December 2016 (Vol. 30, No. 12) by Preview 918

YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENT SERVICE AND GOURMET CUISINE AT ONE OF THESE 36 FINE-DINING RESTAURANTS. DINNER TO REMEMBER PAMPER W H E R E T O D I N E | W H AT T O D O | W H E R E T O F I N D I T | W H E N I T ’ S H A P P E N I N G

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IDEAS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF NEW YEAR’S EVE

PREVIEW 918 .COM

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Trending Delicious We’re tapped into what’s trending and delicious, giving you a first-hand look at where to go, what to eat, and how to map out your culinary adventures. Green Country has a vastly underestimated restaurant and bar scene. A delicious reference and one-stop guide to dining out, our Pick Your Palate provides overviews of restaurants, cafes and bars. With so many choices in the area, let us help you discover buzzed-about spots, great places to imbibe and where to get a stunningly good meal. Visit preview918.com/pick-your-palate to find your next dining destination.

For over 30 years, Preview magazine has been the best resource for discovering Tulsa, Green Country and locating the perfect place to eat, visit, shop and be entertained, whether you are here on business or just enjoying a few days away from the grind. Located in the heart of Oklahoma, Tulsa is a year-round destination for shopping, dining, entertainment, scenic views, hikes and adventure. The rich history of Tulsa and its surrounding areas is reflected in the diversity of its museums, landmarks, history, wildlife, attractions, fine dining and friendly locals. In Tulsa, situated on the Arkansas River at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, enjoy a performance or sporting event at the BOK Center, fish in one of the area’s many lakes, check out the sharks in the state’s only freestanding aquarium, explore any of the lush parks or break out the clubs and tackle any of the 16 public golf courses. Considered by many to be the cultural and arts center of Oklahoma, Tulsa offers full-time professional opera and ballet companies and one of the nation’s largest concentrations of art deco architecture. Regardless of your personal tastes or budget, Tulsa offers a down-home, yet cultured experience for all ages.

In over 100 area Hotels and Motels

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chris Greer chrisg@previewgreencountry.com MANAGING EDITOR/SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Michele Chiappetta michele@previewgreencountry.com CREATIVE DIRECTORS Jared Hood jared@previewgreencountry.com Beth Rose beth@previewgreencountry.com MANAGING PHOTOGRAPHER Marc Rains marc@previewgreencountry.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chris Greer, Michele Chiappetta, Maria Weller, Ryann Gordon, Tiffany Duncan, Rob Harmon, Richard Linihan, Donna Leahey, Andrea C. Neil, Rebekah Loper, Hannah Gordon, Denise Brewer, Rachel Wright, TravelOK.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Marc Rains, Chelsi Fisher, Kelli Greer, Samuel Smith FIELD OPERATIONS MANAGER Stephen Hurt stephen@previewgreencountry.com MANAGER OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Denise Brewer denise@previewgreencountry.com ROUTE DISTRIBUTION Rachel Blanchard, Cory Blanchard, Garrett Rinner SENIOR CONSULTANT Randy Dietzel PUBLISHERS Robert and Amy Rinner robert@previewgreencountry.com Local advertising and business inquiries: 918-745-1190 Copyright 2016 by Preview. Preview Preview is an affiliated publication produced by Fore Today Media Group. All rights reserved. Preview is published 12 times a year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to Preview ’s right to edit. While Preview makes every reasonable effort to provide accurate and errorless information, it can’t be responsible for the consequences of any erratum or inadvertence. Preview claims no credit for any images published in this issue unless otherwise noted. Images are copyright to their respective owners. Preview 10026-A S. Mingo, Suite 322 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133 preview918.com info@previewgreencountry.com © Fore Today Publications LLC

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TC TABLE OF CONTENTS DECEMBER 2016 FEATURES

ON THE COVER

With all the stress surrounding the end of 2016, it can be difficult to get excited about the holidays. But spending the entire month hibernating inside making friends with your remote isn’t the answer, especially when there are so many fun things to do right here in Green Country. There’s starting to be a chill in the air, but finding a mood that is warm and festive is relatively easy with some guidance. So use this issue to provide ideas on how to start infusing some holiday spirit into your routine.

6 DECEMBER 2016

PAMPER IN PARADISE

Let your troubles float away with tranquil treatments that ease stress on the body and mind and a staycation in one of the 483 luxury rooms in River Spirit Casino’s newly opened Margaritaville Spa and Hotel.

GREEN COUNTRY: A TO Z

There’s so much to do in northeastern Oklahoma that sometimes it’s hard to figure out where to start. One needs an approach, some organization, and a method that’s as easy as the alphabet.

AVOID A FA LA LA FAIL

A successful holiday party is a great way to reconnect and celebrate with friends and family. But it can be stressful pulling it off. Don’t let that stop you. These rules will help guarantee your success.

COUNTDOWN TO A KISS

Whether you want to dress up and do the town or have an early night of fun with the children, there’s something for everyone in Green Country this New Year’s Eve.

MIND YOUR MANNERS

SMALL-TOWN HEAVEN

At Carlton Landing near Lake Eufaula, you can hike, bike, fish or stroll your way to urbanism bliss in this glamorous hamlet that mimics the lifestyle and resort feel of getaway Florida spots.

HOOK, DINE AND DRINKER

The wide-ranging menu at Los Cabos — including everything from the expected (enchiladas, tacos and fajitas) to the surprisingly succulent seafood offerings (tilapia, mahi mahi) — COLD paired with its stellar SHOULDER beverage program, The passion level amongst makes one yearn for die-hard fans of hockey a trip to Mexico’s is strong, especially Baja Peninsula. in Tulsa. But why isn’t it as popular in other REMEMBER American markets?

’TIS THE SEASON TO GIVE

Finding ways to practice kindness doesn’t have to be hard. It comes in many different shapes, sizes and forms. Perhaps you’ll be inspired by one of these 12 great ideas and you can bring joy to others in your community this Christmas.

GLAMOUR AND GLITTER

If there’s one night to bust out all the sparkles and THE THEME shine, it’s New Year’s Eve. SCENE Embrace the opportunity If you’ve never been to dress up and set your to Boomtown Tees, it’s fashion tone for 2017. time to take a trip down memory lane — Tulsa style — and support the unique FOOD FOR and fun retailer that offers THOUGHT a wearable treasure trove Everyone enjoys eating of childhood memories. at a restaurant with good food, but having an excellent waiter or KERNELS waitress often makes OF TRUTH things more fulfilling. So you’ve decided to start So avoid these missteps eating healthier. Great. and keep your servers But before you stock in good spirits. up on those gluten-free snacks or begin a cleanse, BREWED make sure you separate AWAKENING fact from fiction. There are a number of persistent myths about YULETIDE craft beer that unfairly YUMMIES distort facts and confuse. Don’t get your tinsel in a We demystified a few tangle trying to figure out of these so that you can what to serve to guests hold your own against over the holidays. Try these a know-it-all hipster on treats and snacks that are your next night out. festive, frugal and fast.

PERFECT PLACE TO MEAT UP

Molly’s Landing brings signature style to Need a creative thanksteak and dining with you idea for your a surreal experience gracious host during the complete with kitschy holiday party season? decorations, a relaxed Here are a few guidelines atmosphere and humanto keep you soirée savvy. sized chess pieces.

THIS TITAN

A downtown Goliath among the sandwich and wraps scene, the Deco Deli has elevated roasted pork, corned beef, grilled chicken and smoked Gouda masterpieces into a gastronomic art form that fits in beautifully with its art deco surroundings.

IT’S ABOUT THAI

All the exotic Thai flavors that thosein-the-know love are coming out of Suban King’s Broken Arrow kitchen, which serves as a tasty gateway to the wonders of southeast Asian cuisine.

LIVIN’ THE LIFE

With God-given talent and a saxophone, CLASS AND Grady Nichols has QUALITY remained one of Leave your jeans at home the most in-demand and splurge in style. Here musicians in the area are the 36 best places for thanks to a smooth and soft feel that blends when you want to dress R&B with jazz to create up for a romantic dinner or drop a few extra dollars a refreshing sound in every note he plays. on a celebratory meal.

Fine dining … at an affordable price!

6024-A S. Sheridan • South Tulsa

918.499.1919

219 S. Cheyenne • Downtown

918.592.5151

R E S T A U R A N T

918.743.1800

3109 S Yale

www.CelebrityTulsa.com

POLO GRILL

36˚ 1’ 6” N

95˚ 51’ 19” W

A Tradition of Excellence for Three Decades!

Award Winning Chef Robert Merrifield

Gourmet Quality Food with Friendly Service!

STEAK • SEAFOOD • LOBSTER

918.744.4280 A Tulsa favorite for over 50 years! www.pologrill.com

Live music 7 nights a week!

• Steak • Lobster • Seafood • Chicken • Famous “World-Class” Caesar Salad made Tableside 2038 Utica Square \ Tulsa, OK 74114 Preview918.com 7

918.296.9889 | bluestonesteakhouse.com 10032 South Sheridan Road, Suite J

PREVIEW918.COM 7

918 $91.80 IN 48 CHALLENGE

THE MI$$ION

So providing an envelope of cash and telling people to spend it in 48 hours isn’t exactly a challenge, but it makes this assignment sound a lot more interesting. Spend $91.80 (we used the local area code for the amount) in two days. And if they could find fun and free activities ... bonus. The only catch was that they had to spend it at places, events or shops profiled in the November issue of Preview.

Luke and Olivia Fife

Our first stop was a relaxing Saturday afternoon lunch date at TRES AMIGOS. The staff was very friendly and helpful in deciding what to try from a large selection of delicious Mexican dishes. We absolutely loved the chicken fajita quesadilla. It would be a great place for families, couples or even larger groups; they had space to accommodate all.

$20.75

$4.34 We took a walk down Main Street to check out MISS MCGILLICUTTY’S. We enjoyed seeing each booth and the history behind each antique in the shop. There was a wide variety of decorative items, collectables, coins, jewelry, dishes and more. We found a bargain deal for a set of sugar and creamer dishes. They came as a set for $8 and everything in the booth we picked them from was 50 percent off. We walked away with two beautiful antique dishes for $4.

$10.84

$42.09 The CLARET CAFE in Broken Arrow piqued our interest for a Sunday after-church lunch. The salmon was incredible. We also loved the garlic mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus. It was a very nice meal in a very classy cafe. All of the bakery items looked delicious as well. We loved the beautiful interior.

THINK YOU CAN BLOW OUR CASH IN INTERESTING WAYS?

THE TEAM Since we were in the area, we decided to head to Main Street in Jenks for some shopping. We found LOKAL AND MAIN, and enjoyed meeting the owner. We picked out a very cute Oklahoma shaped cookie cutter and a Christmas ornament for our tree to remind us of our $91.80 challenge. There were so many different things that would make for great gifts. We will definitely be back.

$11 With $13 left, we decided to go out for a late night dessert date to complete the challenge at TWL BISTRO. We enjoyed the Pot De Crème that was a chocolate brulee with caramelized sugar and berries. We both agreed it was exquisite. It was a very relaxing environment with beautiful music to set the mood. We felt like royalty. There was no better way to finish the challenge.

Like us on Facebook and drop a message with some of your ideas. We might just lace your pockets with green and turn you loose. 8 DECEMBER 2016

See our feature on page 74

PREVIEW918.COM 9

H HAPPENINGS DECEMBER DEC. 1

DEC. 6

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA BOK Center (Tulsa)

STEVE VAI Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)

DEC. 7

DAN + SHAY Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)

MARSHMELLO Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)

DEC. 2

DEC. 9

TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS Buffalo Run Casino (Miami)

JOE BONAMASSA Brady Theater (Tulsa)

DEC. 3

DEC. 10

MICHAEL W. SMITH AND AMY GRANT BOK Center (Tulsa)

THE LACS Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa) BRIAN SETZER Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Tulsa/Catoosa)

RIVERFIELD ROCKS Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)

DEC. 5

DEC. 11

THE WOOD BROTHERS Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa) WEEZER Brady Theater (Tulsa)

JOSH GARRELS Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)

DEC. 13 JASON BONHAM’S LED

ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE Brady Theater (Tulsa)

DEC. 14

PHANTOGRAM Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa) THIRD EYE BLIND Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)

DEC. 16

RED DIRT CHRISTMAS Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)

10 DECEMBER 2016

DEC. 22

BRIAN NHIRA AND FRIENDS Tulsa Performing Arts Center

DEC. 29

TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa) BIG & RICH Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Tulsa/Catoosa)

DEC. 30-31

TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)

DEC. 31

JIM BELUSHI Buffalo Run Casino (Miami)

ONE NIGHT ONLY! Open Tuesday-Saturday:

DECEMBER 28

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

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PREVIEW918.COM 11

AI ALSO IN DECEMBER

DAVID PHELPS CHRISTMAS Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

3-4 GRAND AMERICAN ARMS SHOW

Expo Square (Tulsa) HOLIDAY CIRCUS EXTRAVAGANZA Expo Square (Tulsa)

TULSA FESTIVAL RINGERS Tulsa Performing Arts Center

2-4 USTRC OIL CAPITAL STAMPEDE Tulsa Expo Square

8-10 TULSA FARM SHOW

ROPE THE OZARKS Tulsa Expo Square

Expo Square (Tulsa)

2, 4 TSO POPS: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

9-18 THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

Broken Arrow Community Playhouse

1-4 A CHRISTMAS STORY

10-11, 16-18, 22-23 THE NUTCRACKER

The Coleman Theatre (Miami)

TULSA STEM EXPO Expo Square (Tulsa)

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

15-16

SHERIDAN ROAD CHRISTMAS CABARET Tulsa Performing Arts Center

BRIAN REGAN BOK Center (Tulsa)

WILL’S COUNTRY CHRISTMAS Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch (Oologah)

8-11, 13-23 A CHRISTMAS CAROL Tulsa Performing Arts Center

2-30 JOHN HAMMER: POP IMPRESSIONISM Tulsa Performing Arts Center

1-31 SEASON ALLERGIES Grove Playmakers Theatre (Grove)

1-JAN. 2 SNOWFLAKE WINTER FESTIVAL ICE SKATING Downtown Tahlequah

1-JAN. 15 WINTERFEST Downtown Tulsa

12 DECEMBER 2016

ALSO IN DECEMBER AI

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS BY CHIP DAVIS Tulsa Performing Arts Center

16-18 ELF JR. Tulsa Performing Arts Center

CHRISTMAS DAY

29-31 TULSA SHOOT-OUT Expo Square (Tulsa)

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

HANUKKAH BEGINS

28-29 WORLD’S

RICHEST CALF ROPING Tulsa Expo Square

NEW YEAR’S EVE BALL DROP ON THE SQUARE Courthouse Square (Pawnee) NEW YEAR’S EVE

PREVIEW918.COM 13

H HAPPENINGS DECEMBER

HOLIDAY FESTIVALS, PARADES AND LIGHTS

Tulsa's #1 Antique Mall Since 1996! I-44 Antique and Collectibles Mall has been Tulsa's #1 Antique Store since 1996. Come and see what our more than 50 vendors have to offer in our 9,000 square feet of dealer space.

DEC. 1

PRYOR CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHTS Downtown Pryor VINITA CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Vinita

DEC. 1-23

SAFARI JOE’S H20/ TULSA COUNTY HELICOPTERS TOUR OF LIGHTS 21st and Yale (Tulsa)

DEC. 1-30

RHEMA CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Rhema Bible Church (Broken Arrow)

DEC. 2

DEC. 3

HISTORIC TROLLEY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TOUR Muskogee Civic Center PHILBROOK FESTIVAL Philbrook Museum of Art (Tulsa) UTICA SQUARE LIGHTS Utica Square (Tulsa)

14 DECEMBER 2016

918.712.2222 | www.i44antiquemall.com Mon-Sat 10am-5pm • Sunday 12-5pm 5111 S. Peoria • Tulsa, Oklahoma

DEC. 2-23

FANTASY LAND OF LIGHTS Johnstone Park (Bartlesville)

GARDEN OF LIGHTS Honor Heights Park (Muskogee)

TAHLEQUAH CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHTS Downtown Tahlequah

DEC. 10

WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve (Bartlesville)

CASTLE CHRISTMAS Castle of Muskogee (Muskogee)

20 Years!

DEC. 9

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Sand Springs COLLINSVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Collinsville WOOLAROC

TWIN BRIDGES PARK OF LIGHTS Twin Bridges Park (Fairland)

DEC. 1-31

Celebrating

DEC. 1-JAN. 1

CHECOTAH CHRISTMAS PARADE AND TREE LIGHTING Downtown Checotah MIAMI ROUTE 66 CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Miami NOWATA CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Nowata PAWHUSKA CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHTS Downtown Pawhuska

DEC. 3-31

RIVER PARKS AUTHORITY RIVER LIGHTS 41st and Riverside (Tulsa)

HENRYETTA CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHTS Main Street (Henryetta) TULSA CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Tulsa CLAREMORE CHRISTMAS PARADE Claremore Expo Center

TIME TO ORDER YOUR Hamlet Holiday Delights

GROVE LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Grove JAY CHRISTMAS PARADE Main Street (Jay) SAPULPA CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Sapulpa

DEC. 15

OKMULGEE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PARADE Downtown Okmulgee

Spiral Sliced Honey Kissed Hams Whole Smoked Turkeys Honey Kissed Spiral Sliced Turkey Breasts

918.496.2242 SAVE TIME 71st & Trenton ORDER ONLINE 91st & Sheridan www.hamlethams.com 12 JULY 2016

JENKS PREVIEW918.COM 15

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IS IT BETTER TO

ST STREET TALK

OR As the oldest of four children, I have always loved giving more than receiving material things; giving a smile to someone you love is worth more than any gift. In these turbulent times we must strive to embrace giving over receiving if we are to hold onto our humanity.

It’s always nice to open a gift and have the feeling of surprise, but the best feeling is the one you get from giving. Giving is much more rewarding emotionally and spiritually. I love being able to see the joy come across someone’s face when they receive something special, whether it’s a present, a meal, or a simple encouragement text or phone call.

ALEX

ALYSSA

Giving is kind of like receiving because it makes you feel good. So giving is better. Unless it’s a puppy. I’m always happy receiving a puppy!

There’s more joy in giving because it’s a two-way transaction whereas receiving is just one way.

Give, because it always comes back to you.

KIM

JESSICA

HANNAH

It’s way better to give, especially when you make a difference in the lives of those in need. During the 2016 Make A Difference Day, we collected money and warm clothing, spending the cash on hats, gloves, scarves, and socks. We donated 698 warm clothing items to Iron Gate, a nonprofit that serves our at-risk and homeless Tulsa neighbors.

I think it is better to give. Giving is easy. It can be big, small … it doesn’t matter. Restoring faith in humanity in a crazy world is important. It’s so easy to put a smile on someone’s face, which they will put out into the world.

KAREN

AIMEE

There’s nothing more fulfilling than blessing someone with something, whether it be an item, your time or a need.

It is better to give because it gives me joy in my heart to make other people happy and that joy is a gift that I receive.

ERIN

CINDY

It’s much better to give. Giving love also means receiving it.

JOE,

celebrating the 18th birthday of his oldest granddaughter with his youngest son

18 DECEMBER 2016

I believe it’s better to give than receive because you really don’t know what the person has, and just to get a smile is worth the giving.

REBECCA

My children are all in their 30s and I still love putting lots of thought into their holiday gifts, and watching their faces as they open them.

PAT,

pictured with her children (from left to right) Gareth, Rachel and Hannah

Want to join the discussion? We’ll post a question on our Facebook each month. Give us an answer and photo, and you might end up in our magazine.

GET YOUR HEART RACING.

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Pamper in Paradise

Let your troubles float away with tranquil treatments that ease stress on the body and mind and a staycation in one of the 483 luxury rooms in River Spirit Casinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newly opened Margaritaville Spa and Hotel .

20 DECEMBER 2016

BY MICHELE CHIAPPETTA

With the weather turning colder in Tulsa, the school year halfway through, looming deadlines for end-of-the-year projects at work and holiday stress, a vacation probably seems like a great idea right about now. Even if you can’t get out of town, you can get away from it all for a while with a trip to one of Tulsa’s best staycation destinations. That’s right, we’re talking about River Spirit Casino’s newly opened Margaritaville Spa and Hotel. If you’re familiar with the casino expansion happening on the south side of Tulsa by the Arkansas River, then you also probably know that the spa and hotel is phase two of a project intended to bring an additional $35 million into the city. That extra revenue is good for the city overall, of course. But what can you personally expect to enjoy at the new Margaritaville? As it turns out, a whole lot of magic that will help you enjoy a getaway from the grind without ever leaving Green Country. First of all, let’s talk about the hotel. You’ve probably seen it during the construction phase, rising high above the Arkansas, more like a work of art than a functional building though technically it is both. River Spirit Casino’s CEO, Pat Crofts, clued us in about what sets Margaritaville apart from hotels in town. For one thing, there’s its size … and its view. “It’s a 27-story glass tower with floor-to-ceiling glass,” says Crofts. This provides guests with some stunning views up and down the Arkansas River. Depending on where your room is situated — which side and how high up — you can enjoy a scenic overlook of Turkey Mountain, downtown Tulsa, and Riverside. And then, there’s the atmosphere. “It’s very tropically themed,” Crofts says. “You’ll think you’re walking into a hotel in Miami or the Caribbean.” The whole experience of grandeur starts as you enter the lobby, which has been designed to conform to the Margaritaville theme and style of luxurious beach vacations. “The lobby is gorgeous, upscale, with high ceilings and a large video board about 50 feet wide and 20 feet high, with the latest Nano Lumens LED technology,” Crofts explains. “The screen can project any image and content, such as live streaming, concert footage, beach scenes, whales swimming by. It’s all designed to be eye-catching.” The feel of luxury and excellence is also apparent in each individual room — 483 in all. Bright and colorful in decor, the rooms also boast luxurious features such as granite, to help you feel like you are truly on a splurge trip to a tropical island. Even the small rooms are a spacious 480 square feet, and suites range from 1,500 to 2,200 square feet depending on whether you opt for the junior size or one of the two chief suites available. With this expansive size and variety, Margaritaville promises enough room for large groups like wedding parties, sports teams and business convention goers. But if you want to stay there, you need to make arrangements sooner rather than later. “We already have nearly 100 bookings,” Crofts says.

For businesses, the hotel offers a fantastic location for meetings, conventions and training sessions, as well as parties. The convention area includes five individual board rooms, two classrooms, a ballroom that can seat 1,000 people for formal dining and more than that for conference style seating, and a pre-function area off the ballroom with a deck that overlooks the river. It’s easy to imagine a cocktail party following a day of business learning, to create the perfect blend of work and play. If you’re looking for more fun than business, you might want to head to the Margaritaville spa, which is also ready to start pampering and prettifying the people of Green Country. “It’s a very high-end, full-service spa and beauty salon,” says Crofts. The spa will be overseen by a current local spa operator to help maintain local flavor and boost the area’s economy even more. And of course, the special treatment is all a part of the luxury staycation feel that the Margaritaville brand is known for. When asked why River Spirit Casino went with bringing in the Margaritaville brand, Crofts explains the reasoning was simple. “We didn’t want to just build a bigger casino or hotel,” he says. “We needed to do something to raise the bar and bring people in.” As it turns out, Tulsa has a lot in common with other locations that host a Margaritaville hotel and spa, he says. “We did a lot of market research before we started expansion. And the demographic of Margaritaville goers are a lot like ours here at River Spirit Casino. It’s about escapism and having fun.” Part of that fun will happen New Year’s Eve, with live entertainment happening at the casino along with special cash drawings. That will be followed in January with the opening of the Paradise Cove theater, which seats 2,500 people in the main section, plus 150 or more in the VIP section. As part of the opening month’s festivities, Jimmy Buffett himself will put on a concert Jan. 28. Plus, local residents can look forward to an expansive pool deck with palm trees, Caribbean music and private cabanas for hotel guests, a swim-up bar, and the Ruth’s Chris Steak House, all opening early in 2017. All in all, the growth at River Spirit Casino with the opening of the Margaritaville hotel and spa is exciting for everyone involved. “We are really glad to have it all opening,” Crofts says. “It’s going to bring a lot of people into the area. It’s not just a hotel, not just a casino; it’s a regional resort destination.”

LOCATOR MARGARITAVILLE CASINO AND RESTAURANT AT RIVER SPIRIT CASINO RESORT 8330 Riverside Parkway | Tulsa 918-995-8080 riverspirittulsa.com

PREVIEW918.COM 21

Finding ways to practice kindness doesn’t have to be hard. It comes in many different shapes, sizes and forms. Perhaps you’ll be inspired by one of these great ideas and you can bring joy to others in your community this Christmas. By Rob Harmon

Christmastime in Tulsa is a wonderful time of year. Woodland Hills and Utica Square are decorated to the hilt. The lights of Rhema are blazing bright. Outside the home, Christmas wreathes cover beautifully decorated doors, and inside, the smell of freshly cut Christmas trees donned with ornaments aplenty.

22 DECEMBER 2016

It’s a special time for happiness and cheer, a truly fantastic season of giving and receiving. Of course, it’s been said that it is better to give than to receive. But is that really true? It’s a question absolutely worthy of experimentation. During this holiday season, when we’re frantically busy buying things for all those we love, let’s try to remember that there’s always someone less fortunate than ourselves.

more to give of ourselves than we may think at first. So many times, we find that when we give something, it comes back to us in greater measure. But we forget this truth.

People are hungry and lonely, at this time of the year especially. In the areas of time, money, love and energy, there’s always

Here are 12 ways we can test that ageold saying for ourselves on, before and after Christmas.

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Give to the Angel Tree

For most of us, childhood memories of Christmas bring to mind sparkling presents under the tree, given to us by our parents. We mean, Santa. Sadly, many children, whose parents are separated from them due to incarceration, military service or other reasons, won’t have those same memories. The Angel Tree, established over 30 years ago, is the largest program of its kind. For less than $20, you can help provide a better holiday season for children.

Help the elderly

Fix their faucet. Make them a meal. Clean their house. Or, just stop by to say “hello” and chat a spell. The older among us enjoy the extra attention. Many times, they can’t do all the things they used to do and an extra hand or two makes life a little easier. It certainly is appreciated. Our elders have done so much for us and the world we live in, giving back to them this time of the year should be a no-brainer.

Adopt a family

If you know a family that’s been hit hard by the economy or some other disaster, spend your extra cash taking care of some things for them. Bring them groceries. Slip a gift card in their mail. Buy some Christmas gifts for their children, or maybe the adults. Take them out to eat, your treat. Rake the leaves in their front yard. It may be uncomfortable at first but totally worth it in the grand scheme of things.

Give at a food bank

The Welcome Table Garden Park and Orchard in Turley is a wonderful project that serves far north Tulsa. Reverend Ron Robinson, the project’s leader, is always looking for willing hands to help stock the food pantry or weed eat the grounds surrounding the share beds (the public garden beds that supply vegetables for those who need them). To volunteer your time, money or expertise, visit their Facebook page and reach out to them.

Volunteer at a shelter

Tulsa has built a solid reputation for taking care of its homeless. The John 3:16 Mission is part of the reason why. It’s a nonprofit service that provides food, shelter and recovery programs for people fighting poverty, homelessness, joblessness and substance abuse problems. Free meals, an overnight shelter and a New Life program are services they provide, to name a few. Volunteers at John 3:16 are needed and welcome throughout the year, but especially during holiday months.

Give toys

Every year in October, November and December, the goal of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect as many new, unwrapped toys as possible and get those toys to less fortunate children on Christmas. Each post where you donate will distribute them in the community where the campaign is conducted. Although it might not feel as personal — not handing the toys directly to the children yourself — it still makes a huge difference.

Be a listener

Take the time to listen. Most of us, when someone else is talking, aren’t actually listening. We’re thinking about what we’re going to say. Shutting off our inner voice and listening to the person allows us to understand the person better. Making a greater effort to listen will improve our relationships. Everyone likes to know they’re being heard. Listening breeds happiness, and happiness is what we all need this time of the year.

Visit and sing at a nursing home

Singing carols at nursing homes is good for the soul. Older folks who don’t have the connection to society they once did are always grateful for visitors, especially singing ones. Gather friends and family. Take church pals or coworkers. Just an hour at the closest nursing home will pay dividends in the heart-warming department. “Joy to the World,” “O, Come All Ye Faithful” and other carols are perfect for singing a cappella. Use your smartphone to find a good starting note and bring lyric sheets.

Buy a stranger dinner

If you’re at a restaurant this holiday season, spot a couple or family sitting near you and let the waitstaff know that you’d like to pay for their meal and remain anonymous. Watch what happens when they discover their entire meal is taken care of. If you leave before they do, at least you know that you’ve completely made someone’s day. Imagine if every one of us who could did that this time of the year.

Be kind to someone you dislike

Maybe it’s a coworker or nextdoor neighbor, and something they’ve done or said has rubbed you the wrong way. It’s started having a negative effect on you physically, emotionally or spiritually. One way you can give this holiday season is to do something nice for that person. Who knows, it could alter the way you see them. It may change the way they treat you. Either way, at least you could say you gave peace a chance.

Donate blood

You can make a difference and save a life this holiday season. If you want to help others, this is possibly the most important thing you could do. Maybe you’ve already given this year. That’s OK, you can give again. Donors can give full blood every eight weeks (56 days). Bring someone who’s never given. That’s a way to give twice as much.

Help Tulsa’s fourlegged friends

Tulsa Animal Welfare Shelter on Apache and Erie would not be able to rescue over 11,000 homeless cats, dogs and other varieties of animals every year if it weren’t for volunteers. Direct care of the animals, administrative duties, educational projects and awareness outreach campaigns can only happen when caring volunteers offer their time, money and heart.

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There’s so much to do in northeastern Oklahoma that sometimes it’s hard to figure out where to start. One needs an approach, some organization, and a method that’s as easy as the alphabet. By Michele Chiappetta

GREEN COUNTRY TO

A Z

New to town? Just traveling through? Been here for years but ready to break out of your work-groceries-home routine? No matter what category you’d put yourself in, Tulsa and the surrounding areas in Green Country have a lot to offer you.

26 DECEMBER 2016

Believe it or not, this section of Oklahoma is not just a spot on the map between New York and California. And it’s not just a setting for John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath either. But with our busy lives, it can be easy to overlook what we have to offer to visitors, newcomers and longtime Oklahomans alike.

That’s why we’ve put together what we like to think of here at Preview as the most definitive list of what to do in the 918 area code. We’re calling it Tulsa A to Z … 26 places and activities that will keep you exploring the depths of Green Country for a long time.

Art Deco

This intricate architectural style boomed during Tulsa’s oil heydays. Many examples still exist, like Boston Avenue Methodist Church, the Philtower and Philcade. See Westhope and the Price Tower, both visions of legendary Frank Lloyd Wright. Attend the annual Deco Ball at the Mayo Hotel, which has hosted celebs like Lucille Ball and Elvis; the event helps preserve the area’s art deco history.

Greenwood District

Out of tragedy, good things can be born. In 1921, this booming area known as Black Wall Street was burned down during the bloodiest race riot in U.S. history. Today, you can look toward a better future by touring the Greenwood Historical District and visiting John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park, which features two sculptures and bronze informational plaques to promote education and reflection.

Boutiques

Circle Cinema

Downtown

Sure, we have great malls. But to enjoy Tulsa’s unique flavor, you need to visit our specialty stores. Some are homegrown, like Drysdales Western Wear, Jules Boutique and Lokal and Main. Some feature works by local artists, like Dwelling Spaces and Ida Red. Some are celebworthy, like the Pioneer Woman’s Mercantile and Rustic Cuff. All are fun places to spend some green.

At nearly a century old, this historic landmark has undergone refurbishing to return it to its former glory. It’s the only pre1960s indoor movie theater still standing in Tulsa. (For outdoor movies, hit the equally cool Admiral Twin Drivein.) Circle Cinema features indie films as well as major run movies and is home to the annual Tulsa American Film Festival.

There’s so much to do in downtown Tulsa, we can’t list it all. A visit to ONEOK Field for baseball or the BOK Center for Oilers hockey, followed by drinks in the Brady or Blue Dome district is a must. Enjoy the First Fridays art crawl; highlights are the glassblowing demos and street music. Go to Antoinette’s or Glacier Confection for homemade sweets before you head home.

Hiking

I-44 Antique Mall (and Others)

Jazz Hall of Fame

Lace up your all-terrain boots and get out to one or more of Green Country’s many hiking spots for a few hours of healthy outdoor exercise. Among the many places with walking and hiking trails are Turkey Mountain, Red Bud Valley Nature Preserve, Oxley Nature Center, the Keystone Trail, Woolaroc and Greenleaf State Park.

Memorabilia, collectibles and more. Who doesn’t love antiquing? Because the I-44 Antique Mall is along the highway, it attracts travelers from all over the country. Visiting celebrities have been known to shop there. Locals also love Main Street in Jenks, where you can find Miss McGillicutty’s, Antique NV, The Pink Lady and other shops dedicated to nostalgia.

Tulsa has a rich jazz history. The nonprofit, educational Jazz Hall of Fame is situated in the Depot, an art deco train station converted into an intimate music venue. Regular concerts feature traveling artists, jazz ensembles, military bands and more. Free jazz and blues jam sessions happen every Tuesday 6-10 p.m., while Wednesday night spotlight sessions are only $10.

Expo Square

At the entrance of this massive fairground stands the Golden Driller, a 75-foot-tall, 43,500-pound statue of an oil worker — the fourth tallest statue in the country. Get a selfie at his booted toes. And then come back for the many activities that happen there, like the Tulsa State Fair, Arabian Horse Show, Wanenmacher’s arms show, An Affair of the Heart, flea markets, huge craft shows and more.

Kids

Families, this one’s for you. Safari Joe’s H2O is a perfect place to cool off during the summer. Incredible Pizza and Andy B’s offer fun and games for young ones. Jenks hosts the Oklahoma Aquarium. Cut down a Christmas tree at Owasso’s Christmas Tree and Berry Farm. Take the explorers in your family to Discovery Lab at the Tulsa Children’s Museum.

Food

Green Country loves to eat. Sushi, Italian, Indian, Tex-Mex, steak, seafood, Mediterranean, diner food … we have it all. Some restaurants are local legends, like the Savoy, which has been owned by the Kelamis family for nearly 100 years, and Celebrity Restaurant, whose owner Mike Samara helped pass liquor laws that allow you to order open drinks at meals.

Lakes

Green Country is green, at least in part, because of all the lakes scattered throughout northeastern Oklahoma. Have some fun on the water or just get away from the city grind. Tour the historic Pensacola Dam at Grand Lake. Go stargazing and kayaking at quiet, luxurious Carlton Landing on Lake Eufaula. Camp at Lake Greenleaf. Sun yourself on the sandy shores of Keystone Lake.

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Museums

Tulsa has superb museums. The Philbrook Museum of Art on Peoria is housed in the Italian Renaissance style villa once owned by oilman Waite Phillips. Its gardens are particularly stellar. The Philbrook Downtown features more modern art. The Gilcrease has an extensive Native American and Western art collection. The Sherwin Miller Museum highlights Jewish art and history.

Not Just Tulsa

There’s fun and history to be found all over Green Country. Visit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore. Take a tour of the Port of Catoosa, an inland seaport and industrial complex. Bartlesville is home to the stunning Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve. Drive through Checotah, Carrie Underwood’s hometown. Visit the Castle of Muskogee for the Renaissance Fair, Halloween haunts and Christmas entertainment.

Theatrical Center of the Performances Universe Like any city, Tulsa has solid performance centers. The Tulsa Performing Arts Center is home to the area’s traveling Broadway shows throughout the year, such as Wicked, Phantom of the Opera and Elf: The Musical, as well as the Tulsa Ballet and Tulsa Opera. If you like smaller venues, try Theatre Tulsa, the historic Brady Theater, the Broken Arrow PAC and others.

This circular spot near the Jazz Hall of Fame is an acoustic anomaly. Made of concrete and bricks, it’s not much to look at. But it’s fun to play in. Stand at the center of the circle and say something; it’ll be echoed back to you louder than you said it. The kitsch of it all makes this spot a great place to snap pics or propose to that special someone. (We’ve seen it happen!)

28 DECEMBER 2016

Oral Roberts University

Parks

Music Venues

Woody Guthrie Center

Quirks of Tulsa and the Route 66 You don’t have surrounding areas Roadside to be religious to offer a plethora attractions and walk the campus of parks for Oklahoma go hand at ORU, where you family picnics, in hand. Along will see some of celebratory photo Green Country’s the most unique taking and flower architecture gazing. Woodward section of Route 66 you’ll find anywhere. You’ll Park features the Blue Whale want to see the the Linnaeus futuristic gold and teaching garden, (Catoosa); the Big Round Barn; the white buildings; with a beautiful world’s largest the gold geodesic array of flowers, concrete totem dome of Howard trees, bushes and Auditorium; the groundcover, plus pole (Foyil); Chris Barbee’s Bowling spindled Prayer a bubbling koi Ball Yard (Nowata); Tower, an abstract pond. Head to cross and crown Muskogee during the world’s largest of thorns; and the the Azalea Festival collection of Evel Knievel relics iconic Praying at Honor Heights (Miami); the Hands, which at Park. The colors USS Batfish, a 60 feet high is the and landscaping WWII submarine largest bronze are stunning. (Muskogee); and sculpture in the Bart Simpson the world. Tree (Vinita).

Music is one of Tulsa’s backbones. Plenty of Oklahoma musicians and groups have gone on to fame. And many of them have played spots like Cain’s Ballroom. If you like live music, hit up live music and bar venues such as the Vanguard, Mercury Lounge, Hunt Club, Soundpony, Hodges Bend and Fassler Hall.

Ah, the music of Woody Guthrie, an American icon. Lots of people love him, but only one city houses his legacy. The Woody Guthrie Center holds over 10,000 items — original lyrics, notes, artwork, recordings, photos — that chronicle the life and music of this Oklahoma singer-songwriter. Guthrie’s musical protégé, Bob Dylan, also has ties to Tulsa; Dylan’s archive is making its home at the University of Tulsa.

Xmas Lights

No doubt about it, Green Country likes glitz at holiday time. Rhema Bible Church in Broken Arrow creates a glowing wonderland with over 2 million lights, some synchronized to music. A near-mile stretch along OK117 (off Highway 75 toward Sapulpa) is decorated with nearly 2 million lights. Woolaroc boasts nearly a million, Honor Heights Park in Muskogee more than a million. That’s a lot of electricity, all to entertain you.

Riverside Drive

Spook Tours

With a history that includes One of the most Wild West scenic spots in bandits, the Tulsa, Riverside Trail of Tears, Drive parallels the oil barons, Arkansas River speakeasies, from the north side brothels and to the south side of prohibition, the city. Walkers, it’s no surprise joggers, runners, Oklahoma has cyclists and skaters ghost sightings take advantage a-plenty. Whether of the exercise you’re a believer lanes built along or a skeptic, a the road and river. ghost tour is fun Eat burgers and for seeing historic beer at the Blue spots. Tulsa’s Rose Café. Enjoy ghost tours bring margaritas, live music and a poker you past popular bars like the Hunt game at River Club, Yeti and Spirit Casino’s Caz’s, so you can Margaritaville. stop for drinks along the way.

Yoga

Up dog, down dog, inversions, acro, hot … Whatever flavor you crave for your yoga fix, you can find it here. Even the YMCA offers classes. There are tons of yoga studios around town with quiet spaces, certified instructors and mindful meditations. One of our faves is Be Love Yoga, located in Jenks, Broken Arrow and 6th Street. Tell Joe we sent you. Namaste!

Tulsa Zoo

With 1,500 animals representing 436 species on 78 acres, you can’t miss with a trip to our zoo. Travel the world as you see African penguins, Asian elephants, California sea lions, giraffes, crocodiles, chimpanzees and more. Various ecological exhibits promote understanding of life in the desert, wooded areas, oceans, cold spot and rain forests. Take your little ones to the children-friendly petting zoo.

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with d celebrate n a t c e n n to reco at stop great way Don’t let th a . ff is o ty it r a g p in ful pull l holiday cess. n be stress a c A successfu it t e your suc u e t B . n y a il r a m u g fa d elp friends an rules will h you. These Gordon By Ryann

he holiday season can be stressful for many, especially those who like to play host for their family/friend gatherings. Although it has its perks when you’re the final decision maker on who attends, when and where the party will be and what food will be keeping visitors satisfied, pulling off a seamless holiday party isn’t as easy as it looks. No one wants to be the host who forgot something, ran around frantically trying to keep everything organized, whose Christmas lights burnt out halfway through the party or the one who ran out of plates and dinner rolls just in time for the meal.

30 DECEMBER 2016

There is a method to throwing a great holiday gathering though, and it comes down to the numbers, food, activities, decorations and overall preparedness. Luckily our mothers and grandmothers before us have passed down the trials and errors they faced, and even luckier for you, we’ve got just a few more checkpoints to help keep you on point and ready for any obstacle the holiday season could throw at you. Whether you’re an experienced holiday shin-digger or getting ready to break in your home by hosting your first family Christmas party completely on your own, have no fear, because the party planners are here.

MAKE A LIST & CHECK IT TWICE

CALL ON YOUR TEAM OFADVISORS

The key to throwing any sort of flawless get-together starts days (sometimes weeks) ahead of time with one very important planning device that never seems to get the credit it deserves — the list. Buy a planner and jot down tasks to take care of ahead of time on the day that they are needed, even if it’s a week ahead; you can never start planning too early.

The potluck is a holiday tradition, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. The great thing about family is that they’re kind of obligated. People love helping each other out during the holidays, especially when it involves showing off their favorite dishes and secret recipes. Ask each family member or friend to bring either one dish, stuffing, green bean casserole, and so on, or an appetizer to put out while the main dishes are cooking. And don’t forget to ask grandma to make her famous pecan pie that you’ve been dreaming of since last Christmas. Strike off the items being brought from your list and save yourself hours of work in the meantime.

Start with your reminders to take note of — finish wrapping all presents the week of; go to the store and thaw out the turkey days ahead of time; call the bakery two days ahead; remind mom to prepare and bring her famous stuffing; and have household cleaning day (get the children moving on this one). Then go through bullet points of what you need to purchase from the store. Make a guesstimate of how many guests you will be having and always add a few more heads for good measure (and a couple more for that uncle who’s always on his way for seconds by the time you sit down). Don’t forget to include all dishes with each ingredient needed and drinks, as well as plastic cutlery, plates, cups and silverware, trash bags, extra paper towels, toilet paper and any last-minute decorations.

There will be a list of friends/family members who don’t do much cooking and probably won’t want to prepare a dish that everyone is going to eat. These guests are just as helpful though, because they can add to the side necessities. Ask someone to bring extra plates, napkins and cups, and give one or two people the task of providing drinks; this will save you time, money and most of all, a load of last-minute stress that you’ll definitely want to avoid.

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GET THE (CHEESE) BALL ROLLING

One of the biggest mistakes people make when throwing any sort of gathering is waiting until the last minute to make the food. Although most of the main dishes like the meats, potatoes and bread are best served fresh from the oven or stove, many of them can be prepared for cooking the day ahead. Get all your foods that’ll need an extended cooking time ready for the oven or grill and wrapped in foil the night before; then all you have to do is wake up at 5 a.m. to throw your 23-pound turkey in the oven to slow-cook for 10 hours. Along with getting foods marinating and ready to cook, this is also when you should prepare your appetizers like cheese balls, spinach dip, ham rolls, bacon wrapped jalapenos, meatballs, mini-links, cream cheese-filled celery, veggie trays, fruit trays, cheese trays, meat trays and even more trays of all your other favorite potluck hors d’oeuvres. If you’re planning on providing all the desserts, you’ll want to start on these perhaps days in advance. Either make or order from your local bakery enough dessert for a crowd. And finally, don’t forget to get the drinks chilling far before your guests arrive — the hot cocoa may be flowing, but no one wants a warm beer making their stomach rumble before the big meal.

32 DECEMBER 2016

STOCK, SET THE STOCK & STOCK AMBIANCE& SOME MORE CELEBRATE

Make sure to have backups of all the foods and drinks that tend to run out fast. Stock up on the crackers and soda, and make a large punch bowl of hot cocoa for the children. And be sure to have a surplus of alcohol for the adults (think 12 guests = six bottles of wine or two cases of beer); then set up a stocked bar for the adults where guests can make their own spiked eggnog or White Russian to sip on. And don’t forget to stock up on napkins and plastic cutlery and silverware so that you’re not doing dishes for days when the solo cups run out.

This is your time to go all-out on the decorations. Deck the halls and light up the tree; go crazy with tinsel and mariposas, and maybe even hide a few mistletoes around the house; lay down your most festive table cloths and set up centerpieces of antique ornaments; and put the Christmas carols on repeat and light up the peppermint candles to get the ambiance blazing. And do go overboard with the lights, both in and outside of your house. Be sure to have a living/social room that is right for mingling and opening gifts. Arrange your furniture in a circular design with extra chairs and more ready to be unfolded in case. Have a side area or room designated for the children to go wild while the adults chatter and do the same for the tables with separate kid and adult seating. One idea to keep people entertained is to have a photo booth with holiday props like Santa beards, elf hats, snowflake glasses, and more, and have some fun taking goofy pictures that will last a lifetime. Be sure to prepare other activities as well — both for the children and adults — like a gingerbread building competition that everyone can enjoy. Divide your party into groups and have graham crackers, icing, sprinkles, marshmallows and candy galore for decorating, along with small cardboard boxes, straws and pretzels for foundation. Then set the children up with holiday trivia and Pictionary to keep them busy while the adults partake in less-appropriate games like Dirty Santa.

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Need a creative thankyou idea for your gracious host during the holiday party season? Here are a few guidelines to keep you soirée savvy. By Tiffany Duncan

Just like thank-you notes, the oxford comma and formally mailed invitations as opposed to e-vites, hostess gifts are sadly falling out of social etiquette. We are all busy — especially now as our calendars are quickly filling with Christmas parties and get-togethers — but don’t let that be an excuse to forget your manners. Even after December and the holiday season comes to an end, it’s still important to know what is and isn’t acceptable concerning the rules of hostess gifting. When choosing a gift, the three main things to keep in mind are the following: consider the event; know your audience; and choose tastefully and functionally. For example, you might think that flowers and wine are always appropriate, but there is still a protocol for both. Depending on the situation, you may end up committing a social gaff rather than providing a proper gift. Here are a few guidelines to keep you soirée savvy this holiday season and beyond.

34 DECEMBER 2016

FLOWERS Showing up to a party with a bouquet of flowers is not exactly wrong, but it all depends on the presentation. Handing a bouquet that is still in cello-wrap to your hostess will cause her to have to stop what she is doing in order to find a vase to place them in. Instead, bring them already in a vase, or tell her you will personally get the bouquet in water. An even better option is to have it delivered to your hostess a day before so that she can place them out for the party if she desires. Also, although a potted plant may seem like a good gift, only bring one if you know your host or hostess already has a love for plants. Otherwise, you may cause him or her unnecessary stress about killing it.

ALCOHOL If you choose to bring a bottle of wine to a dinner party, make sure your host knows that it is for him or her to enjoy later as a personal gift, not necessarily at the party. This also takes the pressure off your host to serve your wine if it doesn’t pair well with the food they will be serving. Also, unless you know for a fact that your hostess likes Rosé, keep it to reds or whites. Bringing a bottle of nice whiskey or gin also makes a safe, tasteful gift, but sweet liquors or spirits with a more narrowed palate preference should be avoided, as your hostess may not like it. If you know your host is a microbrew aficionado, bring a unique bomber of beer. If it’s a party where something or someone is being celebrated, bring champagne. And unless it’s an inside joke about the good old’ college days, the Jagermeister or bottle of Burnett’s go into the dirty Santa pile and not the hands of your host. Above all else, if you are attending a party where you do not know the host well, avoid giving alcohol altogether as you run the risk of offending them.

CHOCOLATE Chocolate is a great option for almost any type of party or event you attend — especially if it’s at the home of someone you don’t know very well. Purchase chocolate of higher quality — not your leftover Halloween candy. Most people rarely splurge on luxury truffles just for themselves, so receiving a box of them as a gift is very welcome and appreciated. Glacier Confection in the Brady District or Nouveau Belgian chocolatier in Broken Arrow are

both excellent places to find decadent and beautifully packaged chocolates.

CANDLES Like chocolate, candles are nearly always a safe and appropriate gift. But also like chocolate, it should be splurged on a little bit (think Yankee or Anthropologie, not bargain store riff-raff with a residual gooey price sticker spot).

BAGS OF COFFEE OR TEA Bringing one or two bags of coffee from a local coffee shop would make any coffee loving-hostess jump for joy. Try and purchase whole bean coffee only, however, in case they already have a grinder and prefer it freshly ground. If they prefer tea, provide a gift card to Teavana for them to pick out their favorites.

TASTEFUL KITCHEN ITEMS Two words: olive oil. There are so many tasty varieties of olive oil available, and pairing one with a nice set of small dipping bowls would make an excellent hostess gift. This is a great combo for situations like meeting your significant other’s parents, or attending a party at your boss’s house. It’s not too personal, and also incredibly useful. Other viable options are balsamic, truffle oil, tapenades, jams, jellies and chutneys.

CREATIVE GIFT BASKET If someone is hosting a party in your honor, or you are staying with someone for an extended amount of time over the holidays, a detailed hostess gift may be more appropriate. Assemble a basket with a centralized theme, like bath products for pampering, or maybe a reading-related basket with one or two popular novels and some candles (that is, if you know your host/ hostess is a reader). And get creative with your “basket,” using things like a nice stockpot to assemble an assortment of colorful pastas, oils and pestos for an Italian cooking theme. If you don’t have time to put one together yourself, Lokal and Main boutique gift store in Jenks also sells preassembled baskets of themed gifts.

CIGARS If you know your host appreciates a good cigar, a few nice cigars are a great gift option. Cigars are particularly appropriate if it is some sort of celebration party, like retirement, an anniversary, a birthday or even just a casual dinner party.

Other and of Hostess Gifting

Dos

Don’ts

KEEP IT EDIBLE OR FUNCTIONAL The best gifts are things that the hostess can enjoy in the days after a party, like chocolate, wine, cheeses or a box of gourmet cookies. Don’t buy something that might sit awkwardly around their home to collect dust, like a decorative snow globe. If you do buy something that isn’t disposable, make sure it serves a unique purpose, like a mixology tool for your host’s home bar setup.

NOTHING TOO PERSONAL Skip the perfumes and beauty “miracle” products (body wraps, etc.). However, decorative soaps, lotions, or bathroom hand towels do make nice gifts if it’s a housewarming party.

PACKAGING IS EVERYTHING Take it out of the grocery sack and remove all price tags. Pretty packaging accounts for half of the gift, so put some thought into the gift bag, or add a bow to a bottle of wine to make it cheery and festive.

PRESENTATION Don’t thrust your gift out to the hostess as soon as she opens the door; greet each other and wait until you are inside to offer the gift.

UNLESS SPECIFIED, DON’T BRING YOUR OWN DISH Unless it’s a potluck or the invitation expressly said to contribute food, do not bring your own casserole. The host/ hostess already has the menu planned and you don’t want to make them feel obligated to serve your dish, especially if it doesn’t fit with the meal. However, making a batch of your famous snicker doodle cookies for them to enjoy later is acceptable, especially if you know the hostess well.

GENERAL RULE OF THUMB If you think it might be weird, it probably is. Play it safe.

PREVIEW918.COM 35

Countdown to a Kiss Whether you want to dress up and do the town or have an early night of fun with the children, there's something for everyone in Green Country this New Year's Eve. By Michele Chiappetta

36 DECEMBER 2016

Let’s face it. New Year’s Eve is either people’s favorite holiday or it’s hated, and there is a clear reason why. Those who love a party and a drink have it made and can go out on the town anywhere to find it. Those who want something quiet stay at home and watch the ball drop on TV broadcasts of New York City. Either way, it’s the same thing year after year. Right? Wrong! This Dec, 31 doesn’t have to be the same old, same old. Ringing in the new year can be as exciting or low key a celebration as fits your lifestyle, personality and wallet. And these days, there are more options than ever for those

who want to do something creative and different from the norm. The Tulsa area offers a wide variety of choices when it comes to ringing in 2017 in style, fun, meditation or family, depending on what fits your needs. Whatever you opt for, make it a goal to look over this entire list and try something you’ve never tried before. That way, you can already say you’ve accomplished one goal — a bit of personal growth — before Jan. 1 is even over. So, whether you want to dress up and do the town as a couple or have an early night of fun with the children, there's something for everyone in Green Country this New Year's Eve.

RUN, TULSA, RUN! If you want to do something good for your body, run from 2016 into 2017 at Runner World’s annual Race into the New Year 5K. The chip-timed race starts at 11:45 p.m. Dec. 31 and is open to runners and walkers. There will be music, champagne along the course, a grand finale of fireworks at midnight, and food to fuel you after you cross the finish line. Attendees will receive party hats and noisemakers to help ring in the new year.

HIT A CONCERT Why sit around listening to the radio or your pal acting as amateur DJ when you can get your music live on New Year’s Eve? The Turnpike Troubadours are playing Cain’s Ballroom Dec. 31. Watch them with a side of barbecue from Oklahoma Joe’s, which is serving eats that night from 8-10 p.m. River Spirit’s Margaritaville will boast two stages manned by the Chris Hyde Band and The Sellouts.

Tips for Making It Through New Year’s Eve Safe and Sound One of the biggest reasons many people don’t like to celebrate New Year’s Eve is the holiday’s bad reputation. And while lots of alcohol can lead to trouble, you can avoid getting into bad situations with some planning and preparation. Here are a few tips to help you out.

KNOW YOUR LIMITS

BAR HOP — RESPONSIBLY If a night of pounding the streets with your pals for a bar hop is your favorite way to ring in the new year, head downtown and hit places like Soundpony, Woody’s Corner Bar and The Max Retropub. Ride the Tulsa LOOP, a transit bus that circles around downtown’s points of interest. Pace yourself so you don’t get sick. And stick with your trusted friends for safety.

ATTEND A POWWOW Enjoy traditional Native American dancing at the New Year's Eve Powwow in Muskogee. The event starts at 1 p.m. with various dances until the grand entry begins at 7 p.m. Part of the fun is watching the contests for fancy dance, straight dance, jingle dress and fancy shawl. It’s a great way to celebrate with your family, and it’s sponsored by the Friends of Sobriety, which makes it ideal for those who don’t want to be tempted to drink.

Many people feel like they aren’t having a successful New Year’s Eve unless they drink too much or party harder than their bodies can handle. But you’ll be safer and healthier if you choose to honor your personal limits. That goes for food as well as alcohol. Remind yourself how horrible you’ll feel the next day if you overdo it. And then stop before you hit that point.

DON’T DRIVE

DO A MOVIE MARATHON What’s a better time for a movie marathon than New Years weekend? You can run flicks back to back all day, all night, and into the next morning. Invite friends to pop in for potluck. Pick any film franchise you like (Bond, Star Trek, Star Wars). If that doesn’t suit your fancy, pick a director (Hitchcock, Kubrick, Allen), actor (Bullock, Hanks, Cumberbatch), or binge watch a TV series you’ve missed (Orange Is the New Black, Stranger Things, House of Cards).

FAMILY FUN NIGHT If your idea of fun (or your wallet’s idea of fun) is staying home with the family, you can still make it different from the usual evening of pizza and cartoons. Let everyone wear pajamas all day. Make countdown bags filled with cool treats that can be opened at the start of each hour until midnight. Ring in 2017 with a piñata game. Take family selfies or have professional portraits done.

Whether or not you plan to drink this New Year’s Eve, you can plan ahead of time to have a sober driver take care of you. It takes the guess work out of the equation, Designate a driver, hire a limo, use downtown Tulsa’s trolley system, or host a party at your home and let your friends crash there for the night.

LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS

THROW A THEMED PARTY Kick your house party up a notch by giving it a theme. Have everyone pull out their Halloween costumes and play dress up. Do a 1920s flapper party with big band music playing. Celebrate the latest Star Wars film with a party of your own. Or have everyone wear cocktail attire and do a wine tasting with cheese, fruit and chocolate.

RUN A GAME TOURNAMENT You can do this a number of ways, from simple card games like Gin Rummy and War to a full-on comic convention-style tabletop competition. You can even do video game marathons. But whatever you do, invite a lot of people and have a lot of game options available so people can switch teammates, competitors and games all night. Play for pennies, sticks of gum or other, more lucrative stakes.

Perfection doesn’t exist in this world. So, don’t expect your New Year’s Eve to mimic the glitz of a Leonardo DiCaprio movie. Instead, enjoy the quirks of the day because the imperfections are what make things memorable. If you’re not flush with cash, or if you’re alone instead of with a special someone, don’t sweat it. Enjoy yourself anyway. Things can change a lot in a year’s time.

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For those of us common folk who don’t regularly attend elegant galas and other Oscar-themed extravaganzas, New Year’s Eve is perhaps the most go-all-out glamorous night of the year. It’s that one night when anyone and everyone can channel their inner sparkly, shimmery, shiny goddess and dress to impress without the slightest bit of shame. Whether you’ve planned a fancy night on the town or you’re sticking to a simple get-together with friends closer to home, embrace this opportunity to dress up and be the showstopper you were always born to be. There’s nothing more exciting than a reason to get all dolled up and show off what you’re working with — especially if it’s a flashy, designer dress that has been locked up in your closet, just waiting for the perfect occasion. Dressing for New Year’s Eve is simple, yet unconventionally complicated in its own way.

IF THERE’S ONE NIGHT TO BUST OUT ALL THE SPARKLES AND SHINE, IT’S NEW YEAR’S EVE. EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DRESS UP AND SET YOUR FASHION TONE FOR 2017. BY RYANN GORDON

38 DECEMBER 2016

New Year’s Eve is one of those rare occasions when you can go all-out with sequins, basically from head to toe. Wow any crowd with a fish scale, sequin-covered cocktail dress or evening gown that delves in a low V down the chest or back, or perhaps slits high up the leg for a more modern and subtly scandalous look. And reversible, two-tone sequin fabrics, that change colors depending on angle and light, make for a meme-worthy color-duo. Sequins don’t have to be worn in excess though; sequin-encrusted designs and sequin embroidery on lace or mesh give just the right hint of shimmer to any dress or outfit. Go for a sequin decorated, tight micromini skirt with a sheer top tucked in; or opt for a serpentine cup-style, loose sequin crop top alongside a leather skirt for a more edgy look. And if the flashy sparkles are too much, add a dash in the accessory department with a sequin purse or heels. One place where glitter is taking a major stance is surprisingly on the face. While ‘90s-style rhinestones on the face have once again become a staple in festival fashion, glittery makeup was one of the most recognizable trends at fashion week this year. Sparkles expanding outside of the brows and bold, disco-ball glitter above and below the eyes is a fun way to add some

pizzazz to your traditional makeup look. Use eyelash glue to outline your eyeliner and dot loose glitter above your eyes; or channel the Fendi-inspired glitter lips seen on models like Gigi Hadid and Taylor Hill. One notable fashion trend this year was velvet and it will probably be popular among 2017 NYE partygoers. Go for subtle velvet colors like black or blue, or mix it up and shine in an eye-catching gold or silver velvet dress. Velvet is lovely on any part of the body because it can be worn as a dominating factor or as an accessory solely on your purse or shoes — velvet boots being one look that has become quite the rage in the fashion world. Pair a set of black, Public Desire velvet thighhighs with a simple, black tube-top dress and look like Hailey Baldwin watching the ball drop in Time Square. Metallic prints give off attention-grabbing dramatic luster, and tend to be much more comfortable and functional than chainmail or a full-on glitter ensemble, because they are often made from fabrics like nylon, polyester, silk or satin. Wear a silky, gold or silver maxi for a more delicate look, or go space cadet with a luminescent, hologram skirt — better yet, make it a two-piece. Play around with two-toned metallic prints and fun fabrics such as silk organza, rose goldlayered chiffon or even a bouncy, silver long eyelash-covered skirt like you might see Emma Roberts wear in Scream Queens. Turn down the drama and opt for statement patterns embellished by silver and gold embroidery; or simply add a hint of flashiness to your ensemble with vibrant colored metallic accessories. Go for colors that are subtly translucent or highly reflective. Find a dress that is glamorous and showy with rhinestones and glitter or dainty and elegant with dazzling lace embroidery. Or opt for accessories of shimmery velvet or an all-out eye-catching ensemble of vibrant metallic, sparkling sequins and makeup to match. Whatever you do, utilize this opportunity to set the tone for 2017 and dress to impress this New Year’s Eve. Embrace your unique sense of style for the good of fashion, the christening of 2017 and for the love of yourself — don’t you think you deserve it?

PREVIEW918.COM 39

BY MARIA WELLER

We have all had mixed experiences when dining out. Some have been hugely successful and stood out, while others have unfortunately fallen short. As the customer, we are accustomed to the phrase and mindset that the customer is always right. But what if that isn’t the case?

Few restaurants offer seat-yourself-service. But many times it’s as easy as walking in, telling the host how many people you have and being seated. However, on busier nights, it may require a wait. This can be stressful for hosts since people may see an empty table and wonder why everyone is still waiting. Creating the flow of a restaurant involves a lot more than just sitting people in empty chairs. When there are visible empty tables, it’s for a reason.

40 DECEMBER 2016

Having a career in the service industry is possibly one of the most unforgiving occupations. Hosts, servers and bartenders aren’t gifted with the ability to read minds; yet they are usually expected to do so and with a smile on their face. It requires a lot of patience and a lot of attention to detail.

Servers go through training on how to properly treat guests, and for the most part, do their best. But sometimes customers can be guilty of making their servers’ jobs harder and less enjoyable. With a little understanding, respect and adherence to a few rules of courtesy, you’ll become a better customer and get better service.

If customers are kind and understanding to the hosts, they may find that they are seated sooner and have a better experience.

Start with a smile. It will help get everything off on the right foot. If you don’t smile, the wait staff may pick up on some bad vibes coming from the table and limit themselves to basic service, anxious about upsetting you more.

How we treat our servers can have a much bigger effect on the experience than most customers realize. Sometimes people forget that servers are not servants. Try to establish a comfortable and respectful bond and maybe you’ll find that some of the upcharges or soft drinks don’t appear on the tab.

Make sure to say “thank you” and “please” when addressing your server. They are there to help you, and if you are getting good service, then it’s important to let them know you appreciate it. Keep in mind that servers aren’t all powerful; they’re at the mercy

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of the kitchen and other tables. When this is understood, often the server’s gratitude will become apparent in many ways.

This can be one of the most difficult parts of dinner for both guests and servers. Instead of peppering the server with questions about the descriptions of everything on the menu the moment they return with drinks, take a little time to study the descriptions of options so you’re better prepared. At that point, if you still have a couple of questions unanswered by the menu, your servers will be happy to help.

Servers are trained to be observant of everything going on at their tables. This doesn’t mean that they are infallible though. There are things customers can do to silently to alert them, like placing low drinks in plain sight. And if you aren’t ready to order when initially asked, politely let them know you need a few minutes. When you are ready, close the menu and place it on the table.

Sometimes when food arrives, everything looks good at first glance. But maybe after cutting into a steak, you realize that it wasn’t quite cooked to your liking. Servers always come back shortly after the food is delivered to check. At this point, let them know what’s happened and they will do everything they can to remedy it. The restaurant works as a team, but unfortunately, the server is the face of all mistakes and inconveniences. The server is responsible for taking your order and putting it into the computer. From there, their fingers are crossed that the kitchen will make orders how you want them. Also realize that mistakes happen. You never know what could be going on in servers’ lives that could be affecting their work. It’s good to try to give them the benefit of the doubt.

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When many people go out to eat, they are there for the whole experience and not just to get food. After all, that is what they pay for: service, ambiance as well as the food. But sometimes you have a short lunch break or are trying to make it to a show. If you mention this, many servers can help get the meal moving by suggesting easy entrees or having the check ready as soon as the food arrives.

Serving can be a physically and emotionally draining job that can take a huge toll on a person’s well-being and health. So make sure you tip and do it correctly. You’re tipping because they provided a full service for you — it’s a form of gratitude. Guests should tip 15 percent of their bill for a good experience, 20 percent for great service and 10 percent or less if the service was poor. If you had a really great experience, let it be known. Tell the manager if you had an outstanding server. Keeping these things in mind when dining out will put everyone in a better mood. Chances are the hosts and servers will be so appreciative of your understanding and they will go above and beyond to make your experience great.

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CC COCKTAIL CONFIDENTIAL

There are a number of persistent myths about craft beer that unfairly distort facts and confuse. We demystified a few of these so that you can hold your own against a know-it-all hipster on your next night out. | | | | | | | | | | By Rachel Wright Craft beers have taken the nation and our region by storm, introducing intensely creative flavors and a culture that can be somewhat intimidating for a first timer. Here, in Green Country, we’re practically swimming in small-batch suds thanks to breweries like COOP Ale Works, Marshall, Prairie Artisan Ales and Mustang. But with so many flavors, packaging, unique names and brew methods, it’s easy to understand why some might feel lost when trying to decide which brew to buddy up to first, despite the craft beer community’s welcoming nature. And it probably doesn’t help that you get conflicting information and opinions. Even die-

44 DECEMBER 2016

hard suds lovers could use some help navigating the he-said, she-said of our favorite taproom offerings.

true,” Cozzaglio says. “Craft beer has so much to offer, there's something that everyone can enjoy.”

flavor derives from traditional or innovative brewing ingredients and fermentation processes.

To help cut through the confusion, we sat down with Michelle Cozzaglio, manager of The Fur Shop. The Fur Shop, located in downtown Tulsa, is a great place to start your journey through the craft world with 20 beers on tap and more than 100 brands, including bottles and cans to try from local, regional and national brewers. Pull up a stool and let’s hop to it.

Like Cozzaglio says, craft beers have a lot to offer and come in all shapes and sizes. But what makes a craft beer a craft beer? According to the Brewers Association, an American craft brewer is three things: small, independent and traditional. They produce less than 6 million barrels of beer or less annually, which is 3 percent of U.S. annual beer sales; less than 25 percent of the craft brewery is owned by an alcohol industry member that is not itself listed as a craft brewer; and, finally, has a majority of its total beverage alcohol volume in beers whose

Let’s take a walk through some popular beer myths with Cozzaglio, and throw in a little history and science, so the next time some hipster millennial tries to outsmart you on a night out, you can hold your own.

“People unfamiliar with craft beer automatically believe all craft beer tastes bad. I come across this often at the bar and it’s absolutely not

is best from the Myth: Beer bottle or can. To fully experience the heart and soul your brewer put into his or her art form, pour that beer into a glass. Enjoying a craft beer is like enjoying a fine wine, so give your nose a chance to get involved. Drinking

colder, Myth: The the better. Sure, on a hot day at the lake, a frosty brew quenches thirst like no other. But when you’re sipping on a craft beer, most are best served between 46 and 60 degrees. “People unfamiliar may not understand this concept but appreciate it once it’s explained,” says Cozzaglio. “Where a lager, ale or Pilsner is best served between 32 and 45 degrees, an Imperial Stout is best served warmer, around 60 degrees. I know it sounds weird, but it’s true.” Draft beer is usually dispensed between 38 and 42 degrees. Give your glass of goodness a minute or two to warm up in your hands before you dive in. beer is better Myth: Bottled than canned beer. “Longneck bottle, let go of my hand.” Beer connoisseurs around the globe agree that cans are far superior to bottles when it comes to preserving a beer’s intended taste. Cans protect ale from UV rays, which can give beer an unsatisfying skunky taste. In addition, the airtight seal of an aluminum enclosure ensures no carbonation escapes, keeping that liquid gold fresher longer. If bottles are your thing, brown glass is the best option. It’s like sunblock for suds. beer is stronger Myth: Dark than pale beer. Not necessarily. Guinness Draft is the most popular dark beer sold in the U.S. and to many an American’s surprise, a “pint of Gat,” as the Irish call it, is only 4.2 percent alcohol, compared to 3.2 percent domestics like Miller Lite or Bud Light. “The strongest beer we have currently is our Avery Uncle Jacob’s Stout, a delicious bourbon barrel aged stout coming in at 17 percent,” says Cozzaglio.

Avery Brewing Company’s Uncle Jacob’s Stout is on the other side of our “not necessarily” statement aforementioned. It’s dark. Really dark. Avery describes it as a “robust, silky-smooth, full-bodied and altogether extremely American rendition of Imperial Stout aged for six months in the very finest bourbon barrels.” beers taste Myth: Allthe dark same. No way! The three most popular dark beers sold in the U.S. are Schwarzbier, Dunkel and Stout — and while they’re all dark in color, their contents and taste differ. Schwarzbier, sometimes called a special dark, gets its dark color from black malt and has a bitter flavor. Stouts also contain black malt, but also have roasted barley and oats or wheat which provide a bigger head on the beer, for those who enjoy a lasting beer mustache and a smoother taste. Dunkels, often referred to as darks, ditch the black malt for a dark crystal malt or chocolate malt, which pull double duty in providing the dark color and a sweeter flavor. Cozzaglio leaves us with some gateway craft beer recommendations, all available at The Fur Shop.

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from a glass allows you to smell all the aromas that accompany the flavors — and you can skip the metallic flavor a bottle cap or aluminum can add.

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“Some of my first-try craft beers were Dead Armadillo Amber, Roughtail IPA, Anthem Arjuna (a Belgian style-wit) and Boulevard Tank 7 (Farmhouse Ale). All of these were simple and tame first tries that helped me discover all kinds of different craft beer.” Every Tuesday evening, The Fur Shop has Pint Night, when members of LOCAL (League of Oklahomans for Change in Alcohol Laws) speak about new beers and beer issues, and Cozzaglio and her team add new beers on draft.

LOCATOR

THE FUR SHOP

520 E. 3rd St. | Tulsa 918-949-4292 furshoptulsa.com Monday-Sunday: 4 p.m.-2 a.m.

PREVIEW918.COM 45

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5TH 6TH

4TH

NKF

ROI

CIN

MAI

3RD

OSU Medical Center

FRA

ELG

DET

TON

Courthouse

Central Library

LDE

YEN

BOU

CIN

BOS

CHE

Performing Arts Center

Civic BOKCenter Cox Business Center

BOK Center

HRIE GUT N STO HOU

Jazz Hall of Fame

City Hall

DEC

VER OOD ELW

244

E B L UM E DO

2ND LANSING KENOSHA

MAI

DEN

OD WO

Brady Theater

EN GRE

CHE

Woody AR Guthrie Center

244

ONEOK Field

OOD

BRA

ON 19 CAMER Guthrie Green DY BRA

ENW

Greenwood Cultural Center

GRE

Cain’s Ballroom

412

TULSA LOCATOR TL

DOWNTOWN TULSA

2 4

CHERRY 5

LOOK FOR THE YELLOW BOX! 2nd & Detroit Brady & Boston 1st & Elgin (McNellies) 1st & Elgin (Comedy Parlor) Elgin (Joe Mommas) Brady & Bob Will Archer & Elgin

2nd & Elgin (Blue Dome Bldg.) 5th & Boston 5th & Main (Billy’s) 3rd & Boulder 3rd & Denver 6th & Boston

PREVIEW918.COM 47

TL TULSA LOCATOR G

TULSA AND SURROUNDING AREAS

PREV EW

SPERRY

86TH N 92

76TH N

56TH N

Mohawk Park

46TH N

Tulsa Botanic Garden

Crawford Park

OSU Tulsa

Chandler Park

UNION

244

Turkey Mountain Park

St. Francis Hospital

SAPULPA 1

48 DECEMBER 2016

60 79

Oklahoma Aquarium

70 4

67 77

45 57

101ST

111

121ST

61ST

44 46

BIXBY 71

78 5

81ST

91ST MEMORIAL

JENKS 76

SHERIDAN

65 48

32 30

GARNETT

MINGO

Jones Airport

Oral Roberts Univ. Mabee Ct.

YALE

31ST 41ST

LaFortune 80 38 Park

169

Hicks Park

HARVARD

PEORIA

65 44

9321

Whiteside Park

LEWIS

91 51

MIDTOWN

RIVERSIDE

ARKANSAS RIVER

Expo Square

Philbrook Museum of Art7

Tulsa State Fairgrounds

Woodward Park St. John Med. Ctr.

30 TH

GARNETT

MINGO

APAC

PINE

MEMORIAL

39 27 28

PINE

SHERIDAN

Univ. Of Tulsa

DOWNTOWN BOK Ctr.

SAND SPRINGS

169

YALE

LEWIS

412

36TH N

Tulsa Air & Space Museum

26TH N / APACHE

UTICA PEORIA

GILCREASE EXPY

HARVARD

Gilcrease Museum

GILCREASE MUSEUM

Tulsa Zoo

36TH N MARTIN LUTHER KING

KWY ALE P TISD

MINGO

Lake Yahola

TULSA LOCATOR TL 96TH N

SHOPPING

WASSO

DINING Redbud Valley Nature Preserve

CHE

66 412

244

BROKEN ARROW

209TH E.

51ST

COUNTY LINE / 193RD E.

177TH E.

161ST E.

145TH E. 129TH E.

71ST

81 4 23

COUNTY LINE

LYNN LANE

MAIN ELM

ASPEN

129TH E.

CATOOSA

15th & Troost 15th & Quincy 15th & Trenton 18th & Boston

Wine Loft | 5A-42 Yutaka Grill & Sushi Buffet | 5C-32

CASINO River Spirit Casino Resort | 4B-83

LOOK FOR THE YELLOW BOX!

PREVIEW918.COM 49

GK GETTING TO KNOW You know you’re in for something truly special before even walking inside Molly’s Landing. As you cross a pair of old truss bridges and descend toward a red log cabin, you feel like you’re entering a fairy tale. Gentle hills, grass and trees surround the stone steps leading to the entrance in a setting so magical, you expect to see sparkling fairies flitting around and lounging on leaves.

Perfect Place —— to —

Meat Up MOLLY’S LANDING BRINGS SIGNATURE STYLE TO STEAK AND DINING WITH A SURREAL EXPERIENCE COMPLETE WITH KITSCHY DECORATIONS, A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE AND HUMAN-SIZED CHESS PIECES.

MAHI MAHI

The interior is dim and pleasantly cluttered with carved figures, paintings, knick-knacks and original paintings created by the founder, Linda Powell.

By Donna Leahey Photos by Marc Rains LOBSTER

50 DECEMBER 2016

As you climb the steps toward Molly’s Landing, the collection of antique iron, birdhouses, wagons and more will charm you with its eclectic glory. Humansized chess pieces wait, mid-game, nearby. Standing guard by the front door is a suit of armor next to a Coca-Cola cooler SMALL FILET filled with plants.

“People give us all kinds of things,” she says. “All the animals were given to us by hunters whose wives didn’t want them around.” Powell is referring to the taxidermy mounts on the walls and shelves. She points to a moose head watching over the dining room; it’s as large as a person. “That was the biggest moose taken in Canada that year.”

GETTING TO KNOW GK Molly’s Landing has been part of Catoosa’s PEPPERED culture for BRANDY STEAK over 30 years. “I purchased it in 1982,” says Powell. “It took me two years to build. We opened in 1984. I had dreamed of a log cabin since I was a little girl.” She smiles as she adds, “So, I got my dream.” Powell has added a wall with pictures of famous Oklahomans and a gift shop for waiting patrons. The gift shop is full of beautiful jewelry, unique boxes carved from stalagmites, and souvenirs of all varieties. “We put the gift shop in 10 or 15 years ago. People like to shop in there while waiting for their table or on their way out.”

RIB-EYE

Molly’s Landing doesn’t accept reservations, because they don’t want anyone to feel rushed. “We once had a table stay for 7 ½ hours. Started with pre-dinner drinks, stayed through appetizers, entrees, dessert and after-dinner drinks. That’s one of the reasons we don’t take reservations. We want people to feel comfortable staying as long as they want.” Restaurants like to talk about their locally sourced ingredients, but it doesn’t get any more local than at Molly’s Landing. There is a garden on-site in which they grow tomatoes and asparagus. Roosters Wilsomer and Casanova rule over a flock of chickens that provide two to three dozen eggs each day. “We have tanks of tilapia living here. It’s all aquaponics, providing food for the greenhouse next door.”

Powell wants her guests to feel at home. “We have a comfortable atmosphere and attitude. Our goal is to make people comfortable Some of the and serve most popular good food. We dishes at Molly’s had a table of THE MOLLY’S CREW (LEFT TO Landing include people just off RIGHT): JERRY LEWELLAN, the steaks. “The the lake wearing RUSS WHITE, DOUG POWELL AND LINDA POWELL. spicy rib-eye is their jams and very popular. It’s sunglasses sitting prepared with our 1872 next to a table of seasoning. The recipe for people getting ready to go the seasoning comes from a to the opera and dressed to cook on the Chisholm trail and it the nines. And they sat next to each other and everyone felt at home. I just think has a coffee base. It’s also fabulous on the it makes the food taste better if you can just pork chops.” Like all of Molly’s Landings seasonings, the 1872 seasoning can be sit back and enjoy.”

purchased in the gift shop. Powell adds, “A lot of women love the 4 ounce steak with a half baked potato served with brandy sauce.” Some of the most popular appetizers are the fried mushrooms or the fried jalapenos. Powell’s favorite, though, is the salmon dip. “We age all our own meat and cut it here. The salmon dip is made fresh from salmon we cut that day.” All the desserts are made by co-owner Jerry Lewellan, with eggs from the on-site flock. “Those fresh eggs make the difference. Jerry’s white chocolate cheesecake and his carrot cakes are marvelous.” Molly’s Landing also plays host to murder mysteries in a private dining room overlooking the courtyard. “It’s a company [The Ultimate Murder Mystery] out of Tulsa that runs it,” Powell explains. Molly’s Landing can host private parties of up to 40 people. They also have Molly’s Taqueria & Tamale Wagon that is open for lunch near the Blue Whale of Catoosa. The handmade tamales are cooked fresh each day. They used to be sold out of the Molly’s Landing kitchen, before opening up the site at the Whale. In addition, there’s a food truck that sells tacos, burritos and tamales. It travels around, or you can request it at an event. “We once did a wedding and were out there late into the night selling tacos,” says Powell. Powell had a similar business when she lived in Arizona. “But Arizona got too big. I traveled Highway 66 and wanted to be in the Midwest. I like the small town feel of Tulsa where you can still find anything you want. People from all over the world travel on 66.” Powell has passed on ownership of Molly’s Landing to “the boys,” her sons, Doug Powell, Russ White and Lewellan, who is a 28year employee.

LOCATOR

MOLLY’S LANDING

3700 N. Old Hwy. 66 | Catoosa 918-266-7853 mollyslanding.com Monday-Saturday: 4-10 p.m.

PREVIEW918.COM 51

GC GREEN COUNTRY SCENE AT CARLTON LANDING NEAR LAKE EUFAULA, YOU CAN HIKE, BIKE, FISH OR STROLL YOUR WAY TO URBANISM BLISS IN THIS GLAMOROUS HAMLET THAT MIMICS THE LIFESTYLE AND RESORT FEEL OF GETAWAY FLORIDA SPOTS. BY MICHELE CHIAPPETTA

Town founder Grant Humphreys, an Oklahoman with fond memories of family vacations past, explains that his visits to Seaside and Rosemary Beach profoundly influenced the approach he and his wife, Jen, took when structuring Carlton Landing. “When we would travel to Seaside and Rosemary Beach as a family, we saw how powerful a planned community can be,” he says. “It offers a sense of quality and intentionality. Visitors feel like they’re in a nice place that was not planned haphazardly.” For visitors to the resort town, that means you can arrive for your vacation-stay, park your car and not have to get behind the wheel again until you’re ready to head home. “It does bring people together,” says Humphreys. “People are often isolated or have to drive by automobile from place to place. It feels disjoined, inefficient.” Thus, one of the pleasures of Carlton Landing, is its walkability. Take advantage of that when you visit, says Humphreys. “When you take the car keys away, it changes the pace of life in a dramatic way,” he says. “When people come here, they often do very little except be present in the moment.”

Tucked away in the wooded shores of Lake Eufaula, there’s a best-kept secret resort spot awaiting your exploration and discovery. Take Oklahoma Highway 9A and just before you reach the town of Eufaula, turn down Carlton Landing Drive. A delightful, winding 3-mile trip through the woods leads you to the newly minted town of Carlton Landing (incorporated 2013), a planned community that promises to offer a luxurious getaway from your everyday life.

52 DECEMBER 2016

Carlton Landing combines two different approaches to town planning to create a one-of-a-kind experience within driving distance of Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas-Ft. Worth and Ft. Smith. First, the town mimics the lifestyle and resort feel of getaway spots like Florida’s Seaside and Rosemary Beach, both of which are built around the concept of new urbanism — a walkable community with all the major amenities within a 5-10 minute walk from your residence.

In other words, luxurious down time is yours during your stay. Stroll with your family, including the dog, to the country store, where you can pick up the essentials to cook a meal at home. Walk to the lake, hop in the kayaks available for your use, and play in the calm waters of Lake Eufaula. Stop by the local drinking hole — designed like a casual beachside bar — to order a beer and enjoy the sunset. Or head to the pool and hot tub for a dip and time in the sun. The second design element Humphreys incorporated into Carlton Landing is an old-time farmhouse and lake house experience that hearkens back to the days before we had cell phones, constant Internet distractions, crowded streets

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and a driving need to be entertained. You won’t find video arcades, movie theaters or malls there. You won’t find fast food. But what you will find is the old-fashioned, slowpaced vacation time to detox from all that normally keeps you busy and frazzled.

MODERN ELEGANCE

“Our direct experience of the lake is very personal and relational,” Humphreys says in describing why the town is so low-key. “We had the chance to reconnect with family at the lake. It was casual, laid back. I loved that, and the Oklahoma attitude that when you go to the lake, you have a chance to decompress and relax.” The Oklahoma sensibility is carried out even in the design of the houses, which are laid out like the large farmhouses of our state’s past. Outside, the homes are wrapped by spacious porches that invite conversations with friends and family over a glass of wine or a cigar. Inside, the rooms are spacious, bright and modern, promising comfort and ease. There’s room to spare for those who have large families or want to share a cottage with several friends. The town’s future plans include making it even more sustainable and green. “Long term, we see a local food system and thoughtfully designed urban farm fitting in very well,” Humphreys says. “We have identified local farmers to help us who are small scale but really get farming. They love it and have been doing it about 30 years. Our first fall crop is growing right now.”

The Wine Loft Wine Bar is a new upscale nightlife venue serving a wide selection of wines, as well as beer, spirits and gourmet tapas.

918.970.4766 www.thewinelofttulsa.com 106th and S. Memorial (west side) Tues-Thurs 4pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-Midnight

In addition to farming, the future promises a nature center, as well as a work-in-progress of nature trails and land preservation in partnership with the Nature Conversancy. “The first trails were set up this year,” Humphreys says. The town is working on getting grants to help develop the nature center further. For those who want a second home or are looking for a permanent place to live, Humphreys says that Carlton Landing is someplace to consider. To appeal to those who move there permanently or spend a good part of the year there, the town offers amenities like a community garden, and even a small school house for younger age children. Condos are being developed along the waterfront area, and a partnership has been arranged with Elite Alliance — a timeshare which will allow a week at a Carlton Landing condo to be traded for a week in places like Napa Valley, Telluride, Rosemary Beach and Cabos San Lucas. Some of the homes are already occupied by permanent residents, although a large portion will probably always be secondary homes and rentals. Either way, the goal is for everyone to feel a sense of community there, whether residents or visitors.

LOCATOR CARLTON LANDING 20 Boulevard | Eufaula 918-452-2205 carltonlanding.com

traditional bistro fare with a creative twist Sandwiches, hamburgers, pastas, seafood & salads TWL BISTRO HOURS Tuesday–Sunday 11am–10pm Lunch, Dinner & Brunch served Sundays Happy Hour Tue-Fri from 4pm–7pm

PREVIEW918.COM 55

SC SPORTS CENTRAL

The passion level amongst die-hard fans of hockey is strong, especially in Tulsa. But why isn’t it as popular in other American markets? By Richard Linihan // Photos by Kevin Pyle

Sometime around 1875, up in Montreal, a few gentleman got together and tried to adapt a game from England played with sticks and balls. They added a rubberized puck, put the players in skates and for good measure, changed the playing surface to ice. Now, over 140 years later, the Tulsa Oilers are playing that game — hockey — in front of an average of about 6,000 people. Many Oilers fans will tell you that they love their sport in a way few people love anything. And with the Oilers starting the 2016-17 season winning nine of their first 11 games, the excitement has turned into an uproar. At least on a local level. While hockey is considered one of the four major sports in North America, the game struggles to gain the same amount of popularity as football, baseball and basketball outside of Canada. And

56 DECEMBER 2016

with more and more youngsters taking up soccer, it’s conceivable that it will ultimately surpass hockey as well. The NHL has been trying to expand its popularity and has seen some gains, but the game continues

to struggle in many of its markets for a variety of reasons — from cost (all that gear isn’t cheap) and skill level to lockouts and weather. Face it, it’s a whole lot easier to grab a basketball and head to the park with friends for a game than trying to find a rink.

PREVIEW918.COM 57

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SPORTS CENTRAL SC Hockey

Help Hockey can be confusing to the first-time observer. Understanding the rules will help you identify what's going on in the game and give you a greater appreciation of the sport. • The objective of hockey is to score more goals than the other team in a 60-minute time frame. This time is split into three periods of 20 minutes each. There is a break between periods (intermissions), during which the game stops. The teams switch ends before starting again. • During normal play, teams have six players on the ice. There are typically three forwards (primary scorers), two defensemen (tasked with stopping the other team from scoring) and a goalie. • When a player is ready to come off the ice, the game doesn't stop. They can enter the bench area and are replaced by another player. • Time spent on the ice is called a shift. • Typically, the three forward skaters stick together and are called a line. A line change is when players leave the ice and are replaced by new skaters coming on, starting a new shift. • The glass and walls around the ice are called “the boards.” • There are five major lines painted horizontally across the ice including the centerline that divides the surface in half, blue lines and goal lines.

And with fewer learning the sport as children, understanding the game can be another barrier to enjoying the spectacle to the fullest. But John Peterson, the director of broadcasting and media relations for the Oilers, says hockey can be extremely fun for the first-timer or the uninitiated. “All you have to do is want to be entertained,” he says. “Spectators don’t have to know all the rules of the game to enjoy the overall experience of the event, the presentation, the fast-paced, hardhitting action and the bonding time with family and friends.”

meet-and-greets with the fans on some days that aren’t game days. When you get to know the players personally, the game becomes more personal to you, whether you know the rules or not.” And while hockey may struggle in many markets, the Oilers have always had a strong core fan base. It doesn’t hurt that Tulsa made the playoffs in nine of the first 13 seasons it played in the Central Hockey League with a couple of championships.

Part of the Oiler’s strategy to build upon the fourthlargest attendance from last year in the mid-level ECHL — which is currently comprised of 27 teams — is to familiarize the fans with the players.

“It is a pretty amazing thing that Tulsa has built here,” says Peterson. “Winning does help and that’s where coach Jason Christie comes in. He has been a winner at every level he has coached. He got the Oilers within one point of making the playoffs last year. You can count on one hand how many times he has not taken his team to the playoffs in 20-plus years. The fans like that.”

“The players stay and chat with fans who stay after the games,” Peterson says. “And we have

Now get the puck out of here and have a ball at the next Oilers game.

• The area between the two blue lines is the neutral zone. The area inside a team’s blue line (closest to its net) is the defensive zone. The area inside the other team's blue line is the attacking or offensive zone. Each line also affects stoppages of play. • When a player receives a penalty, they must sit in the penalty box. This results in a way of punishing a team called a power play. During a power play, the offending team will be short-handed for a distinct amount of time (refer to penalties). If the team on the power plays gets a goal, the power play is over. • Offsides is a rule put in place to prevent a team from waiting near the other team's net for easier goals. When headed into the attacking zone — going past the other team's blue line toward their net — the puck or player with the puck has to go first. If the puck enters the offensive zone after a player is already there, the game is stopped. It is legal for the player controlling the puck to shoot or carry the puck past the blue line before any of his teammates enter. When an offsides occurs, play is stopped and a faceoff occurs in one of the circles in the neutral zone. No penalty occurs. • If a player shoots the puck from behind the centerline all the way down the ice behind the other team's goal line (not in the net though), this is called icing and play is stopped. A faceoff is taken in a circle close to the offending team's net as punishment and play resumes without a penalty.

PREVIEW918.COM 59

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SC SPORTS CENTRAL

TOP-SHELF TALK Hockey has a language all its own. Here are some of the phrases and words you need to learn so you don’t come off like a hoser. 5-HOLE: A shot that goes through GONG SHOW: Another word for a the goalie's legs. Holes 1, 2, 3 and tough, intense game. Or an out4 are the four corners of the net. of-control guy. BARN: Hockey arena or rink where the game is played.

GOON: A player whose primary responsibility is fighting.

BISCUIT: A hockey puck. When somebody scores, he puts the "biscuit in the basket."

GRINDER: A player who works extra-hard often without recognition.

BODY CHECK: Hitting an opponent HAT TRICK: When a player scores with your body to block him or three goals in a game. take him out of the play. KILLING A PENALTY: When a team BOTTLE KNOCKER: A goalie typically survives a penalty without giving keeps his water bottle on the top up a goal. of the net. When a shot hits the LASER: A strong, well-directed top of the net with such force shot. that it knocks the water bottle off, that's a bottle knocker. LIGHT THE LAMP: When a goal is scored, the siren above the net BUCKET: A helmet. Also known flashes. as a "lid." CELLY: A celebration, usually after PIPES: Goal posts. a goal. SIEVE: A goalie who has problems CHIPPY: When things start to get stopping the puck. a little bit testy and feisty on SIN BIN: The penalty box where the ice. players go to serve out their punishment. CLEARING THE PUCK: Getting the puck away from the area near your own goal; on a power play, SLAPPER: A hard shot on which a player lifts the stick above or sending the puck out of your around his waist to wind up. own defensive zone. DEKE: A fake-out, usually resulting in the defenseman getting fooled. DONNYBROOK: A hockey fight. FACEOFF: When the referee drops the puck between two opposing players to start or resume the game after a stoppage in play. FREEZING THE PUCK: To pin the puck against the boards with either your skate, stick or body to cause a stoppage in play resulting in a face off.

60 DECEMBER 2016

SWEATER: Hockey jersey. SWEEP CHECK: A legal check where a player goes down on one knee and sweeps his stick along the ice in order to take the puck away from an attacking player. TOP SHELF: Goal scored in the upper part of the net. YARD SALE: Getting hit so hard that a player’s gloves and stick go flying.

SPORTS CA LE NDAR OKLAHOMA SOONERS

OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

TULSA HURRICANE

Home games are played at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (Norman)

Home games are played at Boone Pickens Stadium (Stillwater)

Home games are played at H.A. Chapman Stadium (Tulsa)

Dec. 3 | vs Oklahoma State Cowboys | TBA

Dec. 3 | @ Oklahoma Sooners | TBA

OKLAHOMA SOONERS

TULSA HURRICANE

DALLAS COWBOYS

Home games are played at Lloyd Noble Center (Norman)

Home games are played at Reynolds Center (Tulsa)

OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

ORAL ROBERTS GOLDEN EAGLES

Home games are played at Gallagher-Iba Arena (Stillwater)

Home games are played at Mabee Center (Tulsa)

(FOOTBALL)

(MEN’S BASKETBALL)

(FOOTBALL)

Home games are played at AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

TULSA OILERS

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

ALL TIMES CENTRAL — GAME DATES/TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

PREVIEW918.COM 61

THE THEME SCENE

SS SPREE & STYLE

IF YOU’VE NEVER BEEN TO BOOMTOWN TEES, IT’S TIME TO TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE — TULSA STYLE — AND SUPPORT THE UNIQUE AND FUN RETAILER THAT OFFERS A WEARABLE TREASURE TROVE OF CHILDHOOD MEMORIES. BY TIFFANY DUNCAN | PHOTOS BY MARC RAINS

62 DECEMBER 2016

SPREE & STYLE SS “Because we screen print everything right here in the store, all of our shirts are completely customizable. If you need a different size, or would prefer a certain design on a hoodie rather than a tee, we can just pop in the back and make it for you,” says Frizell. “We can even print in a different color for no extra charge.”

In recent years, pride in Oklahoma’s rich legacy and culture has manifested into an actual fashion statement — especially where T-shirt design is concerned. Whether it’s a famous slogan, a sports team, or just a simple outline of Oklahoma, we like to show off our state love here in Tulsa. And nowhere else in town will you find a more diverse selection of unique, locally designed and printed Tulsa T-shirts than Boomtown Tees, located in the bustling Blue Dome District.

But that’s not all — Boomtown also takes outside orders for custom designs, either in bulk or individually. If you know anything about the screen-printing business or have ever tried to have shirts printed for a group, you know that almost all screen-printing businesses have a minimum amount customers must order. With Boomtown, however, that is not the case; almost like a tattoo, they can assist you in designing whatever it is, even if it’s just for you.

Originally conceptualized and owned by Blake Ewing, Boomtown Tees has been representing the most iconic facets of Tulsa for seven years. The current owner, Joann Frizell, previously fell in love with Boomtown while doing Ewing’s marketing and eventually convinced him to sell it to her. Along with a bit of mentorship from her husband, Mike, who’s had 25 years of experience as a business owner, Frizell has been running the charming tee shop for over a year now. Although the storefront may appear tiny from the outside, the cozy interior is surprisingly packed with floor-to-ceiling shelves of quirky tees, tanks and hoodies that celebrate all things local. “Our designs are based around Tulsa’s heritage,” says Frizell. “We are completely unique and kitschy, with a lot of iconic landmarks on our shirts like the Golden Driller, the big Blue Whale of Catoosa, and the Admiral Twin Drive-In. A lot of the popularity of our T-shirts comes from their nostalgic appeal.” If you grew up in Tulsa, Boomtown is a wearable treasure trove of childhood memories. Remember Bells Amusement Park? You can purchase a shirt that proudly declares, “I rode Zingo,” or another that depicts Bells’ token haunted house, the Phantasmagoria. And for a really obscure reference, do you recall Crystal’s Pizza? The restaurant where children could load up on pizza from a buffet and eat while watching cartoons in a movie theatre-styled dining room? Yep, Boomtown has a shirt to commemorate that bygone gem, too. “Our most popular shirts are definitely the ones that can take people back to another place and time. We have many shirts that reference Tulsa’s history, including one that celebrates ‘The Outlaws,’ Tulsa’s pro-football team from back in the 1980s,” Frizell says.

“There’s also another tee that references an old television commercial that says, ‘Don’t lay that trash in Oklahoma,’ and many others depicting old Tulsa landmarks like the Rose Bowl and the Camelot Hotel. People come in all the time and say, ‘Man! I haven’t thought about that place in years!’” Other T-shirt designs include references from The Outsiders, Route 66, Oklahoma-isms, famous quotes, and college sports team fandoms, among others. There’s also a slew of shirts that depict the Tulsa cycling scene, the ever-popular 918 area code, and Oklahoma’s state outline. Whatever it is that concerns your Tulsa or Oklahoma pride, Boomtown has what you are looking for. To further honor Tulsa, Frizell also strives to keep all of her business practices as local as possible. Most of the T-shirt designs were originally done by Ewing, and Tulsa-based graphic designer, Cody Bailey, handles all custom design. Boomtown’s shirts are all printed right there in the back of the shop by Frizell’s son, Travis, who attended screenprinting school through the Tulsa Hardesty Arts Center to guarantee the quality of each shirt. All of the screens used to print Boomtown’s tees are made at the Hardesty Arts Center as well. Because Frizell keeps Boomtown’s printing process so Tulsa-centric, she is able to offer a kind of service and convenience that is virtually unheard of in retail.

“We can screen-print all kinds of custom orders, anywhere from one T-shirt to 10,000. For bigger orders, we partner up with Ambition —a larger local screen-printing business based out of Broken Arrow. We can print custom designs or logos on any color for whatever type of event you are needing shirts for,” Frizell states. With Christmas in just a few weeks, you can knock out your whole shopping list by designing awesomely unique T-shirts for friends and family, or by shopping the ones Boomtown already has in stock. Take your friends and family back to the good ol’ days with one of the many nostalgic tees, or maybe place a group order for a clever design that incorporates your family surname. And as far as stocking stuffers go, Boomtown has all kinds of Oklahoma trinkets and treasures including mugs, shot glasses, and locally made jewelry. “For Christmas, we will also be offering limited-time tees that depict the Golden Driller and Catoosa’s Blue Whale wearing ugly Christmas sweaters. We will also have a couple Tulsa-themed ornaments that would make excellent gifts or additions to your own Christmas tree,” Frizell says.

LOCATOR BOOMTOWN TEES

114 S. Elgin Ave. | Tulsa 918-938-6000 | boomtowntees.com Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday: Noon-6 p.m.

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HF HEALTH & FITNESS

of truth

SO YOU'VE DECIDED TO START EATING HEALTHIER. GREAT. BUT BEFORE YOU STOCK UP ON THOSE GLUTEN-FREE SNACKS OR BEGIN A CLEANSE, MAKE SURE YOU SEPARATE FACT FROM FICTION.

by Ryann Gordon

Living a healthy lifestyle is a common goal for most people, most certainly in this modern age where we understand the real-life consequences of the unhealthy choices many of us make. But it’s not always easy figuring out what and how to eat, especially considering all the different guidance we’re inundated with from self-help gurus, doctors, infomercials and our friends.

trust in those who promise the legitimacy of their meat. Even McDonald’s, long-believed to be perhaps the lowest grade of food in the world, has retained their fast-food superiority by transitioning toward a healthier menu of food containing less GMOs and preservatives and only antibiotic/ hormone-free meat.

How many calories? How many carbs? Where did it come from? Is it glutenfree? Dairy free? Non-GMO? What about MSG? And don’t get us started on animal byproducts.

We should all aim to be healthy by providing our body with all the essential nutrients while also monitoring our diet, eating more fresh and less processed foods, limiting our intake of preservatives and staying active along the way. But before you drop an entire food group from your diet strictly for weight loss, make sure that you check the facts to see what that change is actually going to do to your body.

We hate on food chains that can’t track the life and livelihood of the chicken or cow we’re going to town on, and yet we sometimes blindly

64 DECEMBER 2016

RAW FOOD ONLY

It has been said that raw foods are essential to providing vital plant enzymes necessary to the diet. Don’t turn off the grill just yet though, because although eating foods at 118 degrees or higher inactivates plant enzymes, studies have found that these enzymes are already doomed to be denatured (deactivated) the moment they hit our stomachs.

NO MORE FATS

People have hated on fats since the beginning of food science, but some fats are good for you. Unsaturated fats and those found in whole foods like milk, nuts, seeds, avocado and olive oil are actually beneficial to your diet and help you feel full for longer than other saturated foods.

CARBS ARE EVIL

Carbohydrates are often eliminated from diets, like the Atkins Diet, because they provide our main, initial energy source and force our bodies to burn fat when not consumed. However, carb elimination will make you feel sick and sluggish for a couple of days and eventually quit working as a fat burner. Stick to whole grains and wheat over sugar carbs though.

FOOD INTOLERANCES AFFECT YOUR WEIGHT

According to studies done at UCLA, the belief that gluten and dairy intolerances cause weight gain is illogical and false. Because food allergies and intolerances limit us from processing certain foods in our bodies, this would mean we should be losing weight from the foods we can’t process, not gaining.

GLUTEN, THE ENEMY

Avoiding gluten, despite the rave it has caused in the dieting world, can actually be damaging to your health and leave you deficient in certain vitamins and nutrients. Although wheat allergies, gluten intolerances and Celiac disease are all real, they have also become cultural trends of a sort. And thanks to recent studies in a paper published in The Journal of Pediatrics by Dr. Norelle Reilly, gluten is officially our friend again.

MSG IS ALWAYS A NO-GO

MSG has taken a hard hit in recent years, most certainly among fast foods. And although MSG is not a chemical to eat in every meal, it’s mostly just a marker for high-processed foods. Small amounts of MSG, though, will not harm your health or physique.

HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP IS WORSE THAN SUGAR

While high fructose corn syrup is far from good for your health, it has been given a bad rap as being much worse than real sugar. Sucrose (sugar) and HFCS are actually not much different in composition and how they impact your health. The environment, on the other hand, could stand for more regular sugar.

NEVER EAT PAST 9 P.M.

Many of us believe that eating after a certain time, typically 9 p.m. or later, is worse for us than eating early when we are moving and our digestive tract is working consistently. But Dr. John Foreyt at the Behavioral Medicine Research Center at Baylor says, “Calories are calories are calories” — what matters is the total amount you eat. Bring on the late-night cereal.

EAT MINI-MEALS THROUGHOUT THE DAY

When we eat, our metabolism gets revved slightly to burn the food we ate. And although this may seem like a for-sure way to lose weight, its not. The calorie difference between eating several small meals rather than three bigger ones is so small, it doesn't help you burn the fat.

FAST, FAST, FAST SOME MORE

Fasting has been regarded as a beneficial method of cleansing toxins from our bodies. Luckily, our bodies have an elegantly designed system for doing this on its own — the filtration system. Leave it to your liver, kidneys and spleen to do the cleansing, not a day of starving yourself.

All good things start with wholesome ingredients. From organic field greens to 100% antibiotic-free chicken, our menu is bursting with fresh, nutrient-filled goodness. No artificial trans fats, MSG or high-fructose corn syrup. Only the best and the tastiest for you. Eton Square Deli 8321 East 61st St S Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133

Lincoln Place Deli 1330 E 15th St Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120

PREVIEW918.COM 65

ET EATS N’ TREATS BRAIDED BREAD LOAF WITH HONEY-BUTTER SPREAD

Adapted from myhumblekitchen.com This dish is as beautiful as it is delicious; it will steal the spotlight on any table. (Note: Allow for at least three hours of time for bread to rise, bake, and cool before any event.)

Ingredients: 2 ½ cups flour (you’ll add a bit more as you knead) 2 tsp. salt 1 1/4 tsp. yeast 1 ¼ cup warm water Extra-virgin olive oil

For honey-butter spread: 2 sticks butter, room temperature ¼ cup honey INSTRUCTIONS: 1. In a large bowl, add the flour, salt, and yeast. Mix thoroughly. 2. Add the water and mix to form a shaggy texture. 3. In the bowl, use your hands to knead the dough. Dust your hands in flour as you go to keep it from sticking to your hands. Knead 3-4 minutes. The dough should remain light, and sticky. 4. Once the dough is holding together well and still feels sticky yet firm, add a

teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil to the dough and shape into a tight ball (the olive oil adds flavor and keeps it from sticking to your hands). 5. Place dough in a bowl that has been lightly greased with olive oil. Cover bowl with a damp paper towel or plastic wrap. Allow dough to rise for one hour. 6. Once the dough has doubled, carefully remove it from bowl and place onto greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently shape the bread into a rectangle shape (being careful not to compress it too much as it will release all of of its gases) and cut into three strips with a knife. 7. With floured hands, sprinkle a bit of flour onto the dough strips and gently braid them together, folding the ends. With an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp. water),

brush the top of the braid to achieve a nice rustic look. 8. Cover bread with a damp paper towel or plastic wrap and let rise for an additional 20 minutes. While it’s rising, preheat oven to 500 degrees. 9. Bake bread for 10 minutes at 500 degrees. After first 10, lower oven temp to 325 degrees and bake an additional 25 minutes, or until golden brown. 10. While bread is baking, mix together the butter and honey for the spread. Place in refrigerator and let cool. Once the spread is slightly stiff from cooling, use whisk to give the butter an aesthetic texture (optional). 11. After bread is finished baking, remove to a cooling rack and let cool completely before slicing. Slicing the bread before letting it cool completely will give it a gummy texture.

It’s the season for all things concerning holiday cheer and merriment, with invitations flowing through the mail for Christmas parties, gatherings, and get-togethers. December is truly the most wonderful time of the year to spend some quality time with friends and family, but with so many social events, it’s also the most likely time of year to be low on funds. With a bottle of wine here and a potluck dish there, attending house parties and cooking for family can really tax the pocket. Here are a few budget-friendly holiday dish options to keep you socializing and baking without breaking the bank; you probably have many of the ingredients in your cabinet already!

LEFTOVER CHRISTMAS HAM SLIDERS A perfect way to eat the same meal in a new, delicious way (a real crowd-pleaser for picky children!)

Ingredients: Leftover ham or turkey (storebought works as well) 1 package King’s Hawaiian rolls Swiss cheese slices ½ stick of butter 1 tbsp. mustard 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

66 DECEMBER 2016

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. After cutting the rolls in half, assemble the meat and cheese onto bread. Pack sandwiches into a square or rectangle baking dish. 3. Heat butter, mustard, and Worcestershire in a sauce pan over medium heat until combined. Spoon sauce over the sliders. Cover in foil and place in preheated oven for 15 minutes.

EATS N’ TREATS ET

SANTA’S CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES Chocolate chip cookies are a must during the holidays. Whether you bake them for an event or leave them out for Santa, this easy recipe tastes like the magic of Christmas all wrapped up in a cookie.

Ingredients: ¾ cup butter-flavored Crisco 1 ¼ cup brown sugar 2 tbsp. milk 1 tsp. vanilla 1 egg 1 ¾ cup flour 1 tsp. salt ¾ tsp. soda 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup chopped nuts (optional) INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. 2. In a large bowl, cream together Crisco and sugar. Mix in vanilla and blend until creamy, then beat in the egg. 3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, and soda. Gradually mix into creamed mixture until combined. 4. Fold in chocolate chips. Form into dough balls and place onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

CHRISTMAS “WASSAIL” Adapted from chowhound.com The word “wassail” comes from the Anglo-Saxon phrase waes hael , which translates to “good health.” In older Christmas tradition, carolers would go door-to-door singing carols and offering listeners a drink from the wassail bowl. Nothing will make a holiday gathering feel more inviting than a bowl of this warm, traditional drink. (Note: This requires 4-5 hours in a slow cooker.)

Ingredients:

berries, and the cinnamon sticks in a 2 quarts unfiltered (or regular) small piece of cheesecloth and tie with apple juice or apple cider kitchen twine to make a bag. Add to the 1 quart cranberry juice cocktail slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for ¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar 4-5 hours. 27 whole cloves 2. Meanwhile, heat oven to 375 degrees and 15 allspice berries (located with arrange a rack in the middle. Stuff each the spices in the grocery aisle) apple with three of the remaining cloves 4 cinnamon sticks 5 small firm cooking apples of your choice and place in an 8x8 inch baking dish. Add the water to the dish and bake until the 1 medium orange apples are just a bit tender when pierced 1 bag whole cranberries with a knife, about 45 minutes. Remove (optional for garnish) from oven and set aside. ½ cup water 3. After the juices have stewed for 4-5 hours, Cheesecloth ( for soaking the spices) add the apples to the slow cooker. Using a Kitchen twine vegetable peeler, remove the orange peel in wide strips, making sure to avoid the white INSTRUCTIONS: pith, and add the peels to the slow cooker. 1. Combine apple juice, cranberry juice, 4. Remove spice bag and serve hot in mugs and brown sugar in a 6-quart slow cooker. Place 12 of the cloves, the allspice with whole cranberries to garnish.

DON’T GET YOUR TINSEL IN A TANGLE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO SERVE TO GUESTS OVER THE HOLIDAYS. TRY THESE TREATS AND SNACKS THAT ARE FESTIVE, FRUGAL AND FAST. MACGYVER MEATBALLS With only three surprising ingredients, this meatball recipe is truly the MacGyver of snack spreads. We guarantee it will be your go-to potluck dish for years to come.

by TIFFANY DUNCAN

photos by CHELSI FISHER

Ingredients: 2 pound bag of frozen meatballs 1 can cranberry sauce (organic tastes best) 1 bottle chili sauce (not the spicy kind) INSTRUCTIONS: Place all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally.

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CLASSSQUALITY

Leave your jeans at home and splurge in style. Here are the 36 best places for when you want to dress up for a romantic dinner or drop a few extra dollars on a celebratory meal. By Michele Chiappetta and Rob Harmon 68 DECEMBER 2016

Imagine it’s time to celebrate a special moment. Perhaps because of the holidays, you want to treat loved ones to stellar food, excellent service and elegant atmosphere — a night of fine dining. But you’re not sure where to go or, frankly, whether you’ll enjoy yourself when you get there. When many people think of upscale restaurants, black-tie attire and evening gowns often come to mind, along with a fear that the place we go will feel stuffy, or that we might feel out of place. However, in Tulsa and the surrounding towns of Green Country, finding an elegant restaurant with four or five-

star service and cuisine, without all the pretentiousness, isn’t that hard. Most Green Country restaurants skip the pretension, focus on great flavors and experiences, and even feature craft beer pairings along with wine. Some even have great bar food, which lessens the sticker shock a bit. But some also require jackets for men, so make sure you check the dress code before you head out. So, at times when a little splurging is required, whether you’re dressing up or not, these fabulous fine dining restaurants will add the right amount of sparkle and shine to your night out on the town.

BIGA

BLUESTONE

CELEBRITY RESTAURANT

A hidden gem just south of Brookside’s main strip on Peoria, Biga serves Italian cuisine done right. The cozy, relaxed setting, complete with banquettes and fireplace, allows diners to enjoy the fine dining available in an atmosphere that encourages slowly savoring every bite. The seasonal menu is crafted from scratch with high-quality ingredients fitting the season. The result is consistent good service and excellent meals, alongside enough variety to keep you coming back often. Biga’s regulars love the restaurant’s specialty wine dinners, which feature guest wine connoisseurs and bottles from Italy, South Africa, Napa Valley, Washington State and more.

South Tulsa’s Bluestone Steak House and Seafood isn’t pretentious. Visit them wearing blue jeans and skirts or tuxedos and evening gowns. Either way, expect a meal worthy of a special occasion. Their true dedication to being the best fine dining Tulsa can offer is the reason Bluestone has a steady crowd of repeat clients. A superior wine and drink list matches an already outstanding menu. Seven nights a week, live musicians elegantly play from an inconspicuous corner, at the perfect volume. With equally perfect lighting, the stage is set for romance, celebration and memory-making.

For a dinner experience with an absolute classic feel, Celebrity is the place. Upon entering, a piano man plays an elegant tune, and after a warm greeting, the gracious maître d’ ushers you to your reserved table. Low lighting blankets the elegantly covered tables and cushioned chairs as it has since the early 1960s. Mickey Mantle, Bob Hope, Ben Stiller, and many, many other celebrities have dined here. Celebrity is known for their steak dinners, among other items including a 14-ounce New York strip, 16-ounce rib-eye, and beef kabobs. For those who don’t want red meat for their evening meal, there are plenty of other tasty dinner choices, among them a cold-water lobster tail. They also serve shrimp, salmon, New Zealand white fish, and a fried catfish that is a favorite among many of their clientele. Crème brûlée for dessert is an excellent choice for you here.

4329 S. Peoria | Tulsa

10032 S. Sheridan | Tulsa

3109 S. Yale | Tulsa

CLARET CAFÉ

FRENCH HEN

HEY MAMBO

Claret Café delivers first-rate meals and an impressive wine selection while also locking down the weekend brunch tradition with impressive options like chicken piccata. Dinner favorites includes the pounded-down Schnitzel, meatloaf, fish and chips, 16-ounce bone-in rib-eye and roasted salmon. The generous portion of salmon, perfectly cooked, flakes with the pressure from a fork to reveal the distinctive pink color. The caramelized onion bourbon sauce is generously drizzled and is both savory and sweet with just the faintest hint of heat.

With dishes ranging from fresh fish ( flown in three times a week) and quail to osso buco and braised short ribs, The French Hen ups the French cuisine ante with authentic flavor in every bite. The French Hen has a storied history in Tulsa. Locals love it for its consistent charm and its upscale atmosphere, a perfect place to enjoy special moments with those you care about. The menu has a lot to offer to diners every day of the week, who want to treat themselves to good food in an elegant setting. Some of the specialties served include escargot; fried oysters served with creamed spinach; the forest mushroom tart; French onion soup (of course); fried quail; a roasted lobster tail; a port poached pear au chocolat; and several other dishes designed to please even the most discerning palate.

It’s impossible to imagine the Brady Arts District without Hey Mambo’s delicious brick oven Italian cuisine. Its vibrant atmosphere matches Brady’s hip vibe with an air of zesty tomatoes and luxuriously fresh cheese. Gourmet pizzas like The Center of the Universe (an artichoke, spinach and bacon delight), or the Diablo (Italian sausage, pepperoni and jalapenos) will keep you visiting. The Ravioli All’Arrabbiata (cheese filled ravioli), Pasta el Sol (jumbo shrimp sautéed with tangy tomatoes, red onions, fresh lime, pineapple rosemary and garlic mambo mojo served over linguini) and Pescatora (6 ounce grilled trout based with citrus-butter sauce) will make you think you’re back in old Italy.

3302 W. Kenosha | Broken Arrow

7143 S. Yale | Tulsa

114 N. Boston | Tulsa

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IN THE RAW

KEO

LANNA THAI

MOLLY’S LANDING

Fresh ingredients delivered daily. Dishes made to order. Delectable. That’s how you describe KEO, a hip version of an upscale yet comfortable dining experience. The restaurant is clean, vibrant and modern in design. The menu is excellent, especially for those who love more traditional Vietnamese, Cambodian and Korean dishes like pho and tom ka. If you’re less adventurous, try the wagyu beef burger. Top it all off with a specialty drink from the bar.

Lanna Thai aims for perfection. Ask any devoted customer, and they’ll tell you Lanna Thai’s unique blend of spices and herbs makes the dishes some of the best food in T-Town. From peanut sauce smothered pad Thai to panang seafood piled so high you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven, you’ll be wishing you could come back before you even leave your seat. An extensive wine and beer list, cocktails and martinis galore help cement Lanna Thai as a perfect choice for an evening of dining excellence.

Molly’s Landing is one of northeast Oklahoma’s unique and unforgettable fine dining experiences. Cherished by many as one of the best steakhouses in the Tulsa area, the log cabin converted restaurant provides an experience worth every single splurged penny. For over 30 years, they’ve not only served perfectly cooked, wet aged premium steak but also donned tables with exceptional lobster tail, shrimp and seafood plates that send taste palates soaring.

MONDO’S

NAPA FLATS

PRHYME

Does it get any better than feeling like you just sat down to an authentic Italian dinner on the Lower West Side of New York City? At Mondo’s familyrun restaurant, that’s pretty much what you get in Tulsa’s “Lower” Brookside on Peoria. Mondo’s homemade ravioli or baked tortellini are sure to take your taste buds straight back to the old country, or at the very least, the Big Apple. Don’t forget a cannoli for dessert. The filling is authentically Italian in style, and the pastry is filled just before serving so it retains its crispy exterior.

Napa Flats is casually elegant, warmly sophisticated and ideal for a night out with friends or loved ones. Owner John Crancer actively walks the dining room floor to make sure his customers are happy. That adds up to impeccable service, a beautiful and comfortable dining area, and delicious pizzas, pastas and more. Most dishes feature something baked or seared in the kitchen’s wood-fired pizza oven and grill. Pair anything with a fabulous Chianti, pinot noir, prosecco or other Italian wine, and you’ll be golden.

This chic, elegant restaurant lights up the fine dining experience in downtown Tulsa. Known for attentive, knowledgeable staff and a modern, tasteful atmosphere, Prhyme really excels right where you’d hope they would — their cuts of meat. Rib-eye, NY strip, filet mignon, 30-day dry-aged pristine beef, Duroc pork chops, New Zealand lamb chops and seasonal seafood all grace the menu. Their extensive wine list is guaranteed to provide the perfect pairing for your meal.

3321 S. Peoria | Tulsa 6151 S. Sheridan | Tulsa 216 W. Main | Broken Arrow

In the Raw combines traditional and nouveau sushi with a plethora of other non-sushi dishes crafted to rock your world. Fish flown in every single day, handcrafted dishes and unique drinks make for a superb menu. Combine that with their worldclass ambiance — they have one of Tulsa’s best views of downtown at their Sheridan location —and you’ve got one of the area’s most beloved fine dining destinations ever. And for meat lovers in your group, don’t miss out on the 8 ounce filet served with wasabi mashed potatoes and asparagus with portabella demi glaze.

3410 S. Peoria | Tulsa

70 DECEMBER 2016

3524 S. Peoria | Tulsa 8921 S. Yale | Tulsa

9912 S. Riverside Dr. | Tulsa

7227 S. Memorial | Tulsa

111 N. Main | Tulsa

3700 N. Old Hwy. 66 | Catoosa

SMOKE. ON CHERRY STREET 1542 E. 15th | Tulsa

The bricked interior and comfy little booths for two make it a fantastically romantic spot at night and on the weekend. Crispy quail legs, tempura fried cauliflower, crab stuffed fried green tomato are all great ways to get your meal started. For dinner? They serve all the staples of a great meal including rib-eye, beef tenderloin and New York strip as well as duck confit, shrimp and grits, and pickle brined pork brisket. The whiskey and cigar lounge makes SMOKE. a restaurant like none other in Tulsa.

Authentic French POLO GRILL

A Tradition of Excellence for Three Decades! Award Winning Chef Robert Merrifield

STEAK • SEAFOOD • LOBSTER

www.frenchhentulsa.net 7143 S Yale Ave, Tulsa, OK (918) 492-2596

918.744.4280 www.pologrill.com 2038 Utica Square \ Tulsa, OK 74114

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SONOMA BISTRO

TAVOLO

Enjoy a bottle of fine wine in Sonoma’s quiet and comfy bistro, and treat yourself to one of their Italian dishes. Either the chicken piccata with angel hair in a lemon white wine cream sauce or the pasta primavera with spring vegetables on perfectly cooked penne in a white wine herb sauce are the perfect choice for a special night out in Tulsa. Or the margarita pizza may be just what your Italian palate craves. In any case, you’ll be glad you chose Sonoma.

Tucked in Tulsa’s quietly surging Deco District, Tavolo’s Italian restaurant in the historic Philtower Building is truly a downtown treasure. Whether you go for lunch or dinner, you won’t be disappointed. Make sure to get a reservation because their dishes, ranging from linguine and meatballs to brown butter scallops, are in high demand. Going just for dessert is simply great too. Get a cannoli stuffed with vanilla custard or chocolate ganache or some zeppoles (delectable deep-fried dough balls) with lemon curd on top, sided with a hot cup of coffee.

3523 S. Peoria | Tulsa

427 S. Boston | Tulsa

TI AMO

6024-A S. Sheridan | Tulsa 219 S. Cheyenne | Tulsa

When you sit down at Ti Amo, you’ll be served their delicious complimentary bruschetta. Resist the temptation to gorge on it, and save room for a delicious meal. Ti Amo marries Italian fare with other Mediterranean influences to give you the best the region has to offer. Try their pollo della casa (chicken served with asparagus, mushrooms, peppers and Alfredo sauce), the Toscana (chicken with artichokes), or the baked ziti with chicken. End the meal with their home-brewed limoncello.

THE TROPICAL 8125 E. 49th | Tulsa

Offering superb service and flavorful Thai dishes, the Tropical consistently provides a unique dining experience that aims to exceed expectations. Many of its ingredients are taken from the herbal and vegetable gardens surrounding the restaurant. This carefully hidden, beautiful gem on the west side of Tulsa’s Regency Park neighborhood is a great place to celebrate life, love or anything that calls for a nice dinner. It’s Thai cuisine at its best.

Contrary to popular belief, dressing up isn’t the only piece of fine dining etiquette to observe. Keep the following in mind. • You must not start eating until everyone has been served. If there is a large number of guests, the hostess may indicate that you may begin before everyone is served. • Don’t make a fuss. If you don’t like something, leave it.

• Don’t place your phone or keys on the table, as it distracts and detracts from the atmosphere.

• Do ask for assistance selecting the wine when you’re not an expert.

• Don’t give a desired price range for wine aloud; instead, indicate a bottle of a similar price on the menu.

• While your napkin will go to the left of where your plate was to signify the end of the meal, it should be left in your chair if you’re leaving the table for any reason during the meal.

• Do make payment arrangements before your meal to avoid the awkward check grab at the end of the meal.

• When it comes to utensils, the simple rule is to always work from the outside in; the cutlery farthest away from your plate is for the first course.

72 DECEMBER 2016

• Don’t blow on hot food to cool it down. Wait for it to cool itself. • Don’t eat chicken or chops with your fingers.

• Between mouthfuls, rest your cutlery on the plate with their tips touching each other. If you are just using one piece of cutlery, then tilt it an angle. This communicates to the servers, “I still want to continue eating.” Do not rest the cutlery on the table or half on the plate and half off the plate. • If you are toasting someone else, you should stand. If the toast is in your honor, remain seated. When toasting, raise a glass in the direction of the other guests, but do not touch glasses with them.

• Don’t point with your cutlery. • Don’t reach across the table to sample someone’s food. • Always let your guest order first and try to order the same number of courses as him or her.

• Find out the dress code before you go out, and follow it. If you’re not sure how to dress, err on the side of too formal. It’s easy to scale an outfit down by removing your tie or loosening your collar. It’s not so easy to make a casual outfit look more formal.

Molly’s Landing

Free Wi-Fi Internet Access!

VILLA RAVENNA

Open Since 1984

6526 E. 51st | Tulsa

Top shelf Italian dining experiences don’t happen by accident. Villa Ravenna’s tremendous hospitality, tradition and great taste started in Italy, long before the family-owned restaurant ended up in Tulsa in 2008. It’s been serving Green Country’s lovers of Italian cuisine ever since. The restaurant’s incomparable menu is too extensive to do it justice but we will at least mention that the lasagna di melanzane eggplant dish is amazing, as is the gnocchi di patate, a potato pasta dish with the Villa’s traditional meat sauce. Oh, and the wild boar appetizer, insanely good!

Steak & Seafood

The Artichoke Restaurant

35896 S. Highway 82 | Langley

Only 3 1/2 miles from Hard Rock Casino on Highway 66 (Route 66)

Bin 35 Bistro

3509 S. Peoria | Tulsa

Bull in the Alley

201 N. Main | Tulsa

918.266.7853

The Chalkboard

www.mollyslanding.com

1324 S. Main | Tulsa

D’Vina

See our feature on page 50

1350 E. 15th | Tulsa

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 1976 Utica Square | Tulsa

Mahogany Prime Steakhouse 6823 S. Yale | Tulsa

McGill’s on 19

777 W. Cherokee St. | Catoosa

WATERFRONT GRILL 120 Aquarium Dr. | Jenks

When you can get high-end wine by the glass, you know you’re at restaurant that is both sophisticated and accommodating. Waterfront Grill has something for every discriminating palate. With an extensive sushi menu and equally pleasing grilled steak and seafood items, you and your significant other will be thoroughly pleased with every presentation. Raising a glass, you’ll be celebrating you made the choice to spend your evening here.

Michael V’s

8222 E. 103rd | Tulsa

Palace Café

1301 E. 15th | Tulsa

Polo Grill

wines AND patio bar BOUTIQUE

2038 Utica Square | Tulsa

steaks AND fresh fish

Ridge Grill

HAND-CUT

9999 S. Mingo | Tulsa

Russo’s

8941 S. Yale | Tulsa

Stonehorse Café

1748 Utica Square | Tulsa

The Tavern

201 N. Main | Tulsa

Warren Duck Club

6100 S. Yale | Tulsa

WOOD-FIRED

pizza

918.948.6505

9912 SOUTH RIVERSIDE DR. | TULSA, OK 74137

www.napaflats.com

PREVIEW918.COM 73

CABO BUENO

74 DECEMBER 2016

The wide-ranging menu at LOS CABOS — including everything from the expected (enchiladas, tacos and fajitas) to the surprisingly succulent seafood offerings (tilapia, mahi mahi) — paired with its stellar beverage program, makes one yearn for a trip to Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. By Rob Harmon

With a cantina-style, seaside resort atmosphere, you'll find few restuarant options to rival Los Cabos in the Tulsa area. For 10 years running, top-shelf food and drinks and an even greater dedication to consistent service has made Los Cabos a destination restaurant of Green Country. Los Cabos owner Jimmy Blacketer and his family have a rich history in the restaurant business, stretching back six decades to his parent’s Chi Chi’s restaurants in Houston. In middle school and high school, while his father stepped into the office role of the restaurant, Jimmy would step into the kitchen and learn how to make guacamole, pico de gallo and refried beans—all the traditional recipes.

Photos by Marc Rains

help out around the kitchen. It was fun for me. I enjoyed it,” he says. In the mean time, Blacketer learned different styles and techniques of cooking. He developed into a savvy restaurateur, not by going to culinary school, but by getting in the kitchen and practicing. He now knows not only the front of the house, customer service, and presentation of the dishes, but the ins and outs of the back of the house and the kitchen, as well. Blacketer’s first dab at ownership was a concept he developed called Atomic Burrito. Located on Tulsa’s famous Cherry Street, it was a hybrid of Chipotle and Baja Fresh that offered a high quality, variety of food.

“I remember hanging out in the kitchens “Back then, we would start with a core and spending the majority of my time peeling potatoes, doing whatever I could to recipe, and we would make it,” Blacketer

says. “We would say, ‘It needs a little more this, a little more that.’ We would then make it over and over again until we felt like it was perfect, until every item was the best it could be. That’s where a lot of the recipes at Los Cabos came from.” When Blacketer refers to “we,” he’s referring to a few members of his crew that were with him back in the Atomic Burrito days and are still with him now. Together they prepare some of the best Mexican dishes you’ll find anywhere in Tulsa, combining a traditional and modern flair. There’s something for everyone on their diverse menu with $10 dishes to higherend sophisticated combination platters. And Los Cabos consistently offers more than what you’d expect from a Mexican restaurant. Of course they have fajitas, enchiladas and taco platters, but it’s their

PREVIEW918.COM 75

CABO WABO

TRES MARGARITA

POLLO CON CHORIZO

TAMALE PLATE

BOOMER SWIRL

SAMPLER APPETIZER

spectacular seafood menu that sets them apart and dazzles customers. The Camarones Alambres is absolutely delicious and a gourmet delight. Five gigantic shrimp stuffed with tantalizing creamy pepper jack cheese and richly flavored jalapenos, are wrapped in bacon and grilled just right. Discriminating shrimp lovers can’t get this kind of shrimp dish just anywhere. The Tilapia Los Cabos has been a guest favorite and there are a few reasons why. First of all, the creamy white wine sauce they smother it in is the kind you want a container for to take home with you. Secondly, the scallops, shrimp and real crabmeat they top it with are so succulent, they’re a meal in themselves. The mahi mahi with mango shrimp salsa is another unique item on their magical seafood menu. A filet of your common dolphin fish becomes anything but common when perfectly grilled and creatively seasoned by the Los Cabos culinary wizards. “It’s our people who really make us who we are,” Blacketer says, praising his kitchen staff. “From our dishwashers,

76 DECEMBER 2016

to our line cooks, to our managers, all of them are what keeps Los Cabos consistently providing the experience our guests expect. Five of our people have been with us going all the way back to the Atomic Burrito. What’s that, 17 years?” Because of the longevity of their loyal management and staff and their commitment to consistent recipes and ingredients, Los Cabos will taste the same no matter which of the three Green Country locations you visit.

combined with a hacienda feel nestled next to a beautiful body of water, Los Cabos has captured something rare. Visit any of the locations and escape the dayto-day worries of deadlines, group texts and conference calls. Enjoy a great meal and a cool drink and get away.

LOCATOR LOS CABOS MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA

“If not, you let us know,” Blacketer says of their high standards of consistency. “Our guests know that the food will taste the same way it did when we opened back May 5, 2005. They can expect it to taste that way 11 years from now, as well. We have systems in place to assure that.”

300 Riverwalk Terrace | Jenks 918-298-2226

The Los Cabos staff is dedicated to wine checks three times a day, and ingredient checks multiple times throughout the day, every day. “Any product that isn’t up to our standards of freshness,” he says, “we throw it out, because it won’t be the overall product people expect when they visit us.”

Sunday-Thursday (all locations): 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Amazing food, dedicated and loyal service, award-winning drinks, all

151 Bass Pro Dr. | Broken Arrow 918-355-8877 9455 N. Owasso Expressway | Owasso 918-609-8671

Friday-Saturday (all locations): 11 a.m.-10 p.m. loscabosok.com

Lu B nc re a MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA

Lunch starting at $6.99 Father’s Day Special

15% OFF from June 16th -19th

918.340.5520 | 6219 E. 61st St | Tulsa, OK

Hours: Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm • Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

La Roma PIZZA

D Since 1925

& Mediterranean Food

DINE IN OR CARRY OUT

100 ITEMS MADE FROM SCRATCH

918.491.6436

6027 S. SHERIDAN RD. | TULSA, OK HOURS: TUES-THURS 11AM-2PM • 5PM-8PM FRI-SAT 11AM-2PM • 5PM-9PM CLOSED SUN-MON

918.494.5621

SavoyRestaurant.com Mon-Sat 6am-2pm

Locally and family owned business that's been around for over 26 years!

Mon-Fri Breakfast 6am-11pm • Lunch 11am-2pm Sat Breakfast 6am-2pm

34 June 2016

PREVIEW918.COM 77

A DOWNTOWN GOLIATH AMONG THE SANDWICH AND WRAPS SCENE, THE DECO DELI HAS ELEVATED ROASTED PORK, CORNED BEEF, GRILLED CHICKEN AND SMOKED GOUDA MASTERPIECES INTO A GASTRONOMIC ART FORM THAT FITS IN BEAUTIFULLY WITH ITS ART DECO SURROUNDINGS. By Andrea Neil * Photos by Marc Rains

78 DECEMBER 2016

In Greek mythology, Atlas was a powerful Titan condemned to hold up the sky for all eternity. In Tulsa, the Atlas Life Building was built in 1922 and houses the popular Deco Deli eatery — a restaurant for those with Titan-sized appetites and a penchant for unique, deli-inspired lunchtime food.

KENNEDY SANDWICH

The Atlas Life Building is an art deco masterpiece, and was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2009. The distinctive red brick and marble exterior and the lush, ornamental interior make this a unique building in downtown Tulsa. And so it’s no surprise that one of Tulsa’s more popular eateries can be found on the ground floor. The Deco Deli and Market packs in office workers from surrounding buildings during the lunchtime rush — everyone is there for the delicious, fresh, and healthy food that will give them the energy they need to get through the day. The bustling restaurant features large windows that give patrons a birds-eye view of the bustling lunchtime activity along Boston Avenue, and the décor hints at the rich history of the beautiful structure. On nice days, you can sit at one of the outside tables, enjoy the fresh air and indulge in some people-watching of the highest caliber.

LOBSTER BISQUE

The Deco Deli and Market opened in January 2014, and is the brainchild of brothers John and Jake Robinson. John oversees the day-to-day operations and can be found in the kitchen or behind the register in the Deli most days, while his brother runs the Atlas Grill right down the hall.

John moved to Tulsa from Texas, where he left behind careers in mortgage lending and the oil and gas industry to pursue a career more in line with his passion — cooking. “I worked in restaurants all through college,” he says. “When my brother offered me this opportunity to do something I have a passion for, I jumped on it.” He took the reins of the project and hasn’t looked back since. Having come from a family where the children were encouraged to prepare a family meal each week, John truly enjoys cooking, and spends time coming up with unique ingredient combinations for his menu. Deco Deli sandwiches are served hot (“because melted cheese!” he explains), and a wide selection of soups and seasonal salads round out the lunch menu. You may think from the name that Deco Deli sandwiches simply consist of your basic standard deli fare, but you couldn’t be more wrong. He may start with a traditional sandwich, but John imbues each creation with his own unique flavorful style. And many of the sandwiches are named for other historic buildings in the area. For example, the Philtower might appear to be your basic turkey and Swiss sandwich, but when John adds his house dressing, it becomes a different creation altogether. The salads are all fresh and healthy (he even offers a kale salad for the hardcore healthy), and everything is prepared fresh in-house, including the crisp, deliciously-seasoned potato chips. There are even freshly baked desserts available, including cake balls, banana nut bread, pumpkin bread (both available for special-order by the loaf ) and more.

LOADED BAKED POTATO SOUP

DECO CHICKEN WRAP

PREVIEW918.COM 79

JOHN ROBINSON

Many of the original ingredient combinations find their way into the Deco Deli’s daily specials. Every Monday, the Yardbird sandwich sells out consistently, and they often have people calling ahead to request three or four at a time. Made with hickory-smoked pulled chicken, peppered bacon, jalapenos, Gouda cheese and red onion, it’s all mixed with chipotle barbecue sauce and served on grilled jalapeno cheddar bread. He’s been asked to make more available each Monday to meet the demand, but for now the supply is limited.

And if you’re really on the go, they offer a call-in order option, and they even have a refrigerated case where you can pick up pre-made lunches and snacks and get back to your desk even quicker. The Deco Deli is also a favorite for catering for many downtown businesses, providing fresh, delicious food for all kinds of events and meetings. They also welcome house accounts, so they can easily be your go-to choice for lunch or meeting noshes.

There are different specials every day, depending on what’s seasonally available, and what has inspired John and his staff.

THE UNION DEPOT

80 DECEMBER 2016

Most customers work in neighboring buildings and head over for lunch, but John explains that you can get to the Deco Deli from as far away as the BOK tower, if you use the tunnels. The restaurant is also open for breakfast, featuring bagels, a hot breakfast sandwich and on-the-go yogurt parfaits. Fresh, healthy smoothies are served all day and are a popular menu item.

LOCATOR DECO DELI AND MARKET 415 S. Boston Ave. | Tulsa 918-938-6858

Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

DECO SALAD

Newest Sushi Buffet in Tulsa!

Where the locals have been going since 1975!

A s ian Cuis ine, Hibac hi, A m eric an F ood p l us m uc h, m uc h m ore.

Daily ls Lunch Specia Open at 11am Saturday Monday thru ay nd Su d se Clo

918.921.3 4 0 0 6560 E 51st St. | Tulsa Y utak aB uf f et- OK .c om

918.622.2668

In the Farm Shopping Center

Hours: Sun-Thurs 11-9:30pm • Fri-Sat 11-10:30pm

www.ricardostulsa.com 5629 E. 41st • Tulsa, OK

“Never on Sunday” VOTED TULSA’S BEST GREEK FOOD!

6.99 Saturdays

Spend $6.00 and get a drink for .99¢ $

1.20 Tuesday All Coneys!

WE HAVE YEROS, SANDWICHES AND BAKLAVA!

918.744.9018

1923 S Harvard Ave. Tulsa, OK 74112

See our feature on page 82

www.jimsconeyisland.net PREVIEW918.COM 81

MF MASTERS OF FLAVOR

SUBAN KING

All the exotic Thai flavors that those-in-the-know love are coming out of Suban Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Broken arrow kitchen, whICh serves as a tasty gateway to the wonders of southeast Asian cuisine. BEEF SALAD

By Donna Leahey // Photos by Marc Rains 82 DECEMBER 2016

Amazing Thai Cuisine is more than just flavorful, authentic Thai flavors. Co-owner Keith King believes, “It’s the American dream come true.” The Broken Arrow restaurant is the dream of Keith’s wife, Suban, who is the owner, manager and chef. She serves up delicious, healthy, flavorful meals with a northeast Thai flair.

for her family,” he says. “She learned all her recipes from her village, a very specific taste and flavor from that part of the country. We met while I was going to college in Thailand. She had no English, didn’t even know how to fasten a safety belt. Now she has perfect English and owns a restaurant. The American dream, and she worked hard for it. “That’s what immigrants do. Come over here, work hard, put a dream together.”

“Some Thai restaurants westernize their food, to try to appeal to Americans,” says Keith. “My wife doesn’t go there. She makes her Thai food like she made it for her family over there. She’s not going to change the true flavor. She’s serious about that, and I think that comes through. The reviews, the compliments, are all about the flavor. And we have a lot of Thai that come here. We are the most authentic Thai you’re going to find.” Keith is passionate about the health benefits of traditional Thai cuisine. He uses tom yum as an example — a flavorful spicy soup made with Thai chilies, lemongrass and coconut milk. “If you can eat the chilies, they can reduce inflammation and help you burn off fat,” he says. “The capsaicin in the chilies helps fight prostate cancer in lab rats. It stimulates your body, increases blood flow, protects platelets and is full of antioxidants. The Chinese use lemongrass to fight colds, arthritis and headaches. And coconut milk has good fats, helps to lower bad cholesterol while promoting good cholesterol. It helps the metabolism. Helps to fight aging and keeps your skin supple.” Keith is proud of what his wife has achieved. “Suban is from Thailand and grew up in the countryside. She learned how to make food every morning

Keith says Suban has always worked in food and hospitality. “She loves her customers. Nothing is more important to her. She cooks as if her customers are family. Every dish she makes, she takes personally. The recipes are all hers, the sauces are all hers, her family recipes. There are some Bangkok recipes for those who haven’t ventured that far northeast.” If you’re worried about Thai food’s spicy reputation, King offer a reassurance. “All the recipes can be tamed down to be not spicy at all. Thai peppers are the hottest thing out there, so you can have your spice level from zero to hero, amazing hot, Thai hot or not hot at all.” Keith is a veteran and his wife contracted with the army before they came to Broken Arrow. She took that experience and opened her first restaurant in Texas while he was in and out of six combat deployments. “While I was gone, she held down the house and managed the restaurant.” They settled in Oklahoma and opened Amazing Thai Cuisine. “This is not corporate; it’s all family owned,” he says. “It’s all hers. She started out with nothing and now supports the community with jobs.” Suban refuses to buy in bulk like many other restaurants. “She goes out every morning to the market, to three different local stores,” Keith says. “Fresh ingredients every day. The spring rolls are made in the morning, and if there are any left that night, she throws them out.”

NAM TOG

THAI TEA

With a state-of-the-art, point of sale system, Keith says, “We can cater to special requirements for diets. The egg rolls are vegetarian. Thai food lends itself to vegetarian, and with a minor adjustment can go vegan.” The most popular dish according to Keith, “is pad thai, hands down. The healthiest choice is pad ginger. It’s good for your blood, good for your health. It’s garlic, peppers and beef stir fried with mixed vegetables.” King’s favorite dish? “All of it,” he declares. “If I had to choose, Panang Curry. I’m a curry fan. It’s tasty and, like tom kha soup, your mouth is going to light up like the Fourth of July.” The feel of the dining room is authentic Thai. “The theme is simple,” says King, “more like what you’d see in a restaurant in Thailand than like a hyper-decorated American Thai restaurant. My wife has a good blend of the northeastern style and central Bangkok with their more ornate decorations. All the decor comes from Thailand, authentic pieces.” Amazing Thai Cuisine has options for folks too busy for a sit-down restaurant. There’s a catering menu for a larger crowd and a limited delivery area. Or you can take advantage of online ordering and use the pickup window to bring the fantastic Thai flavors home.

LOCATOR AMAZING THAI CUISINE 1232 E. Kenosha St. | Broken Arrow 918-258-8424 thaifoodbrokenarrow.com Tuesday-Friday: 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday: 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday: Closed

LAAB CHICKEN

PAD KA PROW

PREVIEW918.COM 83

Serving Southwest Cuisine for 30 Years! Best patio dining and margaritas in Tulsa!

BROOKSIDE

918.747.9463 | www.sonomatulsa.com 3523 South Peoria Avenue | Brookside | Tulsa, OK 84 DECEMBER 2016

BROOKSIDE

sushi with a pulse! Since 1969 the Aloisio family has served family recipes from Napoli and Abruzzi Italy. Come and enjoy our home cooking paired with fine wine and crafted beers. Full service bar.

CALL FOR RESERVATIONS & CARRY OUT 918.561.6300 â&#x20AC;¢ 3410 S. Peoria Ave.

f resh sushi + i ncredi b le k i tch en entrees + g reat happy hour + live music ( on B rook si de) + su nset v i ew s ( on th e h i ll) on th e h i ll 918.52 4.0063 b rook si de 918.744.1300 b rok en arrow 918.893.6111 call 918.671.0606 for catering

PREVIEW918.COM 85

R RECONNECT Christmas is coming, and music is a focal point of the season. Carols and holiday music filter through the houses and businesses of the majority, and this year, music lovers can enjoy fresh music from a seasoned musician with loads of holiday magic to share. Grady Nichols is more than your average musician: he’s an internationally renowned, award-winning pop and jazz saxophone player and family man. He has brought music and entertainment to crowds for over 20 years and is still going strong. Music is a strong part of who he is. “As long as I can remember, I’ve loved music,” Nichols says. “It touches the lives of so many people and brings everyone together. It’s been an incredible journey.” Nichols was born in Siloam Springs, Ark., and lived on a farm. All his life he fostered a love for music, but the saxophone found its way into his heart in the sixth grade. He fondly recalls years of practice in which he loved writing his own music so much, he spent a quarter of his practice time on what he was supposed to master and the majority on his own personal material. He spent hours outside practicing.

“

I can’t remember a time without music. It’s just always been there.

”

“I can’t remember a time without music. It’s just always been there,” Nichols says.

livin’ the life With God-given talent and a saxophone, Grady Nichols has remained one of the most in-demand musicians in the area thanks to a smooth and soft feel that blends R&B with jazz to create a refreshing sound in every note he plays. — by hannah gray gordon He moved to Tulsa, Okla. after graduating from John Brown University. Since then, he has made a name for himself in many venues of music, particularly jazz and pop, starting with his debut album Between You and Me in 1996. Albums released since then include Mysterious Intentions (1997), In the Fullness of Time (2001), Sophistication (2004), Take Me With You (2007), and Destinations (2012). He has opened for many legendary figures such as Luciano Pavarotti, Ray Charles, Jay Leno, The Temptations and William Shatner. He’s also performed with The Beach Boys, Wayman Tisdale, Roy Clark and many more, enabling him to become a seasoned and brilliant performer and writer.

86 DECEMBER 2016

Nichols’ talent has earned him a number of awards, including the Legacy Tribute Award from the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in 2004, the Charlie Christian Jazz Music Award for Outstanding Achievements in 2005, and the Absolute Best of Tulsa Award for Jazz Musician in 2008. He has also received an Emmy nomination.

Come HaveYour Taste Buds JUMPIN with FLAVOR

Performing and working with a wide variety of musicians has given Nichols a chance to work with some of the best in the industry and provided him with the incredible opportunity to grow as a musician. He lists some of his biggest influences as David Sanborn (his favorite saxophonist), as well as Jeff Lorber, Stan Getz, Joe Sample and Stevie Wonder. He is a huge fan of Chicago, particularly Bill Champlin. “Sometimes I’ll buy something without knowing what it is, simply because it has Lorber’s name on it,” Nichols says of his longtime friend, who has produced much of Nichols’ music including songs on the Christmas album. When asked what a typical weekend looks like for him, Nichols laughs. “It goes through seasons — there’s a cycle to the music business,” he says. “When you’re making an album, for example, there are press releases and album covers and promoting. There’s always something different happening, but you always want to be playing for someone. I also make sure to spend all the time I can with my wife and children. Family is very important to me.” He says that he is always moving from one event to another, loving every moment of being onstage. Nichols was quick to list his fans as the top reason he loves his career. “I can’t get over the fact that people come to hear you play. I think that it’s amazing,” he says. “At some point you still think, ‘this isn’t that great,’ and all those insecurities we all struggle with are still there. I think the most fun is seeing people who value what I’m doing enough to take their time to come, listen and let me play and entertain them.”

Breakfast, Jazz, Deli and Catering

“

FEATURING:

”

Barbara Anne’s Chicken & Wafﬂes

Inside Mathis Brothers Furniture / 6611 S 101st E Ave / Tulsa, OK 74133

918-461-7750

Mon-Friday 8:30AM-5:00PM Saturday 9:00AM-5:00PM

Sunday Brunch 10:00AM-5:00PM Breakfast served until 1:00PM

Let a Chef cook for you!

He loves nothing more than to feel the energy of the crowd as he performs; the passion they hold for his music fuels his shows. Christmas is a busy time for Nichols, who has several performances scheduled alongside promotion for his new album, Falling in Love with Christmas. The Christmas season is near and dear to his heart, and for years he wanted to make his own holiday album. This year he sat down and composed or arranged the selected pieces, feeling that the time was right. The album features a mix of original and classic Christmas songs in a range of styles as befits Nichols, who doesn’t fit his musical style into a box. His original track, “One More Christmas Song,” features Church on the Move’s Andy Chrisman in an upbeat, cheerful piece with that “feel-good” flair. Traditional songs like “Winter Wonderland,” “Little Drummer Boy,” and “Angels We Have Heard On High” are marked with fresh, new takes straight from Nichols’ heart. He is thrilled to feature orchestral backdrops to several songs, weaving a tapestry of warmth and cheer of the Christmas season for all who enjoy his music. Falling in Love with Christmas is available on iTunes, as well as at Lifeway and Mardel.

PREVIEW918.COM 87

Not Just an Ordinary Bar THE BRADY ARTS DISTRICT

Located in the heart of the Brady Arts District of downtown Tulsa Caz's Pub 21 West Matthew Brady St. \ Tulsa, OK 74103

918.585.8587 www.cazspub.com

"Upscale, Down Home Cooking" The most unique Tulsa downtown restaurant!

Patio, Private/Holiday Parties, Caterings JOIN US FOR HAPPY HOUR! Mon-Fri: 2-7pm and Fri-Sat: 9-11pm Additional Brunch Menu - Sat and Sun: 10:30am-2pm

Monday – Thursday, 11am-9pm • Friday, 11am-11pm Saturday, 10:30am-11pm • Sunday, 10:30am-9pm

88 DECEMBER 2016

918-588-CHOW(2469) | www.cazschowhouse.com 18 West Matthew Brady St. | Tulsa, OK 74103

Serving Authentic Mexican Cuisine Since 1987

A Tulsa Tradition!

• Dine-in or carry out • Delivery service available • Daily & weekly specials • Full catering services • Banquet facilities

www.mexicalibordercafe.com 14 West Matthew Brady St. Tulsa, OK 74103

TULSA'S

PREMIERE DANCE CLUB

We have dance floors and multiple bars that offer a great time. The club features high end lighting and sound, a positive, safe and comfortable atmosphere and an outdoor patio.

Live Jazz on Wednesdays and Fridays! "Best Brick Oven Pizza in Tulsa"

918.584.9494

124 N. Boston Ave.

ClubMajesticTulsa.com

Live DJ Entertainment!

114 N Boston | Tulsa, OK 74103

918.508.7000

PREVIEW918.COM 89

THE BRADY ARTS DISTRICT

918.582.3383

S SHOWTIME DECEMBER 2 JACKIE

DEC. 3 CLASSIC HOLIDAY CARTOONS HERE, THERE AND DEC. 4 EVERYWHERE PEARL HARBOR DAY DEC. 7 REMEMBRANCE

LETHAL WEAPON

DEC. 9-10

DEC. 9-15 NOCTURNAL ANIMALS DEC. 10 THE STRONG MAN DEC. 15 NO MAN’S LAND Following their hit run on Broadway, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart return to the West End stage in Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land Land,, broadcast live to cinemas from Wyndhams Theatre in London. An exclusive Q&A with the cast and director Sean Mathias will follow the broadcast.

DEC. 16-24

WHITE CHRISTMAS Selected showings will be accompanied by Circle’s live pipe organ. A successful song-anddance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general. Cast: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney

The film follows Jacqueline Kennedy in the days when she was First Lady in the White House and her life following the assassination of her husband, President John F. Kennedy, in 1963. It focuses on Theodore H. White’s Life magazine interview with the widow at Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. Cast: Natalie Portman, Greta Gerwig, Peter Sarsgaard

KEEP WATCHING

Jamie is a confused and problematic girl, hiding a secret. Her parents Carl and Betty are divorced, but she never accepted her new stepmother, Nicole. During a weekend, her family is imprisoned inside their own home by three psychopaths — anonymously under the names Mysterious, Terror and Creator. Jamie is forced to play a life-and-death game to save her family. Cast: Bella Thorne, Ioan Gruffudd, Natalie Martinez

LA LA LAND

In the heart of Los Angeles, aspiring actress Mia serves lattes to movie stars in between auditions while dedicated jazz musician Sebastian plays in dingy bars in order to scrape by. The two meet and fall in love, but as success mounts, the dreams they worked so hard to maintain threaten to rip them apart. Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, J.K. Simmons

THE FOUNDER

Chronicling the rise of McDonald’s fast food empire, The Founder tells the true story of how Illinois salesman Ray Kroc met brothers Mac and Dick McDonald, operating a hamburger restaurant in southern California in the 1950s. Kroc subtly maneuvers himself into a position to take control of their company, which grows into one of the world’s best-known brands after he buys the chain for $2.7 million in 1961. Cast: Michael Keaton, Laura Dern, Nick Offerman

DECEMBER 16

DECEMBER 9

COLLATERAL BEAUTY

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY

After the formation of the Galactic Empire, the Rebel Alliance recruits Jyn Erso to work with Cassian Andor and a team to steal the Death Star plans. Cast: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn

When successful, brilliant New York advertising executive Howard Inlet falls into depression after the loss of his daughter, he begins to escape from life entirely by writing letters to abstract concepts like love, time and death. Cast: Will Smith, Edward Norton, Keira Knightley

THE SPACE BETWEEN US

ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

DEC. 30-31 DEC. 30 -JAN. 5 JACKIE

JAN. 8 74TH GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS JAN. 13-19 ELLE JAN. 27-28 JOHN WICK Check Circle Cinema website for times, costs, additional events and more details.

90 DECEMBER 2016

OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY

When company CEO Carol Vanstone tries to close the branch of her hard-partying brother Clay, he and his chief technical officer must rally their co-workers and host an epic office Christmas party in an effort to impress a potential client and close a sale that will save their jobs. Cast: Jason Bateman, Jennifer Aniston, T.J. Miller

The first human born on Mars, whose astronaut mother was discovered pregnant on the voyage and died in childbirth because of Mars’ gravity, travels to Earth for the first time, experiencing the wonders of the planet through fresh eyes. He embarks on an adventure with a streetsmart girl that he video chatted with while on Mars to discover how he came to be. Cast: Asa Butterfield, Britt Robertson, Gary Oldman

SOLACE

A psychic doctor, John Clancy, works with an FBI special agent in search of serial killer Charles Ambrose. The problem is that Ambrose is also psychic, and far ahead of Clancy. Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Colin Farrell, Jeffrey Dean Morgan

SHOWTIME S DECEMBER 21

DECEMBER 23

LOCATOR

A MONSTER CALLS

ADMIRAL TWIN DRIVE-IN 7355 E. Easton Tulsa | 918.392.9959

Conor O’Malley is a young boy who tries to deal with the terminal illness of his mother and the attacks by local school bully Harry. One night, Conor encounters a “monster” in the form of a giant humanoid yew tree that has come to tell him stories and soon begins to help Conor fix his unhappy life. Cast: Lewis MacDougall, Felicity Jones, Liam Neeson

AMC SOUTHROADS 20 4923 E. 41st St. Tulsa | 888.AMC.4FUN B&B CLAREMORE 8 1407 W. Country Club Claremore | 918.342.2422 B&B CINEMA 8 1245 New Sapulpa Road Sapulpa | 918.227.7469

WHY HIM? ASSASSIN’S CREED

DECEMBER 25

Career criminal Callum Lynch is rescued from his own execution by Abstergo Industries, the modern-day incarnation of the Templar Order. He is forced to participate in the Animus Project and relive the memories of his ancestor Aguilar de Nerha, an assassin in the time of the Spanish Inquisition. As Lynch continues to experience Aguilar’s memories, he begins to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to confront the Templars — age-old enemies of the assassins — in the present day. Cast: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons

MISS SLOANE

Elizabeth Sloane struggles to push gun control measures in America. Cast: Jessica Chastain, Mark Strong, Alison Pill

FENCES

Set in 1950s Pittsburgh, a former PASSENGERS Negro league On its 120-year voyage to baseball player, a distant colony planet, the now working as spaceship Starship Avalon a waste collector, is carrying 5,259 passengers struggles to when it malfunctions. As provide for his a result, two hibernation family and come pods open prematurely to terms with the and the two people that events of his life. awoke are stranded on the Cast: Denzel Washington, spaceship, still 90 years from their destination. Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, Michael Sheen Viola Davis, Stephen Henderson

Ned Fleming and his wife Barb, along with their 15-year old son Scott, go to visit their eldest daughter Stephanie, where she introduces them to her boyfriend, Laird Mayhew. Mayhew is a wealthy and famous young man whose use of profanity, bubbly personality and frank honesty concerning personal matters are slightly overwhelming for Barb and Scott, and causes Ned to downright despise him. Cast: James Franco, Bryan Cranston, Zoey Deutch

20TH CENTURY WOMEN

Set in Santa Barbara, the film follows Dorothea Fields, a determined single mother in her mid-50s who is raising her adolescent son, Jamie, at a moment brimming with cultural change and rebellion. Dorothea enlists the help of Abbie, a free-spirited punk artist living as a boarder in the Fields’ home, and Julie, a savvy and provocative teenage neighbor. Cast: Annette Bening, Greta Gerwig, Elle Fanning

CINEMARK BROKEN ARROW 1801 E. Hillside Drive Broken Arrow | 918.355.0427 CINEMARK SAND SPRINGS 1112 E. Charles Page Blvd. Sand Springs 800.FAN.DANG (#1407) CINEMARK TULSA 10802 E. 71st S. Tulsa | 800.FAN.DANG (#1128) CIRCLE CINEMA 10 S. Lewis Ave. Tulsa | 918.592.3456 DICKINSON STARWORLD 20 10301 S. Memorial Drive Tulsa | 918.369.7469 ETON SQUARE 6 CINEMA 8421 E. 61st St. Tulsa | 918.286.2618 REGAL PROMENADE PALACE 4107 S. Yale Tulsa | 800.326.3264 STARPLEX CINEMAS OWASSO 12 12601 E. 86th St. N. Owasso | 918.376.9191 STARWORLD 20 10301 S Memorial Dr Tulsa | 918.369.7475

8421 E. 61St St. Suite V, Tulsa

Movie Line: 918.286.2618

Office: 918.286.0689

ALL NEW RELEASE MOVIES AT DISCOUNT PRICES. ALL DAY, EVERY DAY! ALL SHOWINGS BEFORE 6PM AT $4 AND $7 AFTER 6PM TUESDAYS AT $4 ALL DAY $4 FOR SENIORS AND KIDS UNDER 12 LOWEST CONCESSION PRICES IN TULSA! $4 KID’S MEAL (DRINK, POPCORN AND CANDY) $6.50 COMBO (SMALL DRINK, POPCORN AND CANDY) $8 COMBO (2 SMALL DRINKS, MEDIUM POPCORN) $10 COMBO (2 MEDIUM DRINKS, LARGE POPCORN)

SUPER SAVER CINEMA 5970 E. 31st St. Tulsa | 918.551.7002 VILLAGE 8 MOVIES 6808 S. Memorial Tulsa | 918.286.1900 WARREN THEATRE 1700 W. Aspen Creek Drive Broken Arrow | 918.893.9798

RELEASE DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

PREVIEW918.COM 91

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SNEAK PREVIEW SP JAN. 1 HANGOVER BALL

JAN. 19 DON HENLEY

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LESLIE JONES Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Tulsa)

JAN. 27-28 PETER AND THE STARCATCHER Tulsa Performing Arts Center

JAN. 6 CHRIS YOUNG River Spirit Casino Resort (Tulsa)

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JAN. 6-8 BIG OM YOGA RETREAT Sequoyah State Park (Hulbert)

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JAN. 7-8 MONSTER JAM BOK Center (Tulsa)

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JAN. 20 ALAN JACKSON

JAN. 14 CHARLIE WILSON River Spirit Casino Resort (Tulsa)

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