May 2021 by 405 Magazine

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In the 405

14 WHAT’S ONLINE A look at social media in the 405 16 TRENDING Monochrome makes its mark in a variety of forms this spring 18 SOCIAL HOUR People and events in the 405 20 PERSON OF INTEREST Sisters-in-law share knowledge of postpartum care in concierge service for new mothers 22 FASHION Highlighting the 405’s style influencers

Dining 62 GOOD TASTE Spotlighting OKC’s rising kitchen stars 66 DRINK Guthrie distillery rebrands to a bigger, better operation 68 LOCAL FLAVOR Listing of OKC’s best restaurants

Home 72 ENTERTAINING 101 Finishing touches to excellent meals 74 IN CONVERSATION WITH Co-founder of Udander health spa Andrea Riley 76 DESIGN Regina and Lee Marsh’s home makeover 4

MAY 2021

Out & About 82 ARTS & CULTURE deadCenter Film Festival adapts and expands its summer-centric venue 84 ONE MORE THING The Lebanese community’s impact on the state’s culture

86 LOOKING BACK 88 LAST LAUGH

O N T H E C OV E R Even though we couldn’t gather to celebrate, we wanted to honor the 2021 winners of our “Best of the 405.” The award featured on the cover is courtesy of Wooden Heart’s Boutique in Oklahoma City. Photo by Charlie Neuenschwander.

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M AY 2 0 2 1

VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 5

OWNER | PUBLISHER

Jordan Regas jordan.regas@405magazine.com V I C E P R E S I D E N T

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Melissa Mercer Howell melissa.mercerhowell@405magazine.com ART DIRECTOR

Christopher Lee christopher.lee@405magazine.com MANAGING EDITOR

Brandon King brandon.king@405magazine.com SENIOR WRITER

Greg Horton greg.horton@405magazine.com PRODUCTION MANAGER

Emiley Sexton emiley.sexton@405magazine.com STYLE EDITOR

Sara Gae Waters saragae.waters@405magazine.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Evie Klopp Holzer, George Lang, Linda Miller, Lauren Roth CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

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MAY 2021

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MAY 2021

405 Magazine Volume 7, Number 5, May 2021. 405 Magazine is published monthly by Hilltop Media Group at 1613 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK 73103, 405.842.2266. ©Copyright 2021 Hilltop Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of 405 Magazine content, in whole or part by any means, without the express written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited. 405 Magazine is not responsible for the care of and/or return of unsolicited materials. 405 Magazine reserves the right to refuse advertising deemed detrimental to the community’s best interest or in questionable taste. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of ownership or management. Basic annual subscription rate is $14.95. U.S. single-copy price is $4.95. Back issues are $9.50 each

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FROM THE EDITOR

A Beautiful Day in the Motherhood ormer President George H. W. Bush famously said, “I do not like broccoli. And I haven’t liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I’m President of the United States and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli.” It’s the kind of things mothers do – mete out “good for you” edicts and bandage up boo-boos. But they do a lot more than that. They provide a foundation for their children, a very early sense of what love is and what it’s meant to be. I’m sure even George H.W. Bush, were he alive today, would agree. One of the things I’m most grateful for is to have my 91-yearold mother in my life. I can dial the phone number she has had for nearly 60 years and hear, “Hello, Melissa!” Having lost my father more than a decade ago, it’s a special blessing to wrap my arms around her and tell her about my day. Early on, our relationship wasn’t so solid. We were completely different. As an adolescent I was rebellious, preferring to hang around with creative types and challenge the status quo. I preferred fencing to volleyball or tennis. And clubs? Nah. Not my thing. Mom was the opposite. She was a joiner – clubs, dances, basketball and football games were her scene. She never rebelled. If she didn’t like something, she quietly changed it with all the stealth and skill of a high-ranking CIA operative. Come to think of it, she still does that. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve begun to see how much she’s given me. Our voices are so similar, even family can’t tell the difference on the phone. Heck, even Siri can’t tell the difference! I know the names of trees, flowers and birds because of my mom, who imparted the beauty of nature to her children and grandchildren on regular walks through the woods. An interior designer for most of her life, she taught me to make art everywhere – on a dinner plate, a table setting, in book arrangements and wardrobe choices. Her fingerprints are all over the person that I’ve become, and that makes me happy. It also makes me think about raising my own daughter, and mothers and daughters in general. There are things I regret; times when my temper flared, or, being a single mom, I was too exhausted to give her the attention she needed. Despite all that, she has grown to be a remarkable woman. She’s a fine writer and podcast producer, and she continues to amaze me with her talent. I hear myself in her comments, see myself in her love of animals and recognize myself in her thoughts about life. Alice Walker, author of the novel The Color Purple, once wrote: “In search of my mother’s garden, I found my own.”

MAY 2021

Maybe that’s why I love lilies and hydrangeas so much. They’re perennials. And like mothers and daughters, each season they return different, yet the same. In this May issue, among our annual Best of the 405 tally and excellent articles, we offer tributes to mothers. Lauren Roth takes a humorous look at remembered motherly advice, while Evie Klopp-Holzer writes about two moms who are helping women who are new to motherhood with services to ease the journey. So, call your mother – whether you’re reading this on, before or after Mother’s Day. If you’ve lost your mom, share a memory of her with your children. And eat your broccoli. It’s good for you.

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MAY 2021

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IN THE 405

T R E N D I N G

Monochrome Magic BY EMILE Y SE X TON

3 2

TA L K A B O U T A N E A S Y WAY to look put together without too much effort. Monochrome has taken on a life of its own over the years and has moved far away from a simple black and white outfit, with everything from suits to sweats showing up as monochrome sets. By the looks of stores in the 405, monochrome won’t be going anywhere this season. Streamline your ensemble!

7 4

1. Rag & Bone loungewear set, Cayman’s Clothiers 2. Ampersand as Apostrophe tote, Cayman’s Clothiers 3. Freedom Moses slides, Cayman’s Clothiers 4. Marella top, Balliets 5. Valentino Rockstud sandal, Balliets 6. Marella linen trouser, Balliets 7. Rebecca Minkoff set, Cayman’s Clothiers 8. Kat Maconi braided heel, Betsy King Shoes 9. Valentino Garavani Supervee bag, Balliets 16

MAY 2021

Balliets, 6443 Avondale, OKC, balliets.com Betsy King Shoes, 3001 Paseo, OKC, betsykingshoes.com Cayman’s Clothiers, 2001 W Main, Norman, shop-caymans.com Gretta Sloane, 6476 Avondale, OKC, grettasloane.com

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S A M I A M O S E S C R E AT I V E social media • branding • art direction marketing • logo • web • styling

4 0 5 76 0 9376

We are so honored to receive the Best of the 405 Chiropractic Award! Thank you to the beautiful 405 community, that we love to call home. The past two years have been magical, and we are excited for the many years to come! Thank you for letting us be a part of 405’s health journey. Thank you, Young Life Chiropractic Temporarily located at 13838 Quail Pointe Dr. OKC | younglifechiropractic.com

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IN THE 405

S O C I A L

H O U R

OKC Dance Out 3

1. Brandon Durant, April Blaker 2. Gary and Anh Winters 3. Ken Simpson, Jenni Sarrett 4. Juan & Ziggy Brou 5. Loni Chase, LuEllen Burke, LauriAnn Gillette

MAY 2021

FRAN KOZAKOWSKI

Patrons got their groove on March 26 for the city’s second OKC Dance Out. Staged at Groovy’s Disco Lounge and hosted by April Blaker, the evening featured 1970s-style disco and funk moves.

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IN THE 405

P E R S O N

O F

I N T E R E S T

Allison Belanger, left, with sister-in-law Dr. Brooke Storer.

The Newborn Sisterhood Sisters-in-law share knowledge learned through postpartum care to launch concierge service for new moms BY E VIE KLOPP HOLZER P H O T O B Y C H A R L I E N E U E N S C H WA N D E R

ike true sisters, Allison Belanger and Dr. Brooke Storer, an OB-GYN, have always looked out for each other. When Belanger was going through sorority rush at the University of Oklahoma, Storer paved the way for her at Kappa Alpha Theta. In college, Storer encouraged Belanger to date her brother – essentially hand-picking his future wife. When Storer was looking for a job after medical residency, Belanger talked her up at her OB-GYN appointment with Dr. Jennifer Strebel. That conversation resulted in Storer joining the practice. Then, there are the babies. Belanger and Storer experienced their first pregnancies together, and their first-borns arrived six weeks apart. Coincidentally, their second babies were born six days apart. And their third-borns? Only three days apart. The uncanny timing and shared experiences (times three) have strengthened their sisterly bond indefinitely. “We were able to be in that postpartum period together, where the rest of the world keeps going, but you’re in this bubble of newborn land with no sleep and trying to figure out breastfeeding,” Belanger says. “Some friends say, ‘Isn’t this the most magical experience?’” Storer said. “And I’m thinking, ‘No, this is awful. What did I sign myself up for?’ Allison was always really transparent, [saying], ‘Yeah, this is hard. It’s not going perfectly for me either.’” Storer talked with new moms in her clinical practice who also had had the same experience.

MAY 2021

“At the postpartum visit, I can walk in the door and tell if someone is doing OK or not,” Storer says. “If they’re not, I only have 10 minutes to help, and that’s just not enough. You can see it in people’s eyes, that they’re craving reassurance. People spend all this time looking at beautiful pictures on social media, seeing all these other new moms around them, and they have this picture in their head of what it’s supposed to be like.” Counseling and medication prescribed by a doctor can alleviate some anxiety – but so can having an extra set of hands, eyes and ears to care for the baby. With that in mind, Belanger and Storer started discussing how they could pull together resources to help others through the newborn phase. “We want moms to have more joy and less stress in those early days of motherhood,” Storer said. “We want them to feel empowered and know that they’re not alone. It’s OK to ask for help. It’s OK to not feel OK some days.” The sisters-in-law recently launched The Postpartum Concierge, an organization of registered nurses, lactation consultants and errand-runners poised to help. Belanger and Storer match new moms with the “concierge” best equipped to handle their specific situation. “A lot of it is just survival,” Belanger said, “but hopefully with some extra hands and extra care, we can help moms succeed in whatever they want to do; whether that’s getting some rest or having more time to spend with an older child.” Find Storer and Belanger online at thepostpartumconcierge.com.

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IN THE 405

Fashion Forefront Giving style the spotlight in the 405 BY LINDA MILLER P H O T O S B Y S H E VA U N W I L L I A M S A N D A S S O C I AT E S

ew York City and Los Angeles may immediately come to mind when thinking about fashion, music and commercial stylists, but let’s not overlook what’s in our own backyard. Oklahoma City has its share of skilled stylists who bring a visual element that cannot be undervalued. Some work with personal clients to polish a wardrobe while embracing individuality. Others are an asset to companies and publications that want viewers, readers and customers to identify with their brand, message and vision. They can even help elevate food and fashion photography, set the tone for a music video, define a room or enhance a professional’s image. Here’s a look at five stylists leaving their mark in the 405 and beyond.

SAMIA MOSES

Moses’s first goal always is to learn clients’ desires and what mood, message or story they want to tell. She approaches work from a small business perspective, and that often translates to doing it all, from dressing and styling to art direction and production. It’s not just what they’re wearing, she said; it’s all about the message. “I just like working with photographers, families and businesses and bringing them together,” says Moses, owner of Samia Moses Creative. She connects all those pieces for work – and does that with her personal style, too, but that usually includes a statement piece such as a knockout jumpsuit, great accessory, glasses or handbag.

Samia Moses wearing Lechuza Blanca Vintage tie-dye dress from Dig It. @samiamosescreative

MAY 2021

FA S H I O N

AMBER FOSTER

Amber Foster in Society Muse top, pants, belt and necklace from Mode. @cthrownokc

As a lifestyle and environment stylist and owner of Thrown by Covet House, Amber Foster strives to create aesthetically pleasing scenes. Whether it’s a music video – she’s styled two and hopes to do more – or setting a table for a dinner party, it is important for her to create and tell a story. The clothing and accessories selected to be worn and the space they are in play such an important role in that, Foster said. “The right color or pattern can really help bring a song to life, in the same way it can give you the confidence to walk into a job interview or kill it in a photoshoot. Being able to give your audience a visual they can connect to is everything. Styling to me is simply setting the mood and keeping it fun. “I always approach my work with the goal in mind to make my client feel comfortable and confident, so that their best self can shine through.” 405MAGAZINE.COM

IN THE 405

PHILIP WASHINGTON

EUREKA CALHOUN

“After bouncing from coast to coast working as a stylist, runway production assistant and modeling agent, I decided to resettle in Oklahoma to bring my knowledge, expertise and experience home,” says Philip Washington, owner of PRIM Management. “I feel the deepest gratitude to my passion when I help people see clothes in new ways and find new ways to see themselves,” Washington says, adding that there is no better feeling than watching someone truly seeing themselves reflected in a mirror for the first time – the way the people who love them see them, the way they feel inside – and seeing them welling with confidence and strength.

As a wardrobe stylist and image consultant, Eureka Calhoun believes creativity and self-expression through style are sacred. Both play a part in life’s purpose, she says. “The foundation of my work is grounded in inspiring someone to be intentional with their personal style; that will allow them to embody a new mindset to pursue a fuller sense of life.” Calhoun, whose personal style is free-spirited, eclectic and colorful, said she provides a road map of sorts that guides people away from downplaying or de-emphasizing their exterior. As owner of Velvet Lope Styling, she has relocated from Oklahoma City to the Dallas area, but most of her clients are still in the 405.

Philip Washington, who admits to always having been sartorially expressive, in signature clothing. @philipryan___

MAY 2021

Eureka Calhoun’s outfit features a Greylin top and Scotch & Soda satin pants both from rosegold. @velvetlope

FA S H I O N

ÃNNA FROST

Anna Frost says the best part of her job is helping clients develop their personal style and become more confident with their taste level. “I hate it when people say, ‘That looks good on you, but I could never pull that off.’ Pulling something off has more to do with how you feel than how you look. I want everyone I work with to have the confidence to wear what they want. If you like it, wear it.” The co-owner of Library, a fashion subscription rental service and store, describes her personal style as a business Bratz doll. “I like proportions and shapes. I’m a pretty small person, but I like to take up space; I do that with big shoes and big sunglasses. I like lots of chains and a ring on every finger. Faux fur coats and platforms are my guilty pleasures, except I don’t feel guilty about it at all – I feel great about it! And pants, I love pants.”

Anna Frost in head wrap and ASOS pants from Library; sweater and belt from Cult 70 Threads; Sugar Thrills shoes from Dolls Kill; and necklaces from Dig It. @annajfrost

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A R T S , C U LT U R E & E N T E R TA I N M E N T C U LT U R A L E V E N T

Festival of the Arts A sprawling event celebrating art, music and food.

DANCE STUDIO

Elevate A studio that specializes in training young dancers.

F A M I LY A T T R A C T I O N

OKC Zoo Not just for families; it’s also a great first date location.

INTERIOR DESIGNER

Jennifer Welch Oklahoma City’s celebrity designer is versatile enough to handle any project from very elegant to very livable.

LOCAL CELEBRITY

Emily Sutton Her skill on social media has made her a star in more than meteorology.

ART GALLERY

E DI TO R S ’ PI C KS

Oklahoma City Museum of Art While its focus is modern art, OKC's main visual showcase has eclectic traveling installations.

BEST MURAL

BEST DISTRICT

Abstract Passages by artist Kris Kanaly

Midtown A combination of walkability, retail, dining, and bars makes this OKC’s most beloved district.

CASINO

Riverwind Casino Tons of tables, as well as a huge theater on the edge on the metro.

COMEDIAN

LaTasha Mother Mabel Lean is the stage persona of real life comedian LaTasha Featherstone, who riffs on the tensions of life in church vs. streets.

MAY 2021

Kris Kanaly’s use of bold colors and abstract shapes can be seen across OKC and in prints he sells on his website; however, his classic Abstract Passages, located under the railway bridge at E.K. Gaylord Boulevard and Main Street, is an amalgamation of stand-out colors, shapes and designs that provide the viewer with an immersive art experience. No focal points, just the construction of the bridge’s underbelly to provide structure to the varying landscape. By making perception the guide for what an individual sees, Kanaly manages to keep the viewer’s attention both restless and ambitious to see the next thing – a running motif of what defines the Oklahoma spirit.

B E S T T R A N S F O R M AT I O N

Prairie Surf Studios To many in the 405, the former Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City felt like nothing more than a large, light gray building, often used as a landmark to guide people to other places. As of Jan. 1, 2021, this building became home to Prairie Surf Media. Hollywood veterans, actor Rachel Cannon and writer/filmmaker Matt Payne, are the minds behind the downtown Oklahoma City production facilities, converting the mammoth building into the largest ClearSpan sound-stage facility in the Midwest.

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RADIO DJ

Edgar Cruz

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VOCALIST PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER

Adoralee Boudoir Studio Tasteful boudoir photography for all women.

Samantha Crain

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Crain is a combination of hard work, musicianship, fierce songwriting and a memorable voice.

405 Brides Your go-to choice to make sure your wedding is handled. 405MAGAZINE.COM

H E A LT H & B E A U T Y BARBER SHOP

Midtown Barbers Boutique care for men, by men.

COSMETIC SURGEON

Tim Love Oklahoma’s trusted surgeon for small enhancements and complex procedures.

D AY S PA

Udånder Comfortable elegance, inspired by Scandinavian simplicity, in the heart of the city.

DENTIST

Farrow and Dewbre Orthodontics with state-of-the-art technology, a commitment to hard work and genuine care for patients.

ESTHETICIAN

HAIR STYLIST

M E D S PA

Brows by Rylea

Lacey San Nicolas

RefineU

PET BOARDING/ GROOMING

An experienced esthetician specializing in brows & lashes.

More an artist than a stylist. She can do it all.

Full-service med spa by extremely well trained specialists.

The Paw Spa Elite

EYE LASHES

MAKEUP ARTIST

OPTOMETRIST

UNIQUE FITNESS

Lash by Lash

Brooklyn Henry

Innovative Eyecare

Cyclebar Classen Curve

Lashes on fleek.

A range of services from date night to competitive events.

Handling everything from exams to eyewear for a decade.

Oklahoma’s premier cycle spot for all fitness levels.

Pamper your pet with the best.

HAIR SALON

Hair + Co.

MASSAGE THERAPIST

Large enough to be awesome, small enough to care about you.

Jodi Fritts

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Licensed medical massage therapist in a soothing setting.

MAY 2021

VETERINARIAN

405 Vet Animal Hospital Worry-free vet care for furry family members.

YO G A / P I L AT E S / B A R R E STUDIO

Barre3 A challenging and integrated workout for the body and mind.

CHIROPRACTOR

Young Life Genuine care for the patient as well as the person of all ages.

NAIL SALON

Polished Creativity, simplicity and efficiency live here.

PERSONAL TRAINER

HIIT Fitness Personalized training for athletes of all fitness levels.

PHARMACY

Flourish More than just a pharmacy – they treat the whole person.

SPORTS/ORTHOPEDIC REHAB

PT Central Pain management and reduction so you can live the life you want.

URGENT CARE

Mercy Fast compassionate care when it really matters.

E D I TO R S ’ PI C KS BEST ORGANIC BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Salt & Water Chelsey Ann opened Salt & Water in 2019 after a successful run as a pop-up in Midtown. More a holistic wellness boutique than a make-up shop, the Film Row space caters to those who want “your outsides to match your insides," as Chelsey Ann puts it. She thinks of the beauty products she offers as aids to “gentle beauty,” and all are conscientiously sourced, and include nationally recognized brands like Goop, Agent Nateur, and Haoma.

BEST HANGOVER CURE

Restore Hyper Wellness The driving principle behind Restore at Classen Curve is that customers should feel better right away. While many of the services are focused on everyone from serious athletes to aging adults who want a more active life, the hangover cure via IV is not to be minimized. We are a nation of chronically dehydrated adults, and overindulging doesn’t help. Restore combines hydration with micronutrients in IV form so you’re ready for whatever the hangover-free day has in store.

405MAGAZINE.COM

SHOPPING & SERVICES

ANTIQUE SHOP

Dead People’s Stuff Go for the name, stay for the stuff.

AUTO SHOP

Beck's Garage A classic garage with excellent customer service.

BODY SHOPS

Collision Works Nobody is better at getting your car back on the road.

BOUTIQUE & WOMEN'S CLOTHING

Lush Boutique Trendy clothing for every budget.

HOTEL C AT E R E R

21c Museum Hotel

Abbey Road Catering

More than a hotel, it’s food, art and comfort.

Choose Abbey Road so you have one less thing to worry about.

JEWELRY STORE DISPENSARY

BC Clark

Stability Cannabis

The Oklahoma standard for over a century.

The best combination of knowledge, experience, product and commitment to the community.

LANDSCAPER DESIGNER CLOTHING

Total Environment

Balliets

Family-owned with a focus on your family’s needs.

Oklahoma’s spot for premier designer fashion, accessories and beauty.

H E AT I N G & A I R EYEWEAR

Air Comfort Solutions

Forma

Reliable, trusted and local.

LAW FIRM GIFT SHOP

Seda Law Firm

Plenty Mercantile

Specialist in complex transactions, energy and family needs.

You’ll find things you didn’t know you needed. 32

MAY 2021

PHOTOS PROVIDED

When you believe that eyewear should be art.

405 BEST

GIFT

SHOP

THREE LOCATIONS & ONLINE

PLENTYMERCANTILE.COM | @PLENTYMERCANTILE | 405.888.7470

MEN'S SHOES & MEN'S CLOTHING

CUSTOM CLOSETS

Blue Seven

Your Marie Kondo in Oklahoma City.

The popular choice from gifts to clothing.

ELECTRICIAN

BeeNeat

E D I TO R S ’ PI C KS

Innovative Electric P O O L C O M PA N Y

Caviness Landscape

Twenty-five years of expertise in commercial and residential electrical installations.

When you want your pool to be a part of the landscape and not a hole in the ground.

FURNITURE STORE

HOME DECOR STORE

BC Clark Lifestyle

One of the most trusted names in the metro, combining with taste, style and fine furnishings.

You already know you can trust the name.

R O O F I N G C O M PA N Y

Mister Robert

Salazar Roofing THRIFT STORE

They do it well and they do it fast.

Bad Granny’s An eclectic collection of stuff you haven’t fallen in love with yet, but will.

WOMEN'S SHOES

R E A L E S TAT E

Gilchrest Platinum Producers Trust your home sale to one of the top producing teams in Oklahoma.

PEST CONTROL

BEST PLACE TO BUY GIFTS YOU WON’T FIND ON AMAZON

Moxie Pest Control

Black Scintilla

Betsy King Shoes you can’t get anywhere else in a setting that you love.

CONDO

Expert pest control company so you can relax at home.

West Village Interior designed by Best of winner Jennifer Welch and in the heart of downtown's energy.

PLUMBING SERVICE

Herman's Plumbing Expert work from plumbing to HVAC.

Black Scintilla opened in 2015 at 1112 N. Walker Ave., in Midtown. Since that time, it has wowed OKC with its collection of clothing and gifts that range from quirky to laugh-out-loud funny to utterly novel. Owner Rachael Gruntmeir built her retail venture on the concept that “no matter the budget size or the body size, every person deserves to feel and look their best.” To that end, sizes run from small to 3X and are available at affordable prices.

BEST PLACE TO BUY SNEAKERS There’s a scene from the classic movie The Big Chill when actor William Hurt’s character puts on running shoes for the first time and declares he’s had a life-altering experience. Good sneakers, indeed, can be life-changing – a fact not lost on the staff of The Laboratory, a local purveyor of rubber-soled bundles of foot happiness. Located in Midtown Plaza Court, The Laboratory carries a variety of brands to satisfy personal style and comfort including Jordan, Supreme, Nike, Adidas and Travis Scott. And the best part? It’s a consignment shop, so you can share the love when you’re ready to graduate to a new pair of sneakers.

MAY 2021

PHOTOS PROVIDED

The Laboratory OKC

FOOD & DRINK BAKERY

CHINESE

La Baguette

Grand House Asian Bistro

The finest in French pastries and other sweets for nearly a half century.

Too many options to list, but show up for the Dim Sum.

C O C K TA I L S BARBECUE

The Jones Assembly

Swadley’s World Famous Bar-B-Q

From craft to classic, but get the Disco Nap for sure.

Family-owned and operated with a deep commitment to OKC.

COFFEE SHOP

Stella Nova BEST AL FRESCO ( O U T D O O R S E AT I N G )

Consistent quality with five locations throughout the metro.

Redrock Canyon Grill Delicious food and a beautiful view of the lake.

BRUNCH

CRAFT BREWERY

Stonecloud The gold standard in local craft beers.

Neighborhood Jam The new kid on the block is also the best kid on the block.

DINER

Sunnyside Diner A classic diner with a modern twist.

BURGER

The Garage

EUROPEAN

Delicious, affordable burgers with outstanding house-made chips.

La Baguette Chef Alain Buthion consistently delivers some of the metro’s best food.

FINE DINING

Ranch Steakhouse Great steak and excellent service with an expansive wine list.

HAPPY HOUR

The Jones Assembly Already a hot spot for several reasons, so it makes sense to add happy hour.

ICE CREAM/FROZEN T R E AT S

Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store I TA L I A N

Gabriella’s italian Grill & Pizzeria Rustic family-style comfort food. 36

MAY 2021

PHOTOS PROVIDED

It’s about as Oklahoma as it gets.

L AT I N A M E R I C A N

Cafe Kacao Guatemalan with a twist, great coffee and an energetic vibe.

MEDITERRANEAN

Zorba's Mediterranean Cuisine One of the oldest, most trusted names in the city for Mediterranean food.

MEXICAN

Ted’s Cafe Escondido The metro’s choice for Tex-Mex for decades.

BARTENDER

Olivia Perez Fast and friendly in a high-volume environment.

SUSHI PIZZA

Empire Slice House

E DI TO R S ’ PI C KS

Sushi Neko

The Serena Williams of pizza in the 405.

Selections from very traditional to very modern.

SANDWICHES

THAI

The Mule

Panang

Creative, delicious comfort food with an excellent patio.

A go-to spot for curry and other Thai specialties.

VIETNAMESE

Pho Lien Hoa Truly the mothership of pho in OKC.

WINE LIST

Broadway 10 Country-club-style options with a slant toward California.

BEST ONION RINGS

Ned’s Starlite Lounge Philly Homa

SEAFOOD / CAJUN

Pearl’s

The first rule is the most important rule: the batter has to hold its form. If the batter crumbles, you’re eating onion strings, not onion rings. This was going to be a slam dunk for one of these two, but it just seems fair to categorize them as big onion rings and traditional onion rings. The big onion ring winner is Ned’s Starlite Lounge. They toss them in a dry rub, but they’re delicious without, and you get ranch and barbecue ranch for dipping. The traditional goes to Philly Homa because the form is perfect, the batter is delicious, and one order just isn’t enough.

BAR

The Jones Assembly A venue with two choices: fun and fast downstairs and slower craft upstairs.

CHEF

Andrew Black His Grey Sweater tasting menu is the pinnacle of elegant dining in OKC.

An Oklahoma favorite for more than 30 years.

Off the Hook Seafood & More Rightly famous for their Soul and Southern cooking

STEAKHOUSE

Cattlemen's Steakhouse If you get it, you get it. It’s an institution for a reason. 38

MAY 2021

Revolucion! It’s always frozen drink season, but they definitely do better in the summer. Next time you’re at Revolucion! for Taco Tuesday (or any other day), ask for the RC Party Punch – yes, the RC is for Rachel Cope. It’s not on the menu, but the ingredients are always there: frozen and rocks margarita swirled with house-made strawberry sangria syrup and kept just shy of slushie temperature.

TA K E O U T

Charleston’s From salads to chicken tenders, they do everything right.

TAC O S

Big Truck Tacos Chef Kathryn Mathis is a master at creative flavors and exceptional service.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

BEST SWIRL SOUL FOOD

CHEF ANDREW BLACK BEST CHEF

The distinction of being the best chef means so much, especially in 2021. It’s hard to say in times like these who is the best chef, because when you analyze everything, you realize what America has gone through during the pandemic. However, I look at everything that we’ve been through, and the support more now than ever makes me realize that in Oklahoma, we are stronger together. Because of that, this is probably one of my top achievements so far. Thank you to my staff that worked so hard to continue to push the barriers and the boundaries in the culinary world. I just want to thank everyone in Oklahoma, and would even like to thank the ones who get in their cars and drive from other states or who fly in to see us - whether they dine at La Baguette, Black Walnut, or Grey Sweater, we are thankful for the continued support of our guest family! On behalf of us at Culinary Edge Concepts, the best is still yet to come! Cheers!

THANK YOU 405 READERS! LATIN AMERICAN FOOD

BREAKFAST | LUNCH | ESPRESSO | COCKTAILS 405.602.2883 | CAFEKACAO.COM 3325 N CLASSEN BLVD., OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73118 MON-FRI 7:00 AM-2:30 PM

| SATURDAY 7:00 AM-4:00 PM | SUNDAY 8:00 AM-3:00 PM

Pure Pu Energy En O K L A H O M A P I VOT S TO WA R D R E N E WA B L E R E S O U R C E S

JAN KOPŘIVA

BY GEORGE LANG

405MAGAZINE.COM

MAY 2021

Aerial view of the spillway at Broken Bow Dam on Broken Bow Reservoir. The main dam and hydroelectric generation plant are located about 1.5 miles to the east. In Oklahoma, 10 large dams generate hydroelectric power that provide four percent of the electricity needs of the state.

to that,” Wagner says. “We’re only behind California – which nobody’s going to catch – and the state of Washington, and we’re remarkably close to where they are.” In doing so, Oklahoma has overcome, at least functionally, one of the key obstacles to electric vehicle (EV) ownership: range anxiety. Anyone driving a Tesla, or even a low-range EV like the Mini Cooper SE with its 110-mile radius, is always within 50 miles of a charging station in Oklahoma. “So there’s two factors in Oklahomans adopting electric vehicles – three, really,” Wagner says. “The first being range anxiety; the idea that you know that you are going to be able to meet your transportation needs without getting stranded. The second is automakers need to buy and make cars that Oklahomans want. You know, ‘Where’s the pickup truck for the average consumer, where’s the small SUV or the bigger SUV for a larger family?’ So,

BROKEN BOW: PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

N L ATE JANUARY 2021, GENER AL MOTORS announced a plan to develop an all-electric fleet by 2035. Ordinarily, this would be cause for rending of garments and gnashing of teeth in Oklahoma, a state with an economy literally built on oil. But even Oklahoma, with its oil derricks and oil lobbyists enshrined at the state Capitol, can make a change. The evidence for evolution is cropping up throughout the state, with hundreds of wind turbines from companies like Invenergy, Allete and Duke Energy Renewables dotting Oklahoma’s horizon. It is part of what Oklahoma Secretary for Energy and Environment Ken Wagner calls the state’s “fuel agnostic” view of the energy industry – in other words, all energy is good energy. “So from our perspective, the state’s perspective, Gov. Stitt wants [us] to certainly see ourselves as a leader in energy, and we are fuel agnostic,” Wagner says. “Obviously, we have a long and storied history of being pioneers in the energy world. And we see our role as the same moving forward, regardless of whether that is a petroleum-based technology, or if it’s something that is complementary to that, like hydrogen or the continued uptick of renewables in Oklahoma. “When you talk about a lower carbon strategy, Oklahoma really is a leader in that – and most people don’t understand, they aren’t aware, or they don’t recognize that,” he continues. “So, part of being one of the few states that gets more than 40 percent of its power met by renewables, and the great majority of the rest of its power met by natural gas, is we’ve lowered our carbon dioxide at a much greater rate than the rest of the nation. Right now, we’ve lowered it 34 percent since 2005.” This effort by the state and its industries to increase renewable extractions and support development of new technologies dovetails with part of President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure bill. The largest investment in the bill comes in the form of $174 billion devoted to electric vehicles and installing half a million EV charging stations throughout the country. The third largest, after Amtrak expansion and improvement, is a $50 billion investment in climate-related infrastructure resiliency – a direct answer to the Texas grid failures in February 2021. Fortunately, Wagner said Oklahoma is already off to the renewable energy races. As part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s 2016 consent decree against Volkswagen for its emissions control “cheating” on diesel engines, Oklahoma has partnered with Western Farmers Electric Cooperative and Francis Renewable Energy to build an extensive system of charging stations throughout the state. It follows only California and Washington state in its per capita impact. “We have more supercharging stations on a per capita basis than any other state, and you know, that sounds like one of those gerrymandered-type statistics, but when you put it in the context that we’re No. 3 in total numbers of supercharging stations, I think it gives some more flavor

PV panels atop the Tulsa Central Library provide energy in downtown Tulsa.

OKLAHOMA HAS OVERCOME, AT LEAST FUNCTIONALLY, ONE OF THE KEY OBSTACLES TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) OWNERSHIP: RANGE ANXIETY. ANYONE DRIVING A TESLA, OR EVEN A LOW-RANGE EV LIKE THE MINI COOPER SE WITH ITS 110-MILE RADIUS, IS ALWAYS WITHIN 50 MILES OF A CHARGING

TULSA: JARED HEIDEMANN

STATION IN OKLAHOMA.

I think as you see those cars coming into the market, you will see a greater proliferation of vehicles. The third factor is, of course, affordability, so it’s only when all three of those things kind of line up that we’ll see Oklahomans actually buying and driving EVs on a daily basis.” In a November 2019 event announcing the Western Farmers Electric Cooperative and Francis Renewable Energy plan, Ford Motor Company displayed its prototype for an EV version of its F-150 pickup, the most popular vehicle in Oklahoma. When these particular EVs are buzzing through Oklahoma City’s suburbs, the state will know it has truly turned a corner.

fired turbines at the Grand River Energy Center in Chouteau with gas turbines. The first of these, a Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems M501J turbine, was the first such system in the Western Hemisphere. “There’ve been these evolutionary changes,” said Dan Sullivan, president and CEO of GRDA. “We have coal units – those were built in the late ’70s, early ’80s. And at the time, it was the policy of the federal government not to use natural gas for electric generation; it was to use coal. So now we’ve seen that change. You have a lot of emphasis on natural gas, we now have the natural gas unit, but the hydro has always been a big part of what we do. It’s renewable energy. I like to say it was renewable before renewable was cool.”

FIRE A N D W ATER

TA PPIN G T HE BR A K ES?

In a recent webinar hosted by The Journal Record, Solar Power of Oklahoma CEO Kevin Jones said the cost of solar energy has fallen dramatically. Currently, 90 percent of Solar Power of Oklahoma’s installations are for residential owners. “It’s probably 10 to 15 percent of what it was 15 years ago,” Jones said, referring to the dropping cost of installation and operation. “We can get far more watts per square foot. You know, it’s a 25-year warranty on the equipment, so technology has gotten to a point where six, seven years ago we were using 150-watt panels for 18.1 square feet. Now we’re using 350- to 400-watt panels for that same square footage, so the efficiency has (doubled) ... at that point it really makes sense to look at that investment.” Any discussion of renewable energy must include Grand River Dam Authority, the nonprofit energy company formed in 1935 that spurred on Oklahoma’s massive hydroelectric energy effort. In 2014, the organization announced it was replacing the coal-

Not everyone is onboard with this massive push toward renewable energy. Steve Agee, dean of the Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University and president and CEO of Agee Energy LLC, said that he believes the various industries involved in this movement are jumping the gun by decades. “GM is a huge automobile company, obviously,” Agee says. “But huge companies make mistakes. I would give pause and think, ‘Is this a good management decision they’re making?’ Because I’m not convinced that it is. “My opinion is that these people that are hollering about shutting down the hydrocarbon industry – which is oil, natural gas and coal – are dreaming,” he says. “It’s just not going to happen, not for decades and decades, and I’m talking about probably at least 40 or 50 years, Our transportation system runs on crude oil, which is mostly refined into gasoline and diesel, and jet planes use refined products from crude oil for their for their jet fuel, and you’re not going to run 405MAGAZINE.COM

WE HAVE MORE SUPERCHARGING STATIONS ON A PER CAPITA BASIS THAN ANY OTHER STATE, AND YOU KNOW, THAT SOUNDS LIKE ONE OF THOSE GERRYMANDEREDTYPE STATISTICS, BUT WHEN YOU PUT IT IN THE CONTEXT THAT WE’RE NO. 3 IN TOTAL NUMBERS OF SUPERCHARGING STATIONS, I THINK IT GIVES SOME MORE FLAVOR TO THAT. – Ken Wagner

MAY 2021

a plane, as far as I know, on electricity. There’s still going to be a demand for oil and natural gas.” Both Agee and Wagner believe it will take a while before all the cars on Interstate 35 are humming instead of roaring. Wagner pointed out the success of compressed natural gas for business and government fleets, delivery trucks and city buses, and he said there will not be a switch flipped when it comes to electric cars taking over. Consider the fate of current cars. If everyone in Oklahoma shopping for a new car bought an EV, most would trade in their current automobiles, which would go on to secondary and tertiary owners before reaching the landfill. That means a hydrocarbon-powered car might stay on the road for an additional 12 years or more after the car it replaced hit the road. But some of this is a chicken v. egg proposition. On one hand, people want vehicles that are similar to what they owned before, with the added advantage of being ecologically friendly. But on the other, there has to be an infrastructure in place to keep those cars running. In a recent phone interview, Mark Yates of the Advanced Power Alliance, an organization promoting solar, wind and other renewables such as natural gas, said that even traditional energy corporations that have yet to officially throw their hats in the renewable ring are not far from announcing their plans. “The major oil companies – the Exxon-Mobils, the Chevrons, the Totals, BP – they’ve all started to make those transitions more quickly than some of the smaller mid-majors, if you will, and definitely quicker than what we’d see at the small-scale development exploration companies and oil and gas,” Yates said. “I think all the companies are taking into account what their investment portfolios need to look like. From a capital standpoint, when you’re looking to raise money ... investors are now really looking into whether this a sustainable company; ‘Is this a company that, in 20 years, is still going to be around and viable and healthy?’ “I think Williams in Tulsa has made it known that they are taking into consideration innovations and carbon offsets, and looking to diversify their investments,” Yates said. “They’re getting into some solar as well, and they’re obviously a major player in natural gas. But I think a lot of the Oklahoma companies are positioned well.”

DAVID PURSER

Wind turbines of the Blue Canyon Wind Farm in Meers, Oklahoma.

TOP DENTISTS This list is excerpted from the 2021 topDentists™ list, a database which includes listings for 101 dentists and specialists in the Oklahoma City area. The Oklahoma City area list was based on hundreds of detailed evaluations of dentists and professionals by their peers. The complete database is available at www.usatopdentists. com. For more information call 706-3640853; write PO Box 970, Augusta, GA 30903; email info@usatopdentists.com or visit www.usatopdentists.com.

405MAGAZINE.COM

ENDODONTICS Victoria J. Ball

SELECTION PROCESS “If you had a patient in need of a dentist, which dentist would you refer them to?” This is the question we’ve asked thousands of dentists to help us determine who the topDentists should be. Dentists and specialists are asked to take into consideration years of experience, continuing education, manner with patients, use of new techniques and technologies and of course physical results. The nomination pool of dentists consists of dentists listed online with the American Dental Association, as well as all dentists listed online with their local dental societies, thus allowing virtually every dentist the opportunity to participate. Dentists are also given the opportunity to nominate other dentists that they feel should be included in our list. Respondents are asked to put aside any personal bias or political motivations and to use only their knowledge of their peers' work when evaluating the other nominees. Voters are asked to individually evaluate the practitioners on their ballot whose work they are familiar with. Once the balloting is completed, the scores are compiled and then averaged. The numerical average required for inclusion varies depending on the average for all the nominees within the specialty and the geographic area. Borderline cases are given careful consideration by the editors. Voting characteristics and comments are taken into consideration while making decisions. Past awards a dentist has received, status in various dental academies (Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Periodontology, etc.) can play a factor in our decision. Once the decisions have been finalized, the included dentists are checked against state dental boards for disciplinary actions to make sure they have an active license and are in good standing with the board. Then letters of congratulations are sent to all the listed dentists. Of course there are many fine dentists who are not included in this representative list. It is intended as a sampling of the great body of talent in the field of dentistry in the United States. A dentist’s inclusion on our list is based on the subjective judgments of his or her fellow dentists. While it is true that the lists may at times disproportionately reward visibility or popularity, we remain confident that our polling methodology largely corrects for any biases and that these lists continue to represent the most reliable, accurate and useful list of dentists available anywhere.

Contemporary Endodontics of Oklahoma 2916 Astoria Way, Suite 100 Edmond, OK 73034 405-285-5042

David C. Bird

Endodontic Associates 4500 West Memorial Circle Oklahoma City, OK 73142 405-748-6000

Dayna S. Duke

Endodontic Associates 4500 West Memorial Circle Oklahoma City, OK 73142 405-748-6000

Leslie B. Hardy, Jr.

Endodontic Associates 4500 West Memorial Circle Oklahoma City, OK 73142 405-748-6000

Myron S. Hilton

Endodontic Associates 4500 West Memorial Circle Oklahoma City, OK 73142 405-748-6000

Dennis A. Leseberg

Oklahoma Endodontics 3727 North West 63rd Street, Suite 200 Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405-843-9330

Steven E. Powell

Norman Endodontics 410 24th Avenue South West Norman, OK 73069 405-307-8200

Jared Schellenberg

North Pointe Endodontics 13851 Quail Pointe Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73134 405-242-2083

Brandon Schultz

Kim L. Wilkinson

North Pointe Endodontics 13851 Quail Pointe Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73134 405-242-2083

GENERAL DENTISTRY Jeff D. Baggett

200 North Sooner Road, Suite B Edmond, OK 73034 405-341-8884

Jon A. Barnes

Buffalo Creek Dental 201 South Sara Road, Suite 140 Mustang, OK 73064 405-293-4735

Justin L. Beasley

4600 West Memorial Road Oklahoma City, OK 73142 405-755-5400

Tamara S. Berg

Berg Family Dentistry 910 South Yukon Parkway Yukon, OK 73099 405-354-3763

Bobby J. Carmen

1141 Sonoma Park Drive Norman, OK 73071 405-364-2200

Stephen R. Cash

Stonebridge Dental 197 Stonebridge Boulevard Edmond, OK 73013 405-285-8600

Matthew E. Cohlmia

Cohlmia Family Dentistry 3727 North West 63rd Street, Suite 310 Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405-848-3783

Raymond A. Cohlmia The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry 1201 North Stonewall Avenue, Room 505 Oklahoma City, OK 73117 405-271-5444

Dunn H. Cumby

more information call: 706-364-0853 or email: info@usatopdentists.com or

Endodontic Associates 4500 West Memorial Circle Oklahoma City, OK 73142 405-748-6000

visit: www.usatopdentists.com

David B. Shadid III

J. Russell Danner

This list is excerpted from the 2021 topDentists™ list, which includes listings for more than 100 dentists and specialists in the Oklahoma City area. For

717 North East 36th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73105 405-524-7214 4514 West Memorial Circle, Suite A Oklahoma City, OK 73142 405-749-1676

person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether

Oklahoma Endodontics 3727 Northwest 63rd Street, Suite 200 Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405-843-9330

such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

Jackson L. Sullivan

Deer Creek Dental 12321 Hidden Forest Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK 73142 405-722-7767

topDentists has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any

Copyright 2011-2021 by topDentists, LLC, Augusta, GA. All rights reserved. This list, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without permission of topDentists. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of the information in this list without permission.

MAY 2021

Edmond Endodontics 609 South Kelly Avenue, Suite E-1 Edmond, OK 73003 405-844-8444

Thanh Dao-Vandenberg

Lee A. Eliot

Parkside Dentistry 924 Robtrice Court Edmond, OK 73034 405-340-5110

James E. Farley

Scissortail Dental 216 East 10th Street Plaza Edmond, OK 73034 405-348-5100

Michael C. Fling

OKC Dental Arts 3621 North West 63rd Street, Suite D Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405-848-6743

Tracy A. Gasbarra

2401 North Henney Road Choctaw, OK 73020 405-390-2000

Mark T. Hanstein

201 Robert South Kerr Avenue, Suite 521 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 405-235-7288

Joe B. Isaacson

8200 North May Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-943-8575

Krista M. Jones

2000 South East 15th Street, Suite 200 Edmond, OK 73013 405-341-0203

Michael K. Kirk

Grand Dental Studio 1057 North West Grand Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK 73118 405-563-7370

Grady L. Lembke

200 North Sooner Road, Building B Edmond, OK 73034 405-330-6020

Eric M. Loper

3613 North West 56th Street, Suite 135 Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-947-0564

Abbey Onan

The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry 1201 North Stonewall Avenue, Suite 494 Oklahoma City, OK 73117 405-271-5714

Alan Owen

7300 North Macarthur Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK 73132 405-721-1616

John G. Polkinghorne

601 North Kelly Avenue, Suite 104 Edmond, OK 73003 405-341-4400

Michelle Sanor

Elite Smiles 313 North West 61st Oklahoma City, OK 73118 405-418-4999

Jeff Shadid

10717 North Rockwell Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73162 405-722-7777

Paul A. Shadid

Shadid Dental Studio 1001 South West 89th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73139 405-631-1531

David A. Simon

OKC Dentistry Associates 8001 North Macarthur Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK 73132 405-728-7171

Robert L. Taley

Craniofacial Pain Associates 448 36th Avenue North West, Suite 103 Norman, OK 73072 405-321-8030

Stephen L. Virtue

5100 North Brookline Avenue, Suite 870 Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-943-8058

V. Ralph Willcox

Edmond Dental Associates 950 Medical Park Boulevard Edmond, OK 73013 405-341-8804

Jack E. Willoughby

Willoughby Family Dentistry 1222 South Kelly Avenue Edmond, OK 73003 405-341-8518

Angela Windsor

Advances in Dentistry 12320 Saint Andrews Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-751-6996

Patrick A. Woods

2812 West Hefner Road Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-751-0358

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY James A. Baker

OKC-OMS 8301 South Walker Avenue, Suite 101 Oklahoma City, OK 73139 405-636-4230

Robert B. Bryan II

Oral Surgery Specialists of Oklahoma 4320 McAuley Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-755-4826

Lester L. Cowden III

Lakeside Oral Surgery 3100 West Britton Road, Suite A Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-751-3312

Emily Frye

Lakeside Oral Surgery 3100 West Britton Road, Suite A Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-751-3312

Jeremy C. Goodson

Oral Surgery Specialists of Oklahoma 4320 McAuley Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-755-4826

Jay A. Harlan

Harlan Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates 8101 South Walker Avenue, Suite E Oklahoma City, OK 73139 405-632-9726

Lawrence S. Holmgren Sandstone Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 616 West 18th Edmond, OK 73013 405-340-7263

S. Ross Martin

Oral and Maxillofacial Associates 3601 North West 138th Street, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73134 405-848-7994

Andrew M. McGarry OKC-OMS 10900 Hefner Pointe Drive, Suite 204 Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-463-0004

Tracy E. McIntire

Oral and Maxillofacial Associates 3601 Northwest 138th Street, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73134 405-848-7994

Jacob W.B. Mendenhall OKC-OMS 8301 South Walker Avenue, Suite 101 Oklahoma City, OK 73139 405-636-4230

Alan A. Miyake

OKC-OMS 404 South Mustang Road Yukon, OK 73099 405-577-7744

Scott W. Searcey

Oral and Maxillofacial Associates 3601 North West 138th Street, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73134 405-848-7994

Kevin S. Smith

Profiles Oral Facial Surgery Experts 1000 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 2000 Oklahoma City, OK 73104 405-271-4955

Paul S. Tiwana

G. Fräns Currier

The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry 1201 North Stonewall Avenue, Room 400-B Oklahoma City, OK 73117 405-271-6087

Melissa L. Farrow

Farrow & Dewbre Orthodontics 8301 South Walker, Suite 103 Oklahoma City, OK 73139 405-400-8069

Profiles Oral Facial Surgery Experts 1000 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 2000 Oklahoma City, OK 73104 405-271-4955

V. Matthew Heim

J. Drew Wendelken

Kierl Orthodontics 165 East 33rd Street Edmond, OK 73013 405-341-5020

Oral and Maxillofacial Associates 3601 North West 138th Street, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73134 405-848-7994

Craig A. Wooten

Oral & Facial Surgery of Oklahoma 13301 North Meridian, Suite 702 Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-751-7600

ORTHODONTICS Brian D. Amy

Orthodontic Associates 10914 Hefner Pointe Drive, Suite 300 Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-947-1526

John Archer

Heim Orthodontics 4320 McAuley Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-755-8151

J. Peter Kierl

Michael J. Kierl

6621 West Hefner Road Oklahoma City, OK 73162 405-787-2001

T. Phlip Kierl III

Kierl Orthodontics 165 East 33rd Street Edmond, OK 73013 405-341-5020

Shannon M. Lewis

Lewis Orthodontics 2900 North Kelly Avenue Edmond, OK 73003 405-330-5095

Marlo A. Miller

816 South Mustang Road Yukon, OK 73099 405-577-6453

P. Justin Power

Orthodontic Associates 10914 Hefner Pointe Drive, Suite 300 Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-947-1526

Jeffrey T. Cohlmia

Timothy M. Shannon

Cohlmia Orthodontics 5025 Gaillardia Corporate Place, Suite A Oklahoma City, OK 73142 405-751-0300

Terry L. Cotterell

Orthodontic Specialists of Oklahoma 1382 South Douglas Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK 73130 405-265-8210

Robi L. Craig

Craig & Streight 706 24th Avenue North West Norman, OK 73069 405-321-1926

Ryan L. Brackett

Pediatric Dental Care of Yukon 1300 Crop Creek Yukon, OK 73099 405-546-2242

B. Don Cheatham

Children’s Dentistry of Coffee Creek 2800 North Kelly Avenue, Suite 200 Edmond, OK 73003 405-562-2222

Thai-An Doan

14228 Barbour Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73134 405-752-5437

Dirk Eckroat

Edmond Pediatric & Teen Dentistry 101 South Saints Boulevard, Suite 212 Edmond, OK 73034 405-513-8811

Martha L. Garzon

870 South Kelly Avenue Edmond, OK 73003 405-348-5757

Andrew C. Guthrie

Small World Pediatric Dentistry 3616 North West 50th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-946-0686

Somer R. Heim

Pediatric Dental Specialists 4320 McAuley Boulevard, Suite D Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-755-8020

R. Brian Molloy

Smile Galaxy Pediatric Dentistry 9801 South Pennsylvania Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73159 405-692-1222

Brent W. Moody

Orthodontics Exclusively 2214 West Boyd Street Norman, OK 73069 405-321-2735

Pediatric Dental Specialists 4320 McAuley Boulevard, Suite D Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-755-8020

Geoffrey D. Sparks

Robert C. Steele

Orthodontic Associates 10914 Hefner Pointe Drive, Suite 300 Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-947-1526

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY William G. Bozalis

Pediatric Dentistry of Oklahoma 3613 North West 56th Street, Suite 105 Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-946-2455

PERIODONTICS Blaire A. Bowers

Periodontal Implant Center 8203 South Walker Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73139 405-636-1411

Lauren Bowers-Klaus Periodontal Implant Center 8203 South Walker Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73139 405-636-1411

John J. Dmytryk

The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry 1201 North Stonewall Avenue, Room 507 Oklahoma City, OK 73117 405-271-5988

Jacob D. Hager

Periodontal Implant Center 8203 South Walker Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73139 405-636-1411

William G. Reeves

Oklahoma City Periodontics & Dental Implants 2800 Featherstone Road Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-751-5333

PROSTHODONTICS Lars O. Bouma

Implant & Prosthodontic Associates 4517 Memorial Circle Oklahoma City, OK 73142 405-755-7777

Bryce Dorrough

8301 South Walker Avenue, Suite 102 Oklahoma City, OK 73139 405-632-3525

Thomas J. McGarry, Jr.

169 East 33rd Street Edmond, OK 73013 405-341-3030

Implant & Prosthodontic Associates 4517 Memorial Circle Oklahoma City, OK 73142 405-755-7777

Theresa M. White

Paul M. Mullasseril

8101 South Walker Avenue, Suite C Oklahoma City, OK 73139 405-616-7336

Heath Whitfield

Edmond Pediatric & Teen Dentistry 101 South Saints Boulevard, Suite 212 Edmond, OK 73034 405-513-8811

The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry 1201 North Stonewall Avenue, Room 544 Oklahoma City, OK 73117 405-271-6400

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SPEC I AL P RO M OT I O NAL SECT I O N

Oral Healthcare Profiles Your Guide to Local Dentists and Oral Healthcare Practices

MAY 2021

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Dr. Tim Rudd & Dr. Korbin Hally DR . TIM RUDD started Coffee Creek Family Dentistry in 2008 following a successful 20-year private practice career in California. He is a graduate of the OU College of Dentistry, where he also taught for a time upon his return to Oklahoma. He and Becky finished raising their three children here in Edmond, and love calling Oklahoma home. Dr. Korbin Hally, Dr. Rudd’s son-in-law, is also a graduate of the OU College of Dentistry and joined the practice last year. He and Emily recently welcomed their first child, a daughter named Wren, into the family. Coffee Creek Family Dentistry offers a wide variety of dental services including implants, cosmetic dentistry, children’s dental care and Invisalign orthodontic treatment. They also provide restorative care such as fillings, crowns, root canals and dentures, as well as preventive care such as cleanings and periodontal therapy, so that most dental needs can be taken care of in one place. As Dr. Rudd says, “We truly treat the entire family!” Dr. Rudd has a good-natured, casual approach and is even known to sing while treating his patients. He has a love for all sports, with a true passion for baseball and OU football. Dr. Hally has a very similar approach to patient care, and works diligently to perfect himself as a dentist. In his free time he enjoys golfing and spending time with his wife and new little girl. Both do all they can to help calm patients’ concerns and help them feel comfortable, so you feel valued as a patient and person at the practice. Each patient room has its own theme, ranging from dental comics to baseball, golf, etc., and you can also enjoy the view out of your own window. “We look forward to meeting you,” says Dr. Rudd, “and hope that you’ll give us a call soon to arrange your visit.” Coffee Creek Family Dentistry 2060 Tayler St. Edmond, OK 73003 405.844.6333 coffeecreekfamilydentistry.com

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O R A L H E A LT H C A R E P R O F I L E S

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L to R: Dr. Geoff Sparks, Dr. Ryan Theobald, Dr. Brian Amy, Dr. John Archer, Dr. Gabe Luttrell, Dr. Justin Power

Orthodontic Associates FOR MORE THAN 30 years, Orthodontic Associates has been creating happy smiles for Oklahomans using modern advancements in orthodontics and award-winning service. Their six board-certified orthodontists work together as a team to develop the best customized treatment plans for their patients. What sets Orthodontic Associates apart are their extensive services, both in-house and virtual. This accessibility is aimed at giving patients the dental care they need when and how they choose. “During the pandemic, our patients have really loved having virtual options to choose from,” says Dr. Brian Amy, who is among the state’s most experienced providers of Invisalign technology and an international speaker for the makers of Invisalign aligners. “We are always looking for ways to help our patients feel most comfortable and give them the best treatment experience possible.” Through free Virtual Consultation services, users can meet with a doctor about their smile goals, treatment options, finances and more.

Invisalign Studio 5850 N. Classen Blvd, Suite B OKC, OK 73118 405.849.5694

MAY 2021

Oklahoma City 10914 N Hefner Pointe Dr Suite 300 Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405.947.1526

Then, patients can choose to set up a free, in-person consultation at one of their four locations around the OKC metro, with free X-rays and diagnostics included. Potential patients can also snap a photo of themselves on their smartphone and use the SmileView app to simulate in real time what their new smile could look like. Patients using Invisalign clear aligners are given access to a remote monitoring app technology, where they can scan themselves using their smart phone for weekly feedback from the doctors to ensure their new smile is on track. These quick, virtual check-ins result in fewer office visits, faster treatment and higher quality results Existing patients can submit a Telehealth Video Chat request, and the Orthodontic Associates team will schedule a live video call to review the treatment plan, discuss progress and address any orthodontic questions – all to continue providing the best in service for their patients.

West Edmond 3000 N Kelley Ave Edmond, OK 73003 405.562.2233

East Edmond 101 S. Saints Blvd, Suite 216 Edmond, OK 73034 405.285.2040

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Dr. Martha Garzon DR . MARTHA GARZON is a board-certified pediatric dentist and an associate professor in the OU College of Dentistry (OUHSC). She opened her office in Edmond in 2001, shortly after she and her husband, the cell biology chairman at OUHSC, moved to Oklahoma. “I love working with children,” Dr. Garzon says, “they have a special place in my heart.” She thinks that relating to kids in child-friendly terms, at their level, is important to her success. “I enjoy helping them no matter what challenges they may have – psychological, learning, behavioral, etc.

“When they sense that you really care, they respond to you,” Dr. Garzon says. “I ask what is worrying them or what they need to be comfortable, and that helps them open up.” The office specializes in preventive care, with an emphasis on overall oral health and education. She and her team also work within a referral network of trusted physicians, oral surgeons, orthodontists and other specialists. Dr. Garzon says it’s important to treat “the whole patient.” “We are very honored that most of our patients come via referral from families who are satisfied clients,” she says.

marthagarzonmd.com 870 S Kelly Avenue Edmond, OK 73003 405.348.5757

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O R A L H E A LT H C A R E P R O F I L E S

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Victoria Ball DR . VICTORIA BALL was drawn to endodontics – the branch of dentistry focused on saving teeth – while in college. “My hometown dentist was great about letting people who were considering a career in dentistry shadow him while he worked,” the West Virginia native says. “Before college, I was trying to decide between medicine and dentistry, and that experience opened my eyes to all the ways dentists helped people. Healthy teeth are tied to overall health and quality of life.” While in dental school, Dr. Ball investigated several specialties, but kept coming back to endodontics. “I love the challenge of saving natural teeth,” she says. “Every patient, every tooth is different – kind of like that ‘box of chocolates’ metaphor.” She started her practice, Contemporary Endodontics of Oklahoma, in June of 2018, and is the first female private practice endodontic owner in the 405 who has achieved board certification and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. As a fan of new technology, Dr. Ball uses state-of-the-art Zeiss PROergo microscopes and 3D cone beam scans to diagnose and treat every patient. The scan provides a detailed view of the anatomy of the tooth to detect curvatures and calcifications or blockages within the tooth’s nerves, while the microscopes help to detect small hairline cracks or fractures that may not yet be detectable on a 3D scan. When used together, they help to provide the best diagnosis and long-term prognosis for each patient’s case. “I’m excited about new technology, and how it has changed our profession and the way we treat our patients,” she says. Of course, while cutting-edge equipment is undeniably helpful, it’s not the only element that makes a practice successful. Dr. Ball lists “skill, competence and the ability to communicate with and care about patients” as measurements of excellence, and they are definitely among her strengths. Contemporary Endodontics 2916 Astoria Way, #100 Edmond, OK 73034 ceoklahoma.com 405.285.5042

MAY 2021

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Joshua G. Brock, DDS JOSHUA G. BROCK, DDS, has been practicing in Edmond since 2018. Dr. Brock and his team are dedicated to providing comprehensive, family and cosmetic oral healthcare services to patients across the metro area. Brock’s dental interests began at an early age, as he traveled with his family through his father’s military career. “My dad was in the military, so we moved around all the time. I feel like I never got to know too many people, but we at least got see our dentist every six months and know them,” Brock says. “As I grew up knowing them, I thought that was something I would like to do – to help people improve themselves and grow with them while I build my own family.” After graduating from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, Brock worked as a dental associate in Edmond and Oklahoma City, later taking over the practice of Krista Jones, DDS. Ever since, Brock, along with a team of dental professionals and his wife Eryn – a dental hygienist – has operated as what he calls a modern mom-and-pop. “We put up a picture of our son, and people always ask about him and our family. I think that’s what separates us: our patients investing in us and us investing in them,” Brock says. “I like to treat people’s full smiles, and we try to get them to the full, vibrant smile that they’ve always wanted. I heard someone say that the brightest part of a person is their smile, so if we can get that to shine bright, then I believe we’ve done our job well.”

Joshua G. Brock DDS PLLC 2000 E 15th Ste 200 Edmond, OK 73013 405.341.0203

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Melissa Farrow, DDS, MS; Jeremy Dewbre, DDS, MS Board-Certified Orthodontists DRS. MELISSA FARROW AND JEREMY DEWBRE are both board-certified orthodontists. This is a feat accomplished by only 33 percent of orthodontic specialists. Following the rigors of dental school, orthodontists engage in a residency during which they are extensively trained in esthetics, bite correction, jaw growth and function. Orthodontics with Farrow & Dewbre have evolved and advanced considerably from the practices of the past. F&D provide a fun and unique experience, while providing an individualized treatment plan for each patient from 7 to 87 years old. Invisalign© aligners are the doctors’ first choice for smile and bite correction – these doctors have honed their skills with Invisalign© and have been VIP top 1% Invisalign providers for the past 4 years. Advances in orthodontics allow the doctors to provide

Farrow & Dewbre Orthodontics 405.400.8069 Edmond Social: @farrowdewbre 1370 E 15th St farrowdewbre.com Edmond, OK 73013

MAY 2021

early treatment and positively influence growth and development in young children, as well as improving airway, crooked teeth, bite and TMJ issues. Patients of all ages can benefit from a beautiful and healthy smile. Each patient is provided with a complimentary consultation that provides the option for Invisalign© or traditional braces. Their efforts have been a success, and the testimonials patients have left in the 1,000+ Google reviews for Farrow & Dewbre provide the clearest glimpse into a comfortable, family-friendly and fun atmosphere. The vision at Farrow & Dewbre is: “Orthodontic treatment should be an enjoyable journey that results in a smile that brings confidence for a lifetime. We strive to get to know our patients personally, be the best part of their day and give them the highest quality result.”

OKC 8301 S Walker Ave #103 Oklahoma City, OK 73139

Clinton 533 S 30th St Clinton, OK 73601

Deer Creek 3700 NW 206 St Suite B Edmond, OK 73012

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Shannon Lewis, DDS, MS Board-Certified Orthodontist THE ORAL HEALTHCARE professionals at Lewis Orthodontics in Edmond believe everyone deserves to have a beautiful smile. As a board-certified orthodontist and founder of Lewis Orthodontics, Shannon Lewis, DDS, MS, utilizes her 18 years of experience to provide the best, most affordable dental services to her patients. As she puts it, “We try to create smiles and make people happy .” Lewis uses the most modern technology to give her clients personalized oral treatment including Invisalign, Damon and Damon clear brackets, even 3D printing to create their own brand of aligners known as OrthoSmile – specializing in the most recent smile correction strategies. Extensive training combined with specialized services, including text services during the pandemic, are areas in which Lewis Orthodontics excels. “But I hope,” she says, “everything starts to go back to normal, because I miss seeing people come in and show off their smiles in the waiting room.”

Lewis Orthodontics 2900 N. Kelly Ave Edmond, OK 73003 Lewisbraces.com 405.330.5095

Michael Kirk, DDS General Dentist SINCE 1993, Dr. Michael Kirk has believed in delivering dental care in a way that changes his patients’ perceptions of dentistry for the better. At Grand Dental Studio, the staff and doctors do their best to make your visit safe and comfortable. They provide outstanding general, cosmetic, implant and sedation dentistry by focusing on customer service training and clinical education courses for team members. Dr. Kirk received his dental education at the OU College of Dentistry. Soon after, he completed a Dental Implantology post-graduate program with the University of Texas. “I have some simple philosophies in my approach to caring for our patients,” he says. “First and foremost, I believe in treating every person with respect and providing options for care when appropriate. Next, I really value people’s time. We seek to give them a very consistent experience each and every appointment, and that includes starting on time.” Spectacular quality of dental care is only the beginning. “The absolute best part about being a dentist is the opportunity to really get to know those I serve,” says Dr. Kirk. “The relationships that I have been fortunate enough to develop with my patients over the past 25 or so years are priceless.”

Grand Dental Studio 1057 NW Grand Boulevard, OKC, OK 73118 405.848.3719 | dentistokc.com

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

A Toll on the Teeth Stress-related dental conditions continue to increase BY MELISSA MERCER HOWELL

n American Dental Association survey released in March indicates that more than 70 percent of dentists in the U.S. are seeing stress-related dental conditions rise significantly as the pandemic stretches into its second year. The ADA Health Policy Institute released the data, revealing an increase of patients experiencing teeth grinding and clenching – conditions often associated with stress. This is an increase from ADA data released in the fall that showed just under 60 percent of dentists had seen an increase among their patients. “Our polling has served as a barometer for pandemic stress affecting patients and communities seen through the eyes of dentists,” said Marko Vujicic, Ph.D., chief economist and vice president of the ADA Health Policy Institute. “The increase over time suggests stress-related conditions have become substantially more prevalent since the onset of COVID-19.” The survey also found a little more than 60 percent of dentists saw an increase in other stress-related dental conditions, including chipped and cracked teeth and temporomandibular joint disorder symptoms such as headaches and jaw pain, which can lead to longer-term treatment and cost.

In Oklahoma, dentists are seeing similar conditions, as well as secondary problems arising from COVID-related reluctance to keep dental appointments and schedule treatments. “There is a lot of stress,” says Paul Mullasseril, D.D.S., president of the Oklahoma Dental Association and assistant dean of the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. “The long-term effects of teeth wear from grinding … (can) take years of treatment and management, as well as increased financial impact. We’re also seeing some cracked teeth as a result of grinding that will need a crown or root canal. That creates a big uptick in the expense to patients. There will be long-term oral health implications from this.” Compounding the problem, many patients are staying away from their dentists’ offices until the pandemic subsides, leaving untreated problems to worsen. “In Oklahoma, most dentists closed their practices down in March and opened back up in May,” Mullasseril says. “As a result, that six-week delay has caused problems. In addition to that, patients who are 65 and older have been afraid to come to the clinics. As those patients are coming back, we are seeing higher incidence of advanced disease.” But Mullasseril said that, while anxiety about a dental visit is understandable, precautions have made appointments very safe. “It’s extremely safe to go to a dentist,” he says. “Another ADA study found that the chance of virus transmission in a dental office is less than 1 percent, so patients can make dental appointments on a regular basis,” which he added is vital to keeping a healthy smile and heading off potential problems. “First, visit your dentist,” Mullasseril says. “Make sure [your] oral health is ideal. If you need intervention, do so as soon as possible.” 405MAGAZINE.COM

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We inspire to provide a dining experience that is unparalleled.

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D OW N T OW N O KC 145 W. Sheridan Ave., Oklahoma City n o r t h O KC 3241 W. Memorial Ave., Oklahoma City

Dining Rising Stars

LEXI HOEBING

Sous chefs are truly the unsung workhorses of the hospitality industry. This month, we look at the metro’s sous chefs and former sous chefs who are the future of food in the 405. Page 62

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DINING

OKC’s Rising Stars Shining a spotlight on unsung kitchen pros BY GREG HORTON | PHOTOS BY LE XI HOEBING

he ideal sous chef is someone who doesn’t complain, works well at volume, is more dependable than the line cooks and gets paid much less than the executive chef or chef de cuisine. Ask anyone who used to be one and he or she will tell you it’s a “bougie” position, or upscale-sounding term for underpaid skilled worker. The best sous chef is the one who runs the

Dylan Morgan

Shannon Goforth

Grey Sweater’s executive sous chef caught the attention of chef-owner Andrew Black for two reasons: an unbelievable commitment to excellence and a stellar palate. “In the Meatball House days, Dylan would roll thousands of meatballs, and he never complained, but I knew he was special when he tasted a sauce and knew everything it needed. He has a ludicrous palate.” Morgan’s mother ran a professional bakery for decades, so food has always been central in his life. He left an engineering program at OU because he didn’t enjoy school. A friend at a pizza joint told him about Chef Black, and the two connected immediately. Before Black opened Grey Sweater, he knew he wanted Morgan in the kitchen for his hard work, attention to detail and creativity. Watching them work together now, the mutual respect is apparent. The engineering mind is still part of Morgan, but he’s using it on plating beautiful dishes. “I like things that are all finesse – where the wrong touch or detail makes it all wrong. There is so much to perfect and master at Grey Sweater.”

You’ll probably recognize her if you spent any time at Ludivine. Goforth was the familiar, hard-working face of the Midtown restaurant, especially after its move to the new space. She got her start in OKC when she came back after finishing culinary school in New York to help with the opening of Vast. An Edmond native, Goforth never considered a career in cooking until a friend encouraged her. “I’ve grown to love it now,” she says. “I love the creativity, and the way I can add things to the role from other jobs I’ve held. It’s been a long road to Bradford House, but it feels worth it.” Goforth now oversees the kitchen at Bradford House, where her focused menu means everything has to be excellent. There is simply no room to hide when you’re only making three or four entrees. Her experience at Vast prepared her to be exceptional with fish, so if there is one on the menu, say yes.

Executive Sous Chef, Grey Sweater

MAY 2021

Chef de Cuisine, Bradford House

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kitchen so well the executive can actually take a day off and not worry about the kitchen burning down or crashing. The chefs featured here either did or are still doing their time behind that title. When done right, working as a sous earns chefs the respect of the industry and prepares them for the chef de cuisine role or executive recognition, but it involves a ton of hours and mostly thankless work. Their chefs love them; most people don’t know their names. We’d like to do our part to change some of that, so these are some of the best current and former sous chefs from around the city.

Bryan Wilson

Joel Wingate

When Lua reopened in April, Wilson was named kitchen manager, but it’s more a sous chef role. Basically, he’ll be doing what he did so well at Magnolia Bistro: cook, learn and grow. He’s only been cooking for four years – after a dramatic change from his previous situation that he now describes as doing what he needed to do to survive living on the street. Food literally turned his life around, thanks in large part to Chef Corey Harris at Off the Hook. “I was inspired by him, the way he went from slinging plates out of his house to the truck to the restaurants,” Wilson says. “He’d been talking to me about things, and one day I was headed to Kansas City and his voice was in my head, so I turned the car around at Waterloo Road, and went to work for him.” Wilson completed the program at Platt College, and his work at Magnolia Bistro caught the attention of Lua chef-partner Shelby Sieg. He enjoys cooking Mediterranean and Italian food, but he has plans going forward, and they revolve around soul food. “I want a place where I can push the boundaries of soul food,” Wilson says, “and in my head, it looks like my young face with my grandmother’s soul.”

Talk to Joel Wingate now, and he’ll tell you his story has been shaped by Pete Holloway and the Holloway family. The chef de cuisine at Cafe 501 – Classen Curve got his start in food in Dallas, where he worked mainly in Italian restaurants. His wife’s grandfather knew Pete Holloway, so Wingate ended up a line cook at 501 Edmond. “I come from a family of Boeing mechanics, so it was weird to tell them I wanted to be a chef, but they took it well,” Wingate says. “I can’t tell you how important to my growth Pete and Jeff Holloway – the whole family, really – have been.” Wingate caught our attention last year when he converted state fair food into upscale, wine-dinner-quality dishes at 501 Curve. He’s been with the company for seven years, though, and he loves where he is professionally right now. “I love that I get to be creative in a different way,” he says. “I can’t draw anything, but I can make a beautiful plate.”

Kitchen Manager, Lúa Mediterranean

Executive Chef, Cafe 501 – Classen Curve

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DINING

G O O D

Ashley Gonzalez

Quinn Carroll

Emancipated at 16, Gonzalez moved to Oklahoma City and got her start at Taco Bell. The Texas native grew up with her dad, whom she calls an amazing cook. At 13, she knew she wanted to be a chef, but the Taco Bell drive-through overnight shift (8 p.m. to 4 a.m.) is often where dreams go to die. Not so for Gonzalez. She’s a fighter, and she’s passionate about food. Patrono executive chef Jonathan Krell was first impressed that she is “a beast on the grill,” but he eventually noticed that she gets very good at every task she’s assigned. Since her program at Platt concluded, Gonzalez has worked in hotels and one other Midtown restaurant, where she got to work with Chef Chris McKenna. Her years at a hotel steakhouse paid off, since both McKenna and Krell say she’s the best they’ve seen on grill – a steak never gets sent back at Patrono. “Being a chef is who I am,” Gonzalez says. “I was born for it; it’s inside me. I love the lifestyle, the energy, the people, all of it.”

Frida’s executive chef has been in the food business since he was 15. He worked very briefly as a dishwasher at Coit’s Drive-In before being promoted to morning prep cook. “I made the root beer,” Carroll says. He also cracked eggs, prepped onion rings and learned the level and kind of work it took to stay in food service. Eventually, the OKC native made his way to Deep Fork, where he met Chef Ryan Parrott and worked with Chef Clay Falkner of Signature Grill. The relationship with Parrot would prove important, because during a one-year hiatus from food, Carroll heard from Parrott about a new restaurant. It took about four months for Carroll to be named head chef at Frida, and he’s thrived in the job. He loves Southwestern cuisine, so the food is exactly what he wants to be cooking. He builds layers of flavor without overwhelming the dishes, and he still manages to plate hearty, sprawling dishes with finesse and beauty. Like so many others in kitchens around the world, Carroll never had time for school; he just worked himself into the job, and the city is better because of it.

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MAY 2021

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Spirit Journey Wander Folk’s path to being a bigger, better distillery BY GREG HORTON

ander Folk is the new name of the Guthrie-based distillery that was formerly called Prairie Wolf. The company will keep one product – a liter bottle of vodka – under the Prairie Wolf name, but the new Wander Folk appellation comes with a fresh line of products that set a new tone and direction for the company. “The journey of this business has been a long one,” says general manager Derek Duty. “Everyone on the team ‘wandered’ here from different fields – none of us had been involved with distilleries – and we’re ready to write our own story, not live someone else’s.” To facilitate the changes, the company hired Oklahoma City bar veteran Jeff Cole, and Cole started the process of learning how to distill. “We hired a consultant who was in charge of quality control at Beefeater for 20 years, so it’s not like I was on my own, though,” Cole adds. The new product line includes two vodkas and a gin under the Garden Club label, as well as five whiskeys with the name Same Old Moses. The latter is a tribute to Moses Weinberger, a Kansas grocer turned whiskey purveyor who opened the first legal bar in Oklahoma Territory in Guthrie. Garden Club and the first Same Old Moses,

MAY 2021

a “double barrel” bourbon, will be on shelves by Memorial Day weekend. “We’re working with Bone Spirits out of Smithville, Texas, on the whiskey,” Duty says. “They’re contract distilling for us, but we’ll be sending Jeff (Cole) down there in December to start taking a more hands-on approach. We’re already using Oklahoma ingredients in the process, and we want people to know that the goal is to ultimately have Oklahoma spirits made in Guthrie with ingredients sourced in Oklahoma.”

That process is time-consuming and expensive, so it’s not unusual for distilleries to make their own vodka and gin, and then purchase whiskey to be finished in different barrels onsite. Tom’s Town, High West, Angel’s Envy and Whistle Pig, to name a few, utilized the same process. Wander Folk has bourbon aging in ruby port, tawny port and Pedro Ximenez barrels right now, and rye will soon go into Sauternes and Calvados barrels. “We want to be known as a bourbon state eventually,” Duty says. “It sounds crazy to some people, but I believe we can do it.” For the gin, Cole created more than 70 distillates before finding a product he thought was the sweet spot. Gin is an incredibly hard product to get right, and as Cole points out, there isn’t one gin for all palates. A flavor wheel of gin contains 13 categories with multiple flavors in each category. For example, “nutty” contains chestnut, walnut, almond, etc. People prefer different “spikes” of flavor based on their own palates. “I noticed that a couple of the categories were underrepresented,” Cole says, “so we focused on those. The goal was a product that resembled our Garden Club Spiced Citrus Vodka, but not so different it would scare people away.” Cole decided to use Tasmanian peppercorn, a rare ingredient that no distiller he’s aware of uses. Combined with Malaysian lime leaf, lemongrass and other ingredients, the peppercorn adds a wonderful spiciness and layers of texture to an excellent gin. Tasting through the Garden Club line leads to a growing realization that this iteration of the distillery is making the best spirits produced in Oklahoma, and they are of the quality that leads people to talk (or write) about them, to be proud of them, to share them with non-Oklahomans. It’s not just good enough; it’s a line of outstanding products.

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A new look, improved product, and cocktail friendly spirits are the new norm at Wander Folk.

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Dining Guide These listings are not related to advertising in 405 Magazine. If you find that a restaurant differs significantly from the information in its listing or your favorite restaurant is missing from the list, please let us know. Email info@405magazine.com DESIGNATION $ MOST ENTREES UNDER $10 $$ MOST ENTREES $10 TO $25

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BRE AKFA S T/BRUNCH

THE MULE Solid beer and beverage

GORO RAMEN + IZAKAYA An “izakaya”

selection plus a delectable array of gourmet

is a Japanese pub, and this energetic Paseo

grilled cheeses and melts; this relaxation

District spot nails the mixture of great food,

breakfast-centric spot aims to become a

destination in the Plaza District stays popular.

sake and cocktails that make a pub a desti-

community favorite. 15124 Lleytons Court,

1630 N Blackwelder, OKC, 601.1400 $

nation. 3000 Paseo, OKC, 900.6615 $$

Edmond, 242.4161 $$ NUNU’S MEDITERRANEAN CAFÉ If

GREY SWEATER This beautiful Deep

STELLA A luscious spate of legitimately

there is another place in the metro to get hash-

Deuce, tasting-menu restaurant defies

Italian tastes for a casual lunch, or romantic

wa, we don’t know of it, and if you’ve never had

categorization, but it’s easy to say that it’s

dinner, amid stylish scenery. The weekend

it, go to Nunu’s immediately. The popular Leba-

the pinnacle of elegant dining in the 405.

brunch offerings are especially superb. 1201 N

nese dish is the main draw, but the traditional

Exquisite attention to detail, beautifully

Walker, OKC, 235.2200 $$$

favorites—kabobs, tabouli and hummus—are also

crafted dishes, one of the city’s best

excellent. 6165 N. May, OKC, 751.7000 $$

bartenders, and mind-blowing food come

STITCH CAFÉ The hand pies got the SHEESH MAHAL While billed as a com-

culinary art and creativity. 100 NE 4th, OKC,

but the breakfast tacos, burritos and tots are

bination of Pakistani and Indian cuisine, the

446.6274 $$$$

among the best options in the city. 835 W

menu will be familiar to fans of Indian food,

Sheridan, OKC, 212.2346 $$

with butter chicken, delicious curries, basmati

LA BAGUETTE BISTRO Les Freres

rice, and fresh naan. You won’t find a buffet in

Buthion have deep roots in the city’s culinary

the building, but you get complementary tea

landscape, and this flagship combines fine

with every meal. 4621 N. May, OKC, 778.8469 $$

French cuisine with a great bakery, deli and

food in OKC, with traditional dishes like mo-

SUNNYSIDE DINER Traditional

tuleños, machaca, and refried black beans.

breakfast spot in multiple locations, serving

Full coffee service is available, and you’ll

excellent classic breakfasts, as well as spe-

want extra green sauce. 1903 N. Classen

cialty items like Eggs in Purgatory and verde

Blvd., OKC, 602.8984 $$

tamales. 824 SW 89th, OKC, 703.0011 $$

LUNCH

with bright, vibrant flavors from the zesty traditions of Guatemala. Lunch possibilities

CLARK CREW BBQ Travis Clark reached

beckon, but it’s the breakfast specialties that

the pinnacle of pit master-dom when he won

truly dazzle. 3325 N Classen, OKC, 602.2883 $$

Jack Daniel’s competition, and he’s brought

CATTLEMEN’S Almost as old as the state itself, this Oklahoma institution’s

together at Chef Andrew Black’s dive into

business started, and they are still delicious,

CAFÉ ANTIGUA Authentic Guatemalan

CAFÉ KACAO A sunlit space filled

F L AV O R

grocer on site. 7408 N May, OKC, 840.3047 $$$ SWADLEY’S BAR-B-Q Familyowned and operated with a deep commitment

THE LOADED BOWL The food truck

to OKC, Swadley’s serves up traditional barbe-

turned brick and mortar helped pioneer vegan

cue, sandwiches and desserts for groups of all

comfort food in the metro, and they’re still fa-

sizes. Multiple locations throughout the metro.

mous for their “mac and cheese.” The menu runs

2233 W Memorial, OKC, 286.3838 $$

the spectrum from healthy vegan to comfort food, and the bar serves excellent cocktails,

EMPIRE SLICE HOUSE This was the

beer and wine. 1211 SW 2nd, OKC, 820-9599 $$

the delicious brisket, burnt ends, champion-

city’s first by-the-slice pizzeria, but you can also

ship beans and the best cornbread ever to

get full pies, giant meatballs, fresh salads, and

MAHOGANY PRIME STEAKHOUSE

OKC. 3510 NW Expy, OKC, 724.8888 $$

a great selection of cocktails and local beer. The

The ambiance and service are sublime, but

full menu is also available late night inside or on

fine aged steak broiled to perfection is the

the excellent patio. 1804 NW 16th, OKC, 557.1760 $

star. 3241 W Memorial, OKC, 748.5959; 100 W

immense corn-fed steaks and matchless atmosphere are history served anew every

EL FOGÓN DE EDGAR Colombian food

day. 1309 S Agnew, OKC, 236.0416 $$

made from family recipes is the heart of this

Main, OKC, 208.8800 $$$$

hidden gem. A bowl of aji verde accompanies

PIZZERIA GUSTO Neapolitan-style

ELEMENTAL COFFEE Seriously

every meal and it should be ladled liberally

pizza (which uses an extremely hot fire to

THE METRO A perennial favorite that

spectacular coffee roasted in-house,

on nearly everything, including flank steak,

quickly cook superfine flour crusts) stars

feels comfortably upscale, the far-reaching

augmented with locally sourced salads,

morcilla, arroz con pollo and patacones. 7220

alongside Italy-inspired entrees, pastas and

menu covers culinary high points from

breakfast options and other vegetarian and

S Western, OKC, 602.6497 $$

appetizers. 2415 N Walker, OKC, 437.4992 $$

vichyssoise to crème brulée. 6418 N Western,

vegan friendly treats and entrees. 815 N Hudson, OKC, 633.1703 $$

OKC, 840.9463 $$$ FLORENCE’S For more than 60 years, this

DINNER NED’S STARLITE LOUNGE

eastside eatery has been serving crispy fried LOS COMALES This Stockyards taqueria

chicken, hearty meatloaf, tangy greens, and

BOULEVARD STEAKHOUSE

A funky dive into supper club glory, Ned’s

isn’t just a breakfast joint, but the break-

all the country cooking associated with soul

Perfectly soigné ambiance down to the last

serves up the best onion rings n the city,

fast tacos ought to be way more popular

food. Don’t leave without trying the pear pie.

detail and cuisine easily in the metro’s elite

pasta, fish, and chicken fried steak with equal

than they are. Big portions and explosive

1437 NE 23rd, OKC, 427.3663 $$

– a sumptuous, if pricy, masterpiece. 505 S

skill. An absolute treat with a solid bar. 7301 N

Boulevard, Edmond, 715.2333 $$$$

May, OKC, 242.6100 $$

flavors make this place a favorite among taco-heads, and the pork verde is easily

HACIENDA TACOS Quality, of both

among the best in OKC. 1504 S. Agnew, OKC,

ingredients and execution, and variety make

FRIDA SOUTHWEST This stunning

THE HAMILTON Tucked into Northpark

272.4739 $

this restaurant in Northpark and Midtown

Southwestern-cuisine restaurant in Paseo is

Mall, this Okie-centric supper club features

a pleasure to visit, and to explore the menu

now one of the city’s must try destinations.

upscale casual dining with regional favorites

again and again. The Midtown location in

Everything from the short rib empanadas

like bison tartare, quail, and steaks, as well as

tasty takes on classic American dishes

Plaza Court is now open, too. 12086 N May,

to the Mexican hot chocolate cheesecake is

an excellent wine list and creative cocktails.

and more specialized options, this

OKC, 254.3140 $$

perfection. 500 Paseo, OKC, 683.7432 $$$

12232 N. May, OKC, 849.5115 $$$

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MAY 2021

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Dress up a meal with an after-dinner drink and sweets. Page 72

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Dessert, of Course Finishing touches for excellent meals B Y S A R A G A E WAT E R S PHOTO BY CARLI ECONOMY

MAY 2021

E N T E R TA I N I N G

1 01

ormal five-course or seven-course dinners are not exactly the norm in these days. But while the concept can potentially be intimidating, thoughtfully planned menus can provide intriguing ways to break up and pace a meal. Aperitifs and hors d’oeuvres or “starters” are a great way to begin a meal ... however, the dessert course is unabashedly one of my favorites. One of my most cherished things to do when entertaining is to clear the table (leave washing the dishes for later after everyone has gone) and bring in a lovely dessert and a special place setting for the occasion. This signals comfort and relaxation. Pour a dessert wine or a bourbon and then bring on the sweets. It doesn’t have to be fussy; it doesn’t even have to be homemade. Whether it is a tart from a local bakery, a small bowl of berries with heavy cream or something you have spent some extra time on, this cherry on top of the evening is a great way to linger at the table and enjoy your company. And if there is enough for seconds, by all means. continue on.

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Living for Wellness In Conversation With ... Andrea Ridley B Y S A R A G A E WAT E R S PHOTOS BY R ACHEL MAUCIERI

Andrea Ridley is co-founder and owner of Udånder health spa and proprietor of Abhinaya, a business focusing on curated wellness experiences around the world. It’s no wonder that being in her presence is calming. She emanates a peace and tranquility that her work strives to impart. Having grown up in Portland, Oregon, she has traversed the country, living in Stillwater, Seattle, Portland, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City and Sacramento before settling in Oklahoma City again in 2010. Her contribution to the wellness space in the 405 continues to be felt throughout the community. HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME AWARE OF OR INTERESTED IN THE WELLNESS SPACE?

I first became interested in the wellness space when I began taking barre3 classes 12 years ago in my hometown of Portland, Oregon. That really was the “lily pad” (as I like to call it) for understanding that I would be entering into the wellness world at the time. Udånder was birthed in 2014. While it was similar to my previous business in a service-based way, it was refreshing to dive deeper into different modalities of healing through touch and self-care. DESCRIBE WHAT THE INTENTION WAS BEHIND B O T H UDÅ NDER A ND A BHIN AYA . A L S O, THOSE ARE UNIQUE NAMES. CAN YOU SHARE THEIR MEANINGS?

The intention behind Udånder was to create a simplistic, Scandinavian-style spa that would be different from anything that existed in the OKC market. Katie Goodrich (my business partner) and I have traveled together for years, and were inspired to share some of our favorite experiences through Udånder, which means “exhale” in Danish. 74

MAY 2021

Wellness guru Andrea Ridley

The intention for Abhinaya came later, as I was going through my divorce. I needed to create an LLC and was skimming over Sanskrit words one day. The word Abhinaya stuck out to me, and later became a passion project and retreat business that I’ve always dreamed of doing. Abhinaya is an Indian word meaning “leading an audience toward” in Sanskrit. The “why” for Abhinaya became clearer for me on my first visit to Bali back in 2017. Abhinaya was launched in 2018. DO YOU HAVE MENTORS TO WHOM YOU LOOK FOR GUIDANCE AND INSPIRATION?

My first mentor was the founder of barre3, Sadie Lincoln. She helped me find my voice and instilled a confidence in me that I didn’t realize I had. I’m inspired by too many people to count. Travel, wisdom, experience, journeys, stories and, well – beauty – are all driving forces of inspiration for me. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING AND LIVING IN OKC?

The thing I love most about living and working in OKC is the people I’ve met along the way. It’s been so much fun to witness the developments Oklahoma City has experienced over the past decade.

405: DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE OKC SPOT?

The truth is, I don’t have favorites. I have so many places I’m fond of in OKC, I can’t choose just one. It depends on the weather, whom I’m with, occasion, etc. Well, I have three … Coziest dinner or night out: The Metro Quaint conversation for any occasion with a quality cocktail: Bradford House Ways to waste time: Sit by the fire at Full Circle and ruminate on my next read, or visit Commonplace Books, because I love both of these bookstores equally.

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The master bedroom is a tranquil space with soft textures, soothing colors and an iron canopy bed by Made Goods.

Lighten Up and Love It How Brown Interiors transformed Regina and Lee Marsh’s home from Old World to ‘Oh, wow!’ B Y E V I E K L O P P H O L Z E R | P H O T O S B Y E M I LY H A R T

MAY 2021

D E S I G N

hen Regina and Lee Marsh purchased their Edmond home in 2016, they loved almost everything about it. The hilly, two-lane drive into the Stonemill neighborhood was picturesque. The cul-de-sac location was perfect for hosting family. The wooded lot was like an enchanted forest. The house itself, well … it needed help. The Marshes liked the layout, but the Old-World traditional elements – faux finishes, darkly stained woodwork and drab carpeting – were not their style. “It was dated in a bold way, and it wasn’t cohesive,” Regina Marsh says. “We bought the house because the kitchen and family room are great gathering spaces. There are nice big windows that overlook the patio and backyard, so if the kids are out swimming or playing, you can see them – it’s easy to be a part of things either inside or outside of the house. But the rest of the house was kind of dark and dreary.” In 2017, Marsh hired interior designer Amber Brown Matlack from Brown Interiors to update the office, dining room and living room. What Marsh thought would be a simple, straightforward project quickly grew into a complete overhaul. “If the paint colors are wrong – the wrong tones for fabrics and making the design sort of come alive – you have to start there,” Matlack says. To counteract the faux finishes in the dining and living rooms, she selected Benjamin Moore’s Edgecomb Gray. “It’s not too warm and not too gray.” The color paired nicely with newly painted white woodwork. The rooms open up to each other, so using the same colors in both spaces created a better flow. The dining room draperies – in a Beacon Hill by Robert Allen fabric – added color and softness. Matlack selected Visual Comfort light fixtures and Lee Industries furniture pieces to finish out the rooms. “In the study, I went with a monochromatic look with windows, walls, trim and built-ins all painted the same color – a bluish-gray,” Matlack says. “It’s [Lee’s] study, so it needed to have a more masculine feel.” Regina and Lee Marsh, along with their two daughters, loved the newly designed rooms. They now saw the potential beauty of their home, so they asked Matlack to keep going. Next up were the powder bath and laundry room. “Amber has lightened and brightened everything up, and also transitioned it from a really dated look to a classical, current look that has a timeless feel to it,” Marsh says. “Each room she’s done, I could just spend all day there. My laundry room – I mean – can I just keep doing laundry? How many people say that? I love being in that room.” The Marshes also updated the exterior of the home, lightening the red brick with a lime-based paint called Romabio that allows the brick to breathe. When the next phase began – redesigning the master bedroom, bathroom and closet – the

TOP: Regina Marsh is drawn to symmetrical designs, and the dining room furniture placement delivers just that. BOTTOM: The Marsh family loves every room in their newly decorated house. Even the laundry room is beautiful.

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exterior brick was altered to enlarge a small window in the master closet, bringing in more natural light and complementing a new corner bench. Matlack and Marsh wanted the master bath to have symmetrical sinks, a walk-in shower and an indulgent tub, all in the existing space. It was a great feat, which required some creative thinking and plumbing. “This [master area] was more than just furnishings and paint colors,” Matlack says. “This became redoing the general layout of the bathroom and totally redoing the closet. We made it a built-in wardrobe closet.” The bedroom features an impressive iron canopy bed by Made Goods and an inviting sitting area. Matlack used pocket doors between the bedroom, bathroom and closet to maximize space. She also strategically placed sconces to create layers of lighting, one of her go-to design tactics. “A lot of times, people put way too many can lights and think that it’s good because it provides sufficient lighting,” Matlack says. “I think levels of lighting make a space feel more cozy or warm.” Today, the master suite is an elegant oasis and Marsh’s favorite area. “When I walk into that space, any fatigue, worry or stress just rolls away,” Marsh says. “Amber has taken this from just a house to a home that we’re in love with.” As designer-client trust has increased, so have the projects. Matlack is currently working on the upstairs family room, theater and game room. Design is an evolving process Matlack knows well. “It’s a lot of baby steps from showing them what you can do, and then executing it and having them say, ‘Wow, this is better than what I imagined,’” Matlack says. “Now, I don’t have design constraints. She’s like, ‘Whatever you say goes.’” Last but certainly not least, Matlack will remodel the kitchen.

TOP: Mirrored pocket doors save valuable space between the master bedroom and bathroom. FAR LEFT: Lee Marsh’s home office has a monochromatic, masculine appeal. LEFT: Amber Brown Matlack selected Benjamin Moore’s Edgecomb Gray for the formal living and dining rooms.

MAY 2021

D E S I G N

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A dreamy tub and layers of light make the master suite a favorite area in the home.

When I walk into that space, any fatigue, worry or stress just rolls away. Amber has taken this from just a house to a home that we’re in love with.”

“We started with small things, so we were able to build that trust,” Marsh says. “The kitchen remodel will be our biggest and most critical job in the house, and I’m not stressed about it. If we had started with that, I don’t know what the result would be.” Washable fabrics and long-lasting materials are incorporated throughout the home to accommodate the indoor-outdoor lifestyle that initially attracted the Marshes to this property. The Marsh family enjoys hosting holidays and birthdays, where as many as 20 kids may be running around the front and back yard, through the home, up and down the stairs. Nonetheless, Marsh said she doesn’t have to worry. The home is as durable as it is welcoming. “We’re a little bit of a hot mess at times, in the best possible way,” Marsh says with a laugh. “I didn’t want to be stressed about things getting ruined or broken, because it’s just the way we are.” With Brown Interiors leading the way, the Marshes have discovered their perfect family home; it was here in Stonemill all along. “When we purchased the house, we purchased it thinking short-term, [thinking] ‘This is a good property, a good investment, and we will enjoy living here, just while we’re here,’” Marsh says. “Now, we’re looking at the house as, ‘We want to live here forever. We want our grandkids to come here.’ It has become our forever home.”

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The Painters of Pompeii Roman Frescoes from the National Archaeological Museum, Naples

Opening June 26 Reserve your timed ticket today. This exhibiton is organized by the National Archaeological Museum, Naples and MondoMostre.

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deadCenter Film Festival emerges from our pandemic year with lessons learned and a bright future. Page 82

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Film Pioneers A look inside deadCenter Film Festival’s 2021 season, and looking back BY BR ANDON KING

The 21st annual deadCenter Film Festival in Oklahoma City, a staple for new films by independent filmmakers, is set to have its largest screening selection with over 140 films. The festival community is excited to offer a record number of feature films from approximately 1,200 submissions, despite the national trend of lower festival submission ratings, says Alyx Picard Davis, the executive director of deadCenter Film Festival. Starting on June 10, festival attendees will have the chance to experience a variety of film styles and genres for 10 days, all from either select outside venues with safe indoor and outdoor accommodations or through virtual viewings. Davis says this year’s submissions are the strongest the festival has ever had. The availability of featuring festival films online has allowed for room to host more films than ever before. “We know the online component works from last year, and it was incredibly successful. We streamed to more than 40,000 people in 24 countries last year. It really was doing something for the first time while not having something to go off of, and the response was touching,” Davis said. “People were really happy to see films in their own homes,

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and many got to see more films that way. All of the things we learned and the things we keep for this year’s festival will all be based on what the weather’s like, the pandemic, and how willing everyone is to get out there.” Safely transitioning back to what deadCenter used to be is challenging, almost as much as converting what used to be into a virtual festival; a decision made on compromise with filmmakers and creative reimagining. It was unprecedented for deadCenter pre-pandemic, but was accepted as one of many programming adjustments planning last year’s festival facilitated by people like

Sara Thompson, deadCenter’s director of programming. “ T he hardest part for me was convincing filmmakers to stick with us, because we were one of the first festivals to go virtual,” Thompson said. “There had been those who had done it before us, but no one had seemed to figure it out. There’s a lot more trust in knowing that virtual festivals and virtual film releases can be done. One of the things people are realizing is there is profit in accessibility for those who want to experience film.” Festival crowds, while familiar with standard features and short films, can experience other movie-watching mediums through augmented reality (AR) films. They provide an immersive, individual cinematic experience through an AR headset that is provided to the viewer at specific deadCenter venues. The festival has made a conscious effort to include more diversity in the voices and film choices by seeking out people in specific areas and groups to screen films from their communities. One of these positions was created for Laron Chapman, an independent Oklahoma filmmaker. Chapman earned the Best Oklahoma Film at the 2018 deadCenter Film Festival for You People, an insightful dramedy discussing issues involving race, sexuality and identity. He has moderated multiple panels and participated both on screen and behind the scenes. Now, he is a programmer focusing on African American and LGBTQ films. “I think we’re seeing deadCenter become every bit as viable as Sundance. In an organic grassroots way, I could see Oklahoma becoming the next Atlanta or the next New Orleans in regard to film,” Chapman said. “We’re kind of the pioneers here, and we can carve out how we want to have this movement pan out. I look at it as a privilege to work here and help this community grow, and I think deadCenter is one of those driving forces.”

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DEADCENTER

The deadCenter Film Festival attracts independent filmmakers from around the country to see the latest in Oklahoma cinema.

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OUT & ABOUT B.D. Eddie (first row, second from left) played an integral role in Lebanese social and church organizations.

All in the Family Lebanese immigrants have become an integral part of the state’s cultural fabric BY E VIE KLOPP HOLZER

here’s a misconception that all Lebanese-Americans in Oklahoma City are related. Perhaps it is because greetings are commonly accompanied by a kiss, family or not. Perhaps it is because the annual Mediterranean Food Fest at St. Elijah Church shows multiple generations working side-by-side. Or perhaps it is because when you mention a name like Massad, Naifeh, Farha or Shadid, it prompts a roll call of sorts. Someone is bound to explain how someone’s cousin married another person’s cousin whose daughter then married this person’s brother … until a deeply rooted family tree is unearthed. No, not all Lebanese-Americans are related. However, many members of the community in

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OKC share a connection, passed down from those who summoned the courage to immigrate here more than a century ago. The first immigrants came to Oklahoma before statehood. Most traveled from Marjayoun, a small village in southeast Lebanon, trickling in through chain migration. “One would come, and they would send back for the next one, who would come and send back for the next one,” says Dini Homsey, an associate professor at the University of Central Oklahoma who has researched and written extensively about Lebanese-Americans in Oklahoma City. Alexandra Massad Shadid came to Oklahoma from Marjayoun in 1920 with her aunt and uncle. Ottoman rule made life in Lebanon difficult and dangerous; America represented new opportunities and freedom. “My daddy wanted me to come. Mother didn’t,” Shadid said in an interview recorded by family members before her death in 1990. “He said, ‘Let her go because it’s better for her future.’” At age 15, she kissed her parents goodbye and boarded a boat for America. From Ellis Island to Oklahoma City, Shadid followed a pipeline previously established by Marjayoun friends and family. She arrived in Oklahoma by train,

but many immigrants before her walked and peddled their way southwest. “They probably didn’t have the fare,” Shadid said. “[Imagine] going around and selling stuff, and you don’t know the language.” Buying and selling goods provided a way to make a living and learn English – key to the immigrants assimilating, surviving and thriving. “The Middle East was in the middle of the trade routes between Egypt and Mesopotamia – the two cultural centers,” says Ezra Ham, deacon at St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church and author of The Immigrants’ Tale: Orthodox Christianity in America. Many Lebanese immigrants opened retail stores, like this one in Drumright.

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The word ‘family’ is not just the nuclear unit; it’s a larger understanding of family. There was a brother- and sisterhood – a camaraderie and group mentality. Everyone interreacted, even if they

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weren’t related.” Among other family histories, Ham’s book tells how B. D. “Babe” Eddie’s family immigrated from Marjayoun in 1903. The Eddies owned a grocery and feed store at the northeast corner of Main Street and Western Avenue before they purchased Stockyards Milling Company, renaming it Superior Feed Mills. Decades later, Babe Eddie had built the family business into a multi-million-dollar company. Ham’s book also details the founding of St. Elijah, in which the Eddie family played a prominent role. Babe Eddie’s parents, Mary and Diab Eddie, brought Rev. Shukrallah Shadid from St. George Orthodox church – the village church in Marjayoun – to Oklahoma City in 1920 to start St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, now located at 15000 N May Ave. About 30 Lebanese families were living in Oklahoma City at that time, and the church provided more than spiritual nourishment. “In the first generation, the women did not learn English,” Ham says. “The children went off to school and had to learn English. The fathers had to get a job and had to learn English. At home, it was all Arabic, but you needed a place to meet – that was the church. They could come here and reminisce. They didn’t fit into Oklahoma City – that larger world out there – but they could come here, and there was safety. St. Elijah became the religious center as well as the community building.” In 1943, as the congregation grew, Babe Eddie helped finance St. Elijah’s move to NW 16th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. Youth programs were added, and Arabic services gave way to English to keep younger generations engaged. Lebanese Americans yearned to keep “family” close. “The word ‘family’ is not just the nuclear unit; it’s a larger understanding of family,” Homsey says. “There was a brother- and sisterhood – a camaraderie and group mentality. Everyone interreacted, even if they weren’t related.” Shadid attended St. Elijah, which made Oklahoma City feel like home. She recalled a conversation with her godmother when she considered moving back to Lebanon to be with her parents. “My godmother said, ‘Honey, you’re here now. People die to come to America. Why don’t you stay here, and you’ll have a better future? You’ll go to school. You’ll learn. You won’t be lonesome all the time. Later on, you’ll have your home and your family,’” Shadid said. “Well, I listened to her. And thank God I did.” Shadid served as the foundation of four generations living in Oklahoma City today. They must also be grateful she came here – and stayed.

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LOOKING BACK

Ambition Restored Reviving an OKC icon BY MELISSA MERCER HOWELL

ew structures figure as prominently into the history of Oklahoma City as the First National Bank Building. The 33-story, Art Deco gem at 120 N. Robinson Ave. was built in 1931 and remained a symbol of the city’s young and ambitious character for decades. Resembling the Empire State Building, it was the largest and costliest building constructed during the oil boom of the 1920s and 1930s – with a price tag in excess of $5 million, according to reports at the time. Perhaps First National’s most impressive feature was its Great Banking Hall, a cavernous, three-story space encompassing 14 Corinthian columns, Art Deco chandeliers and a hand-painted ceiling. The hall is flanked by four murals painted by wellknown artist Edgar Spier Cameron; two depict Oklahoma’s April 22, 1889 Land Run, another the Louisiana Purchase and a fourth the Cherokee removal to assigned lands in Oklahoma. The Great Hall bustled with activity until the final banking tenant departed in 1992. The building also was home to one of the Oklahoma City’s most iconic private clubs, the Beacon Club, from 1941 to 1997. Located on the 31st floor, it played host to the likes of longtime Chamber of Commerce President Stanley Draper, oilman Dean A. McGee and media mogul E.L. Gaylord. In its heyday, luminaries such as comedian Bob Hope and the Shah of Iran were spotted at the Beacon Club, according to media reports. If the oil boom of the early 20th century fueled the growth and prosperity of the

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First National Bank and its emblematic building, it was, ironically, the oil bust of the 1980s that led to its decline. Reeling from banking woes touched off by the Penn Square Bank collapse and low oil prices, First National Bank & Trust Co. failed and entered receivership in 1985. The one-time hallmark of Oklahoma City promise began to deteriorate. Ownership of the property changed hands numerous times amid failed promises of restoring the structure. It wasn’t until 2017, when local developers Gary Brooks and Charlie Nicholas purchased the building, that restoration began in earnest. The project, due for completion by the end of 2021, has racked up some impressive numbers: 1.1

million square feet of reclamation work, 45 million pounds of debris, 2,600 windows to be cleaned or replaced, according to the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. When all is said and done, the project is expected to run in excess of $275 million. The building, to be called the First National Center, will house a 149-room hotel, 210 apartments, two restaurants and 35,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, with the Great Hall serving as the hotel lobby. Plans are in the works for a rooftop pool and dog park, outdoor kitchens and a theater. And while it’s not listed on blueprints, the renewed ambition is everywhere.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A 1960 photo of the First National Building, center, the Cravens Building, right, and the Ramsey Tower in downtown Oklahoma City.

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Pearls of Mom-Wisdom A whistling woman and a crowing hen B Y L A U R E N R O T H | I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y J AY N A H A D W I G E R

very Mother’s Day, I like to do a mental assessment of my effectiveness as a mom. My kids aren’t in prison (as of press time, anyway). They haven’t hijacked a plane, joined a cult or bared their souls on “Dr. Phil.” Does that make me Mom of the Year? Maybe not, but I think I’m winning here. Like most moms, I was trained for motherhood (and life) by my mom, who always had an expression to accompany any teaching moments. “No, you won’t know anyone there,” she’d say, “ but remember, strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet.” If life lessons were food to nourish us and guide us through life’s twists and turns, my mom’s bottomless cache of expressions held all the philosophical substance of cotton candy. “A whistling woman and a crowing hen always come to no good end,” she’d announce out of the blue, leaving me to scour my imagination for a single scenario in which that information might come in handy. Because I devoted a disproportionate amount of time reflecting on my mom’s well-meaning advice (“Just don’t try to get five days out of your three-day deodorant

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pads!”), most of the counsel I’ve given my kids has been the product of on-the-job training and experience. I asked my kids what they remember from the lessons I tried to teach them. Surprisingly, and in a good sign for my eventual grandchildren, they’d retained a few gems that they could quickly recite:

you said was bad news has turned out to be bad news.” What can I say? Some people stand in for the devil. My gift lies in recognizing them before my kids do. Sit down in jeans before you buy them. It’s unfortunate to learn this the hard way. Closely related advice: Don’t try to stuff 30 pounds of flour into a 20-pound sack. You’re fooling no one. Go to bed whenever you want. Most kids have a set bedtime to whine about night after night. My little boxcar children were free to turn in whenever they jolly well felt like it, as long as they convincingly observed the second half of the rule: Just be ready to shine like a new penny tomorrow morning.

Don’t stress about algebra. You will never, ever, ever need it in real life. I’m old enough to say unequivocally that I am right on this one.

If you have to announce that you’re the “alpha,” you’re not the “alpha.” Don’t brag; it’s unbecoming. And nothing more quickly identifies you as a “beta.”

Don’t tell people everything you know. The younger me was an unfiltered oversharer of the first order, which drove my mom crazy. (“We had to spend two days cleaning our room because you guys were coming to stay with us,” or, “Come here and I’ll show you where our dog pooped in the living room today!”) As I’ve encouraged my oversharing kids to “keep a little mystery,” I’ve often cut their exposés short to remind them which information does or doesn’t “advance the plot.”

The difference between an impulse and a good idea is about 24 hours. I usually apply this to an impulse purchase. If I still feel strongly about an item, I’ll go back for it a day later. Likewise, with the clarity that only comes from a 24-hour delay, one of my sons narrowly escaped a scorching impulse to let his random friend turn his hair into a mohawk.

When the devil can’t show up somewhere, he’ll always send someone in his place. My daughter recently told me, “Every kid

Always be nice to the lunch lady. Not because there might be an extra bag of Fritos in it for you, but because people always remember the way you made them feel. So be kind … and, as my mom would say (for no particular reason), make sure to wear clean underwear in case you’re ever in an accident. Happy Mother’s Day!

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