POLITICS: WILL THE 2020 ELECTION TURN OKC A DEEPER SHADE OF PURPLE?
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GANACHE’S TROVE OF DELECTIBLE TREATS JOURNEY THROUGH THE VENICE OF CHINA
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FE AT U R ES
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Prime Destinations For Beef Top steakhouses in the 405
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The Politics of Purple
Why has OKC become an election-year battle ground?
Photo by Miranda Hodge
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DEPA RTM EN TS
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IN THE 405
HEALTH
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FA SHION Winter outerwear on some of the 405’s hardest working female entrepreneurs
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WH AT’S ONLINE Best posts from around the 405
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PER SON OF IN TER EST Marilyn Artus’ centennial suffrage celebration
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TER R ITORY AHE AD Stories in stone: The grave of an honest man
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GIVING BACK The athletic philanthropy of Cleats for Kids
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IT’S ALL IN THE GENES How doctors are using DNA to determine a patient’s best treatments
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DINING 38
GOOD TA STE Sweet options from Ganache patisserie
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THE DISH Mac ‘n cheese, please
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THE DR INK One of OKC’s favorite Spanish wines makes a return
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LOCAL FL AVOR A guide to the city’s top restaurants
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OUT & ABOUT
50 HOME 48
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ROAD TR IP Destinations for cooking classes
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DESTINATION Suzhou: China’s “Venice of the East”
EVERY ISSUE
EN TERTAINING 101 Celebrate 2020 with health and wellness gathering
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AT HOME WITH Couple discusses the storytelling strategy in their interior design work
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DESIGN OKC attorney uses found-object collections to wage a minimalist rebellion
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R ETROSPECTIVE A toast to Edna’s, OKC’s legendary dive bar
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L A ST L AUGH A light-hearted look at 2020’s psychic predictions
ON THE COVER A meaty composition: bone-in rib eye steak with house-made pimento cheese stuffed tomato and asparagus from Opus Prime. Photo by Miranda Hodge
CORRECTIONS
“Healing Locally — New treatments for Oklahoma’s heart and cancer patients offer more
“The Most Wonderful Time,” pages 62-65: The photo on page 62 incorrectly identifies the
DECEMBER 2019
effectiveness and better recovery,” page 33: The photo is incorrectly identified as Dr.
an Oklahoma-themed Christmas tree as belonging to Lin an Ernesto Sanchez. The tree is
David Olek. The photo actually is of Dr. George Chrysant.
in the home of Susan and Jeff Raley.
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“The greatest beauty lies in the greatest clarity.” Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
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VOLUME 6 • NUMBER 1
OWNER | PUBLISHER
Jordan Regas jordan.regas@405magazine.com EDITOR IN CHIEF
Melissa Mercer Howell melissa.mercerhowell@405magazine.com ART DIRECTOR
Christopher Lee christopher.lee@405magazine.com PRODUCTION MANAGER
Emiley Sexton emiley.sexton@405magazine.com STYLE EDITOR
Sara Gae Waters saragae.waters@405magazine.com TRAVEL EDITOR
Matt Payne matt.payne@405magazine.com SENIOR WRITER
Greg Horton greg.horton@405magazine.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Hannah Babb hannah.babb@405magazine.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
M.J. Alexander, Mark Beutler, Lillie-Beth Brinkman, Christine Eddington, Greg Horton, George Lang, Matt Payne, Lauren Roth, Elaine Warner CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Miranda Hodge, Fran Kozakowski, Rachel Maucieri, Charlie Neuenschwander, Matt Payne, Don Risi, Elaine Warner, Shevaun Williams
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405 Magazine Volume 6, Number 1, January 2020. 405 Magazine is published monthly by 405 Magazine, Inc. at 1613 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK 73103, 405.842.2266. © Copyright 2020 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 refl ect 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
ART IN A NEW LIGHT
OPENING MARCH 13
Experience contemporary art and creativity in a new and unforgettable setting. oklahomacontemporary.org Free admission NW 11th and Broadway, Oklahoma City
F R O M
T H E
E D I T O R
Ringing in the ’20s I
T ’ S J A N U A R Y, A T I M E W H E N T H O U G H T S T U R N T O better health, better living, better selves. At 405, we’re moving past resolutions, straight to the meat of things. Red meat, that is, in a political sense. In 2018, Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District elected its first Democrat to Congress since 1974. The city council took on a deeper shade of blue, and progressives from throughout the county made significant inroads into our deeply red consciousness. But why? In this issue, George Lang takes a look at the changing face of politics in the 405 and the forces behind a potential blue wave in 2020. And to get our readers primed, so to speak, for what’s sure to be an election year melee, culinary writer Greg Horton has taken “red meat” to a new level with a sensational overview of Oklahoma City’s top seven steakhouses. Julia Child once said, “The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.” True to that theme, there is nothing reserved or temperate about these perfectly prime, over-the-top, cut-like-butter steaks from the likes of Mahogany, Opus, The Ranch, Boulevard and others. In another nod to the “more is better” maxim, read about Oklahoma City attorney Daniel Mathis, who has designed a living space that comes alive with layers of curiosities and collections. A far cry from austere and sterile minimalism, Mathis has fashioned a space in his downtown apartment that is ordered, interesting and cozy. Christine Eddington details how Mathis’ “minimalist rebellion” has created an oasis of expression and creativity. Travel editor Matt Payne serves up a banquet for the senses as he takes readers through idyllic canals, gardens and noodle shops in Suzhou, China. Known as the Venice of China, Suzhou’s magic is in its labyrinthine waterways and ancient origins. This travel piece weaves a tapestry of age-old profundity and simple joy in seamless strokes with wonder. We at 405 Magazine would be remiss, however, if we began a new year and a new decade without some reflection on health and wellness. To that end, Sara Gae Waters provides tips on how to stage a wellness party that allows you to care not only for yourself, but for those around you, as well. And Lillie-Beth Sanger Brinkman takes a look at ways doctors are using genetic testing to determine which medications will work best and which to avoid for individual patients. So, as we begin 2020, here’s wishing all in the 405 a lavish slice of goodness, vitality and harmony in the coming year.
Melissa Mercer Howell EDITOR IN CHIEF
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GROOMING TRANSPORTATION
Whether you’re building from the ground up or remodeling a home, the tile selections can set the tone for every room. For a beautifully bespoke look in your home, come to Artisan Tile Studio. We offer the unique tile & stone that no one else in the 405 has. We exclusively carry the premier custom lines New Ravenna and Maison Surface. We’ve got something for everyone, and we bring in new things every chance we get. Visit our cozy showroom to be inspired.
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Join us for dinner and cash bar, live and silent auction, raffles, games, music and the 2019 PPSEF Educator Awards.
Please come dressed in Blue Jeans and Bling! FEBRUARY 1, 2020 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
10 W MAIN STREET YUKON, OK 73099
For tickets, please contact us PPSEFGala@gmail.com
In the 405
Fashion
16
What’s Online
18
Person of Interest
20
Arts and Culture
22
Giving Back
23
Portrait of Perception Artist Behnaz Sohrabian infuses her art with power and expressive color. Page 22
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They’ve Got You Covered WINTER WARMTH AND ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERTISE BY SHE VAUN WILLIAMS
Yakki Britt/owner of At-a-Blink, in Eleven Elfs from Balliets
Tiffany Aduddell, owner of Stella Extensions, in Kendall & Kylie from Cayman’s Vilona Michael, owner of Vilona Michael Marketing, in La Fiorentina from Balliets
Shevaun Williams/Photography | Marlohaus/Makeup | Lydia Hughley/Stella Extensions/Hair
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This month, we feature the season’s finest outerwear on some of the 405’s hardest working female entrepreneurs. These women have found their way to the top through hard work, tenacity and judgement. A winter coat should be much the same, with durability and style that reflects its wearer. Whether it’s assistance with beauty, fashion, fitness, dining or communications, here are seven women in the 405 who have you covered – in style.
Wyndi Barr, owner of Dining Simple, in Love Token from Balliets
Natausha Spears, owner of Injectable Aesthetics, in Lukka Lux from Cayman’s
Samia Moses Harroz, owner of Samia Moses Jill Jordan Wallace, owner
Creative, in Smythe from Balliets
of Jill Jordan Fitness, in Eleven Elfs from Balliets
Balliets, 6443 Avondale, OKC, balliets.com | Cayman’s, 2001 W Main, Norman, shop-caymans.com
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@bevographer
@bevographer
Social Love IN STAG R A M SHO U TOU T S
O N E O F O U R FAV O R I T E 405 Instagramers is The Bevographer. Miranda Hodge is a local who owns and operates her own digital marketing company, Blackmore Digital. She has made a name for herself as “The Beverage Photographer.” Hodge works with restaurants throughout OKC giving her followers a look at drink trends and where you can fi nd them. The photos are always engaging and amusing, so go show her some social love – @bevographer
H AV E A G R E AT P H O T O TO SHARE? Tag #405mag on your photo for your chance to be featured in February’s issue.
What’s Online A R E Y O U S I G N E D U P F O R O U R W E E K E N D 101? Receive our Weekend 101 E-newsletter every Thursday afternoon and stay in tune with what’s happening over the weekend in the 405. We connect you to the best concerts, games, events and activities that happen in the greater metro area, and even redirect you to buy your tickets or book your spot.
Head to 405magazine.com/newsletters to receive the Weekend 101 in your inbox today!
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THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT
“So beautiful and so moving!” —Vikki Carr, Grammy Award-winning singer
“This is the best I have ever seen. It was so uplifting. It spoke to everything that is good in this world.”
“When you enjoy such a beautiful show, you go home with a renewed spirit and a wonderful feeling.”
—Glen Duncan, Grammy Award-winning musician
—Dr. Kay Hartwig, professor of music & musician
“The spirit of hope, beauty and the blessing is a fabulous gift to us. I want to go again! I have to bring friends. I have to bring as many people as I can.” —Sine McKenna, award-winning singer
SHEN YUN is pushing the boundaries of performing arts. Ancient art forms meet innovative multimedia, all-original music, and masterful artistry. Diverse ethnic and folk traditions are beautifully evoked through dance alongside stirring legends and stories of ancient China. With its very own, unique orchestra, Shen Yun makes for an experience you won’t find anywhere else. Be prepared to traverse time and space and be mesmerized by the action, beauty, and humor of five millennia.
Feb 17–18 Civic Center Music Hall
May 9 Tulsa Performing Arts Center
ShenYun.com/OKC 888-974-3698
ShenYun.com/Tulsa 888-974-3698
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Artist Marilyn Artus with her art project honoring the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage.
A Grand New Flag MARILYN ARTUS’ CENTENNIAL SUFFRAGE CELEBRATION BY LILLIE-BE TH SANGER BRINKMAN PHOTO BY CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER
O K L A H O M A C I T Y A R T I S T Marilyn Artus had driven nearly 22,000 miles and visited 18 states by the end of 2019, as part of her large-scale art project to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. She had 18 more to go. When the “Her Flag” art project ends, she’ll have visited each of the first 36 states that ratified the 19th Amendment, which led to women getting the right to vote in 1920. That victory was 72 years in the making; the movement began officially in 1848 with the first Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York. The length of time “just fascinated me, especially with the culture we live in. We want everything done so fast,” Artus says, noting that many of the women who started the campaign for the right to vote didn’t live to see it happen. Artus’ nationally focused project involves an interpretation of the American flag that will be 18 feet tall by 26 feet wide by the time she is finished sewing the
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stripes, one state at a time. The flag includes one stripe of original art contributed by a female artist in each of the 36 states that initially ratified the Amendment. Artus had more than 340 women apply to be one of the 36 – they range in age from their 20s to 70s and include a very diverse group of women, she said. In Oklahoma, Denise Duong is the featured artist for Artus’ project. Artus will sew that stripe on during a celebration at the Oklahoma History Center on Jan. 18. Duong’s stripe depicts women in various stages of being bound with ribbons covering their eyes, hands and mouth. “I was trying to portray through this effort of getting women’s rights, they were slowly able to get liberty and freedom,” Duong says. Duong said she did more research for her contribution to this project than she had done in a long time,
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and was surprised by how many other women opposed these efforts during the time. But she loved the project, and said it helped pull her out of a hopeless feeling she had about contemporary politics. “This was something I could do,” she says. “With your voice, you can make a difference.” Planning for Artus’ project took two years. It began when a book she read about the movement captivated her; from there, she dug in with more research. Artus learned about prominent leaders of women such as Susan B. Anthony, and key players that aren’t as famous. Those include women such as Miriam Leslie, who was the largest financial donor to the fight, but as a vaudeville dancer was considered somewhat scandalous, and Ida B. Wells, a key African-American figure in the suffrage movement. “That book was like a gateway drug to being a suffrage nerd,” Artus said as she realized she could lead a national art project from Oklahoma. A large hand-drawn calendar hanging on the wall in her home art studio spans two poster-board-sized pages
For more information or to donate to the project, check out Artus’ website related to this project at herflag.com and follow her on social media (Twitter, Instagram and Facebook) @herflag2020.
On he r tra vels, A pincushion s rtus carrie s de s ig arti sts f rom ned b y each state.
and is helping her keep track of where she has been and where she is going on her suff rage tour. She plans to end up in August in Nashville – Tennessee was the last state of the initial 36 that ratified the amendment – to compete Her Flag in time for the national celebration of the suff rage centennial. Artus also was planning to represent Oklahoma in the women’s suff rage float at the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day. Filmmaker Bradley Beasley is working on a related documentary, Artus said. As she travels to each state capitol in order of ratification, Artus packs her car with her sewing machine and table, pincushions designed by artists from each state, her sewing basket, signage, the fl ag and merchandise. She makes each stop a celebration of women’s suff rage with performance and visual artists accompanying her as she sews. “I’m like a band on tour, really,� Artus says. “The scope of this thing is so large.� Artus said she started using the American flag as inspiration in her art several years ago “as a vehicle for feminist exploration� and always includes a measuring tape in this work “because women are measured in a way that men aren’t.� She tells people who question her use of the symbol that she means no disrespect to the fl ag, but uses it to show that it is a universal symbol that belongs to every American. One of her trips included a stop at the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, where people can stand at the lectern where organizer Elizabeth Cady Stanton addressed conventiongoers. “I just started crying. It was really incredible to be there,� Artus says. She said she hopes that the fi nished fl ag goes on tour as an art exhibit once her suff rage celebrations end. “It’s important to celebrate this anniversary,� she says. “There’s still work that needs to be done.�
Celebrate with friends and neighbors.
Schedule your personal tour today!
405.340.5311
LyndaleEdmond.com
1225 Lakeshore Drive, Edmond, OK 73013 AL 5525-5525
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Range of Expression THE POWERFUL ART OF BEHNAZ SOHRABIAN BY GREG HORTON PHOTO BY CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER
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H AT I S MO S T I M M E DI AT E LY noticeable about portraits painted by Oklahoma City artist Behnaz Sohrabian is the color balance on the faces of her subjects. She blends warm and cool, greens, yellows, reds and blues producing an eff ect that is both familiar and arresting; you know the face, but you now see it diff erently. In her att empt to capture a range of emotions and layer them onto the portrait, Sohrabian makes the familiar a surprise. “One of my art teachers told me 25 years ago that I would begin to see cool or cold colors on people’s faces in addition to the warm colors,” she explains. “I’ve trained my eye over the years to see them, and I strive for color balance between warm and cold.” As a result, the color palette in her portraits includes unusual choices. Even her black-andwhite work plays along the edges of color, with halftones nearly sliding into ocher, or a sliver of red hiding in a head of black hair. Sohrabian started her artistic training when she was only 10, growing up in her native Tehran, Iran. Her mother noticed her nascent skills and discussed them with a neighbor who took art classes. From that point forward, all her education — including a bachelor’s degree in painting and a master’s degree in art studies — and training has been in art … with the exception of a degree in applied chemistry. Sohrabian immigrated to the U.S. in 2010 and became a citizen in 2017; now she lives, and works as a full-time artist in Edmond. Most of her work is done in oil, but she likes acrylic, collage and drawing, too. While her subjects range from still life to animals (usually for commission work) to abstract pieces, the overwhelming majority of her subjects are human faces. “As an artist, I’m obsessed with portraits,” Sohrabian says. “I love to capture the essence of a subject on canvas, where I’m not necessarily looking for likeness. I think essence and proportion are more important.” “I work with live models because in the hour they are sitt ing, their face will express a range of emotions, and it’s easier to capture the essence from that as opposed to a photo,” she says. Because she paints nearly every day, she doesn’t always have models available, so her portfolio includes numerous self-portraits. They are, in fact, some of her most popular works. To capture her own essence, she paints in front of a mirror — her art studies background comes in handy here. “When you study Rembrandt’s work, you see how often he did self-portraits,” she says. “You can see the story of his life in those portraits; you don’t even need to read the words of his story.” Christie Owen of Urban Core Artists chose Sohrabian’s art to be featured in November and December of last year in the curated space at Verbode that is dedicated to showcasing local artists. “It’s a treat for me to get to share her work,” Owen says. “She’s a powerful female artist, and I love her story and her work. It’s free flowing and expressive. She’s beautiful, and her art is beautiful.”
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G I V I N G
B A C K
Of Cleats and Caring T H E ATHLETI C PHIL AN THROPY O F CLE AT S FOR KIDS BY MARK BEUTLER | PHOTOS PROVIDED
S
T A C Y M C D A N I E L WA S WA L K I N G T H R O U G H her garage one day when she noticed a pile of basketball shoes, football gear and soccer cleats over in one corner. It was athletic equipment her kids had outgrown, and in that moment, “Cleats for Kids” was born. McDaniel and her husband Mark organized the not-for-profit business to collect and then distribute shoes to kids in need. Today, nearly 10 years later, the organization just donated its 100,000th pair of shoes. “We started out very simple,” McDaniel says. “Our friends and their kids gathered outgrown shoes and equipment, and we connected the gear to kids who needed it. We moved from our garage to a house with storage sheds, and then on to our first ‘Locker Room.’ The need was greater than we imagined, and Cleats for Kids grew quickly.” Early on, McDaniel said, they mainly collected recycled sports gear. While that’s still a good portion of what they do, today they now work with retailers and manufacturers to get new sports gear either donated or purchased at deep discounts. Cleats for Kids works with organizations such as the Wes Welker Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County, YMCA and YWCA, among others. Through their various programs, they serve over 4,000 kids in Oklahoma City Public Schools every year. While most of their work is in the OKC metro area, they also work with more than 100 school districts across the state.
Left: Running shoe selection in the C4K locker room. Center: Volunteer Marcus Graves of Putnam City Original works in the locker room. Right: Stacy McDaniel, executive director and co-founder of Cleats for Kids.
“My greatest reward is when kids get shoes or equipment and you can see what it means in their eyes and their smile,” McDaniel says. “They know someone cares. It is amazing something as small as a pair of shoes can change a child’s life. You see the impact when the elementary student gets shoes and no longer must sit out of PE because he does not have safe shoes. You see the difference it makes for the high school varsity athlete who gets her very first pair of basketball shoes, or the baseball player who gets practice pants and no longer has to practice in jeans.” That is all possible, McDaniel said, because the community takes time to recycle their sports gear. “This is where sports can bring a community together,” she adds. “The new year is a perfect time to clean out the closet or garage and donate unused or outgrown sports gear. Donation bins are located across the metro area, or you can contact us on our website (okc. cleatsforkids.org) for more information on how to donate. We take those donations and put them in our Locker Room, where kids and coaches can ‘shop,’ free of charge. Kids need sports gear year-round, so we stay busy most of the time.” The cost of sports gear can often be a roadblock to participation, according to McDaniel: A child often wants to play sports but is relegated to the sidelines because they don’t have the proper gear. At Cleats for Kids, the goal is to remove that roadblock. “Every day, we see the impact of sports on kids’ lives, where lessons learned translate to the classroom and beyond,” she says. “When kids exercise, they are more focused, have fewer discipline problems and better academic performance. All kids should have access to sports to improve self-confidence and to learn leadership, life skills and healthier habits. We can all make a difference by simply donating a pair of athletic shoes. And by doing that, we are showing these kids that we care about them.”
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Territory Ahead THE GRAVE OF AN HONEST MAN STORIES IN STONE: GEORGE LOWREY BY M. J. ALE X ANDER
Editor’s note: An ongoing series exploring the final resting spots of Oklahoma’s earliest residents, with birthdates pre-dating the American Revolution.
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E WA S B O R N S I X Y E A R S B E F O R E T H E Declaration of Independence, on the Tennessee River in the old Cherokee Nation. His mother was the daughter and granddaughter of Echota Cherokee chiefs. He was given the name Agin’-agi’li, which means Rising Fawn, and an English name in honor of his father, a trader from Scotland named George Lowrey. Eight decades later, George Lowrey the younger was laid to rest in Indian Territory. His gravestone, and that of his wife Ruth Benge Lowrey, are among only half a dozen in Oklahoma marking the burial of a body that had drawn breath before the United States was formed. The monument stands in tribute to a remarkable life. He was witness to the last years of the old Cherokee Nation, working to help keep the tribe’s ancestral homeland. When all else failed, he – at the age of 68 – helped lead more than 1,000 of the dispossessed on the forced exodus into Indian Territory over the Trail of Tears. George Lowrey had hoped it wouldn’t come to that. At the age of 21, he was part of a delegation that met with President George Washington to negotiate terms of encroaching settlement. For years, he held out hope that promises made to the Cherokee by the U.S. government would be honored, as President James Monroe vowed, “as long as water flows, or grass grows upon the earth, or the sun rises to show your pathway.” In good faith, he named a son Washington Charles Lowrey, a tribute to the departed president. In 1829, as a chief of the Eastern Cherokee, he and newly elected Principal Chief John Ross addressed concerns about newly elected U.S. President Andrew Jackson and his plans to remove Native Americans from the Southeast: “The Treatys entered into between us and the General Govt. are very strong and will protect us in our right of soil … It is not the President’s say so alone but Congress too … Friends, if you all united together and be of one mind there is no danger of our right being taken away from us.” To a man who kept his promises, it seemed inconceivable that others would not keep theirs. Lowrey was a father of 10 who fought fierce military campaigns into his 40s, in the Wars of 1812 and 1814. He negotiated treaties, served as
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OKLAHOMA’S HISTORIC GRAVESTONES
captain in the tribe’s lighthouse police force, helped frame the Cherokee Constitutions of 1827 and 1839 and was elected and re-elected as Assistant Principal Chief. He was a keeper of the fl ame for the old way while helping his tribe through a transition to the new. He volunteered as the fi rst adult to learn the Cherokee syllabary developed by his kinsman Sequoyah, and helped translate the New Testament into Cherokee. Details of his life are chiseled onto the base of a graying obelisk on a hill overlooking Tahlequah, the tribal capital. The long list of achievements, unusual in its detail, ends with notice of his years as a church elder and deacon, ending in a heartfelt near-haiku assessing his qualities:
Burial marker of Chief Garland and his mother-in-law, Sophia Pitchlynn, the mother of Choctaw Chief Peter Pitchlynn. Photo courtesty of Oklahoma History Center
He fulfilled the duties of every Office well. An Honest Man, A Spotless Patriot, A Devoted Christian.
The first Oklahoma cemetery with evidence of Christian-style burials is Union Mission, established with the hope of converting the Osage. Its oldest surviving
Above: The grave of Cherokee leader George “Tsa-Tsi-Agi-Li” Lowrey Left: George Lowrey Oil on canvas, 1843 Artist: George Catlin From the collection of Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma Right: Lowrey’s gravestone bears a plaque indicating the he had “endured the forced removal of the Cherokees in 1838-39.”
A new addition is a metal plaque, installed by the Oklahoma Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association: “In honor of one who endured the forced removal of the Cherokee in 1838-39.” It took 103 days for the group he helped lead to move from Alabama to the Indian Territory. The contingent of 1,132 people, headed by nephew John “Wagonmaster” Benge, left Fort Payne on October 1, 1838 with a reported 600 horses and 60 wagons. The U.S. government issued 83 tents to be shared. No shoes, warm clothing or blankets were provided for the ill-equipped hundreds who had been forced to abandon their homes and belongings. He and the ragged detachment arrived in the Territory in the middle of winter, 11 days into the new year. Lowrey helped organize the new government of the Cherokee Nation, and was a key player in hammering out the Cherokee Constitution of 1839. He was elected Assistant Principal Chief, under John Ross, in 1843. On a visit to Washington. D.C., the following year, he was memorialized by artist George Catlin as part of a series on Native American leaders. The painting shows a survivor, a man not to be trifled with. Portrayed at the age of 73, Lowrey stands resplendent in Cherokee turban, Scott ish-inspired saltire sash and an epic silver gorget, with the medal he received from President Washington suspended above his breastbone. Massive silver ear ornaments and a matching nose ring echo the shape of the presidential medallion. In his left hand is draped a traditional wampum belt, symbolizing his high ranking in the tribe. In that same year, he addressed the Cherokee Great Council on the ancient meanings of wampum. In a scene recounted by historian Shorey Ross, the remarkable and adventurous career of Lowery was recognized and “his knowledge of Indian customs was beyond that of any other aborigine of his time … Now, aged and bowed with the weight of near fourscore years, he was attentively listened to by the great throng of Indians as he exemplified the significance of the ancient symbols.” He would serve in his office until just before his death on Oct. 20, 1852. The Cherokee Advocate evoked the language of a popular ode to Napoleon when it proclaimed: “The death of this great and good man has cast a gloom of sorrow over the country … The great and good Lowrey, who for so many years ‘towered amongst us like some ancient ruin,’ has fallen. Full of honors and years, he has been called to his fathers. He lived a patriot and died a Christian.” Fift y years after his initial burial, his body was relocated to a point of prominence in the new Tahlequah Cemetery, overlooking the capital.
gravestone was set in 1825, after the death of the mission’s 32-year-old minster, the Rev. Epaphras Chapman. Marked graves at Fort Gibson date to 1831, with a tombstone dedicated to Lt. John Wilkins Murray of the Seventh Infantry, killed after being thrown from his horse. An Oklahoma Historical Society granite marker on the side of Hwy 3 in McCurtain County declares that the Dec. 27, 1773 birthdate on the headstone of Sophia Pitchlynn is “believed to be earliest in Oklahoma.” But gravestones indicating older birthdates stand over the burial sites of Cherokee leaders Goingsnake (I-na-du-na-i) and Spring Frog (Tooan-tuh), both born in the 1750s, who removed to Indian Territory during the era of the Trail of Tears. The Adair County grave of Goingsnake (1758-1840) is on private land overlooking a spring-fed creek, near where his cabin used to stand. It is tightly surrounded by a chainlink fence for protection against grazing animals and wayward farm equipment. A remarkable carved sandstone coffinshaped monument, once featured by Ripley’s
Believe It Or Not, marks the resting place of Spring Frog on a knoll in Briartown Cemetery in Muskogee County, down a cowpath that wanders through fenced pasture. The fading inscription, carved in Cherokee, indicates he lived from 1754-1859.
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The 405’s Prime Destinations for Beef BY GREG HORTON
hen determining the city’s best steakhouses, the separating criteria are not steaks. That may sound surprising, but you can walk into any prime steakhouse in the metro and get a delicious steak. That’s likely true in any city where prime beef is served. Asking who has the best steaks is like asking which bar has the best bottle of Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon — prime steak only needs salt, pepper and butter to be perfect, so a restaurant would have to work to harm the product. What, then, are the criteria? Being “a steakhouse” is important. Good steak is available in dozens of area restaurants, not just the steakhouses. While working on this story, several people asked whether the magazine was covering chophouses or fine dining establishments. Sorry, but no. Neither. Only steakhouses. Next, there are the basic factors including service, appetizers, non-steak entrees, sides, wine list, ambience and dessert. Again, most steakhouses excel at these, even as each tends to have an issue or two, such as substandard sides mixed into the otherwise delicious food. And some wine lists are definitely better than others, especially when considering by-the-glass program and price.
OKC’S GREAT STEAKHOUSES
So which metro meat palaces make the cut?
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Filet mignon from Red PrimeSteak steakhouse. Photo by Miranda Hodge
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Boulevard Steakhouse 5 0 5 S . B O U L E VA R D, E D M O N D The Holloway family is among the metro’s hospitality royalty, and one of the strengths of Boulevard certainly is that it is family owned and operated. Chef Jeff Holloway oversees the kitchen, and most nights you’ll find at least one other member of the family on the floor. Steaks are hand cut, and you can choose from several toppings and sauces and one rub. Perhaps the most pleasant surprise was discovering that its Boulevard Black is made by Napa winery Alpha Omega, which means stellar cabernet sauvignon for about half the price you would pay for the AO Cabernet.
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Mahogany Prime Steakhouse 1 4 5 W. S H E R I D A N AV E . A N D 3 2 41 W. M E M O R I A L R OA D, O K L A H O M A C I T Y Mahogany is the flagship of the Hal Smith Restaurant Group, and while the food service group is known for excellent service and remarkable consistency, Mahogany stands out as even more impressive. Easily the best steak we tasted, the service also was superb and the bar in downtown Oklahoma City is stunning. The by-the-glass list could use improvement — as could the wine prices — but it’s a small complaint compared to the overall experience. What may be less well known is that Mahogany also serves excellent fish. If you’re eating it to be healthier however, get the sauce on the side. A ramekin of beurre blanc is roughly equivalent, calorically speaking, to a Krispy Kreme doughnut. Extra points for the best appetizer: lobster cargot.
Cattlemen’s Steakhouse 1 3 0 9 S . AG N E W AV E . , O K L A H O M A C I T Y One of the biggest misconceptions people — even locals — have about the city’s iconic steakhouse is that it doesn’t serve prime beef. In fact, the Blue Ribbon Special, which is prime beef, is on the menu every day and your server can tell you what prime cuts are available that day. Unlike most prime steakhouses, though, steaks are not served a la carte; they come with salad, baked potato and rolls. The atmosphere is festive, service is stellar and the wine list is underappreciated. Yes, do get the lamb fries — you can help us decide if they’re better with cocktail sauce or Cattlemen’s house dressing.
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Ranch Steakhouse 3 0 0 0 W. B R I T T O N R OA D, O K L A H O M A C I T Y When you ask locals who has the best steaks, Ranch and Mahogany are the most common responses. The most important factor in Ranch’s success — other than its bone-in rib eye — is the number of career servers on the floor. The service is smooth, professional, calm and friendly, as if nothing could shake their demeanor. Truthfully, this crew has probably seen every possible complication over the years, so at least on the floor, they seem unflappable. The bar is excellent, Dover sole and foie gras are on the menu, and the patio is hands-down the best of the steakhouses. The wine list was built by veteran sommelier David Souza, so it’s exceptional, and Souza will be helming the new Ranch Norman when it opens in February.
Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse 7 S. MICKEY MANTLE DRIVE, OKLAHOMA CITY This was the hardest to include, because it technically is a Texas-based chain steakhouse: Kirby’s dba Mickey Mantle’s. Still, it’s incredibly popular, with superb steaks and sides, great service and a classic steakhouse interior. The wine is expensive versus what you pay elsewhere, but if you want a bar that allows smoking, Mickey Mantle’s is it. It also has the best happy hour of the steakhouses, with free food in the bar if you don’t mind the smoke.
Opus Prime Steakhouse 8 0 0 W. M E M O R I A L R OA D, O K L A H O M A C I T Y Opus used to be off the beaten path, but with all the growth along the Memorial Road corridor, Bill Wilson’s beautiful restaurant is getting some of the attention it deserves. Service at the bar was exceptional, and the steak was excellent. What sets Opus apart from the other steakhouses, though — in addition to its opulent interior — is the extensive wine list, which isn’t simply Napa wines plus other big reds. The whiskey selection is smaller than you might expect from a steakhouse, but it does have several notable favorites.
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Red PrimeSteak 5 0 4 N . B R OA D WAY AV E . , O K L A H O M A C I T Y No steakhouse was more confusing and more difficult to evaluate. The bar is beautiful, with efficient service and good cocktails, and the wine list is solid, even as it lacks some hipper brands. The space itself looks like the answer to the question: What if we designed a steakhouse to look like the inside of a spaceship? That, by the way, is not necessarily a bad thing. The womb-like booths tucked into the cavernous space make for a lovely experience, and the private tables in the “rocket ship� and the mezzanine are perfect for private groups. Its third floor also is the best event space among the steakhouses. Steaks are good, especially the Wagyu, and the beef tenderloin tamales are among the best appetizers available in the city.
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Will the 5th District’s Blue Hue Survive the 2020 Election?
BY GEORGE LANG ILLUSTR ATIONS BY TODD CLA R K
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or most of the evening on Nov. 6, 2018, Oklahoma was awash in a sea of red on the cable channels covering Election Night results. Then, shortly after 9 p.m., MSNBC election analyst Steve Kornacki pointed to a blue dot that had just emerged in the center of the Sooner State: a Democrat had won the 5th Congressional District for the fi rst time in 44 years. “A Republican congressman from Oklahoma City, a race that barely anybody had bothered to poll, he lost his seat to a Democratic woman named Kendra Horn,” said Rachel Maddow on the next day’s edition of The Rachel Maddow Show. “Steve Russell, Republican congressman of Oklahoma will be going home. Kendra Horn, Democratic congresswoman from Oklahoma, has taken his seat.” Conventional wisdom on the 2018 election, for once, was not so wise. An Oct. 2, 2018 poll from SoonerPoll showed Russell with a 10-point advantage over Horn, but JR Day of Okie Polls saw a radically different trendline leading up to Election Day. The fi nal numbers Okie Polls released on Nov. 6, 2018 had Horn down by half a percentage point, with Russell polling at 50.29 percent and Horn coming in at 49.7 percent. The election was still a squeaker, but it fl ipped. Horn pulled 50.7 percent of the vote, with Russell losing with 49.3 percent — a difference of 3,338 votes. “You have this moment where you take it all in, where you put your analyst hat on and say, ‘Wow, that really happened; now I want to know why it happened,’ Day said in an interview with 405. “Then you see the fi re that the smoke was coming from.”
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core of Oklahoma City. The Dec. 10, 2019, MAPS vote, MAPS 4, included progressive reforms to affordable housing availability, homelessness and mental health needs. Interest in these issues informed the 2018 race to fi ll city council seats and drove progressives to victory, including Ward 2 councilman James Cooper, Ward 7 councilwoman Nikki Nice and Ward 6 councilwoman JoBeth Hamon. Hamon, whose ward stretches from Mesta Park to S.W. 59th Street, said that she discovered a lot of common concerns that crossed party lines during her campaign. She recalled a conversation she had with husband-and-wife constituents while knocking doors in southwest Oklahoma City. “They had a Trump fl ag in their living room,” Hamon said. “They were an older couple that did prison ministry and so we talked about that, and the fact that I was talking about affordable housing and mental health … those were things that resonated with them. They specifically said, ‘We don’t vote for Democrats, but I think we’re going to vote for you, because you’re talking about things we care about.’” Horn heard many of the same concerns over the past six years, fi rst as campaign manager for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Dorman in 2014 and then as a congressional candidate, when her “boots on the ground” campaign sought direct input from 5th District constituents. “The issues that have been important to Oklahomans over the last handful of years were education and health care,” Horn said. “I think there was a critical piece of that conversation that was started about education and the need to serve all Oklahomans that woke up a lot of people.”
N EW FO U N D P RO G R E S S I O N
N EW R E P R E S E N TAT I O N
Many theories exist about why Horn won and Russell lost, with some observers pointing to the energizing effect that President Donald Trump has had on Democrats since the 2016 election. Others point to Russell’s performance during the candidates’ only debate on Oct. 25, 2018. In response to comments by Horn that “one of the biggest challenges to our economy is the growing gap between those who have and those who don’t,” Russell deployed a national Republican talking point. “I think we have to have faith in the American people,” Russell said to a packed crowd at City Presbyterian Church. “Equitable distribution sounds a lot like taking away the free market.” Russell received boos from the audience aft er that comment, but the beginnings of how Oklahoma City started trending toward progressive politics began more than 25 years before, when Oklahoma City Mayor Ron Norick and Oklahoma City Council proposed the Metropolitan Area Projects Plan (MAPS). The quality-of-life proposals that served as the backbone for MAPS helped att ract younger and more progressive people back to the
Leading up to her campaign, Horn said she saw a lot of changes in Oklahoma that allowed her to see a pathway to victory. “In 2015, Cyndi Munson won a state house seat in a special election,” she said. “We saw some other things happening like that; other smart, independent Democrats running and winning in some of these urban and suburban seats. You know, in 2016 we all know the electoral outcome here in the state, but at the same time, Oklahoma voters and especially those in the 5th District voted with 70 percent of the vote to pass two criminal justice reform measures. They voted down State Question 777 (the “right to farm” act that would have eff ectively made factory farming corporations legally untouchable) by an overwhelming margin, they voted to change and update some of our laws while rejecting the idea that we should remove the separation of church and state clause from our state constitution. It’s a really visible reminder that many of the issues that have been framed as Democrat or Republican for a really long time are really not that.”
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One of the most damaging things for any community is the sense that any effort to effect change with things that are of concern to people is futile In the year since Horn won the 5th district, the 43-year-old congresswoman has held 10 town hall meetings with constituents and several meetings with businesses and industries based in Oklahoma City. She said that her fi rst-year activity is not based on a political strategy, but is more grounded in the reality of addressing constituent needs and concerns and bringing them back to Washington, D.C. “One of the most damaging things for any community is the sense that any effort to eff ect change with things that are of concern to people is futile,” Horn said. “I think we, collectively as Oklahomans, bought into that for far too long. We still hear people say, ‘Oh, it doesn’t matt er if I vote, it doesn’t matt er if I show up,’ and you follow that to its logical conclusion for most people and they stop showing up. In fact, 2014 was the lowest turnout of any statewide vote in our state’s history. The turnout was less than 30 percent of eligible voters. So, the idea that we are powerless to eff ect change in our own lives in things that matt er to people regardless of their background or political affi liation is so harmful to all of us.”
I N T H E Y E A R 2020 Incumbency is a powerful force in U.S. politics, and overwhelming evidence is needed by challengers to take down an incumbent. Also, a lot of money. After Horn’s 2018 victory, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) designated Oklahoma’s 5th congressional district as a must-win for 2020. The NRCC is expected to flood the Oklahoma City media market with anti-Horn ads during the coming election season, and “dark money” organizations enabled by the U.S. Supreme Court’s “Citizens United” decision are funneling money toward defeating Horn. Additionally, Horn will face potential Republican challengers including State Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City, and conservative businesswoman Terry Neese. Additionally, there is the phenomenon of straight-party voting, which will likely be a major factor with Trump topping the Republican ticket.
“Oklahoma has an epidemic of straight-ticket voting — people tend to go that way,” Day said. “Turnout will be up, so the key for Horn is to keep Democratic enthusiasm high so she can off set turnout on the Republican side, those straight-ticket voters who are going to want to vote for Donald Trump, make that one line and cast their votes.” Alicia Andrews, chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, said the organization is throwing major support behind all Democrat candidates. “Our fi rst goal is retaining the 5th, because it is our only beacon right now,” Andrews said. “Additionally, we have been working all over the state. We have to recruit at the top of the ticket and all the way down, because a city council race can help a legislative candidate, which can then turn around and help a congressional candidate, and then it works the same way down, where a congressional candidate can get Democrats activated and engaged.” In November, Trump’s campaign manager, Brad Parscale, pushed some internal polling saying that 45 percent of 5th District voters supported impeachment of Trump. Considering the district is still overwhelmingly registered Republican, it is not as great of a number as Parscale advertised. Horn said she does not believe that the district is the property of any person or political party, and will be back to knocking doors in the district in 2020, making every vote count. “The reason I’ve held 10 town halls is because I know this is not my seat,” Horn said. “It is my job to do my best to be a representative voice and to listen and to build policies and laws that serve the greatest good for the greatest number of people. “They have a voice and they have value, and they have a seat at the table just as those people who have always had a seat at the table still have and deserve a seat at the table,” she said. “I don’t want to take that seat away from anyone. What I want to do is make the table a litt le longer and pull up a few more chairs.”
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Sunday Tiki Sunday 1/2 price tiki drink vs Sunday fried chicken dinner family style
405.232.0151 2 2 27 E XC H A NG E AV E N U E | W W W. MCC L I N T O C K S A L O ON .COM
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To schedule a private tasting, text or call Russell at:
405.206.4885
Dining
Good Taste
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The Dish
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The Drink
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Local Flavor
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Decadent Dining Ganache Patisserie creates food that is both delectible and beautiful. The classically trained husband-and-wife team area adept at sweet and savory. For more sweet options, see page 38.
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Edible Artistry THE BEAUTIES OF GANACHE BY GREG HORTON PHOTOS BY MIR ANDA HODGE
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A N A C H E PA T I S S E R I E C O U L D have been a churrascaria, sort of. Husband-wife chef-owners Matt Ruggi and Laura Szyld were looking to start a restaurant and their Argentinian backgrounds made the meat-centric churrascaria idea the first to come to mind. “I was thinking we needed something like Texas de Brazil in Oklahoma City — and then Texas de Brazil opened, and we were on to the next idea,” Ruggi says. However delicious their meat dishes could have been, we can all celebrate the fact that what they ultimately opened was a patisserie with hand-painted chocolate truffles, classic croissants, pastries and macarons. “We are much more committed to this concept than we ever could have been to a churrascaria,” Ruggi says. “This is our passion; we are committed 24/7, in the shop, talking to customers.” The Chisholm Creek location near Memorial Road and Western Ave., was a bit of a risk at first. Szyld said the center was only about half full when they opened, but they liked it better than some of the other options they considered. “Eventually, though, people came because we are the only thing like this in the city,” she says. “It’s been a process of helping people understand what we are, too, even on things like croissants, which we do in the classical French style. People thought they were burned, but this is what a croissant is, and it should never be reheated; that only ruins the beautiful texture and flakiness.” Both chefs trained in Argentina — where Szyld was born and Ruggi was raised — and France, and their
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Painted chocolates and brightly ice sweets practically burst from the case at Ganache patisserie in Chisholm Creek.
techniques are classic, focused and meticulous. “The chocolates are a three- to four-day process,” Szyld says. “Matt paints them by hand, so it’s a huge time commitment.” The pastry case would be beautiful in any setting, looking very much like colorful, culinary art, but the neutral tones of Ganache’s interior — lean, modern and sharply lined — paired cohesively with the bright colors of the macarons. Painted chocolates and brightly iced sweets practically burst from the case. The only problem you’ll encounter at Ganache is overcoming choice paralysis. “When people ask what they should try first, I tell them you really can’t go wrong,” Szyld says. The menu also includes breakfast and brunch options, and the winter months mean soup options. Ganache is a scratch kitchen, and the two chefs are trained in both savory and sweet. That they make their sandwiches from the beautiful breads they bake
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in-house only helps to point out how much Oklahoma City needs more freshly baked bread options. “We moved here from Connecticut to be near Laura’s parents,” Ruggi says. Her father is a professor at OU Health Sciences Center. “The main cultural difference is how much back East is similar to the Old World. I was born in Italy, and there you can always find fresh bread. I was surprised when I came to Oklahoma that fresh bread was so hard to find.” Many of the sweet items in the case come in two sizes: standard and bite size, which doesn’t necessarily make choosing easier, since most people end up getting a sampler of bites. Full-size cakes are available, including custom cakes with a week’s notice. And by the way, the coffee is exceptional at Ganache, and the menu includes a small wine list, a very continental way to do breakfast or brunch.
Find Ganache at 3230 Pawnee Drive, Suite 114, or call at (405) 286-4068. Look for the menu online at www.ganacheokc.com .
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Mac ‘n’ Cheese to Please GREAT LOCAL TAKES ON A COMFORT CLASSIC BY GREG HORTON
Chef Jeff Holloway’s ode to shells ‘n’ cheese at Boulevard Steakhouse. Photo by Don Risi
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SK PEOPLE W H AT K I N D OF macaroni and cheese they ate growing up and their answer will get you close to their age. The transition from commodity cheese – part of the food allocation that preceded food stamps — to Velveeta to Kraft in a box marks three different generations. In fact, mac ‘n’ cheese is one of those foods, like mashed potatoes or fried chicken, that has the ability to bring us all happily to the table, even if we might quibble about the proper way to make it. As part of the Best Steakhouses this month (see Page 28), we looked at mac ‘n’ cheese from the city’s prime steakhouses, but it didn’t take long to figure out that the best versions of that dish aren’t in the steakhouses. (We understand the risk of saying “best” where something as deeply personal as macaroni and cheese is under consideration.) While Chef Jeff Holloway’s ode to shells ‘n’ cheese at Boulevard Steakhouse (505 S. Boulevard in Edmond) is stellar, the dish at The Hamilton Supperette and Lounge (12232 N. May Ave.) was the favorite. “We were going to go with a radiatore pasta at first,” executive chef-partner Michael Paske says, “but after doing a few pop-ups, people kept telling us they preferred tubes.” Perhaps the tubes go back to the classic elbow macaroni and cheese of our collective childhoods; they were the default pasta for generations of kids, even the weird microwave mac ‘n’ cheese. Paske grew up on “Kraft from the box,” and even admits to liking it a little even now. “It’s nostalgia, absolutely,” he says. “My great-grandmother used to make a house Boursin cheese for her macaroni and cheese, and that’s the inspiration for ours,” he continues. “Old-school Boursin was cream cheese and sour cream, so we’ve modernized ours quite a bit, and we use cavatappi to get the ridges and tubes that hold onto cheese so well.” The Press, at 1610 N. Gatewood Ave. in the Plaza District, uses radiatore pasta for its sharp, tangy mac ‘n’ cheese, which also was a favorite — like the cavatappi, those noodles hold onto a ton of cheese. It also is available with chili or buffalo chicken. However, while delicious, toppings or additions should not be used to judge the base dish. Mahogany (two locations) has lobster mac and cheese. The crispy parmesan bread crumbs on top add a nice texture and the lobster is of course delicious, but the five-cheese blend got lost in all the cream. Chef Shelby Sieg of The Pritchard (1749 NW 16 St.) is a fan of radiatore pasta, too, mainly because of “all the grooves.” “The real challenge of radiatore is not to overcook it,” Sieg says. “It will fall apart quickly. I used Gruyere and fontina at home, but you can use any blend you like to get the flavor you want. There really are no rules.” A pleasant surprise in the taste testing was the baked mac ‘n’ cheese at Carican Flavors, 2701 N. Martin Luther King. The cheese on top overcooks just a little, giving the dish a crunchy, darker flavor on top before you dive into the soft creaminess below. Other standouts included Off the Hook (two locations), Iron Star (3700 N. Shartel Ave.), Nashbird (1 NW 9 St.) and The Mule (1630 N Blackwelder Ave.).
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S PA N I S H R E V I VA L A FAVOR I T E P OR T F OL IO R ETUR NS TO THE METRO BY GREG HORTON
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E G I N N I N G T H I S M O N T H , Jorge Ordonez Selections will be available in Oklahoma again via Thirst Wine Merchants. Ordonez is widely considered one of the world’s best wine professionals, even being named one of the most influential wine personalities of the past 20 years by famed critic Robert Parker. “Ordonez has changed the way Americans perceive and consume Spanish wines,” says Thirst owner Alex Kroblin. “He democratized Spanish wines around the world, making them genuine competitors with Old World wines from France and Italy.” The portfolio has been in the state a few times, creating a demand for the wines from restaurateurs, retailers and customers. “We picked up the portfolio based on demand from customers,” Kroblin says. “Our retailers especially were telling us that the loss of Ordonez had created a void in the market.” One of those retailers is Vance Gregory, owner of Edmond Wine Shop at 1520 S. Boulevard, which Gregory opened in 1973. He’s seen Spanish wines come and go for most of those 46 years, but the uptick in interest beginning in the 1990s was largely due to men like Ordonez and Eric Solomon, another importer, who found great, affordable wines from small producers. “It’s not just about value, even though the wines are very affordable for the quality,” says Gregory. “These are tremendous wines with tons of personality and character. Protocolo was a great brand for us,
Ordonez has changed the way Americans perceive and consume Spanish wines.
especially the red, and it was frustrating that we could never keep it in stock because the portfolio kept getting dropped.” Spanish varietals were once mysterious to typical wine consumers, and American drinkers, conditioned to look for varietals rather than regions or houses, struggled at first to put a flavor to names such as Albarino, Monastrell, Rueda and Tempranillo. Cava, a sparkling wine that competes well with lower-tier Champagne for half the price, helped the cause, especially including Vega Barcelona and Mercat, which have been poured by the glass around the metro for a decade. For the reds and whites, the price points – usually under $20 – made the unfamiliar names worth the risk, and they’ve slowly gained traction in U.S. markets, including Oklahoma. We asked Gregory for a few recommendations for current selections, as well as the new Ordonez stuff. In addition to the Protocolo, red and white, he said to look for Galerna Garnacha, Vina Jaraba Crianza and Finca La Mata. The Jaraba and La Mata are available by the glass at the Hutch (6437 Avondale Drive. ) and Picasso Café (3009 Paseo Drive).
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D I N I N G
L O C A L
F L AV O R
Restaurant Guide These listings are not related to advertising
Picasso Café Their neighbors in the Paseo
coffee as well as pie, live music, a cozy, trendy vibe
T, An Urban Teahouse Proving that an
in 405 Magazine. If you find that a restau-
are painters and sculptors, so it’s apt that creativity
and more. Park around back and take a peek. 727
establishment’s focus can be at once narrow and
abounds in this laid-back spot’s menu, including
NW 23rd, OKC, 528.2122 $
broad, these retreats offer over 100 varieties and
rant differs significantly from the information in its listing or your favorite restaurant is missing from the list, please let us know.
plentiful selections for vegetarians. 3009 Paseo,
Email steve.gill@405magazine.com
OKC, 602.2002 $
expert counsel to explore a world of possibili-teas. La Baguette Comfortable ambience and exquisite baking make a tres chic destination
SYMBOLS
Scratch Isn’t that the best place for food to
for brunch and beyond. 1130 Rambling Oaks,
$$ MOST ENTREES $10 TO $25
come from? Top-of -the-line ingredients are com-
Norman, 329.1101; 2100 W Main, Norman,
$$$ MOST ENTREES OVER $25
bined into carefully concocted entrees, sides and
329.5822 $
$ MOST ENTREES UNDER $10
wondrous craft cocktails. 132 W Main, Norman, 801.2900 $$
B A RBEC UE
519 NW 23rd, OKC $
C O N T INEN TA L Cheever’s Southwestern-influenced recipes (the chicken-fried steak is a house specialty) and love of seafood drive the contemporary comfort food in one of the city’s
A MERICA N
Vast Keeping your attention on the elegant
Iron Star Urban Barbeque Iron Star
finest dining destinations. 2409 N Hudson,
cuisine might be difficult; the view from atop the
specializes in “a unique and tasty spin on comfort
OKC, 525.7007 $$
Eddie’s Bar & Grill This stylish spot is
Devon Tower is truly unparalleled in Oklahoma,
food.” While its entrees are excellent, the sides
equally ideal for a casual drink, appetizers while
making this a fantastic date spot. 280 W Sheridan,
here are equal players as well. 3700 N Shartel,
Ludivine The menu adjusts constantly
watching the game or a dinner date. And the wings
49th floor, OKC, 702.7262 $$$
OKC, 524.5925 $$
to reflect availability of elite-quality, locally
are outstanding. 930 E 2, Edmond, 285.7725 $$
A SI A N
The Hamilton Tucked into Northpark Mall,
sourced ingredients - but every dish is the result Leo’s Bar-B-Q Rich flavor and tender tex-
of genuine culinary artistry. 805 N Hudson,
ture, delivered with authenticity for commendable
OKC, 778.6800 $$$
this Okie-centric supper club features upscale
Goro An “izakaya” is a Japanese pub, like this
value – no wonder its ribs and brisket are favorites
casual dining with regional favorites like bison
cheerful Plaza District spot for expertly crafted
among Oklahoma connoisseurs. 3631 N Kelley,
The Metro A perennial favorite that feels
tartare, quail and steaks, as well as an excellent
ramen, yakitori, bar snacks and more. 1634 Black-
OKC 424.5367 $
comfortably upscale, the far-reaching menu covers
wine list and creative cocktails. 12232 N. May,
welder, OKC, 606.2539 $
OKC, 849.5115 $$$ Gun Izakaya A Paseo District hot spot, Gun
BURG ERS & S A ND W ICHES
culinary high points from vichyssoise to crème brulée. 6418 N Western, OKC, 840.9463 $$
FREN CH
The Hutch On Avondale The all-time
features yakitori and yakimono, as well as dump-
classic Coach House receives an update with a
lings, gyoza, hot chicken and regular fish features.
The Mule Solid beer and beverage selection
more modern menu and a full suite of tempting
The catfish is stellar, and the whiskey highball will
plus a delectable array of gourmet grilled cheeses
Cafe Cuvee A classic French bistro in the
cocktails, wines and spirits. 6437 Avondale, OKC,
bring you back for cocktail hour. 3000 Paseo, OKC,
and melts; this relaxation destination in the Plaza
Ambassador Hotel, serving breakfast, lunch,
842.1000 $$
900-6615 $$
District stays popular. 1630 N Blackwelder, OKC,
dinner and brunch. Choose from fresh oysters,
601.1400 $
beef Bourguignon, Dover sole, escargots, and
The Jones Assembly It’s a spectacular
Tana Thai There’s a lot to like about the food
concert venue, but the bar and main menu are
in this little spot, from red snapper filet to pad thai.
New State Burgers A small, focused
sufficient to make memories on any occasion. 901
Pay special mind to the varied soups, and do not
menu with burgers and a few sandwiches and
W Sheridan, OKC, 212.2378 $$
play chicken with the spice level. 10700 N May,
sides in a burger joint that understands the most
La Baguette Bistro Les Freres Buthion
OKC, 749.5590 $$
important thing is the burger. Sneaky good
have deep roots in the city’s culinary landscape,
whiskey list, local beers, and thoughtfully crafted
and this flagship combines fine dining with a great bakery, deli and butcher on site. 7408 N May,
Kitchen No. 324 A seasonally inspired
delicious French desserts. 1200 N. Walker, OKC, 600.6200 $$
café and craft bakery serving rustic American
Tokyo It’s neither huge nor lavishly appointed,
cocktails round out a great meal. 1705 NW 16th,
cuisine for lunch and dinner. It’s a thorough
and the menu focuses on tradition rather than cre-
Ste. A, OKC, 724-7524 $$
OKC, 840.3047 $$
treat for breakfast or brunch. 324 N Robinson,
ativity; but it’s palpably fresh and routinely cited
OKC, 763.5911 $
as among the metro’s best sushi. 7516 N Western,
C O FFEE & T E A
G ERM A N
OKC, 848.6733 $$ Nashbird Make tracks to this Nashville-style
Clarity Coffee The space is crisp, cool and
Das Boot Camp Longtime Deutsch fixture
“Hot Dang!” chicken, with adjustable spice
Yummy Noodles Szechuan noodle house
comfortable – including seating for sipping or
Royal Bavaria brews up exceptional cuisine and
level. Speedy service, cocktails and a spectac-
with outstanding pork soup dumplings, Szechuan
getting some work done – and the brewers have
magnificent beer in a less expensive, faster-paced
ular patio add extra savor. 1 NW 9th, OKC,
beef, spicy pork and some very authentic dishes
their beverages down to a science. 431 W Main,
location in downtown Norman. 229 E Main,
388.0033 $
for the more adventurous eaters. 1630 NW 23rd,
OKC, 252.0155 $
Norman, 701.3748 $
Elemental Coffee Seriously spectacular
Royal Bavaria Superb takes on traditional
coffee roasted in-house, augmented with locally
dishes like Weinerschnitzel, Jagerbraten and
sourced salads, breakfast options and other vege-
sausages, plus fantastisch house-brewed beers. The time spent is a worthy investment. 3401 S Sooner, Moore, 799.7666 $$$
Ste. D, OKC, 604.4880 $$ Neighborhood Jam Serving tasty takes on classic American dishes and more specialized
B A K ERY
options, this breakfast-centric spot aims to become a community favorite. 15124 Lleytons Court,
CUPPIES & JOE The name is only part of
tarian and vegan friendly treats and entrees. 815 N
Edmond, 242.4161 $
the story: the Uptown nook holds cupcakes and
Hudson, OKC, 633.1703 $
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Barramundi fillets with pumpkin gnocchi and rich tomato-cinnamon sauce at left with baked chevre, center, with olives, peppers, garlic and bacon from Black Walnut in Deep Deuce.
IND I A N
Victoria’s A relaxed atmosphere for enjoying
on nearly everything, including flank steak,
brunch menu – and spice up your life. 3005 S
superb pasta – the chicken lasagna and linguine
morcilla, arroz con pollo and patacones. 7220 S
Broadway, Edmond, 285.0911 $$
Misal Of India A Norman institution for over
with snow crab are especially excellent. 215 E.
Western, OKC, 602.6497 $$
30 years, specializing in tandoori-cooked delica-
Main, Norman, 329.0377; 3000 SW 104th, OKC,
cies and boasting healthy, natural, delicious cuisine
759.3580 $
served. 580 Ed Noble Pkwy, Norman, 579.5600 $$ Sheesh Mahal While billed as a combina-
MED I T ERR A NE A N & A FRICA N
tion of Pakistani and Indian cuisine, the menu will be familiar to fans of Indian food, with butter
Mediterranean Imports & Deli The
chicken, delicious curries, basmati rice, and fresh
menu is stocked with authentic, quick and
naan. You won’t find a buffet in the building, but
savory options, and there’s even a mini-grocery
you get complementary tea with every meal. 4621
stocked with select staples. 5620 N May, OKC,
N. May, OKC, 778.8469 $$
810.9494 $
Florence’s For more than 60 years, this eastHacienda Tacos Quality, of both
side eatery has been serving crispy fried chicken,
ingredients and execution, and variety make this
hearty meatloaf, tangy greens, and all the country
restaurant in Northpark a pleasure to visit, and to
cooking associated with soul food. Don’t leave
explore the menu again and again. 12086 N May,
without trying the pear pie. 1437 NE 23rd, OKC,
OKC, 254.3140 $
427.3663 $$
PL A N T B A SED & V EG E TA RI A N
ST E A K HO USE Boulevard Steakhouse Perfectly
Plant The Midtown restaurant features
soigné ambiance down to the last detail and
beautiful, creative vegan cuisine--including ice
cuisine easily in the metro’s elite – a sumptuous,
Queen Of Sheba Practically the definitive
cream--for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Food
if pricy, masterpiece. 505 S Boulevard, Edmond,
example of a hidden treasure, the spicy, veg-
is fresh, smoothies are made without ice, and
715.2333 $$$
Hideaway Pizza If you’ve been serving a
an-friendly menu of Ethiopian delights awaits the
flavor is the focus. A small selection of beer and
devoted following for over half a century, you’re
bold. Bring friends and be prepared to linger. 2308
wine is also available. 1120 N. Walker, OKC,
Cattlemen’s Almost as old as the state
doing something right. In this case, that’s incredi-
N MacArthur, OKC, 606.8616 $$
225.1314 $$
itself, this Oklahoma institution’s immense
ME X ICA N & L AT IN A MERICA N
SE A F O O D
I TA L I A N & PIZ Z A
ble pizza in jovial surroundings. 8 metro locations, hideawaypizza.com $$ Pizzeria Gusto Neapolitan-style pizza
corn-fed steaks and matchless atmosphere are history served anew every day. 1309 S Agnew, OKC, 236.0416 $$
The Drake The Good Egg Group’s flagship
(which uses an extremely hot fire to quickly cook
Café Kacao A sunlit space filled with
and a standard-bearer for diners who crave excel-
Mahogany Prime Steakhouse The
superfine flour crusts) stars alongside Italy-in-
bright, vibrant flavors from the zesty traditions of
lent seafood, it serves chef’s creations featuring
ambiance and service are sublime, but fine aged
spired entrees, pastas and appetizers. 2415 N
Guatemala. Lunch possibilities beckon, but it’s
the sea’s finest, plus an oyster bar and tempting
steak broiled to perfection is the star. 3241 W
Walker, OKC, 437.4992 $$
the breakfast specialties that truly dazzle. 3325 N
cocktails. 519 NW 23rd, OKC $$$
Memorial, OKC, 748.5959; 100 W Main, OKC,
Classen, OKC, 602.2883 $ Stella A luscious spate of legitimately Italian
S O UL F O O D
tastes for a casual lunch, or romantic dinner,
EL FOGON DE EDGAR Colombian food
amid stylish scenery. The weekend brunch
made from family recipes is the heart of this
Brent’s Cajun Sit down to a massive platter
offerings are especially superb. 1201 N Walker,
hidden gem. A bowl of aji verde accompanies
of jambalaya, crawfish etouffee or any of the
OKC, 235.2200 $$
every meal and it should be ladled liberally
well-seasoned temptations on the weekend
208.8800 $$$
405MAGAZINE.COM
For more, visit 405magazine.com/Eat-Drink
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(4 0 5 ) 6 07-1 1 9 9 | 6 4 1 1 AVO N DA L E D R I V E N I C H O L S H I L L S O K 7 3 1 1 6 | W W W.W I N T E R H O U S E I N T E R I O R S.C O M
Home
Entertaining 101
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At Home With
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Design
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Fresh Start Our “New Year, New Us� gathering includes fresh and fragrant garland paired with turmeric latte and healthy menu items. Page 46. Photo by Rachel Maucieri
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Left: Fresh garland of rosemary, seeded eucalyptus, pears, English ivy and chocolate lace provides a low arrangement that smells delicious and adds whimsy to a healthful gathering. Below: Give self-care items as parting gifts to inspire your guests to be good to themselves.
Celebrate New Beginnings THINKING OF OTHERS AND OF OURSELVES BY SAR A G AE WATERS | PHOTOS BY R ACHEL MAUCIERI
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ITH TH E R I NGI NG I N OF 2020, OU R attention is drawn into talk of a new year, fresh starts, new you. Many of us set goals for taking better care of ourselves, but the focus can quickly become myopic. Don’t get me wrong: Resolving to take better care of yourself is important and necessary and a new year is an appropriate time to look inward and make those commitments to a better you. However, looking outside ourselves also is a worthy endeavor. And while “entertaining” might not be your first thought when thinking of others or self-care, I consider it the perfect platform. At its heart, entertaining should be all about those you are hosting. Those we gather to seat around our table for a meal, or in our
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living room to share a drink, or whatever kind of event you are hosting – it’s your guests that you are caring for. For this month and in the spirit of self-care and new beginnings, we formed a beautiful partnership with Chelsey Ann at Salt and Water, 629 W. Sheridan Ave., for a “New Year/New Us” gathering. Wares by Craig Proper Home Goods were laid, and a fresh garland of rosemary, seeded eucalyptus, pears, English ivy and chocolate lace provided a low arrangement that not only smelled delicious, but added a bit of whimsy to the table. Pair all of that with a golden turmeric latte and a healthy menu, and now you are not just hosting your guests, you’re taking good care of them. Lastly, think about giving self-care items as parting gifts to send your guests armed and inspired to be good to themselves as they embark on a new year.
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At Home with Sara Kate and Jason Little BY SAR A G AE WATERS PHOTOS BY R ACHEL MAUCIERI
S A R A K A T E A N D J A S O N L I T T L E find treasure in life’s one-offs. Whether it’s an old building or an heirloom or lunch in an undiscovered bistro, the Littles love anything with a story. It’s a passion that’s reflected in their work. Sara Kate operates Sara Kate Studios, specializing in collected residential and commercial interior design projects, while Jason serves as first vice president for CBRE commercial real estate and acts as the local Investment Properties team lead. The couple founded Nostalgia Shoppe together two years ago as a way to launch development and design projects together. 405 Magazine recently sat down with the couple to talk about their projects and what inspires them. 405: How do the two of you complement each other in working together on projects? SARA KATE: I adore color, patina and would definitely consider myself a collector, meanwhile Jason is very practical and is drawn to the very simple and classic. JASON: I am not a natural-born delegator and am typically reluctant to relinquish responsibility for a lot of tasks which means I can easily become the bottleneck on a team. But in working together with Sara, our skill sets and core competencies … are so naturally delineated that I don’t feel like we really ever get in each other’s way or impede the progress of the other. 405: What icon, designer, artisan inspires each of you? SARA KATE: The designers I’m drawn to are very comfortable mixing and matching different eras, price points, colors and style. I’m very inspired by Rita Konig, Thomas O’Brien, and Ilse Crawford. All completely different styles but a unifying love for creating a welcoming space with the same design principles. JASON: I don’t have very many individual design heroes but am most consistently drawn to and fascinated by products that are beautifully designed and of the highest quality but are at the same time innately functional. For example, I would love to find a reason to own a Swedish porcelain-tiled wood-burning stove, first designed in the late seventeenth century and used throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries to heat mansions and manor homes throughout Scandinavia.
405: Tell our readers about your Bradford House project and what your vision is for the location.
hands from across the globe or been produced for the project with local craftsmen we know and love.
SARA KATE: We had loved the building and saw so much potential for it. It has this feeling to the place that really lends itself to gathering and lingering. We had wanted to do this project together and the building made sense to us in a way that no other building had ... Everything in the house has been gathered with our
JASON: Bradford House will be Oklahoma City’s only independent boutique hotel … The hotel will be a 36-room hidden gem, housed within a former luxury apartment building … Our vision for Bradford House is to redefine what local hospitality can be through transformative design and unparalleled service.
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Mathis’s gallery wall is a compelling mix of texture and shape, but he keeps it from overwhelming the eye by strictly editing for color. Simple frames allow the emphasis to remain on their contents, many of which are highly collectible yard-long photos from the early 1900s.
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L
E S S I S M O R E . We’ve all heard that old saw, first popularized by minimalist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and spouted today by the diabolical Maire Kondo and her ilk. Minimalism, for the past decade or so, had staged a stark takeover of the interior design world, holding it firmly hostage in a pale gray room devoid of draperies, crown molding or coziness. For years the movement’s popularity seemed to know no bounds, but sure enough, a jubilant rebellion is brewing, and not a moment too soon. Of course pockets of rebellious maximalism have held steady during this bleak period, reveling in piles of toss pillows scattered across sofas upholstered in redolent pattern mixes. Daniel Mathis, whose home is a feast for the senses, thankfully never gave minimalism more than a passing glance, though he did tap the brakes, as far as collecting goes, during law school at Ole Miss. “I dabbled in minimalism years ago,” Mathis says. “I appreciate it, but for me it was a constant fight, so I gave in. You have to just give in and do your thing.” Mathis’s thing is exuberant collections of beautifully-curated flea market and antique shop finds. Collections. His downtown Oklahoma City apartment, in the historic Montgomery building, is a treasure trove. It’s been featured in national magazines, and is an ever-evolving work of art. “I think I got the collecting gene from my Gram, my mother’s mother, Billie Grisham,” Mathis says. “She’s 88. We’d go to garage sales, antique shops and vintage stores, and she’d say ‘well, if they’re just giving it away…’” He’s pretty confident that the urge to collect and curate is genetic, and he may be right. “My first collection was key rings, and rocks. This was in second grade. With my rock collection, I kept them on some shelves in my closet, because that’s where I was allowed to have them. That’s where my love of taking lots of small Above: Daniel Mathis, at home in front of his collection of museum-mounted moths and butterflies, which he found at Britton Street Antique Mall and bought over the course of three trips. They are all from a single source, and they are all former residents of Oklahoma. Below: Mathis’s terrific eye for composition is perhaps best evidenced in the guest bedroom. Turtle shells look as elegant as porcelain punctuating a beautifully proportioned arrangement of antique portraits. Their placement above the bed lends the impression of a formal headboard. Strong, graphic bedding in neutral tones completes the room.
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Rich wood tones and brunt orange accents are found through-
This technique of his,
out the home, which add cohesiveness and calm to the space. In the far corner, evidence of Mathis’s genius: vintage yard sticks have been affixed in rows, creating pieces of abstract
this excellent eye for the
art. Balanced groupings of antler trophies anchor the narrow walls between the apartment’s massive windows.
large-scale assemblage, makes his apartment a work of art.
things which on their own are mundane and grouping them together to make a statement.” This technique of his, this excellent eye for the large-scale assemblage, that makes his apartment a work of art. Its high ceilings only make his canvas larger, allowing his creativity to soar. It’s a far cry from his day job. Mathis is an oil and gas attorney for a large energy company downtown. “I don’t have any design training, but it’s my creative outlet. My fun. My job is very demanding and I am a right-brained person, so I need this.” Without his ability to edit and group, his collections would overwhelm the eye. “You have to create groupings of like items. If my pottery was spread around the apartment, you wouldn’t know where to look,” he says. “I like balance, not symmetry. I try to create balance in my displays, in the rooms and throughout the whole apartment.”
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H E A LT H
It’s All in the Genes MEDICAL ADVANCES IN CUSTOM CARE BY LILLIE-BE TH SANGER BRINKMAN
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E N E T I C S I S T R A N S F O R M I N G T H E WA Y W E live beyond DNA searches for family trees. Gene testing also can determine which medicines will work for you and which won’t and explain why you have side effects to certain medications. Patrick Gaffney, M.D., member and program chair of the Genes and Human Disease Research Program at Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, said the future of genetics lies in precision medicine where doctors determine the best medications based on a person’s genetics or develop medicines tailored to specific genes. This field of study is called pharmacogenetics. “I think the ability for us to diagnose rare diseases (through genetics) has been an amazing thing that’s happened in the last 10 years. That’s been an astonishing thing to watch,” said Gaffney, whose focus is children with rare diseases. Pharmacogenetics is a viable steppingstone for what lies ahead for precision medicine as doctors and scientists try to understand why a patient has a disease, predict its course or develop medicines to fight it, he said. Out of the lab and in clinical practice, Susan Dimick, M.D., a clinical lipidologist in Edmond, uses genetic testing in her practice to determine which medications will work best for patients to treat, prevent and reverse heart disease. “Virtually all lipid disorders are associated with genetics,” Dimick said. Lipids are the fats in your bloodstream and affect cholesterol, triglycerides and more; lipid disorders include heart disease and attacks and strokes. She has spent her professional life working to lower patients’ risks of chronic diseases and is one of six board-certified clinical lipidologists in the state. Dimick considers lipid genetics a key part of her practice “because we are talking about a disease that is affected by lifestyle only a little and is primarily associated with underlying genes,” she said. The pharmacogentics testing that Dimick offers at her Oklahoma Early Detection Center, maps patients’ genes and tests them against about 350 prescribed medications. These tests can give patients gene-specific recommendations for types of medications, dosage amounts and drug interactions and tell them what risk they have for developing certain diseases.
Dimick tells people to take the results and put them in their safe deposit boxes because their genes will never change but the medicines will. “In some ways, it’s a one-time blood test that lasts the rest of their life,” she said. Dimick recommends DNA testing for people with a family history of heart diseases and with medication sensitivities. She also recommends cascade testing of family members with heart diseases — including screening children — in order to know how to prevent them based on their genes. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Lipid Association now recommends that children between 9 and 11 get their cholesterol checked. “What I would really love for people to know is that it’s a preventable disease. You don’t have to develop hardening of the arteries,” Dimick said of heart disease. “It doesn’t have to happen, and it is a preventable problem if people will be proactive, look at what their real risks are and then do something about those risks.”
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Ask the Expert: Health & Wellness
Janelle Wagner APRN, C-NP Aesthetic Medicine What do you love about what you do? You are helping patients to be happy and to feel good about themselves. You can make it look very natural where they still look like themselves, just a better version of themselves. I want people to know that we have a lot of staff here with a lot of years of experience, which is what sets us apart. And I train for Allergan, which is the maker of Botox and Juvederm fillers. I train doctors and nurses in the state of Oklahoma.
What type of services do you perform? We offer all types of neurotoxins, like Botox, Dysport and Jeuveau. Neurotoxins help with the lines and wrinkles we get from movement. It is an injection, with a really tiny needle. It’s not instant, it takes seven to 10 days for final results. They help soften the lines. We do all dermal fillers, which are used to replace volume that we lose with age. Fillers last one to two years. Those results are instant. These can be done anywhere on the face. We have the CoolTone machine for toning, firming and strengthening the muscles. You can do the abdomen, buttocks and thighs. You get four treatments over two weeks. Basically it builds the muscles without having to work out. The HALO is a hybrid laser that does two layers at the same time. It helps with pigmentation and brown spots and redness, also lines, wrinkles, texture and pores. It is good for all skin types, and helps tighten the skin by stimulating collagen. BroadBand Light treatments are good for acne and pigmentation and are good for anti-aging, sun damage, wrinkles, texture and pores. The vampire facial is micro-needling with PRP, which is platelet-rich plasma. It helps stimulate collagen. We also do thread lifts, which help lift the skin and stimulate collagen. Kybella is an injection for under the chin. It kills the fat and does skin tightening in that area. People do two to four treatments spaced about every six weeks. That one is permanent. We also inject PRP into the scalp, and that helps with hair thinning or loss.
What is a YLift and who can benefit most from it? As we age, we lose bone, which causes the facial sagging. We want to replace the volume. We do it with fillers but we use a special technique. We use a special instrument that’s made out of titanium. It lifts the cheeks, the jaw and the chin. By lifting all these, it helps pull up the jowls and the neck. It’s not invasive. Results are instant, and it takes about an hour. Results last about two years.
Are Botox and fillers good for someone with just a few creases or lines or can it work for those who need a little more work on their faces? You can use it for anybody, because you make the patient plan specific for the patient, and everybody is individualized. Some people do it for prevention and some people do it for actual correction.
Are any of the treatments painful? We make it as comfortable as possible by using topical numbing, ice and Pro-Nox, which is patient-controlled laughing gas. It helps patients relax if you are doing a painful procedure.
Do you have patients from all walks of life, or are these high-end services? You work within the patient’s budget*. We have people from all walks of life. We have all sorts of ranges of services. The millennials get baby doses of neurotoxins so it doesn’t cost that much. They are doing it as preventatives. I do a free consultation and then do a treatment plan, and recommend the services that are best for the patients. *CareCredit Financing Available
What about CoolSculpting, how does it work? CoolSculpting is nonsurgical fat removal and body contouring. It freezes the fat and kills the fat cells permanently. There are no needles, no injections. It’s FDA-approved for the chin, stomach, back fat, muffin tops, inner and outer thighs, banana roll, knees and bra fat. It takes three or four months to see your final results.
13301 N. MERIDIAN STE 300A OKC , OKL AHOMA 73120 (405) 8 49-5391
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Ask the Expert: Health & Wellness
Dr. Noel Williams Hormone Replacement Therapy What are the benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy? It decreases inflammation, improves brain function and decreases the risk of age related illness. It can also make you feel younger and happier.
Who should, and should not have HRT? Anyone who doesn’t feel optimal as long as the person doesn’t have an underlying medical condition that prevents him or her from taking it, which is something a qualified healthcare provider should be able to determine. Patients who have had recent vascular events, suffered a heart attack, or had some reproductive-tract cancers should avoid it.
How should HRT be taken? It depends on which hormone you’re talking about. For the most part, hormones need to be naturally based, meaning they come from plants and match what the patient’s own hormones were. An exact match to what the body made. The most common way for it to be administered are topicals, subcutaneous pellets and injections.
What’s the difference between synthetic hormones and bioidentical hormones? Synthetic hormones don’t match what the human body made, so they have a much higher rate of side effects and risk. Those can include breast cancer and vascular events. Bioidentical hormones are like what your body would produce and can be obtained at pharmacies and are FDA approved. In some cases, they can be compounded specifically for individual patients.
What should people look for in a hormone specialist? The specialist should have years of experience and have completed more training than a simple weekend course, which tends to be the norm. Often hormone treatment is offered as an ancillary or side service. It’s best to look for someone who specializes in hormone treatment as a primary element of his or her practice and has on-staff clinicians that have had adequate training.
9800 BROADWAY E X T. STE 200 OKC , OKL AHOMA 7311 4 (405) 7 15-4 496
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Ask the Expert: Health & Wellness
Dr. Martha Tarpay Allergy and Immunology
What is new in the immunodeficiency area? One of the most common form of immunodeficiency is common variable immunodeficiency or CVID. It is a highly manageable with either intravenous or subcutaneous replacement therapy. Now genetic testing is becoming more common for these diseases. It will be very helpful in identifying patients who need more aggressive treatment like bone marrow transplantation. The diagnosis of immunodeficiency is often delayed for years. New diagnostic tools are helpful in detecting these diseases earlier.
What are the exciting accomplishments in the area of allergy and immunology? We are much more aggressive with food allergy. We test high risk infants earlier and start desensitization at a much younger age. Different protocols are available now that provide precision medicine or patient tailored treatment. We have some relatively new diseases, like mast cell disease and allergic esophagitis with new diagnostic tools as well as new treatment modalities.
What excites you most about medicine? We have made so much progress. We have very effective new medications for some of the old diseases like asthma and hay fever. We are recognizing causes and finding treatments for diseases that in the past we called idiopathic. I feel very strongly about teaching our patients. We need to empower them to understand their diseases and get actively involved in their treatment decision-making. I am convinced that our lifestyle has a major role in our well-being, emphasizing exercise, diet, sleep, and meditation. My goal is to help both pediatric and adult patients to live a very healthy and productive life and to work on prevention so treatment is not necessary.
What motivates you to keep practicing when you could have the option of retiring? Practicing medicine is very exciting with all the new therapeutic modalities that can help both pediatric and adult patients. I would like to continue practicing as long as my health allows and I am able to provide the most up to date treatments for my patients of any age.
What is new in asthma treatment? In addition to having new combined inhalers that address most aspects of the disease, we have now five biologics for severe asthma. I feel that severe asthma is probably going to disappear because of these new treatments.
What are biologics? They are new medications that suppress or activate components of the immune system. They are for the treatment of numerous diseases and conditions and are the most advanced therapies available.
Are biologics used in other allergic diseases? Currently, we have a biologic that is approved and several in the pipelines for the treatment of eczema or atopic dermatitis. These medications are life-changing for the majority of our patients with severe disease. We also have biologics for nasal polyps.
4200 W. MEMORIAL RD. STE 206 OKC , OKL AHOMA 73120 (405) 752-0393
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Out & About
Road Trip
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Speakerbox
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Prime Picks
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Events
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Social Hour
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Travel
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Ancient Odyssey Bursts of color, gardens and noodle shops line Idyllic canals in Suzhou, China, often called the Venice of the East. Page 66
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‘ You are what you eat.’ PHOTOS AND TE X T BY EL AINE WARNER
IT’S AN OLD ADAGE that I embrace wholeheartedly. As I’ve traveled around the country, I’ve had the opportunity to take numerous cooking classes, which not only introduced me to cultural fl avors, but added to my culinary repertoire. And those local gastronomic delights, like my travels, have become a part of me. Consider the following classes in your travels, inspired by home-grown specialties.
BR ANSON, MISSOURI Among Silver Dollar City’s many attractions are fun rides, entertainment, great crafts, a variety of foods, a cave, and the Culinary and Craft School. Based in a butter-yellow, farmhouse-style building with a huge, front porch, visitors open the door to smell the aromas of home-cooking. Led by Master of Culinary Arts Debbie Dance Uhrig and a cadre of cooks, each hour-long demonstration takes you step-by-step through dishes ranging from savory cornbread waffles with sausage chili, cinnamon rolls, barbecuein-a-bag, and sheet-pan fajitas, to special desserts like chocolate pecan pie. One of the most popular recipes is succotash – a Southern favorite dating back to the time of the pilgrims.
MYRTLE BE ACH, SOU TH C AROLINA With so many things to do in
ON WISCONSIN
this area, it’s easy to overlook a
If you’ve read many of my articles,
real treasure – the International
you’ll notice I love Wisconsin. Cheese
Culinary Institute at Hor-
and beer – can it get better? Yes!
ry-Georgetown Technical College.
Here are two more cooking schools –
Like Frances-Tuttle here in central
both of these are hands-on classes.
Oklahoma, the school’s culinary
In Ellison Bay, Savory Spoon
arts program also provides short
Cooking School’s home is an 1879
courses for the public.
schoolhouse, refurbished and
I lucked into a class on shrimp
furnished with the latest in kitchen
and grits. Who knew there were
equipment. Classes run from mid-
so many varieties of the ground
June through the end of October. Also
corn goody?
check out the culinary tours –
In his demonstration, Chef
www.savoryspoon.com.
William Twaler prepared five
I’ve been to L’ecole de la Maison
different shrimp dishes to
at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake
FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS
accompany the grits: shrimp,
twice. The first time I took a French
Fredericksburg, in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, is noted for
sausage and mushrooms in a
pastry class. This year, it was cast-
its unique German heritage, wineries and for the proliferation of
brown gravy; shrimp with country
iron cooking.
peaches available in the area. One of the town’s coolest companies is
ham and garlic; shrimp with bell
Fischer & Wieser Specialty Foods.
peppers, onion and tomatoes;
The business, besides growing peaches, produces 170-plus sauces, jams, jellies and other gourmet food items. And it has the
poached shrimp with fine herbs; and shrimp and brisket gravy.
Culinary Adventure Cooking School. Two- to three-hour classes are scheduled regularly with prices running between $65 and $100. Primarily demonstration, classes feature multi-course meals with wine pairings. One of its most popular classes is the Hill Country German Feast featuring heritage foods like rotkohl, jagerschnitzel, and käsespätzle.
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The 405 has cooking classes, too – my experience has been at Francis Tutt le. Even if you’re not traveling, you can have a taste of far-off food favorites in your own kitchen.
TA O S S K I VA L L E Y
THE WORLD’S FIRST B CORP SKI RESORT B Corp means our business is a force for good. A way to create change that benefits the people and the environment in our community and the planet. It’s a call to action for a sustainable future. It’s motivation to create a ski experience that will inspire our youngest guests to love winter. Because, one day, it will be theirs to protect. Come ski the change with your family.
1.800.776.1111 | SKITAOS.COM
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S P E A K E R B OX
MELLOW FELLOW RICHARD MARX EARNS INCENDIARY REPUTATION ON TWITTER BY GEORGE L ANG
F
R. Marx (on) the Spot
E W A RT ISTS C A N BOA ST having three Eagles performing on their first single, but Richard Marx had connections. Following a childhood in which he sang on jingles penned by his father, jazz pianist and advertising composer Dick Marx, Richard Marx got his demo heard by Lionel Richie, who advised the teenager to move from Chicago to Los Angeles after high school. Four years later, Marx hit the Billboard Top 10 with “Don’t Mean Nothing,” featuring lead guitar by Joe Walsh and backup vocals by two Eagles bassists, Randy Meisner and Timothy B. Schmit. Marx enjoyed his imperial era in the late-1980s and early 1990s, when he charted consistently in the Top 10 with songs like “Endless Summer Nights,” “Should Have Known Better,” “Right Here Waiting” and “Now and Forever.” But even when his solo fortunes waned in subsequent decades, Marx penned massive hits for NSYNC and Luther Vandross. Now Richard Marx is again garnering public attention with new music and a new cause.
In addition to his February 2020 release “Limitless,” the veteran performer is reengaging with his fans on social media as one of the great “bon vivants” of the Resistance. While advocating for vegan diets and opining about music law, the man who wrote the words, “Wherever you go, whatever you do/ I’ll still be right here waiting for you” also wrote “Oh, for f--- sake, Stephen Miller’s “affinity” for White Nationalism was revealed by every word out of his disgusting, racist mouth.” Yes, these days, Marx is a soft rocker with a hard stance.
Marx will perform a solo acoustic show 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23 St. Tickets are $43-$63. Visit towertheatreokc.com for info.
N E W
R E L E A S E S
Harry Styles
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Fine Line
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
A concept album about social constructs like gender identity, Styles reportedly spent much of his downtime in the studio listening to Paul McCartney’s Ram, possibly to understand how one makes a second solo album under impossibly high expectations.
Reznor and Ross’ new music for Watchmen creates the perfect level of tension for this new iteration of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ multilayered alternative history, offering he perfect background music for dystopian times.
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Watchmen: Volumes 1-3, Music from the HBO Series
P R I M E
P I C K S
WHY NOT? COMEDY SHOW
MINIMALISM IN A NEW WORLD
Demetrius Deason and Russell Westbrook were childhood friends in Los Angeles, but unlike the future NBA superstar, Deason wasn’t destined to be a ball player. Adversity in his life, including an injury, kept him from succeeding at his beloved sport. Instead, he used the adversity to create material for stand-up comedy, and he thrived in L.A. In 2014, Westbrook invited his old friend to Oklahoma City, and they launched the Why Not? Comedy Show. Deason fell in love with OKC, and even with Russ’s departure to Houston, Deason is still committed to Oklahoma. A pop-up show in Tulsa in July last year coincided with the night Westbrook learned he was being traded, and this month’s show at Tower Theatre will occur the night after Russ returns to face the Thunder in Chesapeake Arena for the first time. Ordinarily, Why Not? features Deason as emcee, but this year, he’ll be performing a whole set, and OKC hip hop artist Jabee will take over as emcee to introduce the local and national talent onstage. 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 10.
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic is combining three very different approaches to classical music in one concert with “Minimalism in a New World.” The program draws on the works of Frank Zappa, Philip Glass and Antonin Dvorak. Zappa is best known for his profane and ribald lyrical compositions, but the instrumental “Dog Breath Variations” is one piece of a larger musical project called “Uncle Meat” for the Mothers of Invention. It was originally composed for woodwinds and a rock band. Jennifer Koh, who has played with the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonic, among others, will be the featured violinist on Philip Glass’s Violin Concerto No. 1, and the concert will conclude with Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88. 8 p.m. Jan. 11, Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave.
LEGENDS OF DIXIELAND Emmy and Grammy-nominated trumpeter David B. Hooten is bringing his “Legends of Dixieland” jazz program to Armstrong Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16, 14400 S Bryant Rd B, Edmond. Hooten’s professional credentials include playing the White House twice and a private audience with Pope John Paul II. The program is staged as a New Orleans funeral, with Hooten and his band performing gospel and jazz standards like “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
The Who
FKA Twigs
The Free Nationals
The band’s 12th studio album and first in 13 years, Who is possibly the most Who-like album since 1978’s Who Are You. It addresses modern topics and features performances by Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend.
In the five years since LP1, FKA Twigs has collaborated with A$AP Rocky and gone viral with a mind-blowing Apple ad, but Magdalene is possibly the purest expression of the artist’s interior life, chronicling heartbreak with a Future feature on “Holy Terrain”
Prolific R&B star Anderson Paak’s live band makes an auspicious debut of late-night jams, featuring an army of collaborators including .Paak, Daniel Caesar, Kali Uchis and Syd from The Internet.
Who
Magdalene
The Free Nationals
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Events The Company of the North American Tour of “Miss Saigon” performs “Morning of the Dragon.” Photo provided
OKC Thunder vs Houston Rockets
‘Miss Saigon’ OKC
JAN 9 Former Thunder point guard and NBA record-holder
JAN 14-19 Broadway presents a new production of the modern
OKC Philharmonic Presents ‘Raiders Of The Lost Ark’
Russell Westbrook will be back in the Chesapeake Arena to
take on “Madame Butterfly.” The original Broadway version — the
JAN 24-25 One of Spielberg’s most beloved films will be on
face his former team for the first time since the off-season trade.
show debuted in London’s West End — took home three Tony
the big screen while the OKC Philharmonic plays John Williams’s
Accompanied by another former Thunder great, James “The Beard”
Awards, and this 2017 revival was nominated for Best Revival. A
beautiful score live to picture. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N.
Harden, it looks like it could be a long but memorable night on this
large cast of 42 tells the story of a young Vietnamese bargirl who
Walker Ave., OKC. OKCPhil.org.
“reunion tour.” Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W. Reno Ave., OKC.
falls in love with an American GI as the fall of Saigon looms. Civic
ChesapeakeArena.com.
Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., OKC. OKCBroadway.com.
K.C. Clifford Album Release
Josh Abbott Band
‘The Cat in the Hat’
singer/songwriter and OKC native K.C. Clifford will play
JAN 25 Three-time Woody Guthrie Award-winning folk
JAN 11 The independent Country & Western touring band
JAN 23 - FEB 9 Dr. Seuss’s magical story of kids stuck at home
old favorites and new music from her Feb. 7 release, the
makes a stop at The Criterion in support of its new EP “Catching
and the distractions offered by a mysterious cat and his two thingy
eponymously named “K.C. Clifford” at the Tower Theatre.
Fire.” The band got its start in Lubbock, Texas, and has had
sidekicks come to life for audiences of all ages at Lyric Theatre’s
The show will be a main room, floor-only event, and
commercial success with Billboard charts and local radio stations,
production at Lyric on the Plaza. The rollicking, frolicking, physical
tickets are available at her website and the Tower website.
even as it has mostly avoided major-label representation. Floor and
comedy is fit for all ages. Lyric on the Plaza, 1727 NW 16 St., OKC.
Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23 St., OKC. TowerTheatreOKC.com.
balcony open for this one, with William Clark Green opening. The
LyricTheatreOKC.com.
Criterion, 500 E. Sheridan Ave., OKC. CriterionOKC.com.
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S O C I A L
H O U R
BC Clark Heart of Oklahoma Diamond Unveiling
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Oklahoma City’s BC Clark Jewelers recently hosted the unveiling of its signature Heart of Oklahoma Diamond, the largest internally fl awless Forevermark Exceptional Diamond ever cut, set in a one-of-a-kind Harry Kotlar design. Honed from a 38.05-carat rough diamond that was mined off-shore Namibia, the Heart of Oklahoma was polished to 18.92 carats to celebrate BC Clark’s founding year – 1892. 1. Jim Clark, Mitchell Clark 2. Rebecca and Desmond Mason 3. Coleman Clark, Evelyn Clark, Estelle Clark, Emmy Clark, Elyce Clark 4. Phill Clayton, Joy Baresel
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2019 Oklahoma Hall of Fame The Oklahoma Hall of Fame hosted its annual induction ceremony in November featuring six outstanding individuals with Oklahoma ties. 3 1. Inductee Gray Frederickson, Michayla Tate, Francis Ford Coppola, Melanie Caudillo 2. Nick Sayegh, Gwen Herrada, Steve Largent 3. 2019 Oklahoma Hall of Fame honorees Steve Largent, James C. Day, Tricia Everest, Gray Frederickson, John Herrington, John T. Nickel, J.C. Watts and Allen Wright on behalf of Chief Allen Wright. 4. Jenna King, Grace Jackson, Ava Woolery, Shelby Willy 5. Former Oklahoma Gov. George Nigh, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation Bill Anoatubby, Former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating 4
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Sage Sotheby’s International Realty Launch Sage Realty Partners recently celebrated the launch of its partnership with Sotheby’s International Realty, serving the luxury residential real estate market in Oklahoma City and its surrounding areas. It is the first Sotheby’s International Realty affi liated company in Oklahoma. 1. Robert and Carol Hefner, Sam and Joy Hammons 2. Elizabeth Mashburn, Summer Smith, Derick Rothchild 3. Rob Allen, Phillip White, Chris Allen 4. Connor Houston, Gabrielle Hefner 5. Tyler Peyton, Lane Peyton 1
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View the rest of the Social Hour photos at: 405magazine.com/On-The-Scene
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Nighttime on the canal of Shangtang Street.
A variety of dishes served family style at Hand Deng Ji Restaurant.
Traditional Chinese attire along Pingjiang Road.
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S I G H T S
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& S I L K
ONCE UPO N A TR IP TO CHINA PHOTOS AND TE X T BY MAT T PAYNE
The White-washed walls along Pingjiang Canal.
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visit to Suzhou in China is not complete without a tour of the Suzhou Number One Silk Mill. There, you will watch tiny worms feast on mulberry leaves and larger worms spinning their delicate silk cocoons. The end result of what starts as a worm on a lunch break, then making its bed is nothing short of textile magic: pure Chinese silk. The city of Suzhou itself, situated in China’s Jiangsu province – a 22-minute bullet train ride from Shanghai – is a lot like silk: a smooth and seamless interweaving of striking canals with a light and meditative spirit. It is a place where man has channeled the waters of the Yangtze Delta to create colorful threads of connectivity that blend together in a tapestry robust with culture and cuisine. At its best, like silk, Suzhou’s venerable water towns ensconced in a shimmering megalopolis shine back our own light as we move through them, coloring and shaping our perception of the world in new, dynamic ways while concurrently awakening something ancient within us. At the silk mill, employees harvest the cocoons and spin out the silk into impossibly thin thread, which is then fashioned into everything from bedding to art decor; scarves to traditional dresses. These kinds of wares and beyond are all available to buy or simply to marvel at as you exit the museum – through, of course, the gift shop. Silk is fascinating well beyond its construction. In addition to its cool, soothing texture, the fiber’s prism-like structure makes it refractive, giving silk garments the ability to change color depending on how they engage with light. Western civilization’s insatiable desire for this unique fabric is what blazed the trail for the famed “Silk Road,” which came into being during the beginning of the Han Dynasty in 130 B.C. and first connected China to the Roman Empire. My visit to this region, like most, begins at Suzhou’s most famous child: The Humble Administrator’s Garden, which dates back to 1509. Perhaps Suzhou’s most thriving tourist destination, the crowds in front of this UNESCO World Heritage Site are a bit daunting … but it is well worth the wait. The garden’s stunning bridges, pavilions and koi ponds have been a work in progress since the time of the Song Dynasty, and it’s considered by many to be the most beautiful garden in all of China. Because of its network of canals, Suzhou is often referred to as the “Venice of the East” or the “Venice of China.” It is along these canals that Suzhou’s spirit is most vibrant, so after navigating the masses at The Humble Administrator’s Gardens, I hop into a rickshaw and head to my first waterway. If you really want to see a town and a rickshaw is a possibility – take advantage. As the driver pedals slowly through the city’s narrow streets, I marvel at the markets and small alleyways until we arrive at Pingjiang Road. Pingjiang Road runs parallel to the lulling green water of my first canal, and it is breathtaking. The street and canal are lined with whitewashed homes, shops and tea houses. After browsing various silk and jade shops, I stop into the world-famous Hong Deng Ji Restaurant. Known for its “puffy bread balls” and noodle dishes, what makes this restaurant most unique are the open kitchens where entering visitors watch chefs cook over open woks. 68
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Electric scooters are a primary source of transportation in all of China.
BE CA USE OF ITS NET WORK OF CANALS , SUZHOU IS OFTE N RE FE RRE D TO A S TH E Sunrise on a dancing couple
“ VE NICE OF THE E A ST.”
The lantern-lit walkways of Shangtang Street, one of Suzhou’s nighttime hotspots.
in Panmen Park in the heart of Suzhou.
Next we head to Tiger Hill. Tiger Hill, also known as Lion Mountain, is more like a small hill with a lion’s spirit. Horse-drawn carriages wind along the canal at the base of the hill and pathways meander through bonsai gardens (bonsai classes are available) and koi ponds toward the hill’s peak, which offers a brilliant 360-degree view of Suzhou. At the top is the seven-story, 1,000-year-old Yunyan Pagoda. The site, which is designated a National Historical and Cultural Site in Jiangsu, is built partly on soil and partly on stone, giving its top a tilt of almost six feet from its base. Perhaps most striking of all of the canals and water towns is the ancient hamlet of Tongli. At 51 square miles, with seven inlets connected by 49 ancient stone bridges, to walk through Tongli is to walk in the Song dynasty. Among the 49 bridges are the most notable “Three Bridges” – known as Taiping (meaning “peace,”) Jili (“luck”) and Changqing (“celebration”). One could spend an afternoon exploring Tongli’s narrow shopping streets, tea houses and of course, the Retreat and Reflection Garden for a lengthy stop. This privately owned garden features numerous pavilions, towers and terraces, as well as a koi-rich lake, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The last of the canals is best saved for a night visit. Shangtang Street, which originally was originally in 825 A.D., is as thriving and fashionable as it is
historic. Song He Lou is perhaps the street’s most famous dining spot, and features a sweet and sour mandarin fish dish in addition to a crab roe tofu that cannot be missed. The Shangtang night show features the Kunqu Opera. Here, performers engage in an ancient and elegant performance that offers insight into Suzhou’s colorful culture. Last of my stops in Suzhou is Panmen Park. Of all of the stops along the way, it is this spot that I most look forward to exploring – because it backs up to my hotel (Pan Pacific Suzhou) and I can walk out my door and explore it as the sun rises. Panmen Park is China’s oldest gate, dating back 2,500 years, and is made up of two water passages. Alongside is Ruigang Pagoda – Suzhou’s first. While the history appeals to me, watching the city wake up and come to the park is the most appealing factor. On one terrace overlooking the stunning lake, a handful of women do Tai Chi. On top of a small hill, a group of men gather with telephoto lenses in front of a birdfeeder to photograph the local avian population. As I make my way across a small bridge towards a small pavilion, I hear music. Sunlight spills onto the pavilion. A pagoda towers in the background. Then, into the frame of the pavilion, swirl a beautiful couple slow dancing to the sounds of the morning. It is tender moment, and one that sears into my mind. As timeless as the land upon which I stand. As smooth as silk. 405MAGAZINE.COM
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OKC’s Legendary ‘Dive Bar’ BY MARK BEUTLER
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e bar h ind th . e b t ol c Edna S a City ta ve rn Ab o ve: k lahom at he r O s of Edna o ol h p e g ided A v i nta Below: ior. P holos prov ex te r
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D N A S C O T T WA S L A R G E R T H A N life. She loved music and laughter and dancing on the bar. Th is year, the local Oklahoma City nightspot “Edna’s” celebrates its 40th anniversary. Located on North Classen Boulevard near the Belle Isle Shopping Center, Edna’s is more than a hole-in-the-wall beer joint. Country superstars Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert chose Edna’s to fi lm the video to their blockbuster song “We Were Us,” ultimately named “Video of the Year” by the Country Music Association. Then there was Jimmy Fallon, who drank one of Edna’s signature cocktails, “The Lunchbox,” live on The Tonight Show. And while Edna’s doesn’t have the “golden arches” to announce the milestone, more than 2 million Lunchboxes have been sold. Publications from Food & Wine Magazine to the New York Times have put Edna’s on the proverbial national dive bar map, with the distinction of Big 7 Travel naming it one of the Top 50 Dive Bars in the nation. Edna’s kitschy interior remains unchanged since its opening so many years ago. An upside-down Christmas tree hangs from the ceiling, while tobacco-soaked $1 bills signed by guests adorn the walls. Edna’s customers run the gamut from state legislators and the city’s most prominent movers-and-shakers, to the local neighborhood locals. The highlight for many longtime customers was when Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire” blared from the jukebox. Scott suddenly emerged, climbed onto the bar top and danced her heart out to the old-time rock ‘n roll. Scott died from lung cancer in 2014 and her daughter Tammy Lucas, who now carries on her mom’s legacy, says they have some big news coming Jan. 1: Edna’s is going smoke-free. Customers who still want to light up will have their own section, she says. “Why is Edna’s so special, you ask?,” said Lucas. “It’s not any one thing, or something you can put into words. It’s just who we are. It’s something you inherently feel when you come in. We are special because our customers are special. Edna’s spirit is alive here.”
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2020 VISIONS BY L AUREN ROTH | ILLUSTR ATION BY K ATHY LEE
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A PP Y N E W DEC A DE! BR E A K I NG T H E seal of a new year is exciting on its own, but unwrapping a brand new decade is 10 times the thrill! Excitement at this level requires some kind of owner’s manual –– a guide or map to navigate the uncertain days ahead with the confidence of knowing what fate won’t reveal on its own. Specifically, I’m talking about the required reading of any sensible life scholar: the ever-riveting annual lineup of psychic predictions. It’s been three years since I’ve checked in with the soothsayers of the Interwebs, suspended as I was, in a holding pattern brought on by their 2017 predictions that all hell would break loose in March and the Earth would stop in May. What kind of weekend plans does a reader make with that kind of doom on the horizon? Admittedly, it’s rare to come across an online psychic prediction that offers much specificity. Predictions are usually (and hopefully) accompanied by disclaimers that the psychic is fallible (ie, the Earth didn’t stop) or that the psychic’s “spirit guides” only deliver the message; they’re not confined by the restraints of time like the rest of us guppies. My exhaustive research on the subject (all for you, fair reader, all for you) has given me a “second sight” that follows a specific game plan: Take as many stabs in the dark as you’d like, I say, and one or two of them might stick. Mix in some current events, common themes, a celebrity or two, and sprinkle in a few natural disasters. Wrap them in some tarot readings and input from your spirit guides, and you’ll be ready for your own 800 number. To give you a head start on deciphering the mysteries that shroud the new decade ahead, I’ve compiled a checklist of “must-have” categories to make your own sky-is-falling predictions with the “oh, well” accuracy of a Magic 8-Ball. You’ll be a hit at parties!
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1. High-ranking politicians, especially the American president. Keywords to weave in: tweet, scandal, assassination/assassination att empt, impeachment, prison, illness, shame, cover-up, chimp with a loaded pistol. 2. Natural disasters, especially those brought on by extreme weather phenomena. Keywords: wildfire, tsunami, hurricane, flooding, record-breaking snow, earthquake (“the big one”). 3. Manmade disasters. Keywords: oil or toxic waste spill, blackout, explosion, second term. 4. The Royal Family. Keywords: another baby. 5. Celebrities. Keywords: proposal, engagement, breakup, arrest, scandal, confession, Oscar conspiracy, another baby. 6. Civil unrest. Keywords: riots, protests, Brexit, strikes, walkouts, [insert any major city’s name here], marches, demonstrations, Filene’s Basement Sale. 7. The Middle East. Keywords: peace talks, unrest, insurgence, revolt, negotiations, rinse, repeat. 8. Aliens. Keywords: UFOs, Area 51, sightings, asteroids, Mars, ground-level time-share opportunities. 9. Economy. Keywords: up, down, up, down, up, down. 10. Environment. Keywords: global warming, extreme weather, landfills, drought, infestation, famine, disruption in food supply, preppers. 11. Medicine. Keywords: discovery, cure, breakthrough, panacea, new treatment, serious side effects include nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; dizziness; mild red, itchy rash. 12. Global hotspots. Keywords: London; subway; Paris; Hong Kong; [insert the name of any Middle Eastern country here]; New York City; Canada; Australia; Russia; Ukraine; Conway, Arkansas.
May only your happiest predictions for the New Year come true! Cheers!
Alexandre Hogue (American, 1898–1994). Crucified Land (detail), 1939. Oil on canvas. 41 3/4 x 59 7/8 in. (106 x 152.1 cm). Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa Oklahoma. Š Olivia Hogue Marino & Amalia Marino
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