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NORMAN LIVING GUIDE
OUR HOMETOWN Cultural and entertainment options abound in Norman BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — “Indian Grass,” a soaring steel sculpture in the middle of the E Main Street roundabout, is Norman’s newest piece of public art. Designed by Taos, N.M., artists Juan and Patricia Navarrete, the sculpture is designed to look like native grass, with steel blades of varying heights that shoot skyward and seemingly drip light-reflecting seed pods. The work of art is the first piece commissioned by the city’s Public Arts Board and paid for out of donations to a public arts fund started in 2007. Arts board Chairman Larry Walker said “Indian Grass” is just one of many pieces of public art in Norman, from a relatively obscure bronze statue of a young girl poised to play tennis in Westwood Park to a series of historical plazas along Legacy Trail. Public art brings vitality to existing areas of the city, Walker said. “It establishes an aesthetic identity for Norman so that we’re seen as an artssupportive city,” he said. With its art galleries, museums, theater productions and festivals, is there any doubt that Norman is an arts-supportive city? Name another city in Oklahoma that closes Main Street to hold an annual music festival that draws thousands of visitors to its downtown. Where else but Norman is medieval art and culture celebrated with a two-day festival? The May Fair celebrates art in the spring; Midsummer Night’s Fair celebrates art in the summer, and come fall, there are monthly arts markets, the annual Art Walk and a monthlong Winter-
Artists Patricia and Juan Navarrete hold a model of their sculpture "Indian Grass" as the real sculpture is being installed at the E Main Street roundabout. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
fest. Year-round on the second Friday of the month, residents can catch a trolley and make a regular circuit of art happenings. The historic downtown Sooner Theatre, the Firehouse Art Center, The Performing Arts Studio and The University of Oklahoma’s schools of art, music and drama consistently produce entertainment and cultural events that draw people from around the state. For visitors, shopping opportunities abound, from downtown to Campus
Corner or Sooner Mall, the University North Park District, Redbud Plaza, Carriage Plaza and Brookhaven Square. We’ve tried to highlight Norman’s arts and entertainment options in our 2010 Norman Living Guide, but we also want to introduce you to some of the city’s other wonderful aspects: Government services, schools, social service groups, shopping opportunities and an amazing, diverse population. And, if I’ve failed to mention it before now, don’t forget there’s always football.
EDITORIAL Editor of The Oklahoman Ed Kelley 475-4090 ekelley@opubco.com Vice president of News and Information Kelly Dyer Fry 475-3979 kfry@opubco.com Managing editor Mike Shannon 475-3467 mshannon@opubco.com Director of Custom Publishing and Presentation Yvette Walker 475-3234 ywalker@opubco.com Director of Photography Doug Hoke 475-3321 dhoke@opubco.com Local editor Rick M. Green 475-3360 rmgreen@opubco.com Assistant local editor Nick Trougakos 475-3229 ntrougakos@opubco.com Norman reporters Jane Glenn Cannon jcannon@opubco.com James S. Tyree jtyree@opubco.com Contributing reporters Tricia Pemberton, Chris Schutz, John A. Williams Page designers Renee Lawrence, Jennifer Wilcox Graphic designer Chris Schoelen
ADVERTISING Retail Sales/Project Development Management Don White 475-3501 dwhite@opubco.com Retail Account Executive Jason La Forge 475-3727 jlaforge@opubco.com Classified Account Executive Kimberly Jackson 475-3285 kjackson@opubco.com
CONTENTS OUR HOMETOWN
SERVICES
EDUCATION
THE WAY WE LIVE
Norman is a “destination” city for dining, entertainment and sporting events, and the Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau’s new logo and marketing campaign reflect that.
Norman has 11 departments and employs more than 625 people to ensure that residents get the services they need.
Capital improvements are planned for all 22 facilities in the Norman School District. Also planned is the construction of one elementary school.
The Norman Public Library introduced a Prime Time literacy series in 2010 for parents and children age 6 to 10.
3
The Norman Hotel and Conference Center, a part of the U.S. Postal Training Center, gets the stamp of approval from postal workers, but this 996-room hotel is also open to the public, offering “Marriott quality at affordable prices.”
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Campus Corner was established in 1917. Yet the area, which has about 90 businesses, has undergone changes in recent years that are combining a fresh, cleaner look with its historic feel.
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Health For Friends serves low-income individuals with no insurance and no other means for care.
14 20 21-23 30
See who represents you on the Norman City Council. See who represents you in Congress and in the state Legislature.
A new 10-acre compost center eliminates odor and produces more compost.
40
Check out the Norman School District calendar.
41 42 obesity.
Coordinated Approach to Health Care, also known as CATCH, is fighting childhood
The University of Oklahoma has completed or planned nearly $1.9 billion worth of capital projects since 1994, and 2010 is no less active in construction.
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The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History provide golden opportunities to explore art and science.
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Lake Thunderbird State Park and Discovery Cove Nature Center offer recreational and educational opportunities to visitors.
60 68
Check out the calendar of events for what’s going on in Norman for the next year.
Stephen Koranda, executive director of the Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau, left, visits with resident Matt Lamey and Jen Tregarthen, also with the bureau, at the unveiling of the bureau’s new logo at the Santa Fe Depot. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
New logo promotes Norman as destination BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — A newly designed logo and marketing campaign launched by the Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau this year is designed to let people statewide know what the city has to offer. Norman is a “destination” city for dining, entertainment and sporting events, said Jen Tregarthen, public relations officer for the bureau. The new logo reflects that, she said, featuring the city’s name topped by three graphics: a fork, the top of a guitar and a football. Done in muted colors of red, blue and green, it features a sans-serif typeface and the slogan, “Norman, Where Great Things Meet.” “It’s clean-looking, modern, professional and indicative of what Norman has to offer,” Tregarthen said. Ads spun off that theme highlight some of the city’s main attractions, such
as the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Campus Corner and University of Oklahoma football. For example, the ad featuring OU has the headline “Where Brains Meet Brawn.” Oklahoma City ad agency Third Degree designed the logo and advertising campaign in an ongoing effort by the bureau to brand Norman as a city with much to offer. Executive Director Stephen Koranda said the logo is used now on all the bureau’s print materials, website, advertising and marketing materials, trade show materials and e-mails, and it is part of a larger campaign to attract visitors. Koranda has urged residents not to be shy about promoting Norman, answering visitors questions and pointing out to them some of the city’s main attractions including its shopping opportunities, museums, music, art galleries and the OU campus.
NORMAN’S 10 TOP-RATED ATTRACTIONS Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
University of Oklahoma campus. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. National Weather Center. Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Main Street downtown.
Campus Corner.
Sooner Mall.
8. 9. 10.
Interstate 35 shopping options. Riverwind Casino.
PROVIDED BY THIRD DEGREE ADVERTISING AGENCY SURVEY
Visitors settle in for a showing of “Alice in Wonderland" during Movie Night at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
U.S. Postal Center’s hotel is well-kept secret BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — The Norman Hotel and
Conference Center, a part of the U.S. Postal Training Center, just east of Norman on State Highway 9, may be the best-kept secret in Oklahoma, Executive Manager Yves Badaroux said. While the center’s 996-room hotel caters to federal employees and other large groups, it’s also open to the public. The hotel is operated by the Marriott Corp., but is not branded as Marriott, “so you get Marriott quality at affordable prices,” Badaroux said. Because the hotel houses federal employees in Norman for training that sometimes lasts up to 12 weeks, “we try to make it as easy and as much like home for them as possible,” he said. The public gets the same benefits from the array of amenities offered to the trainees, Badaroux said. They include a regulation-size gymnasium with a walking
track built above it; a 6,000-foot, fully equipped exercise gym staffed with trainers; an aerobics room; a sauna; a full-service beauty salon; massage services; a billiards room and a game room that includes ping-pong tables and shuffleboard. Outdoor activities include an Olympic-size salt water swimming pool, two large hot tubs, a fire pit and barbecue area, a chipping range, baseball field, tennis courts and a ropes course. Guests can rent golf clubs, bicycles, helmets or guitars. Guests also have access to computers, transportation, a clinic staffed by a registered nurse and a combination souvenir/ convenience store. About 25,000 postal employees from across the United States come through the training center each year, said Paul Warrick, training manager. “We never have trouble getting people to come for training,” Warrick said. “They enjoy themselves here.” For more information about the U.S. Postal Center’s hotel and services, call 447-9100 or go to www.nced.com/cc.
PLACES TO STAY IN NORMAN HOTELS AND MOTELS
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Best Western Norman Inn & Suites, 2841 S Classen Blvd., 701-4011 Comfort Inn & Suites, 840 Copperfield Drive, 701-2500 Country Inn & Suites, 960 Ed Noble Parkway, 360-0240 Courtyard by Marriott, 770 Copperfield Drive, 701-8900 Days Inn, 609 Interstate Drive, 360-4380 Embassy Suites & Conference Center, 2501 Conference Drive, 364-8040 Fairfield Inn by Marriott, 301 Norman Center Court, 447-1661 Guest Inn, 2543 W Main St., 360-1234 Hampton Inn, 309 Norman Center Court, 366-2100 Hilton Garden Inn & Suites, 700 Copperfield Drive, 579-0100 Holiday Inn, 1000 N Interstate Drive, 364-2882 La Quinta Inn, 930 Ed Noble Parkway, 579-4000 Motel 6, 1016 26th Ave. NW, 701-3300 Quality Inn, 100 SW 26th Drive, 3645554
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Residence Inn by Marriott, 2681 Jefferson St., 366-0900 Sooner Legends Inn & Suites, 1200 24th Ave. SW, 701-8100 Sooner Suites, 1775 Maple Ave., Suite 402, 325-2270 Super 8, 2600 W Main St., 329-1624 Thunderbird Lodge, 1430 24th Ave. SW, 329-6990 TraveLodge, 225 N Interstate Drive, 3297194 Value Place, 5401 Huettner Drive, 3213005 Riverwind Hotel, 2901 Bankers Ave., 322-6250
BED-AND-BREAKFAST
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Cutting Garden, 927 W Boyd St., 3294522 Holmberg House, 766 DeBarr Ave., 3216221 Montford Inn, 322 Tonhawa St., 321-2200 Prairie Crossing, 917 W Boyd St., 9223839 Whispering Pines, 7820 E State Highway 9, 477-0202
Campus Corner combines renovations, street improvements with historic feel BY JAMES S. TYREE Staff Writer jtyree@opubco.com
NORMAN — Oklahoma has been a state longer than Norman has had Campus Corner, though not by much. As signs around the district immediately north of the University of Oklahoma campus indicate, Campus Corner was established in 1917. Yet the area, which has about 90 businesses, has undergone changes in recent years that are combining a fresh, cleaner look with its historic feel. The Campus Corner area is between University Boulevard and Jenkins Avenue, from Boyd Street north to about Duffy Street. Projects funded by tax increment funding have brought street improvements to Asp Avenue and White Street, new and improved curbs, sidewalks and crosswalks throughout the district, and new trees, bike racks, and decorative benches and trash can holders. In addition, a number of buildings have been renovated, or are undergoing the process, ahead of new businesses moving in. “Almost all of the store fronts are occupied or (will be) soon,” said Campus Corner Director Angela Poarch. “There are some fun new shops and a bridal shop coming soon along with a variety of cuisines and the OU IT store.” As businesses move into the district, so have OU football game-day activities — especially since a second O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grille opened on Asp Avenue. “Game days are going to be eventful,” Poarch said. Campus Corner is home to other events throughout the year, such as holiday carriage rides, the Howl-o-ween dog costume contest, participation in Second Friday Circuit of Art and Winterfest, and a number of special events hosted by the district’s businesses. And throughout the week, Campus Corner offers an array of specialty and clothing stores, restaurants, bars, live music and services.
Above: Horse-drawn carriage rides are offered on Campus Corner. PHOTO BY STEVE SISNEY, OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE
CAMPUS CORNER For more information, go to www.oucampuscorner.com or e-mail oucampuscorner@hot mail.com.
Right: Joy and Matt Robinson, of Norman, shop for clothes for their daughter Lynlee at Balfour on Campus Corner during a a tax-free weekend. PHOTO BY STEVE SISNEY, OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE
Cale Lopp looks at his display for Green Couch Design during the Dustbowl Arts Market at Campus Corner in Norman.
Steven Spallone juggles during the Dustbowl Arts Market at Campus Corner in Norman. PHOTO BY SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN
PHOTO BY SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Visitors look at artwork during a Norman Second Friday Circuit of Art. The art walk showcases the historic downtown arts district along with outlying galleries, Campus Corner and the University of Oklahoma. PHOTO PROVIDED BY NORMAN ARTS COUNCIL
HOW TO GET HELP
SERVICES
CONTACT INFORMATION Residents may call the Municipal Building at 321-1600 or e-mail these officials with questions or concerns:
Residents assisted by more than 625 people
CITY MANAGER Steve Lewis steven.lewis@normanok.gov CITY ATTORNEY Jeff Bryant jeff.bryant@normanok.gov CITY CLERK Brenda Hall brenda.hall@Nnrmanok.gov UTILITIES DIRECTOR Ken Komiske ken.komiske@normanok.gov
BY JANE GLENN CANNON
PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR Jud Foster jud.foster@normanok.gov
Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — The city has 11departments and employs more than 625 people to ensure that residents get the services they need. Safe drinking water, a good sewage disposal system, personal safety and fire protection are some of the most important concerns. However, City Manager Steve Lewis said the city provides an array of services, as well as having an open-door policy for any concerns or problems residents are experiencing. “We’re dedicated to being responsive and providing the best possible services,” Lewis said.
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR Gala Hicks gala.hicks@normanok.gov FINANCE DIRECTOR Anthony Francisco, anthony.francisco@normanok.gov
City Councilman Doug Cubberley, left, helps City Manager Steve Lewis cut a ribbon at the grand opening of Norman’s new compost center. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR Shawn O’Leary shawn.oleary@normanok.gov
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS CITY OF NORMAN
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Action Center: 3665396 Alarm permits: 321-1600 Animal Shelter: 292-9736 Building permits: 366-5339 Code compliance: 366-5332
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Municipal Court: 366-5325 Parks and Recreation: 366-5472 Police, nonemergency: 321-1600 Recycling: 329-1023 Sanitation: 3291023 Utilities billing/customer service: 2177739 Water Department: 366-5320
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Water/Sewer emergencies: 329-0703 or 321-1600
TRANSPORTATION
› Amtrak (Heartland Flyer): (800) 872-7245 › Max Westheimer Airpark: 325-7233 › Airport Express: 6813311 › Airport Limo: 321-
PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Susan Connors susan.connors@normanok.gov
6900 CART: 325-2278 Greyhound Bus Lines: 579-1616 A-1 Taxi: 321-3111 Checker Cab: 3293335 Yellow Cab: 3293333 VIP Limo Service: 752-5466 Kiwanis Kruiser: 321-3200
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MUNICIPAL COURT CLERK Ronda Guerrero ronda.guerrero@normanok.gov POLICE CHIEF Phil Cotten phil.cotten@normanok.gov FIRE CHIEF James Fullingim james.fullingim@normanok.gov SOURCE: CITY OF NORMAN
Health For Friends offers low-cost health care BY JOHN A. WILLIAMS Staff Writer jwilliams@opubco.com
NORMAN — Twenty-five years ago, Kathy Heiple saw a need and decided to do something about it. Heiple was concerned that indigent people in Norman did not have access to basic health care, so she started a lowcost clinic out of a garage. Today, Health For Friends serves lowincome individuals with no insurance and no other means for care. That care includes medical ambulatory services, urgent care and health education. Health For Friends also offers comprehensive dental service and oral health education and a pharmacy to provide prescription medicine for a $3 donation. “We have a high need in Norman that people don’t recognize,” said Debbie Durham, Health For Friends manager. In addition to pre-med and pre-dental student volunteers, physicians come
twice a month to see patients. Health For Friends has a full-time dentist, physician’s assistant and a part-time physician on weekdays. Health For Friends receives support from Norman Regional Hospital and the United Way. “We depend on generous donations and grant money,” Durham said. Future expansion plans include the ability to accept Medicare and Medicaid patients, Durham said. According to the Health For Friends website, Health For Friends saved the Norman medical community more than $6.2 million in health services in 2008 — a cost that would have otherwise been absorbed by practitioners and hospitals. The pharmacy filled more than 17,000 prescriptions that same year for patients in need of medicine for acute diseases and for chronic disease management. Health For Friends is at 317 E Himes. For more information, call 329-4161 or go to www.healthforfriends.org.
Today, Health For Friends serves low-income individuals with no insurance and no other means for care. That care includes medical ambulatory services, urgent care and health education. Health For Friends also offers comprehensive dental service and oral health education and a pharmacy to provide prescription medicine for a $3 donation.
Services for seniors HEALTH SERVICES
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Aging Services of Cleveland County: 321-3200 Alzheimer’s Association: 319-0780 Arthritis Foundation: 936-3366 EMSSTAT: 321-1444 Healthlink Physician Referral/Ask a Nurse: (877) 667-6734 Heartland Home Health Care and Hospice: 579-8565 Home Health Services: 364-9361 Norman Regional Health System: 307-1000
Right: Alan Harbin, left, arm wrestles Richard Lee at the Senior Olympics sponsored annually by Heartland Hospice for nursing home residents. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
SOCIAL SERVICES
Oklahoma: (866) 295-7277 › AARP › State Department of Human Services: 573-8300 › State Rehabilitation Services Department: 447-0295 › Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Norman office: 360-6631 › Meals on Wheels of Norman: 3217272 › Norman Housing Authority: 3290933 › Norman Senior Citizens Center: 329-4200 › Social Security Administration: 799-0702
RECREATION
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Full Circle Senior Adult Day Center: 447-2955
RESOURCES
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CART (bus transportation): 3252278 Disabled American Veterans: 5210758 Kiwanis Kruiser (transportation): 321-3200 United Way Helpline: 364-3800 Veterans Center: 360-5600
HOUSING
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Sterling House of Norman: 5739200 Arbor House Assisted Living: 2929200 Brookhaven Extensive Care: 2922273 Cedar Creek Living Center: 3296771
Above: Volunteer Melani Bebout watches as Edna Karkey plays horseshoes at the annual Senior Olympics sponsored by Heartland Hospice for nursing home residents. OKLAHOMAN
ARCHIVE PHOTO
› Grace Living Center: 366-8800 › Holiday Heights Nursing Home: 321-7932 › Rambling Oaks Assisted Living Center: 360-4755 › Rivermont Retirement Community: 360-0606 Rock Villa: 329-0933 › Rose › Senior Cottages of Norman: 2927714 › Savannah House of Norman: 3292450 › Villa de Vey: 329-2450
Social service agencies in Norman ›
ABLE — Provides resources for people with developmental disabilities. Administrative offices are at 1175 E Main. 329-3922; www.ableinnorman. org. Aging Services Inc. — Aging Services of Cleveland County, 1179 E Main, provides transportation, homemaker services, lunch sites and case management for the county’s elderly. Services are free. 321-3200. American Red Cross, Heart of Oklahoma Chapter — The Red Cross, 1205 Halley, provides 24-hour-a-day disaster relief after fires, floods and other disasters; emergency military communications between families and service members; and safety and health classes and education programs. 321-0591; www.redcrossheart.org. Among Friends — An activity center for developmentally-disabled adults. 1121 E Main St. 701-2121. Bethesda Inc. — A private agency that specializes in psychotherapeutic counseling and treatment for sexually abused children and their nonoffending caregiver, through outreach, education and prevention, 1181 E Main. 364-0333; www.bethesdaok.org. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma — Helps children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships. Administrative office is at 1155 E Main. 364-3722; www.bbbsok.org/ norman. Birth Choice of Norman — Provides free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and counseling to pregnant women, as well as support for new mothers, including maternity clothes, references to other agencies, baby clothes, diapers, formula and baby food. Office is at 457 W Gray St. 360-9555; www.birth choice.org. Boy Scouts of America, Last Frontier Council — Teaches service to others by helping to instill values in young people to prepare them to make ethical choices throughout life. 840-1114; www.lastfrontiercouncil.org. Bridges — Provides qualifying high school students with access to housing and basic services so they can graduate. 579-9280; www.bridgesnorman. org.
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Humanity — An ecumenical housing ministry that seeks to eliminate substandard housing in the county. Habitat works in partnership with people in need to build simple, decent homes, 1835 Industrial Blvd. 360-7868; www.ccokhfh.org. CommunityWorks — A behavioral health and addiction services agency that provides outpatient counseling for individuals and families, 122 E Eufaula St. 447-4499; www.communityworks ok.com. Compassionate Friends — A selfhelp organization that helps people deal with grief after the death of a child. 360-4287. Crossroads Youth and Family Services — Provides services for all ages, including counseling programs, emergency youth shelter, juvenile intervention center, Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Administrative offices are at 1333 W Main St. 2926440; www.crossroadsyfs.com. East Main Place — A transitional living facility for homeless individuals and families, 1100 E Main. 447-4663. Food and Shelter for Friends — A nonprofit agency that provides a nocost meal and temporary family housing to economically disadvantaged people in Norman, 104 W Comanche. 360-4954; www.foodandshelterfor friends.org Full Circle Adult Day Center — Assists families by providing activities, meals and health monitoring for their elderly loved ones in order to prevent nursing home placement. 447-2955; www.fullcircleok.com. Girl Scouts-Sooner Council Inc. — Teaches the importance of personal responsibility, the value of goal-setting, the spirit of teamwork and the thrill of accomplishment. 224-5455; www.gswestok.org. Health for Friends — Provides education, referrals and a wide range of health services, including medical, dental, pharmacy and prenatal services to low-income, uninsured people in Norman, 317 E Himes. 329-4161; www.healthforfriends.org.
Zena Amer, left, and Katelyn Chappell volunteer at Food and Shelter for Friends as part of a Moore Norman Technology Center program. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
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CASP — A community after-school program for students. Administrative offices are at 1023 N Flood. 366-5970; www.caspinc.org. Center for Children and Families Inc. — Provides youth activities, play therapy, support groups for parents and children, family and individual counseling, mediation and arbitration, parenting classes and emergency temporary child care. Administrative offices are at 1151 E Main. 364-1420; www.ccfi norman.org. Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency Inc. — Offers a range of services for short-term relief and long-range help against poverty. Office is at 801 Chapel St. 447-0832; www. cocaa.org. Central Oklahoma Community
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Mental Health Center — Offers mental health services, 909 E Alameda. 360-5100; www.cocmhc.org. Cleveland County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) — Provides volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children who are wards of the court, 1650 W Tecumseh Road, Suite 400. 360-5295; www. clevelandcountycasa.org. Cleveland County Genealogical Society Library — Provides local and family history library, local historical records archives and research assistance. Library open from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. South entrance, Community Services Building, 1119 E Main. 701-2100. Cleveland County Habitat for
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SEE AGENCIES, PAGE 24A
City council The Norman City Council is composed of eight council members who are elected within their wards and a mayor who is elected at-large. City council terms last two years, with seats in Wards 1, 3, 5 and 7 decided in odd years and seats in Wards 2, 4, 6 and 8 voted upon in even-numbered years. The mayoral term in Norman lasts three years; the next mayoral election will be scheduled in 2013. Cindy Rosenthal was elected mayor in 2007 and reelected in March of 2010.
Al Atkins Ward 1 Telephone: 310-5242 E-mail: ward1@ normanok.gov
Rachel Butler Ward 5 Telephone: 360-0936 E-mail: ward5@ normanok.gov
Doug Cubberley Ward 7 Telephone: 8720050 E-mail: ward7@ normanok.gov
Hal Ezzell Ward 3 Telephone: 310-3507 E-mail: ward3@ normanok.gov
Carol Dillingham Ward 4 Telephone: 826-7160 E-mail: ward4@ normanok.gov
Tom Kovach Ward 2 Telephone: 701-0436 E-mail: ward2@ normanok.gov
James Griffith
Dan Quinn
Ward 6 Telephone: 329-0568 E-mail: ward6@ normanok.gov
Ward 8 Telephone: 364-1946 E-mail: ward8@ normanok.gov
Norman Mayor Cindy Rosenthal Telephone: 364-3793 or 366-5402 E-mail: mayor@normanok.gov
Norman’s state, federal legislators NORMAN — Norman is represented in the state Legislature by two senators and four members of the House of Representatives. Bill Nations is a Democrat nearing the end of his sixth and final term of representing House District 44 in the heart of Norman. Wallace Collins is a Democrat representing House District 45 in east Norman, Scott Martin is a Norman Republican whose House District 46 includes south and far west Norman, and Randy Terrill, R-Moore, represents House District 53 which includes parts of north Norman. The senators are Jonathan Nichols, RNorman, of Senate District 15, and John Sparks, D-Norman, of Senate District 16. Nichols’ district includes parts of north, west, east and south Norman; Sparks’ district takes in most of Norman’s central urban and southeast areas. In the U.S. House of Representatives, all of Cleveland County is part of Oklahoma’s 4th Congressional District, which is represented by Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore. Oklahoma’s senators are Tom Coburn, RMuskogee, and Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa.
Sen. Jim Inhofe R-Tulsa Offices: 453 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-3603; 1900 Northwest Expressway, Suite 1210, Oklahoma City, OK 73118. Telephone: (202) 224-4721; 608-4381 Website: www.inhofe.senate.gov/ public/
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole R-Moore 4th District Norman office: 2420 Springer Drive, Suite 120, Norman, 73069 Telephone: 329-6500 Website: http://cole.house.gov/
Sen. Tom Coburn R-Muskogee Offices: 172 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-3603; 100 N Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Telephone: (202) 224-5754; 231-4941. Website: www.coburn.senate.gov/
State Senate, District 15 State Senate, District 16
State Sen. Jonathan Nichols R-Norman Senate District 15 Telephone: 521-5535 E-mail: nichols@ oksenate.gov
State House, District 44
State Rep. Bill Nations D-Norman House District 44 Telephone: 557-7323 E-mail: billnations@okhouse.gov
State Sen. John Sparks D-Norman Senate District 16 Telephone: 5215553 E-mail: sparks@ oksenate.gov
State House, District 45 State House, District 46
State Rep. Wallace Collins D-Norman House District 45 Telephone: 5577386 E-mail: wallace. collins@okhouse. gov
State House, District 53
State Rep. Randy Terrill R-Moore House District 53 Telephone: 557-7346 E-mail: randyterrill@okhouse.gov
State Rep. Scott Martin R-Norman House District 46 Telephone: 5577329 Email: scott. martin@ okhouse.gov
Agencies FROM PAGE 18A
Historical Museum of Cleveland County — Resource focused on histories and heritage of Cleveland County and city of Norman. 508 N Peters. 3210156; www.normanhistorichouse.org. Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma — Provides free, high-quality civil legal services to low-income and elderly people in Oklahoma. 210 E Main, Suite 216. 360-6631; www.legalaidok.org. Mary Abbott Children’s House — Offers coordinated investigation and intervention services to child abuse victims and nonoffending family members in a child-friendly location. 5795800; www.abbott-house.org. Meals on Wheels of Norman — Provides a hot, nutritious meal to Norman’s senior, disabled or ill residents who are in need, 1173 E Main. 321-7272; www.mealsonwheelsnorman.com. NAIC, Center for Oklahoma Alcohol and Drug Services Inc.— Provides outpatient treatment, intervention and referral services for individuals and their families suffering from alcohol and other drug addiction, and public education and prevention services to the community, 215 W Linn. 321-0022; www.fotizo.net/naic/index.tcl. NAMI Cleveland County Inc. — Provides support and preventive education to people concerned with mental health issues. Works to improve the care and treatment of people with mental and physical disabilities. Sponsors REACH (Reassurance to Each) support group, which meets the first Tuesday of the month, and an educational session, which meets the third Tuesday. Both groups meet at 7 p.m. at Edsel Ford House, 107 State Drive. 701-2078; www.namicleveland county.org. PFLAG Norman (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) — Provides support, education, and advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their families and friends. Meets at 7 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 1801 W Brooks St. 360-4497; www.pflagnorman.org. Planned Parenthood — Pregnancy testing, HIV testing and counseling, contraceptive services, 2100B W Lind-
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sey. 360-1556; www.planned parenthood.org. Progressive Independence — Provides information and referral, peer counseling, skills training and advocacy for people with disabilities or those who are concerned with disability issues, 121 N Porter. 321-3203. RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) — Places individuals age 55 and older into volunteer positions, so they can continue to use their education, talent and life experience to improve their community. Cleveland and McClain County office is at 1125 E Main, Norman. 701-2130; www.rsvp clevelandco.org. Salvation Army — Provides spiritual services, emergency shelter, food, hot meals, utility assistance, clothing and disaster services, 318 E Hayes St. 364-9910. Second Chance Animal Sanctuary — A nonprofit sanctuary for stray, abandoned or abused cats and dogs. 321-1915; www.secondchancenorman. org. Success by Six — Provides early childhood programs to help parents and caregivers, 550 24th Ave. NW, Suite D. 364-3800. Thunderbird Clubhouse — Provides a safe environment for people living with and recovering from mental illness, 531 E Main. 321-7331; www. thunderbirdclubhouse.org. Transition House — Provides transitional living and community outreach programs for adults recovering from mental illness. Additional services include a drop-in center and prescription assistance program. 700 Asp, Suite 2. 360-7926; www.thouse.org. United Way of Norman — Provides information about community resources and supports community programs. 329-2025; Helpline: 3643800; www.unitedwaynorman.com. Women’s Resource Center — Provides shelter for battered women along with short-term counseling, education and prevention programs. Crisis lines: 701-5540 (domestic violence) or 701-5660 (sexual assault); www.wrcnorman.org.
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TO HAVE AN AGENCY OR GROUP ADDED TO THIS LIST IN A FUTURE EDITION OF THE NORMAN LIVING GUIDE, SEND INFORMATION TO JCANNON@OPUBCO.COM.
Shooting contests hit the bull’s-eye LAW ENFORCEMENT | OFFICERS COMPETE IN TOURNAMENTS BY JAMES S. TYREE Staff Writer jtyree@opubco.com
NORMAN — Law enforcement officers come to Norman each year to compete in back-to-back regional and state shooting tournaments. The events take place each August at the Norman police training facility, 3942 S Jenkins Ave. The competition starts with the annual Dale DeBerry Memorial Regional Championships and is followed the next day by the Oklahoma State Police Shooting Championships. Despite the geographical names, law enforcement officers from any part of the country can and do participate. “You never know who’s going to show up,” Norman Lt. Eric Lehenbauer said, noting a federal officer from Puerto Rico took part in 2009. The regional contest is named in memory of DeBerry, a popular Norman police sergeant who died in 1998 of a
heart attack during police training. The competition typically takes place on a Thursday and Friday, followed by the state championships Saturday. Competitors in the shooting tournaments have to fire with both hands from distances ranging from seven to 50 yards. The officers compete as individuals and in two- and four-person teams. “This is a really good way to test new equipment and to practice our marksmanship,” said Shon Elroy, the Norman police range master. “If you can’t hit your target, you’re not doing the community or your department any good.” The Oklahoma Law Enforcement Shooting Association gives awards to top shooters, including honors for state champion, grand aggregate winner and Governor’s Twenty. All eight members of the 2010 Norman police team qualified for the Governor’s Twenty, who are the top 20 shooters from the state competition. Each year, the Governor’s Twenty are honored at the state Capitol.
Mike Arnold, of Dallas, raises his target Aug. 13 during the Dale DeBerry Memorial Regional Shooting Championship in Norman. OKLAHOMAN
ARCHIVE PHOTO
David Philpott, of Lake Charles, La., fires as officers, deputies and agents compete Aug. 13 in the Dale DeBerry Memorial Regional Shooting Championship in Norman. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
Work continues on fire station BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — The city’s newest fire station is under construction on Norman’s northwest side, while 15 firefighters are being trained to man it. Fire Chief James Fullingim said the station at 36th Avenue NW and W Tecumseh Road will be the city’s eighth. A new eastside station is planned for land purchased by the city on Alameda Street, east of 24th Ave. SE. Deputy Fire Chief Jim Bailey said 15 recruits currently being trained should be ready to fully staff the station by the time it is finished. The trainees will be required to obtain basic certification as Level I firefighters, emergency medical responders and hazardous materials responders during a one-year probationary period after their training. The fire station is being built to national “green” standards. Fullingim said his department will seek LEED certification for it. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a certification program of the independent U.S. Green Building Council. “To be LEED-certified, a building must meet conservation-friendly criteria of design, construction and operation,” Fullingim said. The Kirkpatrick Architecture Studio of Denton, Texas, is designing the Norman station. The company already has designed a “gold level” LEED-certified station in Denton. Gold is the highest-ranking awarded by the national organization that promotes environmentally friendly design.
Firefighters Greg Skelly, left, and Nick Musgrove check equipment on a fire truck at Station 1.
OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
Norman firefighters douse hot spots at a house fire. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
AT A GLANCE NORMAN FIRE STATIONS
1: 411 E Main St. › Station 2: 2211 W Boyd St. › Station Station 3: 500 E Constitution ›Ave. 4: 4145 W Robinson St. › Station Station 5 (Little Axe): 1000 ›168th Ave. NE 6: 7405 E Alameda St. › Station › Station 7: 2207 Goddard Ave.
Firefighters pour water on a house fire at 3617 Glenbrook Drive in Norman.
Compost center provides heaping of help ENVIRONMENT | FACILITY REDUCES AMONT OF WASTE IN CITY’S LANDFILL BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — Norman was the first city in the state to separate yard waste from other trash collection services and to offer an associated compost operation, Utilities Director Ken Komiske said. Continuing that tradition, Norman opened a new, larger compost center at 348 Bratcher-Miner Road, south of State Highway 9. The 10-acre composting site allows for heaped rows of compost that can be kept wet and aerated, decreasing noxious fumes sometimes generated at the old, smaller site, Komiske said. Not only does it smell better now, but the city can produce much more of it, he said. Residents who want compost can pick up some for free at the operation most of the year to benefit their home gardens. “We continuously make more and periodically release it to people. As long as we’ve got a supply, it’s available to residents,” he said. Residents get compost for free if they load it themselves. If they have city workers do it, a loading fee is charged, Komiske said. The compost operation reduces the amount of waste in the city’s landfill by more than 10 percent on an annual basis, Komiske said.
Right: Joel Ojeda with Waste Management picks up a tub of recyclables in a residential neighborhood. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
Workers load a chipper/shredder at the city’s new compost center at 348 Bratcher-Miner Road.
OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
Location determines trash pickup day FROM STAFF REPORTS
NORMAN — Norman’s Sanitation Division provides weekly trash collection services for residential customers. Collection days are determined by geographical location. Polycarts are provided, but to ensure collection, carts must be placed at the
curb no earlier than noon the day before collection and should be removed from the curbside and placed at the house side no later than noon the day after collection. For a $20 charge, customers may request a separate pickup for items too bulky for the trash cart. The department collects yard waste
AT A GLANCE TRANSFER STATION
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Where: 3901 S Chautauqua Ave. Information: No hazardous waste accepted. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sundays. Rates: For residents with a current city of Norman utility bill, $10 minimum up to 600 pounds; $30 per ton. For nonresidents or commercial haulers: $13 minimum up to 500 pounds; $43 per ton. Brush and yard waste, $12 per cubic yard.
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COMPOST FACILITY
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Where: 348 Bratcher-Miner Road. April to September hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sundays. October to March hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Closed Saturdays and Sundays. Information: Finished compost is available to residents every 90 to 120 days. The compost is free if you load it. If loaded for you, the fee is $10 per scoop. A scoop is about 3 cubic yards or 2,000 pounds.
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RECYCLING DROP-OFF CENTERS
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Hollywood Shopping Center, W Lindsey Street and McGee Drive. Hobby Lobby parking lot, 2417 W Main St. Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 615 E Robinson St.
Chris Williams collects cans of old paint from residents at the city’s Hazardous Waste Collection Event in April. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
WASTE DISPOSAL
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Hazardous waste disposal: Besides the recycling program, the city sponsors a Hazardous Waste Collection Event each spring so material and items that should not go in a landfill can be disposed of properly. Hundreds of volunteers help the city with the event, which is in the Lloyd Noble Center parking lot. Larger trash items: During April and October, sanitation employees work overtime to pick up large trash items not normally allowed. Residents can pitch old furniture, broken appliances and other junk by placing items curbside on a Saturday designated for their neighborhood. Larger items will be collected throughout the year for a $20 fee by calling the sanitation department at 329-1023.
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weekly from urban customers. The maximum container size collected is 35 gallons, which should be placed curbside by 7:30 a.m. Yard waste includes grass clippings, leaves and tree limbs. Limbs must be smaller than 2 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length, bundled and tied.
In addition, the city offers curbside recycling services. Tubs are provided by Waste Management, which is contracted by the city to collect recyclables including aluminum cans, No. 1 and 2 plastics, glass bottles, newspapers, magazines and junk mail. Pickup is on the same day as a customer’s trash collection.
Garbage trucks use natural gas BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — Two garbage trucks powered by compressed natural gas are quieter, more energy efficient and kinder to the environment, city officials say. The shiny green trucks, which were added to the city’s fleet in April, are the first compressed natural gas-powered sanitation trucks to be used in Oklahoma, Norman Utilities Director Ken Komiske said. The trucks are a 32-yard commercial front loader and a 28-yard automated residential side loader. While the trucks were more expensive than conventional sanitation trucks, Komiske says they will save money in the long run. Additionally, a $114,000 grant from the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments was used to offset the purchase prices. Currently, compressed natural gas costs 66 percent less than diesel per gallon, Komiske said. Garbage trucks only get about 2.5 miles per gallon because of the frequent stops they make, he said. “The fuel savings alone in using these trucks might be enough to compensate for the additional cost of the vehicles,” Komiske said. Sanitation Department employees are monitoring fuel costs, maintenance and repair expenses over the next year or so. If the switch to compressed natural gaspowered trucks proves advantageous, more purchases will be made, he said.
The fuel savings alone in using these trucks might be enough to compensate for the additional cost of the vehicles.” KEN KOMISKE
NORMAN UTILITIES DIRECTOR
Residents get a look at Norman’s new garbage trucks powered by compressed natural gas. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
Norman Mayor Cindy Rosenthal talks during an open house at city hall about the benefits of using compressed natural gas-powered trucks. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
CNG station being built in Norman BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — The city hopes to have a compressed natural gas filling station up and running within a year. The station, planned for 1301 DaVinci St. on North Base, will have 15 slow-fill dispensers to allow up to 30 city vehicles to fill overnight. The station also will have a fast-fill dispenser and a fueling station for the public, Norman Public Works Director Shawn O’Leary said. Norman’s station, which is being built with federal stimulus money, is one of the few in the state, O’Leary said. City officials adopted an alternative fuel program in 2009, pledging to purchase over time more vehicles that run on compressed natural gas and to incorporate other fuel sources such as biodiesel and flex fuel. Flex fuel is about 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent unleaded gasoline. The city’s current fleet of 867 vehicles
Converting to alternative fuels is the right thing.” SHAWN O’LEARY
NORMAN PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
includes 82 vehicles that use alternative fuels. Nineteen of those are fueled with compressed natural gas. O’Leary said the city currently buys compressed natural gas from the University of Oklahoma and will continue to do so until its station is up and running. Alternative fuels save money in the long run and are kinder to the environment, he said. “Converting to alternative fuels is the right thing to do for the right reasons, and we are committed to doing it,” he said.
A filling station for vehicles running on compressed natural gas is planned for 1301 DaVinci St. It is being built with federal stimulus money. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
CART offers bus service throughout metro area
CART map
FROM STAFF REPORTS
NORMAN — Cleveland Area Rapid Transit is a bus system operated by the University of Oklahoma, but one that also serves the general public. Except for the West Norman route that debuted last year, all other routes begin and end at OU’s South Oval. CART operates five routes that loop throughout greater Norman, four shuttles and loops that run primarily on and near the OU campus, the Sooner Express to and from Oklahoma City, the Little Axe shuttle to and from the Lake Thunderbird area and the Cleveland County Express to the Social Security office in Moore. CART also offers curb-to-curb service for people who cannot ride on fixed routes because of disability. Fares are 50 cents; but 25 cents for seniors 60 and older, students 6 to 17 and people with disabilities. Monthly and punch passes also are available.
TO LEARN MORE For detailed route and schedule information, go to cart.ou.edu or call 325-2278.
Left: A bus picks up a passenger on the South Oval of the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
Storm warning sirens aid safety BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — A new state-of-the-art storm warning system will help ensure residents are forewarned of impending tornadoes or other emergencies, city officials said. Voters approved a $2.1 million general obligation bond issue to pay for the system, which replaces one that is obsolete and didn’t feature enough outdoor sirens to cover the 200 square miles within the city limits. About half of the 37 sirens in the old system had exceeded their life span, said David Grizzle, the city’s emergency
management coordinator. When the sirens were sounded, only about 80 percent of them worked. Once they were sounded, officials also couldn’t tell which ones worked and which ones didn’t work until people called in and told them, Grizzle said. No sirens were located properly to alert residents living in rural east Norman, he said. The new system will provide early warnings for all areas, and its computerized system will notify officials immediately of a malfunction, Grizzle said. The system provides 60 new sirens and allows for the modification and relocation of 17 existing sirens that still are usable, Grizzle said.
David Grizzle, Norman’s emergency management coordinator, stands in front of an antiquated siren on Kansas Street at Berry Road. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
Christmas dinner becomes tradition BY JAMES S. TYREE Staff Writer jtyree@opubco.com
NORMAN — Norman High School is a popular place on Christmas Day when more than 1,000 people come by for the Norman Community Christmas Dinner. The city was digging out of a historic snowstorm last Christmas, and about 950 people still showed up for one of Norman’s most heartwarming traditions. In 2008, volunteers served about 1,200 diners at the school and delivered an additional 300 meals. Planning already is under way for the 24th annual Norman Community Christmas Dinner that founder Bob Magarian said truly is a come-one, come-all event. “This is for everyone; this is a community dinner,” Magarian said in 2009. “We have some folks who just don’t want to cook, we have college students, we have the elderly, and we have families and some folks who just lost their jobs.” The midday dinner is free and includes a full meal with drink and dessert and holiday greetings from Santa Claus. Kids are treated to an age-appropriate toy while adults and older youths can choose toiletries to take home. The diners aren’t the only ones who go to Norman High on Christmas Day. Magarian said about 200 people volunteer to cook, set up, serve, pick up materials, toys and gifts, deliver meals, wash dishes, tear down and clean up. And many others in the community — banks, businesses and families — keep the tradition going by donating money for all the food, gifts and materials. “It was coordinated by St. Michael’s (Episcopal) Church, but it grew so fast it had to become a community thing,” Magarian said.
Judy Lewis, left, Nelson Dent and Dorothy Claxton serve meals at the 2009 Norman Community Christmas Dinner at Norman High School.
Elizabeth Blazek, of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, makes a scarf to give out at the 2008 Norman Community Christmas Dinner. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTOS
CITY CALENDAR
Norman resident Deb Luczycki watches the city’s annual Christmas parade with her son, Fletcher, 2, and daughter, Chloe, 6, on Dec. 12, 2009. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
Norman offices to close for holidays Norman city offices will be closed for these federal holidays. Holidays alter trash collection in some cases.
› Nov. 11, Veterans Day: City offices closed; normal trash collection. › Nov. 25, Thanksgiving: City offices closed; no trash collection; trash
collection delayed one day for the remainder of the week. Nov. 26, day after Thanksgiving: City offices closed; trash collection delayed one day for the remainder of the week. Dec. 24, Christmas Eve: City offices closed; normal trash collection. Dec. 25, Christmas Day: City offices
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closed; no trash collection; trash collection delayed one day for the remainder of the week. Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day: City offices closed; normal trash collection. May 30, Memorial Day: City offices closed; normal trash collection. July 4, Independence Day: City offices closed; normal trash collection. Sept. 5, Labor Day: City offices closed; normal trash collection.
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EDUCATION
District continues to add buildings BY JAMES S. TYREE Staff Writer jtyree@opubco.com
NORMAN — Norman School District is in the midst of more than $109 million in capital improvements in only three years, and that doesn’t include the spacious Truman Primary School that opened in August. “It’s huge,” fifth-grader Thomas Astani exclaimed after walking into the new school for kindergartners through second-graders. So are the school district’s capital plans through 2013. Norman voters in December 2009 approved a $109.7 million bond issue for improvements at all schools, the construction of yet another elementary school and the purchase of new buses. The school to be built in southeast Norman will be the district’s 17th elementary school. Students move on from elementary school to one of four middle schools — Alcott, Irving, Longfellow and Whittier — and then to Norman or Norman North high schools. The funds will finance the newest classroom technology and renovations or classroom additions for every school in the district, along with upgrades for indoor and outdoor athletics facilities and updated fire and security equipment. With low interest rates and pressing needs, the district is accelerating its timetable for completing all 51 projects, Superintendent Joe Siano said. Cleveland County commissioners last spring voted to issue $65 million in lease revenue bonds to lend Norman schools in order to get dozens of projects started faster. Siano said at the time that “this takes a six- to eight-year process down to three years.” District officials expect the capital projects to address the quality of education in addition to quantity of students. Norman schools had 14,366 students as of Oct. 1, 2009. An early estimate in August 2010 showed an increase to 14,517 students. “This investment in capital is going to pay off for years down the road,” Siano said during a school board meeting. “It will mean improved facilities and improved opportunities for our students.” Away from the classroom, the Norman North High School boys soccer team won the Class 6A championship in 2010, marking the program’s third
Back-to-School Night at the new Truman Primary School wowed parents, students and visitors. Norman School District officials plan to build another elementary school in southeast Norman. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
Kent French uses a pneumatic sewing machine in August to join two pieces of artificial turf on the Alcott Middle School football field, which is one of 51 capital projects in the 2009 bond issue. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
state title since 2000. Norman High School has won state titles in several sports over the years, including the 2005 championship in girls basketball. Both high schools have performed well at the state level in speech and debate, with Norman High winning several state titles in the past 10 years. The school district’s Web site address is www. norman.k12.ok.us.
Board guides Norman right down to letter
Linda Sexton
Don Shandy
Dan Snell
Joe Sparks
Darry Stacy
The school board’s regular meetings are at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the district’s Administrative Services
Center, 131 S Flood Ave. Patrons are welcome to attend and sign up for comment at the school board meetings.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
NORMAN — Having a last name that begins with “S” is not required for governing the Norman School District, it only seems that way. Don Shandy was appointed to the Norman School Board in July, joining fellow members Joe Sparks, Dan Snell, Linda Sexton and Darry Stacy, who all work with Superintendent Joseph Siano. School board members are elected every five years by voters within the district.
NORMAN SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR 19: Last day of first quarter › Oct. 20: Teachers’ professional day ›(noOct. school) 21, 22: Fall break › Oct. 25: First day of second quarter › Oct. Nov. 11: Parent-teacher conferences ›(evening) › Nov. 12: Parent-teacher conferences (no school) 24-26: Thanksgiving Break › Nov. 20-31: Winter break › Dec. 3: School resumes › Jan. 13: Last day of second quarter › Jan. › Jan. 14: Teachers’ professional day (no school)
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Jan. 17: Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday Jan. 18: First day of third quarter Feb. 17: Parent-teacher conferences (evening) Feb. 18: Parent-teacher conferences (no school) Feb. 21: Presidents Day March 11: Last day of third quarter March 14-18: Spring Break March 21: Teachers’ professional day (no school) March 22: First day of fourth quarter May 27: Last day of school
NOTE: These dates may be used, if needed, for snow makeup days: Jan. 17, Feb. 21, May 31 and June 1-3.
Kids CATCH healthier habits in program BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — Coordinated Approach to Health Care, also known as CATCH, a health education course started as a pilot program at Kennedy Elementary School’s after-school program, has proved so successful it’s been expanded to five other schools. The program provides at least 30 minutes of organized physical exercise for students every day and a nutrition lesson once a week. The program is aimed at fighting childhood obesity. Kennedy was selected three years ago as the first CATCH site in Norman because district health reports showed it had a high percentage of students who were at risk of being overweight or who were overweight, said Amanda James, an educator with Cleveland County Health Department, a CATCH partner with the Community After School Program.
Results have shown students in Kennedy’s program are eating better and exercising more, said Lindsey Ellis, local CATCH coordinator. The program is offered to after-school students at Adams, Eisenhower, Lakeview, Lincoln and Wilson elementary schools. Jump rope, flying disc and tag are among activities in which students participate. Group activities include everyone, so no one sits and waits a turn. “We keep it short and to the point,” Ellis said. “We have several games to play every day. The main thing is to keep them moving.” After being in a classroom all day, the children are ready to get some energy out, James said. The children also learn about good snacks and the importance of eating dinner together as a family, James said. The eventual goal is to expand the program to all Community After School Programs in 16 schools, officials said.
Students at Kennedy Elementary School’s after-school program play a game as part of a health education course aimed at fighting childhood obesity. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
Struggling students have alternative
The Norman School District is committed to ensuring high school students get their diplomas, whether it is through traditional means or through alternative education programs. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — High school students who are struggling to get their diplomas for a variety of reasons benefit from the Norman School District’s alternative education programs. Dimensions Academy has day and night alternative education programs to meet the needs of up to 95 high school students each year, officials said. Class sizes are capped at 15 students, so teachers can give more individual attention. Students attend the alternative school for many reasons, said Charlie Mason, alternative education director. Some are homeless. Others need to work full time to help support their families. Often students find the size of Norman’s high schools overwhelming, Mason said. Whatever the reason, the district
works with counselors, outside agencies and the students to meet their needs so they can graduate, he said. The school is an important part of the district’s dropout prevention efforts, Mason said. Core classes needed to graduate are offered at the alternative school. Electives such as art, psychology, sociology or current events also are offered. There’s a weight room for physical education. Students must meet the same graduation requirements as other high school students, said Nick Migliorino, director of secondary education for the district. “They earn a diploma. One isn’t just handed to them,” Migliorino said. The district also has an alternative education program for middle and elementary school students, but the goal of those programs is to work with younger students to get them back into a regular classroom setting, he said.
Moore Norman Techology Center students edit video in the center’s digital video production class. PHOTO PROVIDED BY MOORE NORMAN TECHNOLOGY CENTER
Tech center adds culinary program BY TRICIA PEMBERTON Staff Writer tpemberton@opubco.com
NORMAN — Moore Norman Technology Center has an exciting new program this fall for would-be cooks. The popularity of multiple cooking shows on television sparked the Culinary Art Professional Series, school spokeswoman Anna Trowbridge said. Class offerings include how to make stocks and sauces, how to decorate a cake, garnishing, grilling, frying or making pizzas. Most classes are taught in the evenings for four to six weeks at the center’s South Penn campus. Costs run from $69 to $89 per class. Classes are taught by professional chefs. “The director of the program has been pleased with enrollment so far,” Trowbridge said.
Video production The school also is in the process of adding on to its video production program — now in its fourth year.
A business and information technology building under construction on the main campus in Norman will house a state-of– the-art digital video production unit filled with new high definition Apple products. The new classroom space is set to open by the 2011-12 school year. “It’s just going to be awesome,” Trowbridge said. The center also held its second annual Red Carpet Film Festival in May. For the festival, students produced their own films and graphic design students produced marketing material for each film. Moore Norman Technology Center, as part of Oklahoma’s CareerTech System, offers 36 full-time programs and many other part-time programs between two campuses: 4701 12th Ave. NW in Norman, and 13301 S Pennsylvania Ave. in Oklahoma City. High school students in Moore and Norman public schools can take classes at the centers for free, counting them as school electives. The center also offers a number of classes for adults.
OU campus bustles with construction BY JAMES S. TYREE Staff Writer jtyree@opubco.com
NORMAN — The hard hat could be an alternative symbol for the University of Oklahoma, given the number and scope of construction projects on the Norman campus in recent years. Since 1994, nearly $1.9 billion in construction projects have been completed, are under way or are being planned, according to OU Public Affairs. “As each new facility opens, we bring to the campus national and international figures in relevant fields of study,” OU President David Boren wrote in his online President’s Welcome. Since 2009, the university has opened Devon Energy Hall and the ExxonMobil Lawrence G. Rawl Engineering Practice Facility near Boyd Street and Jenkins Avenue, which cost a combined $42.2 million, and the $75 million Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center on the south research campus. Major renovations on the South Oval at Collings Hall, home of the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, and Gould Hall, which houses the
College of Architecture, are budgeted at $9.5 million and $33 million, respectively. Renovations and expansions were completed in 2010 at the Sarkeys Energy Center for the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy and at the Viersen Gymnastics Center, while the $13 million Stuart Wing being added to the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art is scheduled to be done late in the year. Meanwhile, construction on Zarrow Hall, future home of the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work, started in the spring of 2010 at 700 Elm Ave. It is expected to open in 2012. Zarrow Hall is being built where the Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center used to stand. The Jim Thorpe center moved early this year into the former College of Continuing Education Commons building, after it underwent a $4.4 million renovation. OU also is beefing up its infrastructure with construction of a $72 million utility plant north of the Huston Huffman Center, which is scheduled to be done by fall 2011, and the $7.7 million expansion of a chilled water plant to accommodate the expanding south research campus.
Work continued throughout the summer on Anne and Henry Zarrow Hall for the University of Oklahoma’s School of Social Work. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
Options abound for getting around university campus
University of Oklahoma Transportation Director Doug Myers shows an electronic access card beside the WeCar rental cars on the OU campus. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTOS
Above: A rider waits in a shelter at a CART bus stop on the OU campus. BY JAMES S. TYREE Staff Writer jtyree@opubco.com
NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma is a spacious campus with scores of academic buildings and other facilities, but getting around this institution of higher education does not require a college degree. There are two ways for OU students, faculty and staff to make their way around campus — through transportation options or via the Internet. Campus transportation begins with the Cleveland Area Rapid Transit bus service, which has frequent loops from its South Oval base to university apartments and the south research campus. CART has other routes that run every 30 to 60 minutes to many parts of Norman, along with the Sooner Express shuttle to and from Oklahoma City. OU students, faculty and staff ride free on Norman routes; fares are 50 cents for other adults and 25 cents for youths 6 to 17 and seniors 60 and older. More information about routes, time
schedules and CART news can be found online at cart.ou.edu or by calling 3252278. Those who prefer private transportation can purchase a parking pass from OU Parking and Transportation Services or try out OU’s WeCar rental system. Current OU students, faculty and staff who register online for the service can rent one of four vehicles by the hour, for the day or overnight. For more information, call Parking and Transportation at 325-6080. Walking on campus is always a popular option, as OU is widely regarded as a beautiful campus enriched with flower gardens, numerous trees and landmark buildings. Thanks to the new oZone, thousands of students and faculty handle campus tasks without leaving their home or office. The website at ozone.ou.edu is a onestop service that allows people to monitor grades and assignments, handle university-related finances, check out the extensive OU Libraries catalog and reserve materials, enroll in classes and check campus news and activities.
WHAT’S AHEAD
A student walks across the South Oval on the University of Oklahoma campus as students returned to classrooms Aug. 23 on the first day of the fall semester. The semester will end Dec. 17. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
University of Oklahoma 2010-11 calendar 24-26: Thanksgiving holiday 18: First day of spring semester › Nov. › Jan. 10: Final day of fall classes March 12-20: Spring break › Dec. › 13-17: Final examinations 6: Final day of spring classes › Dec. › May Dec. 20-Jan. 14: Winter 9-13: Final examinations ›intersession › May May 13-14: Commencement › weekend › Jan. 17: Martin Luther King Jr. holiday › May 16-June 3: May intersession NOTE: Summer 2011 schedule will be approved later in the school year.
Library offers ‘Prime Time’ for reading
Hunter Misenheimer watches a miniature train at the Norman Public Library. BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — In an ongoing effort to en-
courage reading, the Norman Public Library introduced a new Prime Time literacy series in 2010 for parents and children age 6 to 10. Each week, storytellers and discussion leaders present illustrated, humanitiesthemed stories to participating families. The stories are read aloud and discussed. Separate activities are provided for preschool children, and dinner is provided for participants. The free Prime Time programs are limited to 25 families for each six-week series. Norman Public Library, 225 N Webster Ave., offers many activities for adults, teens and children every month, including computer classes, book clubs and story times. Many reading initiatives and cultural festivals are hosted by the library every year. The library also continues to add to its online Virtual Library, offering downloadable eBooks, audio books and movies. Adult literacy programs with one-onone tutoring and book delivery services for the homebound also are available. In 2009, the library expanded its services beyond its walls with two new book
AT A GLANCE NORMAN PUBLIC LIBRARY Address: 225 N Webster Ave. Norman, OK 73069 Contact: Phone: 701-2600 Website: www.justsoyou know.us/norman. Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Fridays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays
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stops in the city. The book stops at Sooner Mall, 3301W Main St., and B&B Country Store, 3831 Alameda St., allow cardholders to request books online, then pick them up and drop them off without having to go to the downtown library. At the Sooner Mall location, story times also are offered weekly for children. The library has added a new movie vending machine that dispenses DVDs and computer stations where library customers can check out books without having to wait in line.
University of Oklahoma women’s basketball coach Sherri Coale reads to children during a story time at the Norman Public Library. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTOS
OU boasts two renowned museums BY JAMES S. TYREE Staff Writer jtyree@opubco.com
NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma has not one, but two museums that make Norman the home of artistic and scientific treasures. The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History opened the doors to its current home at 2401 S Chautauqua Ave. in May 2000, but the institution’s history dates back to the 19th century. In 1899, the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature mandated the museum’s creation as part of an action to establish a territorial geologist. The Sam Noble museum today has come a long way from its precarious prestatehood days, and even since its cramped quarters through the 1990s. The current building has 195,000 square feet, including more than 50,000 square feet for exhibition space, and the stores more than 7 million specimens in 12 exhibits. Each specimen in every exhibit is based in Oklahoma’s history or prehistory, museum Director Michael Mares said. The Sam Noble museum also is a contemporary place with monthly family movie nights, school programs, handson classes for children and adults throughout the year, presentations from scientists from around the world and other special events.
Dakota Cain writes down his thoughts while looking at art at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in March 2009.
TO LEARN MORE
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For more information about the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, call 325-4712 or go to www.snomnh.ou.edu. For more information about the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, call 325-3272 or go to ou.edu/fjjma.
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Significance to art The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art is home to the Weitzenhoffer Collection, the most important collection of French Impressionist art ever given to an American public university, and the Adkins Collection. Valued about $50 million, the Adkins Collection comprises 3,300 works by Taos artists and American Indian artists. And that’s just the start of the museum’s significance among universitybased museums. The Fred Jones Jr. museum has about 12,300 pieces of art in its permanent collection, which include 20th century American painting and sculpture, traditional and contemporary American Indian and Southwest art, ceramics, photog-
raphy and Asian art. The museum was founded in 1936 and moved in 1971into its permanent home at 555 Elm Ave. It has undergone two recent expansions. The Lester Wing opened in 2005 and more than doubled the building. It houses several galleries including the Weitzenhoffer Collection. The Stuart Wing, under construction and expected to open in early 2011, will be home to the Adkins Collection, a 4,500square-foot photography gallery and other exhibits. The museum also features traveling exhibitions, children’s education activities, guest lectures, Tuesday noon concerts and other activities.
Children make “book worms” during Library Day at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTOS
Norman train depot is community hub BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — The Santa Fe Depot, 200 S Jones Ave., is more than a train station. In Norman, it’s a community center, housing The Performing Arts Studio and hosting concerts, art exhibits, poetry readings and civic events. The little brick station first opened in 1909. Today, it remains a passenger rail station for Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer but also serves as home for The Performing Arts Studio, which was founded in 2003 to create and present innovative fine arts programs for the enrichment and education of the Norman community. Besides hosting arts events, the Performing Arts Studio also manages rental of the depot for weddings, meetings, parties and other events and serves as the venue for several art and writing classes for adults. The melding of the two functions led to a yearlong 100th anniversary celebration in 2009. The year featured vintage train car displays, special musical performances by such groups as the Norman Community Choral Society and Broadway Kids from The Studio of Sooner Theatre, as well as a community birthday party and depot essay contests. The Performing Arts Studio also sponsored “depot memories,” interviewing and recording people’s special memories of the train station through the years. The recordings were put on a DVD for the depot archives. The depot served Norman from 1909 until passenger rail service ended in 1979. During the 1980s, a group oversaw its restoration. In 1991, the depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The depot reopened in 1999 when the Heartland Flyer was instituted between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas. In 2002, the depot underwent an extensive renovation that included construction of a new passenger-loading platform, fencing and lighting. Other improvements included electrical, roofing and landscaping upgrades. For more information about the depot, including Amtrak information and Performing Arts Studio events and rental, call 307-9320 or go to www.thepas.org.
Visitors climb aboard a vintage railway passenger car at a special display in honor of the Santa Fe Depot’s 100th anniversary. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTOS
Conductor Beverly McLarry directs the Norman Community Choir in a performance at the Santa Fe Depot’s 100th anniversary party.
Norman High School flag corps members perform outside the Santa Fe Depot.
Festivals, fairs cater to Norman’s history buffs, art and music lovers BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — Norman offers a yearround slate of festivals, catering to everybody from medieval history buffs to jazz enthusiasts. Beginning in February, the Firehouse Art Center hosts the Chocolate Festival, which has been featured on the Food Network as one of the top food festivals in the United States. The event features samples of chocolate treats from many of Norman’s best restaurants and showcases educational opportunities provided by the art center. The Little River Zoo’s Kids for Kindness Earth Day Festival in Reaves Park provides a unique learning experience for thousands of children each April. Children can make animal kites, pet a porcupine and build a backyard habitat, among other activities designed to celebrate the principles of respecting life and the planet. Spring Groovefest, an all-day outdoor concert in April, focuses on human rights education. April also is the month Reaves Park is transformed into a land of lords and ladies during the Medieval Fair, touted as the state’s largest weekend event. Sponsored by the University of Oklahoma Outreach in the College of Continuing Education, the free, three-day fair offers human-sized chess games, jousting tournaments, costume contests and medieval weddings. Visitors can browse through more than 200 arts and crafts booths or feast on everything from smoked turkey legs to roasted corn provided by more than 30 food vendors. The city’s 89-er Day Weekend is celebrated in April with a campfire and barbecue, followed the next day with a parade featuring an old-fashioned wagon train. A chili supper, the Lions Club carnival and open houses at the Moore-
Lindsay Historical House and Jacobson House Native Art Center are just a few activities associated with the weekend. Norman’s newest festival, the Norman Music Festival, started in 2008 and is rapidly turning into one of the city’s most popular events. Drawing thousands of people of all ages to the downtown arts district, the April festival features more than 100 bands on a dozen stages, food vendors and related arts activities. Intimate indoor music venues are SEE FESTIVALS, PAGE 54A
Above: A performer takes to the street during the Norman Music Festival. Left: Brooke Kelty and Briana Lion blow bubbles at the Midsummer Nights’ Fair. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTOS
Festivals: May Fair draws art lovers to Norman
Camryn Williams plants a flower at the annual Kids for Kindness Earth Day Festival. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTOS FROM PAGE 53A
scheduled for the first day, but the second day is outdoors along a three-block area downtown. The first weekend in May brings the three-day May Fair Arts Festival in Andrews Park, sponsored by the Assistance League of Norman. More than 100 artists and craftsmen participate, offering fine art and handmade items. The festival includes hands-on art experiences, especially for children, and entertainment. Held the same weekend as May Fair is the Spring Art Walk, hosted by the Norman Gallery Association, and the Indian Art Market, hosted by the Jacobson House Native Art Center. A Native American festival honoring American Indians and featuring crafts, dances and educational presentations is held in the spring, usually April or May. In June, music enthusiasts travel to Norman to attend Jazz in June, an annual three-day music event.
The nonprofit festival presents some of the best local and national musicians in the jazz and blues field. Besides concerts, the festival includes music clinics hosted by the performing musicians. July ushers in the Midsummer Nights’ Fair hosted by the Firehouse Art Center at Lions Park. In addition to art and art demonstrations, the fair offers live music and food booths, and gives children and adults an opportunity to share creative skills by painting on community art walls in the park. In September, Fall Groovefest and the Hispanic Festival take place, followed by the National Weather Center’s National Weather Festival. The festival features a storm chaser car show, weather-related presentations, children’s activities and weather balloon launches. Events wind down in December with Winterfest, which features an entire month of arts and entertainment opportunities, and the Winter Art Walk, usually held the same night as the city’s tree-lighting ceremony.
Carol Kinney, also know as Miss Pick-a-Pocket, entertains children at the annual May Fair Arts Festival at Andrews Park.
Seasonal concert series please Norman crowds
Singer/songwriter Antje Duvekot performs at a Winter Wind concert at the Santa Fe Depot. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTOS
Elephant Revival plays instruments ranging from the fiddle to a washboard in a Summer Breeze concert at Lions Park. BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — What began as a single summer concert in 1999 quickly evolved into a 10-concert series every summer that lures residents outdoors not only to hear live music but to socialize, picnic and enjoy a night out in the park. The Performing Arts Studio Executive Director Rick Fry said the free concerts held every other Sunday beginning in April and continuing to October are one the studio’s most popular programs. “It’s a community tradition,” he said, for families and friends to pack picnics and bring blankets and lawn chairs to either Lions Park or Andrews Park to hear live music under the stars. The concerts have featured many musicians, including singer/songwriter Danny O’Keefe, the Hosty Duo, John McEuen, Son del Barrio and Leo Kottke. The summer concert series proved so popular that a Winter Wind concert series was inaugurated in 2005. The winter series features live music once a month
Lonnie Glidewell blows bubbles for Tide Marley, Tucker Andrews, Briely Webb and Kaitlyn Marshall at a Summer Breeze concert in Lions Park.
Sunday nights, beginning in October and continuing through April, at Santa Fe Depot, 200 S Jones Ave. Audiences are limited to 100 because of the size of the depot, and tickets are usually $20 apiece. The Winter Wind concert series has featured Eliza Gilkyson, Lucy Kaplansky, Watermelon Slim, Kevin Welch and Kyle Dillingham and Horseshoe Road.
‘Oklahoma Nutcracker’ puts spin on classic BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — A decision to turn “The Nutcracker” ballet into something uniquely Oklahoman was “something of a gamble,” said Marjorie Kovich, director of the Norman Ballet Company. Now nine years later, the annual production of “Oklahoma Nutcracker” is a community tradition. The ballet — based on the traditional story and score by Tchaikovsky but with an Oklahoma twist — centers in Act I on the Henry Overholser family, which helped develop Oklahoma City after the Land Run of 1889. Act II — set on the Oklahoma prairie at sunset — focuses on the state’s natural resources. Among characters unique to the ballet are scissor-tailed flycatchers and armadillos. “The young children play all the pivotal roles, and there’s a freshness to it because it’s not the traditional roles,” Kovich said. Kovich said she conceived the idea for the “Oklahoma Nutcracker” because the company’s board of directors had clamored for a holiday production to be staged for a number of years. When she began to search for a historic Oklahoma mansion to use as a prototype for the home in the ballet’s opening party scene, Kovich said she discovered the Henry Overholser Mansion in Oklahoma City was not only the perfect house but also provided a historical family on which she could base the characters. The ballet, Kovich said, “keeps all the good feelings that come from the traditional ballet, but with something different, something just for this community and this state.” In conjunction with each year’s production, the ballet company also sponsors Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Parties before the matinee performances so children can meet the dancers. Norman Ballet Company members and apprentices, as well as ballet students from studios throughout central Oklahoma, dance in the production. Kovich said the ballet has been performed annually long enough that former students who once danced in it now return with their children to either attend or perform in it, “truly making it a family as well as a community tradition.”
Charlotte Loyd Hart, portraying the Sand Plum Fairy, visits with children at a tea party prior to a performance of “Oklahoma Nutcracker.”
Christy Strauss, front, rehearses with other dancers for “Oklahoma Nutcracker" in 2009. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTOS
PLACES TO GO GALLERIES & MUSEUMS
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Beautiful Bowls, 504 N Peters Ave., 701-2511 The Crucible Foundry & Gallery, 110 E Tonhawa St., 579-2700, www.the cruciblellc.com Downtown Art and Frame, 115 S Santa Fe Ave., 329-0309 Dreamer Concepts Studio & Foundation, 324 E Main St., 701-0048, www.dreamerconcepts.org Firehouse Art Center, 444 S Flood Ave., 329-4523, www.norman firehouse.com Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., 325-3272, www.ou.edu/ fjjma/ Hall of Tattoos, 328 E Main St., 364-7335, www.halloftattoos.com Jacobson House Native Art Center, 609 Chautauqua Ave., 366-1667, www.jacobsonhouse.com Lightwell Gallery, 520 Parrington Oval, Room 202, 325-2691, www.ou.edu/lightwellgallery MAINSITE Contemporary Art Gallery, 122 E Main St., 292-8095, www.mainsite-art.com Moore-Lindsay Historical Museum, 508 N Peters Ave., 321-0156 www.normanhistorichouse.org Norman Arts Council Gallery, 210 E Main St., Suite 223, 360-1162, www.normanarts.org Norman Gallery Association, 221 E Main St., 329-6455, www.norman galleryassociation.com OU College of Architecture, 504 W Main St., 325-2444, http://coa.ou.edu OU Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts, 325-7370, www.ou.edu/ finearts Oriental Brushwork Society, 3294006 The Performing Arts Studio, 200 S Jones Ave., 307-9320, www.thepas. org Porcelain Artists of Oklahoma, 424-2249 Ring of Fire Studio, 318 E Main St., 321-9595, www.ringoffirestudio.com Roy Butler Studio Gallery, 310 E Main St., 321-0915, http://roybutler art.com Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., 325-4712, www.snomnh.ou.edu Shevaun Williams & Associates, 221 E Main St., 329-6455, www.
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Craig Clingan of Ring of Fire Syudio shapes a pumpkin out of molten glass.
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The history of chocolate is chronicled in “Chocolate: The Exhibition" at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTOS shevaunwilliams.com Sooner Decorative Artists of Norman, 360-8007 Standing Buffalo Indian Art Gallery, 106 E Main St., 701-4060 Tribes 131, 131 24th Ave. NW, 3294442, www.southwestindianarts.net
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MUSIC
› Cimarron Circuit Opera Co., 555 S University Blvd., 364-8962, www.
ccocopera.org McMichael Music, 1005 N Flood, Suite 100, 360-1199, www.mcmichaelmusic. com Norman Children’s Chorus, P.O. Box 197, Norman, OK 73070, 329-0170, www.artworksok.org Norman Community Choral Society, 573-3217, www.nccs-ok.org Norman Institute for the Performing Arts, P.O. Box 721954, Norman, OK 73070-8488, 292-8400, www.nipa home.com OU School of Music, 500 W Boyd St.,
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325-2081, http://music.ou.edu Sonder Music, Dance & Art, 225 E Gray, 474-9734, www.sondermusic.com
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THEATER
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OU Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre, 840 Asp Ave., Room 203, 3250538, www.ou.edu/finearts/musical theatre/ OU School of Drama, 325-4021, www.ou.edu/finearts/drama/ Rupel Jones Theatre, 325-4101 Sooner Theatre, 101 E Main St., 3219600, www.soonertheatre.com
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DANCE
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ArtWorks Academy Dance & Art, 3251 Market Place, 397-1824, www.artworks academy.com Ballet Flamenco Espanol, 121 E Constitution, 360-2223, www.losninosde espana.org Modern Dance Arts, 1423 24th Ave. SW, 329-8982
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Norman Ballet Co., 364-1818, www.normanballetcompany.com OU School of Dance, 560 Parrington Oval, Room 1000, 325-4051, www.ou.edu/finearts/dance Spirit of Oklahoma Show Chorus, www.spiritofoklahoma.org Stage One Productions, 573-7733, www.stageonedance.com Showtime Dance Studio, 556 24th Ave. NW, 321-7469
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FAIRS & FESTIVALS
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Chocolate Festival, www.norman firehouse.com Cleveland County Fair, www.c levelandcountyfair.org Festival of Spirituals, www.ccoc opera.org. Jazz in June, www.jazzinjune.org May Fair Arts Festival, 809 Wall St., 306-3271, www.mayfairartsfestival. com Medieval Fair, 1700 Asp Ave. www.medievalfair.org Midsummer Nights’ Fair, www.normanfirehouse.org Norman Groovefest, www.groove fest.org
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SOURCE: NORMAN ARTS COUNCIL
Nature center among lake’s diversions
Robin Stead scans the sky for a glimpse of a bald eagle at Discovery Cove Nature Center. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — Discovery Cove Nature Center offers about 40 types of programs — some seasonal, some year-round — for visitors to Lake Thunderbird. Most days, drop-in visitors can watch naturalist Kathy Furneaux feed the seven kinds of turtles that live on Clear Bay Drive, just off State Highway 9. On weekends, adults and children can sign up for nature walks or presentations on native birds, plants and wildlife. Children can sign up to make plaster casts of animal footprints, animal clay sculptures or one-of-a-kind bug bookmarks. In December and January, Furneaux heads up a number of eagle watches. Oklahoma lakes are important wintering areas for bald eagles. Each winter, thousands of eagles migrate south from their nesting range and take up residence wherever they encounter open water and plentiful food. Furneaux said Lake Thunderbird gets its share of the magnificent birds. Furneaux said all the programs are designed to get adults and children interested in nature. The 2,500-square-foot center is dec-
orated with placards that describe the park’s history. A water resources area teaches visitors what happens with the water in Lake Thunderbird, and interactive display cases serve as educational tools on subjects such as lizards, snakes and other native wildlife. For more information about the nature center or its programs, call 321-4633.
Also available
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On the water: Lake Thunderbird is a 6,000-acre lake with two marinas, a boathouse, a swimming beach, playgrounds, picnic tables, water skiing, boating, fishing (largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, channel catfish, saugeye) and other activities. For more information, call 360-3572. Camping: More than 400 campsites, assigned and unassigned campgrounds and camping areas take up more than 1,000 acres in the park. Recreational vehicle sites are available, and lake huts are available for rental any time of the year. For more information, call 3603572. Riding stables: Horseback riding is offered through more than 800 acres of oak and hickory forest. Hayrides also are available. For more information, call 3215768.
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Kelli Odle, back, and Alexa Halko paddle a kayak at Lake Thunderbird. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
NORMAN PARKS
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NORTHEAST
Woodcreek 1509 Concord Drive
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Chisholm’s Cattle Trail Wyandotte Way and Quanah Parker Trail Creighton Park 2001 Creighton Drive Double Tree Park 2009 Timbercrest Drive Falls-Lakeview 108th Avenue NE, south of Tecumseh Road George M. Sutton Urban Wilderness 12th Avenue NE and Rock Creek Road Griffin Community 1001 E Robinson St. High Meadows High Meadows Drive-Northcliff Avenue and High Trail Road Norman Lions Northeast Northcliff Avenue and Northcrest Ruth Updegraff Peters Avenue and Acres Street Sequoyah Trail Sequoyah Trail, near Winding Creek Road Sonoma Park 1432 Glen Ellen Circle Sutton Place Sandpiper Lane and War Bird Drive Tull’s Park Corner of Vida Way and Peters Avenue 12th Avenue Recreation Center 1701 12th Ave. NE
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NORTHWEST
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Abe Andrews Daws and Webster streets Berkley Astor and Bishop drives Brookhaven N Brookhaven Boulevard at Northridge Road Castlerock Bridgeport Road and Brownwood Lane Kevin Gottshall Memorial Rhoades Drive and Montrose Court Lions Memorial Parkside Road and Brookhollow Drive Prairie Creek Pendleton Drive, south of Buckhorn Drive Russell Bates Behind 800 24th Ave. NW Springbrook Branchwood Drive, north of Caddo Lane Westwood Robinson Street and 24th Avenue NW William Morgan Schooner Drive and Cliffside Court Woodslawn Denison and Dorchester drives
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Benjamin Opoien and son Braxton, 13 months, play at Andrews Park.
From left, Jorden Conley, Cory Shields and Grayson Wallace play in water at the splash pad at Andrews Park. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTOS
SOUTHEAST
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Boyd View Classen Boulevard at Lindsey Street Colonial Commons Beaumont Street at Peppertree Place Colonial Estates Biloxi and Lindsey streets Crestland Crestland and Alameda avenues Earl Sneed Ponca Avenue and Classen Boulevard Eastridge Clearwater Drive and Dalewood Place Eastwood Ponca Avenue at Boyd Street Faculty Heights Lindsey Street at 12th Avenue SE Irving Recreation Center 1920 E Alameda St. June Benson Alameda and S Peters Avenue Kiwanis Sherwood Drive, west of Reed Avenue Little Axe Center 168th Avenue SE and State Highway 9 McGeorge Stewart and Eufaula streets Oakhurst Oakhurst Avenue near Twisted Oak Drive
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Pebblebrook 2500 Overbrook Drive Reaves Jenkins Avenue and Timberdell Road Royal Oaks Coalbrook Drive at Waterfront Summit Lakes Summit Crossing Parkway, south of Alameda Sunrise Skyline and Sunrise drives
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Adkins Crossing 24th Avenue SW at the Canadian River Canadian Trails 3600 Canadian Trails Drive Centennial 411 W Symmes St. Cherry Creek Stone Well Drive at Morrison Circle Eagle Cliff Eagle Cliff Drive at Goshawk Drive Lions Flood Avenue and Symmes Street Normandy Westside and Butler drives Oak Tree South Oak Tree Avenue and Santa Fe railroad tracks Rotary Boyd Street and Wylie Road Walnut Ridge Ridgecrest Court and Castlewood Drive Whittier Recreation Center 2000 W Brooks St.
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Farmers market popularity has grown over years
Linda Smith buys fresh tomatoes at the Norman Farm Market, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2010. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTOS BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — The Norman Farm Market has been providing fresh produce for residents for 30 years. The market operates from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Wednesdays, April through October at the Cleveland County fairgrounds, 615 E Robinson St. Organizers of the first market in 1980
had no idea how popular it would become. The market has more than doubled in size since then. For many people, shopping there is a weekly or sometimes semiweekly ritual. The first market was comprised mainly of vendors selling fresh produce at stands or out of the back of pickups. In addition to produce, today’s market offers bedding plants, hanging baskets, honey, eggs, crafts, entertainment and concession stands.
LEARN MORE For information about the Norman Farm Market, call 360-4721.
Left: Farmer Robert Westbrook talks plants with Elaina Hunt, left, and Jane Gay at the Norman Farm Market.
Norman churches Nondenominational
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Abundant Life Covenant Church: 1200 Lakewood Drive, 329-5842 Antioch Community Church, 127 W Main St., 310-4343 Ariel Chapel: 904 W Main St., 8012000 Calvary Chapel of Norman: 1401 W Boyd St., 329-5119 Christian Center Church: 2249 Classen, 360-5504 Freedom Fellowship: 900 24th Ave. SW, 579-3733 Generations: 1213 E Lindsey St., 3106075 Grace Fellowship: 3201 60th Ave. NW, 329-4773 Great Life Church: 2800 W Indian Hills Road, 447-5433 New Life Bible Church: 4343 N Flood Ave., 329-3101 Riverside Church: 2300 24th Ave. SW, 360-3005 Seeker Church: 622 N Berry Road, 366-7335 University Fellowship Church: 114 W Main St., 801-3344 Victory Church: 902 W Main St., 292-4887 Word of Faith Christian Center: 1019 24th Ave. SW, 321-2748
Assembly of God
Storm clouds swirl around the CrossPointe Church at 2601 24th Ave. SE.
SUBMISSIONS ADDING A CHURCH To have your church added to this list in a future edition of the Norman Living Guide, send information to jcannon@ opubco.com.
› First Assembly of God of Norman: 2500 E Lindsey St., 321-1848 › Heartland Church: 2932 W Tecumseh Road, 292-7770 1500 Stubbeman Ave., 329-2447 › Shepherd’s Place Community › Enterprise Baptist Church: 2425 84th Church: 2040 W Boyd St., 364-8417 Ave. SE, 366-9987 › Everlasting Life Baptist Church: 925 E Baha’i Brooks St., 360-0831 › Baha’i Faith of Norman: 526 Iowa St., › Faith Independent Baptist Church: 360-8688 3661 120th Ave. SE, 321-8665 › Faith Pointe Baptist Church: 3404 Baptist 36th Ave. NW, 360-8900 › Blue Lakes Baptist Church: 201 W › Hilltop Baptist Church: 11710 Stella Indian Hills Road, 329-6191 Road, 794-0603 › Classen Boulevard Baptist Church: › In-Faith Baptist Church: 4900 108th 2373 Classen Blvd., 364-5174 Ave. NE, 579-9623 › Community Missionary Baptist › Lakeview Baptist Church: 10510 AlaChurch: 701 E Apache St., 364-7669 meda Drive, 366-8611 › Concord Missionary Baptist Church: › Little Axe Baptist Church: 3405 168th
Ave. NE, 329-2033 Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists: 1017 Elm Ave., 329-2266 New Hope Baptist Church: 4150 E Robinson St., 329-6074 Norman Korean Baptist Church: 304 W Main St., 321-6727 Northgate Baptist Church: 3786 N Porter Ave., 321-2613 NorthHaven Church: 4600 36th Ave. NW, 321-8170 Robinson Street Baptist Church: 801 E Robinson St., 329-3347 Southern Oklahoma Chinese Baptist: 625 E Frank St., 360-0123 Vine Church: 1225 W Lindsey St., 292-8463 Westwood Baptist Church: 724 Fairway Drive, 321-6917
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Free Will Baptist
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Calvary Free Will Baptist Church: 3730 N Porter Ave., 364-1895 CrossPointe Church: 2601 24th Ave. SE, 329-0823 Heartland Free Will Baptist Church: 17601 S Santa Fe Ave., 447-1043 Pleasant Hill Free Will Baptist Church:
OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
4800 E Franklin Road, 360-3439
Southern Baptist
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Alameda Baptist Church: 1503 Alameda St., 329-5157 Berry Road Baptist Church: 500 N Berry Road, 321-4417 Bethel Baptist Church: 1717 W Lindsey, 329-3749 Brookhaven Baptist Church: 4301 Country Club Terrace, 321-0398 First Baptist Church of Norman: 211 W Comanche St., 321-1753 Franklin Baptist Church: 7327 E Franklin Road, 321-4180 Immanuel Baptist Church: 715 E Eufaula St., 321-3545 Northeast Baptist Church: 905 E Rock Creek Road, 366-8391 Primera Iglesia Bautista: 1639 Stubbeman Ave., 360-5662 Trinity Baptist Church: 801 N Peters Ave., 321-2000
Catholic
› St. Joseph Catholic Church: 421 E SEE CHURCHES, PAGE 64A
Churches FROM PAGE 63A
Acres St., 321-8080 St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic: 3939 W Tecumseh Road, 366-7676 St. Thomas More University Parish: 100 E Stinson St., 321-0990
› ›
Christian
› Cornerstone Christian Church: 1315 24th Ave. SW, 366-8643 University Christian Church: 616 Bud ›Wilkinson Drive, 364-0255
A cross and dome are lifted to the top of the new Holy Ascension Orthodox Church on 12th Avenue NE between Rock Creek and Tecumseh roads.
Episcopal
› St. Anselm of Canterbury: 800 Elm St., 360-6453 › St. John’s Episcopal Church: 235 W Duffy St., 321-3020 › St. Michael’s Episcopal Church: 1601 W Imhoff Road, 321-8951
Jehovah’s Witness
OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
› Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses: 2201 E Imhoff, 360-1756
Lutheran
› Trinity Lutheran Church: 603 Classen, 321-3443. › University Lutheran Church and Student Center: 914 Elm, 321-1584
Seventh-day Adventist
› Alameda Church of Christ: 801 Alameda St., 321-0788 › Christian Center Church: 2249 Classen Blvd., 360-5504 › South Canadian Valley Church of Christ: 2217 24th Ave. SW, 364-4051 › Westside Church of Christ: 726 McGee Drive, 329-0392
› › BridgeView United Methodist Church: 900 24th Ave. NW, 307-9611 Unification › First American United Methodist Church: 1950 Beaumont Drive, 321-5640 › Unification Church: 304 S University › Franklin United Methodist Church: 7311 Blvd., 360-4025 E Franklin Road, 321-6700 › Goodrich Memorial United Methodist Unitarian Universalist Church: 200 W Hayes St., 321-0975 › Unitarian Universalist Community Memorial United Methodist: Church: 205 W Main St., 447-6138 ›419McFarlin S University Blvd., 321-3484 › St. Stephen’s United Methodist
Church of God
Muslim
Christian Science
› Christian Science Church: 510 S Santa Fe Ave., 321-4298
Church of Christ
Methodist
Church: 1801 W Brooks St., 321-4988
› Lakeside Church of God: 4400 Alame- › Islamic Society of Norman: 420 E da St., 364-4200 Lindsey St., 364-5341 › Northside Church of God: 222 E Hayes, 364-9989 Nazarene › Bennett Church of the Nazarene: 2919 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
› Norman Oklahoma Stake: 1506 W Imhoff Road, 364-2600 › Institute of Religion: 848 Elm Ave., 364-5275
Community
› Wildwood Community Church: 1501 24th Ave. NE, 329-3939
156th Ave. SE, 321-0374 vGrace Church of the Nazarene: 1433 W Boyd St., 321-2902 Norman Community Church of the Nazarene: 1801 N Porter, 321-3423
›
Pentecostal
› Apostolic Worship Center United Pentecostal Church: 3221 N Porter Ave., 329-1285 First Pentecostal Church of God: 1055 24th Ave. SE, 360-2905 Heartland Harvest Church: 6450 36th Ave. NW, 366-8118
Covenant
› ›
Disciples of Christ
Presbyterian
Journey Church: 3801 Journey Parkway, ›217-8700
› First Christian Church of Norman: 220 › Christ the King Presbyterian Church: S Webster Ave., 329-2192 2424 Springer Drive, Suite 100, 364-6722 First Presbyterian Church: 555 S Uni› Eastern Orthodox versity Blvd., 321-0933 › Holy Ascension Orthodox Church: 12th › Grace Presbyterian Church: 310 N Avenue NE, between Rock Creek and Findlay Ave., 321-5220 Tecumseh roads, 388-0111 › Memorial Presbyterian Church: 601 24th Ave. SW, 329-3640
Seventh-day Adventist Church- Norman: 1818 Alameda St., 366-7772
› Unitarian Universalist Fellowship: 1309 W Boyd St., 364-4049
Unity
› Unity Church: 3001 S Berry Road, 409-0604
Wesleyan
› Norman Wesleyan Church: 701 N Berry Road, 360-9477
Chorus features young talent
Sandy Knudson directs the Norman Children’s Chorus. BY JANE GLENN CANNON Staff Writer jcannon@opubco.com
NORMAN — The Norman Children’s Chorus, founded 18 years ago, introduces children to advanced vocal techniques and provides opportunities to showcase musical talent. Artistic Director Sandy Knudson, a Norman teacher, said she teaches children who participate in the chorus to read music, sing in different languages and navigate a musical score. Chorus member Lauren Datter said she has learned songs in Chinese, Italian, French, Latin and Spanish in her four
OKLAHOMA ARCHIVE PHOTO
years with the group. Alonna Nellis, who also just completed her fourth year with the choir, said she enjoys meeting singers from around Norman and the challenge of learning new songs. Norman Children’s Chorus includes two different groups. The Descant Choir is a training choir that introduces children to music and part singing, and The Chamber Choir is for more advanced singers to develop their singing and vocal techniques. Children in third through eighth grades with unchanged voices can audiSEE CHORUS, PAGE 67A
Chorus
WHERE TO GO
Recreation and special service centers › 12th Avenue Recreation Center,
1701 12th Ave. NE, 292-7275 Irving Recreation Center, 125 Vicksburg, 292-9774 Whittier Recreation Center, 2000 W Brooks St., 292-9703 Reaves Dance Garden Center, Constitution Street and Jenkins Avenue, 366-5472 Little Axe Community Center, 1000 168th Ave. NE, 292-9770
› › › ›
Alanna Nellis rehearses with other members of the Norman Children’s Chorus. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
FROM PAGE 66A
tion for the chorus. The auditions determine in which choir the child should be placed, said Becky Clinton, chorus executive director. More than 50 children are part of the
chorus, which practices weekly. The chorus performs at concerts and festivals every year. The children were selected to perform as an honor choir for the Oklahoma Music Educators Association conference in Tulsa.
Zoe Trenary and her father, B.W. Trenary, dance at a city-sponsored Daddy-Daughter Dance. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
CALENDAR October Creative Crafts Fair, Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 615 E Robinson St., 360-4721, www.cleveland countyfair.org
2
Downtown Arts Market, Downtown Norman, 701-0048, www.dreamer concepts.org
9
Cleveland County CROP Walk to Stop Hunger, Food and Shelter for Friends, 104 W Comanche St.
10 16
Stadium
OU vs. Iowa State, Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial
21-22 22-25
Norman School District fall break
sale
Friends of the Norman Library book
Mummy Son Masquerade Ball, 12th Avenue Recreation Center, 1701 12th NE, www.norman fun.com
23
Norman Farm Market season ends, Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 615 E Robinson St., 360-4721, www. clevelandcountyfair.org
30
OU vs. Colorado, Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
30
Artist John Fortini, left, and Alix Feronti sit next to Fortini’s art during Winterfest activites 2009. PHOTO BY STEVE SISNEY, OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE
November Creative Crafts Fair, Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 615 E Robinson St., 360-4721, www. clevelandcountyfair.org
5-6
Downtown Arts Market, Downtown Norman, 701-0048, www.dreamer concepts.org
6
Weather Festival, National Weather Center, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., www.nwc.ou.edu
6
Operation Oklahoma, Vietnam Veterans Recognition Program and Fireworks, Reaves Park, 2501 Jenkins Ave. Election Day
6
8 13
Stadium
OU vs. Texas Tech, Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial
24-26
Thanksgiving Break
Norman School District
Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner, Food and Shelter for Friends, 104 W Comanche St., 360-4954
25
28
Oklahoma Nutcracker, Sooner Theatre, 101 E Main St.
December
1-31 3-4
Winterfest, Downtown Norman, www.normanarts.org
Downtown Arts Market, Downtown Norman, 701-0048, www.dreamerconcepts.org
University of Oklahoma final day of classes for fall semester
10 10 11
Norman Public Library Holiday Open House, 225 N Webster, 701-2640. Main Street Christmas Holiday Parade, Downtown Norman
20-31 break
Norman School District Christmas
Norman Community Christmas Day Dinner, Norman High School, 911 W Main St.
25
January
3
Norman Public School classes resume
10-12
City Council Filing
Police/Firefighters Chili Supper, Norman High School, 911 W Main St.
13 18
University of Oklahoma classes begin for spring semester
Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Awards Banquet, www.norman chamber.com
20
February
5 12
Firehouse Art Center Chocolate Festival
Mardi Gras Parade, Downtown Main Street at sundown
Visitors to the Firehouse Arts Center 2010 Chocolate Festival walk past display cakes at the Suger Cakes booth. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO
TBA 27
Daddy Daughter Dance, www. normanfun.com
Crowns Tea, Norman Public Library, 225 N Webster, 701-2640
March
1
City council elections, Wards 1, 3, 5 and 7
April
1-3 8-9
Medieval Fair, Reaves Park, 2501 Jenkins Ave., www.medievalfair.org
Native American Festival, Norman Public Library, 225 N Webster, 701-2640
Kids for Kindness Earth Day Festival, Reaves Park, 2501 Jenkins Ave. 366-7229
17
Norman 89er Day Weekend, Downtown Norman, www.norman89.com
22-23
Friends of the Norman Library Spring Book Sale, Norman Public Library, 225 N Webster Ave., 701-2640
27-30
Norman Music Festival, Downtown Norman, www.norman musicfestival.com
29-30 May
4-6 6
May Fair Arts Festival, Andrews Park, 201 W Daws St.
University of Oklahoma final day of classes
Visitors at the Camelot stage watch a performance at the 34th annual Medieval Fair at Reaves Park. PHOTO BY DOUG HOKE, OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE
May Fair Arts Festival, Andrews Park, 201 W Daws St.
4-6 14-15 weekend
20 27 27 28
University of Oklahoma commencement
Bike to Work Day Rally, Andrews Park, 201 W Daws St. Norman School District final day of school Norman North High School graduation, Lloyd Noble Center Norman High School graduation, Lloyd Noble Center
June
6-July 1
Mall, 3301 W Main St.
August Safety Town, Sooner
Jazz in June, Brookhaven Square and Andrews Park, www.jazzinjune. com
23-25 July
Norman Day Celebration and Fireworks, Reaves Park, 2501 Jenkins Ave.
4 8-9
Midsummer Nights’ Fair, Lions Park, 400 block of S Flood Ave., 329-4523, www.normanfirehouse. com
National Night Out
2 18 22
Norman School District classes begin Fall semester classes begin at OU
September Taste of Norman, OU’s Mosier Indoor Athletic Facility, 395 E Lindsey St.
1 8-10
Cleveland County Free Fair, Cleveland County fairgrounds, 615 E Robinson St., 360-4721, www.clevelandcountyfair.org
Hispanic Heritage Festival, Norman Public Library, 225 N Webster Ave., 701-2640
TBA
Summer beckons swimmers to area pools, such as this one at Westwood Park Swim Complex. PHOTO BY STEVE SISNEY, OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE
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