PRIDELY - Oklahoma City Vol 2

Renovations

to increase home value

Personalization: We all want to make our home unique to our own character. However, when it comes time to sell, buyers want to envision themselves in the home, which can be difficult if the entire home is personalized to you. Avoid any personalization that is difficult to undo and stick to a nice universal outlook that speaks to everyone.

Landscaping: Just like with personalizing, it’s best to keep it simple. Some home buyers may love how elaborate your landscaping may look, but most of the time they’re considering the cost of upkeep or the difficulty of maintaining that look. A clean lawn with curb appeal is the best first impression to give to potential buyers.

Closet Space: Some of us are minimalist and can do with a larger room by sacrificing closet space, but most potential buyers value the importance of storage. Remember, buyers want to see themselves living in the home, and a lack of closet space might send them looking elsewhere.

Bold Paint: Freshly painted rooms are a great way to brighten up your home. There’s nothing wrong with bringing a little color into your home but keep in mind that buyers may not favor the same colors you do. Stick to keeping the colors subtle with small accents and focus more on neutral tones to appeal to potential buyers.

Trendy Designs: Barn doors and patterned tiles may look great to some buyers, but avoid trendy designs that might be outdated when you decide to sell. No matter how tempting the latest home design trend may be, the classic look is always the safest bet.

DIY Projects: Projects that you build yourself are great, but only when they’re done professionally. This is important to potential buyers so make sure if you’re going to do your own home project, that you do it exceptionally well. This also applies to repairs, quick cover ups will only get you so far. These sort of projects can either increase or decrease the value of your home so make sure you know what you’re doing before proceeding.

Long-Term Necessities: When it comes to renovations, keep in mind that not every buyer needs a built in office desk, or a workshop, or anything that may seem like a great idea to you. Tread carefully when adding permanent fixtures, not all buyers have the same vision as you when it comes to changes made. Make sure your room structures allow the flexibility for potential buyers to make their own changes.

Restaurants

Cheever’s Cafe

Elegant bistro offering upscale Southwestern & Southern cuisine plus cocktails & wines.

2409 N Hudson Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Phone: (405) 525-7007| Web:cheeverscafe.com

Kitchen No. 324

Industrial cafe/bakery in a historic building preparing elevated comfort fare & artisanal sweets.

324 N Robinson Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Phone: (405) 763-5911 | Web: kitchen324.com

Paseo Grill

Romantic restaurant with a streetside patio serving gourmet American fare & fine wines.

2909 Paseo, Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Phone: (405) 601-1079 | Web:paseogrill.com

Have a restaurant you’d like us to feature?

Send in a recommendation for your fa vorite restaurant to be added to our list.

Be sure to mention why you think they are worthy of being featured and include a link to their website.

The Mule

Casual, hip restaurant offering a large beer & cocktail menu plus sandwiches & more.

1630 N Blackwelder Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73106

Patrono

Restaurant serving rustic Italian cuisine & imported wines in a casually elegant atmosphere..

305 N Walker Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Cafe Kacao

Breakfast hot spot featuring a menu full of homestyle Guatemalan favorites & Latin-themed cuisine.

3325 N Classen Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73118

La Brasa

Classic Peruvian dishes & craft cocktails served in historic s urrounds with a bohemian vibe & patio.

1310 NW 25th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106

Basil Mediterranean Cafe

Gyros, kabobs & hummus, plus organic & herbal teas, served in a casual, relaxed environment.

211 NW 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Red PrimeSteak

Elevated steakhouse with sleek decor & private dining areas in a renovated 1911 building.

504 N Broadway Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Thai House Restaurant

Relaxed Thai restaurant featuring a selection of traditional dishes, plus a lunch buffet.

500 NW 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Iron Star Urban Barbecue

Fine house-smoked BBQ, prime rib & gourmet comfort foods dished in an urbane spot with brick walls.

3700 N Shartel Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73118

Apr 25-30

Festival of the Arts | BICENTENNIAL PARK

The Festival of the Arts is a community celebration of the visual and performing arts, bringing a variety of talented artists together in downtown OKC’s Bicentennial Park. Details at www.artscouncilokc.com.

Apr 28-30

Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

A signature OKC event bringing together athletes and spectators from all over the world to honor those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever by the tragic events of the Oklahoma City bombing – 28 years ago this year. It is a wonderful analogy of the character of our people, the history of our trials and difficulties and the way in which we have overcome and persevered. Visit okcmarathon.com.

Apr 29

Water Lantern Festival

Water Lantern Festival is filled with fun, happiness, hope, and great memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. This is a family friendly event that can be shared by everyone. Friends, families, neighbors, and lots of people that you haven’t met can come together to create a peaceful, memorable experience. Details at www.waterlanternfestival.com.

May 5-6

Cinco de Mayo OCK

Get ready to enjoy delicious Mexican food, refreshing drinks, and music. This is the perfect opportunity to gather with friends and family! There will be a bounce house, dunk tank, taco eating contest, face painting, photo booth, and giveaways. Details at eventbrite.com.

May 20

Soonerfest

Held at Oklahoma City’s Scissortail Park, SoonerFest Live welcomes everyone out for a free, fun-loving celebration of music, crafts, games and

food. SoonerFest will feature concerts, 150 artists & crafters, classic cars, frisbee dogs, cowboy shows and dozens of thrilling rides, games and attractions. Check out the Taste of The West Food Garden, with delicious cuisine, and cold domestic and craft beers. National recording artists will be performing throughout the afternoon and evening on the main stage. Plus, shopping will be available in the huge community marketplace. Visit soonerfest.com.

May 27-29

Paseo Arts Festival

Visitors will enjoy almost 100 nationally acclaimed visual artists, who fill the Historic Paseo Arts District with original artwork: everything from painting, ceramics and photography to woodworking, glass, sculpture and jewelry.

The festival is famous for its more than 50 musicians and live performers on two stages in the district with dancers, spoken word, jazz, country, folk, hip-hop and rock n’ roll. The food court is sure to please and will feature 20 food and drink vendors with traditional and not-so-traditional Festival treats, both savory and sweet. Visit www.thepaseo.org/festival.

May 27-28

Chuck Wagon Festival

This fun-filled two days features chuck wagon food samples, First American food samples, butter-making, artisan demonstrations, bandanna decorating, live music, rope making with Ward Family Trick Ropers, Western re-enactors, face painting, children’s craft stations, photos with a longhorn, giant puzzles, dress up areas and more! Visit nationalcowboymuseum.org for details.

Jun 2-4

Pride on 39th Street - Festival & Parade

Pride events will include the annual Pride Parade and Pride Festival. OKC Pride, Inc. is a non-profit dedicated to the Health Education and Welfare of the Oklahoma LGBTQ+ Community. Visit at www.prideon39th.com.

Jun 8-11

deadCenter Film Festival

Oklahoma’s largest film festival and one of the “Top 20 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” and “Top 50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” according to MovieMaker Magazine. What’s up with the name, you ask? “deadCenter” refers to the geographic location of the festival – in OKC –the “dead center” of the United States.

It’s a great chance to see exciting new short films, insightful documentaries, hilarious comedies, scary monster movies and the best independent films from around the world and all over Oklahoma. Plus, you might just see a movie star or two. Details at deadcenterfilm.org.

Jun 23-25

Oklahoma City Pride

We’re here to celebrate our community in the heart of Downtown Oklahoma City. This three-day festival in Scissortail Park is filled with love, art, music, drag, vendors, and more! Join us in increasing awareness, celebrating one another, and taking care to ensure we all keep hope alive. Visit okcpridealliance.org.

Jul 1-2

Red Earth Festival

Red Earth’s signature summer event features Native American artists and dancers from throughout North America. Festival guests will experience the artistic creations of some of America’s most celebrated Native artists as they offer their creations for sale. Liichokoshkomo’, the Museum’s interactive outdoor venue, showcases the diversity of the West with intertribal native dwellings serving as a backdrop for hands-on arts and craft stations, artist demonstrations, live music and special presentations of tribal dance throughout the weekend. Visit nationalcowboymuseum.org.

Aug 5-6

OKC’s Horror Con

Oklahoma City’s Horror Con is a Horror themed, family-friendly event! The show consists of celebrity guests, the BEST vendors in the region, cosplay, Q&A’s panels, cosplay contests, Scaryokie , and many more spooky events! Details at horrorconokc.com.

Sep 14-24

Oklahoma State Fair

From family entertainment, horse shows and educational exhibits to all the delicious fried treats in between, enjoy this “best of the best” showcase of our state’s agriculture, manufacturing and commerce at the OKC Fairgrounds. Learn more at okstatefair.com.

Sep 23 VegFest

OKC

Features fun, food, fitness and football in downtown Oklahoma City with over 70 vendors, exhibitors and food trucks. Experience food demonstrations, meet wellness coaches, learn how to get the most out of your grocery shopping and a tailgate party co-hosted by a local brewery. Visit www.vegfestokc.com.

Oct 1-31

Plaza District Festival

LIVE! on the Plaza is the Plaza District’s monthly artwalk. Featuring, live entertainment, art, food, and all things local! Details at plazadistrict.org.

Nov 17

OKC Tree Lighting Festival

The festival, which is free and open to everyone, will feature a showcase of talented and diverse performances celebrating the season, free familyfriendly activities, photos with Santa Claus and the traditional countdown to the lighting of the Christmas tree. Learn more at www.visitokc.com.

With lodging, food and entertainment all included in one price, choosing to do a vacation on a cruise gives great value. Traveling on the sea can be extremely fun, but it is important to choose the correct cruise line. If you’re going to spend a lot of your vacation time on a cruise ship, it may as well be one of luxury. Thankfully, there’s many luxury cruise lines ready to cater to your every

whim while ferrying you to and from some of the world’s most mesmerizing destinations in plush comfort. Some offer exotic voyages to faraway destinations, while others attract travelers with comfortable cabins and stimulating enrichment programs. Use this guide as a starting point to find out which luxury cruise fits best for your next vacation.

We made a list that factors in itinerary affordability, health ratings, and reputation among experts and travelers.

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SILVERSEA OCEANIA REGENT SEVEN SEAS SEABOURN

EATING THE PSYCHOLOGY

Control weight gain and compulsive eating behaviors by making better choices about the food that you eat.

Control weight gain and compulsive eating behaviors by making better choices about the food that you eat.

ConsumptionSome of us more than others realize that what we eat can effect how we feel such as eating too little or too much. We should be able to enjoy what we eat but also feel better when we do.

Eating healthy is a challenging task that many of us

strive to achieve but often fall short.

InfluencesCultural, social, family, and economical factors may be a direct influence linked to our food and eating behaviors. However, a more serious influence such as stress, boredom and anxiety can play a larger role as many of us eat as a coping mechanism. Although it can

sometimes help bring relief and ease feelings, it often leads to regret and build more negativity. Avoiding the problem with food will often create another problem with self-image when suffering from weight gain or other negative affects caused by unhealthy eating.

Weight ManagementHere are tips to help you manage your weight.

For starters, never skip a meal. By skipping a meal, you’re allowing yourself to become

hungry later which can result in reckless binge eating. Be sure to plan your meals ahead of time and limit night time snacking. This will allow you to always be one step ahead

of your weight by creating a routine. If you’re getting a craving between meals, try to exercise or find another way to distract yourself from food.

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Eating Diary - This is a great tool to keep track of your eating habits. Record what food you eat and when you eat it. Also take note of how you feel after eating and if you were doing anything while eating such as using your phone or watching TV.

By recording your habits, you will be able to pinpoint which foods and activities to avoid. The diary can also assist you when you’re working with a dietitian to help you make the best decisions.

DIVERSITY CENTER OF OKLAHOMA INC.

Providing Quality Services to Oklahoma’s Gender Diverse & LGBTQ Communities. Our mission is to reduce barriers in the Gender Diverse & LGBTQ+ communities and their families, including disenfranchised and marginalized people of color by providing quality primary health care treatment, and behavioral health treatment, along with additional complimentary health care services.

DIVERSITYCENTEROFOKLAHOMA.ORG | 405.604.5217

FREEDOM OKLAHOMA

Freedom Oklahoma advocates and organizes across Oklahoma and within the 39 sovereign tribal nations that call this land home to build a future where all Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and fuller spectrum of people whose sexuality or gender or romantic identity exists beyond a heteronormative, binary framework (2SLGBTQ+), have the safety to thrive.

FREEDOMOKLAHOMA.ORG | 405.446.8836

EQUALITY HEALTH GROUP

Our mission is to provide the people of Oklahoma with the best possible healthcare to prevent and treat HIV, STI’s, and Hepatitis, and strive for no new HIV infections throughout the state.

EHG.HEALTH | 405.761.2762

PFLAG OKLAHOMA CITY

PFLAG Oklahoma City is OKC’s local chapter of PFLAG national, the nation’s largest family and ally organization. Since its founding in 1973, it has evolved to include all members of the LGBTQ+ community, families and allies.

PFLAGOKLAHOMACITY.ORG | 405.593.8868

EVENTS

Dec 10-18

The Nutcracker OKC Ballet

Oklahoma City Ballet’s traditional version of The Nutcracker has been enchanting audiences for decades, and this year will feature all new choreography by Acting Artistic Director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye. Tchaikovsky’s spirited and familiar score evokes warm childlike memories in the most glorious way as this colorful and extravagant ballet takes the stage once again this holiday season. Details and tickets at okcballet.com.

Dec 22-23

A Magical Cirque Christmas

Delight in the enchantment of Christmas as Magical Hostess Lucy Darling takes you through an evening of dazzling performers and breathtaking cirque artists, accompanied by your favorite holiday music performed live. Get into the spirit of the season with this merry treat that’s perfect for the entire family. Visit downtownindecember.com/cirque-christmas.

Jan TBD 2024

OKC Boat & RV Show

See the latest in Boats, RVs and everything you need for the outdoors! Your ticket good all 3 days! Details at okcboatandrvshow.com.

Mar TBD 2024

St. Patrick’s Parade

It is a celebration of Oklahoma Irish heritage and the western culture of Stockyards City! This family friendly event begins at 10:00 a.m. You won’t want to miss this! You can see St. Patrick, marching bands, bagpipes, Irish dancers, the Shriners, cool cars, community groups, equestrian entries and much more. Admission to the event is free. Come to Stockyards City for the St. Pats fun and stay for the day! Visit the shops, have a great meal, and enjoy the authenticity of the area. Visit www.stockyardscity.org.