405 Magazine April 2018

Best Venue for Satisfying Your Live Music Jones

OKC’s Best Spot to Make a Splash With the Family

Best Restaurant News We’ve Heard All Year

t s e B 405 of the

101+ metro Favorites

CBD AND HEALTH At Optimal Health Associates, we have been utilizing Cannabidiol (CBD) tincture oil, capsules and lotion over the last several months – as a primary intervention or secondary alternative for conditions including menopausal, psychiatric and neurological issues, bowel dysfunctions or rheumatologic and chronic pain difficulties.

CBD is the major non-psychoactive component of Cannabis Sativa L. (hemp). To find out more, go to: https://www.optimalhealthassociates.com/cbd-and-health/

CB1

is found mostly in the brain.

405.715.4496 | OptimalHealthAssociates.com NORTH OKC - 9800 Broadway Extension, Suite 200 | SOUTH OKC - 3110 S.W. 89th, Suite 104 Noel R. Williams, MD, FACOG

Benjamin J. Barenberg, MD

YOU ALWAYS PLANNED ON BUILDING YOUR DREAM HOME. (You just didn’t plan on it needing so many bedrooms.)

Some expenses in life you know are coming.

Others come out of nowhere. That’s why planning helps you enjoy all that life has to offer without worrying about everything else life throws your way. Let us help you plan for the unexpected.

Financial Insights and Guidance | Mortgage and Lending | Retirement www.bankofoklahoma.com © 2018 Bank of Oklahoma, a division of BOKF, NA. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender

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405 MAGAZINE APRIL 2018

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in this issue

APRIL 2018

Features

46

Â

BEST OF THE 405

Our annual showcase of greatness in central Oklahoma is back for a sixth year, and reflects a new record in the number of reader responses. We’re delighted to present more than 100 highlights of life in the 405.

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WINDS OF CHANGE

Weather in Oklahoma is serious business, especially around this time of year. The same volatile climate that can sometimes be tremendously dangerous also brings the very top meteorologists here to study it, including more women than ever.

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405 MAGAZINE APRIL 2018

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Protecting Your Assets | Growing Your Wealth | Advising You For Life 2516 Northwest Expressway | Oklahoma City | TrustOk.com | (405) 840-8401

in this issue

APRIL 2018

In the 405

21 Festive fashions for spring; for fun shopping, make A Date With Iris; top-tier travel gear; a humorous polemic against the pioneer spirit; toy museums around the world; life returns to OKC’s Heritage Building; kids’ camps for summer fun

Territory Ahead

Sentinels of Secrets At the far end of the Oklahoma Panhandle, Cimarron County is a sparsely populated region that often feels like a world of its own. As M.J. Alexander discovers, that includes some local landmarks and legends that are kept off the grid.

40 Historical treasures off the beaten track in Cimarron County

Travel

67 Destinations for the adventurous in spirit

Dining

73 Scratch’s fresh start in the Paseo; chicken tenders from Chef Teisha Whitney; dining worth finding at Kitchen 324; Gusto’s delicious Blueberry Negroni

Events

85 Norman Music Fest rocks downtown; Redbud’s fitness and philanthropy; creation reigns at the Festival of the Arts

In Every Issue

16 From the Publisher 18 Web Sights 78 Food and Drink 88 Speakerbox 90 On Location 92 On the Radar 96 Backstory

ON THE COVER

Readers have spoken – it’s time to raise a glass to the Best of the 405.

40

VOLUME 4 / NUMBER 4, 405 MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY 405 MAGAZINE, INC., 1613 NORTH BROADWAY AVENUE, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73103. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE PRICES IS PENDING AT OKLAHOMA CITY, OK AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO 405 MAGAZINE, P.O. BOX 16765, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA 91615-6765.

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a k a r e n b l a c k c o m p a n y. c o m

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405 - 858 - 8333

|

3 013 N W 6 3 r d S t

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Oklahoma City

APRIL 2018

VOLUME 4 • NUMBER 4

Publisher | Editor-in-Chief Heidi Rambo Centrella heidi.centrella@405magazine.com

Transform your savings into your legacy

Retirement Investment Advisors has been awarded for ethical business practices and community service while being recognized more than 35* times by national publications as among the best in the nation. *Criteria available upon request

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EDITORIAL Managing Editor Steve Gill steve.gill@405magazine.com

Congratu lations on the new du al role!

Style Editor Sara Gae Waters saragae.waters@405magazine.com Travel Editor Matt Payne matt.payne@405magazine.com

) stifiably cited (ju Home Super ex 5 e new 40 th t ou ab

Fashion Editor Jennifer Salyer jennifer.salyer@405magazine.com

Editorial Coordinator Louise Scrivens louise.scrivens@405magazine.com Contributing Writers M.J. Alexander, Mark Beutler, Jerry Church, Christine Eddington, Lauren Hammack, Greg Horton, Lance McDaniel, Elaine Warner

ART Art Director Scotty O’Daniel scotty.odaniel@405magazine.com Always on the

lookout Graphic Designer for adventure (p. 67) Brian O’Daniel brian.odaniel@405magazine.com

Social Media Coordinator Tiffany McKnight tiffany.mcknight@405magazine.com Contributing Photographers M.J. Alexander, Shannon Cornman, Fran Kozakowski, Charlie Neuenschwander, Don Risi

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Follow 405 Magazine on Facebook and @405Mag on Instagram and Twitter Correction: In the February 2018 article “Time to Celebrate,” we mistakenly reported that Tommy’s Italian American Grill serves oysters; it does not. We regret the error and apologize for any inconvenience.

Story Ideas and Letters to the Editor Your views and opinions are welcome. Include your full name, address and daytime phone number and email to editor@405magazine.com. Letters sent to 405 Magazine become the magazine’s property, and it owns all rights to their use. 405 Magazine reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity.

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APRIL 2018

VOLUME 4 • NUMBER 4

Executive Director of Advertising Cynthia Whitaker-hill

GENERAL DENTISTRY ••• COSMETIC DENTISTRY ••• SLEEP DENTISTRY ••• IMPLANTS ••• INVISALIGN®

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Call Now for New Patient Special 405.751.6996 12320 St Andrews Dr | Oklahoma City

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405 Magazine Volume 4, Number 4, April 2018. 405 Magazine is published monthly by 405 Magazine, Inc. at 1613 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK 73103, 405.842.2266. © Copyright 2018 405 Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of 405 Magazine content, in whole or part by any means, without the express written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

405 Magazine is not responsible for the care of and/or return of unsolicited materials. 405 Magazine reserves the right to refuse advertising deemed detrimental to the community’s best interest or in questionable taste. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of ownership or management. Basic annual subscription rate is $14.95. U.S. single-copy price is $4.95. Back issues are $9.50 each

If You Have A System, We Can Service It

Contact the professionals today! www.SWATokc.com 14

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CIRCULATION AUDITED BY

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㄀㘀㠀㄀ 䔀愀猀琀 䤀ⴀ㐀 䔀氀 刀攀渀漀Ⰰ 伀䬀 㜀㌀ ㌀㘀 㐀 㔀⸀㈀㘀㈀⸀㐀㔀㐀㘀

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Better Than Good I T ’S A N E XCI T I NG time around the office, and not just because

HEIDI R A MBO CEN TRELL A Publisher | Editor-in-Chief heidi.centrella@405magazine.com

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405 MAGAZINE APRIL 2018

PHOTO BY SIMON HURST

spring is finally here: We’re also delighted to have the opportunity to share this annual Best of the 405 issue with you. Our readers voted in categories ranging from favorite drinking and eating establishments to the people who make the 405 come alive, and you’ll find the winners – plus a few favorites of our editorial staff – listed beginning on page 46.

We had a record number of votes this year, and that means an even stronger vote of public confidence in the winning businesses and people. We’re thrilled with the level of participation – and extremely glad about the chance to congratulate and recognize 2018’s 101-plus winners at the Best of the 405 Party on April 5 at Tower Theatre. Each year, the celebration elevates, with exceptional food and beverage offerings from local businesses, great prizes and a growing guest list. And this year’s party will have a special extra touch, as in addition to recognizing our winners and mingling with some of OKC’s finest, the event also will give back. Make-AWish Foundation will receive a portion of the proceeds from the party, and we couldn’t be happier to aid this fantastic nonprofit organization. Check our website for ticket information; we hope you’ll plan to attend!

If you need some ideas on attire, we have a bit of spring fashion inspiration on page 22. The experts claim that this spring will be all about big, bold, colorful ensembles, come rain or shine – both of which we’re accustomed to this time of year. You know, as in the season when we start hearing talk of wall clouds, hook echoes and mesocyclones.

If the aforementioned terms confuse you, look no further than the “Weather, Women and What to Watch for” feature, beginning on page 56. Here, Christine Eddington speaks with meteorologists, storm chasers and other experts researching what Oklahomans very well may soon find coming down on our heads. Everything from the wealth of experience in this state to the increasing numbers of qualified, dedicated women in this demanding field, and from weather terminology to The David Payne Drinking Game, should pique the interest of all Okies – whether you’re new to the state or long-timers.

Please note, as well, that this issue is accompanied by the Spring 2018 edition of our biannual publication 405 Home, packed with inspiration for home design, decor and improvement. I hope you find plenty to enjoy in both magazines this month – as long as you don’t get so wrapped up that you miss the party. Cheers!

Visit our 28,000 sq ft warehouse where you can watch 100-year-old reclaimed furniture being made while shopping our retail store, lumber yard, and candle company. Shopping the adults can enjoy while the kids play in our two-story playhouse! Visit Urban Farmhouse located in downtown OKC.Â

400 S. Western Ave | 405.812.8374 | Open Mon-Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm

Web Sights What’s online at 405magazine.com

At the Top

Artisan Tile Studio

7108 N. Western, Suite D1 • Oklahoma City • 405.242.2227 •

What time is it? Time to celebrate the Best of the 405. This is one of our most eagerly anticipated events of the year, when we have the opportunity to recognize and praise the most outstanding aspects of living here in the OKC area as selected by our readership. You’ll find the results beginning on page 46, but we’re also extremely excited about the opportunity to toast the winners at the Best of the 405 Party. It’s coming up April 5 – that’s 4/05, you see – at the marvelous Tower Theatre in Uptown 23rd. We’ll have food, drinks, prizes and fun … but since it’s dedicated to honoring the best parts of the 405, shouldn’t you be there, too? Get tickets and more info at 405magazine.com, and we hope to see you soon.

To Go Ruidoso

If you get the chance to visit New Mexico getaway Ruidoso, do so – travel writer Elaine Warner made a trek to the tourist destination and found a small community with more than enough big attractions to make it worth exploring. Hiking, golfing, horse racing or retail exercise, it’s a prime choice for a memorable trip even without the one-of-a-kind scenery of the nearby White Sands National Monument. Read through Elaine’s story at 405magazine.com/ April-2018/Go-Ruidoso/ and get ready say “O fair New Mexico!”

LET GO OF EXCUSES AND GET RESULTS

House Party MIDTOWN

NORMAN

1501 N. BROADWAY AVE 405.458.0405

3501 WELLSITE DR. STE #125 405.777.3202

CROSSFIT405.COM // INFO@CROSSFIT405.COM PHOTO BY ORE ADESINA PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

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405 MAGAZINE APRIL 2018

We hope you enjoy the contents of this issue, but we also have some further reading to suggest: The Spring 2018 issue of 405 Home is out now. Editor-in-Chief Christine Eddington, Editor at Large Sara Gae Waters, Art Director Brian O’Daniel and our dedicated contributors are eager to share the latest (and possibly greatest) edition of our biannual resource guide for home design, renovation and overall improvement. Visit 405magazine.com/405-Home/ to check it out.

VOTED AS EDMOND’S BEST SHOPPING CENTER TEN YEARS IN A ROW, SPRING CREEK PLAZA’S UNIQUE COLLECTION OF MERCHANTS WILL ALWAYS SATISFY YOUR SHOPPING LIFESTYLE. Conveniently located at the intersection of 15th and S. Bryant.

405

in the

Spring is the Word

PHOTO BY CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER

It’s time to update your wardrobe for a new season – take a cue from nature and go vibrant and eye-catching. Christian’s Artistry in Motion toucan shirt ($36) and Japanese twill pants

by Paige ($172), both from Gil’s Clothing, are ideal for catching some rays in style.

APRIL 2018 405 MAGAZINE

21

in the 405 FASHION

SHOWERED WITH SUNSHINE Find a fresh spring ensemble

BY JENNIFER SALYER PHOTO BY CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER

HER E COM E S T HE SU N! It’s time to treat yourself to

some new looks for getting outside (rain, rain, go away) – and don’t forget that this season is about embracing color. Don’t worry too much about accessories, just pick out something springy, especially if it’s also festive and fun.

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CAMBRI: Lemon ruffle crop top by L’Atiste $38, high-waist trousers by L’Atiste $38, floral fauxfur trim robe by Beulah $123, studded denim booties by Privileged $118, all from Gemma CHRISTIAN: Santos jacket $130, Harrison corduroy pant $88, Dakota Grizzly Easton flannel $59, all from Woodsman Trading Co.; Crespi by Mezlan Venetian slip-on $350, made in Spain with patterned suede and glass bead finish, sold by Hans Herman; Umbrella from author’s personal collection

Woodsman Trading Company, 9705 N May, OKC, woodsmantrading.com; Gemma, 1100 N Broadway, OKC; Hans Herman Custom Tailors, hansherman.com; Gil’s Clothing & Denim Bar, 7644 N Western, OKC, gilsclothing.com; Cambri is from Brink Model Management, Christian is from PRIM

APRIL 2018 405 MAGAZINE

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in the 405 FAVORITE THINGS

Maileg Tooth Fairy mouse, $40, and tooth box, $5 “Who doesn’t love stash boxes and little boxed mice, eh? We’ve been carrying a small collection of the Danish-designed mice for years, and it never fails to always be entertaining.”

Amy Downes, Stephanie Humes and Kris Balaban. And Didi.

Shoppers’ Dream Date Curiosity piqued in a Western Avenue boutique

Succulent arrangement, $60 “Amy makes those up with her little green fingers. A different twist on a delivered arrangement.”

Post Studio serving tray, handmade in California, $60 “It reminds me of 1980s Los Angeles – shiny and cool.”

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Cavallini paper, $5, rocks, $2-$35 “The paper is because I’m a paper person, and if you are a paper person, you know why you must have more paper. And the pretty rocks on top go back to colorful, shiny objects – I must be a magpie.”

Hand-painted enamel cup, $13.50, with fresh Shimmer roses “Handpainted, colorful, shiny, so why not fill ’er up with blossoms? It’s a beautiful hostess gift.”

National Park puzzle (others as well), $20 “Family, friends and date night in can all enjoy, plus, we do a puzzle exchange here at the store.”

PHOTOS BY DON RISI

Nathalie Lete’s In the Garden of My Dreams, $35 “Love her as an artist, I follow her on Instagram. We have sold her music boxes, spinning tops and tea sets, and flipped when we saw that book. Had to have! Our 2018 Christmas will be all hers.”

SOU N DI NG MOR E L IK E an event than a shop, A Date with Iris manages to be a bit of both.

At least, a journey into the whimsy and artistry of owner Kris Balaban and her partners Stephanie Humes and Amy Downes feels a bit like an event. Each of these powerhouse personalities make this place tick. With something to gaze at in every nook, it’s something of a feat that you don’t get lost. Located at 4201 N Western in Oklahoma City, A Date with Iris is a small shop with a large selection, and it’s in the perfect place. “Consistent neighborhood traffic, along with a sweet community feeling in a historic locale,” are elements Balaban appreciates about their 15-year presence.

Saying it’s “not just a f lower shop” is an understatement. With gift and merchandise selections that are hard to beat, you can find that perfect unusual gift here. Their commitment to finding merchandise with that unusual element that appeals to them personally – meaning it’s more than merely a business to these ladies – is part of what makes this place so special.

“The most important thing to us in doing business is having clients that we have relationships with,” says Balaban. “From courtship bouquets to weddings, new babies that grow up to need prom corsages and, yes, even memorials to their parents.”

Didi the shop cat merits a visit, too – she may be hiding in the flower fridge or trying to escape out the front door, so keep your eyes open for her, as well as all of the beautiful things that make A Date with Iris. - SAR A GAE WATERS

SPRING LOOKBOOK

EXCLUSIVELY OFFERING OKC A SELECTION OF INDIE AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGNERS

7302 N. Western Ave. / shoprosegold.com

APRIL 2018 405 MAGAZINE

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in the 405 TRENDS

FROM PLENTY MERCANTILE

Handy-Tizer hand sanitizer, $7.99 Mini “smartypits” deodorants, $5.99 each Hide and Seek RFID wallets, $94.99 Better Life traveling cleaning kit, $22 Carry-on cocktail kit, $27.85

Approved for Travel!

Get geared up to hit the road SPR I NG IS HER E and adventure is calling, but before you head for the horizon, you’d better do some packing. From the practical to the stylish to the out-of-the-ordinary, here are some must-haves to put on your list as you prepare for your upcoming travel. Mini-deodorants or solid cologne that won’t get thrown in the trash at security; a cocktail kit to mix your favorite drink on the go; even a versatile tote and a killer rolling duffel to store it all. Traveling prepared while looking good was just made easy. - SAR A GAE WATERS

FROM URBANE

Cord snap, $7.99 Travel adapter, $41.50 Excursion trolley rolling duffel, $139

FROM SHOP GOOD

FROM NO REGRETS

Delilah toiletry roll, $75 John Hart Taylor tote, $299

FROM GRETTA SLOANE

“Shhhowercap,” $45

Plenty Mercantile, 807 N Broadway, OKC, 1466 S Bryant, Edmond; Gretta Sloane, 6476 Avondale, OKC; Shop Good, 1007 N Broadway, OKC; Urbane, 1015 N Broadway, OKC; No Regrets, 9219 N Penn, OKC

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PHOTOS BY SCOTTY O’DANIEL

Travel dice, $29 Solid cologne, $18 Travel kit, $25

y n a M T h a n ks

BEST GIFT SHOP

THERE’S ALWAYS PLENTY AT BOTH LOCATIONS

807 N. BROADWAY AVE, OKC, 73102 | 1466 S. BRYANT AVE, EDMOND, 73034

APRIL 2018 405 MAGAZINE

27

in the 405 LAUGH LINES

Off the Grid Happily leaving the pioneer spirit in the past reenact the Land Run of 1889, which opened the territory to homesteaders prior to statehood. In addition to being problematic from a Native perspective, I’m opposed on a more selfish personal level: Let’s just say that, whatever gave my ancestors their rugged, pioneering spirit has been thoroughly flushed from the gene pool that hatched me. I wouldn’t make it one day as a pioneer. After half an hour of complaining about the flies, the heat, the boredom and the bumpy ride in the back of a covered wagon, I’d snap like a campfire twig at the prospect of one more primitive inconvenience.

Knowing so little about the trials the early homesteaders faced (to say nothing of those who were unceremoniously displaced), I Googled “homesteaders” and found an entirely different generation of pioneers who have chosen to live very Kaczynski-esque lifestyles off the grid today.

As someone who is plagued by the quotidian hurdles of the modern day – such as the possible reasons the Netflix connection has to be restarted every time we switch back from Hulu, or why the rinse agent in the dishwasher isn’t getting the job done – I can barely wrap my mind around the notion that people in 2018 are electing to live without electricity and indoor plumbing.

Nick and Esther Fouch, two otherwise reasonable adults, refer to themselves as homesteaders who live with their three children off the grid in the woods of Idaho. With no connection to a power grid, the couple has set out to create a “sustainable lifestyle” for their family “in a post-capitalist economy.” To the uninitiated, it might sound like code for “someone in this equation can’t hold down a job,” but a closer look into the Fouch family reveals a strong work ethic, peppered with some off-thegrid delirium.

Powered by a few solar panels, propane tanks and generators, the Fouches have spent the better part of the past five or six years inside a 314-square-foot yurt (a hybrid of a tent and a house) mulling the weight of their lifestyle, which is alarmingly rustic. Amid its rusticity, however, are a couple of post-capitalist exceptions to the simple life: they do have jerry-rigged Wi-Fi and cell phones, which they’ve used to chronicle their progress (or regress, depending on your perspective) through a fascinating series of “homesteader/off-the-grid” videos.

Early in the video series, as the cheerful Esther offered the viewer a virtual tour of the yurt and the rest of the property, she explained that the American lifestyle is unsustainable. Sustainability is a concept lost on me at the same moment my attention turned toward not one, but three, fly swatters and a respectable inventory of Deep Woods OFF! in the background.

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Esther went on to explain – as she batted away a flying insect – that living off the grid was her husband’s dream and it’s been great for their family. (I’ll just insert here that if the Beau ever volunteered a “dream” that involves no electricity, I’d tell him to go back to bed and come up with a new dream.)

“I’ve learned how much I’m capable of doing,” she crows. “For example, before this experience, I’d never split wood before.” (Of course she’d never split wood before – she probably had central heat and air, a gas oven and stove, and manicured nails. Grrrrr.)

Later in the series, Esther took the viewer along for laundry day. First, she told us that all of her clothes – meaning all of her clothes for all seasons – fit in one drawer. At this point in the video series, it’s apparent that Esther has either become sympathetic to her captor, the Middle Ages, or the thrill is simply gone for laundry day; after filling a washing machine with water from an uphill spring, Esther hopped onto a stationary bike and pedaled for 20 minutes to power the washer. To power the rinse and spin cycles, she pedaled even faster to the beat of “Dueling Banjos” for an additional 15 minutes.

Before she lost daylight, Esther would carry a five-gallon bucket of water to an outdoor fire pit, where she’d boil the water she needed to do the dishes for the next hour. Next, she’d homeschool her three kids about the unsustainability of the post-capitalist economy that drives the what-me-worry American lifestyle – a lifestyle my pioneer ancestors could only have dreamt about in the back of a rickety, hot covered wagon. - LAUREN HAMMACK

ILLUSTRATION BY ERIC SCHOCK

ACROS S OU R STAT E this month, school children will

Half page 405.pdf

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9205 N Pennsylvania Ave | Casady Square | Oklahoma City | 405.775.0404

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When you can’t weather the storm

CY

CMY

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HOLLY HEFTON | FAMILY LAW & CIVIL LITIGATION 405.312.3366 | hollyhefton.com Photo by Charlie Neuenschwander

APRIL 2018 405 MAGAZINE

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in the 405 OKLAHOMYTHS

A World of Heroes

Toy titans around the globe

THE CLAIM: The Toy & Action Figure Museum of Pauls Valley is “The world’s only museum devoted solely to the art and collection of action figures … [it is] a fully accredited nonprofit, thus making it the only official museum of its kind in the world.

THE SOURCE: Atlas Obscura, atlasobscura.com FACT CHECK: False THE TRUTH: In its 12 years of operation, the Toy & Action Figure Museum has attracted plentiful accolades and more than 75,000 visitors. It is not, however, unique.

Founded in 2005 by artist Kevin Stark as part of Vision 2010 — a local initiative to attract visitors to Pauls Valley — the museum is located in a 6,000-square-foot building on South Chickasaw. Its shelves, display cases and dioramas feature more than 13,000 action figures, toys and memorabilia, from superhero-themed underwear to metal Batmobiles. It is also home to a kids’ activity area for play, a replica Bat Cave and the Oklahoma Cartoonists Hall of Fame, honoring artists from Pulitzer-winning Bill Mauldin to Dick Tracy creator Chester Gould.

However, several Asian museums also center around action figures, including two in the city of Mibu, Japan, 70 miles outside Tokyo. The area was a leader in toy production after World War II and is now home to the Omocha-no-Machi Bandai Museum and the Mibumachi Toy Museum. The latter opened April 23, 1995, as part of the Furusato Creation Project-envisioned, like the project in Pauls Valley, to reinvigorate local tourism.

In Bangladesh, collector Saadi Rahman founded the Dhaka Museum of

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Pauls Valley’s Toy & Action Figure Museum

Toys, which specializes in action figures and merchandise inspired by superheroes and TV and movie characters.

Closer to home, Caleb Zammit used the arrival of his 30th birthday to commit his personal action-figure collection of Star Wars, He-Man, Thundercats, Transformers and G.I. Joe characters as the basis for the Austin Toy Museum.

Opened in 2016, the Texas nonprofit features thousands of action figures arrayed in elaborate dioramas under glass, and opportunities for visitors to play vintage video games.

In Elkhart, Indiana, the nonprofit Hall of Heroes Museum features a replica Bat Cave with a sliding firehouse pole, as well as more than 10,000 vintage action figures, toys, props and 60,000 comic books. Signature pieces include Adam West’s personal Batman costume and the original shield from the film Captain America: The First Avenger. Upping the

ante, the museum is housed in a twostory replica of The Hall of Justice from “Super Friends,” all built in the backyard of curator Allen Stewart.

The museum with the most action figures is said to be the California-based Rancho Obi-Wan, hailed as the “Smithsonian of Star Wars.” The Guinness Book of World Records acknowledges its holdings as the largest collection of Star Wars memorabilia, with a total of more than 400,000 pieces. The nonprofit museum was founded by Steve Sansweet, a former Wall Street Journal reporter who was director of content management for Lucasfilm, and who has authored 16 books on Star Wars topics, including the first Star Wars Encyclopedia. - M.J. ALEX ANDER

Editor’s note: Oklahoma is rich with history, lore and fun facts, but some of them aren’t quite factual. In this series, M.J. Alexander hunts for the accuracy – or lack thereof – behind some of our state’s stories.

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APRIL 2018 405 MAGAZINE

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in the 405 PLACES

Heritage Renewed I T WA S A normal workday for folks at Oklahoma City’s Journal Record building. The bustle of downtown was well underway, and the sun was exceptionally bright on that April morning. But a few minutes past 9 a.m., everything went dark.

Volumes have been written about the Oklahoma City bombing, and the lives that were lost and those that were forever changed. The city itself underwent a metamorphosis, and today, large sections of it bear little resemblance to the way things were in 1995.

Here in 2018, one of the last remnants of the bombing has finally come City, who helped us save the building after the back to life. The Journal Record building, vabombing and were patient and helped us find cant since the bombing, has emerged from the “This building just the right neighbors. The Heritage and their ashes as the newly renamed Heritage Building.

“We are thrilled to have Heritage Trust represents the past tenants appear to be just the right fit and complement what we have done – and added even more and other neighbors in the east portion of the and how much beauty to this site.” building,” says Kari Watkins, executive director OKLAHOMA CITY A sixth floor was added to the original strucof the Oklahoma City National Memorial and ture; today it is the new home of Saxum Strategic Museum. “When we built and opened the MeHAS CHANGED morial on April 19, 2000, and then the Museum over many decades.” Communications.

“Saxum occupies the fifth and sixth floor pentin 2001, we knew [that] even if we built the most C. R E NZI STON E house overlooking the Oklahoma City National beautiful memorial and powerful museum exMemorial,” says C. Renzi Stone, Saxum chairman perience, we also had to help bring people back and CEO. “Once a rooftop, the newly added penthouse serves to this area of downtown Oklahoma City. Today, this sacred site as the main entrance, with expansive 360-degree views. Prior connects the downtown business district to the redeveloped Midto the renovation, the fifth floor was a dark, non-tenant space town. The Memorial and Museum and the Heritage play a critical housing the building’s mechanical units and plumbing lines. It role in keeping this section of downtown vibrant and alive.” now encompasses open offices, phone rooms, multiple types of The Heritage Building was built in 1923 and designed by collaborative spaces and the family room.” architect Solomon Layton, who also designed the Oklahoma Besides the emotional challenge of filling the space, Stone says State Capitol. It is the largest non-governmental building in the the other big issue was parking. In 2012, Bond Payne began negoneoclassical architectural style in downtown Oklahoma City, and tiations with the city of Oklahoma City to purchase and redevelop is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. the space, while also adding a much-needed parking deck. FolIts proximity to the Murrah Building, and to the massive lowing a $31 million renovation, the Heritage now has 100,000 explosion, caused significant structural damage. After the bombsquare feet of Class A office space for lease, and is 60-percent full. ing, the city of Oklahoma City took ownership of the site and “This building represents the past and how much Oklahoma made the necessary repairs to ensure it was structurally sound.

City has changed over many decades,” Stone adds. “The new SaxStill, the building remained vacant for more than 20 years until um space that overlooks the Memorial and downtown represents Bond Payne and a group of investors brought it back. what’s possible when smart, creative people come together to “Their team has done a first-class job of redeveloping the east serve others.” - MARK BEUTLER section,” Watkins says. “Much credit goes to the city of Oklahoma

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PHOTO COURTESY SAXUM STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

An OKC landmark returns to life

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in the 405 CAMPING

A Kids’ Camping Compendium Plan ahead for summer fun SU M M ER IS COMI NG! Days are warm, nature is filling the great outdoors with color and life … and schools are out, so kids should have plenty of time for adventures. If you’re looking for a camping experience where they can make some great memories, one of these options should be perfect. - LOUISE SCRIVENS

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Share in our Stomp Dance demonstrations.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Mother’s Day & Music Fair MAY 12

Memorial Day & Artesian Arts Festival MAY 26-27

Father’s Day Celebration JUNE 16-17

Children’s Festival JUNE 23

Holbaˇ Pisachiˇ Film Festival JULY 14

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the season with festivities, attractions and traditional arts. Tour the Butterfly Gardens, Water Pavilion and Traditional Village. Indoors are fascinating exhibits and experiences to share.

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Stroll across the beautiful new Inkana' Bridge!

Our Spiral Garden features the ancient “Three Sisters” method of planting squash, corn and beans together.

ChickasawCulturalCenter.com • Sulphur, OK • 580-622-7130

in the 405 CAMPING

OKLAHOMA Boy Scouts Last Frontier Council

scoutingrocks.tv Camp George Thomas 45456 County Street 2520, Apache 405.286.6497 Ages 6 and up Mastering new scouting skills plus outdoor adventure

Camp Cadence

cadenceequestrian.com 14150 S Pine, Edmond ​405.348.7469 Ages 5-16 Indoor and outdoor horseriding activities, no experience needed

Camp DaKaNi

campdakani.org 3309 E Hefner, OKC 405.478.5646 Ages 11-17

Activities include kayaking, paintball and rappelling

Girl Scouts Eastern Oklahoma

gseok.org Camp Tallchief 9733 Camp Tallchief, Skiatook 800.707.9914 Grades 1-12 Activities include horse riding, swimming, learning to paddle and crafting

Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma

gswestok.org Camp E-ko-wah E1660 Rd, Marlow 405.528.4475 Grades 1-12 Camps include princess, scientist, little mermaids, ponies and floaties and Triwizard tournament

New Life Ranch Summer Camp

newliferanch.com 160 New Life Ranch, Colcord 918.422.5506 Grades 3-12 Activities include horse riding, rock climbing and canoeing

Red River Drum & Auxiliary Camp

shilohcamp.org 440 NE 70th, OKC 405.858.7011 Ages 8-16 Activities include art sessions, group sports, singing, dancing and fishing

Sky Ranch

redrivercamp.com 13528 Scenic Highway 77, Ardmore 580.465.2580 Grades 7-12 Activities include music and band activities; swimming is optional

skyranch.org Cave Springs 7750 S 655, Quapaw 800.962.2267 or 918.542.1547 Grades 1-9 Activities include horse riding and swimming

Shepherds Fold

Sooner Youth Camp

shepherdsfoldranch.com 185 River, Avant 918.263.3622 Grades 2-12 A Christian camp and retreat center offering outdoor activities

Shiloh Camp

for Disadvantaged Youths

sycok.org Lake Murray State Park 13528 Scenic Highway 77, Ardmore Open to those entering 7th grade in fall through graduating high school in spring 2018 Activities include basketball, swimming and team sports

GREAT MINDS DON’T ALWAYS THINK ALIKE Trinity provides a safe and nurturing educational experience for children with learning differences through programs designed to meet each students’ specific needs.

Multi-Sensory Instruction Small supportive classrooms Intervention Remediation

Instructional approaches designed to foster selfconfidence and social competence.

Trinity serves students with mild to moderate learning differences including: Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, ADHD, and Auditory Processing, among others.

321 NW 36th Street, OKC 405.525.5600 // TrinitySchoolOKC.org

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SUM INTENMER • • • • SI VE

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Open to Trinity and Non-Trinity students. Classes include Reading Therapy (individual and group), Math Intervention, and Summer Fun. Visit us at TrinitySchoolOKC.org for details.

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ussportscamps.com Various locations in Oklahoma 800.645.3226 Offering softball, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, swimming and tennis camps

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9500 North Pennsylvania Ave. | Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405.749.3185 | www.casady.org

Eagle Sky Christian Camps YMCA Camp Classen

ymcaokc.org Arbuckle Mountains 10840 Main Camp Road, Davis 580.369.2272 Ages 7-12 Activities include archery, horse riding, hiking and canoeing

eaglesky.camp 1 Eagle Sky, Piedmont 573.278.3288 Ages 7-18 Christian summer camp offering countless activities including water volleyball and giant Jenga

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ymcatulsa.org 32701 East 660, Chouteau Westside YMCA 918.446.1424 Camp Takatoka 918.476.5191 Ages 7-17 Activities include archery, climbing wall, swimming, canoeing, fishing, volleyball, hiking, tubing, wakeboarding and water skiing

COLORADO Kanakuk Avid4 Adventure

avid4.com Multiple Colorado locations 800.977.9873 Grade PreK-12 Teaching kids of all levels to climb, paddle, bike, hike and thrive outdoors – offering overnight camps and teen leadership programs in Bailey and Evergreen

Rocky Mountain Soccer Camps

rockymountainsoccercamp.com 100 S Dewey, Victor

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kanakuk.com 1353 Lake Shore, Branson 417.266.3000 Ages 6-18 Christian summer camp offering over 70 activities

Missouri Military Academy

missourimilitaryacademy.org 204 N Grand, Mexico 573.581.1776 ext. 321 Ages 7-12 Offering summer academy, leadership and confidence camps

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territory ahead

SECRETS OF CIMARRON COUNTY Sightseeing off the map

BY M.J. ALEX ANDER

It was almost dusk when the pickup seemed to apparate out of nowhere, careening off a dirt road intersection to roar up on our passenger side in a spray of gravel. The men inside – two in front and two in back of the club cab – held rifles beside them: stocks on the seats, barrels in the air.

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(Left and above) A labyrinth of eroded sandstone buttes created beneath an ancient sea stands guard near the top of a rise near the Oklahoma-Colorado border. Century-old graffiti, including foot-tall letters spelling out the local name of the site, is etched into the worn sedimentary rock.

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territory ahead A WORLD APART Cimarron County, the 34-mile-wide by 54-mile-long westernmost rectangle of the Oklahoma Panhandle, is the fourth largest – and dead-last least populated – of the state’s 77 counties.

The former section of No Man’s Land has several claims to fame: Cimarron is Oklahoma’s only county without a stoplight, and the only one with a few acres in the Mountain Time Zone. Fossilized dinosaur tracks pockmark the area near Black Mesa, the state’s highest point. It is the nation’s only county to share borders with four other states: Kansas and Colorado to the north, New Mexico to the west, Texas to the south.

It is home to 2,200 souls – about half as many as 50 years ago, and down from the 5,927 population at the time of statehood. Those who remain share a sense of community and a common worldview: in the last presidential election, Donald Trump captured 89.3 percent of the vote.

Kissing hoodoos (natural rock formations) frame a winter sky in Cimarron County.

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territory ahead

They leaned forward to squint through the dust squall, scanning my unfamiliar face and then looking across to the driver, a third-generation Cimarron County resident.

Nods were exchanged.

“Oh, hey. Didn’t recognize your truck.”

“Got a new one, just a couple weeks ago.”

“Alright. Didn’t look familiar. Had to check.”

After some rat-a-tat chitchat, the mini-militia spun the steering wheel and faded back in the opposite direction in a cloud of dust. Our off-the-grid tour of Cimarron County, led by long-time friends who are descendants of pioneers, continued.

The deal: a backroads glimpse of abandoned farms, ancient rock formations, historic sites and cave petroglyphs tucked behind locked gates and fenced pastures. Photographs were encouraged; the sharing of directions and identifying details was not.

The epic landmarks are under the radar in digital archives and draw blanks in Google searches, existing in the realm of places unmarked on maps that can only be found by those who already know where they are.

In that spirit, these images offer a glimpse of some of the oldest landscapes in one of the youngest states, preserved among the secrets of Cimarron County.

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(From top) It was only by counting the spoked wheels scattered among the charred pieces of wood that the size of the doomed party could be determined. Sometime before 1880, about 20 wagons traversing the Cimarron Cutoff of the old Santa Fe Trail were ambushed by attackers described as Utes. Dozens of the iron-rimmed wheels stayed where they had fallen, in the shadow of Wolf Mountain, until the metal was eventually salvaged. In 1991, brothers Robert and Albert Koehler, then in their late 70s, “cobbled up a sign,” welding a monument atop a concrete tower and adding a fence to keep off the cattle that graze nearby.

The carvings on Cimarron County’s sculpted overhangs and shallow caves are open to the elements – and to interpretation. They have been hailed as classic petroglyphs and pictographs by some, and interpreted as evidence of Egyptian influence and Celtic travelers by others. Between the world wars, excited locals took researchers into their confidence and swore them to secrecy about the artifacts within. But promises made were soon broken, and expeditions returned without permission to excavate. Newer graffiti now pushes in near original carvings of people and horses and bison – in a tableau exposed to the elements and protected only by their remoteness.

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APRIL 2018 405 MAGAZINE

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Best o/

405 101+ Metro Favorites

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405 MAGAZINE APRIL 2018

The results are in – and then some. We asked readers to vote in our 6th annual Best of the 405 survey, and they responded with enthusiasm, obliterating the previous record for highest number of responses. And when more people register their opinions, the results are even more of a vote of confidence for the winners. We’re delighted to share with you this summary of readers’ top picks for the highlights of life in OKC, Edmond, Norman and surroundings … and we added a few of our own Editors’ Choice selections, as well.

These are the places, people, taste sensations and overall examples of greatness that you (and we) love best about the 405. Enjoy!

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Dining

Readers’ choice Coffee shop

Elemental Coffee Roasters Craft brewer

Anthem Brewing Co. Breakfast

Hatch Weekend brunch

The Jones Assembly Casual dining

Charleston’s Fine dining

Mahogany Desserts

Pie Junkie

’ s r o t i d E choice

Food truck

Big Truck Tacos Out-of-business Restaurant You'd like to make a comeback

Molly Murphy’s Burger

The Garage Barbecue

Favorite New Restaurant

The Press How much deliciousness can you pack into an area that can’t be more than half a square mile, anyway?

The pull of the Plaza District grew even stronger in 2017 thanks to the addition of this thoroughly tempting comfort food haven, the third restaurant from the team behind The Mule and Anchor Down. It gets extra points for offering brunch options all day, and for including several vegetarian options alongside its fried chicken and pork belly. (Vegetarians need comfort food, too!) Overall, the environment is cozy, the portions are large and the food is delicious.

What more could we want? 1610 N Gatewood, OKC, 405.208.7739, thepressokc.com

The Butcher BBQ Stand Pizza

Hideaway Seafood

The Drake Steak

The Ranch Sushi

Sushi Neko Vegetarian

Loaded Bowl Italian

Stella Modern Italian Asian

Chae Modern Korean 48

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’ Editors choice Mexican

Ted’s Cafe Escondido Ethnic restaurant

(not Italian, Asian or Mexican)

Cafe Kacao Chef

Jason Campbell Mary Eddy’s Caterer

Aunt Pittypat’s Customer experience

The Jones Assembly Bartender

Michael O’Hara Mary Eddy’s

Cocktail bar/ Watering hole

The T Room at The Jones Assembly Place to take visiting friends/relatives

Cattlemen’s

Favorite Future Food News

Sean Cummings’ Irish Restaurant As Best of the 405 time approaches, our staff tends to converse about the readers’ choice categories – hey, we read the magazine, too – and one of our evergreen topics has been the out-of-business restaurant we wish would make a comeback. Turns out we’re going to need a new selection, because the oft-lamented loss of chef Sean Cummings’ eponymous pub is being rectified by the universe. Look for Guinness, boxty and black pudding in a joyfully noisy community atmosphere when it opens in just a couple of months … and for several of us to be front and center. Coming soon to 7628 N May, OKC

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okies ’ Editors choice

Favorite New (Old) Full-Time Artist

Terry Clark

Painting isn’t a new pastime for Dr. Clark; he’s had 18 years of practice and has exhibited watercolors in Santa Fe and Oklahoma City. However, he does have more time to devote to that endeavor these days. After 27 years of helping students develop and hone their journalistic skills as a professor and former chair of UCO’s Mass Communications department, as well as assisting grads in getting journalism, PR and advertising jobs, the distinguished Dr. Clark retired in May 2017. He’s unlikely to stop writing – it’s a hard habit to break after a lifetime of contributing to newspapers and magazines – but now the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Famer should be free more often to blog (Coffee With Clark), tweet (@okieprof), play chess, paint … and drink coffee. Black.

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Readers’ choice Elected official

Mayor Mick Cornett Nonprofit organization

Positive Tomorrows Celebrity

Russell Westbrook Musician

Kyle Dillingham Bar band

My So Called Band Local actor

Susan Riley Artist

Corbyn Rhodes Filmmaker

Lance McDaniel Photographer

Marshall Hawkins

Sundance Photography Author/writer

S. E. Hinton Blogger

The Lost Ogle

’ Editors choice

Comedian

Spencer Hicks Meteorologist

David Payne News anchor

Kelly Ogle Investigative journalist

Scott Hines Sports journalist

Berry Tramel Radio personality

Ferris O’Brien, KOSU Ambassador who makes you proud to be an Oklahoman

Mayor Mick Cornett

Favorite Passing of the Torch

Mick Cornett to David Holt In OKC’s century-plus history, the average length of a mayoral term is a shade under four years; a child born on Mick Cornett’s first day in office would be finishing up his or her freshman year of high school right about now. The only person to be elected OKC mayor four times is leaving some pretty big shoes to fill.

So it feels like a good sign that his successor will enter office on a tide of public confidence: Former State Sen. David Holt won the mayoral election by a margin of more than 60 percentage points, receiving 78.5 percent of the vote. That’s a solid mandate, and hopefully the beginning of a similarly long and illustrious tenure.

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shopping

Readers’ choice Jewelry store

BC Clark Luxury auto dealership

Jackie Cooper BMW Furniture store

Mathis Brothers Home accessories store

Plenty Mercantile Florist

Tony Foss Women’s clothing store

Mode Men’s clothing store

Blue Seven Bike shop

Schlegel’s Bicycles Gift boutique

Blue Seven

’ Editors choice

Shoe store

Betsy King Vintage store

Bad Granny’s District shopping

Favorite Completed Municipal Project

Lindsey Street, Norman

This was not an overnight success story. Widening Lindsey between the interstate and Berry took more than a year to complete (and the state’s revamp of the I-35 exit stretched on longer than that), and navigating the area ranged from difficult to impossible for much of the duration – which had a severely painful effect on local businesses suddenly stuck in virtually inaccessible areas. But if you haven’t been by lately, go look at Lindsey Street now. Extra lanes, new streetlights, medians, clearly delineated bike lanes, adequate drainage … it’s a whole new road, and one that should be good for the city going forward. Plus, it gives some hope to those of us currently creeping around traffic cones along the new OKC streetcar’s route.

Plaza District Eyewear source

Midtown Optical Health club

Four Star Fitness Personal trainer

Ryan Few Crossfit box

Crossfit 405 Yoga/pilates studio

405YOGA Family doctor

Dr. Castel Santana Morfit Medical

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Family dentist

Nathan Guilford

Toothbrushers Dental Cosmetic dentist

Dr Corbyn Rhodes Cosmetic surgeon

Dr Erik Nuveen

Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates Hair stylist

Elyssa Jones His and Hairs I Barber

Chad Grounds

Midtown Barbershop

’ s r o t i d E choice

Salon

The Cut Salon Yukon OK Spa

Udånder Veterinarian

Dr. Leonardo Baez Midtown Vets Bank

BancFirst Wealth management firm

Align Wealth Management Home builder

Homes by Taber Real estate firm

Keller Williams Law firm

Hall, Estill, Hardwick, Gable, Golden & Nelson, P.C. Hospital

Mercy Hospital Interior design company

Emory Anne Interiors Landscape design company

Modern Environment

Favorite Place to Remember That Print Is Alive and Well

Commonplace Books

You can walk in and buy a book, yes, but much of the appeal of Commonplace is that it’s uncommon in the best way a bookstore can be: It’s more concerned with individuals, experiences and conversations than moving the most possible copies of a mass-market paperback. Depending on when they arrive, visitors may find live music, kids’ storytimes, an unscheduled group conversation about the difference between spiritualism and religion … or just a quietly snoozing dog. Throughout, the store is permeated with genuine thought and care for the printed word and its power to affect our lives. We’re big fans of Full Circle and Best of Books, but more thriving local bookstores are unequivocally a good thing. 1325 N Walker, OKC, 405.534.4540, commonplacebooksokc.com APRIL 2018 405 MAGAZINE

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diversions ’ s r o t i d E choice

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Readers’ choice Art gallery

JRB Art at the Elms Museum

Oklahoma City Museum of Art Cultural event

Festival of the Arts

Favorite Vintage Theater for Vintage Movies (and more)

Tower Theatre New things are great. Sometimes giving vintage things a new lease on life is even better. The efforts to revitalize OKC’s classic 1930s-era Tower Theatre have encompassed a decade and then some, involving multiple combinations of people and principals; that means the operating trio of Stephen Tyler, Chad Whitehead and Jabee Williams can’t quite take all the credit. But in their hands, the venue is humming again with concerts and community events, and it’s difficult to overstate what a boon the impressive results have been for the Uptown 23rd area and beyond.

When a November screening of 2001 marked the first film shown here in 32 years, it cemented even more strongly Tower’s triumphant return from squalor to splendor. 425 NW 23rd, OKC, 405.708.6937, towertheatreokc.com

Performing arts venue

Civic Center Music Hall Event season tickets

Lyric Theater Outdoor festival

Festival of the Arts Charity event

Red Tie Night Live music venue

The Jones Assembly Casino

Riverwind Casino Movie theater

Warren Theatre Sporting event

OKC Thunder Tourist attraction

Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum Hotel

21c Museum Hotel Wedding venue

21c Museum Hotel Family excursion

Riversport Rapids In-state getaway

Beaver’s Bend

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PHOTO BY MATT PAYNE

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Windsof C hange

WEATHER, WOMEN AND WHAT TO WATCH FOR

BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON // PHOTOS BY SHANNON CORNMAN // ILLUSTR ATIONS BY CHAD CROWE

ON MAY 6, 2015, MOTHER NATURE FREAKED OUT AND FLEXED HER MUSCLES, POUNDING US WITH HAIL, FLOODING, STRAIGHT WINDS AND TORNADOES … AND LETTING SOME TIGERS LOOSE IN TUTTLE. THAT IS WEATHER TO THE MAX. WEATHER PLUS. ULTIMATE WEATHER. OR, AS SOME OF US AROUND HERE LIKE TO SAY, WEDNESDAY. There’s another saying, often attributed in various wording to state legend Will Rogers: If you don’t like the weather in Oklahoma right now, just wait a few minutes.

However you phrase it, it’s often fairly accurate. Oklahoma weather is a force, sometimes a farce, a constant topic of conversation and, depending on the time of year, it can be frightening, blistering or bone-chilling. For example, it’s not that uncommon for conditions to pinball from sunny and 70 degrees to an ice storm and perhaps some thunder snow, then back into the 70s … in just a few days.

April marks the beginning of tornado season in the Sooner State, which tends to fall into the frightening category. “In 2017, there were more than 80 tornadoes in Oklahoma,” says Rick Smith, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Norman. He arrived on the Oklahoma weather scene to start his dream job in 2002 because, if you’re in weather, our state is the ne plus ultra.

Smith’s job is, as he puts it, a hybrid of external relations with sales and marketing.

“I work with all of our partners, which are the city and county governments, fire, police, public safety officials and television and radio stations in 56 counties in Oklahoma and Texas,” he explains.

He and his colleagues, as well as the students and faculty of the University of Oklahoma’s school of meteorology, converged on Oklahoma because the weather

here is brutally magnificent and powerfully beautiful. It fascinates them as scientists, but as human beings, it often shakes them to their cores.

“When I started, it was so exciting, and older forecasters warned me that I’d get tired. And I have found that while there is still an adrenaline rush, there also comes with it a sense of dread,” he says. His industry is now beginning to realize that forecasting catastrophic storms, and then watching the damage and sometimes loss of life they bring, can cause emotional trauma for meteorologists, even PTSD. Despite that, every meteorologist and chaser interviewed here has a couple of things in common. They are obsessed with weather, and they care incredibly deeply about keeping people safe. Their faces light up as they start talking, and as they recount their stories, it’s as though they’ve time-traveled back into the moment.

Not too many years ago, charming and comely women (and men) who were without even a flicker of scientific background often started their broadcast careers as weathercasters. Raquel Welch got her on-camera start as the “sunup weathergirl” at a TV station in San Diego.

Tom Brokaw gave the weather report, along with the news. David Letterman famously lost his gig as a weatherman in Indianapolis after warning viewers that hail the size of canned hams was imminent. Weathergirls were ornamental in the 1960s and ’70s, short-skirted and frequently lampooned by virtue of their gender.

Now, though, the vast majority of good-looking people delivering the forecast are, first and foremost, meteorologists. And more and more are women.

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E

mily Sutton is the only female meteorologist in Oklahoma who has earned seals from the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society. She has been in Oklahoma for more than eight years now, and her severe-weather welcome was the Christmas Eve blizzard of 2009. “If you are in weather, this is the place,” she says, over a cup of coffee and an enormous cinnamon roll at a café near her Oklahoma City home. She is quick to point out that she is not the first female meteorologist in the market – that honor goes to KFOR’s Sarah Libby, now delivering the weather on a part-time basis while pursuing an engineering degree.

Sutton has always been fascinated by weather – specifically tornadoes. “I remember Tom Skilling at WGN in Chicago did weather specials, and I was terrified of tornadoes. I packed an emergency kit in my Barbie duffel bag with batteries and cans of food. Once when I was in middle school, my mom and I were at the grocery store, and there was an announcement that we were under a tornado warning. I started crying and we left.”

It never occurred to Sutton that she might one day make a career out of keeping people safe from storms – probably, she says, because she’d never seen a woman weather forecaster. She was a performer, singing and dancing in musical theater, and decided to major in broadcast journalism in college, at the University of Missouri, Columbia. And that’s when it happened.

“I needed a science elective, so I took intro to meteorology and got an A+,” she says. “There was a storm chase team, and that sounded amazing to me, but you had to have either a major or minor in meteorology to be on it. So I went for a double major and have two degrees: atmospheric science and journalism. At first, I was on the base team, telling the chasers where to go.

“I got to actually go out chasing for the first time on April 21, 2004.

I was supposed to sing at a Greek event, but I fibbed and said I was under the weather, which technically I was,” she laughs. Broadcast meteorology suited Sutton to a T, and once she found that magical combo, she never looked back, except to wonder why she hadn’t thought of it earlier.

Emily Sutton

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Cassie Heiter

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ews9 Meteorologist Cassie Heiter grew up in Kentucky, and says simply, “Oklahoma is the Mecca of meteorology. You don’t get any better, and I feel so fortunate that I do what I do where I do it.” Her fascination with weather began when she was in middle school. When severe weather struck, she found it exciting to rush down to the basement, where her designated safe spot was under the stairs. “A weather person was a hero in my eyes, because he knows what’s going to happen and he keeps people safe. That seemed like the coolest person to be,” she says.

She remembers sitting in the newsroom of her old station, watching News9’s live coverage of the 2013 Moore tornado. “It was Gary England. And then I saw his episode on ‘The Colbert Report,’ and I thought that to be in Oklahoma would be incredible, but I never dreamed I could,” Heiter says. But she did.

And now, in addition to handling the weather at 10 a.m. for radio and at noon on News9, Heiter has stepped into the role of running the radar for Chief Meteorologist David Payne during severe weather. When she talks about the radar system, it’s like she met a movie star. “NextGen Live has dual pol [polarization], and 1 million watts. It’s the most powerful in the state and one of the most powerful in the country. It can see fine detail, and is actually live.” Heiter has never seen a tornado in person, and has only gone storm chasing once. “When there is weather, I have to be in the station, but I’d love to go at some point.”

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R

Robyn King

obyn King, also with News9, holds a B.S. in meteorology with a minor in math. “My fascination with weather started at the age of 5,” she says. “I grew up watching storms roll in with my dad. I remember always being curious with weather. Why did it change almost every day? Guess you could say my head was always in the clouds.” Her career has taken her through several states, finally depositing her in Oklahoma. Like the others, keeping people safe is her first priority.

Their colleague Amy Castor has been chasing storms for more than two decades, and like countless others in her field, she too found her calling thanks in part to Gary England, while she was in college. “I grew up watching Gary England, and I’ve always loved being outside. One day, I was sitting in my apartment in Stillwater, and Gary was talking about a storm east of Stillwater. Something inside me said ‘chase,’ and I chased it all the way to the Arkansas border.”

Not long after that, Castor was looking for a project for her senior year, and she contacted England for an internship. One thing followed another; she got her internship and was introduced to her now-husband, the most famous and daring storm chaser in Oklahoma, Val Castor. “I was hired in 1998, and started storm chasing with Val. Love bloomed for us over time. We had so much in common. We got married in 1999,” Castor says.

The couple now has six children, whom Amy home-schools.

She and Val still chase storms, and her role is to handle the technology. On the day she spoke to 405 Magazine, she and her husband rolled into the parking lot in a huge, customized truck with lightning bolt graphics and their names Gary England on the doors. While Mr. Castor drives, Mrs. Mentor, Legend Castor runs the camera, posts to social media, He spent more than 40 years at KWTV, a chief watches the weather models and makes sure meteorologist-slash-weather the live stream stays online. king who helped develop Storm chasing is seasonal work, which Doppler radar, the First Warning map and the Storm allows Castor to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Tracker computer system “So many women have to choose. … I’ve always while becoming an Oklahoma been adventurous. I’ve always followed my legend. Few people in any field have been as husband’s lead and trusted the Lord, and I influential as Gary England think that Val and I are a great team. For a few in meteorology; many of months a year I focus on this, and the rest of today’s top forecasters the year I am with our children,” she says. “It’s cite him as an inspiration … including those interviewed so satisfying for us to pull up to a gas station, in this article. and have somebody say ‘You saved my life.’”

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Weather Words & What They Mean Outlook

Less specific than a forecast, but similar. As Smith puts it, “Sometime within a certain period, there is a possibility of severe weather, because certain ingredients are coming together.” It’s very imprecise.

Forecast

A forecast is a statement of what the weather is anticipated to be over the next several days. Generally, a forecast covers less than a week.

Watch

This is issued on the day it’s in effect, usually a couple of hours before severe weather is anticipated. “By the time we issue a watch, our certainty is higher of the location and timing. We are literally watching,” Smith says. He says that when a tornado watch is issued, it’s time to make sure your shelter is ready and all of your supplies are in place.

Warning

Usually, a severe thunderstorm warning will be issued before a tornado warning.

“A tornado warning means that tornadoes are likely or already occurring,” Smith says.

Warnings are when the storm or tornado is about to happen, or happening right now.

Take cover, or be really ready to. Warnings are much more precise than watches.

Severe Thunderstorm

Val and Amy Castor

This means that hail an inch in diameter or larger and winds of 58 mph or greater are expected.

Severe thunderstorms are not determined by inches of rain.

Television stations and the National Weather Service use the same definition.

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Shelby Hays

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Shelter Stock

I

t was a fear of severe weather and a desire to keep people safe that drew KOCO’s meteorologist Shelby Hays to the field. “I was always the first person in the storm shelter,” she laughs.

Growing up in Velma, Oklahoma, Hays knew from a young age what she wanted to be when she grew up. “I said I wanted to be Gary England. And I never understood at the time why people laughed. Now I do see that hearing a little girl say she wanted to become a middle-aged man was kind of funny, but there were no women doing the weather on TV when I was little, so I wanted to be him,” she says.

Hays’ own small, rural high school didn’t even offer calculus.

But the self-described nerd and valedictorian of her class just took it in college and moved on.

It was her high school science teacher, Ms. Johnston, who ultimately put Hays on her path.

“She had us each do a report on our field, and then she set us up to meet with someone in that field. She set me up to meet Gary England. It was incredible to go from meeting my idol to being mentored by him,” she says.

“It never occurred to me to let being female stop me, but maybe it stopped others. Now, many of the people who reach out to me are young girls and women,” Hays says. “We have a lot of school kids tour the station, and we have interns every semester.

What I want them to know is that they can do anything if they work hard for it.”

When it’s time to take shelter, seconds count. It’s important to stock your shelter with the things you might need well before you might need them. You should at least be ready at the basic level; what you do beyond that is up to you.

The Basic

Shoes with good soles for everyone, since you might have to walk through debris; a flashlight with fresh batteries; helmets for everyone, because debris flies fast in a tornado; a whistle, so you can signal to rescuers where you are, should you be trapped; pillows, blankets or a mattress to wrap around yourselves to buffer against flying objects; diapers, wipes, formula and any other little basics your baby will need; a dog leash or pet carrier so you can contain your freaked-out furry companions; your phone and charger.

The Boy Scout

Everything above, PLUS: a few bottles of water; a small, battery-operated television or radio; non-perishable snacks such as energy bars or packaged crackers; some pet food and chew toys; a set of dry clothes for each person.

The Serious Survivalist

In case the grid collapses and things get real, you’ll need everything above, PLUS: everyone’s prescriptions for a few days; at least a three-day supply of canned and dehydrated food; a gallon of water per person, per day; a first-aid kit; NOAA weather radio and batteries; plastic sheeting and duct tape in case you need to shelter-in-place; a wrench or pliers to turn off your utilities; plastic trash bags to poop in, along with moist towelettes; dust masks to facilitate breathing in debrisladen air; a stash of cash; unscented chlorine bleach for use as a disinfectant or emergency water treatment; a medicine dropper; signal flares; waterproof matches; rain gear; sleeping bags for everyone; mess kits or paper plates, cups and cutlery; your important paperwork, including copies of insurance policies, your passport or driver’s license and so on, in a waterproof envelope.

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For generations, Oklahomans knew that if it was spring, before long they’d hear News9’s Gary England, our most-revered meteorologist, shout those iconic words: “We need to get Val on the Gentner!”

The Gentner is a now-obsolete communication device used by storm chasers to talk with the station. It looks like a teleconferencing device. News9 still uses a similar device, which has another name, which England never called it.

Out of that iconic phrase, a game was born. It’s a severe weather drinking game. Now that the great and powerful Oz, er, England has retired, Payne is the name of the game.

Nobody at News9 endorses this game in any way, and you should probably never play it. Here are the rules:

Pregame

Everyone selects a storm chaser other than Val Castor. Every time David talks to your storm chaser, you take one drink.

Take two drinks every time we see footage from your storm chaser. Take four drinks if your storm chaser says “tornado on the ground.”

Everyone selects a county other than Pottawatomie County.

Every time David mentions your county, you take one drink.

Take two drinks every time we see footage from your county.

Take four drinks if a tornado touches down in your county.

Take One Drink Every time David interrupts a program.

Take one additional drink if David says, “You’re not missing any of [insert program name].”

Every time David says the following: hook echo, updraft, Metro, Doppler radar, wall cloud, underground or mobile home.

When David gives a list of counties, take one drink for every county in the list.

Take Two Drinks Every time David says the following: baseball-sized hail, Waterloo Road, Potawatomie County or Deer Creek High School.

Every time David mentions the following towns: Altus, Burns Flat, Del City, Gotebo (a crowd-pleaser), Hydro, Lookeba, Meeker, Mulhall, Oktaha, Olustee, Shattuck, Slaughterville, Tryon, Vici, Waukomis, Wayne (or Payne), Weleetka or Wetumkah.

Every time David talks to Val Castor.

Take Three Drinks If we see footage from Pottawatomie County.

If we see footage from Val Castor.

If David mentions the following: immediate tornado precautions, National Weather Service, mesocyclone, portable radio, take shelter or tornado warning in effect until …

Take Four Drinks If the Bob Mills SkyNews 9 HD helicopter must land to refuel.

If a shirtless tornado victim is interviewed.

Finish Your Drink If someone uses the word tornado as a verb, or if David mentions the nearest cross streets to you.

If David issues his own tornado warning, not recognized by the National Weather Service, or says the following: “Will someone please answer that phone?”

Or: “Do you see power flashes?”

If David says, “We’ve lost Val,” pour a little out for your compatriots and finish your drink.

Again, not endorsed; don’t really play it.

Jacqueline Nugent

The Future is Female Jacqueline Nugent, a native of Elmhurst, Illinois, is a senior at OU, pursuing a dual degree in meteorology and math. One rainy Saturday, she sauntered into Gray Owl Coffee in Norman and spilled the beans. She’s a cool customer with a deadly sense of humor, and is a member of OU’s equestrian team. As she starts to talk, it’s immediately clear: This woman is going places.

“Since I was a kid, I have loved storms,” she says. “I grew up watching the Weather Channel obsessively, and at some point I realized I could make a career out of it.” Weather Channel star Jim Cantore and his “Cantore Stories” fascinated her. She was a part of middle school academic competition, the Science Olympiad, and the subject at hand was meteorology. “I realized it was much more than just pictures on television,” Nugent says.

She specializes in the interface between math and meteorology. “There are equations to model how the atmosphere behaves.

There is a system of complex equations a computer has to solve, which is a big part of forecasting. I am interested in modelling data assimilation.” After graduation, Nugent will pursue a Ph.D. in meteorology and a career in meteorological research.

Nugent’s graduating class is close to 50 percent female, which is significant, but Nugent still feels that women are underrepresented in science as a whole, including meteorology. “I think the gap is closing,” she says, although she often was one of the only women in her college math classes. “I have never felt that this was something I couldn’t do because I’m a woman.”

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travel Making a Splash

PHOTO BY SHANNON CORNMAN

There’s nothing wrong with spending your vacation relaxing on a beach or curled up with a good book ‌ but sometimes you can make better memories by answering the call of the wild. Hiking rocky riverbeds to cruising with crocodiles to soaring through the skies, these are some of our favorite destinations for adventure.

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travel

THRILLING TREKS

ADVENTURE CALLS Destinations for intense exploration

PHOTO BY MATT PAYNE

When it comes to getaways, there are those who want to relax, and those who want to step outside themselves into the world, crank up the endorphins and live in wonder. We push ourselves. We walk on the edge of elation and fear; awe and “Aaah!” In this month’s 405 Magazine, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite adventures near and far to inspire that intrepid spirit in you.

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COSTA RICA As the tide recedes, there are but a few seconds to exit the small watercraft onto this remote Panamanian beach before the surf returns with the kind of power that will all but ensure that today’s adventure with UnCruise will begin wet. The emerald water of the Pacific is warm, and the humid air clings. Howler monkey calls reverberate, thunderous, as raucous scarlet macaws sail overhead, landing in the tops of the palms that delineate rain forest from beach … one adventure from another. As my feet hit the warm ocean water, typically something a landlocked Okie like me enjoys, I moved to land a little faster than usual. Lightning fast.

Earlier in the morning, as the sun rose, a curious crocodile had circled our small expedition ship for more than an hour. Snorkeling was on the agenda later that morning, as was birdwatching – and as the croc circled the boat, mouth ajar and eyes locked, the birdwatching group rapidly began to outnumber the snorkeling group. Spotting a toucan or a perhaps an elusive manakin seemed a hair safer than snorkeling with a crocodile. Either way, welcoming the morning alongside such a primordial, menacing creature, on a day abounding with ocean activities off the shore of a remote island chain 14 miles off the coast of Central America, suggested only one thing: adventure.

The week with Uncruise had been filled with remote adventures such as this. The wildlife-rich, adventure-heavy journey began in Puerto Caldera Costa Rica and would conclude a day later after a memorable trip through the Panama Canal. There had been rain forest hiking, whale watching and snorkeling in addition to beachcombing, conservation initiative participation and, of course, cocktails on the beach – and all without seeing another soul, save fellow travelers, conservationists and staff. – MAT T PAYNE

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travel

THRILLING TREKS

RUIDOSO, NEW MEXICO Outside Ruidoso is the Apache Wind Rider Ziptour – one of the world’s longest zip lines. It starts at the top of Ski Apache (11,489 feet altitude), and its longest stretch is more than a mile long. Seriously. While the last two are shorter, they are also considerably steeper. You’ll soar over treetops and ski runs with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, returning to earth a mere 8,900 feet later. The views are a big part of what makes this zip line so special, but the actual zipping takes only a few minutes, since airborne adventurers reach speeds of 65 miles an hour. – ELAINE WARNER

FAYETTEVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA Named one of the top six adventure resorts in the country by U.S. News and World Report, Adventures on the Gorge is an adventurer’s paradise. Outdoor experiences include whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley rivers and an aerial adventure park with two zip line courses, plus rock climbing, rappelling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, mountain biking and hiking. Overnight river trips complete with food prepared by chef-trained expedition guides really raise the bar. – MP

CODY, WYOMING There is no spot in the United States that defines outdoor adventure quite like Yellowstone National Park. However, although breathtaking, Yellowstone can also be so congested with fannypackers and selfie sticks that you can forget you’re in nature to begin with. As true adventurers, these people frustrate us, so the best thing to do is to get above them. Literally. Cody sits on the edge of Yellowstone, and hang-gliding specialists Airborne Over Cody offer even the beginner opportunities to sail through the canyons and over the forests, for a new and exciting perspective on a natural wonder. – MP

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e r u t n e Adv dma Gran ELAINE WARNER IS …

Years ago, my husband Jack, son Jay, daughter Julie and my parents visited Grand Teton National Park, the epitome of rugged beauty. I took Julie on a walk to see the cygnets. Taking the trail beside the pond, we finally spotted them. As we stood watching, I became aware of movement across the water: It was a mother moose and her baby. How cool is that?

ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH

PHOTO BY SHANNON CORNMAN

Until the animals entered the water and started swimming toward us.

At that moment, young Julie needed a pit stop. Meanwhile, the moose were making progress. Our lives in danger, we did what was necessary – logically, we popped behind a tree so she could tend to nature’s call.

As I waited and the moose bore down, my photographer’s instinct kicked in. I grabbed my camera, took a quick shot, grabbed Julie’s hand and hurried down the path in the wrong direction.

Fortunately, I saw a hiker coming toward us. I quickly told him of our dilemma.

“Don’t worry,” he told me, “moose have bad eyesight. We’ll hike up into the trees and cut around them.”

Relieved by his woodsman-like skills, Julie and I followed.

Soon we were past danger and I thanked my new hero. “I’m glad we ran into someone who lives around here,” I told him.

“Oh, I’m not from here. I’m from Corpus Christi,” he answered. I guess my ignorance was bliss.

That evening I told my family of our harrowing adventure – complete with a description of the moose’s hot breath on the backs of our necks. It was impressive until the photos were developed. Yup, the momma moose and baby looked like they were in the next county! Now I use a camera with a telephoto lens.

Utah is a mecca for adventure. With five National Parks, each uniquely epic, one could spend months exploring the mysterious desert tableaus and vast canyons. Canyonlands, Arches, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef are among the finest sites in the National Parks system, but to crank up the endorphins, look no farther than Zion National Park. The harrowing 2.4-mile climb up to Scout Lookout features narrow pathways, sheer drop-offs and an epic view at Scout’s Landing for those brave enough to make it to the top.

Sometimes adventures call for us to climb – and other times, adventurers must simply push through. No place in Zion is this more evident than in the famed Zion Narrows, where a one-mile trail leads to the entrance of the rushing Virgin River. Over centuries, water has carved perfectly sculpted rock walls, and it is through these beautifully sculpted walls we walk. Kind of. As the National Park Service website states, “It is not, however, a trip to be underestimated.” This is because approximately 60 percent of the hike in the Virgin River involves wading, walking through water – and sometimes swimming. There is no trail, and the current is swift with slippery rocks underfoot. During heavy rains, areas of the Narrows will flood, which can be dangerous in certain spots where there are no large boulders to climb and wait it out. Sound adventurous? It is. – MP APRIL 2018 405 MAGAZINE

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dining

PHOTO BY SCOTTY O’DANIEL

Gold Medal An anchor tenant of a massive complex in the Paseo Arts District, the new location of Scratch Kitchen & Cocktails seems poised to become a popular spot to enjoy a craft cocktail. However, dishes such as these knockout medallions of pork tenderloin demonstrate why you shouldn’t overlook its possibilities as a dining destination, too.

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dining

LOCAL FLAVOR

ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING Scratch kicks off an era of Paseo growth

BY STEVE GILL PHOTOS BY SCOT T Y O’DANIEL

I T ’S DEF I N I T ELY T HE good kind of weird, but it’s still a little bit weird to swing into the Paseo and see the new building to the west of the district’s namesake street. After all, it’s been several years since this area has seen much in the way of new construction.

So from a growth and development perspective, it’s good news that this gleaming white edifice filled with new businesses is here at all. From the viewpoint of appreciating top-notch cocktails and cuisine, however, it’s even better news that the complex’s main tenant is a new branch of Scratch Kitchen & Cocktails.

This is the concept’s third location – Brady Sexton launched it in downtown Norman in 2013 then added a branch in Telluride, Colorado. The Paseo version feels more physically focused on the “Cocktails” part of its name than the “Kitchen.” Amply sunlit and bustling, it’s not a very large space, and while it does SCRATCH KITCHEN have a handful of four-tops and taller tables for two, & COCKTAILS you’re going to be hard-pressed to find room for a 607 NW 28th, OKC party of seven or eight. Rather, visitors’ attention will 405.602.2302 be immediately drawn to the long, accommodating eatatscratch.com/paseo

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bar with a top salvaged from a basketball court, stamped metal gleaming above and leopards stalking along the wallpapered surface below. It’s a good environment for enjoying a drink. Plus, since the cocktail menu is overseen by expert bar manager Kristin Weddendorf the drinks are definitely easy to enjoy. They tend to contain at least one ingredient that a casual tippler such as I will not recognize – Cocchi Torino, arrack, Becherovka, etc. – but the results are delicious. I especially recommend the lingering sweetness and perfect eggwhite-foam head of the Becky With the Good Pear. Perhaps I can summon up the nerve to sample the God of Destruction before it rotates off the list of seasonal specials.

While the restaurant portion of the Scratch space feels like a comparative afterthought, I’m happy to say that the menu concocted by chef Levi Hunt is anything but. Start with the carbonara deviled eggs – their pancetta, bit of crispy cracker and spices are nicely balanced in a way that encourages diners to make quick work of the plate.

The eggs and the fried oysters have been the most popular apps so far; the latter are served on a half shell filled with a smoked cocktail sauce that Hunt said he’s been tinkering with and trying to work into the menu for some time. I can imagine the Hotfire Chicken Drummies being a universal hit thanks to the tenderness of their hormone-free chicken and prickle of heat from what I think is a Sriracha glaze.

Some people might require a bit more persuasion to try the kale and endive salad with lemon vinaigrette, but its fresh, colorful zestiness is its own reward.

For entrees, you might easily find yourself tempted by steak frites, wagyu sliders or the sandwich of the week, but I’m offering two particular recommendations: a big slab of Korean-style short rib with kimchi on a house-made Hawaiian bun, and the exemplary seared pork medallions with fennel-apple risotto seen on page 73. When we were told that there’s very little overlap between menus at the two metro Scratch locations, my first thought was to feel sorry for Norman that it doesn’t have these beauties.

If you enjoy a dish that’s filled with ingredients you love, great – but it’s arguably more impressive for a chef to take materials

that you tend to avoid and construct something delectable from them. By that standard, this is a fairly excellent menu. Pork is among my least favorite proteins, I have an Okie native’s suspicion of oysters, I once threatened to leave the office to avoid a kimchi taste test (true story) … but our meal at Scratch included all three, and each one was excellent.

Finally – and I apologize if this sounds counterintuitive – you should not order the French toast sticks for dessert.

Yes, they’re warm, and the perfect texture, and slathered in chocolate hazelnut sauce. Yes, they’re delicious. Nevertheless, don’t get them. I mean, you can, but only if you also get the Sooner Board. It’s an Oklahoma-shaped slab of wood absolutely crammed with goodness: candied almonds and hazelnuts, blocks of fudge, biscotti, discs of chocolate, thick slices of brie and local honey for dipping, candied orange peel … it’s quite an impressive bounty.

The drinks are outstanding, the food is freshly made and flavorful, the space shows every sign of being a new hotspot. If you already have plans for a night on the town elsewhere, this might be a good time to clear your schedule and start from Scratch.

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dining

CHEF’S TABLE

Fried with Pride

HOW IT’S DONE Nana’s Fried Chicken Tenders

Teisha Whitney’s home-cooked skills

2 lbs boneless chicken breast, cut into strips

IF A N Y T HI NG W IL L make

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WASH 2 eggs 1 1/2 cups buttermilk 2 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper Flour coating, a.k.a. dredge: 4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup cornstarch 1 tbsp granulated garlic 1 tbsp onion powder 2 tsp paprika 1 tbsp salt 2 tsp black pepper 1 tsp cayenne A cast iron skillet is best for deep frying; next best is a deepsided sauté pan. Fill pan 2/3 full of canola or vegetable oil.

Crack eggs and add buttermilk to shallow dish. Whisk until combined.

This upbringing makes Whitney perfect for HunnyBunny, a comfort-food concept conceived in the minds of Packard’s Executive Chef Chris McKenna and his wife Hailey.

Whitney oversees a kitchen that churns out buttery biscuits, fried chicken, sausage gravy and other traditional items. It’s difficult to imagine a better fit for a chef.

Whitney learned to cook by cooking, although she took a few classes along the way.

She got a line cook position at Territory Golf and Country Club in Duncan after friends recommended she turn her passion for food into a career.

“I loved it! I took some cooking classes in Dallas, and I learned from everyone who was willing to teach me,” she says. “I worked diligently, and earned my way up the culinary ladder, mainly by listening to and learning from people who were professionally trained and/or passionate foodies.”

Outside the kitchen, Whitney volunteers at The Dragonfly Home, a resource center for victims of human trafficking. She spends time with her son, Christian, and still loves being outdoors. For her recipe, Whitney went back to her roots. - GREG HORTON

Mix flour, cornstarch and seasonings together.

Coat chicken in seasoned flour, dip in buttermilk, coat in seasoned flour once more, shaking off excess flour. Spread out in single layer to prevent sticking.

Heat fry oil on medium-high heat. Keep an eye on it; if it starts to smoke, lower temperature. *Quick tip: To check if oil is ready for frying, place tip of chopstick or wooden spoon to bottom of pan. If it bubbles, it’s ready.

Carefully place breaded chicken into pan a few pieces at a time.

Be careful not to overcrowd pan.

Fry chicken 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway through to cook evenly.

Using tongs, remove chicken from pan and place on papertowel-lined surface. Keep warm in 150-degree oven.

Serve with honey mustard dip.

HONEY MUSTARD DIP 2 cups mayonnaise 1/4 cup Dijon mustard 1/2 cup honey Whisk all ingredients into small bowl until smooth.

PHOTOS BY SHANNON CORNMAN

you a better cook, it’s Hamburger Helper. That sounds a little counterintuitive, but if you understand it to mean that anyone who eats enough of it will seek out better cooking skills, then you’re on the same page as Teisha Whitney. The executive chef at HunnyBunny Biscuit Company in Uptown 23rd first turned to the boxed meal mix when she needed to cook for her family.

“Thankfully, it didn’t take long to get burnt out on Hamburger Helper,” Whitney says.

“I started ordering a bunch of cookbooks, and before I knew it, I was baking my son’s birthday cakes, taking treats to school and preparing all sorts of different dishes for dinner.”

Whitney grew up in Comanche, Oklahoma, and like many Okies, she learned to cook from her grandmother.

“My nana was my first mentor in the kitchen,” she says. “She taught me everything from popping popcorn to baking fresh bread to preparing a whole chicken. She knew what she was doing, and I was always asking questions and volunteering to help – peel the potatoes, butter the corn and set the table.”

Her grandmother bought Whitney her first KitchenAid mixer, and she still refers to her granddaughter as “my little Suzy Homemaker.”

The home was full of conversation and kids’ activities – chasing fireflies, picking blackberries and playing outside until dark – and family life centered around the table, where she and her grandmother served traditional food: fried chicken, hamburger steak, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans.

“I still cook that fried chicken dinner,” Whitney says. “It’s one of my favorite comfort foods. My nana’s fried chicken was the jam.”

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food drink Symbols

$ most entrees under $10 $$ most entrees $10 to $25 $$$ most entrees over $25 outdoor dining reservations accepted valet parking new or updated entry

American AURORA Its warmly comfortable atmosphere makes a perfect backdrop for a quick cup of Hoboken coffee or hearty breakfast or lunch assembled from superb ingredients – just be certain not to miss the beautiful secluded backyard area. 1704 NW 16th, OKC, 609.8854 $ BACON Sometimes the name says it all.

Noted OKC chef Sean Cummings fills a menu – from soup and salads through sandwiches, entrees and desserts – with tempting taste combinations that feature one of America’s favorite theme ingredients. 7523 N May, OKC, 848.4868 $$ BAR ARBOLADA OKC residents near Film Row have a neighborhood bar to call their own – but visitors from farther away also are welcome to sample the local beers, well-executed cocktails and seasonal menu of small plates. 637 W Main, OKC $$ THE DRUM ROOM March your own drumsticks in for a heap of crispy, juicy fried chicken (among the city’s best) starring alongside fried okra, waffles and a fully loaded bar. 4300 N Western, OKC, 604.0990 $$ EDDIE’S BAR & GRILL This stylish spot not far from UCO is equally ideal for a casual drink, appetizers while watching the game or a dinner date. And bear in mind that the wings are outstanding. 930 E 2, Edmond, 285.7725 $$ FLINT Approachably casual style, plus the kitchen’s impeccably serious attention to detail in the outstanding contemporary cuisine, winningly combined in the Colcord Hotel. 15 N Robinson, OKC, 601.4300 $$

(or lunch), it should be right up your Automobile Alley. 1101 N Broadway, OKC, 232.3949 $$

HUNNY BUNNY Bringing the allure of fresh, hot breakfast treats to Uptown 23rd, this purveyor of made-from-scratch biscuit sandwiches located in the Tower Theatre is a must for comfort food lovers.

429 NW 23rd, OKC $ HOUSE 333 Meatballs are only the beginning at this Campus Corner hangout; a broad menu of everything from wings to lasagna to vegetarian options sets off the ample bar very nicely indeed. 333 W Boyd, Norman, 701.3800 $$ THE HUTCH ON AVONDALE The all-time classic Coach House receives an update with a more modern menu sprinkled with experimental twists, and a full suite of tempting cocktails, wines and spirits. 6437 Avondale, OKC, 842.1000 $$ THE JONES ASSEMBLY It’s noteworthy as a spectacular concert venue, but don’t overlook the kitchen’s output the rest of the time. The bar (try a Frosé) and main menu (try everything) are sufficient to make memories even on non-special occasions. 901 W Sheridan, OKC, 212.2378 $$ KITCHEN NO. 324 A seasonally inspired café and craft bakery serving spectacular rustic American cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner, and a thorough treat for breakfast or brunch. 324 N Robinson, OKC, 763.5911 $ MARY EDDY’S Inside the inviting environs of Film Row anchor 21c Museum Hotel, this showplace of a restaurant turns out a seasonally driven menu of expertly tuned flavors and dishes meant to be shared. 900 W Main, OKC, 982.6900 $$ NASHBIRD Make tracks to this 9th Street spot serving Nashville-style “Hot Dang!” chicken, with whatever spice level you like. Speedy service, whiskey cocktails and beer and a spectacular patio add extra savor. 1 NW 9th, OKC, 388.0033 $ NEIGHBORHOOD JAM Serving tasty takes on classic American dishes and more specialized options such as pineapple bourbon pancakes, this breakfast-centric spot aims to become a community favorite through outstanding execution. 15124 Lleytons Court, Edmond, 242.4161 $

GREY SWEATER Chef Andrew Black offers guests an imaginative culinary journey via a three-tiered tasting menu drawing on flavors from around the world – unpredictable, but always outstanding.

102 NE 4th, OKC, 455.6274 $$$

NIC’S PLACE Already justly renowned for his skill at the grill, burger master Justin Nicholas offers breakfast, dinner, drinks and late night treats served in outstanding style at this Midtown diner and lounge. 1116 N Robinson, OKC, 601.

9234 $$

HATCH They call it “early mood food,” and if you find yourself in the mood for a sumptuous made-from-scratch breakfast

PICASSO CAFÉ Their neighbors in the Paseo are painters, potters and sculptors, so it’s apt that creativity

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abounds in these zippy sandwiches, salads, pizza and surprises, including plentiful selections for vegetarians.

3009 Paseo, OKC, 602.2002 $

THE R&J LOUNGE AND SUPPER CLUB A sentimental dining experience with vintage recipes and atmosphere.

Seating is limited but the patio is a year-round treat, and the drinks menu is a thing of beauty. 320 NW 10th, OKC, 602.5066 $$ THE PRESS Built in a former printing facility and garage, this concept from The Mule’s team adds Oklahoma-inspired comfort food to the Plaza District – the chicken-fried steak comes recommended.

1610 N Gatewood, OKC, 982.1010 $$ REDROCK CANYON GRILL Rotisserie chicken, enchiladas, pork chops and steak by the lake in a casual, energetic, hacienda-style atmosphere of stone walls and mahogany beams around an open kitchen. 9221 E Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 749.1995; 1820 Legacy Park, Norman, 701.5501 $$ SCOTTIE’S DELI Soups, salads and especially sandwiches, all made from scratch and featuring meats that are cured, smoked and cooked in-house. Start with the pastrami and get ready to fall in love. 427 NW 23rd, OKC, 698.3696 $ SCRATCH Isn’t that the best place for food to come from? Top-of -the-line ingredients are combined into entrees and sides that are carefully concocted in-house, as are the bevy of wondrous craft cocktails. 132 W Main, Norman, 801.2900; 607 NW 28th, OKC $$ SUNNYSIDE DINER A new day dawns for breakfast and lunch on the west side of downtown as a former service station becomes a no-pretense, made-fromscratch diner. Order up! 916 NW 6th, OKC, 778.8861 $ SYRUP The most important meal of the day is also the most enticing at this unique breakfast boutique serving a heaping helping of signature dishes (the crunchy French toast is something special) and Stumptown coffee. 123 E Main, Norman; 1501 NW 23rd, OKC, 701.1143 $ VAST Keeping your attention on the steaks, seafood and other temptations might be difficult; the view from atop the Devon Tower is truly unparalleled in Oklahoma, making this a fantastic date spot. 280 W Sheridan, 49th floor, OKC, 702.7262 $$$

Asian CHAE This pan-cultural treat puts a delectable influence on embracing traditional Korean cuisine and showcasing its versatility by blending its ingredients with dishes from around the

world. Grab your chopsticks and enjoy.

1933 NW 23rd, OKC, 600.9040 $$ CHICK N BEER Wings and brews are food for the soul; these freshly fried beauties are done Korean-style, and with serious flavor. Grab some kimchi fries and a local beer and enjoy. 715 NW 23rd, OKC, 604.6995 $ EL TORO CHINO Big, bold flavors from disparate cuisines are blended in this self-described “Latin + Asian Kitchen” - creating results that are as excitingly distinctive as they are delicious. 2801 NW 36th, Norman, 708.9472 $$

GOGI GO Fast-casual Korean barbecue comes to Midtown thanks to chef Kevin Lee’s dream of making the traditional cuisine approachable for OKC diners.

Pick your protein, grab it as it comes off the grill and get ready to come back again and again. 1325 N Walker, OKC, 778.8524 $ KWAN’S KITCHEN Cantonese classics and French-Chinese cuisine in truly sumptuous surroundings? The roomy, regal Kwan’s has you covered.

And try the lunch menu’s array of $8 selections for a quick, savory bite. 3031 W Memorial, OKC, 607.8838 $$ SAII With a dark, rich ambiance that elevates it over its surroundings, the captivating Saii serves expertly done Japanese, Thai and Chinese fare plus an extensive and adventurous sushi menu.

6900 N May, OKC, 702.7244 $$ TSUBAKI SZECHUAN Bold flavors are a hallmark of Szechuan cuisine, so tell your taste buds to buckle up; spice is always present but never overpowering in this mouthwatering collection of staples and authentically executed dishes. 1117 NW 25th, OKC, 609.6606 $$

Bakery BELLE KITCHEN Doughnuts, macarons, pastries and ice cream created from scratch, in small batches – making treats like these with care and passion makes a difference that’s easy, and a pleasure, to taste. 7509 N May, OKC, 430.5484; 30 NE 2nd, OKC, 541.5858 $ ESCA VITAE Food for Life, the name promises, and visitors may well find themselves feeling revitalized after sampling this European bakery and café’s espresso drinks, selection of deli sandwiches and vast selection of tempting breads and baked goods. 1114 N Classen Drive, OKC, 601.0402 $ PIE JUNKIE A Plaza District haven for serious pie aficionados. Call ahead to order a whole pie or quiche or walk in and choose from what’s on hand; either

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way the flavors are incredible, and you may never find a better Key lime. 1711 NW 16th, OKC, 605.8767 $

Bar & Pub Food THE BARREL The menu is wellstocked with intriguing and delicious twists on pub cuisine, but the equally ample bar makes it a great spot to relax over drinks as well. 4308 N Western, OKC, 525.6682 $ BLU FINE WINE & FOOD Just south of Main Street, this sleek bar stands out due to quick, courteous service and a menu with gourmet range from mojitos to barbeque chicken pizza to fresh hummus. 201 S Crawford, Norman, 360.4258 $$

Flavor Under Construction

Make your way to a downtown pleasure ROAD CO N STRUC TIO N HAS

been practically a constant for the last several years around downtown OKC – and while it can make navigating the city center a bit more problematic, it’s ultimately a good thing to have streets in good repair. Just be patient, leave a little extra travel time … and don’t neglect to visit locally owned restaurants such as Kitchen 324, 324 N Robinson, to enjoy their distinctive pleasures.

Case in point: The cauliflower steak is not, as it might sound, a slab of beef served with a heap of white veggies, a la pepper steak.

Instead, it’s all vegetable – a thick, horizontal slice from a head of cauliflower, seared on both sides for a surprisingly filling entree all by itself. Well, not “all,” given that the kale gremolata (like an Italian chimichurri) and side of scarlet quinoa including cranberries, sweet potatoes and apples also are must-tries.

We also recommend – wait for it – the burger and fries. That might sound anticlimactic, but Kitchen regulars should realize that the restaurant has never offered either before. If they were waiting to perfect a recipe, it seems to have worked, because both are uncomplicatedly great. Especially thanks to the former’s bacon-onion jam and the spicy mayo that goes very well on either. You can get ketchup anywhere; dip your fries in this.

Regardless of how long it may yet take to get the streets outside in shape, Kitchen 324 remains a prime, pristine place for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s worth finding your way here. - STEVE GILL

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THE MANHATTAN A stylish neighborhood bar in the heart of downtown, its cocktail menu is packed with variations on its namesake classic, and don’t overlook the selections of sandwiches, salads and tasty treats from chef Bruce Rinehart. 210 Park Suite 150, OKC, 605.5300 $ OAK & ORE A Plaza District port of call built with repurposed rustic materials, it offers more than a handful of creative sandwiches that practically require a knife and fork, as well as a tantalizing selection of lovingly chosen craft beers.

1732 NW 16th, OKC, 606.2030 $ REPUBLIC GASTROPUB Part beer bar and part upscale eatery, this noisy, amply attended locale pairs a vast selection of quality brews with tasty menu items, including a great burger selection. 5830 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 286.4577; 13230 Pawnee, OKC, 907.5900 $$

Barbeque EARL’S RIB PALACE A popular choice among locals in a genre that’s hardly lacking in options, the local chain pounds out hit ribs and turkey as well as a top-tier burger. 6 metro locations, earlsribpalace.com $ IRON STAR URBAN BARBEQUE Iron Star specializes in “a unique and tasty spin on comfort food.” While its entrees are excellent, the sides here are equal players as well. 3700 N Shartel, OKC, 524.5925 $$ LEO’S BAR-B-Q Dense, rich flavor and tender texture, delivered in genuine unpolished style for commendable value – no wonder its ribs and brisket are favorites among Oklahoma connoisseurs. 3631 N Kelley, OKC 424.5367 $ SWADLEY’S Expertly prepared meats – the sausage is especially succulent – form the backbone of this Oklahoma chain’s crowd-pleasing menu. And if there’s a special occasion approaching, they’re also award-winning caterers. 5 metro locations, swadleys.com $$ TEXLAHOMA BBQ Family owned and fabulously flavorful, its meats (especially the beef ribs) are eye-rolling good. Don’t forget the espresso barbeque sauce! 121 E Waterloo, Edmond, 513.7631 $$

Burgers & Sandwiches THE FIXX Massive, monstrous burgers and hot dogs, put together with thought and care. Don’t forget to get a shake or something from the full bar. 644 W Edmond, Edmond, 285.2311 $ THE GARAGE BURGERS & BEER It can get noisy in the sports-bar atmosphere, but even so your focus will likely be on savoring the many tempting flavor possibilities of huge, juicy burgers and fries. 8 metro locations, eatatthegarage.com $ IRMA’S BURGER SHACK Hand-cut fries, hand-breaded onion rings and simply great burgers, especially with No Name Ranch patties - lean and flavorful thanks to a local breed of cattle. 1035 NW 63rd, OKC, 840.4762; 1120 Classen Drive, OKC, 235.4762 $ THE MULE Solid beer and beverage selection plus a delectable array of gourmet grilled cheeses and melts fill the menu at this relaxation destination in the Plaza District. 1630 N Blackwelder, OKC, 601.1400 $ NIC’S GRILL It’s small, it’s crowded … and it’s incredible. It’s only open for lunch and the lines are often long, but the colossal burgers are easily among the metro’s best. Don’t forget some money, since it’s cash-only. 1202 N Penn, OKC, 524.0999 $ S&B’S BURGER JOINT Good news: these burgers’ exquisite flavors including such ingredients as peanut butter or a coffee crust - come as sliders too, all the better to sample more kinds. 5 metro locations, sandbburgers.com $ TUCKER’S ONION BURGERS With one burger, one side (fries) and one salad, the menu is easy to remember - and the execution makes the meal unforgettable.

Add a shake and enjoy. 4 metro locations, tuckersonionburgers.com $

Coffeehouse ALL ABOUT CHA Universal standards and unusual concoctions (the sweet potato latte is a wonder) in a cheerful atmosphere; the food options are worth investigating, as well. 5 metro locations, allaboutcha.net $ CLARITY COFFEE The vibe is crisp, clean and cool while remaining welcoming and comfortable – including seating for sipping or getting some work done – and the brewers have their beverages down to a science. As the sign says, “Drink the Coffee.” 431 W Main, OKC, 252.0155 $ ELEMENTAL COFFEE Seriously spectacular coffee roasted in-house - the passionate staff is always eager to share knowledge about the process augmented with locally sourced salads, breakfast options and other treats. 815 N Hudson, OKC, 633.1703 $ RED CUP Comfortably ramshackle surroundings encourage curling up for conversation over great coffee, baked

PHOTOS BY SCOTTY O’DANIEL

GOOD TASTE

treats, vegetarian-friendly breakfast and lunch specials, and live music. It’s highly recommended. 3122 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 525.3430 $

carefully selected wines to create the perfect dinner pairing. 12252 N May, OKC, 212.4577; 2824 N Penn, OKC, 528.2824 $$

Continental

SIGNATURE GRILL Unassuming locale; magnificent culinary rewards. The expertly considered menu mixes French and Italian flavors to present a wide spectrum of amazing flavors in a few select dishes. 1317 E Danforth, Edmond, 330.4548 $$$

BLACKBIRD A Campus Corner gastropub pairing succulently creative dishes like pot roast nachos with a broad beer, wine and whiskey list. There’s little on the menu that won’t tempt palates. 575 S University, Norman, 928.5555 $$ CHEEVER’S Southwestern-influenced recipes (the chicken-fried steak is a house specialty) and love of seafood drive the contemporary comfort food in one of the city’s finest dining destinations. 2409 N Hudson, OKC, 525.7007 $$ EN CROUTE A warmly welcoming, comfortable café in Nichols Plaza offers treats all day long, from fresh pastries to select spirits and beer, with special emphasis on artisanal cheese and charcuterie. 6460 Avondale, OKC, 607.6100 $ LUDIVINE The menu adjusts constantly to reflect availability of elite-quality, locally sourced ingredients - but every dish is the result of genuine culinary artistry.

805 N Hudson, OKC, 778.6800 $$$ THE MANTEL Marvelous steaks, seafood and other specialties combine with a refined atmosphere and outstanding service to set the stage for a truly memorable meal, especially if you have a date to impress. 201 E Sheridan, OKC, 236.8040 $$$ THE METRO A perennial favorite that feels comfortably upscale without exerting pressure to impress on its clientele, the far-reaching menu covers culinary high points from vichyssoise to crème brulée. 6418 N Western, OKC, 840.9463 $$ MICHAEL’S GRILL Thoroughly urbane dining in an intimate setting: the steaks, chops, seafood and pastas are all reliably excellent, and the Caesar salad prepared tableside is the stuff of legends. 2824 W Country Club, OKC, 810.9000 $$$ THE MUSEUM CAFÉ A setting as inspiring as the OKC Museum of Art warrants something special in cuisine: delicately light or delectably robust, its European-inspired menu delights for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. 415 Couch, OKC, 235.6262 $$

French LA BAGUETTE BISTRO Les Freres Buthion have deep roots in the city’s culinary landscape, and this flagship combines fine dining with a great bakery, deli and butcher on site. 7408 N May, OKC, 840.3047 $$ FAIT MAISON Foie gras to Brandy Alexander, this classical French restaurant delivers exceptional cuisine made with exacting care – the name translates to homemade – for exquisite, if pricy, event dining. 152 E 5th, Edmond, 509.2555 $$$

German DAS BOOT CAMP Longtime fixture for Deutsch festivities Royal Bavaria has brewed up a second round of exceptional cuisine and magnificent beer in a less expensive, faster-paced location in downtown Norman. 229 E Main, Norman, 701.3748 $

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FASSLER HALL Bringing German flavor to Midtown via house-made sausages, warm soft pretzels with cheese sauce, duck fries and a heftig beer menu, plus a weekend brunch – what’s not to love? 421 NW 10th, OKC, 609.3300 $ INGRID’S Authentic German fare at its best, including outstanding Oklahomamade bratwurst. Join weekend regulars for breakfast, and remember the bakery counter. 3701 N Youngs, OKC, 946.8444; 6501 N May, OKC $$ ROYAL BAVARIA Superb takes on traditional dishes like Weinerschnitzel, Jagerbraten and sausages, plus fantastisch house-brewed beers. The time spent is a worthy investment in this family-style dining hall. 3401 S Sooner, Moore, 799.7666 $$$

Indian

PASEO GRILL Quiet and intimate inside, cheerful and comfortable out on the patio, with an award-winning menu filled with distinctive flavors inspired by the cuisines of Europe in both areas – try the duck salad. 2909 Paseo, OKC, 601.1079 $$$

GOPURAM - TASTE OF INDIA A full-service restaurant whose richly appointed interior and attentive staff accord patrons the feel of fine dining, even during the plentifully stocked lunch buffet. 4559 NW 23rd, OKC, 948.7373 $$

THE PRITCHARD WINE BAR Tempted by tempranillo? Musing about muscat? This Plaza District stop is amply stocked with an extensive list of exceptional wines, and sampling the varied dishes is a pleasure in itself. 1749 NW 16th, OKC, 601.4067 $

MISAL OF INDIA A Norman institution for over 30 years, specializing in tandooricooked delicacies and boasting healthy, natural, delicious cuisine served amid splendid ambiance. 580 Ed Noble Pkwy, Norman, 579.5600 $$

ROCOCO An “East Coast-style” restaurant with a diverse menu of international dishes, all set off by

A Chop House in Stockyards City

TAJ A tremendous set of Indian staples and delicacies - the menu has sections for vegetarian, tandoori, South Indian and Indo-Chinese specialties - plus full

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lunch and dinner buffets. 1500 NW 23rd, OKC, 601.1888 $$

Italian & Pizza EMPIRE SLICE HOUSE Reigning over the Plaza District in New York style (that means thin, flexible crust with a lot of surface area to cover in cheese and tasty toppings), it offers whole pizzas or slices, a full bar and a primo patio. 1734 NW 16th, OKC $ FLIP’S WINE BAR & TRATTORIA Managing to feel rustic despite its location in a busy corridor of OKC, this cozy Italian joint keeps extended hours, and tends to get busier and louder as the hour gets later. 5801 N Western, OKC, 843.1527 $$ THE HEAT There’s really no need to be humble about this true Chicago-style pizza, boasting perhaps the best crust known to man. It’s one of our favorites; choose your toppings and think deep thoughts. 1319 S Broadway, Edmond, 715.1818 $ MONI’S Handmade, New Jersey-style brick oven pizza and authentic pasta recipes from Southern Italy in a casual, comfy ambience (ideal for dates). 17200 N May, Edmond, 285.5991 $$

Poured With Pleasure Gusto’s refreshing Blueberry Negroni I N ITALIAN , “gusto” can mean either flavor or enjoyment, and

English speakers use it as a synonym for enthusiasm. That means that Pizzeria Gusto has an excellent name, because the restaurant at 2415 N Walker does quite well at providing or prompting all three.

And not just in terms of pizza – although it specializes in Neapolitan-style pies, the bar deserves a fair bit of visitors’ attention, as well. I can’t tell you everything that’s on the cocktail list because it updates and rotates so frequently, but I can tell you that you should get to Gusto quickly, before the Blueberry Negroni disappears.

It’s a slight variation on the classic cocktail, perfected by Gusto’s Schuyler Crabtree. The Beefeater gin that powers the drink is infused with blueberries in house, then mixed with sweet vermouth, Hayman’s sloe gin and Campari – although a smaller proportion of the latter than the usual recipe, to lessen the bitterness and let the fruit move forward. The result is a nicely complex flavor, with a hint of sweetness, but only on the forefront of the taste; the lingering presence has more of a floral signature. It’s an impressive concoction.

It’s also elevated by its presentation, served in an Old Fashioned glass that’s canted several degrees (possibly in an echo of Pisa’s most famous landmark) and on the rocks … or, in this case, rock.

The lone giant ice cube chills the drink without diluting it too much too fast. The orange peel garnish is traditional, and bar manager Pilar Guarddon Pueyo strongly advised us to eat the blueberries.

Best of all, it’s considered an aperitif, so after savoring one, you can turn your attention back to pizza. With gusto. - STEVE GILL

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PIZZA 23 The tempting selection of specialty pies on especially buttery, flaky crusts is available for takeout, but dining in is recommended; the Uptown joint’s good beer selection and crisp, urban décor add savor to the flavor. 600-B NW 23rd, OKC, 601.6161 $$ PIZZERIA GUSTO Neapolitan-style pizza (which harnesses an extremely hot fire to quickly cook superfine flour crusts and quality ingredients) stars alongside Italy-inspired salads, pastas and appetizers. 2415 N Walker, OKC, 437.4992 $$ STELLA MODERN ITALIAN CUISINE A luscious spate of legitimately Italian tastes for a casual lunch, or romantic dinner, amid stylish scenery. The weekend brunch offerings are especially superb. 1201 N Walker, OKC, 235.2200 $$ SUSSY’S An OKC tradition continues, as this quick downtown eatery serves up recipes from one of the city’s first pizza providers more than half a century ago.

Try a Fleetwood or one of the pasta or salad options and see why it succeeded in the first place. 200 S Oklahoma, OKC, 600.1195 $ TOMMY’S ITALIAN-AMERICAN GRILL Stylish and welcoming, this northside neighborhood Italian bar and grill offers up a full selection of beautifully done classic dishes, in addition to more imaginative creations, weekend brunch and some truly excellent brick oven pizza. 5516 W Memorial, OKC, 470.5577 $$ UPPER CRUST A chic, contemporary pizzeria and wine bar specializing in wood-fired, thin-crust New York-style pies complemented by a full menu and wine list. 5860 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 842.7743; 1205 NW 178th, Edmond, 285.8887 $$

VICTORIA’S A comfortable atmosphere, with local art on its walls and the art of pasta on its plates – the chicken lasagna and linguine with snow crab are especially excellent. 327 White, Norman, 329.0377; 3000 SW 104th, OKC, 759.3580 $ VITO’S RISTORANTE Homestyle Italian cuisine in an intimate setting where the staff and management treat customers like guests in their home.

It’s a small space, so calling ahead is recommended. 7521 N May, OKC, 848.4867 $$ VOLARE A flavor-filled variety of Neapolitan-style pizzas, produced with haste from a specially imported oven, fill this stylish Campus Corner space boasting a serious rooftop patio. 315 White, Norman, 310.3615 $$

Japanese // Sushi CAFÉ ICON Tempting sushi, Japanese specialties and delicious spectacles like steak cooked at the table on a sizzling stone fill the menu to bursting with visually splendid and palate-pleasing treats. 311 S Blackwelder, Edmond, 340.8956 $$ GORO An “izakaya” is a Japanese pub; visitors to the Plaza District will quickly come to associate the term with expertly crafted deliciousness thanks to this cheerful spot for ramen, yakitori, bar snacks and more. 1634 Blackwelder, OKC, 606.2539 $ MUSASHI’S Exquisitely flavorful Japanese cuisine prepared with genuine artistry, thanks to the skilled chefs executing culinary performance art at tableside hibachi grills. It’s a great spot for a special occasion. 4315 N Western, OKC, 602.5623 $$ TOKYO It’s neither huge nor lavishly appointed, and the menu focuses on tradition rather than creativity; but it’s palpably fresh and routinely cited as among the metro’s best sushi. 7516 N Western, OKC, 848.6733 $$ YUZO Variety is the word in this sushi tapas bar, boasting a tempting swirl of Colombian, Brazilian and Japanese culinary influences. 808 N Broadway, OKC, 702.9808 $$

Mediterranean & African HAIGET’S Vegan-friendly – and friendly in general, due to the influence of the warm, patient namesake owner – this gem rewards the adventurous with Ethiopian and Kenyan specialties to explore and share. 308 W Edmond Road, Edmond, 509.6441 $$ QUEEN OF SHEBA Practically the definitive example of a hidden treasure, the spicy, vegan-friendly menu of Ethiopian delights awaits the bold. Bring friends and be prepared to linger. 2308 N MacArthur, OKC, 606.8616 $$ ZORBA’S For well over 20 years, Zorba’s has satisfied appetites and pleased palates.

PHOTO BY SCOTTY O’DANIEL

AT THE BAR

Serving dishes from recipes passed down through generations, they proudly share flavors of Cyprus, Spain, Greece and Morocco. 6014 N May, OKC, 947.7788 $

Mexican & Latin American BARRIOS A serious collection of Latin-flavored deliciousness, including a brunch that’s maravilloso, in a cool Midtown space with a back patio that’s pure paradise. 1000 N Hudson, OKC, 702.6922 $ BIG TRUCK TACOS It’s nearly always standing-room-only at lunch, but don’t let that deter you; spend a few minutes in line and get an ample reward in the form of fast, fresh, imaginative taco creations. 530 NW 23rd, OKC, 525.8226 $ CAFÉ KACAO A sunlit space filled with bright, vibrant flavors from the zesty traditions of Guatemala. Lunch possibilities beckon, but it’s the breakfast specialties that truly dazzle. 3325 N Classen, OKC, 602.2883 $ HACIENDA TACOS Quality, of both ingredients and execution, and variety make this restaurant in the Shoppes at Northpark a pleasure to visit, and to explore the menu again and again. 12086 N May, OKC, 254.3140 $ IGUANA MEXICAN GRILL Unique Mexican flavor in a fun atmosphere at reasonable prices - a treat from the housemade salsas to the handcrafted cocktails, and all the tastes between. 9 NW 9th, OKC, 606.7172 $$ TARAHUMARA’S Beloved by locals (there’s usually a line but it moves quickly), this airy ristorante serves huge, tasty TexMex classics plus less ubiquitous fare like carnitas de puerco and mole poblano. 702 N Porter, Norman, 360.8070 $$ ZARATE’S In addition to the familiar joys of enchiladas and the like, the chef’s Peruvian heritage shines in dishes featuring plantains, yuca and imported spices. Try something different; find something tasty. 706 S Broadway, Edmond, 330.6400 $$

Seafood BRENT’S CAJUN Sit down to a massive platter of jambalaya, crawfish etoufee, Pasta Orleans or any of the wellseasoned temptations on the weekend brunch menu – and spice up your life.

3005 S Broadway, Edmond, 285.0911 $$ C’EST SI BON Crawfish etouffee, frogs’ legs, fried chicken and shrimp po-boys are among the highlights, but the awardwinning catfish is a must-try. 101 N Douglas, Midwest City, 610.2555 $ THE DRAKE The Good Egg Group’s flagship and a standard-bearer for diners who crave excellent seafood, it serves chef’s creations featuring the sea’s finest, plus an oyster bar and tempting cocktails. 519 NW 23rd, OKC $$$ OFF THE HOOK It’s a choice destination for po’ boys, fried or grilled baskets and specialty items such as the

smothered seafood fries. Go get hooked.

125 S Britton, OKC, 840.3474; 1920 S Meridian, OKC, 606.6040 $ PEARL’S OYSTER BAR A perennial OKC favorite for its flavorful seafood and spicy Creole-inspired dishes: Shrimp Diablo, Tabasco-infused Caesar salads, Andouille omelets at Sunday brunch and more. 5641 N Classen, OKC, 848.8008 $$ TRAPPER’S FISHCAMP Zesty, widely varied flavor from the Pearl’s family of restaurants finds a comfortable home in a backwoods fishing lodge atmosphere.

Don’t forget the bountifully stocked bar, either. 4300 W Reno, OKC, 943.9111 $$

Steakhouse BOULEVARD STEAKHOUSE Perfectly soigné ambiance down to the last detail and cuisine easily in the metro’s elite – a sumptuous, if pricy, masterpiece. 505 S Boulevard, Edmond, 715.2333 $$$ BROADWAY 10 Cruise into the Buick building in Automobile Alley to savor steak supremacy or seafood selections (even sushi) in a cozy enclave amid urban bustle. 1101 N Broadway, OKC, 212.3949 $$$ CATTLEMEN’S Almost as old as the state itself, this Oklahoma institution’s immense corn-fed steaks and matchless atmosphere are history served anew every day. 1309 S Agnew, OKC, 236.0416 $$ JAMIL’S STEAKHOUSE Saving room for your steak, lobster or prime rib is difficult when your gratis appetizers arrive in the form of a Lebanese bounty, but make the effort. Jamil’s has been feeding Oklahoma exceptionally well since 1964. 4910 N Lincoln, OKC, 525.8352 $$$

Dine with us...

FOR LUNCH OR DINNER

MAHOGANY PRIME STEAKHOUSE The ambiance and service are sublime, but fine aged steak broiled to perfection is the star. 3241 W Memorial, OKC, 748.5959; 100 W Main, OKC, 208.8800 $$$ MCCLINTOCK Where better to find a saloon than in Stockyards City? There’s plenty of room at the massive, 50-foot oak bar, and plenty of cocktails and whiskies behind it, but the main draw may be the massive, excellent steaks and chops. 2227 Exchange, OKC, 232.0151 $$$

THE BARREL FISH AND CHIPS

4308 N WESTERN AVENUE 405.525.6682 BARRELOKC.COM

MICKEY MANTLE’S This lushly atmospheric social spot in Bricktown serves powerhouse entrées and sides with a full complement of amenities destined to impress. 7 S Mickey Mantle, OKC, 272.0777 $$$ RANCH STEAKHOUSE Customaged hand-cut USDA Certified Prime tenderloins and ribeyes, served amid warm Southern hospitality. 3000 W Britton, OKC, 755.3501 $$$ RED PRIMESTEAK Visionary design and atmosphere house super-premium steaks, vibrant, imaginative flavors and amenities to make some of the state’s best dining. 504 N Broadway, OKC, 232.2626 $$$

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events

Rock O’Clock

TOM WILKINSON

In a word: music. In two words: more music. The block-colonizing, crowd-tantalizing, expense-neutralizing (it’s free), silence-pulverizing Norman Music Festival first roared onto Main Street in 2008, so this year it’s going to 11. The three-day cavalcade of rock is marking the beginning of its second decade in Downtown Norman April 26-28 by welcoming Parquet Courts, Tune-Yards, Japanese Breakfast, Helen Kelter Skelter, Cherry Death … dozens and dozens of bands are ready to provide a plenitude of audio awesomeness, and all you have to do is enjoy.

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events PRIME PICKS

Open Wide April 10, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum If you’re hungry for an excellent way to help others, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Chef’s Feast event is always a sweet, savory, lifesaving experience. Premier chefs from top local restaurants contribute mouthwatering dishes for guests to sample while listening to live music and browsing auction items, with proceeds aiding the RFBO’s Food for Kids program. You won’t find a more delicious idea.

Celebration Shade April 13, OKC Farmer’s Market

Curtain Call April 13-15, OKC Civic Center

The OKC Ballet is closing its season with a trio of shorter staged works for a variety of exquisite dance – the namesake piece, “Petite Mort,” is far more fascinating than morbid thanks to Jiri Kylian’s choreography and a Mozart score. It’s followed by the Oklahoma premiere of “Petal,” and a world premiere of a 10th anniversary piece constructed by the Ballet’s own Robert Mills … with a name that hasn’t yet been revealed.

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True Legends April 13-14, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Old and new, past and present, tradition and innovation – there are many elements to the Western Heritage Awards, but the common thread is appreciation for those who work to elevate the culture of the American West. The 2018 ceremony will add a new award while recognizing familiar names such as Walter Vail and Lynn Anderson, and will be hosted by Sam Elliott and Katharine Ross.

PHOTOS: “PETITE MORT” BY SHEVAUN WILLIAMS & ASSOCIATES; SAM ELLIOT COURTESY NCWHM

Having the blues will be a source of joy this month, as the appetizing, entertaining Allied Arts fundraiser Artini returns for its 15th year. “A Blue Party” is the theme, so dress to turn heads in your favorite shade of cerulean or azure and enjoy the offerings of a dozen local restaurants competing to serve the best specialty martini and appetizer. And with more than 100 artworks up for auction, there’s a good chance you’ll be tickled pink about attending.

E X P E R I E N C E R A R E LY S E E N E X P E R I M E N T A L S H O R T F I L M S A N D V I D E O I N S TA L L AT I O N S B Y O N E O F T H E L E A D I N G F I G U R E S I N C O N T E M P O R A R Y F I L M A N D A R T.

Apichatpong Weerasethakul: The Serenity of Madness, MAIIAM installation view, 2016. Image courtesy of the artist and Independent Curators International.

events SPEAKERBOX

CD Bargain Looney Bins

Once in a lifetime, feel the Byrne!

T HE F IR ST T I M E I saw the Talking

Heads was on “Saturday Night Live.”

This was around 1978, after the band had released its second record. I liked them immediately because they looked like sheet metal mechanics who worked with my dad at Tinker Air Force Base, and the drummer reminded me of my Uncle Bob. This was “blue collar, regular people” rock, and I could relate.

But, of course, things got weird a few years later, when the Heads had a huge breakout hit with the Stop Making Sense movie and LP. Tall, thin frontman David Byrne commanded the stage in a gigantic suit – long before Sean Spicer – and the Talking Heads went off the rails from normal-looking, relatable people to “art rockers.” The Talking Heads also helped create a new genre called “world music,” mostly due to Byrne’s solo work and the efforts of Tom Tom Club, a side project of Heads Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz.

The Heads, like all great bands, broke up in the late 1980s, and they were

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fittingly inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Byrne, however, remained a weird pop culture enigma.

His solo career was all-encompassing, and explored percussion and performance art.

He commands TED talks on positivity in the Trump Era and “reasons to be cheerful.” He designs bicycle racks, and even wrote a book about urban cycling.

His new record, “American Utopia,” is part of a multimedia project that includes his new tour, which is coming to the 405. The Criterion at 500 E Sheridan is hosting Byrne’s exclusive tour stop on April 25. To my knowledge, this is his first visit to OKC since the Talking Heads played the Zoo Amphitheater sometime in the 1980s. The tour will feature updated versions of Talking Heads material, and includes six percussionists and drummers. The band is constantly in motion, as the “human beings become the set,” as Bryne told Rolling Stone. This rare stop in our fair burg promises to be a “Once in a Lifetime” event. Tickets can be found at livenation.com. - JERRY CHURCH

Boom Clap Charli

Who’s going to be the breakout star of 2018? I’m calling it. She’s a young singer/ songwriter from England named Charli XCX. You probably sort of know her already.

Her wonderful song “Boom Clap” was featured in the movie The Fault in Our Stars. Her songs are featured in commercials for Special K cereal and Toyota cars. She’s spending part of her 2018 opening for Taylor Swift on Swift’s “Reputation” American tour.

While she’s currently messing around with mixtapes, when she finally comes around to releasing the follow-up to 2014’s “Sucker” this year, she will be a bona fide star. Keep an eye on her. - JC

PHOTOS: DAVID BYRNE COURTESY DAVID BYRNE, CHARLIE XCX BY OLIVIA MALONE

Utopia in OKC

I was at a fancy bookstore recently leafing through brand-new vinyl records.

Yes, I just said that. I was appalled at the prices – why would anyone pay $21 for AC/DC’s “Back in Black”? You can find a warped, scratched version at any garage sale for $5. You want to play a record like this loud, anyway, so what does it matter if it skips or pops?

A couple of weeks later, I was killing time on the Interwebs, and I discovered that a lot of labels with legacy artists actually package their back catalog CDs for next to nothing. Atlantic offers the entire Foreigner catalog (seven albums) for less than $30. If you have a small pocket of change at your disposal, there’s a weird world of record hoarding that can be found online.

Journey, Loverboy and a whole slew of arena rock acts can be had on the cheap.

You can buy Foghat’s entire catalog of 13 LPs for $50! You can get five of Eddie Money’s best LPs for $20, through CBS “Original Album Classics” bundles. This is better than a record club, or shopping at a smoky, dirty flea market! - JC

Presented by Citizens Bank of Edmond

PUNCH BROTHERS

June 4 JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE

June 24

WELLRED COMEDY SHOW featuring Trae Crowder, Drew Morgan & Corey Forrester

SCHEDULE, TICKETS & MORE: TOWERTHEATREOKC.COM 425 NW 23RD ST. OKC

Sept 15

Jul 28

RIDERS IN THE SKY

@TOWERTHEATREOKC

events ON LOCATION

with Lance McDaniel

Cinematic making up is hard to do

TON I M A R L O K NOWS BE AU T Y. As founder and CEO of

MarloHaus, she oversees a coterie of professional makeup artists and hair stylists that provide award-winning styles for brides, models, photographers and advertising agencies. But Marlo has another specialty: She’s also a seasoned movie veteran with more than 30 films under her belt. She has designed special effects for superhero movies, hand-drawn body tattoos for international thrillers and created authentic Oklahoma cowboys out of Oscar-nominated actors.

With a quick smile and calm demeanor, Marlo makes it all look effortless. But the reality is quite different.

“This morning, I did a wedding for an East African bride,” she says. “Those ceremonies start early and last all day. So I got up at 4 a.m., went to a hotel downtown to get everyone ready, then came back here in time for the interview. When you leave, I will spend the next six hours breaking down the script for a feature film job that starts next week.”

Marlo is used to hard work: She took her first paid job at 13, then sold Mary Kay on the side. Now, she juggles the demands of a full-service beauty agency and a feature film career by being superbly organized, knowing how to effectively manage a team and understanding the different approaches required of each type of job.

“In the makeup you do for weddings, modeling shoots and even Instagram posts, the goal is to showcase your talent and really make the beauty pop,” Marlo says. “When you’re working on a feature film, the goal is to make your work invisible. It’s not about you at all. It’s about serving the story.

“When I design the looks for a movie, I am creating looks that the characters would give themselves. I have to figure out what each character is thinking and trying to accomplish each morning when they get ready, so that the actor looks like a real person making real decisions.”

This depth of understanding about each character does not come easy. It takes hours of research and a willingness to collaborate.

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Toni Marlo

“Working on a film requires as much research, organization and management as actual makeup skills,” she says. “I start by doing a breakdown of the script. I find out everything I can about each character, so I can create a visual look and map how the look evolves throughout the movie. Scenes are never filmed in order, so the map helps you keep track of how each character appears at any given moment in the script.

“Once I have the breakdown, I meet with the director to go over everything, get their input and make adjustments. Then, I meet with each of the actors and rebuild the characters based on their looks and expectations. Each character becomes a collaboration between the director, the actor and me.”

Marlo’s extensive film work has allowed her to work with hundreds of local actors and an impressive list of celebrities, including Oscar winner Cloris Leachman and Oscar nominee Dennis Quaid. Inside the makeup trailer, Marlo creates an environment that makes everyone feel relaxed, regardless of fame or experience. It is the first place an actor goes when they arrive on set, so the makeup team sets the mood for the day.

“When they walk into the makeup trailer, they are no longer a celebrity,” Marlo says. “They relax and return to being a regular drama geek. When Dennis Quaid arrived, he had just driven for hours after seeing his mom in Texas. He wasn’t interested in being treated like he was famous. He was just a person doing a job.”

Despite all of this well-earned success, Marlo has no plans to slow down.

“My husband Dustin and I have been together 18 years,” she says. “He works at Dell, but spends his spare time building out our studio and doing creative projects that help my career. We both want to be a part of this great creative community in Oklahoma. We both want to help others find their path and grow the Oklahoma film industry. The fact that we get to do all of this together in a place we love, that’s beautiful.”

ILLUSTRATION BY BRIAN O’DANIEL, PHOTO BY CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER

Toni Marlo and the Ideal Look

events SPOTLIGHT

Spring in Your Step Redbud marks 36th year of fun, fitness and philanthropy W I T H SPR I NG officially in the air, we’ve reached that time of

year when it’s time to dust off the winter cobwebs and get outside – perfect timing for the 36th Redbud Classic set for Apr. 7 and 8, where delicious rewards await all those taking part, while raising money for a worthy cause.

Organizers have chosen Whiz Kids Oklahoma as the 2018 beneficiary, an organization that has been helping to connect disadvantaged students with mentors in its after-school program for over 20 years.

“Whiz Kids is dedicated to creating a positive influence for children in the community, and are grateful for the opportunity

WANT TO SEE MORE? VISIT OUR ONLINE CALENDAR AT 405MAGAZINE.COM

EVENTS

Cox Center, 1 Myriad Gardens, OKC, brickuniverse.com/okc

2000 Remington, OKC, 425.0613, zoofriends.org

APR 5 Best of the 405 Readers voted; now it’s time for the winners and us - and, we hope, you - to celebrate excellence in the 405.

Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, OKC, 842.2266, 405magazine.com

APR 12 Literary Voices Bestselling author Lee Child is the centerpiece of this fundraising dinner benefiting the Metro Library System. OKC Golf & Country Club, 7000 NW Grand, OKC, 606.3760, metrolibrary.org

APR 28 Spring Sampler Eat, Drink, Art - the Edmond Fine Arts Institute’s annual gala celebrates creativity while giving guests an outstanding time. Oak Tree, 700 W Country Club, Edmond, 640.4481, edmondfinearts.com

APR 6-8 Medieval Fair It’s not a time machine - it’s better! Craftsmen, food vendors, entertainers and more gather to experience the fun parts of ye olden days. Reaves Park, 2501 Jenkins, Norman, 325.8610, medievalfair.org

APR 19 Dinner of Champions This inaugural event honors OMRF’s Dr. Gabriel Pardo and supports local efforts to fight MS. OKC Golf & Country Club, 7000 NW Grand, OKC, 463.4861, nationalmssociety.org/ chapters/oke

APR 7-8 BrickUniverse What do you get when you put together millions of LEGO bricks? A massive collection of fun and inspiration to explore.

APR 27 Safari Soiree This wild night of food, drinks and animal adventure helps support the OKC Zoo’s conservation efforts. OKC Zoo,

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GALLERIES APR 9-22 Comix OK Pow! Oklahoma’s visual storytellers star in a dazzling examination of the state’s contemporary comic book scene. OK Contemporary, 3000 General Pershing, OKC, 951.0000, oklahomacontemporary.org APR 28 Steamroller Print Fest Artists carve woodblocks to create

large-scale prints using an actual steamroller(!) in this community party. Artspace at Untitled, 1 NE 3rd, OKC, 815.9995, 1ne3.org

SPORTS APR 10-12 OKC Dodgers Play ball!

OKC’s defenders of the diamond swing into a brand new season with a three-game home stand against Round Rock. Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S Mickey Mantle, OKC, 218.1000, okcdodgers.com APR 29 OKC Memorial Marathon True inspiration in addition to a challenging race - join tens of thousands from around the world as they Run to Remember. OKC National Memorial, 620 N Harvey, OKC, okcmarathon.com

PHOTO COURTESY REDBUD CLASSIC

ON THE RADAR

to share our message through Redbud,” says Executive Director Adam Luck.

Starting out with just over 1,000 competitors and two races, the event has since attracted more than 200,000 people and will this year offer bike tours of 10, 33 and 45 miles, a one-mile kids fun run on Saturday and then 5k and 10k runs on Sunday, along with a 5k wheelchair event, two-mile walk and baby stroller derby.

Continuing past the finish line, the adults taking part will be rewarded with free beer and pancakes, while youngsters can enjoy pizza. The Redbud Bash at Nichols Hills Plaza will offer free family-friendly games, live entertainment and food trucks to fuel it all. Get moving!

Register to take part and find out more information at redbud.org; more information on Whiz Kids can be found at whizkidsok.org. - LOUISE SCRIVENS

A YOGA

A H E A LT H Y

AN AUTHENTIC

PR ACT I CE

LIFESTYLE

CO M M U N I T Y

405.529.6428 60 0 N W 23RD S T REE T

SU I T E 20 8

OK L AHOM A CI T Y

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Save the Date

events SPOTLIGHT

May 4-6

4oth Anniversary of the

Edmond Arts

Festival downtownedmondok.com •

A Creation Sensation Make the most of the Festival of the Arts

creativity. Birds make intricate nests, trees and flowers produce leaves and beautiful blossoms … and hundreds of skilled professionals gather in Bicentennial Park to put together six days of imaginative entertainment. The Festival of the Arts returns April 24-29.

It’s an event with a 50-year pedigree that has been known to draw somewhere around three quarters of a million people to downtown per year, and the spectacle assembled by Arts Council OKC is perennially a joy to see, hear, taste and experience.

The primary draw is probably the visual art – which is to be expected when selecting 12 dozen presenters from a nationwide pool of more than 450 applicants, then adding a massive sculpture garden, glass blowing and pottery demonstrations and a giant collaborative sculpture open to audience input. On the other hand, the fest also boasts entertainers of all ages ranging from musical guests such as Porch Mice, Spaghetti Eddie and the Hi-Def Howlers to Magic Brian (“the Conjuror of Comedy”) and the Festival’s Got Talent youth competition. There’s even plenty to keep kids engaged, including crafts, face painting and the return of the children-only Young-at-Art-Mart. And the 30 participating food vendors and culinary arts demonstrations should be perfect for fueling as much exploration as visitors can fit into their schedules.

More details are available at artscouncilokc.com; set a date to create some enjoyable memories. - STEVE GILL

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PHOTO COURTESY ARTS COUNCIL OKC

TO E V ERY T HI NG there is a season, and spring is a time for

405 Quarter Pg.pdf

1

3/5/18

11:36 AM

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PERPETUAL MOTION DANCE PRESENTS

May 3rd-5th 8:00pm & May 6th 2:00pm Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center 3000 General Pershing Blvd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73107

Tickets available for purchase at www.perpetualmotiondance.org

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backstory

Redeemable for Memories Green stamp central in OKC

BY MARK BEUTLER

ON T HE W E ST SIDE of N Pennsylvania, across

the street from Penn Square Mall, sits a nondescript little building. Today it is home to Pier One Imports, but a generation ago it was the catalog showroom and redemption center for S&H Green Stamps.

Mid-century housewives would save their green stamps and paste them in a little book – and when they had enough points saved, they could trade in those books for any item in the catalog.

“My sister Sheryl and I always loved helping our mom fill out the books,” says Oklahoma City resident Lynn Mallett. “That was so much fun taking the stamps, licking them and watching the book slowly fill up.”

S&H stood for Sperry and Hutchison, who founded the company in 1896. Gas stations, supermarkets and other participating stores gave shoppers a series of stamps based on how much money they had spent. The stamps, which were green in color, came in denominations of one, 10 and 50 points. Once a book was filled, it could be redeemed for items in the S&H catalog.

“We would spend hours looking through that catalog,” Mallett says. “And the anticipation of what we could buy! They had so many things, and I remember mom getting a little transistor radio, an alarm clock radio – and it seems like we even got a small portable TV one time. That must have taken a lot of stamps.”

The S&H Company saw its peak in the 1960s, and its rewards catalog was touted as the largest publication in the United States. They also proudly claimed to issue more stamps than the U.S. Postal Service.

By the 1970s, recessions hit the company and fewer stores were issuing green stamps. The company went into decline and was sold in 1981. Today, a subsidiary company is owned by the Sperry family and offers an online version of green stamps called “Greenpoints,” but unlike the heyday of the 1960s, the program is only available at a few select stores.

“Those were the days,” Mallett recalls. “Times change, but occasionally as I’m driving down Penn, I’ll glance over at Pier One and remember those days so long ago. Mom and Sheryl and I pulling up in front of the Green Stamps store, trading in our books and heading home with something really nice. Yeah, those were the days.”

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First in his class at the academy Third trip to international space station Forgot to turn off his bedroom light

People are amazing, but we’re still only human. Manage your lights, locks and thermostat from your device with Homelife. Learn more at Cox.com/homelife

Cox Homelife is available to residential customers in select Cox service areas. A high-speed Internet connection is required. Applicable monthly service charges, installation, additional equipment, taxes, trip charges and other fees may apply. Subject to credit approval. Other restrictions may apply. Local ordinances may require an alarm user permit or external lock box. Service provided by Cox Advanced Services: Oklahoma, LLC–License #2002;. ©2018 Cox Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

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&

D E S I G N

Est. 1958 • 109 East Main • Norman • 405.321.1818 • MisterRobert.com •