUCT

FR We ©C

58

PUZZLES

al

NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE CROSSWORD PUZZLE REVOLUTIONARY | 0901

By David Steinberg Puzzles edited by Will Shortz ACROSS

1

2

3

19 23

4

5

6

7

8 20

9

10

11

12

14

21

15

16

17

18

22

24

26 27 28 29 1 Passes along, as a present 8 What 13-Down means in poker 31 32 33 14 Book in a mosque 19 Antarctic mass 36 37 38 39 40 21 Major British tabloid 22 Yogurt-container words 23 Celebratory Native American 45 46 47 48 49 feast 24 Drives around awhile … as 52 53 54 55 suggested by this puzzle’s visual elements?

58 59 26 If’s counterpart, in programming 57 27 S.N.L. alum Cheri 62 63 64 65 66 29 Military-alert system 30 Sow’s home 69 70 71 72 31 Small criticism 32 Baa-dly needing a haircut?

34 “Today” co-host Hoda 74 75 76 77 36 Challenges for infielders 38 “De-e-e-eluxe!”

81 82 83 84 85 41 Cherry brandy 45 Certain rideshares 88 89 90 91 47 Deposit box?

48 Morning hour 93 94 95 96 51 Many a Stan Lee film role 52 Capital NE of Casablanca 98 99 100 101 53 Idris of The Dark Tower 55 Ones or tens place 56 0 0 0 103 104 105 57 Wafer brand 58 Hockey-shot sound 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 59 Shots in the dark 61 Beginning of the Joint Army/ 119 120 121 122 Navy Phonetic Alphabet 62 Camera type, for short 124 125 126 63 Very funny person 65 Extremely cold 127 128 67 River through Pakistan 69 Sea creatures that may employ camouflage when hunting elements?

20 1973 play featuring a sign with a 71 Blood-type system 122 Australia’s smallest state burned-out “E” 72 Ones generating buzz in the 124 Upstate New York city 25 Part of a king’s guard music world?

125 Topic of Article I, Section 3 of the 28 It charges to do some cleaning 74 Play at full volume Constitution 32 Arrogant newcomers 75 Super ____ (game series) 126 Up-and-coming 33 Rebellion leader Turner 77 Help with a job 127 Wrinkle treatment 35 Swagger 78 Wrath 128 Shaman, for one 37 Freud’s first stage 81 Eco-friendly car introduced in 129 Newspaper sections that often 39 Plays hard after working hard 2011 fall out 40 Baker with the 1986 hit “Sweet Love” 82 Something the nose knows 42 Baker or dry cleaner, maybe 84 ____ Pictures DOWN

43 They multiply by dividing 86 First name on the Supreme Court 1 Age 44 Garden item that sounds like the 88 Quits a program 2 Romaine concern plural of another garden item 90 Dennis the Menace, e.g.

3 Kicks things off 45 Dispensers at banquets 91 Burnt barbecue bits 4 Land in the water 46 Help (out) 92 Shooting stars, some think 5 Mortgage org.

47 Author of The Lion, the Bear 93 Kind of salami 6 Mountains just south of and the Fox 94 Pool components Yellowstone 49 Full of empty talk 96 Type units 7 The Quakers and others 50 Royals’ org.

97 Like going all in, maybe 8 Celebrity socialite 54 Teleported, in the Harry Potter books 98 Diamond pattern 9 Comedian Margaret 60 Drop-down menu in online 100 Slowly, musically 10 Mind shopping 102 Some are liberal 11 “____ quam videri,” state motto 64 I as in Icarus 103 Meyers of late-night of North Carolina 66 Something you might take a bow 105 Producer of brown eggs 12 Strike on the head for in the theater?

107 Black ____ 13 See 8-Across 68 Unapologetic 110 Arborist’s tool 14 Home of the Marine Corps University 70 Squeaky mice, e.g.

113 Laid, as a claim 15 ____ Constitution 73 Chasm 117 Spider-Man director 16 Individual curls, say 74 Jabber?

118 Hit hard 76 Whirlpool subsidiary since 2006 119 1965 No. 1 Byrds hit … as 17 Slightly 79 Place to lace up suggested by this puzzle’s visual 18 It contains MSG: Abbr.

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

SKULLDUGGERY LANE By Ingvard Ashby

13

Oklahoma Gazette is circulated at its designated distribution points free of charge to readers for their individual use and by mail to subscribers. The cash value of this copy is $1. Persons taking copies of the Oklahoma Gazette from its distribution points for any reason other than their or others’ individual use for reading purposes are subject to prosecution.

25 30 34

Please address all unsolicited news items (non-returnable) to the editor.

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

35 41

50

42

43

44

51

67

61 68

73 78 86

PUBLISHER Peter J. Brzycki

56 60

VOL. XLI NO. 35

79

80

87

92 97 102 106

107

108

EDITORIAL

ADVERTISING

OPERATIONS

INTERIM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brittany Pickering bpickering@okgazette.com

advertising@okgazette.com 405-528-6000

OPERATIONS & MARKETING MANAGER Kelsey Lowe

STAFF REPORTERS Jacob Threadgill Jeremy Martin Miguel Rios Matt Dinger

A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M

MARKETING ASSISTANT Kendall Bleakley ACCOUNTING/ HR MANAGER Marian Harrison

CREATIVE

CALENDAR COORDINATOR Jeremy Martin

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Phillip Danner

PHOTOGRAPHER/ VIDEOGRAPHER Alexa Ace

ILLUSTRATOR/ GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ingvard Ashby

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Karen Holmes CIRCULATION MANAGER Chad Bleakley

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Tiffany McKnight

109

118 123

Order mounted or ready-to-frame prints of Oklahoma Gazette covers, articles and photos at okgazette.yourheadline.com 129

80 “It’s a snap!”

81 Summer Triangle star 83 The Notorious ____ 85 Six Nations tribe 87 Leave off, as the last word of a 89 Line just above a total, say 95 Squid’s ink holder 99 Latin rebuke 101 Accumulate 102 Up 104 Like a zero-star review 106 Savory taste 108 Coat that’s hard to take off 109 Sports page fodder 110 Paycheck go-with 111 A plane might be flown on it 112 Judicial order 114 Pad site 115 ____ Rosso (Sicilian wine) 116 Kind of citizenship 118 Kind of tea 120 Cpl. or sgt.

121 Fwy., e.g.

123 Virginia Woolf’s ____ Dalloway

3701 N. Shartel Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73118-7102 PHONE (405) 528-6000 FAX (405) 528-4600 www.okgazette.com

Copyright © 2019 Tierra Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

SUDOKU HARD | N° 7310

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

NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

Puzzle No. 0825, which appeared in the August 21 issue.

P E S T

O U C H

O F T E N

P A A V O

S L E E P E R C A R

V E S T

E X P O

S C R Y

T E N P I N S

R E L A T I N N G A P S P A I T E A N

P L E P R O B C O C O S W A N S L Y 59

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Saundra Rinearson Godwin Christy Duane Chris White

B E A D

C H A R T A I W A O R G A N O T T H I C N O T H O S P E D V E R D I E A L E P E L I Z E L E G M A S T G E R S H O R T E E L I D E A G L E E W T O S N E S T C S H E A H E A D L M I X G A I V E A T R E C R E

S N A K E E Y E S O P R O O T M S E O F R P O A G L E S T E T E E D

T H A N S C U B A O F U S E S A N S

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

A S K W A A T N I D E S

O S L O

D R O N E

S K I D S

E D N A

N Y A D

CLASSIFIEDS

MUSIC

CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS

JOBS

ETC.

CARING HEARTS CARING HANDS

PRIVATE DUTY HOME CARE VA APPROVED CERTIFIED NURSING

List your event in

Appointment Escorts Medication Reminders Errands/Shopping/Meal Prep Light Housekeeping Experience with Alzheimer’s & Dementia Personal Care/24 Hour Care Private Pay & Insurance LIC: #HC8083

405.905.0500

10804 QUAIL PLAZA DR. STE 500, OKC

CARINGHEARTCARINGHAND.COM

Spri ti tual Healing Advice on all matters of life and transactions of all kinds

NOW HIRING ALL POSITIONS Full-time & Part-time Flexible Scheduling

CLASSIFIEDS

HEALTH

+ Palm and Tarot Card Readings

Come in and apply today!

7805 S. Penn | 405.255.1265

4300 W. Reno Ave.

NEUROWELLNESS CLINIC OPIOID DEPENDENCE TREATMENT

NOW HIRING ALL POSITIONS Full-time & Part-time | Flexible Scheduling Come in and apply today!

303 E. Sheridan Ave.

BUPRENORPHINE/SUBOXONE Locations in Midwest City & Edmond

TELEMEDICINE AVAILABLE 405.696.3773

* NEW TATTOO SHOP *

GRAND DESIGN ARTS

10 yr EXP.

NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

WE’RE SOCIAL.

WANTED:

TATTOO APPRENTICE & RECEPTIONISTS

4 0 5 - 8 0 0 - 4 6 5 0 T E X T O N LY or Q IG: @GRANDDESIGNARTS

OpiOid prOblems?

Call us! >> Outpatient medication assisted treatment >> Long term medication management for addiction Payment OPtiOns available

405.230.1180

3033 N. Walnut Ave. West Building 73105

CLASSIFIEDS

HOMES DAVE’S APPLIANCE REPAIR All makes washers, dryers, ranges, dishwashers, refrigerators, disposals.

24 years experience

314-3191

$25 service calls

134,070 JUST SAW THIS AD!

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

AND NEVER MISS A POST

@OKGAZETTE

GAZETTE READING HOME BUYERS

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.

Submit your listings online at okgazette.com or e-mail them to listings@okgazette.com.

Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

CALL 528-6000 FOR ADVERTISING INFO O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

59

Oklahoma’s Largest Indoor Used Car Showroom Every Make, Every Model

Over a thousand used vehicles to choose from. You can work with our internet people online… Find the car, truck, or SUV you want. Check out our special offers. Value your trade. Get pre-approved for financing.

Schedule a test drive. Come in, do the deal, and drive home in your new vehicle in about an hour.

Buy online or visit the indoor showroom.

405.295.0401 • 14203 Broadway Ext., Edmond, OK 73013 Next door north of Cooper BMW Mini