December 2017 (Vol. 31, No. 12) by Preview 918

WHOLE LATTE L

SEARCHING FOR A QUICK CAFFEINE FIX, OR A PRETTY POUR-OVER, WE'VE FOUND 25 PLACES WITH SERIOUS COFFEE CRED VE WHETHER

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

918

DECEMBER 2017

WINTER WONDERBAR COCKTAILS TO HELP MAKE SPIRITS BRIGHT

HOLIDAY GIVABLES THAT ARE AS IMPRESSIVE AS THEY ARE AFFORDABLE

NIGHT SHIFT

CHRISTMAS MOVIE MARATHON TULSA’S ROSIE THE RIVETER EMEKA NNAKA NATIVE GRILL & WINGS BLUESTONE STEAKHOUSE THE BISTRO AT SEVILLE LEANN RIMES AARON TIPPIN SAMMY KERSHAW

10 TIPS FOR WAKING REFRESHED

HOLIDANGERS PREVIEW 918.COM

12 WAYS TO MANAGE HOLIDAY STRESS

J U S T V I S I T I N G ? L I V I N G LO C A L? W E ’ V E G OT YO U C OV E R E D.

SLOW-SMOKED UP TO

12 HOURS

S U O I R E S ECUE BARB BABY BACK

RIBS

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/RIBCRIB

M FROM THE MAYOR As mayor of Tulsa, it is my honor to welcome you to our great city. Whether you’re visiting, or have deep roots here, I invite you to take time to explore our beautiful city and discover all the things that set us apart from other cities.

bike racing, the Tulsa Run, the Route 66 Marathon and the NCAA basketball finals. The Tulsa area offers more than 80 miles of pedestrian and bicycle trails for a great way to see Tulsa.

I highly recommend Preview 918 as your go-to guide to navigate our incredible city. For more than 30 years, Preview has covered the 918, offering Tulsans and visitors alike the inside scoop to area restaurants and cafés, lodging, local attractions and events, world-class entertainment venues, tourist destinations and unique shopping venues that are bound to please and delight. Our city is home to the world’s greatest collection of western art at the Gilcrease Museum as well as Italian Renaissance displays at the Philbrook Museum. It’s a treasure trove for lovers of architecture from mid-century modern housing to the downtown Art Deco District and our iconic BOK Center, designed by the internationally acclaimed architect César Pelli.

Tulsa is also a city on the move. In the next few years, we will open the greatest city park in America at Tulsa’s River Parks, become the home to an Olympic sport, and build a lake in the center of the city to create new recreational opportunities for our entire region. I’m pleased so many of you have made your home in Tulsa. If you’re visiting our city, please enjoy your stay here. I also want to invite you to come back often to experience opportunities you won’t find anywhere else. In the meantime, you can find out more about Tulsa by visiting cityoftulsa.‌org.

PREV EW VOL. 31, NO. 12

For over 30 years, Preview 918 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.

Best regards, G.T. Bynum, Mayor of Tulsa

Tulsa’s unique entertainment and shopping districts provide enjoyable experiences for the entire family. From an art crawl in the Brady District, to a concert at the historic Cain’s Ballroom, to a trip to the Tulsa Zoo or a leisurely drive along Route 66 — there’s no end to what you can experience here.

In over 100 area Hotels and Motels

For a night on the town, Tulsa serves up family entertainment at the Guthrie Green and Tulsa Drillers baseball at ONEOK Field. The Tulsa Performing Arts Center attracts Broadway musicals, renowned musicians and excellent local theater productions, and is home to the Tulsa Ballet. Sports spectators can look to the University of Tulsa or Oral Roberts University athletic programs, Tulsa Oiler hockey games, and Tulsa Roughnecks soccer. Or, time a visit to coincide with special events, such as Tulsa Tough

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Preview 918 is proudly displayed in the rooms, lobbies and/or front desks of over 100 hotels and motels in the Tulsa and surrounding Green Country communities. Copies are also available at hundreds of other locations including Oklahoma travel information centers, Tulsa International Airport visitor displays, Expo Square, office complexes, hospitals, Cancer Treatment Centers of America and in over 200 area restaurants. You can also find Preview 918 at participating QuikTrip, Reasor’s, CVS Pharmacies and Panera Bread locations as well as in Preview 918 yellow boxes throughout the Tulsa area.

G.T. Bynum

@PREVIEWTULSA

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chris Greer chrisg@previewgreencountry.com

MANAGING PHOTOGRAPHER Marc Rains marc@previewgreencountry.com

FIELD OPERATIONS MANAGER Stephen Hurt stephen@previewgreencountry.com

MANAGING EDITOR/ SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Michele Chiappetta michele@previewgreencountry.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chris Greer, Michele Chiappetta, Tiffany Duncan, Rob Harmon, Donna Leahey, G.K. Hizer, Gina Conroy, Lindsay Morris, Monica Craddock, John Tranchina, TravelOK.com

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Ann Murphy ann@previewgreencountry.com

CREATIVE DIRECTORS Jared Hood jared@previewgreencountry.com Beth Rose beth@previewgreencountry.com

4 DECEMBER 2017

PREVIEW918.COM

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Marc Rains, Valerie Grant, Chelsi Fisher, Parker Slack, Kelli Greer

ROUTE DISTRIBUTION Rachel Blanchard, Cory Blanchard, Garrett Rinner SENIOR CONSULTANT Randy Dietzel PUBLISHERS Robert and Amy Rinner robert@previewgreencountry.com

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WWW.ISSUU.COM/PREVIEWMAGAZINETULSA Local advertising and business inquiries: 918-745-1190. Copyright 2017 by Preview 918. Preview 918 is an affiliated publication produced by Fore Today Media Group. All rights reserved. Preview 918 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 918 ’s right to edit. While Preview 918 makes every reasonable effort to provide accurate and errorless information, it can’t be responsible for the consequences of any erratum or inadvertence. Preview 918 claims no credit for any images published in this issue unless otherwise noted. Images are copyright to their respective owners. The workouts, exercises and advice provided in Preview 918 and preview918.com are for educational and entertainment purposes only. Consult a physician before performing any exercise program. Preview 918, 10026-A S. Mingo, Suite 322, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133 preview918.com info@previewgreencountry.com © Fore Today Publications LLC

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TABLE OF CONTENTS DECEMBER 2017

C ON THE COVER

F FEATURES 78

The most wonderful time of the year is officially here! Between the ever-changing trends and the gal/guy-whohas-it-all, holiday giving is always a challenge. In the past, you’ve braved the mall and clicked until your knuckles hurt shopping online. Take a breath, the Preview 918 family is here to cure that holiday headache. Our team has been working hard to put together a fabulous holiday gift guide and wrapped it all up in a pretty little bow, because this year (whether you’ve been naughty or nice) you deserve a stress-free shopping experience.

26 HOLIDANGERS

The holiday season can bring mixed emotions for many. For some, it’s their favorite time of year. For others, it brings feelings of sadness and loss.

78 DARK SIDE OF THE SPOON

The world is obsessed with the coffee bean, and those in the 918 are no different. From handroasted beans and scene-stealing décor to comfy seating and a plethora of power outlets, these 25 destinations are in a class of their own.

30 ’TIS THE SEASON TO SHOP

This holiday season, be merry and gift well. We’ve rounded up 60 of our favorite stocking stuffers, over-thetop splurges, and unique experiences from the 918’s best boutiques, stores, restaurants and entertainment destinations for every person and personality on your list.

84 LORD OF THE WINGS

The array of wings found on Native Grill & Wings’ menu is extensive, as they take the basic concept of these little suckers and run them through an abundance of variations from traditional flavors to a host of bolder choices.

44 A REEL CHRISTMAS

To help map out your holiday movie mega-marathon, we’ve put together a list of 80 Christmas movies that are considerably better than watching a video of a burning log on your television.

70 62

88 FIRST-CLASS FARE

52 THE WOMAN OF STEEL

Duty and love for country were among the reasons Marina Metevelis answered the call to work defending the United States as one of the iconic bandanna-clad Rosie the Riveters.

D DEPARTMENTS 88 52 COVER CREDIT Photographer: Valerie Grant

6 DECEMBER 2017

8 $91.80 in 48 Challenge 10 Music + Concerts 12 Happenings 16 Street Talk 18 Conversation Starter 24 Sound Check 49 Downtown Locator

50 Tulsa Locator

70 Cocktail Confidential

56 Homegrown Heroes

72 Eats + Treats

58 Sports Central

76 Urban Grind

60 Sports Schedule

92 Masters of Flavor

62 Green Country Scene

94 Get to Know

64 Style + Shopping

96 Showtime

66 Health + Fitness

( 918 ) 9 4 9 ï&#x161;º 4 4 9 8 TAV O LOT U L S A . C O M ITALIAN RESTAURANT & CAFE

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.

918 $91.80 IN 48 CHALLENGE

In planning how to spend $91.80, Annie wanted to go to the Tulsa Zoo to see the meerkats and I wanted to go to the Arabian Horse Championship. We didn’t really plan for this, but we basically took a stroll down Sheridan Road. We veered off Sheridan a little, but just about covered it from top to bottom.

STOP #2

$26.02

STOP #1

When we heard that Friday night was ladies’ night at Xtreme Racing, we jumped in the car and headed out. Once on the track, Annie kicked into high gear and zoomed around the track like a professional. Me, well . . . it was my first time, so I was slower. We were on the 14-lap red track. The blue track consists of 12 laps. Toward the end of the race, I was getting the feel of driving but still ended up losing. Xtreme Racing is high-octane fun. Definitely plan to go back.

STOP #6

This was the first time Annie and I have gone to the Tulsa Zoo. The flamingos were amazing, the rhinos awesome and the elephants were fun. But the meerkats, they were special. I love animals and am always amazed at the different varieties in each species. The Tulsa Zoo does a great job of exhibiting the animals, birds, reptiles and fish.

$18

Our first stop Saturday morning was at the Savoy Restaurant, a Tulsa landmark since 1925. The packed parking lot was evidence of its popularity. Once inside, we waited 20 minutes to be served, but the wait was worth it. We couldn’t have asked for a better waiter. Jesse made us feel like family. We had a light breakfast with eggs, English muffin and waffles. As far as we’re concerned, the Savoy Restaurant serves the best breakfast in Tulsa.

The mission posed to Annie Rau and Janet Wagner was to 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.

STOP #3

On our way to the Expo Center, we stopped at Tulsa Stained Glass. I bought an amber bauble to hang in my kitchen window. We met Mascot Jack, the King $10 of the Mutt Strutt for DVIS (Domestic Violence Intervention Services). Being an animal lover, I was glad to learn about a safe place where animals can go when they get caught in domestic violence situations.

STOP #4 $9.52

Arabian horses are my favorite. The beautifully arched necks, thick manes and long tails — they are gracefully elegant. A highlight of the afternoon was getting my picture taken with Rejoice Rejoice (a national and reserve champion) from Strawberry Banks Farms in Aurora, New York.

STOP #5

We weren’t at the Arabian Championship Horse Show long before we $141.60 (PAID OUT OF OUR realized we were about the only ones not wearing cowboy boots. We OWN POCKETS) went to Drysdales Western Wear and I used some birthday money and the $10 off coupon in Preview to buy my first pair of cowboy boots. I love them. Now I just need to figure out how to get an Arabian horse.

STOP #7

$21.68

We were really hungry after the zoo and stopped at Freeway Cafe. What a fun retro place to eat. Awesome food and great service. Annie got a plate of fried green tomatoes and I had the Royal Burger, which is a third-pound burger topped with fried egg, bacon, lettuce and tomatoes. The Royal Burger is probably the best burger I think I have ever eaten. Adding fried egg and bacon was so delish.

STOP #8 $8.66

We left Freeway Café and slowly drove to Baskin-Robbins. We needed some time for the food to digest to make room for dessert. A double scoop ice cream cone for each of us was a sweet ending to a busy day. Annie got Jamoca and Chocolate Chip and I had Pralines ’n Cream with Jamoca Almond Fudge. So yummy.

THINK YOU CAN BLOW OUR CASH IN INTERESTING WAYS? 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 2017

PREVIEW918.COM 9

DEC. 4

PHOENIX AND COLD WAR KIDS

H HAPPENINGS DECEMBER

MUSIC/C ONCERTS

Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)

DEC. 1

DEC. 5

AMY GRANT AND MICHAEL W. SMITH

STRAIGHT NO CHASER

Brady Theater (Tulsa)

BOK Center (Tulsa)

THE WOOD BROTHERS

JOHN MORELAND

Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)

LITA FORD AND JACK RUSSELL’S GREAT WHITE

ALTER BRIDGE

DEC. 8

DUSTIN ARBUCKLE & THE DAMNATIONS

OLD DOMINION

KATY GUILLEN & THE GIRLS

PILGRIM

Soul City (Tulsa)

DEC. 10

21 SAVAGE

ELI YOUNG BAND

STYX

Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)

ROOTS AND BOOTS: AARON TIPPIN, SAMMY KERSHAW AND COLLIN RAYE

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa (Catoosa)

DEC. 21

SEETHER

Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)

DEC. 28

River Spirit Casino Resort (Tulsa)

BOK Center (Tulsa)

DEC. 14

JD MCPHERSON

Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)

BRIAN NHIRA

TOMMY EMMANUEL

WINK BURCHAM

Soul City (Tulsa)

DEC. 16

VanTrease PACE (Tulsa)

DEC. 9

BOK Center (Tulsa)

MARK GIBSON

Soul City (Tulsa)

LINDSEY STIRLING

LEANN RIMES

River Spirit Casino Resort (Tulsa)

Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)

Soul City (Tulsa)

Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)

Brady Theater (Tulsa)

MULTIPHONIC FUNK

RIVERFIELD ROCKS

TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION

WALK THE MOON AND DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL

IDL Ballroom (Tulsa)

DEC. 2

DEC. 15

DEC. 6

River Spirit Casino Resort (Tulsa)

DEC. 22

DESI AND CODY’S DIRTY SANTA PARTY

Soul City (Tulsa)

DEC. 23

DUSTIN PITTSLEY BAND

DEC. 29

THE GRITS

Soul City (Tulsa)

DEC. 30

RIO BAND

Soul City (Tulsa)

DEC. 30-31

TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS

Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa)

10 DECEMBER 2017

SATURDAY

MILLION DOLLAR

THURSDAY

ROOTS AND BOOTS

THURSDAY

CLAY WALKER WITH SPECIAL GUEST TRACY BYRD

12.28

01.20 CRISS ANGEL 8P

02.01

12.02

QUARTET

SATURDAY

GIVE THE GIFT OF ENTERTAINMENT SCAN TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Schedule subject to change.

DEC. 8-17

LIVING NATIVITY AT SHEPHERD’S CROSS Shepherd’s Cross (Claremore)

AI ALSO IN DECEMBER DEC. 1

FIRST FRIDAY ART CRAWL Various Locations in Brady District (Tulsa)

PEPPA PIG LIVE! Brady Theater (Tulsa) FRANK CALIENDO River Spirit Casino Resort (Tulsa)

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Sand Springs DEC. 1-3

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Tulsa Performing Arts Center USTRC OIL CAPITAL STAMPEDE Expo Square (Tulsa) AMERICAN FINALS RODEO Expo Center (Claremore) DEC.1-JAN. 4

SNOWFLAKE WINTER FESTIVAL ICE SKATING Downtown Tahlequah DEC. 1-JAN. 7, 2018

RHYMES & REASONS: THE MUSIC OF JOHN DENVER Woody Guthrie Center (Tulsa) WINTERFEST Downtown Tulsa 12 DECEMBER 2017

DEC. 2

MUSTACHE DASH 5K Mohawk Park (Tulsa)

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Hard Rock Hotel and

Casino Tulsa (Catoosa)

RIVER LIGHTS 41st St. Plaza (Tulsa) PAWHUSKA CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHTS 210 W. Main St. (Pawhuska) CHECOTAH CHRISTMAS PARADE AND TREE LIGHTING Downtown Checotah NOWATA CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Nowata DEC. 2-3

ROUTE 66 CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Miami PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET The American Legion

Post 1/1120 E. 8th St. (Tulsa)

GRAND NATIONAL GUN SHOW Expo Square (Tulsa)

DEC. 8-10, 13-17, 19-23

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Tulsa Performing Arts Center DEC. 9

BROKEN ARROW WINE WALK Rose District (Broken Arrow)

SAPULPA CHRISTMAS PARADE 101 E. Dewey (Sapulpa)

PRYOR CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHTS Downtown Pryor

COLLINSVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Collinsville

DEC. 7

VINITA CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Vinita FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PARADE Downtown Okmulgee DEC. 7-9

TULSA FARM SHOW Expo Square (Tulsa) DEC. 8

TAHLEQUAH CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHTS Downtown Tahlequah DEC. 8-10

AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB AGILITY TRIAL Expo Square (Tulsa) TULSA HOLIDAY MARKET Expo Square (Tulsa)

HENRYETTA CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHTS Main Street (Henryetta) SALINA CHRISTMAS PARADE 103 W. Ferry St. (Salina) TULSA CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Tulsa CLAREMORE CHRISTMAS PARADE Expo Center (Claremore) GROVE LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Grove JAY CHRISTMAS PARADE Main Street (Jay)

PREVIEW918.COM 13

AI ALSO IN DECEMBER DEC. 9-10, 15-17, 22-23

THE NUTCRACKER Tulsa Performing Arts Center DEC. 9-31

WEST BEND WINTERLAND Expo Center (Claremore) DEC. 10

CHRISTMAS WITH THE ANNIE MOSES BAND Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

DEC. 25

CHRISTMAS DEC. 28-30

TULSA SHOOT-OUT Expo Square (Tulsa) DEC. 28-31

TULSA HOLIDAY WINTER CIRCUIT Expo Square (Tulsa) DEC. 30

CHAD PRATHER Cox Business Center (Tulsa) DEC. 13

HANUKKAH DEC. 16

A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER Kiddie Park (Bartlesville) DRUMRIGHT CHRISTMAS PARADE Main Street (Drumright)

NEW YEAR’S EVE DEC. 31

Resort (Tulsa)

DANGERZONE BULL RIDING AND FUTURITY Expo Square (Claremore)

DEC. 21-22

DEC. 31

DEC. 18

XFN 345 River Spirit Casino SHERIDAN ROAD CHRISTMAS CABARET Tulsa Performing Arts Center 14 DECEMBER 2017

DEC. 31

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

PREVIEW918.COM 15

Real or fake Christmas tree?

ST STREET TALK

Until last year, I was team real tree. The smell, the nostalgia...it was something I lacked from my childhood. So when I had a family of my own, it immediately became one of our traditions. That is, until last year. Christmas 2016, we chose the tree from hell. The needles shed like mad and were inclined to stabbing. It honestly was not particularly fragrant. And the worst part was that the tree would not stay standing. We tried everything. We wrestled with the stand, we rotated the tree, sawed the tree...it was a battle we fought all season. On Dec. 26, that tree was on the curb with no fond farewells and I swore never again.

Nothing compares to the look, feel, and smell of a real tree. It might be more work, but it’s well worth it as long as you can keep the cats from climbing it.

SARAH

ABBIE Fake for several reasons including kids and dogs. Tree goes up on Black Friday and comes down around Jan. 6. Cheaper in the long run.

Artificial. Love the smell of real tree but not the mess.

S H AW N A

JENNIFER

Love the smell of the real trees however not the maintenance and mess. I use an artificial tree and plug a Christmas tree scent Scentsy warmer in behind it.

Fake mostly for convenience. I don’t have time to go looking for a real tree every year, plus I don’t have time to maintain and clean up after a real tree. I also have pets that would be tempted to play in a real tree.

AMBER

PAT R I C K

Fake, because, parrot would eat the tree.

D AW N

NOELLE

I like the idea of a real tree but I don’t like having to water it and clean up the needles. So artificial for me.

Fake tree since it’s better for the environment. We do use a real Advent wreath for family tradition. I guess it’s a compromise.

JOAN

ANDREA

Fake with lights. I hate stringing lights and now trees are made where entire strands don’t go out due to one bulb going out. It’s also the more economical option compared to buying a tree every year.

JENNIFER

When I was little we got a pine tree. My dad and I were absolutely miserable because of allergies. We’ve done a fake tree since then.

Always had real trees growing up. The smell was nice, but the mess was so bad. Now I use fake trees and decorate them in ways you never could a real one.

Always, always fake because I have always had really bad allergies and now that I have pets I can’t imagine having a real one.

Fake. I like the fact that it is less ecologically taxing, less to clean up, and more fire resistant. Although I do like the smell of a real tree.

Go with fake. I’m still finding needles from that real tree in 1998 and I’ve changed my carpet since then.

JENNA

JIM

T R AC Y

D AV I D

TERESA

Real tree. It looks better. It smells better. It’s more, uh, vintage. It’s the choice Ron Swanson [Parks and Recreation] would make too, which seems legit. WWRSD?

Neither. My “tree” of choice, now that I am older and have no children at home, is a small rosemary bush shaped like a Christmas tree. It comes potted, so I can decorate it or leave it plain, and use it for cooking, too. And if I forget to water it, I can strip the leaves and save them.

JOSH

SHELLEY

16 DECEMBER 2017

Real and fake. I always have one of each. I love the smell of a real tree. Plus it’s tradition and I am super sentimental.

Fake. There are just too many pine needles and I don’t like the fire hazard it could create.

JANICE

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.

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PREVIEW918.COM 17

WHETHER SINGING HOLIDAY CLASSICS OR HER COUNTRY AND POP HITS, LEANN RIMES WILL BE HELPING FANS GET INTO THE SPIRIT AS PART OF THE “TODAY IS CHRISTMAS” TOUR. 18 DECEMBER 2017

BY DONNA LEAHEY

LEANN RIMES

LeAnn Rimes has spent her life in the spotlight. At just 33 years old, her rich, emotive voice has propelled her into a 20-year career of country music stardom. With her 16th studio album, Remnants, released just last year, she shows no sign of slowing down.

OUR EMOTIVE VOCAL Y STYLE HAS OFTEN BEEN COMPARED TO PATSY CLINE. DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS CLINE’S SUCCESSOR? OR WOULD YOU PREFER TO AVOID THOSE COMPARISONS? Gosh, a successor? Can anyone be that to Patsy Cline? I will say she has always been a huge inspiration to me and to many others, so please know I am humbled and flattered to be compared to someone as great as her. I don’t dislike those comparisons; if anything I am honored. She is a legend.

Q. A.

HOW HAS YOUR EARLY SUCCESS IMPACTED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR MUSIC? DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE HAD A MORE NORMAL TEENAGE LIFE? Of course it impacted my life

but in so many wonderful and diverse ways. Once “Blue” hit the radio, life sped up, really, really fast. Some of those early years are a blur to be honest. I think there are things in my childhood

Loretta Lynn, Joni Mitchell, Judy Garland, Aretha Franklin, Prince and Merle Haggard. The list goes on.

Q. A.

OU HAVE CROSSED Y THE LINE FROM CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY TO COUNTRY POP AND BACK. DO YOU HAVE A STYLE PREFERENCE FOR ONE OR THE OTHER? N ot really. I make music that reflects the way I feel or what I am drawn to. I always tell people, maybe I’ll make a folk record. I love folk. With my newest album Remnants, I was inspired by music I grew up listening to — gospel and soul. So, once I started re-listening to that style of music, the songs followed, and the sound just came out, and it became more of a soulful experience for me to communicate.

Q. A.

ELL US ABOUT THIS T TOUR. WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT? I am coming to Tulsa on my

“Today is Christmas” tour. It is my annual holiday tour and I am so excited. I love Christmastime so I will sing some of my favorite holiday songs along with some of the fan favorites and then some of my regular hits as well. Who knows, I am always changing up the set list right before I go onstage. I drive my musical director crazy giving him a new song I want to try out for the evening. He loves the challenge. Trust me, it is going to be a lot of fun.

Q. A.

OU’RE KNOWN FOR Y YOUR PHILANTHROPY. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE CAUSES YOU SUPPORT? Absolutely. I work with the

National Psoriasis Foundation. I have been living with psoriasis since I was a little girl. I work every year with DAV (Disabled American Veterans), The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, Stand Up for Kids, as well as The Trevor Project. I recently began working with the Friend Movement and with Human Rights Campaign. We are here on this planet to help others. Everyone needs to find out what moves their hearts and spirits and get out and help those in need. Go and do where you can make a difference.

LEANN RIMES PARADISE COVE | RIVER SPIRIT CASINO RESORT 8330 Riverside Pkwy. | Tulsa 888-748-3731 riverspirittulsa.com

HO ARE SOME W OF YOUR MUSICAL INFLUENCES? J anis Joplin, Barbra Streisand,

Rimes is an accomplished singer and songwriter with shelves loaded with two Grammy Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, two World Music Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards, one Country Music Association Award, and one Dove Award. Rimes is also an actor, a writer, and a generous philanthropist.

Q. A.

Just before her 12th birthday, she recorded “Blue.” She was 13 when “Blue” hit the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s country albums chart, where it stayed for more than three months. At 14, Rimes won Best New Artist, making her the youngest to receive a Grammy Award.

I did miss due to being on the road and traveling so much, but when you add everything up on this journey, I have been blessed with the people I met and the interaction with other hearts. Looking back, I don’t regret it. I am thankful for it all.

LEANN RIMES

CONVERSATION STARTER CS

Dec. 15: 8 p.m. Must be 21 or older to attend

PREVIEW918.COM 19

J JENKS

20 DECEMBER 2017

J JENKS

PREVIEW918.COM 21

WITH A STRENGTH IN NUMBERS MENTALITY, SAMMY KERSHAW, AARON TIPPIN AND COLLIN RAYE ARE PROVING THEIR BOOTS STILL HAVE PLENTY OF “SOLE” AS THEY DELIVER THE HITS THAT BOLSTERED ‘90S COUNTRY MUSIC TO THE TOP OF THE CHARTS.

SAMMYKERSHAW &AARONTIPPIN

CS CONVERSATION STARTER

BY G.K. HIZER

Country music has changed. Today, it’s a lot of pop and rock, disguised with a little southern drawl and wrapped as “brocountry.” Back in the early-‘90s, a parade of artists were moving country in a modern direction while still keeping it rooted in Nashville and Texas traditions. Sammy Kershaw brought his own twist to country as his Louisiana roots merged with classic country. He met George Jones when he was just 14 and subsequently opened shows for Jones, Merle Haggard, and Ray Price while still in his teens. His 1993 single, “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful,” was his sole No. 1 hit, but he landed 10 more songs in the top 10, including three singles that peaked at No. 2: “National Working Woman’s

22 DECEMBER 2017

Holiday,” “Third Rate Romance” and “Love of My Life.” Aaron Tippin was born in Florida, but grew up in South Carolina, and was a commercial pilot in his 20’s before moving to Nashville in 1986, where he eventually landed a staff writer gig for Acuff-Rose. His debut single, “You’ve Got to Stand for Something,” launched his performing career in 1991, hitting No. 6 on the country charts and becoming a popular anthem with soldiers fighting in the Gulf War at the time. Tippin has charted 34 of his 38 released singles on the country charts, including three No. 1 hits: “There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong with the Radio,” “That’s as Close as I’ll Get to Loving You” and “Kiss This.” He may be

most recognized, however, for his 2001 single, “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagles Fly,” which reached No. 2 on the charts following the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers in New York City. Collin Raye originally was a member of the country act The Wrays, before launching his solo career with the album All I Can Be and the No. 1 single, “Love, Me.” He went on to chart 30 singles, including three more No. 1 hits: “In This Life,” “My Kind of Girl” and “I Can Still Feel You.” Together, the three artists will bring a parade of hits to classic and ‘90s country music fans at The Joint: Tulsa Dec. 28 with the Roots and Boots tour.

was written about two years over the years, but it always AT. song SK. ways prior, then released after 9/11. I guess comes back around. Sometimes it

are people like Merle Haggard, SK. roots Conway Twitty, George Jones, Oh, that’s easy. We’re the boots. The Tammy [Wynette] and Loretta [Lynn] and Ray Price. They’re the roots of country music and we’re the boots — we’re carrying that tradition forward.

AT. for saying that.

I like that answer. Give me credit

LOOKING BACK AT THE ROOTS OF COUNTRY MUSIC, IT’S CLEAR THAT MODERN COUNTRY MUSIC HAS CHANGED, ESPECIALLY OVER THE PAST 10 OR 12 YEARS. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF FITTING AMONG THAT CHANGE AND HOW HAS IT AFFECTED YOU?

OU’VE BOTH GONE Y THE INDEPENDENT ROUTE. HOW HAS THAT WORKED FOR YOU?

Records never told me what to do or what to record, but having my own label, I can do special projects. major labels. So many times AT. the the label and artist disagree on I kind of got my belly full with

labels were still building careers and artists and they’re not doing that anymore, that I can see. You can’t knock success, it’s just that some of it’s not for me. I can’t say it’s right or wrong, but I can say that some of it, I don’t like. That doesn’t mean they won’t have success with it.

but I try not to beat the new guys up too much. They’re doing what they’re doing and they’re having success with it, so clearly someone likes it. I’ve always been about a great story and the song. To me, that’s what makes it country music. Sometimes I call what I do “has-been” country, because things have changed so much. I think some of the greatest days in country music were the ‘90s. There weren’t six of us with hits, there were 30 of us — and we weren’t selling singles, we were selling albums.

what I can say about the song is this: there were a lot of songs being released after 9/11, and I think the big difference is most of those other songs were more about being suckerpunched and reacting. I wanted to say something more about who we were as a nation. I’d written that song and the label turned it down two years before. I never pushed the issue; I just put it aside. After 9/11 happened, I remembered I had that song put away and they wanted to do a benefit single, so I got to record it and all the proceeds went to charity for the victims’ families. I wanted to deliver a song of encouragement and hope, as opposed to what a lot of other people were doing.

I enjoy it a lot. It’s always more fun

I ’ve been doing this, singing, since I

I’ve got to agree. Obviously, things

takes longer, but it always comes back. Over the last year, I’ve been busy. This year has been crazy. I’ve seen a lot of people showing up and buying merch and selling out shows. We were playing to a few hundred people a couple of years ago, and now we’re seeing younger fans as well and they’re singing every word. I truly believe that country music is making a comeback.

you can do what you want SK. when to do. I was lucky because Mercury

12 years old — and I’m 48 now. SK. was When I came around in the ‘90s, the

changed a lot and it’s not the AT. have same country music that it used to be,

M ost people don’t know it, but that

what’s best for a career, and I think that’s usually why they part ways. I felt like I was constantly pulled in different directions. I tried to comply, by I never really felt like we were going in the same direction. After I went independent, it was a real blessing. It made it enjoyable again. When you’ve got a record executive over your shoulder wanting hits, the band doesn’t get to just cut loose and have fun. You end up chasing songs and doing what the label wants — and then, if it doesn’t work, it’s still your fault.

ARON, ONE OF YOUR A BIGGEST HITS WAS “WHERE THE STARS AND STRIPES AND THE EAGLES FLY,” WHICH CAME OUT AROUND THE TIME OF 9/11. CONSIDERING THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE AND THE RECENT SHOOTING TRAGEDIES, DO YOU FIND IT ODD THAT THE SONG IS STILL SO POIGNANT, OR DO YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT THAT?

OU ARE BOTH VETERANS Y OF THE ROAD AND THE INDUSTRY. WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING AFTER SO LONG?

to work on my planes, but the AT. home economy fell apart and I’ve got two

I was going to try retiring and staying

boys coming up and college tuition to think about, so here I am. When I was with the majors, I always tried to be Elvis, just marking things off the list: a new record, a hit single, winning an award. I’m having more fun now than I did the first 15 years I was playing. me. That’s why I still make new SK. forrecords. A lot of people don’t know

I love what I do. That’s the whole point or realize it, but I still love it and I’m trying to stay relevant until country rolls back strong.

THE JOINT | HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO TULSA

777 W. Cherokee St. | Catoosa 918-384-ROCK (x7625) hardrockcasinotulsa.com

ou know, that’s a good question. Y I’m really not sure who came up with that, but I guess it’s a good name for a tour.

I’ve seen country go many different

AT.

IF THIS IS THE ROOTS AND BOOTS TOUR, WHO’S THE ROOTS AND WHO’S THE BOOTS?

&AARONTIPPIN

CONVERSATION STARTER CS

Roots and Boots: Aaron Tippin, Sammy Kershaw and Collin Raye Dec. 28: 8 p.m. Must be 21 or older to attend

PREVIEW918.COM 23

SC SOUND CHECK

A dozen years after forming and a decade past its initial CD release, the TURNPIKE

TROUBADOURS have climbed into the upper echelon of Red Dirt acts, building an ever-growing national audience.

BY G .K . H I Z ER 24 DECEMBER 2017

When asking local music fans about their favorite Red Dirt artists, answers will cross a spectrum as broad as the styles that have been incorporated into the genre. Names like Cross Canadian Ragweed, Red Dirt Rangers, Stoney LaRue, Jason Boland & the Stragglers, and even Bob Childers will consistently come up, especially amongst older fans. The name that consistently comes up amongst fans young and old, however, is Turnpike Troubadours.

A dozen years after forming and a decade past its initial CD release, Bossier City, the group has quietly climbed into the upper echelon of Red Dirt acts, building an ever-growing national audience, with a group of level heads and road warrior work ethic. Most Tulsa fans will remember Turnpike Troubadours as the group that emerged out of Tahlequah to finally get its first break in Tulsa with a gig at Mercury Lounge, opening for The Brandon Clark Band in 2006. The fan base grew quickly as the

group’s energy was contagious and the “band of brothers” attitude shared between members was easy to identify with. When the band released its independent debut, Bossier City, in 2007, word started to spread. Even as a young band, frontman Evan Felker and his bandmates were adept at telling stories lush with detail and characters that captured an audience’s imagination. By the time their sophomore release, Diamonds & Gasoline, came out in 2010, it was clear that the Troubadours

Even as the band has grown, it has remained an independent the entire time, releasing each album on its own label, Bossier City Records. “Yeah, it can be a challenge,” Edwards says, “but you don’t necessarily need to be forced down people’s throats by radio any more. Somebody may be listening to Drive-By Truckers radio on Pandora or Spotify and hear our song, then check us out and come to a show. That’s a pretty neat aspect of technology now. The fact that people can find us in so many different ways is very cool.”

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In October, the Turnpike Troubadours released its fifth album, A Long Way from Your Heart, with a packed-house release party at The Criterion in Oklahoma City. The album reached No. 3 on the national country charts and No. 1 on the independent and folk music charts. That release party launched a national tour that brings the band home for a two-night stand at Cain’s Ballroom over New Year’s Eve weekend.

“I’ve always maintained that we are a country band at heart,” says founding member R.C. Edwards. “Sure, there’s a little garage rock spirit in there, but we have traditional roots and we’re more of a country band.”

paradise paradise Tickets On Sale Now never sounded frank caliendo never sounded

As the band has grown, it has embraced its role as leaders in the Red Dirt scene, keeping its roots firmly planted in Oklahoma. In 2013, the Troubadours teamed up with Jason Boland to co-found the Medicine Stone Music Festival at Diamond Head resort in Tahlequah. A threeday celebration of Red Dirt and country, the festival has tripled in size over the course of the past five years and become a must-attend event for fans of the genre, featuring a broad cross-section of Red Dirt, Texas-country, and Americana artists while spotlighting an Oklahomaheavy artist lineup.

Even when the band originally emerged, they didn’t necessarily identify themselves with the Red Dirt scene that has since embraced them, holding a more purist view that real Red Dirt generally comes out of the Stillwater music scene.

SoSoGood. Good.

Since then, the Turnpike Troubadours have continued to grow, becoming one of the shining stars of the Red Dirt movement and one of the most popular acts in Oklahoma and Texas. The band’s appeal reaches well outside of the region and traditional Red Dirt fans, however. Having continually toured across the U.S., the band routinely packs the house in venues across the South and Midwest, as well as legendary clubs like The Troubadour in Los Angeles.

Part of what sets Turnpike Troubadours apart from many of its peers is the band’s deep roots in classic country, delivered with a rock ‘n’ roll punch. That merely punctuates the vivid storytelling that has only become more vibrant with each subsequent release.

had found their niche with songwriting that had only grown more engaging, and the group had already established itself as a touring act to reckon with.

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PREVIEW918.COM 25

The holiday season can bring mixed emotions for many. For some, it’s their favorite time of year. For others, it brings feelings of sadness and loss. By Rob Harmon

For many Tulsans, the holiday season comes with mixed emotions. It’s the most wonderful time of the year for some, as they reconnect with friends and family, reminiscing nostalgic pasts. For others, sadness, conflict and anxiety are more appropriate words to describe the holidays. Hectic shopping, dangerous crowds, endless cooking, tiresome cleaning, exuberant parties, over-eating and unpredictable weather can all trigger challenging feelings, making this a troublesome time of the year for our mental health. The season of giving, as it is so often called, many times involves the stress of what to get for all the children in the family or other loved ones in your life. These days, many families are also blended families with complex dynamics that make it even more difficult to navigate through the holidays. Questions like, “Can I afford to get everything everyone wants?” “How much is too much?” and “What relatives do we give gifts to this year?” don’t come with easy answers. All the expectations and, for some of us, previous broken holiday promises, can cause us to withdraw and become emotionally overwhelmed.

26 DECEMBER 2017

But, making holiday memories doesn’t have to be something to simply survive; it can be a time for new starts and positive vibes. With a special thanks to the Mental Health Association Oklahoma’s Mark Davis and Mike Brose, here are a few tips that could help with your mental health this time of the year.

Make time for yourself

With all the holiday rushing and bustling, we forget self-care. If that’s a completely foreign concept to you, keep reading. Putting on your oxygen mask first, before helping others has become the perfect metaphor for self-care. If you burn out due to stress and anxiety, how can you give to those who need you? Read. Do yoga. Take a bath. Journal. The things that energize you, do these. In the end, neglecting yourself is really neglecting everybody else.

Enjoy the positives

“Sometimes our mindset really dictates the type of holiday we have on a mental level,” says Davis. “If you choose to focus on the silver lining in things, you’ll have a great holiday. Whatever you do have, focus on those things.” Christmas can often be about what we don’t have. That can lead to depressive thoughts and negative thinking. Choosing to look at the good in all circumstances can lead to a happier and more content holiday.

Narrow down your priorities

“The way the holiday is structured, there’s a drop-dead time,” says Brose. “It’s Christmas Eve, now it’s Christmas morning, and all these things are shoved in there. Usually people are trying to do too much. With all the traditions out there, we have a hard time giving them up, but sometimes you need to choose what’s

important to you and your family, not what everyone else thinks. The earlier you can decide that kind of thing, the better, even as early as July.”

Try something new

“Buy a tube of chocolate chip cookies and make them as a family,” says Davis. “Do something different from what you’ve done before, and don’t get caught up in what mainstream society says your family should do.” Play a new family game together. For singles, try a new Netflix or Amazon Prime show to binge watch on a holiday weekend.

Acknowledge your feelings

Ask yourself how you’re feeling throughout the holidays and if the feelings aren’t positive, ask yourself what may be causing the feelings and what you can do about it. For example, if Facebook is causing you to be jealous, angry or sad, take a break from it for a period of time. Make time to chat with a good listener about what you’re really feeling.

Lean on someone caring and supportive

“We like to say, ‘Surround yourself with family,’ but some of us are disconnected and estranged from family. The thing that you want to avoid is loneliness,” says Davis. “We want to know we’re valued and that we have a purpose, so hanging around people you connect with and love is of utmost importance.” Emotions run high during the holidays and being around caring and emotionally supportive friends can be the best thing.

Have fun but do it in moderation

Don’t forget to sleep. Enjoy the food and drinks but don’t overdo it. Play some video games, but not for two weeks straight. Holiday parties and alcohol go hand in

hand this time of the year. Often, a drink or two can help us de-stress, but sometimes we can abuse alcohol. Sadly, that can lead to more problems. Set a limit beforehand and stick to it.

Enjoy free holiday activities

If it snows, find a hill and go sledding. Check out Philbrook Museum of Art for free on the second Saturday of every month. Take a stroll down Jenks’ Main Street. Do some people watching and window shopping. Play board games over hot chocolate. Look for ways to lessen the blow of holiday spending.

Avoid family conf lict

Here’s a saying that rings true this time of the year: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” If you know doing or saying something to another member of the family will cause strife, don’t do it. If you know that three days in a row with Uncle Joe is too much, only visit for two days.

Limit the calories and increase the exercise

Let’s be honest. Holiday desserts are the bomb. But saying ‘no’ to a second or third piece, as well as increasing exercise, can improve your mood and reduce anxiety during these days. Exercising helps your body release feel-good brain chemicals that can help tackle some of that holiday stress

and depression. Try some yoga. Bundle up and go take an afternoon walk. Stay active and eat less than the entire pecan pie.

Take time to volunteer

One of the most rewarding things you can do during the holidays is to volunteer in some way. Helping those who are less fortunate yields rewards tenfold. So many times, the old saying, “It is better to give than to receive,” is proven true in the end. Volunteer at a food pantry or take some old clothes to a downtown shelter.

Have realistic holiday goals

Whether it’s spending goals, nutrition goals or family expectations, keep it realistic. Setting the bar too high during this time of the year can often lead to hurt feelings, frustration, and even more stress and anxiety than you started with. Not everything has to work out perfectly. Remembering to stay positive, even if things don’t turn out exactly the way you planned, will help you enjoy the moment and see the good that truly does exist this holiday season.

PREVIEW918.COM 27

B THE BOXYARD B

28 DECEMBER 2017

B THE BOXYARD

guilt-free prices you won't even have to wait for it to go on sale free gift with every $50 purchase @beauandarrowusa 918.990.2218 www.beauandarrowusa.com

PREVIEW918.COM 29

This holiday season, be merry and gift well. We’ve rounded up 60 of our favorite stocking stuffers, over-the-top splurges, and unique experiences from the 918’s best boutiques, stores, restaurants and entertainment destinations for every person and personality on your list.

No matter what holidays you like to celebrate at this time of year — all of them, some of them, or even if you don’t really celebrate a specific holiday at all — there’s still something magical about winter’s arrival, the ending of the year, and the sense of joy that fills the air around the holiday season. And with all the parties, work events, family get-togethers, dinners, dirty Santa games and even charity giving that happens at this time of year, there’s no better time than December to explore the vastly creative, inventive, excellent local mom-and-pop shops, boutiques, restaurants and entertainment destinations that are uniquely a part of Green Country. To help you make the most of your shopping time this season, the crew at Preview 918 has gathered together a fabulous list of places that are locally owned and operated — one-of-a-kind places that will serve you well, whether you’re looking for stocking stuffers, secret Santa presents, gifts fit for any Hanukkah or Kwanzaa celebration, even that Festivus-for-the-restof-us treat you’re buying as a tongue-incheek gift for your pals. These are some of our favorites. And we hope they’ll become your favorites too, not just at the holiday season but all year long!

30 DECEMBER 2017

Abelina’s Boutique

THE BOXYARD | 502 E. 3RD ST., UNIT 6 | TULSA THE FARM | 5219 S. SHERIDAN ROAD | TULSA Deck yourself or your special someone in the one-of-a-kind, trendy, casual chic apparel and accessories found at Abelina’s. They carry a range of choices, from elegant to eclectic. A gift certificate here will help your loved one choose something decidedly fun, whether it is denim, dressy tops, seasonal T-shirts, sweaters, dangly jewelry, floppy fashion hats, or other accessories great for a trip to a beach resort.

Beau & Arrow

THE BOXYARD | 502 E. 3RD ST., UNIT 11 | TULSA Make a special lady smile with a gorgeous chic holiday sweater from this trendy little boutique. Cute tops, perfect tees and sweet accessories that match everything are exactly what you’ll find at Beau & Arrow. For a woman who loves casual clothes with style or sporty, couture-looking tops and bottoms, this is a must-visit. You’ll have a hard time finding anything in this shop she won’t just absolutely adore.

The Boxyard Boomtown Tees

114A S. ELGIN AVE. | TULSA Graphic tees have been in style for what seems like forever. And if you grew up in Tulsa, Boomtown is a wearable treasure trove of childhood memories. This awesome shop in the heart of the Blue Dome District has so many custom designs inspired by Tulsa and the state of Oklahoma, you won’t be able to walk out without seeing at least a dozen shirts you just have to have. T-shirt designs include references from The Outsiders, Route 66, iconic Oklahoma landmarks, Oklahoma-isms, famous quotes, and college sports team fandoms, among others. But don’t just get a tee for yourself. Novelty tees are always a great gift to give, and Boomtown offers new designs regularly, great sales (including a $10 T-shirt of the month deal), and cute magnets and mugs too. It’s a great place to start shopping during the holidays.

502 E. 3RD ST. | TULSA Comprised entirely of shipping containers, The Boxyard brings a new aesthetic to downtown Tulsa — the kind of minimalistic, industrial chic that is usually only associated with larger cities like Denver or Austin. With all of its incredible food, retail, services, drink, and tasty treat options set in such a stylish venue, The Boxyard isa great place to meet up with friends and enjoy a unique relaxing and mingling experience. The stacked shipping containers form a two-story semicircle around a center courtyard, and the containers house independent, micro-crafted businesses — from coffee, candy, food, libations, and ice cream to clothing, gifts, jewelry toys, and locally made goods. There are also specialized services available, like a barbershop, foot and shoulder massage, and even a bank.

PREVIEW918.COM 31

Drysdales Western Wear

3220 S. MEMORIAL DRIVE | TULSA 10127 S. 71ST E. AVE. | TULSA For nearly 40 years, the independently owned and operated Drysdales has been keeping Green Country residents looking and feeling good. Plan to spend some time here exploring the amazing array of authentic Western brand clothes, locally crafted jewelry, tribal turquoise and silver, Pendleton blankets and more. You’ll find the area’s best selection of Carhartt work clothes, as well as the biggest selection of boots from makers as revered as Ariat, Tony Lama, Lucchese, and Anderson Bean. And with 100,000 pairs of jeans to choose from, Drysdales will make your denim dreams come true. And for the young collectors in your life, Drysdales stocks plenty of Breyer horse figures, including the limited editions.

Edible Arrangements

Dwelling Spaces & JoeBot’s Coffee

3311 S. PEORIA AVE. | TULSA 7731 E. 91ST ST. | TULSA 9025 N. 121ST E. AVE., SUITE 100 | OWASSO Who doesn’t love delicious food? With all the indulgences you’re about to allow yourself this month, consider evening out the health score by bringing a fresh fruit arrangement from Edible Arrangements to holiday parties. Beautifully arranged gourmet fruit gift bouquets, fruit salads, chocolate dipped strawberries, adorable chocolate covered fruit pops… all make unique gifts for the health food lovers, children, and special someones in your life. Some locations offer fresh smoothies — a great reason to give a gift card. And each Edible Arrangements delivers to many towns around Green Country.

THE BOXYARD | 502 E. 3RD ST., UNITS 18-22 | TULSA For years, Dwelling Spaces has been an awesome place for shopping local. Moving to The Boxyard has given the shop an opportunity to expand their arts, music, and media gifts sections and develop an awesome coffee bar called JoeBot’s Coffee. Get your Bigfoot Oklahoma stuff like patches, t-shirts, stickers and more. Other local-themed tees, buttons and so many other cool, eclectic, locally crafted holiday gift ideas are waiting for the taking, so don’t wait too long.

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa

777 W. CHEROKEE ST. | CATOOSA Who doesn’t love rock ‘n’ roll? You’ll be singing “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” after getting all your rock-themed merchandise for friends and family from the gift shop inside the casino. Grab a hat with one of the world’s most iconic logos on it. Snatch a collectible pin or two for the teens in your life. Pins and buttons are kind of big right now, and this shop has got them. Afterward, look to score at the casino that features more than 2,600 electronic games and one of the largest arrays

32 DECEMBER 2017

of table games from blackjack and roulette to craps and poker. Or splurge on the gift of a hotel room, spa treatment, dinner out, or a concert for two at The Joint: Tulsa.

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.

Celebrating

20 Years!

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

PREVIEW918.COM 33

Hooters

8108 E. 61ST ST. | TULSA Hooters is an American institution. Those easy-to-spot orange shorts and white tank tops with the owl on the front have been etched into the minds of millions. You don’t have to work there to get your own Hooters uniform. Now, you can get one of your own or for someone you love at the gift shop. They’ve got hats, calendars, mugs and koozies too. And if you can’t exactly find that perfect Christmas gift, get a gift card to the restaurant. Beyond the heavenly wings, other eats, drinks and wait staff, Hooters continues to thrive because it sticks to what it knows while always looking for ways to be tastefully innovative.

Ida Red

3336 S. PEORIA AVE. | TULSA 208 A N. MAIN ST. | TULSA Visit Ida Red on Peoria, and you’ve reached the pinnacle of gift shops for all-things-Tulsa and Oklahoma. Custom T-shirts and mugs and so many other tchotchkes fill this store to the ceiling. Plan plenty of time to visit, because there’s so much to see, you’ll have a hard time deciding which gift to buy Aunt Erma for Christmas. In addition, the store’s Tulsa-themed coaster collection is a hit with customers. Bearing images of Tulsa landmarks both new and old, the coasters can be mixed and matched as you please. Even the candy section is impressive, featuring lots of nostalgic, unusual, hard-to-find treats like Valomilk, Cherry Mash and other brands. Visit the downtown location and get a malt from their old-school soda fountain after making your holiday purchases.

I-44 Antique Mall

5111 S. PEORIA AVE. | TULSA Whether you know a collector who’s hard to buy for, a friend who adores antiques, or a loved one who wants to wear vintage clothes, you can’t go wrong browsing the many shelves at the I-44 Antique Mall. You’ll find so many clever, unique, quality collectibles here — petroliana, Frankoma

34 DECEMBER 2017

Incredible Pizza pottery, vintage toys, sports memorabilia, furniture, marbles, buttons, purses and more. If you can imagine collecting it, you’ll probably find it here. Buyers come from all over the U.S. to shop here, so don’t miss out on making it a vital holiday shopping stop.

8314 E. 71ST ST. | TULSA Whether you’re looking for something a little more physically active for the kids to do while the weather outside is frightful, a place to book a company holiday party for the coworkers and their families, or simply some delicious pizza and homemade goodies, this huge and conveniently located fun zone may be the answer. All under one roof, this place houses a roller coaster, bumper cars, mini bowling, games, trampolines, laser tag and go-kart racing, and a wide selection of video games for all ages. If you get hungry after all that fun, Incredible Pizza offers much more than the average pizza buffet. Satisfy any sweet tooth with soft serve ice cream, freshly baked cookies, pies, cobblers, bread pudding and more.

Indigo Spa & Salon

4329 S. PEORIA AVE. #325 | TULSA There’s just about nothing better than receiving a gift that allows you to pamper yourself a little more than you usually do. For that, Indigo Spa & Salon is right up your alley. Escape to pampering, pleasure and a wellness retreat where all-over body bliss is not in short supply. The bright, open spa environment is perfect for indulging in facials, manicures, pedicures, organic microdermabrasion, body wraps,

massages, and more. Get a gift card for a special someone, and while you’re there, take advantage of getting a cut, color, polish or other treatment to prepare yourself for holiday parties. The stylists and technicians are all upbeat and cheery, a sure sign they like where they work and what they do. Many of them have worked at Indigo for years, giving a sense of continuity and reliability to their clientele.

Jules Boutique

6333-B E. 120TH COURT | TULSA If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind clothing, shoes, jewelry and other accessories — or a gift certificate that your significant other can use to splurge on items you can’t find at an area department store — Jules Boutique is a great place to start. Owner Julee March constantly stocks limited quantities of unique clothing, so you can rest assured you’re probably not going to run into someone else in Tulsa wearing what you’re wearing. Whether shopping for chic office attire or a dress for a special evening, we know you’ll be in for something both lovely and unique. And she and her staff are great at helping customers find just the right fit. A visit here is an experience your loved one won’t soon forget.

Landella

THE BOXYARD | 502 E. 3RD ST., UNIT 8 | TULSA Owned by the same folks who own Spexton, Landella offers an interesting blend of gift items for the elegant bohemian you know. The handcrafted jewelry mixes leather and beads, hammered metal, brushed Tulsa diamond charms, and more. They also carry

hip cosmetics such as theBalm Girls, Meet Matt(e) Hughes, and Bahama Mama, as well as a great selection of body butters, scrubs, bath salts, nail polish, makeup bags, hair ties, keychains, candles and other similar gift items.

Miss McGillicutty’s

106 E. MAIN ST. | JENKS It’s like stepping into the past with every visit to one of downtown Jenks’s most unique collectible and antique shops. Find something for that someone who has everything this holiday season, and you’ll make a memory that lasts forever. For gifts as little as coins or jewelry, or as big as a vintage armoire or settee love seat, you’re practically guaranteed to find a gem of a deal at this dealer and consignment shop. Don’t forget to pet the store’s mascot, Boomer, while you’re there.

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Modern Mess

THE BOXYARD | 502 E. 3RD ST., UNIT 4 | TULSA This risk-taking little fashion shop is perfect for finding those eclectic, boundarypushing clothing and shoe choices that scream girl power. From sparkly shirts and cats-eye sunglasses to cute leather jackets and silver shoes, you’ll find something perfect for the significant other in your life who loves retro style, maybe a bit of glitter mixed with casual denim.

Plaster Paint

501 S. CHEROKEE ST. | CATOOSA For the DIY kings and queens on your gift list, consider making a shopping trip to Plaster Paint Company. This locally owned, craft paint shop sells specialty paints in over 40 colors for DIY furniture and crafting projects. They also carry paintbrushes, cleaners, paste wax, aging wax, gloss and other products perfect for the person who loves repurposing old objects for new uses. Visit their sister site, Wild Heart Marketplace & Cafe, to shop their one-of-akind gift items or get a gift card to the cafe.

POSTOAK Lodge and Retreat

5323 W. 31ST ST. N. | TULSA One of the best gift ideas we can think of this holiday season is a gift certificate to POSTOAK. Send loved ones zip-lining through the Osage Hills next spring. Give a newly married couple a chance to work on their relationship-building skills, all while staying at one of Green Country’s premier retreats. Or just buy a certificate for you and that special someone and slip quietly away from the daily grind. POSTOAK is all about relaxation

and recreation. Activities that lodgers enjoy include swimming, fishing, hiking, horseshoes, in-room massages, outdoor heated Jacuzzis, bird watching, and relaxing in the peace and quiet of the site’s thousand acres of wooded fun. There are seasonal activities including lawn games, basketball, and volleyball in warmer seasons and bonfires, s’mores, indoor board games, and a grand fireplace in the main lodge during cool weather.

Molly’s Landing

3700 N. OLD HWY. 66 | CATOOSA It’s a hard choice as to when to visit this cool gift shop — whether before or after having one of the most amazing dining experience in Green Country. Molly’s is known around the country as one of the best restaurants along the Old Route 66 highway. Inside Molly’s gift shop, you can take a little bit of this Route 66

36 DECEMBER 2017

gem home with you. Jelly, jam, collector spoons or kitschy lamps, Molly’s is a great place to find a little Americana to take home. The gift shop is full of beautiful jewelry, unique boxes carved from stalagmites, and souvenirs of all varieties. People like to shop in there while waiting for their table or on their way out.

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River Spirit Casino Resort

8330 RIVERSIDE PARKWAY | TULSA A gift certificate this holiday season to River Spirit’s Emerge Spa and Salon can help your loved one float away in peaceful tranquility, and then return home refreshed and ready to have fun. Amazing, out-of-this-world spa treatments that relieve stress — body, mind and soul — could be the best gift ever. Or book a staycation in one of the hotel’s 483 luxury rooms, and forget the world for a while. It may be just what Mrs. Claus ordered. Coordinate your shopping visit with a concert at the Paradise Cove or work on the wish lists while dining at the Fireside Grill, 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville or Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

Safari Joe’s H2O

Rose Rock Microcreamery

THE BOXYARD | 502 E. 3RD ST., UNIT 35 | TULSA We had to include this place for the ice-cream lovers in the family that have everything. The artisans at this microcreamery serve some of the freshest, all-natural flavors found in Tulsa, and it makes a difference with every bite. With new, hand-crafted flavors all the time, a gift certificate to this place would be a gift that keeps on giving. Exciting, mouth-

pleasing flavors like Sage Salted Pecan, Vegan Lemongrass, Honey Blood Orange with Cardamon and Mango Sorbet make you wonder what they’ll come up with next.

Spa810

9136 S. SHERIDAN ROAD | TULSA Treat your loved ones with the gift of pampering this holiday season with a gift certificate to the excellent massage, skin and body therapists at Spa810. Even their traditional style, 60-minute signature massage takes it up a notch by incorporating warm towels, a sugar foot scrub, scalp massage,

38 DECEMBER 2017

aromatherapy, and essential oil treatments. Choose hot or cold stone therapies, body wraps, a Kundalini back treatment, reflexology, or more. Their skin, laser and body contouring services will have you feeling young and lean again. Spa810 is a great splurge gift, any way you look at it.

4707 E. 21ST ST. | TULSA One of the best stocking stuffers this year might be a 2018 season pass to Tulsa’s best and greatest swimming hole — Safari Joe’s H2O. Green Country’s one of a kind, stateof-the-art swim park combines mammoth slides and wave pools with a world of live animals and reptiles. A season pass gets you through the gates any time the park is open, with just a few exceptions. Get a Mega Pass for this holiday season, and you’ll also have unlimited tube rentals all season, among other cool things.

See our feature on page 84

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Spexton

Sweet Boutique

THE BOXYARD | 502 E. 3RD ST., UNIT 10 | TULSA 1609 E. 15TH ST. | TULSA If handmade jewelry sounds like a great gift, then you need to visit Spexton at either of their two Tulsa locations including The Boxyard in downtown Tulsa. Customers can watch the owners craft jewelry in the store while browsing for the perfect bangle bracelets, arm cuffs, charms, uniquely subtle rings for men and women, and other fun, casually classic, well-crafted jewelry. You can also request a custommade item. Whether you want a classic gold, black zirconium, titanium, stainless steel, Damascus steel, or Inconel alloy, each Spexton ring is made to your exact specifications. Spexton prides itself on offering a fun atmosphere with no salespeople and no suits. You always deal directly with the artists who will craft the jewelry. As an added bonus, Spexton offers a free lifetime cleaning, resurfacing and repairs on all their products.

THE BOXYARD | 502 E. 3RD ST., UNIT 13 | TULSA People just can’t get enough of good sweets, chocolate or snack shops. Taking a trip to Sweet Boutique at The Boxyard is like visiting a mini Willy Wonka factory, and there’s something different every time you go. Melt-in-your-mouth French macaroons of many flavors, gummies, tasty taffy, Wasabithemed trail mix — they all just make the mouth water thinking of them. If a gift card to this place doesn’t make a nice little stocking stuffer, we don’t know what does.

Tonsorial

STEMcell Science Shop

THE BOXYARD | 502 E. 3RD ST., UNIT 5 | TULSA If someone you know and adore loves brain power, cruise on over to Tulsa’s only store specializing in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM, for short). Classic science books, stones to add to a mineral collection, telescopes, microscopes and more — this place has all the cool stuff. If your loved one is more casually STEM-minded, get them pint glasses featuring marine plankton or the star chart glass set.

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THE BOXYARD | 502 E. 3RD ST., UNIT 36 | TULSA Some say barber shops are making a comeback. Maybe you haven’t noticed. Maybe you thought they were a thing of the past, well, not at The Boxyard. Between the nostalgic and trendy, Tonsorial offers a setting that reminds men of the places their fathers or grandfathers brought them to, but also provides them with the absolute latest haircut, mustache trim, facial, eyebrow wax, or scalp shave and the skillful consult-savvy barbers and hairdressers who know how to pull those services off. After No-Shave November, what better way to get your favorite man away from all that growth than with an appointment or gift card to Tonsorial. Or pick up some grooming products to put in stockings or hand out at the office holiday party.

Twisted Soul Sisters

Tulsa Stained Glass

4131 S. SHERIDAN ROAD | TULSA For the person in your life who is artistic and loves creating beautiful, hand-crafted items, a gift certificate for a class at Tulsa Stained Glass may be just the thing. Owner Richard Bohm has been crafting stained glass locally for years, and he’s an upbeat, encouraging teacher to study with. For those who love art but don’t want to make it, shop the store to choose from a variety of handmade stained-glass art, ranging from small to large, even custom-ordered, to find a gift that is not just unique but brings light, color and artistic wonder to that special someone you’re buying for.

13160 S. MEMORIAL DRIVE | BIXBY The owners of Twisted Soul Sisters — who dub themselves Okie girls with gypsy souls — love finding unique, trending items and then making sure they are one of the first to carry those items in their store that focus on city flair in a small town. So, when you shop in this sweet shop that is positively bursting with eclectic clothing and accessories, you’re assured of discovering interesting, trendy women’s apparel, fashion boots and shoes, graphic T-shirts, custom jewelry and handbags, and stylish one-ofa-kind home goods for the fashion-forward ladies on your gift list.

Also Check Out BLESS UR HEART BOUTIQUE 117 S. Main St. | Owasso

THE NEST ON CHERRY STREET 1515 E. 15th St. | Tulsa

BOTTLES BEADS ANTIQUITIES The Boxyard | 502 E. 3rd St., Unit 28 | Tulsa

NOUVEAU ATELIER DE CHOCOLAT 205 S. Main St. | Broken Arrow NOVA COMICS The Boxyard | 502 E. 3rd St., Unit 29 | Tulsa

THE COOK’S NOOK 9146 S. Yale Ave., Suite 110 | Tulsa DECOPOLIS 502 S. Boston Ave. | Tulsa

PERFECT TOUCH 4932 E. 91st St. #106 | Tulsa

708 W. KENOSHA ST. | BROKEN ARROW A gift card to Xtreme in Broken Arrow is great for any adventure seeker. What can’t you do at this place? You can race on their state-ofthe-art asphalt track in a race kart that goes so fast, you’ll think you’ve been transported into a Days of Thunder remake. Up to 50 mph of pure adrenaline rushing through your veins as you speed around the track will make you look at life a little differently. And speaking of being

transported, Xtreme has virtual reality games that are so good, you’ll never want to leave. Taking virtual reality gaming to a new level, the 30-minute shooter pits six participants in a free-roam, multiplayer experience that puts you in a setting so realistic you’ll completely forget that you are in a 2,000-square foot warehouse. An Xtreme gift card equals a happy, satisfied adrenaline junkie!

JENKINS & CO. 1335 E. 11th St., Suite E | Tulsa

Xtreme Racing and Entertainment

OKIE CROWE 511 S. Boston Ave. | Tulsa

TULSA TOY DEPOT 10114 S. Sheridan Road | Tulsa

LOKAL AND MAIN 217 E. Main St. | Jenks MAGIC CITY BOOKS 102 N. Detroit Ave. | Tulsa

THE WATER CO. The Boxyard | 502 E. 3rd St., Units 32-33 | Tulsa

MARGO’S GIFT SHOP 2058 Utica Square | Tulsa

ZIEGLER ART & FRAME 6 N. Lewis Ave. | Tulsa

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B BROOKSIDE 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.

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TO HELP MAP OUT YOUR HOLIDAY MOVIE MEGA-MARATHON, WE’VE PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF 80 CHRISTMAS MOVIES THAT ARE CONSIDERABLY BETTER THAN WATCHING A VIDEO OF A BURNING LOG ON YOUR TELEVISION. There’s no better way to decompress over the holidays than by losing yourself in hours upon hours of Christmas movies. And like gift giving, sometimes picking out just the right one can be tedious. There are Christmas movies and then there are can’t-miss flicks that have a way of touching, inspiring and thrilling even the meanest of the scrooges. They’re all so different and so charming in their own ways, but some have to be considered better than others. Deciding between old classics and modern classics, as well as originals and remakes, can be pretty difficult, however.

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

While many of these types of lists focus on films that are whimsical and full of family fun (yeah, we like those to), they often leave out some classics that have a dash of violence, a few monsters and the occasional bad guys who get their comeuppance, which is part of the Christmas spirit, right? And if anyone ever tries to tell you that Die Hard is not a Christmas film, they are just wrong. We hope you enjoy. And “Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal!”

A CHRISTMAS STORY

(1965) G

(1983) PG

When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, he needs Linus’ help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is.

Christmas is approaching and 9-year-old Ralphie only wants one thing: a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun. When he mentions it at the dinner table, his mother’s immediate reaction is that he’ll put his eye out. He fantasizes about what it would be like to be Red Ryder and catch the bad guys. When the big day arrives, he gets lots of present under the tree including a lovely gift from his aunt that his mother just adores. But what about the BB gun? If you have cable, it’ll no doubt be playing on a 24-hour loop on some Turner network this month. A timeless classic that is easily quoted line for line, no Christmas would be complete without at least one viewing of this perfectly crafted film.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL (2009) PG Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence, what opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways. Scrooge is faced with his own story of growing bitterness and meanness, and must decide what his own future will hold: death or redemption. The computer animated motion-capture film directed by Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump) stars Jim Carrey in a multitude of roles, including Scrooge as a young, middle-aged, and old man, and the three ghosts who haunt Scrooge.

44 DECEMBER 2017

GENRES:

Action

Adventure

Animation

Comedy

Crime

Drama

Family

Fantasy

Horror

Musical

Romance

Western

ELF (2003) PG

BAD SANTA (2003) R A miserable conman (Billy Bob Thornton) and his partner pose as Santa and his Little Helper to rob department stores on Christmas Eve. But they run into problems when the conman befriends a troubled kid, and the security boss (Bernie Mac) discovers the plot.

CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS (2004) PG With their daughter Blair away for the holidays, the Kranks (Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis) decide to skip Christmas altogether until Blair suddenly decides to come home, causing an uproar when they have to celebrate the holiday at the last minute.

DIE HARD (1988) R NYPD cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) goes on a Christmas vacation to visit his wife Holly in Los Angeles where she works for the Nakatomi Corporation. While they are at the Nakatomi headquarters for a Christmas party, a group of bank robbers led by Hans Gruber take control of the building and hold everyone hostage — with the exception of John — while they plan to perform a lucrative heist. Unable to escape and with no immediate police response, John is forced to take matters into his own hands.

DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! (1966) NR Bitter and hateful, the Grinch is irritated at the thought of the nearby village having a happy time celebrating Christmas. Disguised as Santa Claus, with his dog made to look like a reindeer, he raids the village to steal all the Christmas things. Directed by Chuck Jones, it features the voice of Boris Karloff.

Buddy (Will Ferrell) was a baby in an orphanage who stowed away in Santa’s sack and ended up at the North Pole. Later, as an adult human who happened to be raised by elves, Santa allows him to go to New York City to find his birth father, Walter Hobbs. Hobbs, on Santa’s naughty list for being a heartless jerk, had no idea that Buddy was even born. Buddy, meanwhile, experiences the delights of New York City (and human culture) as only an elf can. When Walter’s relationship with Buddy interferes with his job, he is forced to re-evaluate his priorities.

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN (1969) G A discarded silk top hat becomes the focus of a struggle between a washed-up stage magician and a group of schoolchildren after it magically brings a snowman to life. Realizing that newly-living Frosty will melt in spring unless he takes refuge in a colder climate, Frosty and a young girl who he befriends stow away on a freight train headed for the North Pole. Little do they know that the magician is following them, and he wants his hat back.

FOUR CHRISTMASES (2008) PG-13 Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon) have been together three years. They are in love, having fun, doing all sorts of things together with no intention of marriage or children. Christmas morning, they’re on their way to Fiji, having told their two sets of divorced parents that they’re off to do charity work. Through a fluke, they have no choice but to visit each of their four idiosyncratic parents. Do they know each other well enough to weather the storms families bring?

GREMLINS (1984) PG There’s far more naughtiness than niceness on display in Joe Dante’s terrific horror comedy in which a boy inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.

EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (1990) PG-13 In a castle high on top of a hill lives an inventor’s greatest creation — Edward, a near-complete person. The creator died before he could finish Edward’s hands, so instead, Edward is left with metal scissors for hands. He lives alone until a kind lady discovers him and welcomes him into her home. At first, everyone welcomes him into the community, but soon things begin to take a change for the worse.

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GENRES:

Action

Adventure

3 GODFATHERS (1948) NR A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1938) NR A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1951) NR ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS (1991) G ARTHUR CHRISTMAS (2011) PG BABES IN TOYLAND (1934) NR THE BISHOP’S WIFE (1947) NR CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1945) NR A CHRISTMAS TALE (2008) NR DADDY’S HOME 2 (2017) PG-13 EMMET OTTER’S JUG‑BAND CHRISTMAS (1977) NR ERNEST SAVES CHRISTMAS (1988) PG THE FAMILY MAN (2000) PG-13 FRED CLAUS (2007) PG FRIDAY AFTER NEXT (2002) R THE HOLIDAY (2006) PG-13 HOLIDAY AFFAIR (1949) NR HOLIDAY INN (1942) NR HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK (1992) PG IT HAPPENED ON FIFTH AVENUE (1947) NR JACK FROST (1998) PG JINGLE ALL THE WAY (1996) PG JOYEAUX NOEL (2005) PG-13 JUST FRIENDS (2005) PG-13 KISS KISS BANG BANG (2005) R

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Animation

Comedy

Crime

Drama

Family

Fantasy

Horror

Musical

Romance

Western

HOME ALONE

KRAMPUS

(1990) PG

(2015) PG-13

It is Christmastime and the McCallister family is preparing for a vacation in Paris. But the youngest in the family, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) gets into a scuffle with his older brother Buzz and is sent to his room on the third floor of his house. Then, the next morning, while the rest of the family is in a rush to make it to the airport on time, they completely forget about Kevin, who now has the house all to himself. Being home alone is fun for Kevin, having a pizza all to himself, jumping on his parents’ bed, and making a mess. Then, Kevin discovers two burglars, Harry and Marv, are going to rob his house on Christmas Eve. Kevin must act quickly by wiring his own house with makeshift booby traps to stop the burglars and to bring them to justice.

When his dysfunctional family clashes over the holidays, young Max is disillusioned and turns his back on Christmas. Little does he know, this lack of festive spirit has unleashed the wrath of Krampus: a demonic force of ancient evil intent on punishing non-believers. All hell breaks loose as beloved holiday icons take on a monstrous life of their own, laying siege to the fractured family’s home and forcing them to fight for each other if they hope to survive.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (2000) PG Yes, the original animated film was a classic, but Jim Carrey really brings the Grinch to life in a way that only he could. Inside a snowflake exists the magical land of Whoville. In Whoville live the Whos, an almost mutated sort of munchkin-like people. All the Whos love Christmas, yet just outside of their beloved Whoville lives the Grinch. The Grinch is a nasty creature who hates Christmas, and plots to steal it away from the Whos which he equally abhors. Yet a small child, Cindy Lou Who, decides to try befriend the Grinch.

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) PG Few films define Christmas like Frank Capra’s masterpiece in which an angel is sent from heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman (James Stewart) by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.

LETHAL WEAPON (1987) R Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) is an L.A. cop with suicidal tendencies and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) is the unlucky police officer with whom Riggs is assigned. Together they uncover a huge drug-smuggling operation, and as their success rate grows so does their friendship.

NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION (1989) PG-13 It’s Christmastime and the Griswolds are preparing for a family seasonal celebration, but things never run smoothly for Clark (Chevy Chase), his wife Ellen and their two kids. Clark’s continual bad luck is worsened by his obnoxious family guests, but he manages to keep going knowing that his Christmas bonus is due soon.

THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993) PG Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town, is bored with doing the same thing every year for Halloween. One day he stumbles into Christmas Town, and is so taken with the idea of Christmas that he tries to get the resident bats, ghouls, and goblins of Halloween Town to help him put on Christmas instead of Halloween. But alas, they can’t get it quite right.

GENRES:

Action

Adventure

Animation

Comedy

OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY (2016) R When the CEO (Jennifer Aniston) tries to close her hard-partying brother’s branch, he (T.J. Miller) and his chief technical officer (Jason Bateman) 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.

Crime

Drama

Family

Fantasy

Horror

Western

(1964) G Sam the Snowman relays the story of a young red-nosed reindeer who, after being ousted from the reindeer games because of his beaming honker, teams up with Hermey, an elf who wants to be a dentist, and Yukon Cornelius, the prospector. They run into the Abominable Snowman and find a whole island of misfit toys. Rudolph vows to see if he can get Santa to help the toys, and returns to the North Pole on Christmas Eve in time to help Santa.

(1994) PG

(2004) G

Romance

RUDOLPH THE RED‑NOSED REINDEER

THE SANTA CLAUSE

THE POLAR EXPRESS

Musical

When a father (Tim Allen) inadvertently kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place.

THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT R LOVE ACTUALLY (2003) R MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944) NR METROPOLITAN (1990) PG-13 MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1994) PG MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947) NR MIXED NUTS (1994) PG-13 THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (1992) G THE NATIVITY STORY

This is the story of a young boy on Christmas Eve who boards a powerful magical train that’s headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus’s home. During this ride, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery which shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

(2006) PG ONE MAGIC CHRISTMAS (1985) G THE PERFECT HOLIDAY (2007) PG THE PREACHER’S WIFE (1996) PG

THE REF

SCROOGED

(1994) R

(1988) PG-13

An unfortunate cat burglar (Denis Leary) is abandoned by his partner in the middle of a heist, and is forced to take an irritating Connecticut couple (Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis) hostage. He soon finds that he took on more than he bargained for when the couple’s blackmailing son and despicable inlaws step into the picture. Before long, they’re driving him nuts with their petty bickering and family problems.

Frank Cross (Bill Murray) runs a television station that is planning a live adaptation of Dickens’ Christmas Carol. Frank’s childhood wasn’t a particularly pleasant one, and so he doesn’t really appreciate the Christmas spirit. With the help of the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, Frank realizes he must change. And you’d be hard pressed to find another actor who does “bah humbug” better than Murray.

REINDEER GAMES (2000) R SANTA CLAUS: THE MOVIE (1985) PG THE SANTA CLAUSE 2 (2002) G THE SANTA CLAUSE 3 (2006) G SCROOGE (1970) G THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (1940) NR SURVIVING CHRISTMAS

TRADING PLACES (1983) R A snobbish investor (Dan Aykroyd) and a wily street con artist (Eddie Murphy) find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.

(2004) PG-13 TRAPPED IN PARADISE (1994) PG-13 UNACCOMPANIED MINORS (2006) PG A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR 3D CHRISTMAS (2011) R WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954) NR

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ENTERTAINMENT

DINING

BOK Center | 2C-6 Tulsa Performing Arts | 3D-15

BARS Caz’s Pub | 2D-16 Club Majestic 2D-19 Mixco | 2C-17 WirWar | 3D-33

11TH

TCC

13TH

NAT

TON

CIN

ROI

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7TH

8TH

4TH 5TH

NKF

ELG

DET

CIN

BOS

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Courthouse

75 AR

Central Library

OSU Medical Center

YEN

BOU

Cox Business Center

CHE

Civic BOKCenter

R 17 3

BOK Center

HRIE GUT N STO HOU

Jazz Hall of Fame

Performing Arts Center

DEC

E B L UM E DO

FRA

City Hall

2ND LANSING

KENOSHA

OOD ENW GRE

Brady Theater

MAI

DEN OOD ELW

244

Woody AR Guthrie Center

244

ONEOK Field

CHE

N ERO CAM Guthrie Green DY BRA

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BRA

ENW

Greenwood Cultural Center

GRE

Cain’s Ballroom

412

TULSA LOCATOR TL

DOWNTOWN TULSA

2 4

Ti Amo | 2C-4 WirWar | 3D-33

CHERRY 5

EVERYTHING ELSE Boxyard | 3D-33 Abelina’s Boutique Beau & Arrow Blue Sky Bank Dwelling Spaces Landella Modern Mess Rose Rock Microcreamery Spexton STEMcell Science Shop Sweet Boutique Tonsorial WirWar

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TL TULSA LOCATOR TULSA AND SURROUNDING AREAS

PREV EW

SPERRY

86TH N

OWAS

76TH N

56TH N

Mohawk Park

46TH N

Tulsa Botanic Garden

Whiteside Park

St. Francis Hospital

54 70

50 DECEMBER 2017

121ST

111

81ST

91ST

BIXBY 71

78 MEMORIAL

33 MEMORIAL

SAPULPA

101ST

18 71

SHERIDAN

Oklahoma Aquarium

JENKS

61ST

57 85

40 25

129TH E.

15 61

GARNETT

32 30

51 23

Oral Roberts Univ. Mabee Ct. 58

YALE

LaFortune 80 Park

HARVARD

41ST

Jones Airport

31ST

Hicks Park

129TH E.

Turkey Mountain Park

169

MINGO

PEORIA

65 44

LEWIS

93 21ST

91 51

Expo Square

MIDTOWN 36

GARNETT

RIVERSIDE

UNION

244

Tulsa State Fairgrounds

Philbrook Museum of Art7 ARKANSAS RIVER

11TH

MINGO

Woodward Park St. John Med. Ctr.

Chandler Park

APACHE

PINE

MEMORIAL

22 Of Univ. Tulsa 27 28

PINE

SHERIDAN

DOWNTOWN BOK Ctr.

SAND SPRINGS

169

YALE

OSU Tulsa

LEWIS

Crawford Park

UTICA

412

26TH N / APACHE

PEORIA

GILCREASE EXPY

36TH N

Tulsa Air & Space Museum

HARVARD

Gilcrease Museum

GILCREASE MUSEUM

Tulsa Zoo

36TH N MARTIN LUTHER KING

KWY ALE P TISD

MINGO

Lake Yahola

TULSA LOCATOR TL 96TH N

PRESENTED BY:

SSO

Redbud Valley Nature Preserve

CATOOSA 55

412

209TH E.

BROKEN ARROW 40 81

1ST ASPEN

63 COUNTY LINE

LYNN LANE

MEMORIAL

131ST

MAIN ELM

DINING

COUNTY LINE / 193RD E.

177TH E.

161ST E.

53 66

244

145TH E.

1ST

SHOPPING

CASINO Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | D7-10 River Spirit Casino Resort | 4B-83

39 7

PREVIEW918.COM 51

Duty and love for country were among the reasons Marina Metevelis answered the call to work defending the United States as one of the iconic bandanna-clad Rosie the Riveters. By Gina Conroy

52 DECEMBER 2017

Like so many other Americans, Marina Metevelis’ life changed Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, launching the U.S. into World War II. The 95-year-old Tulsa Community College historian has been telling the same story for decades, and it never gets old. She was 16-year-old Marina Balafas back then, attending East High School in Wichita, Kansas, when she heard the sirens in the middle of the night. The next morning, she woke to the paper boys running up and down the streets yelling, “Extra! Extra! Pearl Harbor bombed.” “Daddy gave me a nickel and said, ‘Run out there and see what the heck is going on,’” she recalls. Her father, Gus, owner of the local dry-cleaning plant, never went to bed without listening to news of the war on the radio. Reading about the surprise attack that culminated in the deaths of over 2,400 Americans and 18 ships either sunk or damaged, she saw an ad in the paper for factory workers. She told her folks that she was going to sign up to help the family financially and save for college. Her mother threw a fit. Anna Balafas never liked her daughter running around the neighborhood climbing trees with the boys, so she certainly wasn’t keen on her working in a factory with men. But her dad was quick to come to her defense, asking, “What men? They’re all at war.” The next morning, Metevelis took a bus to the Wichita aircraft plant and stood in line with other high schoolers, mothers, teachers, hair dressers, barbers, and the Amish. When it was her turn, the man looked over the 5-foot-1 girl weighing less then 100 pounds and asked, “Are you agile?”

a cover image by Norman Rockwell, portraying Rosie with a flag in the background and a copy of Adolf Hitler’s racist tract Mein Kampf under her feet. Though Rockwell’s image may be the most commonly known version of Rosie the Riveter, her prototype was actually created in 1942 and featured on a poster for the Westinghouse power company under the headline “We Can Do It!” Early in 1943, a popular song debuted called “Rosie the Riveter,” written by Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb, and the name went down in history. “I inspected the blisters; that was the gunner’s position,” says Metevelis as she counts off all the positions on her fingers in the B-17, which was also known as the Flying Fortress. “The gunner’s positions were made of Plexiglass, and the German fighters would blast those boys. We were losing gunners left and right.” The B-17s had to climb above 35,000 feet to help protect the crews from the Germans. Metevelis’ job was to make sure the rivets in the gunner’s position were “as smooth as glass.” She holds up her two inspection fingers. “That’s why I don’t have any fingerprints on these fingers.” When Metevelis detected the slightest nick in a rivet, she would grab a gun, ream it out, put in a new one and make sure it was perfect because the men’s lives depended on it. “You go up above 35,000 feet and there’s no pressure on those planes,” says Metevelis. “One bad rivet could blow and the whole plane could fall apart.” Production on the line was fast and furious. There wasn’t time for daydreaming about boys or dances, or thinking about school work. “It was all business. We didn’t have time to think,” says Metevelis. “You had a certain time to do a certain thing. No matter what you did, it was push.”

“What do you mean, sir?” Metevelis replied. “Do you play sports?” he said. Metevelis rattled off all the things she loved to do like roller skating, ice skating, riding horses and working at the school gym. She did offer up that swimming wasn’t exactly her forte. She guessed her swimming didn’t matter much because when she handed in her application, he told her she was going to sheet metal school for six weeks. “You’re going to learn how to rivet,” he said. Metevelis was up for any task and after training, she returned as an inspector who could rivet with an 11-, 13-, or 15-pound gun. It was a prestigious position that earned her more money than many in the factory. And Metevelis took her job very seriously. She’d come home from school, jump into her coveralls and carpool to the plant where she’d work from 3 p.m. until midnight, then return home and do her homework. According to A&E’s History channel, while women worked in a variety of positions previously closed to them during World War II, the aviation industry saw the greatest increase in female workers. More than 310,000 women worked in the U.S. aircraft industry in 1943, making up 65 percent of the industry’s total workforce (compared to just 1 percent in the prewar years). The munitions industry also heavily recruited women workers, as illustrated by the U.S. government’s Rosie the Riveter propaganda campaign. Based in small part on a real-life munitions worker but primarily a fictitious character, the strong, bandanna-clad Rosie became one of the most successful recruitment tools in American history, and the most iconic image of working women in the World War II era. In movies, newspapers, posters, photographs and articles, the Rosie the Riveter campaign stressed the patriotic need for women to enter the workforce. On May 29, 1943, The Saturday Evening Post published

Though Metevelis was all business during her shifts, she’d make time for socializing on the weekends. Every Sunday afternoon, they’d bring in two busloads of pilots from England and Wales for a dance in the East High School gym. “I’d tell my mom I was going to the library. She’d ask, ‘What for?’ ‘I got to go get a book for a report,’ I’d say.” Metevelis’ mother would’ve died if she knew her daughter was dancing with the boys. “I taught them how to do sit dips and aerials.” Metevelis gestures like she’s throwing someone over her head and shoulders and around her waist. “They were the sweetest kids ever and they loved swing dancing, jitterbug, boogie woogie and lindy hop.” She pauses and laughs, recalling those tall and skinny boys’ smiles. “I never saw so many boys with bad teeth in my life,” she says. “I thought, ‘Don’t they have dentists in England?’” Metevelis managed to keep her grades up while working on B–17s before her mother encouraged her to marry Don Metevelis, a tall, handsome boy from Tulsa who had his heart set on marrying Marina. After they were married in Tulsa, Metevelis finished high school in Kansas, quit her job at the plant and followed her husband from army camp to army camp. Since the camps were “in the boonies,” and there was no place for the wives, the women slept on army cots in attics or basements in rancher’s homes. “I couldn’t sit on a cot every day and twiddle my thumbs,” says Metevelis. “So, I’d take the bus into camp every morning and do typing or file the orders of the day in the officers’ club.” Not only did volunteering give Metevelis a nice place to stay during the day and a sense of purpose, but she was also privileged to information no civilian had access to.

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“When you’re in the office and you’re hearing these generals, you sure keep your mouth shut and just listen,” says Metevelis. “I was in on all the orders coming out when General George S. Patton was told he was going to do the campaign in Italy for the Battle of Anzio,” says Metevelis. “He refused to go until he got his Aces, the African-American pilots known as the Red Tails.” Metevelis trails off remembering how Patton got his Aces, and President Harry S. Truman ended segregation in the army because of it. “There were no more separate officers’ clubs for whites and African-Americans,” says Metevelis. “They were equal.” Her memory takes her down a rabbit trail about Truman, and how her dad would meet young Truman in the coffee shop at the Muehlebach Hotel (downtown Kansas City), where they became good friends and would chew the fat. “Truman would tell dad all his problems about trying to marry Bess [Wallace],” says Metevelis. “Truman would say, ‘I’ve done everything I can, but I haven’t a thing except a black Buick.’” When Truman asked for advice, Metevelis’ dad told him to go into politics. Truman replied, ‘Well, I tried everything else, I might as well.’” Her mood turns a bit solemn as she recalls not being able to find a hotel room when they brought her little brother home from Iwo Jima to bury him in Fort Leavenworth (Kansas). “My dad told us Truman said we could stay in his suite at the Muehlebach Hotel,” says Metevelis. “When I tell people I slept in Truman’s bed, everyone asks, ‘Was he in it?’ And I say, ‘No, it was my mama, my sister and me. Daddy slept on the couch in the living room.’” Metevelis’ memories take her full circle back to the time in the officers’ clubs when she shared high tea with Mamie Eisenhower (wife of then General Dwight D. Eisenhower) and Patton’s wife. “They were two of the sweetest ladies I ever met.” She describes the pomp and circumstance of the officers’ club with fondness. “When the boys were ready to go on a mission, they’d have these big banquets,” Metevelis recalls. “The servers would come in with huge trays of steaks, and they’d stop and other waiters would pour the whiskey, or whatever it was, and set fire to steaks, then put the fire out and cut the steaks. And serve it. Just like royalty.” She recalls the time when her husband got shipped to Wales to train for D-Day. Metevelis returned to Kansas and took the Red Cross Nurses aid training. This turned out to be a blessing because when he returned injured from the Battle of Normandy, she followed him from army hospital to army hospital, volunteering as a Red Cross nurse’s aide for the next four years while he was being treated. Today, at 95, Metevelis keeps World War II history alive through fundraisers and teaching at TCC. “They won’t let me retire,” Metevelis says. “They say, ‘We can’t let you go. You know too much World War II history.’” But in true Metevelis fashion, she’s managed to get her way. “I agreed to do sessions,” she says. “I said I could tell a story or two for an hour or so.”

54 DECEMBER 2017

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HH HOMEGROWN HEROES BEING PARALYZED MAY NOT DEFINE EMEKA NNAKA, BUT IT HAS LED HIM TO THE PLACE HE OCCUPIES NOW IN LIFE AS A SPEAKER, A COACH, A YOUTH VOLUNTEER, A TULSA UNITED WAY AMBASSADOR, AND A FIRM BELIEVER IN THE POWER OF HOPE. BY Michele Chiappetta PHOTOS BY Marc Rains

Pigskin

Parlay

The beaming smile and warm, inviting presence of Emeka Nnaka are powerful enough to fill a room. A professional motivational speaker and life coach, he can easily command an audience’s attention with his resonant voice, thoughtful ideas, and genuine desire to connect with listeners. You feel at home with him from the moment you meet him — and you can almost forget that he is a young man in a wheelchair, paralyzed from the chest down. Nnaka’s physical condition may not define him, but it has led him to the place he occupies now in life — a speaker, a coach, a youth volunteer, a Tulsa United

56 DECEMBER 2017

Emeka Nnaka

Way ambassador and a firm believer in the power of hope and connection to change lives.

this is a way to make everyone proud, this is a way to make my life mean something.”

The injury that turned Nnaka’s life upside-down happened in June 2009, when he was a 21-year-old defensive end for the Oklahoma Thunder, a semiprofessional football team based in Tulsa. Before the injury, football seemed like the perfect future.

Just as his future looked bright, everything changed. A devastating collision on the field left him paralyzed and fighting for his life. Nnaka spent time in ICU and then went through three months of intensive rehabilitation, but contrary to his hopes, he left the hospital in a wheelchair, still partially paralyzed.

“Academics was not my strong suit,” he says. “And I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do with my life anyway. When I found football, it seemed to be that second chance. [I thought], this is something I’m good at,

“I made my plans for whenever I got out of the hospital, my life was going to be the same [as before],” he says. “And I had to realize it wasn’t going to be

normal, and I wasn’t going back to where I was.” Like anyone who undergoes a drastic change of circumstances, Nnaka faced some dark days, and realized he had a choice to make. Would he allow himself to flounder? Or would he find his way forward, finding the silver lining in the cloud? Nnaka credits two things in helping him to recover and find a new path for his life. The first was a decision to volunteer with the youth team at Victory Christian Center, even though he wasn’t sure he had anything to offer. Then one day as he spoke with two

speak to a few companies for a few weeks quickly grew into a consistent commitment. He continues to work with them, playing a key role in fundraising, marketing and community outreaches on their behalf. Today, Nnaka is also studying for his master’s degree in Human

“I was trying to figure out what it is people are getting from me whenever I speak,” he says, “and it is hope. And that’s what I’ve gotten from others who have impacted me. They’ve given me a semblance of hope, which is what makes me get up every day. I wouldn’t get up and do what I was doing now if I didn’t have some hope that it is making some positive impact.” As far as making a positive impact in Tulsa, Nnaka is clearly happy to be here, making a difference here, because he loves Tulsa. “It was very meaningful that this community really wrapped its arms around me, so it allowed

The message that Nnaka wants to leave people with, he says, ties into the power of hope. “Sometimes our role in life is to lend hope to others, until they can find it for themselves. When most people look at my life, they see someone they believe has fallen and picked themselves up by the bootstraps and has made something happen,” he says. “I’m that to an extent, but honestly, I’m just a guy who has borrowed hope from a lot of different places and a lot of different people until I was able to find it for myself. And now, I’m in a position to lend it to others until they can find it for themselves.”

EMEKA NNAKA 478-719-8231

emekannaka.com

“I was struggling so hard to let go of my life that was and embrace the life that is. And when you can’t do that, it’s hard to envision a life that could be. When I got to the Center, the workers, the members, the volunteers — no one saw me

“SOMETIMES OUR ROLE IN LIFE IS TO LEND HOPE TO OTHERS, UNTIL THEY CAN FIND IT FOR THEMSELVES.”

me to want to wrap my arms back around it,” he says. “That’s the reason I’m still here. This place did not give up on me, and so Tulsa has become home.”

The second thing that gave him hope for his future was his involvement at the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, where he was able to work out and rehabilitate physically, while interacting with others who face similar challenges. “It’s a hidden gem in Tulsa,” he says.

In 2014, Nnaka was tapped by the Tulsa United Way to serve as an ambassador, speaking to companies about how the Center for Individual Challenges and the United Way had helped him. What started out as a plan to

Relations at the University of Oklahoma (Tulsa), as well as speaking and coaching others at youth groups, churches, schools, businesses, networking groups, senior living communities — anywhere that opportunities have arisen to allow him to make a difference. He covers topics such as overcoming adversity, connectedness, living beyond labels and what seems to be his most impactful message of all — hope.

“They said, ‘Man, Emeka, we’re so glad you got hurt.’ I looked at them funny, and they started to backtrack. They said, ’We didn’t mean it that way. But let’s say you went on to be a famous football player. We would not be the men we are today without you being in our lives.’ I’ll never forget where I was, what time it was, because that moment led me to realize, everything I have gone through, everything I’m going through, it’s worth it.”

as a guy in a wheelchair. They just saw me as Emeka. And that really helped me to see myself. It gave me a sense of identity back.”

high school students he worked with, they told him something unexpected and profound.

PREVIEW918.COM 57

SC SPORTS CENTRAL

TORQUE

OFTHETOWN

THE LARGEST EVENT FOR MICRO SPRINT RACING IN THE COUNTRY, THE TULSA SHOOTOUT IS A GRAND CELEBRATION OF DIRT TRACK AUTO RACING THAT DRAWS OVER 1,000 ENTRIES FROM NEARLY 35 STATES AND THREE COUNTRIES. By John Tranchina

Photos by Dylan Duvall

A grand celebration of dirt track auto racing for all ages, the Tulsa Shootout has turned into a breeding ground for the next generation of driving stars, primarily featuring smaller-size cars. Along with its sister event run by the same group, the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in January, the Shootout has established Tulsa prominently on the racing world map. “This is the micro event, the 600-cc motorcycle engine-driven micro sprint cars. If you want to talk about the micro and midget scene, Tulsa is very big,” says Bryan Hulbert, publicist-announcer for the Tulsa Shootout. “The Shootout draws over 1,000 entries, from nearly 35 states across the country and three different countries, and you’ve got the Chili Bowl, which draws in drivers from nearly 40 states and five countries. And the economic impact of this event on the Tulsa area — the Chili Bowl alone is upward of $15 million of what it brings into the local economy. You bring the Shootout into that, you’re getting closer to $20 million. It’s huge for the local economy.” The Shootout has also gained a reputation among drivers across the country as one of the best events to race in.

58 DECEMBER 2017

“There’s no comparison, everybody wants to win it, it’s a really big, prestigious race for everybody,” says Blake Hahn, a local from the Tulsa suburb of Sapulpa who is the Shootout’s winningest driver in the modern classes — and he’s just 22 years old. “That’s what they talk about all year long, and being able to win brings bragging rights for the whole year.” Hahn actually started racing at 8, and the Tulsa Shootout has races for kids as young as 6 years old. “You get the kids who do quarter midgets and junior karts and all that, then they move up into junior sprints, and they progress into what we call our A class,” Hulbert explains. “They can go to Outlaw and then they can go to midgets, sprint cars, modified late models, but those are the little bitty kids. Really, the point of that class is to teach car control, fair play, how to read a race track, and to know that you’re not out there playing bumper cars. These are fully open-wheel cars, and they will flip and it will hurt.” Most kids first get started in racing because of the influence of family members, usually their parents. That’s how Hahn first got into it. His

grandfather, Emmett, owned a track in Kellyville, and wound up co-founding the Tulsa Shootout in 1985, along with Lanny Edwards, one year before they also started the Chili Bowl. Hahn’s father was also heavily involved in racing, and it just seemed inevitable that he would become a driver himself. “My grandfather raced forever and my dad kind of did the same. I grew up going to races every weekend, and it was something I really enjoyed,” says Hahn, who was the Lucas Oil ASCS National Rookie of the Year in 2014. “I was fortunate enough that my dad and my grandpa had pretty good influence on me; they taught me a lot growing up. My dad made me work on the car a lot when I was younger and that kind of benefits me quite a bit now, looking back on it.” It was a big stage to start on, but Hahn actually participated in his first race at the Tulsa Shootout in 2004. Hahn’s victory in the junior sprint race in 2006 at 10 was the first of his six iconic Golden Driller trophies, claiming championships in four different divisions over the years (and a runner-up finish in a fifth). He has won three of the last five titles in the ECOtec category and he’ll be racing again this year, looking to add to his total. The variety of different car classifications encompassed by the Tulsa Shootout is one of its appealing characteristics, with many drivers racing in more than one. “That’s one thing that’s neat about it — you could actually bring one car and run four classes,” Hulbert says. “We have what’s called our stock class, which is basically, as the name implies, it’s a 600-cc engine, straight out of a motorcycle, put it in a micro, go race. You can’t mess with it, board out, do anything like that. Then we have our outlaw class, which you can board up to 630 ccs. You can do all the headwork you want, you can do all this great stuff to it, and go way faster. But you can actually run what we call an A class car, in four different divisions, between your stock division and your outlaw division. It just depends on how much you want to race.” And the fact that all the action occurs indoors is another unique feature of the Shootout.

“It’s all inside the River Spirit Expo Center — the track, the stands, the pit area, everything,” Hulbert says. “The lower level, on the east end of the building, that’s where the track is. And there are grandstands on three sides of it, on the front straightaway, back straightaway, and where it goes up to the upper level, there’s 35 rows of grandstands that 33RD go up there. Behind that, ANNUAL TULSA all the way to the very west SHOOTOUT wall of that building is Expo Square the pit area. So we got 22 4145 E. 21st St. | Tulsa acres of building, and we’re tulsashootout.com able to fit trucks, trailers, cars, equipment, everything. It is the biggest redneck puzzle you’ve ever seen in your life.” Dec. 27-31

PREVIEW918.COM 59

UNIVERSITY OF TULSA MEN’S BASKETBALL Home games are played at Reynolds Center (Tulsa)

UNIVERSITY OF TULSA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Home games are played at Reynolds Center (Tulsa)

60 DECEMBER 2017

ALL TIMES CENTRAL // GAME DATES/TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

RACING // LEADERBOARDS // SIMULATORS & GAMES // GROUPS & PARTIES // CORPORATE EVENTS

708 W. KENOSHA, BROKEN ARROW, OK // 918.286.6655 // XTREMETULSA.COM SUNDAY – THURSDAY: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM // FRIDAY – SATURDAY: 11:00 AM - MIDNIGHT PREVIEW918.COM 61

GC GREEN COUNTRY SCENE

Dashing to the Show

Whether totally tacky or spectacularly beautiful, light displays are a true sign of the holiday season. The entire family is sure to enjoy an evening viewing these lavish spectacles and beautiful animated shows. By Michele Chiappetta The time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is a magical time for many reasons, promising hints of snow, hot chocolate, warm cider, pumpkin pies and other tasty treats, presents beneath trees, lit menorahs, and a whole host of other special holiday traditions that people all over the world embrace. But there is perhaps no other better tradition than the stringing of lights, display of wreaths, hung ribbons, glowing candles in windows, and all the other trappings of holiday decorations for us to enjoy. Whether you want to put up a display at your own home, or whether you prefer to drive through and walk by the elaborate decorations created by others, holiday lights are so much fun. You really can’t have the holiday season without them. It’s perhaps not surprising, then, that Green Country offers an impressive array of holiday lights displays, enough to keep you and your family busy viewing them every weekend between now and Dec. 31. Take a limo ride to view these lights, splurge on a helicopter light tour, or do it on the cheap by gathering homemade popcorn, travel mugs filled with hot chocolate, and pile into your car to cruise to the displays listed here.

Lights On UTICA SQUARE | TULSA

For over 40 years, premier shopping center Utica Square has illuminated their outdoor walkways and trees to add elegant festivity to the holiday season. With 700,000 lights adorning 175 trees, you’re assured a brilliant display while you shop. The display is free to

62 DECEMBER 2017

view, though what you spend in the stores while you’re there is between you and your credit card.

Wonderland of Lights WOOLAROC MUSEUM & WILDLIFE PRESERVE | BARTLESVILLE

selling gift-worthy items. Visit the Castle’s website for details about times that the Christmas Shoppe, Cafe, Santa, wagon and pony rides are available.

Philbrook Festival PHILBROOK MUSEUM OF ART | TULSA

Take a drive to the stellar Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve to view the magical wonderland that results when you light a historic ranch and property with over 750,000 lights. Enjoy wagon rides, live entertainment, a visit with Santa in the museum, hot cider and chocolate in the lodge, and maybe see the Holiday Horsemen as they ride the grounds. Woolaroc’s lights are lit Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5-9 p.m., through Dec. 23. Admission is $4 for adults, $1 for children 11 and under.

Castle Christmas CASTLE OF MUSKOGEE | MUSKOGEE

During the holidays, the Castle of Muskogee transforms itself into a festive delight. The grounds feature over 2,000 holiday displays and thousands of colorful lights. Open every evening from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, 6-10 p.m., the Castle’s light display is free to drive through, though donations are encouraged. Also, check out the train ride, pony rides, Father Christmas and his elves, snacks in the Cafe, and Christmas Shoppe with many local crafters

Through Dec. 31, the Philbrook transforms into a decked-out wonderland with festive décor and thousands of lights reflecting the spirit of the season. Inside, artistic trees are on display. On Friday nights throughout December and Christmas Eve, visitors can enjoy a walkthrough of Philbrook’s gardens, which are lit with tens of thousands of lights. Hot cocoa, a cash bar, live performances and more are also available, and the museum’s delicious La Villa restaurant is open to diners.

Fantasy Land of Lights JOHNSTONE PARK | BARTLESVILLE

This annual display of lights at Bartlesville’s Johnstone Park is a treat to behold. This grand holiday tradition honors both the spirit of the season and historic features in a large scene, complete with moving water wheel and running stream. Drive through the park with your radio tuned to the park’s holiday station to enjoy festive music while you view the creative light displays. The display is free to view, though donations are encouraged.

Garden of Lights HONOR HEIGHTS PARK | MUSKOGEE

A beautiful outdoor park holiday display can be found at the Garden of Lights at Honor Heights Park in Muskogee. With over 1 million lights decorating the park’s

GREEN COUNTRY SCENE GC

lush trees, bushes and walkways, the park sparkles and enchants. Visitors can drive through the park, listening to timed holiday music that flows in conjunction with the display. Or walk the park until you reach the ice rink for some skating. Refreshments and gift shop are also available. And the display is open nightly 6-10 p.m.

Rhema Christmas Lights

Residential areas with great displays 11403 E. 17th Place | Tulsa SILVER CHASE 101st St. between Riverside Drive and Yale Ave. | Tulsa 1613 S. Nyssa Place | Broken Arrow

RHEMA BIBLE CHURCH | BROKEN ARROW

Since 1982, Rhema Bible Church has been treating area residents to an impressive expanse of lights around its campus and park area. The more than 2 million lights on display, including the walkable lit bridge timed to holiday music, draw over 200,000 visitors a year. Visitors can drive the display or walk it, sipping hot drinks and snacking on funnel cakes. The well-loved Christmas tree forest features a 22-foot tree topped with a five-foot star, surrounded by smaller, beautifully lit metal trees. Admission is free, though donations are appreciated.

Winter Wonderland Christmas Light Tour

SWAN LAKE Utica Avenue and 17th Place | Tulsa 1550 S. 68th E. Ave. | Tulsa 8019 Silverado Road | Verdigris

Enjoy holiday lights along the scenic Arkansas River with a visit to the River Lights. Lit daily through December, the park dazzles with glittering holiday beauty. Walk the trails and take in the brisk weather and beauty of nature anytime. The lights reflect on the river’s water for a breathtaking display of man-made and natural creations come together in celebration of the season.

Holiday Lights on the Hill CHANDLER PARK | TULSA

In a long-standing tradition, Tulsa’s Chandler Park will be ablaze with the sights and sounds of the holidays through Dec.

FOREST PARK SOUTH 104th St. and Sheridan Road | Tulsa 10105 S. 197th E. Ave. | Broken Arrow

1516 E. Granger St. | Broken Arrow 25535 Briar Drive | Claremore 9310 N. 138th E. Ave. | Owasso

Part of the delight of the holiday season is coming upon an unexpected display of lights and decorations as you drive through various neighborhoods in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Owasso, and Jenks. Though we don’t want to rob you entirely of that joy of unplanned discovery, we can offer you some hints of where to go if you want your driving to be planned out to entertain the kiddos or visiting relatives. Be sure to hit at least a few of the neighborhoods listed here. are strung along the trees and bushes along the road for your enjoyment, delighting you with roadside sparkle as you go about your shopping and holiday visiting.

PINE LODGE RESORT | KETCHUM

41ST AND RIVERSIDE | TULSA

4142 S. Sandusky Ave. | Tulsa

8810 N. 143 E. Ave. | Owasso

If you enjoy the thought of a weekend getaway in a lakeside cabin, the Pine Lodge Resort is a popular choice in Ketchum by Grand Lake. Whether you stay overnight or not, you can certainly enjoy their Christmas display of over 400,000 lights. Cabins, trees and grounds are decorated for a delightful evening you won’t soon forget. The drive-thru tour is free and open 5-10 p.m. until Jan. 1.

River Lights

MAPLE RIDGE Between 15th St. and 31st St. / Peoria Ave. and Riverside Drive | Tulsa

Glow on the Green GUTHRIE GREEN | TULSA

24. You’ll be dazzled by 4 miles of holiday lights and whimsical displays, featuring over a million lights to highlight the wonders of Christmas. Be sure to check out the Cecil and Sons Tires tree, made from — you guessed it — used tires. Entry to the park is free, though donations are appreciated. Horse and carriage rides are available as well, and you can call the park for prices.

Paragon Industries 3378 W. OKLAHOMA 117 | SAPULPA

Along a near-mile stretch of highway 117 from I-75 toward Sapulpa, those driving during the holiday season will be dazzled by the outside lights display put on by Paragon Industries. Close to 2 million lights

During December, any trip you make to downtown Tulsa in the evenings should include a drive by or walk through Guthrie Green, where the trellises are decked out with holiday lights. Guthrie Green is also a popular site for outdoor concerts, craft fairs, movies on the lawn, food trucks and more, so you never know what you might find when you visit.

Rose District MAIN ST. | BROKEN ARROW

A great place to shop local for the holidays, Main Street in Broken Arrow also features delightfully lit stores, lamps and trees throughout the holiday season. Walk the broad sidewalks as you window shop, stop for hot chocolate at Nouveau Atelier De Chocolat or grab pizza at Andolini’s, and check out the lit Christmas tree at Centennial Park.

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SS STYLE + SHOPPING

_______________ SO CK I N G _______________

UFFERS

HISTORICALLY, NOVELTY SOCKS WERE THE UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER OF THE FEET OR A DE FACTO GIFT FROM THOSE STUCK TRYING TO DECIDE ON A PRESENT. BUT THESE DAYS, IF YOU DON’T OWN DECORATED TOE WARMERS, WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU WEARING ON YOUR FEET THAT’S COOLER? BY MICHELE CHIAPPETTA PHOTOS BY VALERIE GRANT Why be ordinary when you can be unusual? That’s the motto of many a wearer of the novelty sock — those crazy, festive, riotous socks covered in sayings, pictures and kooky designs that, at first glance, seem more appropriate to a comedy movie starring Adam Sandler than the office.

Take another glance though, and you’ll see a different story. Men are wearing these fun socks to the boardroom. Women are rocking pairs along with their fashion high heels. Even Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar broke out a pair when he hosted Canada’s

Justin Trudeau. All the cool kids are wearing them. If this is news to you, don’t feel dismayed. Not that long ago, novelty socks were a lot like the ugly Christmas sweater — a kitschy, ironic clothing choice rather than a bona fide fashion statement. Today, however, they’re a hip, fun way to ratchet up your personal style with an oftenoverlooked item of clothing that makes you happy and expresses your unique way of looking at life. Clever, sarcastic, funny, serious, cute… you can find all sorts of options to choose from as you browse the novelty sock selections out there. There are thousands of styles available from a variety of online vendors. But if you’d like to see and feel these socks in person before you slide them on your sensitive tootsies, you can check out what’s on display at Tulsa’s Ida Red.

Over at Ida Red, team leader Olivia Ek helps owner Angelene Wright keep the store’s stock of creative, colorful novelty socks in the eager sights of customers. “We’ve been carrying novelty socks for a long time,” says Ek, as she explains how popular the items are with Green Country residents. “We get most of them from either Blue Q or Sock It to Me.” Both vendors are highly popular sources of novelty socks. Sock It to Me has been offering novelty socks since the mid-2000s, focusing on what they call “fun and funky socks and underwear with dinosaurs, cupcakes, ninjas, sasquatch, unicorns and all things magical.” Blue Q has been around longer — 26 years and counting, to be exact. The company focuses on socks with clever sayings, some of which are not printable here and definitely NSFW, if you happen to work someplace hip enough to allow you to wear novelty socks to begin with. “Some of the most popular ones [we sell] are the ones that just have kind of funny sayings on them,” says Ek. The variety of expressions these socks trumpet range from serious to hilarious, straightforward to offbeat, and anywhere in between. You’ll find whimsical sayings like “The three things I hate most are math,” “Salad makes me sad,” and “No, YOU act normal.” Other socks offer a message that is more in-

64 DECEMBER 2017

STYLE + SHOPPING SS

your-face, like “This is what a feminist looks like,” while others are intricate checklists or combinations of sayings — all designed in what is clearly intended to be good fun. You might think that novelty socks would be a one-time purchase — either something catches your eye that you can’t resist, or you find a perfect funny gift for a friend who’s normally hard to buy for. Ek says that while this may be true for some shoppers, others make buying new novelty socks a regular and rewarding habit.

Most of the socks you’ll find at Ida Red are themed for fun anytime, anywhere, rather than having a local tie-in. But if you want a Tulsa feel to your sock choice, you might want to check out Ida Red’s selection of Bigfoot-themed socks. The big, hairy guy is super popular in Oklahoma, and you can always wear a pair during a night of drinks and chumming around at The Yeti downtown, where a selfie showing off your socks next to the statue could be a lot of fun.

IDA RED

“There’s this one guy who comes in to always see what kind of new socks we have,” Ek says. “And he always buys a new pair of socks every time.”

3336 S. Peoria Ave. | Tulsa 918-949-6950

steaks AND fresh fish

R TO CA Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

HAND-CUT

IDA RED

208A N. Main St. | Tulsa 918-398-6700 idaredgeneralstore.com

WOOD-FIRED

pizza

LO CA TO R

Ek says she has bought novelty socks many times for friends. The socks make great holiday gifts, stocking stuffers, and dirty Santa items, especially when you see a pair that reminds you of that friend or family member who loves baseball, hates meetings, or enjoys making clever quips.

When asked why the socks are so popular with customers, Ek says, “I love them! I think they’re hilarious. They’re just funny, and how often do you find a funny pair of socks? And honestly, everybody could use a good pair of socks. I personally love getting socks as a gift.”

wines AND patio bar BOUTIQUE

idaredgeneralstore.com

Monday-Wednesday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

918.948.6505

9912 SOUTH RIVERSIDE DR. | TULSA, OK 74137

www.napaflats.com

PREVIEW918.COM 65

HF HEALTH + FITNESS

Catch Some

Z Z Zs

LACK OF SLEEP CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS RANGING FROM A LOUSY MEMORY AND WEIGHT GAIN TO ACCIDENTS AND HEART DISEASE. THE GOOD NEWS? THERE ARE EFFECTIVE WAYS TO GET THE RIGHT KIND OF SHUT-EYE. BY LINDSAY MORRIS Sleep. It seems you can never get enough of it, right? Whether you’re a new parent, a college student, or … well, just aging, sleep is that friend who never seems to stay long enough. In fact, nearly 41 million Americans suffer from insufficient sleep. We’re supposed to spend about one-third of our lives asleep. The body needs rest. The problem is, we live in a society that views sleep as optional. And when we do go to bed, we drop on a mattress, shut our eyelids, and expect a revitalizing slumber to ensue, which doesn’t happen all that often. This blatant disregard for something our bodies require is doing more than making us tired, though. Sometimes lack of sleep can be caused by something as simple as being awakened by a noise, drinking too much alcohol, or needing to use the bathroom. Other times, sleep deprivation can be the result of a more serious problem. Heart conditions and sleep issues are often linked, says Dr. Michael Newnam, director of sleep medicine at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa and Hillcrest Hospital Cushing.

66 DECEMBER 2017

“The heart’s job is to circulate blood to bring oxygen to the body,” Newnam says. “If the heart isn’t functioning properly, shortness of breath, palpitations, fluid retention and abnormal heart rhythms can occur; any of these can awaken people at night and disrupt sleep. Heart disease can predispose someone to sleep apnea as well, which disturbs normal sleep due to poor breathing.” Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that is accompanied by frequent periods of cessation of breathing lasting more than 10 seconds with drops in oxygen level. Yes, you stop breathing for more than 10 seconds at a time – scary stuff. “OSA causes ongoing low oxygen at night during sleep, which raises blood pressure

and increases the risk of developing atrial fibrillation and heart failure,” says Newnam. While some people’s sleep issues are due to heart conditions and sleep apnea, not every case is so serious. Some of us are lacking in sleep due to some simple issues which can be solved relatively easily. In the past 30 years, the field of sleep medicine has expanded significantly, and, in the process, doctors have unlocked the secrets of good slumber and discovered practical tips to help us all sleep more soundly. So, how can you make the most of your sleep? Here are a few ideas.

HEALTH + FITNESS HF

STOP DRINKING SO MUCH AT NIGHT Do you often wake up to pee in the middle of the night? You may want to limit your liquid intake in the evenings. If the problem persists, you may have a medical problem, like a bladder infection, and you should talk to your medical provider.

AVOID MUCH ALCOHOL INTAKE IN THE EVENING At first, a couple glasses of wine will make you feel drowsy and take you right to Sleepy Town. But this effect only lasts a few hours. After that, the alcohol has a stimulating effect. You should stop drinking four hours before bedtime (buzz kill, right?).

EXERCISE REGULARLY At least 30 minutes of exercise daily helps you fall asleep at night, stay asleep and get into a deeper sleep. For many people, exercising in the late afternoon or early evening offers the best results. Do what works best for you, but try not to exercise too late at night, as this can increase your alertness, making it more difficult to fall asleep.

LIMIT CAFFEINE INTAKE Granted this can be a tough one for many. Experts recommend avoiding caffeine within eight hours of bedtime. This means no caffeine after 2 p.m. if you go to bed at 10 p.m. Also, try limiting yourself to two cups of coffee a day. Boo — another buzz kill.

CREATE A PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT Could your bedroom be a factor in your sleeplessness? Perhaps you’re too hot or too cold. Most people prefer sleeping in a cool environment between 60 to 67 degrees. Are there distractions such as an animal waking you up at night? Does your husband’s snoring wake you up? Time to banish the dog from the bed, and your husband too. Or just get the husband some nose strips.

CUT THE STRESS Oftentimes, your tossing and turning are related to a stressful work or family situation. Take an assessment of what you can do during the day to cut your stress like yoga or exercise. Make time to wind down before bed by taking a relaxing bath or meditating. If you can’t easily fall back asleep, get out of bed and read or listen to music until you feel sleepy again. Avoid technology during this time.

SQUELCH THE PAIN Some people have trouble sleeping at night because they experience arthritis or another pain-related condition. Talk to your medical provider if pain is keeping you up at night. He or she may be able to prescribe something to help.

ADD SOME CONSISTENCY Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Even if you can’t do this every day, aim to do it most days. When sleep schedules are inconsistent, the body gets confused and you will feel drowsy during the day. It’s best to try to catch up on sleep with naps instead of trying to sleep in.

AVOID ELECTRONICS IN BED If you wake up in the middle of the night, resist the temptation to check your phone for the time or Facebook updates. Electronics give off a blue light that can make you more alert. Scrolling on your phone, laptop, or iPad right before bedtime can also make it more difficult for you to fall asleep.

If you’re already following all of the tips above, and you’re still having difficulty sleeping, you may have a sleep condition, such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome. You should consult your medical provider.

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HF HEALTH + FITNESS

How Much SLEEP Do We Really Need? Most of us know that getting a good night’s sleep is important, but too few of us actually make those eight or so hours between the sheets a priority.

Sleep needs vary across ages and are especially impacted by lifestyle and health. To determine how much sleep you need, it’s important to assess not only where you fall on the “sleep needs spectrum,” but also to examine what lifestyle factors are affecting the quality and quantity of your sleep such as work schedules and stress. To get the sleep you need, you must look at the big picture. Though research cannot pinpoint an exact amount of sleep needed by people at different ages, The National Sleep Foundation’s latest chart, which features minimum and maximum ranges for health as well as “recommended” windows, identifies the “rule-of-thumb” amounts experts agree upon.

5-6

7-8

7-9

10 Signs You’re Sleep

Deprived Though you may think your five-hours-a-night habit is nothing to worry about, chronic sleep deprivation has been tied to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression. Read on for subtle signs your body needs more time in bed.

1. STILL HUNGRY When you’re not sleeping properly, you tend to eat more of what you’re craving because you’re not feeling the signals to stop eating.

2. WEIGHT GAIN

Older Adult > 65 years

A lack of sleep can also have direct effects on your metabolism. A 2012 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that just four and a half hours of sleep for four days straight can reduce your fat cells’ ability to respond to insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating energy, by 30 percent.

Adult 26-64 years

3. FEELING IMPULSIVE People tend to act without thinking when they’re exhausted.

4. MEMORY IS SHOT 7-9

7-8

10-11

Young Adult 18-25 years

Teenager 14-17 years

8-10

9-11

School Age 6-13 years

Before you panic about having a serious memory problem, know that your brain is probably fine. When you’re tired, you’re usually not paying a whole lot of attention to what’s going on when trying to make a memory.

5. T ROUBLE MAKING DECISIONS Sleep deprivation can affect speed and higher-level cognitive processing. That means essential functions, like problem-solving or time management, become even more difficult to carry out.

6. MOTOR SKILLS ARE OFF

Recommended Range

May be Appropriate

68 DECEMBER 2017

Not Recommended

When you’re tired, there’s a lapse in how you neurologically function in general. With lowered reaction time and concentration also comes more difficulty with movement.

7. EMOTIONS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE You become over-reactive to emotional stimuli. So, things that normally haven’t gotten you worked up in the past may provoke anxiety, sadness, or anger.

8. CAN’T SHAKE FEELING SICK If you’re not sleeping properly there can be significant issues in terms of your body’s ability to fight off infections. A 2009 study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that people who got less than seven hours of sleep were nearly three times as likely to develop a cold than those who got eight hours or more rest a night.

9. HAVING TROUBLE SEEING When fatigued, you’re not able to control the muscles of the eye as well. Skimping on shut-eye tires out the ciliary muscle, which helps your eyes focus. The result: you’ll have a harder time reading up close. A lack of sleep can also make alignment harder to control, potentially resulting in double vision.

10. SKIN ISN’T LOOKING GOOD It’s called “beauty sleep” for a reason. A 2013 clinical trial conducted at University Hospitals Case Medical Center found that skin recovery was 30 percent higher in those who had good quality sleep over those with poor sleep. A lack of sleep upsets hormonal balance and elevates circulating estrogen levels. Not only can you expect more breakouts when you skip out on rest, your skin may also appear older. — adapted from Health.com

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CC COCKTAIL CONFIDENTIAL

holiday cocktails

Wrapping your fingers around one of these will remind you why cold weather and the stressful holidays can be wonderful. With the weather getting colder outside, some might opt for a hot chocolate for relief, but how about adding some alcohol? There’s something cheery about walking into a room or bar and being greeted by the heady aroma of mulled wine gently stewing with cinnamon sticks. The festive goodwill it fosters is second-to-none. We consulted the fine folks at MixCo in downtown Tulsa (the corner of 3rd and Denver, across the street from the BOK Center) and came up with a list of special holiday drinks that are both warm and festive, perfect for those cold winter nights on the way. MixCo utilizes a lot of their own inhouse blends and spices, including their housemade cinnamon whiskey that they call The Spice. (That name, by the way, as well as two of the drinks below, pay homage to the old sci-fi book and movie, Dune.)

70 DECEMBER 2017

“As a group, these are kind of all classic hot cocktails,” says MixCo general manager Matt Land. “Even the cold stuff is very warming. Haute Buttered Rum, Hot Toddy, the Frio Papa Francis is a mulled wine, the Fremen Flip is basically like an egg nog — they’re all kind of classic wintertime cocktails — but we just kind of want to put our little twist on them, make them our own. We like to use a lot of housemade ingredients; that’s one of our focuses.” Stop by MixCo to sample any of these drinks, as well as many others, or feel free to try to make them on your own using the recipes below. “We always have new ones coming out,” Land says. “We’re working on one right now with apple butter, a homemade apple butter cocktail. Then we’re working on some new coffee drinks, to incorporate into our menu.”

MODERN MIRACLE “It’s just a supereasy drink and a wintertime spice drink, not your pumpkin spice latte, but it’s pretty damn close,” says Land, who won an award last year at the Giving Spirits competition with this drink. “Irish whiskey, a lot of fruit, lot of vanilla, and pair that with a pear-ginger syrup that’s got a little bit of spice to it.” INGREDIENTS: 2 oz. Irish whiskey 0 .75 oz. pear-ginger syrup 0 .5 oz. lemon juice 2 dashes angostura bitters F lamed cinnamon tincture DIRECTIONS: 1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker, shake, and dump into a rocks glass. 2. Garnish with a flamed cinnamon tincture.

MIXCO HOT TODDY “Hot toddies can be any booze,” Land says. “This one is kind of an older recipe, it doesn’t have tea in it. We use cognac as a base instead of whiskey. It’s really just a simple hot toddy, but we think the use of brandy and then our homemade cinnamon whiskey really kind of puts this on a different level than most people’s. And it’s one that’s a lot easier to make at home for people. It’s one of the least complex of the ones on this list.” INGREDIENTS: 1 .5 oz. cognac 0 .5 oz. The Spice 0 .5 oz. honey syrup

0 .5 oz. lemon juice 1 clove-studded lemon wheel

DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat cognac, The Spice, honey syrup, and lemon juice in saucepan and stir until combined. 2. Add mixture to pre-warmed toddy glass or coffee mug and top with hot water. 3. Float clove-studded lemon wheel.

FRIO PAPA FRANCIS “This is a fun one. It’s basically our version of a mulled wine,” Land says. “The mulled wine syrup is reduced cabernet sauvignon and reduced Malbec, with all your mulling spices like cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, all kinds of other stuff. And Jerry Thomas is a super clove-forward bitter with a lot of basic spices as well. This one is a little bit different, because usually we would shake any citrus juice in a cocktail. This is stirred to give it that mulled wine texture but still getting all those flavors in there.” INGREDIENTS: 1 oz. cognac 1 oz. heavy red wine such as a cabernet sauvignon 0.5 oz. orange juice

0 .5 oz. mulled wine syrup 2 dashes Jerry Thomas Bitters Orange twist

DIRECTIONS: 1. Combine all ingredients in mixing glass, add ice, and stir. 2. Strain into chilled cocktail glass, express orange twist.

ALPINE NIGHTS “Dolin Genepy is an old-school acure from the Alps region,” Land says. “They used to drink it with hot chocolate to reduce blood pressure and thin blood out a little bit when you got done with the day. So we took that idea, played with it a little bit, and made it our own. It’s kind of like a boozy take on the hot chocolate. So the Dolin Genepy’s got a lot of mint to it, and a lot of herbaceousness. The Rye whiskey adds some cinnamon notes and some spice notes. The housemade marshmallows are flavored with angostura bitters, just a little something extra on top.”

HAUTE BUTTERED RUM “The compound butter is homemade,” Land says. “Cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar. We like to use Black Strap Rum, which is basically a super earthy vanilla, caramel molasses rum, kind of in-your-face, over-the-top rum. The same thing with the Jamaican Pot Still rum. Super flavorful, lot of punch, a lot of funk, lot of ester, so it’s a lot of fruit notes. It really gives it a complexity that’s lacking in most hot buttered rums. And a lot of really fun dark cherry notes to go with the molasses and the butter.”

INGREDIENTS: 1 oz. Dolin Genepy 0.5 oz. Rye whiskey 0.5 oz. Punt e Mes Vermouth

INGREDIENTS: 1 .5 oz. Black Strap Rum 0.5 oz. Jamaican Pot Still Rum

3 oz. housemade cocoa mix Housemade angostura bitters marshmallows

inch of salt P 4 drops Jerry Thomas Bitters Fresh nutmeg

DIRECTIONS: 1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake without ice. 2. Add ice, shake vigorously, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 3. Drop Jerry Thomas Bitters on top of the cocktail and grate fresh nutmeg on top.

ATREIDES MULE “Atreides Mule is the first cocktail we did with The Spice,” says Land of the drink that also won a Giving Spirits award. “It’s an ounce and a half of Spice, and then it’s just kind of a classic play of that cinnamon-pineapple-lime pairing that is just amazing any way you put it together. It’s a little pineapple juice, lime juice, and then ginger beer. Super simple, but we love it. It’s still one of our best-sellers for a long time.” INGREDIENTS: 1 .5 oz. The Spice 0.25 oz. pineapple juice

0.5 oz. lime juice 2 .5 oz. housemade ginger beer

DIRECTIONS: 1. Build in a copper mug.

MIXCO

3rd and Denver | Tulsa 918-932-8571

Monday-Saturday: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Kitchen is open until midnight

mixcotulsa.com

DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat rum and butter in saucepan and whisk until thoroughly combined. 2. Add mixture to pre-warmed toddy glass or coffee mug and top with hot water. 3. Express from orange twist and discard.

INGREDIENTS: 1 oz. cognac 0.75 oz. The Spice 0.5 oz. Cardamaro 1 whole egg

DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat all ingredients in saucepan and stir until combined. 2. Add mixture to pre-warmed toddy glass or coffee mug and garnish with a couple housemade Angostura marshmallows.

1 tbsp. compound butter

FREMEN FLIP “Egg nog is super popular; it’s really hit or miss at most places,” Land says of this drink named after characters in Dune. “A flip is a cocktail with a whole egg in it. Cognac, The Spice, Cardamaro is a type of amaro, but it’s wine-based, so it gives it that kind of open, earthy, almost-aged feel. And that pinch of salt is super important to bring out all those flavors. We tend to put salt in just about all of our shaken drinks, just to make everything pop a little bit.”

TO R

PREVIEW918.COM 71

ET EATS + TREATS SAUSAGE AND BRIE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

Y S E E CH T I S E DO

AYS, D I L O H E ND TH SON, SPICE UP U O R A T I AYS A HTHER? THIS SEAOF CHEESE. W L A S I OARD T A STEP FUR E PLEASURES B E S E E H A C N O T TA K E I E W I T H T H IN BUT WHRY BAKING ROUT YOU

by TIFFANY DUNCAN photos by CHELSI FISHER

If you’re tired of serving the same predictable recipes you’ve rolled out for countless years, try switching things up with a dairy twist. It’s the season … for cheese. Cheddar, Parmesan, Brie, cream cheese; warm, gooey, rich, melty. Since diets have already been tossed out the window by December

72 DECEMBER 2017

anyway, it’s truly the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas lights, holiday parties, mulled wine, brown paper packages tied up with string — and all of the cheesy goodness you can handle before starting that diet Jan. 1 (or, you know, before making that yearly three-day effort, at least). Cheese it up with these three recipes that are sure to become household holiday staples.

Adapted from plainchicken.com This flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth, cheesy breakfast casserole will be your new Christmas morning go-to. Because the bulk of the prep work is done the night before and refrigerated overnight, all you have to do is pop it into the oven in the morning and eat while everyone sits around the tree. Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 1 hour Yields: 8-10 servings

Ingredients: 1 (8-oz.) Brie round 1 lb. ground hot pork sausage 6 slices white sandwich bread 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 7 eggs, divided 3 cups heavy whipping cream, divided 2 cups fat-free milk ¼ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. black pepper 1 tsp. dry mustard DIRECTIONS: 1. Trim all rind from Brie. Cut cheese into cubes and set aside. 2. Cook sausage in a large skillet until no longer pink. Drain fat. 3. Cut crust from bread slices and place in the bottom of a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch dish. Top with cooked sausage, Brie cubes, and grated Parmesan cheese. 4. Whisk together five eggs, two cups heavy whipping cream, milk, salt, pepper, and dry mustard. Pour evenly over cheeses. Cover and refrigerate for eight hours. 5. In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove casserole from refrigerator and uncover. 6. Whisk together remaining two eggs and one cup of heavy whipping cream. Pour over the chilled casserole. 7. Bake uncovered for an hour, or until set (if middle still seems jiggly but the sides are browning, cover the outside edges of the pan with tin foil, and continue baking in seven minute increments). Serve warm.

EATS + TREATS ET MINI MAC AND CHEESE BITES

Adapted from Shauna Niequist’s Bread and Wine These may just be the ultimate dish to bring to any Christmas party or potluck this season. Rich and cheesy with a hint of golden-baked crispness, you better pop a few on the way to your destination because they’ll be gone as soon as they hit the table. Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 12-14 minutes Yields: 24

Ingredients:

CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIE TRUFFLES Adapted from ifyougiveablondeakitchen.com

These delightful little sugar bombs are not only easy to make but are also great for little ones to get their hands on and feel included in the process. You could even start a new tradition with your children and leave these festive cuties out for Santa instead of cookies. Prep time: 35 minutes Yields: 12-18 truffles, depending on size

Ingredients: 12 sugar cookies, 2 ½-3 inches in diameter (store-bought are fine, but homemade taste best) 3 tbsp. cream cheese 2 cups baking white chocolate or candy melts Sprinkles for decoration

½ pound elbow macaroni (four cups cooked) 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 2 tbsp. butter, plus more for pan 2 dashes Tabasco

tsp. salt ½ 1 egg yolk ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided Panko breadcrumbs for sprinkling Smoked paprika for garnish

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a pot of salted, boiling water, cook the macaroni for about five minutes until it’s just al dente (just a touch firmer than how you’d like to eat it). Drain and set aside. 2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Brush a mini muffin pan with melted butter, then sprinkle half the grated Parmesan into the muffin cups. 3. In a large pot, warm butter and cheddar cheese and whisk until smooth (if having trouble getting smooth consistency, add a few tablespoons milk or sour cream).

4. Off heat, add Tabasco, egg yolk, and whisk again. Add macaroni and toss with cheese sauce until well-coated. 5. Spoon into mini muffin cups, making them slightly rounded and packing them lightly. Top with grated Parmesan and a light sprinkling of Panko breadcrumbs. 6. Bake 12-14 minutes, until golden on top. 7. Let cool at least 10 minutes before serving, because they will set as they cool. 8. Sprinkle with smoked paprika. Serve warm or at room temperature.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Place sugar cookies in a food processor and process until cookies turn into fine crumbs. Add cream cheese and process again until well-combined and mixture can be pressed into a ball (one or two minutes). 2. Shape cookies into balls about 1 to 1 ½ inches in diameter. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer for 15 minutes or fridge for one hour. 3. In a medium bowl, melt white chocolate according to package directions. 4. Remove cookie balls from freezer. Using a spoon or two forks, dip and roll chilled cookie balls in white chocolate, one at a time, until fully coated. Return to lined baking sheet and immediately top with sprinkles or else they won’t stick (a good job for the children). 5. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week (unless Santa eats them all).

PREVIEW918.COM 73

TA TULSA ARTS DISTRICT

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

Check Website for Dates!

114 N Boston | Tulsa, OK 74103

918.508.7000

74 DECEMBER 2017

TA TULSA ARTS DISTRICT

Not Just an Ordinary Bar Located in the heart of the Tulsa Arts District of downtown Tulsa Caz's Pub 21 W. M.B. Brady St. \ Tulsa, OK 74103

918.585.8587 www.cazspub.com

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

918.582.3383

www.mexicalibordercafe.com 14 W. M.B. Brady St. Tulsa, OK 74103 PREVIEW918.COM 75

UG URBAN GRIND

Because the quality of coffee is so important to specialty coffee shops, some may place restrictions on how creative customers are able to get with certain orders. But there’s a reason for the “restrictions.” By Monica Craddock Photos by Chelsi Fisher According to coffee enthusiasts, we are in what is called the “third wave” of coffee drinking. This “wave” is characterized by the desire of specialty coffee shops to serve the highest quality of coffee possible. To attain this level of excellence, many specialty coffee shops have returned to the basics by making coffee a more traditional way. Many “third wave” coffee shops have brought the focus back to making coffee and coffee beverages the more traditional way — like a strictly 6-oz. cappuccino, for example. Once the roast is perfected (usually on the much lighter side of the spectrum) these shops then craft smaller beverages with much less sugar (if any) like lattes, espressos, americanos, and more. In stepping back a little from being in a strictly business mindset, many companies have become more community focused and more aware of the coffee and who is working to create it. In the same mindset as “farm-totable,” there is now the “seed-to-cup” ideal behind specialty coffee. “Coffee shops are now a cultural destination and are very accessible,” says Samuel Smith, coffee manager for the Pioneer Woman Mercantile in Pawhuska. “There is an integrity and transparency to the very specific way of making coffee and of who makes it, where it comes from and who is brewing it. There is also a strong intentionality behind brewing, extracting, and following recipes and guidelines to get the strongest quality.” To attain the highest quality of coffee, there must be intentionality in every aspect of making each drink. Specific coffee farms with certain beans are used. Specific roasting profiles and roasters are used. Ensuring that you have quality equipment is important. Hiring and training people to be skilled baristas, who can use every factor that goes into the coffee to their advantage to ensure the best product, is essential. In gathering all these factors, the oldest recipes are used to ensure a good foundation for the quality of each drink.

76 DECEMBER 2017

Taking on a few European origins, a traditional latte is a single or double shot of espresso topped with frothed milk. Another traditional drink, the Americano, is also a shot of espresso topped with hot water. Of course, there is the espresso, which is a if very flavorful and potent version of black coffee that has been condensed to only 1 or 2 ounces and pulled from the espresso machine under 9-10 bars of pressure. Using specific coffee parameters as a baseline ensures quality. The reason a cappuccino is made as a 6-ounce coffee drink, rather than a 16-ounce version you might find at Starbucks or the like, is not to skimp on the amount, but because the amount of milk added to the espresso, creates a more harmonious balance. The challenge is not just to learn how to make a cappuccino, but how to best showcase the espresso with the steamed milk. You want to have the best beans, the best roast profile and the best frothed milk to create the best or most harmonious version of that drink. Because the quality of coffee is so important to specialty coffee shops, some places may place restrictions on how creative customers are able to get with certain orders. The second wave of coffee introduced to us the accessibility of regular coffee drinks as well as other delicious drinks that may be larger and sweeter than those found at a specifically specialty coffee shops. But in the third wave, however, there are guidelines to drinks to make them specialty so, at these locations, it may be not be feasible to request a 20-ounce caramel decaf macchiato. To a barista, a macchiato is a drink originating in Italy meaning “marked,” as in an espresso that is “marked” with a small amount of cream. Also, the Cortado is a 4-oz. beverage originating from Spain and meaning “cut,” translating to “cut” with steamed milk. Both of these drinks feature 1-2 ounces of espresso and a small or cream, each containing only 4 ounces.

URBAN GRIND UG

See our feature on page 92

Something to also keep in mind is that there are graders of coffee (called Q-Graders) that actually letter grade the coffee beans, and there are people in charge of quality control to taste the finished product as well. What is known as a “cupping score” determines what makes coffee specialty. Similar to a wine tasting, there are cuppings in place to taste test the coffees from each region. There is also the variable of how to roast and how to serve coffee differently depending on where the coffee originates from. A lot of coffee shops have specific roasteries to roast their beans, which can roast them to the best quality. Those beans are also made into coffee drinks to get the best quality of drink per each region. For example, an espresso may be made with beans from a certain area and a regular black cup of coffee may be made with beans from somewhere else. All of this to ensure that you are being served with the best version of each drink. Baristas are very proud of the work that goes into each drink and that pride becomes their responsibility and desire to let the average non-versatile-coffee-drinking-joe know what kinds and styles of beverages they have and what they can make for you in regards to what you normally like to drink. “You don’t want to lecture anyone about what they are ordering. It does help us, as baristas, to clarify for people what we have versus what they want,” says Smith. “Someone may order a macchiato but may actually want a latte or a drink with certain syrups in it, and that becomes fun. A skilled barista can pull a quality shot of espresso easily, but having the concoctive tendencies to mix a drink for someone with multiple ingredients becomes a welcomed challenge.”

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Dark Side â&#x20AC;&#x201D; of the â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Spoon bean, The world is obsessed with the coffee . rent and those in the 918 are no diffe ling decor From hand-roa -stea sted beans and scene wer outlets, to comfy seating d a plethora of po an ir own. these 25 destinations are in a class of the ppetta By Michele Chia on and Rob Harm

78 DECEMBER 2017

You may call it kaffee in Berlin, caffe in Rome, or kofi in Nigeria… You may like it black or with cream, strong or bright, hot or iced, drip or pour over, French press or cold brew… You may want that rush of caffeine or prefer a decaffeinated version. But there’s one thing you can count on, no matter where you go. The power of coffee to wake people up and bring people together is so universal, it might just be the one drink every culture has in common. Given the throngs of people filling coffee shops morning, noon and night, it’s a wonder any of the offices in town are occupied at all. The phenomenon speaks to our sincere love of java. To call this energizing drink popular is an understatement. Americans drink an estimated 146 billion cups of it each year. According to the National Coffee Association (NCA), 59 percent of coffee cups consumed daily are classified as gourmet and out-of-home consumption reached an all-time high of 46 percent in 2017.

918 Coffee 24 46 E. 11T H T ULSA Across from the University of Tulsa campus, 918 Coffee serves a steady clientele with delights such as espresso, the pour over, French press, iced chai, cold brew and more. Stop in for award-winning farm-tocup Coda coffee selections, organic and free trade coffees and teas. Enjoy seasonal ice creams and popsicles, pastries, sandwiches, wings, local ales, and wine. 918 Coffee also offers gluten-free menu options. And they’re open every day 6:30 a.m.10:30 p.m. — the ultimate in coffee shop reliability.

All About Cha 202 S. CHEYEN N E AVE. TU LSA 820 N . AS PEN AVE. B ROK E N AR ROW With a choice of almost 70 different coffee and other drink selections, All About Cha’s downtown Tulsa and Broken Arrow locations are quickly becoming a great place in Green Country to discover your new favorite beverage. The atmosphere is pretty cool, too. Comfy seats, ambient lighting and excellent baristas make drinking a cup of coffee or tea an all-out experience. Outstanding breakfast and lunch items that go way beyond any normal coffee house bring back happy returning customers day in and day out.

And sure, you can brew a quick cup at home, but there are so many other options out there to explore, especially here in Green Country. Tulsa and its surrounding towns offer an impressive variety of coffee houses, brewing styles, bean sources and more… meaning that if you haven’t explored our rich coffee scene yet, you are sorely overdue for an experience that will charge you up and get you going, day after day. Some coffee shops are like a cozy home away from home, others ideally sparse. They can be a place to recharge with a good book and a steaming drink or to chat up a friend over that perfect pastry. The best spots have a bit of magic to them: ambiance with no pretense, friendly baristas, and of course, delicious coffee. Whichever reason you’re on the lookout for a cafe, the options are limitless — which is why narrowing down the best coffee spots in Green Country is a daunting task. Here are 25 of the area’s best coffee houses (many of which roast their own beans), from hotspots to hidden gems.

Cafe Cubana 1340 E. 15T H ST. T ULSA The next time you visit Cherry Street, be sure to stop in for a cup of coffee at Cafe Cubana. One of Tulsa’s oldest coffee shops, the Cafe offers a wide variety of bean-based drinks — au lait, latte, breve, mocha, con leche, and iced options. They also serve nutritious smoothies, Italian sodas, teas, steamers, chai and more. In warmer weather, the patio seating is an inviting option, and in cooler weather, you’ll love the warm, comfortable inside seating, perfect for business or pleasure.

Cafe Tavolo 427 S. B OSTON AVE. T ULSA Beautiful and historic are two words that aptly describe Tulsa’s Philtower, and the coffee shop located on its first floor is a wonderful extension of the building’s unique nature. Downtowners love stopping into this place to find something amazing and quick to take and eat, to go along with an even more delightful hot or cold drink on-the-go. Hot sausage rolls or sweet and satisfying cinnamon rolls are favorites. Whatever you choose, a simple visit to Café Tavolo makes every morning or afternoon special.

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R E S T A U R A N T

918.743.1800

3109 S Yale

www.CelebrityTulsa.com

A Tulsa favorite for over 50 years! • Steak • Lobster • Seafood • Chicken • Famous “World-Class” Caesar Salad made Tableside 80 DECEMBER 2017

DOUBLESHOT (ELLY PHOTOGRAPHY)

Chimera 212 N. MA I N ST. TULSA In Tulsa’s Arts District, on Brady and Main, Chimera Café serves food and drinks of mythical proportions. Chimera boasts six different methods available for creatively brewing its java juice. From manual brewers to electric, slow-steeped to nitro-infused coffee, this place does everything with a strong commitment to the highest standards in coffee brewing. Wake up to a hot and fresh cup every single day of the week starting at 7 a.m. at this cooler than cool coffee bar.

Dwelling Spaces 502 E. 3R D ST. # 2 2 TULSA If eclectic local gifts featuring sayings like “Don’t Hate the 918” and pictures of Bigfoot are your thing, then Dwelling Spaces should be your thing as well. This clever local gift shop features the work of Tulsa area artists that you’ll love to browse. While there, have a cup of their famous java at the JoeBot’s Coffee Bar, and sit outside overlooking the fun shops at the Boxyard where Dwelling Spaces is located. Then go shopping there. It’s a blast.

Cirque Coffee Roasters 1317 E . 6 T H ST. T U LSA Situated in the Pearl District, Cirque is a spot of artistic, eclectic, hip coffee delights. The ceiling’s open-beamed warm wood, the pockmarked, beaten copper covered bars for sipping and working, the baristas who make a solid recommendation based on a few questions about what you like to drink — you’ll love it all. Test drive the Apple Spiced Latte — a mild, frothy coffee blend with just a hint of spice that will have you hankering for a second warm, comforting cup.

Foolish Things Coffee Company 10 01 S. M AIN

T U LSA

At Foolish Things, a few things are certain. You’ll enjoy the bright, natural lit, open environment. You’ll receive great, friendly service from the baristas. And you’ll enjoy some finely crafted coffees from roasters around the United States. Foolish Things prides itself on being a place where you can foster conversation because so much of the seating is shared space. Their breakfast and lunch menu offers tasty quiche, hot turkey sandwiches, salads, and much more. And their space can be rented out for private parties.

Cosmo Cafe and Bar 3334 S. PEORI A AVE.

DoubleShot Coffee Company T ULSA

When you want a comfortable spot to sip coffee, get some work done, or visit with friends in a casual atmosphere, Cosmo is a great place to go. Located in Brookside, Cosmo stocks a supply of board games for you to play with pals, mixed drinks for the adults in your group, spacious outdoor and indoor seating, and reliable service. You can get your coffee straight up, flavored, spiked, even topped with whipped cream for those times you want to indulge. Special menu items include gluten-free options, seasonal cocktails, and decadent desserts like the My Goodness, My Guinness — a warm brownie soaked with hot Guinness, espresso and Irish Cream, topped with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream.

Gypsy Coffee House 303 M.L .K. JR B LVD.

T ULSA

1730 S. B OSTON AVE. T ULSA This small, craft roaster focuses on doing coffee for aficionados by aficionados— not too green or under-roasted, not over-roasted or burnt, just perfectly roasted, flavorful, fresh ground coffee that will please your palate reliably every time. In a warm, bright atmosphere perfect for work or conversation, visitors can enjoy coffees from Africa, Central America, South America and the Far East — as well as blends created right here in Tulsa. Owner Brian Franklin regularly travels to coffee-producing regions to meet with the farmers who grow the shop’s coffees as well as discover delicious new coffees. One DoubleShot coffee has even been featured in Wine Spectator, with a reviewer declaring it “rich, balanced, chocolaty, fruity, yummy” and a “knock-your-socks-off coffee.” The shop also has its own bakery which daily creates treats designed to complement its specialty coffees. In October, DoubleShot broke ground on its new home at 17th and Boulder. Most of the new roastery and coffee shop will be housed in a reconstructed 170-year-old barn. The new shop is expected to open in spring 2018.

Originally Gypsy Oil Company, this old building from 1906 has been a coffee house for nearly 20 years now. Wish you could be like the cool kids? Gypsy is Tulsa’s hip coffee hang-out, and they don’t even know it (the way it should be). Enjoy a cup o’ joe or their amazing chicken mozzarella sandwich for lunch. You’ll be set. But don’t leave right away either. Gypsy’s the kind of place to just hang out and meet somebody new.

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TOPECA COFFEE (CHELSI FISHER)

Mod's Coffee and Crepes 507 S. BO STO N AV E . TULSA Across from Decopolis on Boston Avenue, smack dab in the middle of Tulsa’s Deco District, Mod’s is a sweet shop to enjoy your fix of coffee, crepes, gelato and so much more. This downtown treat is Tulsa’s crepe capital, serving a dozen or more sweet and savory delicious menu options. Combine any one of them with the rich, flavorful coffee they serve, and you’ll wish you had the whole day to try the whole menu.

Nordaggios Coffee 815 6 S. L E W IS AV E .

Romeo's Espresso Cafe T U LSA

521 N . MA I N ST.

Walk into Nordaggios, close to the ORU campus, and you’ll notice the comfortable-looking couches and chairs. Warm and inviting fireplaces make you feel right at home, too. And there’s outside seating that’s great in warmer weather. Last, but certainly not least, if you order one of their awesome roasted-inhouse coffees, you’ll understand completely why people choose every day to meet their friends there for memory-making coffee and fellowship.

B ROKEN A RROW

As you’re shopping on Broken Arrow’s eclectic, growing Main Street area, you’ll want to take a break and relax. A coffee at Romeo’s is a perfect solution. They serve specialty hot and cold coffee drinks with a wide variety of flavor options for those who don’t like their java straight up. They also serve artisan sandwiches, salads, gourmet desserts and more for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Patrons love the espresso (of course!) and the blueberry muffins.

Scoops & Grinds 1023 W. MA I N ST.

COL LINSVILLE

In historic Collinsville, this delightful shop offers locally roasted coffee and tasty treats. Their flavored drinks feature rich Ghirardelli caramel and chocolate, taking your coffee drink experience up a notch. Scoops & Grinds also excels at frozen drinks, and you can’t go wrong with a frappe, the iced chocolate stout, Ghirardelli caramel malt or any of their other iced options. They also make homemade ice cream each week, using only fresh cream and freezing it in an Italian gelato freezer to produce rich, creamy flavors. If you want to take it home, they sell the coffee by the pound with a custom grind.

Also Check Out Topeca Coffee Roasters 115 W. 5 TH ( M AYO H OTE L) T U LSA 100 E. 2ND ( H YATT H OTE L) T U LSA For a quick bite and a diligently crafted, thoughtfully brewed cup of coffee, Topeca is an awesome shop to visit. As owners of coffee farms in El Salvador, much of the coffee from Topeca is cultivated every step of the way, or “seed-tocup,” as it is called. The richness of every cup makes this brand of coffee truly stand out. Whether it’s a busy workday or a relaxing day off, either one of Topeca’s two locations are must-visits for your caffeine fix.

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C O FFE E H O U S E O N C H E R RY ST REET 15 0 2 E . 15 T H ST. | TULSA

FA I RF EL LOW COF F EE 1 N . L EW I S AVE. | T ULSA

S HA D ES OF B ROW N 3302 S. PEORI A AVE. | TU LSA

D R IP 4 0 3 N . M U S KO GE E AV E . | TA HL EQUA H

HOD G ES B EN D 823 E. 3RD ST. | T ULSA

S UMAT RA COF F EE S H OP 424 4 S. PEORI A AVE. | TU LSA

E S P R E S S O 91 1 1718 S. M U S KO GE E AV E . | TA HL EQUA H

MECCA COF F EE COMPA N Y 1330 E. 41ST ST. | T ULSA

Where the locals have been going since 1975!

Daily ls Lunch Specia am 11 Open at Saturday Monday thru ay Closed Sund

918.622.2668

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

ast, Breakf & Dinner Lunch

of Hom Five Genera tio emade Goodn ns ess!

Homemade Hot Rolls Made Us Famous!

Grandma’s Cooking Keeps You Coming Back!

918.254.1500

2604 N. Aspen Ave | Broken Arrow PREVIEW918.COM 83

, THE ARRAY OF WINGS TO BE FOUND ON NATIVE GRILL & WINGS MENU IS EXTENSIVE, AS THEY TAKE THE BASIC CONCEPT OF THESE LITTLE SUCKERS AND RUN THEM THROUGH AN ABUNDANCE OF VARIATIONS FROM TRADITIONAL FLAVORS TO A HOST OF BOLDER CHOICES.

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CALIFORNIA CLUCK

RASPBERRY LEMONADE

You want to catch the game, enjoy some wings, maybe a beer, but you also want some place your whole family can enjoy? Native Grill & Wings has a table waiting for you, right at the corner of 71st and US 169. The family-friendly sports bar opened just a few months ago, bringing their wings, pizza, salads, and burgers to Green Country.

reclaimed wood, and glass. The generous bar space has a pair of glass garage-style doors that open to a comfortable patio with big orange cushions on the outdoor furnishings.

“It’s eclectic homestyle,” says Jason Prout, managing partner. The interior has high, exposed ceilings, with tons of brick,

When the garage-style doors are open, air curtains help keep the bugs out and the comfortable temperature in, letting people enjoy easy access to the bar area while lounging on the patio with friends or family. Between the bar and the dining area, there are four different sound zones, allowing

CHICKEN BACON RANCH FLATBREAD

guests to concentrate on the game they’re most interested in. Once you’ve picked your sound zone and your game, it’s time to let Native Grill feed you. Native Grill started in Arizona when an aspiring restaurateur couple traveled from the east to purchase an old pizza joint. Then called the Native New Yorker, the restaurant struggled until they added wings to the menu. Now a successful chain, Native Grill is spreading out from Arizona, with the

20-PACK WINGS

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The kitchen features a stone pizza oven paying homage to Native Grill’s start as a pizza place. They serve up some popular favorites like the Meaty Beast, a pie loaded with pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and ham. The traditional Margherita pizza is another popular choice, made with mozzarella, tomatoes, garlic, and sprinkled with basil before going into that stone oven. The house special is a traditional combination of pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, and black olives. Or you can make your own choosing from ingredients as traditional as pepperoni and sausage to as exotic as shredded pork or fried eggs. You can custom build a flatbread if you’re feeling trendy, choosing a pizza sauce or one of 14 wing sauces, your choice of five cheeses, and up to four toppings from the pizza topping list.

Native Grill serves up great burgers as well. The Arizona Burger is topped with a spicy adventure of jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, avocado, and Native’s honey chipotle wing sauce. The Bacon Cheeseburger and the Native Burger are your classic burgers done right, but Prout recommends the Hangover Burger. Like all Native Grill’s burgers, the beef has never been frozen. It’s cooked to juicy perfection, then topped with hardwood smoked bacon, crispy hash browns, avocado, lettuce, pepper jack cheese, and crowned with an over easy egg. “It’s served sliced and that egg drips down over it,” he says.

HANGOVER BURGER

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Try to save room for dessert. Native Grill offers your choice of a hot chocolate chip or white chocolate macadamia nut cookie served in a skillet and topped with ice cream. These hot sweet treats are a perfect finish for your meal. If you need catering, give Native Grill a call. They’ve done everything from school events to wedding receptions and would be glad to help you out with your event.

NATIVE GRILL & WINGS

10804 E. 71st St. | Tulsa 918-806-2707 nativegrillandwings.com

Native Grill offers weekly wing specials. Tuesday is bottomless traditional wings, Wednesday is a discounted boneless wings special, and Thursday, the strippers take the stage, with a special price for a half pound or full pound serving. According to Prout, the most popular sauce is the honey barbecue and

The hummus is prepared with hot sauce or plain jane and served with flatbread, celery, and carrots. The shredded pork queso is another unique offering, with white queso topped with seasoned shredded pork. If you’re looking for something both delicious and unusual, Prout suggests the meatball. “It’s a meatball the size of a grapefruit,” he says. “Mozzarella drips down over it.” If you can’t make up your mind, consider the combo platter. It’s a generous serving of Native strippers, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, zucchini sticks, and potato skins with dipping sauces for everything.

If you’re by on a Friday, you’re in luck. Native Grill offers beer-battered Alaskan haddock fried golden and served with fries, tartar sauce, and lemon. But plan ahead, the Friday Fish Fry is available only Friday.

The menu includes salads, sandwiches, and sliders as well. The California Cluck is one of the more popular sandwiches, a toasted

STRAWBERRY MARGARITA

The wings that saved the original Native Grill come as traditional wings, boneless wings, or native style strippers. You can also get your strippers naked: grilled, with no breading. Whichever version of wings you prefer, they come covered in sauce or one of Native’s dry rubs. The sauces range from the sweet and mild honey barbecue sauce to the truly terrifying Ghost sauce (not for the faint of heart or gut). The rubs come in a sweet and mapley Chicken N’ Waffles all the way up to the moderately spicy Ancho Chile Lime rub.

Native Grill offers a large selection of appetizers and starters. Many are standard sports bar fare, like onion rings, mozzarella cheese sticks, or potato skins. These are, of course, all great options, but Native Grill has a few surprises to offer you as well.

ciabatta bun with grilled chicken breast and topped with bacon, avocado, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, red onion, tomato, and mayo. You can get Native’s fantastic meatballs with mozzarella and marinara as a slider or a sub. If you’re in the mood for a salad, consider the Chicken Apple Walnut salad with Granny Smith apples, fresh strawberries, candied walnuts, blue cheese crumbles, and grilled chicken. It’s served with a light and fresh citrus vinaigrette.

the Chicken N’ Waffles is the most popular rub. “It’s sweet, but not sticky,” he says.

Tulsa store as its 32nd location serving up delicious pizza, wings, and more to families.

Sunday-Thursday: 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 10:30 a.m.-Midnight

BONELESS BUFFALO WINGS

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If there’s a weak spot on owner Bill Tackett’s menu, we’ve yet to discover it. A roster of blue crab cakes, chicken marsala, beef aged 21-65 days, and infused liquors created in-house, showcases Bluestone Steak House & Seafood’s dazzling ability to bring finedining cuisine to contemporary life. By Michele Chiappetta Photos by Marc Rains When you dine out for steak, you want it cooked to perfection — juicy, pink in the middle, seared with butter and spices, served hot, with tasty sides that satisfy your taste buds, yes, but also your soul. You want steak, but you also want an experience you’ll never forget, an experience that makes you glad you decided to go out for dinner. That’s what you get when you dine at Bluestone Steak House & Seafood in south Tulsa. That, and a whole lot more. Owner Bill Tackett works hard to ensure Bluestone maintains a warm, elegant dining experience that visitors enjoy every time they walk in the door. “Our objective is to have fine dining in a casual atmosphere,” he says. “We want people to have a great experience in a friendly, casual environment. But everything is fine dining from the word go.” This is no exaggeration either. Everything about Bluestone, from the impressive wooden door as you enter and the elegantly friendly servers to the premier menu and bar options, will help you to feel completely pampered.

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Of course, dining out in such an atmosphere feels both comfortable, yet special too. Bluestone adds to that sense of pampering with warm, low lighting that invites conversation and intimacy for special occasions, as well as live music Tuesday through Sunday. Regular performers include Tulsa area favorites Bobby Cantrell, Angie Cockrell, Mike Leland and Johnny Johnson. The menu is carefully crafted to offer a premier experience as well, ensuring customers receive every dollar’s worth in the dishes they order. “You’re going to get fresh baked bread every day, served at the table for free, and fresh whipped butter,” says Tackett. “You’re going to get soup or salad. And all of our soups are hand-crafted. We don’t buy them; I don’t believe in that. We use everything that we have here. And then you get a choice of starches or vegetables, which are all fresh. We don’t buy frozen vegetables.” The menu is rich in appetizers, making it fun to try something new every time you visit. Fan favorites include the blue crab cakes served with a roasted corn-black bean relish and jalapénocilantro aioli, and the Bluestone brie, coated with crushed macadamia nuts and panko breadcrumbs, pan-fried and served with sliced Fuji apples, seasonal fruit, toasted pita points, and a fresh raspberry sauce. The main courses are impressive as well. “All the fish is fresh; we bring it in three days a week,” says Tackett. Among the choices are salmon, halibut, ahi tuna, shrimp, scallops and weekly specials. If you love chicken, you might want to try the chicken marsala, which is lightly floured and sautéed with a blend of wild mushrooms, garlic and shallots, prepared in sweet marsala wine sauce. Beef lovers can opt for the porterhouse, various ribeyes, the Delmonico, KC strip, and filet, of course. “Our certified Angus beef is all aged between 21 and 65 days,” Tackett says. The beef tenderloin tails are a special favorite, grilled to your liking and topped with a wild mushroom port wine demi-glace reduction sauce.

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Bluestone also offers weekly specials, such as oysters Rockefeller, beef carpaccio, fried goat cheese, and their popular house-made bacon, which is rubbed with brown sugar, garlic and black pepper, and then smoked before it is served. “It’s got this nice, crusty edge to it, and people just love it,” says Tackett.

Italian Cherry Mojito

Bread

14oz 30-Day Aged Rib-eye Steak

Lobster Bisque

Even the desserts are made mostly in-house from scratch. (The only exceptions are the Amish pecan pie and ice cream.) Diners love the cheesecake and fresh cakes, which vary weekly. Don’t forget to taste the chocolate mousse, made with ingredients from local source Glacier Confection in downtown Tulsa. Bluestone also offers a full bar, with an impressive selection of wines, beers, spirits, and infused liquors created in-house. The bar is lined with scotches (25 to 30 different kinds), a variety of bourbons and whiskeys, and just about anything else you’ve ever heard of. You’ll never have to fear that they don’t have what you want. And drinks are served up in beautiful Riedel crystal, a 250-year-old glass brand that specializes in shaping glassware to create the perfect bouquet, texture, balance and finish to any wine or mixed drink. In typical Bluestone elegant fashion, the bar offers more than just a lot of brands to choose from. They also offer housemade specialties crafted with the finest of ingredients. “We do singed rosemary bourbon,” says Tackett. “We do vanilla vodka. And then we make all of our own mixes. We don’t buy anything. We prefer it that way. We prefer to be handcrafted. I bring in Marasca cherries [a gourmet cherry] from Italy, and they’re incredible.”

Halibut

Martini

The singed rosemary bourbon is a customer favorite, and a perfect example of how Bluestone takes their offerings up a notch at every opportunity. Made with freshly singed rosemary and Woodford Reserve — a premium small batch Kentucky straight bourbon — the infused liquor cures in a glass vessel for three weeks before it is mixed into special Bluestone cocktails. They also make a vanilla tequila, which helps cut down on the straight liquor’s bite. All in all, Bluestone’s approach comes down to two things — premier food and drink, served in an elegant, comforting environment.

BLUESTONE STEAKHOUSE AND SEAFOOD

10032 S. Sheridan Road | Tulsa

918-296-9889

bluestonesteakhouse.com

“We want to make the guests feel like they’ve come home,” Tackett says. “Bluestone should represent the best of everything, and you should feel at home here.”

6oz 21-Day Aged Tenderloin Filet

French Button Mushroom Soup

Perfect Manhatten

90 DECEMBER 2017

Bourbon-soy Marinated Salmon

Monday-Thursday: 4-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 3-10 p.m. Sunday: 4-9 p.m.

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MF MASTERS OF FLAVOR

Brett Clark

After serving south Tulsa for 20 years, THE BISTRO AT SEVILLE under Brett Clark has developed some truly iconic dishes including a chokes and cheese appetizer, tender filets, decadent Pasta YaYa and a classic Monte Cristo. By Donna Leahey

92 DECEMBER 2017

Photos by Valerie Grant

Chokes and Cheese

During a vacation to California, the Clarks decided they were ready to own their own place. “When I told the owner [Curt Roberts] about our ambition, he said, ‘How about this place?’ So, I talked to my wife and she agreed. It’s been a blessing.” The Bistro has always been a neighborhood regular spot. “Still is, to this day,” Clark says. “One of the best things is the regulars. We’ve been here long enough, we have generations of regulars.” It’s not just customers coming back again and again, but staff as well. Some of the staff have

Another longtime favorite is the Pasta YaYa. This spicy dish features a decadent Cajun cream sauce with sautéed chicken, sausage, scallions, garlic, white wine, and blackening spices, served over fettuccine. For added flavor, try it with grilled or blackened shrimp.

If you’re counting carbs or just want to avoid filling up on bread, The Bistro serves up their Dewberry Burger — named after one of the regulars. It’s a bunless burger topped with bacon, mushrooms, Swiss, sautéed onions and peppers, lettuce, tomato, pickle and served with a side salad. Before you finish, make sure you’ve got room for dessert, because the Bistro does it right. They have a New York style cheesecake with a berry reduction, a creme brulee, and a bread pudding, but if you love hot, gooey chocolate, you must try the baked fudge. This rich and decadent treat is topped with ice cream or whipped cream and loaded full of walnut and chocolate.

THE BISTRO AT SEVILLE

If you’re in the mood to treat yourself, try one of the filets. The Bistro filet is wrapped in bacon and grilled to perfection. The Filet Oscar is topped with a tower of sautéed lump crab and Béarnaise and served with garlic mash potatoes.

10021 S. Yale Ave., #103 Tulsa 918-296-3000

The Grilled Turkey and Avocado sandwich is also a great choice. This toasty sandwich is filled with shaved turkey, bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and cilantro aioli

Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday Brunch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday: 4-9 p.m.

Baked Fudge

thebistroatseville.com

Clark has been part of the Bistro family for over a decade, working his way up to management. “I worked here in all capacities — assistant manager, general manager, bar manager,” Clark says.

After serving south Tulsa for 20 years, The Bistro has developed some truly iconic dishes. The chokes and cheese appetizer is a longtime favorite. It’s a creamy blend of artichoke hearts and cream cheese, topped with Parmesan and served hot with seasoned pita chips. Those pita chips are more than just a vehicle for the chokes and cheese, though. They’re perfectly crisp, providing a textural contrast to the tangy richness of the dip. “We always take the chokes and cheese when we go on charity events,” Clark says. “One time we decided to do something different and people got mad at us! They wanted the chokes and cheese.”

The Bistro at Seville is one of few places still serving a classic Monte Cristo. This tripledecker sandwich is stuffed with shaved ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese, then dipped in a special batter and deep-fried to a golden and crispy brown. It’s topped with powdered sugar and served with the traditional strawberry jam.

The Bistro is spacious and airy with high ceilings and a black, red, and creamy white color scheme. Big, friendly red letters reading “The Bistro” invite you inside the welcoming entryway. Large windows allow natural light to illuminate the interior and look out on the patio. On a pretty day, you could spend a lazy afternoon on that patio under the shade of the awnings or soaking up the sun while nestled between tall pillars providing a feel of privacy. The bar area is its own space, a little bit cozier, though still amply lit by natural light.

“We make pretty much everything fresh, in-house,” says Clark. Whether it’s the creamy sauces, hand-cut chips, or even the freshly-diced mirepoix, you can be confident the Bistro is serving you up fresh, delicious food.

on wheat berry bread. The bacon is a sweet peppery surprise that adds a new dimension to the texture and flavor of this otherwise traditional sandwich.

“The neighborhood has changed, but we haven’t,” says Brett Clark, who has owned The Bistro with his wife, Amber, for the last three years.

been at The Bistro longer than Clark. There have been some changes to the decor, some minor changes to the menu, but mostly, The Bistro at Seville is the same neighborhood place it was 20 years ago.

Perhaps you don’t have the time or the means to jet off to the French countryside for lunch, but you can still enjoy the relaxation of a getaway for lunch or dinner at The Bistro at Seville. The Bistro has been a neighborhood staple for 20 years as south Tulsa grew up around it.

Grilled Turkey and Avocado

Pasta YaYa

PREVIEW918.COM 93

GK GETTING TO KNOW

Delivering high-energy messages that encourage people to live up to their full potential, motivational speaker and author John Mason has inspired thousands with his personal formulas for success and happiness. by DONNA LEAHEY | photos by MARC RAINS

You Can Do It, Be Yourself, and Believe You Can are nice inspirational words, but are also the titles of just three of the books written by Tulsa’s John Mason. Highly regarded international speaker, bestselling author, professional author coach, publisher, and minister, Mason is a busy man. “I ended up in Tulsa because I chose to go to Oral Roberts University [in 1973]. I actually didn’t even know who Oral was, but I had a friend who had gone to the school and really liked it,” he says. “I came down to visit the campus and it seemed like a good fit. So, I came 800 miles from Indiana and I’ve been here pretty much ever since then.” The people and the culture of Tulsa won Mason over. “Tulsa is kind of a big town and a small town at the same time. I’ve traveled all over the world, and I just love the friendly, positive, caring people here,” he says. “I’ve raised all my family here. All four of my children, who are adults now, grew up here and stayed here.” Mason has 25 inspirational titles under his belt, but it was a challenge to get that first one written.

“I never thought I would write a book,” he says. “I bought a book on how to write a book, and after I read it, I was convinced I could never do it. It was kind of a defining moment when I had lunch with a couple in the publishing business. They said, ‘Hey, you need to be yourself. You are known for stories, one liners, inspirational thoughts, your humor.’” So, Mason decided to just be himself. His first book was finished 27 years ago. “The book began to sell. It sold a lot of copies the first three months,” he says. “At the end of the first year, I’d sold more than 100,000 copies. I realized I’d hit a chord with positive, inspirational ideas that were short and to the point. People could pick up the book and get an idea that would stick with them throughout the day. And I’ve basically kept doing that for the last 27 years.” If he had to recommend just one of his books, he’d go back to his first effort. “An Enemy Called Average is my very first book. One of my best-sellers, more than half-a- million sold. I attack different areas that make us more mediocre, offering things that I’ve learned along the way, that have helped me.”

Positive Energy JOHN MASON

94 DECEMBER 2017

Mason has been on both sides of the publishing industry. He’s been the head of three different publishing companies in his life, and an author at the same time. “I’m like an actor-director. Sometimes people just want to rent my brain for an hour,” he says. His dual experience has put him in a great position to coach other authors. So many people asked him for help with their books, that he began making himself available to people as a consultant.

New writers face daunting challenges, but Mason sees opportunities as well. One of the biggest challenges is finding a way to stand out. “There are half-a-million new books put out every year. The one universal question that publishers ask is ‘what’s different about this book?’” he says. “There’s a lot of competition for people’s attention. We always want to write books that are solving problems. You have to really provide something that’s valuable enough for people to exchange their time and money for.”

JOHN MASON INSIGHT INTERNATIONAL 4739 E. 91st St., Suite 210 | Tulsa 918-493-1718 freshword.com

“When I was young, there was a professional speaker who took me under his wing. He would take me around and by the time I graduated high school I’d given over a hundred speeches at luncheons. I ended up in some contests and ended up second in the nation in a Reader’s Digest competition and I got to meet President [Richard] Nixon. I’m actually on the Watergate Tapes.”

See our feature on page 88

“I’ve done a lot of corporate things, church settings, conference stuff, mostly keynote speaking,” he says. “I do a lot of networking marketing, multi-level marketing, and insurance companies. At churches, I may do a Sunday morning. Occasionally I may do a men’s event. But, usually it’s a business setting or a service of some kind.

“A publisher has a very different view on a book. The publisher is all about selling it, what they can do to make sure it’s readable,” he says. “The author is more driven by the message, wanting to get that out. We’ve evolved into a full service. People like the coaching, but they wanted more help. We have collaborators to help them write the books. We have a whole structure that we use to help them. We’ve done a book for a governor, professional athletes, pastors, successful business people, people who want to expand their business. We’re the unbiased expert in their life.”

Because his books have been so widely accepted, most of his speaking is about those books. Titles like You’re Born an Original, Don’t Die a Copy; Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop; or Know Your Limits, Then Ignore Them are popular topics.

GETTING TO KNOW GK

PREVIEW918.COM 95

S SHOWTIME DEC. 1

LOCATOR

DEC. 8 I, TONYA

Competitive ice skater Tonya Harding rises among the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but her future in the sport is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband intervenes. Cast: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney Rating: R

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JUST GETTING STARTED Ginny, the wife of a carousel operator, perks up when she falls for a handsome lifeguard. But when her husband’s estranged daughter resurfaces and also sets her sights on Mickey, it begins the great unraveling of Ginny. Cast: Kate Winslet, Justin Timberlake, Juno Temple Rating: PG-13

THE SHAPE OF WATER

In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa is trapped in a life of isolation. Set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1962, Elisa’s life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda discover a secret classified experiment. Cast: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon Rating: R

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96 DECEMBER 2017

DEC. 15 STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

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This is an action comedy in the vein of Midnight Run about an ex-FBI agent and an ex-mob lawyer in the witness protection program having to put aside their petty rivalry on the golf course to fend off a mob hit. Cast: Morgan Freeman, Tommy Lee Jones, Rene Russo Rating: PG-13

WONDER WHEEL

THE DISASTER ARTIST

The film depicts the meeting and early friendship of Greg Sestero and Tommy Wiseau, the actors behind the 2003 cult film The Room, a film often hailed as the Citizen Kane of bad movies. Cast: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogen Rating: R

After a young John Paul Getty III is kidnapped by an organized crime regime, his devoted mother, Gail, desperately attempts to convince his wealthy grandfather, oil tycoon J. Paul Getty to pay the ransom. When he refuses, Gail allies herself with Getty’s business manager and former CIA operative Fletcher Chase to set her son free and convince Getty to change his mind before it’s too late. Cast: Michelle Williams, Mark Wahlberg, Christopher Plummer Rating: R

Having taken her first steps into a larger world in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rey joins Luke Skywalker in an adventure with Leia, Finn, and Poe that unlocks mysteries of the Force and secrets of the past. Cast: Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega Rating: NR

FERDINAND

After Ferdinand, a bull with a big heart, is mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure. Cast: John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Bobby Cannavale Rating: PG

SHOWTIME S DEC. 22

OPENS DEC. 1

DEC. 15-24

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri In this darkly comic drama, a mother personally challenges the local authorities to solve her daughter’s murder, when they fail to catch the culprit.

commanding general.

DEC. 7

FATHER FIGURES JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

Twenty years after the events of the first film, the infamous board game has evolved into a video game and while cleaning out a school’s basement serving detention, four teenagers find it and get sucked into the same jungle setting that Alan Parrish got sucked into all those years ago. They also become their avatars inside the game and the only way out is to play along and finish it. Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart Rating: PG-13

PITCH PERFECT 3

Following their win at the world championship, the now separated Bellas reunite for one last singing competition at an overseas USO tour, but face a group who uses both instruments and voices. Cast: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow Rating: PG-13

DOWNSIZING

Downsizing imagines what might happen if, as a solution to overpopulation, Norwegian scientists discover how to shrink humans to 5 inches tall and propose a 200-year global transition from big to small. People soon realize how much further money goes in a miniaturized world, and with the promise of a better life, everyman Paul Safranek and wife, Audrey, decide to abandon their stressed lives in Omaha in order to become small and move to a new downsized community — a choice that triggers life-changing adventures. Cast: Matt Damon, Christoph Waltz, Kristen Wiig Rating: NR

Upon learning that their mother has been lying to them for years about their allegedly deceased father, two fraternal twin brothers hit the road in order to find him. Cast: Owen Wilson, Ed Helms, Christopher Walken Rating: R

DEC. 29 THE GREATEST SHOWMAN

Inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business and tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. Cast: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams Rating: PG

PHANTOM THREAD

Set in the glamour of 1950s postwar London, renowned dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock and his sister Cyril are at the center of British fashion, dressing royalty, movie stars, heiresses, socialites, debutants and dames with the distinct style of The House of Woodcock. Women come and go through Woodcock’s life, providing the confirmed bachelor with inspiration and companionship, until he comes across a young, strong-willed woman, Alma, who soon becomes a fixture in his life as his muse and lover. Once controlled and planned, he finds his carefully tailored life disrupted by love. Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lesley Manville, Vicky Krieps Rating: R

Young Marx presented by National Theatre Live Europe’s most feared terrorist is hiding in Dean Street, Soho. Broke and restless, the 32-year-old revolutionary is a frothing combination of intellectual brilliance, invective, satiric wit, and child-like emotional illiteracy. Creditors, spies, rival revolutionary factions and prospective seducers of his beautiful wife all circle like vultures. His writing blocked, his marriage dying, his friend Engels in despair at his wasted genius, his only hope is a job on the railway. DEC. 8-9

White Christmas A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former

OPENS DEC. 22 The Shape of Water OPENS DEC. 22 Darkest Hour During the early days of World War II, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the newlyappointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who must decide whether to negotiate with Hitler, or fight on against incredible odds. DEC. 29-30

Tokyo Godfathers On Christmas Eve, three homeless people living on the streets of Tokyo find a newborn baby among the trash and set out to find its parents. DEC. 10 The Clinging Vine (1926) Mannish ultra-efficient Antoinette Allen is the real force behind the Bancroft paint business. But on a weekend house-party when she overhears, Jimmie, the boss’s grandson’s unflattering opinion of her lack of charms, she’s hurt. Jimmie’s grandmother takes her under her wing, makes her over, and teaches her to flutter her eyelashes and only say the two phrases to win a man: “Do go on!” and “Aren’t you wonderful?”

The Rocky Horror Picture Show A newly engaged couple have a breakdown in an isolated area and must pay a call to the bizarre residence of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Projected along with a musical soundtrack to give audience participation a new meaning in dimension, time and space, this shall be a night that both Brad and Janet will remember for a very long time.

Check Circle Cinema website for times, costs, additional events and more details. Release dates, showings and ratings are subject to change.

PREVIEW918.COM 97

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