Slice August 2015

5

# ock IndoorbR Clim ing

ess Takes Fitn to New Heights

9

Fun Ways to Get in Shape Now COLLEGE BOUND What Does the Future Hold?

COCKTAILS ON TAP GERONIMO!

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AMONG THE MANY HIGHLIGHTS THIS SEASON:

FEATURES

44

August 2015

Moving Around the Metro

Getting in better shape doesn’t necessarily require dolorously tromping along on a treadmill, and if you find an activity that piques your interest as well as raising your heart rate, it can actually be *gasp* fun. Rock climbing and paddleboarding to jiu jitsu and dance, creative options abound around OKC.

On the cover

50

Off to School The end of high school is the start of a new chapter in life – but writing it in a way that will inspire fond memories down the road will require some planning, research and exploration. We spoke with some local experts and veterans of college preparation to get some thoughts and advice on taking the leap.

2 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

#5

Indoor Rock Climbing

Takes Fitness to New Heights

9

Fun Ways to Get in Shape Now COLLEGE BOUND What Does the Future Hold?

COCKTAILS ON TAP GERONIMO!

Ricki Walker, avid indoor rock climbing enthusiast, for ClimbUP in Norman.

Photo by Simon Hurst

OYSTER PERPETUAL YACHT-MASTER II

rolex

oyster perpetual and yacht-master are 速 trademarks.

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 3

DEPARTMENTS

20

DETAILS

Eye-pleasing home décor starts from the ground up – roam through this collection of spectacular rugs for inspiration.

11 From the Editor UP FRONT 16 Chatter A fresh sound for Ripple Green, a remembrance of Chief Quanah Parker, the return of a cine-meow-tic masterpiece and other area topics of conversation.

22 Style File Any watch can keep track of time, but compelling chronometers like these effortlessly make fashion statements as well.

74

76 Eat & Drink Take a gastronomic tour with Slice’s citywide dining guide.

PURSUITS 88 Top Ten Prime picks for a variety of August entertainment.

90 On the Road Again Venerable vehicles will reign as kings of the road once more when the Glidden Tour of historic automobiles rolls through Oklahoma again.

24 Places Culinary personality Larry Dean Pickering makes big things happen in this small kitchen.

28 Retro-Spective Remembering the way we were with a look back at the origins and development of architecturally elite neighborhood Nichols Hills.

93 Savor the Excitement With football and basketball about to roar back into Oklahomans’ schedules, Big Brothers Big Sisters is ready to do some tailgating.

29 By the Numbers Fast facts and statistics on the subject of heading back to school in Oklahoma.

94 History, Heritage and a Touch of Whimsy The castle-studded countryside of Wales is verdant, venerable and scenic in the extreme, making it a marvelous place to go exploring.

32 Mingling Making an appearance on central Oklahoma’s social scene.

34 77 Counties Travels through Oklahoma with author and photographer M.J. Alexander.

4 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

74 Cocktails by the Barrel The flavors are a trifle smoother and the service quite a bit speedier, as metro bars and restaurants experiment with putting classic beverages on tap.

92 Keeping the Heat Norman’s Firehouse Art Center celebrates the season by filling two evenings with creative fun for all, especially children – it’s time for Midsummer Nights.

30 Exchange A conversational give and take about Hilltoppers, Tauruses, the rewards of gratitude and being mistaken for Wonder Woman with UCO’s Adrienne Nobles.

94

August 2015

FARE 72 Smoking Hot! Step away from the stove and try these delectable recipes for tender chicken and dynamite mac and cheese prepared in a smoker.

98 See & Do The sights, sounds and various happenings that are enlivening the metro this month.

102 Last Laugh 104 Last Look Correction: In the July issue’s public art feature (page 32), one of the agencies mentioned in conjunction with the “This Land” mural was incorrectly identified; it was the Oklahoma City Arts Commission (not Council). We regret the error.

OPENING AUGUST 4TH IN

D O W N T O W N

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w w w. m a ho g a n y pr i m e s t e a k ho u se . c o m AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 5

August 2015

Volume 6 Issue 8

PUBLISHER Elizabeth Meares elizabeth.meares@sliceok.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mia Blake mia.blake@sliceok.com EDITORIAL Associate Editor Steve Gill steve.gill@sliceok.com Contributing Stylists Timothy Fields, Fashion timothy.fields@sliceok.com Sara Gae Waters, Home saragae.waters@sliceok.com Contributing Writers M.J. Alexander, Mark Beutler, Heidi Rambo Centrella, Lauren Hammack, Jill Hardy, Greg Horton, Caryn Ross, Elaine Warner ART Art Director Scotty O’Daniel scotty.odaniel@sliceok.com Graphic Designer Brian O’Daniel brian.odaniel@sliceok.com Production Assistant Tiffany McKnight tiffany.mcknight@sliceok.com

Shop the Armenta traveling trunk through August 3rd

OUR ANNUAL STOREWIDE SALE BEGINS SATURDAY, AUGUST 15TH!

Contributing Photographers M.J. Alexander, Justin Avera, David Cobb, Terrell Fry, Simon Hurst, J. Christopher Little, Quit Nguyen, Elaine Warner, Carli Wentworth ADVERTISING Business Development Manager Heidi Turner heidi.turner@sliceok.com Executive Director of Advertising Cynthia Whitaker-hill cynthia.whitakerhill@sliceok.com Account Executive Jamie Hamilton jamie.hamilton@sliceok.com Account Manager Ronnie Morey ronnie.morey@sliceok.com ADMINISTRATION Distribution Raymond Brewer WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA sliceok.com

405.607.4323 | Casady Square | N. Pennsylvania & Britton Road www.NaifehFineJewelry.com

6 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 7

August 2015

Volume 6 Issue 8

READER SERVICES SLICE 729 W. Sheridan, Suite 101 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Phone 405.842.2266 Fax 405.604.9435 info@sliceok.com, sliceok.com Advertising Inquiries sales@sliceok.com Job/Internship Inquiries jobs@sliceok.com Story Ideas and Letters to the Editor Your views and opinions are welcome. Include your full name, address and daytime phone number and email to editor@sliceok.com.

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OKLAHOMANS NO LONGER NEED TO TRAVEL OUT OF state to receive world-class cancer care. As nationally recognized leaders in research and patient care, experts at the Stephenson Cancer Center are exploring new treatments and breakthroughs with advanced research and clinical trials right here at home.

ST ES NO SO NC CE TE O.ROGR G STE PEHPEHN NNCCAAN ERRCCEENN TR E .R The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. www.ou.edu/eoo

8 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

Slice Volume 6, Number 8, August 2015. Slice is published monthly by Open Sky Media, Inc. at 729 W. Sheridan, Suite 101, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, 405.842.2266. © Copyright 2015 Open Sky Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of Slice content, in whole or part by any means, without the express written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Slice is not responsible for the care of and/or return of unsolicited materials. Slice 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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ON THE WEB THIS MONTH ON SLICEOK.COM

Retirement Investment Advisors designs portfolios for a lifetime.

Knowledge Bases

It was Einstein himself who said that “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death,” and while in a sense life itself is one continuous learning experience, a more formal education tends to help. If you’re inspired by the “Off to School” feature on p. 50, especially the advice to find a school that’s the right individual fit, visit sliceok.com/schoolguide/ to read through our 2015 guide to OKC’s private schools and higher ed in Oklahoma.

Wherever you are on the retirement path, talking with an experienced, professional financial advisor is a step in the right direction.

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Simply call Retirement Investment Advisors or visit them on line at TheRetirementPath.com.

Retirement Investment Advisors has been awarded for ethical business practices and community service while being recognized by local and national financial publications as among the best in the nation.

3001 United Founders Blvd., Suite A Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405.942.1234 2952 Via Esperanza, Edmond, OK 73013 405.241.1600 TheRetirementPath.com

10 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

The Friday $50

It’s always a good thing when you can end the week on a high note, right? That’s the idea behind one of our most delectable giveaways – each Friday in August, we’ll be giving away $50 worth of cards and certificates to local purveyors of tempting tastes. To enter, keep an eye on our e-newsletters (you can sign up at sliceok.com/ newsletters/); we’ll draw a winner at random each Friday at noon. Good luck, and bon appetit!

More Good (e)News

Speaking of our e-newsletters, this is an especially good month to be a subscriber. In addition to the Friday $50, we’ll be handing out some extra largesse to improve your August: stay tuned for chances to win a $25 gift card to Ihloff Salon and Day Spa; $100 to fashionable ladies’ boutique R Meyers; or $100 in gift cards to explore some of OKC’s history and cuisine with Foodie Foot Tours. There’s no charge to enter, just visit sliceok.com/ newsletters/ to sign up.

From the Editor

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

SIMON HURST

I

MIA BLAKE

Editor-in-Chief mia.blake@sliceok.com

’ll cut straight to the chase: big changes are going on at the Slice House this month.

You may recall from my previous musings that I started working here during the magazine’s previous incarnation nearly two decades ago – a teenager in need of some pocket money to pay for my first car. I was basically a girl Friday, and there was no paper I couldn’t file or coffee/dry cleaning/lunch I couldn’t fetch. Throughout the years, I’ve climbed the ladder starting from the very bottom, and I have to say I am quite proud of how far I’ve come.

However, over the last seven months, I’ve realized that 18 years really isn’t that long … in fact, it goes by in a blink. While I’ve probably clocked more waking hours since the birth of my son than at any other time in my life (barring my own infancy, perhaps – maybe my mother should weigh in?), the time feels shorter than it could possibly be. Seven (nearly eight) months old already? Impossible.

And 18 years is about the amount of time it takes to shepherd a child through to the time they get ready to leave the nest, right?

Blink.

It is coming all too soon to my own nest and I’ve decided I want to savor every single moment with my baby boy. Who will soon be a little boy. A kid.

A tween. Teen.

A man.

Blink.

The symmetry feels uncanny, but maybe it’s because motherhood has put me in touch with an introspective side of my personality I didn’t know existed. After 18 years with my publishing family, it’s time for me to move on and focus on my little family … I won’t say my “real” family because they are both very real to me, but raising my son is my new full-time role.

As for the magazine, I’m not sure if the correct analogy is that I’m leaving the nest, or if I’m sending my baby off into the world without me. To be honest, it feels like a bit of both. An exciting, bittersweet time. A new adventure. A page turning.

And I can’t wait.

Next month you will officially meet my successor in this space, the very talented Heidi Rambo Centrella. You may recognize her name from her contributions over the last year, including this month’s “Off to School” feature on page 50. We are lucky to have such an incredible editor taking the helm and I look forward to reading each issue along with you.

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 11

National-Caliber Transplantation Right Here in Oklahoma City

Nazih Zuhdi, M.D., imagined Oklahoma City as home to the nation’s first comprehensive transplant center. INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center today has the most comprehensive solid organ transplant institute in Oklahoma. The Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center honors Dr. Zuhdi’s vision and continues its work in the field of transplantation, with groundbreaking firsts and more than 3,500 lives transformed through kidney, liver, lung, heart and pancreas transplants.

INTEGRIS also provides living donation for kidney transplant candidates, use of small blood pumps for shortand long-term heart support and the only life-saving ECMO/SHOCK program to assist the region’s patients who are dying from acute heart and pulmonary failure.

With an elite team of physicians, surgeons, a dedicated intensive care unit and the state’s only life-saving ECMO program, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center is a region-leading multi-organ transplant facility, with outcomes that rival any other healthcare system in Oklahoma and surrounding states. Patients receive national-caliber transplant care, right here in Oklahoma.

INTEGRIS BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER

3300 N.W. Expressway, OKC | 405.949.3349 | integrisok.com/transplant

A New Partner, A Stronger Team Designer Hardware by Faye proudly announces the merger of Teresa Close – who has run the successful hardware and plumbing business Get A Handle On It in Oklahoma City for the past 17 years – with their team.

“I specialize in residential hardware,” says Teresa, “and I’m ready to join a team of professionals with high levels of knowledge in the kitchen and bath industry. This business opportunity allows me to do more of what I love to do – and that is assisting existing and new clients with their hardware and plumbing selections, checking on jobs and providing excellent support.”

Teresa’s new title will be Business Development Manager, and along with her wealth of experience she will bring additional product lines that will enhance the current offerings of Designer Hardware. Now there are even more reasons to stop by and find exceptionally elegant treasures for your home.

DESIGNER HARDWARE BY FAYE

430 W. Wilshire Blvd., OKC | 405.840.4231 | designerhardwarebyfaye.com 12 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

A New Way Toward a Fitter You

When you combine the benefits of cardio, fat-burning and a strength building WaterRower™ based workout with the accessibility, friendliness and personal attention of a neighborhood studio, the results can be very impressive.

That’s the concept behind the new Urban Row fitness fusion studio in Casady Square. Now is the the perfect time to come experience this new fitness concept in OKC. URBAN ROW OPEN HOUSE Saturday, August 8, 6-8pm Enjoy drinks and healthy snacks and even take a test row, along with a studio tour, and learn about the benefits of the WaterRower™ workout as well as the current availability for classes or the more relaxing, yet challenging Row & Flow (yoga) classes. Your healthier self is waiting.

URBAN ROW

9215 N. Penn Ave., OKC 405.414.4090 | urbanrowokc.com

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dreamhome.org AUGUST JULY 2015 //// SLICE 13

OKLAHOMA CITY 405-840-2800 www.okcvisionsource.com

COLLEGE SUCCESS STARTS WITH A STRONG PREPARATORY FOUNDATION Average ACT Score of 27 for the Class of 2015 9 Academic State Championships Since 1991

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 6, 2015 FRED JONES JR. MUSEUM OF ART

15,000+ Community Service Hours Performed Among Students Preschool - Grade 12 in 2014-15

55 National Scholars 2004-2015 Daily Performing Arts Instruction and P.E. Daily Spanish Language Instruction in Lower School

learn. lead. serve.

To schedule a campus tour, please contact the Admission Office at 405.749.3002 For accommodations on the basis of disability, please call the museum at (405) 325-4938.

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. Visit www.ou.edu/eoo for more info.

14 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

1800 NW 122nd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73120 • heritagehall.com

UP FRONT

CHEF D’OEUVRE

QUIT NGUYEN

Creative maven Larry Dean Pickering has built quite a social following, partially by hosting monthly brunches, while making the most of his small kitchen space. See page 24.

CHATTER Topics of conversation from around the metro 16

BY THE NUMBERS Checking our figures on heading back to school in Oklahoma 29

DETAILS Lovely rugs to lay a foundation for home decor 20

EXCHANGE Talking gratitude, philanthropy and Opryland with Adrienne Nobles 30

STYLE FILE Take a minute to keep your eyes on these standout watches 22

MINGLING Glimpses of central Oklahoma’s social scene 32

RETRO-SPECTIVE A quick look back at a piece of local history 28

77 COUNTIES Travels through the state with author and photographer M.J. Alexander 34 AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 15

UP FRONT | Chatter

New Out-of-the-Box Education Option in Oklahoma City Odyssey Leadership Academy (odysseyleader shipacademy.org) is set to begin its inaugural year on August 19, and at the top of their list of innovative ideas is the school’s “campus;” the whole of downtown Oklahoma City. Founder and executive director Scott Martin cites the Myriad Botanical Gardens, the OU Health Sciences Center and local community centers and gyms as the places where some of the students’ most important learning will take place. Space in the downtown Ronald J. Norick public library will serve as the main hub for the school.

Going beyond the three Rs, the academy hopes to focus on identity formation, virtue development and the pursuit of compassion and wisdom through mentoring relationships. The use of downtown as a classroom (in addition to an engaging curriculum) is meant to foster real world experiences that will enable them to be agents of change in their community.

A creative plan for a noble idea.

Getting in Tune

OKIE TRIO TELLS A TIMELESS STORY When bands talk about “growing up together,” they’re generally referring to the maturing of their sound as they spend years collaborating and crafting music.

The three members of Ripple Green mean that when they use the term, too … but they also mean that they have literally grown up together.

After meeting in kindergarten in Duncan, Oklahoma, Joel Parks, Lucas Gillette and Tremaine Wade became fast friends, and had decided that they wanted to form a band even before any of them played instruments. By 2004 they were performing together, and over the past 11 years they’ve developed a discography that now totals three EPs, with the release of last month’s “Timepiece.”

If you’re a fan of Ripple Green and love their infectious, optimistically poetic sound, it’s still there. But there’s also a rich, more relaxed vibe on the title track of “Timepiece” that will make you smile not just because of its typical Ripple Greenness, but because you can hear the maturing of their sound taking place right before your ears.

The friendships that last from early childhood into our adult years are often deeply meaningful because they not only weather changes that time brings, but also recognize that in some ways, you stay the person you were at six. The members of Ripple Green have been able to take that special brand of friendship and apply it to a sound. Bassist Lucas Gillette has said that the group’s long friendship combined with their years as a band has made their music a kind of “secret, shared language” between them, and the result is a smoothness and integration of style that is pure listening pleasure.

With “Timepiece,” you also get the added benefit of hearing an already good band evolve into a great one.

TEAM ARAPAHOE RESOURCES GETS A NATIONAL WIN Oklahoma’s only domestic elite cycling team scored a summer victory — and Oklahoma’s first National title in over a decade — by winning at Tulsa Tough, even after three members were taken out by a mid-race pile-up.

Tulsa Tough, indeed.

16 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

Just in case watching them on YouTube at 1 a.m. to lift your spirits isn’t enough, the Myriad Botanical Gardens is hosting another installment of the Internet Cat Video Festival on Saturday, August 1, on the Great Lawn.

If you think viewing cat videos at home in your pajamas or at the office when you’re supposed to be working is fun, try taking it to the next level by gathering with others who share your passion.

TEAM ARAPAHOE PHOTO BY KYLE BYBEE

A CELEBRATION OF AN UNDER-APPRECIATED ART FORM

AUGUST MAY 2015 // SLICE 17

UP FRONT | Chatter

Calendar Watch August 1-31 Win With Civility Month; If you can’t say something nice…

August 2 National Ice Cream Sandwich Day; You know what to do.

August 13 International Lefthanders Day August 19 World Humanitarian Day; Hug a humanitarian

INTO THE PARK …

Outdoor movies are a summer staple, but “Into the Woods” is a particularly fun choice for watching under the open sky. See it August 14 at Bickham-Rudkin Park in Edmond; admission is free.

LIKE INTERNET DATING FOR MUSICIANS AND FANS

ON THE PAGE

AN AMAZING ACCOUNT OF AN INCREDIBLE LIFE On August 9, 1957, the last (and arguably greatest) Comanche chief, Quanah Parker, was buried in the Chief’s Knoll section of the Fort Sill Post Cemetery in Lawton, Oklahoma. If you’re wondering why this burial took place almost 50 years after Parker’s death, the short answer is that the expansion of a missile base necessitated the relocation of the Post Oak Mission Cemetery, where Parker and his mother had been interred.

If you’ve never heard any of the details about Parker’s life, then “Empire of the Summer Moon” by S.C. Gwynne is a great choice as both an introduction and encompassing examination of his life. It’s also the story of the Comanche as a people, and the American West as both a region and an era in time. Even if you’ve studied Parker and think you know a lot about him, chances are this book will give you more to think about, thanks to Gwynne’s effortless weaving of issues and events.

Winner of both the Oklahoma Book Award as well as the Texas Book Award (both states have claimed credit as Parker’s birthplace), “Empire” was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Gwynne’s meticulous research and fully constructed background are second only to his novel-like treatment of his subject’s life, which, admittedly, is pretty interesting without dressing it up. The story of Cynthia Ann, Parker’s mother who was abducted from a Texas settlement by the Comanche as a child, was the subject of John Ford’s seminal Western “The Searchers,” just to name one of the many extraordinary episodes from Quanah Parker’s story.

An engaging and educational choice for one last beach or poolside read.

PHILANTHROPY HAS NO AGE REQUIREMENT Fifteen-year-old Addison Price from Edmond was rewarded with a $1,000 scholarship from the Kohl’s Cares Program for organizing more than 200 teen volunteers that collected personal care items for the homeless and secured Christmas presents for a family in need.

And she did it all without a driver’s license.

It could be argued that the clarion call of this generation has been “engagement.”

We’ve urged each other to examine our consumption practices, in an effort to develop more of a connection with the people who provide our food, clothing and other trappings of life, and it’s become relatively easy to be a conscientious consumer in this day and age. The rise of the house concert could be argued to be the musical equivalent of the farmer’s market, in a sense, since it seems that the same desire for engagement that has caused us to put what and where we buy under the microscope has also fueled a push for a new level of connection with the music world.

Typically staged at a private home, bookstore or other modestly sized setting, house shows represent a chance for more intimate experiences between musicians and fans than the traditional concert usually provides.

Oklahoma City music lovers and musicians who want to actively engage in this new level of concert experience now have a new tool at their fingertips: Fanswell.

18 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

Created by a self-described team of “music pros, tech-heads, artists, entrepreneurs and music lovers,” Fanswell (fanswell.com) is a platform designed to make it easier to connect artists with fans for opportunities to organize house (or art gallery, bookstore or rooftop) shows.

Oklahoma City native and local musician Graham Colton helped to co-found Fanswell in order to open up opportunities for artists. “As a 15 year touring musician,” Colton says, “I built Fanswell for artists’ survival. Artists need more gigs and more opportunities to perform for great music fans.”

You can join Fanswell as either a fan or musician, and let the networking begin. Easy to navigate and with a comprehensive FAQ list, the site is a definite boon for musicians, music lovers and house show enthusiasts, and a great tool to help Oklahomans “Listen Local.”

ZEST{FULL} “I like the social life here.”

- Paul Kimble, Touchmark resident

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AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 19

UP FRONT | Details

Roll Out the Rugs

By Sara Gae Waters // Photos by Carli Wentworth

LET’S START FROM THE GROUND UP, SHALL WE? The varieties of rugs now available are nothing short of amazing. It’s a world I fully enjoyed diving into and honestly, I wanted to keep every single rug I laid eyes on. From a colorful take on traditional patterns to exotic designs from Morocco to sleek modern styles, there is something for everyone. I definitely recommend rolling out some of these beauties and seeing if one (or two) might add a little life to your home.

1

20 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

1. (from top to bottom): Moroccan Azis rug from Sara Kate Studios in Oklahoma City | Laura Kirar for Tufenkian rug from Designer Rugs in Oklahoma City | Moroccan Coyle rug from Sara Kate Studios | Afghani rug by Amadi Carpets from 30A Home in Oklahoma City | Ivory Moroccan rug from Mister Robert Fine Furniture in Norman 2. (rolled) Brocade Medici Tufenkian rug from Designer Rugs | (stacked) Lapchi rugs from 30A Home 3. Teal and purple Suzani rugs from Mister Robert Fine Furniture 4. (left) Moroccan Turk rug from Sara Kate Studios | (middle and bottom) vintage Turkish rugs from 30A Home

3 4

2

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 21

UP FRONT | Style File

When Time Stands Still

By Timothy Fields // Photo by Carli Wentworth

TIMES ARE GOOD FOR YOUR ENSEMBLE WITH THE ADDITION OF ONE OF THESE BEAUTIES TO YOUR WRIST. Watches today are not only practical but works of art that add a special touch to any wardrobe. Keep time with these selections of gems. (left to right) Ebel women’s rose gold and platinum watch from Naifeh Fine Jewelry | Movado men’s SE Automatic 200 with black polyurethane and stainless steel link bracelet from Huntington Fine Jewelry | Gucci ladies’ white mother of pearl dial with three diamonds, polished stainless steel case with yellow gold treatment from Huntington Fine Jewelry | Tag women’s full diamond dial on a polished steel bracelet from BC Clark Jewelers | (top) Hamilton “Skeleton” from Naifeh Fine Jewelry | (bottom) Shinola Detroit “The Rambler” in men’s blue from BC Clark Jewelers.

Special thanks to Calvert’s Plant Interiors for the driftwood and plant props.

22 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

LOVE your reflection.

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AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 23

UP FRONT | Places

DOUBLE TAP AND OPEN WIDE FROM SOCIAL MEDIA TO LIVING COLOR

By Greg Horton // Photos by Quit Nguyen

IN AN ERA WHEN SOCIAL MEDIA IS UBIQUITOUS, one of the unanswered questions is how to translate social media connections into physical bodies purchasing real-world goods. Larry Dean Pickering – the middle name is a necessity for those who know him – has managed to harness something within his social media community, such that his work in the “tiny ass kitchen” has moved from the pixels of Instagram to dinners at some of the metro’s best restaurants.

24 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

Pickering insists on lower case when he posts about his tiny ass kitchen, so technically, it’s his brand. The space in question is a six-foot by eight-foot area in a garage apartment in Midtown. Based on the dimensions, the name makes perfect sense, and that’s where Pickering works through all his recipes, including the ones he featured at The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro in January and February.

“I embraced social media from the very beginning,” Pickering said. “There are

downsides, but it is still capable of building an incredible community.”

His social media community consists of more than 5,000 people across three platforms. That’s a substantial number for a non-corporate brand or a non-celebrity. Many of those followers are face-toface friends, but thanks to his food postings from the tiny ass kitchen, he now has followers, including chefs, from around the world.

Exactly how he has amassed such a following and then converted it into real-life diners is a bit of a mystery. Pickering is not the type to read a “best practices” manual on social media; however, what he does do well is move around town, and wherever he goes, he tends to meet people – loves to meet people, in fact. He is a shameless extrovert in public, and that impulse toward socialization drives some of the ideas behind the tiny ass kitchen.

According to Pickering, “Food is a social event. It used to be, I guess. We seem to have lost that social aspect, and social media is partly responsible, but I think people are gravitating back toward connectivity.”

Connectivity around meals is a stock cultural reference, and in truth, many of us did grow up with family supper where real parents asked real questions about our days. Fast food gets a disproportionate chunk of the blame, but to be fair, the food is fast because it’s prepared quickly. How one chooses to consume it is completely up to the diners themselves.

“Other cultures are very food-centric,” Pickering said. “Meals take time, both in preparation and dining. When I was in Italy, I saw how they treated a meal as an event. We tend to have a burger in the car on our way to being busier.”

The family meal, in his mind, can be translated into an extended family. The world we now inhabit – in fact, the city we inhabit – is full of singles and divorced people and transplants. Our families are scattered, so we look to friendships to replicate family connections.

“I have a need for people in my life,” reveals Pickering. He has lost both parents and a sibling, so his family is augmented by a host of friends. “Food is a great way to cultivate the friendships I need. The meal becomes a chance to foster an intimacy that we all need. Food is the vehicle.”

Rather than just post pictures of his food, whether in the tiny ass kitchen or at the table surrounded by friends, Pickering stages his photos. His creativity comes from a place grounded in his own natural

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 25

UP FRONT | Places

26 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

gifting and his upbringing. He has been sculpting with steel and designing furniture since the early 1990s, and one of his installations was recently featured at Oklahoma City University’s Norick Art Center.

“I just think creatives have to create or go crazy. When I started cooking, the creativity was a natural extension of me as a creative type.”

Instagram is one of the hottest platforms now, especially since millennials largely abandoned Facebook when their parents and grandparents started using it.

Unlike other platforms, Instagram is based on images and when it comes to images of food, the connection is simple: most of us eat with our eyes before we taste.

However, it is not as if Pickering is the only one trying to leverage social media to create real-world impact. What has to happen for someone who posts food pictures from his tiny ass kitchen to sell out two dinners at The Metro? Some of it is force of will and endless unintentional marketing. He is just making friends, after all.

He has cooked at Power House, as well, and a dinner is scheduled at Rococo as of this writing.

The restaurant gigs are fun and exciting, but Pickering loves the monthly brunches he hosts in his home even more.

He is a product of a mother who was a practitioner of a tradition that seems to be dying in our hyper-modern, excessively busy culture. She regularly had people just drop by.

“Ms. Mary, as everyone called her, kept coffee on all day,” Pickering reminisces. “I remember when a friend dropped by one day, and after the visit was over, my mom told me she hadn’t seen that person in 25 years. They still knew they could drop by, though.”

The brunches in his home are his homage to his mother’s hospitality, but they also express his conviction that relationships are the most important thing. “They are everything,” he said. “It’s our interconnectedness that makes us human, and our true cultural history are the stories we make with our lives.”

Those are the stories he likes to share and likes his guests to share during those last-Sunday-of-the-month brunches. He prepares brunch in the tiny ass kitchen, and then serves it “al fresco” at a community table.

“We’re all pilgrims on a path,” Pickering said. “The brunches allow us to tell our stories, share our journey, and get to know each other.”

He is adamant that guests follow the rules, though. They are quite simple. “Send me a message to let me know you are coming, and then come over and eat.”

Follow Larry Dean Pickering @popmod to see more of his tiny ass kitchen creations.

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 27

o r t Respective

UP IN THE HILLS

By Mark Beutler // Photos courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

IT’S OKLAHOMA CITY’S ANSWER TO BEVERLY HILLS, FULL OF SWIMMING POOLS AND MOVIE STARS – or at least TV anchors and business moguls. Known for its quiet streets and exquisite manors, Nichols Hills is one of Oklahoma City’s most exclusive and sought-after neighborhoods.

Developed in 1929 by Dr. G. A. Nichols, the city was originally designed by landscape architects to follow the natural terrain of the countryside.

The distinctive curving streets are named after English suburbs, with lush green parks throughout the city.

Nichols Hills has a full-service government of water, police and fire protection, and is home to the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club and Nichols Hills Plaza. Its notable residents include local TV news anchor Linda Cavanaugh, former Miss America 1967 Jane Jayroe and co-owner of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Clayton Bennett.

Nichols Hills maintains a strict speed limit of 25 mph, a fact well known to any motorist on their way to Penn Square Mall.

28 28 SLICE SLICE //// AUGUST MAY 20152015

SCHOOL DAYS

BY THE NUMBERS

1926

first administration of the ACT

first year the Scholastic Aptitude Test was administered

years to date that the College Board has maintained that the test’s name is no longer an acronym

$74.9 BILLION expected U.S. spending on back-to-school supplies, outfits and accessories in 2015

688,300

total enrollment in Oklahoma public schools (preK-12) in 2014

28,685

1600

perfect score on the SAT (again) as of spring 2016

5

increase in state enrollment in the last 5 years

public and charter schools in Oklahoma

OKC Public Schools students last year

BACKPACK BY ARTISTEER

$31,600

starting salary for a new Oklahoma teacher with a bachelor’s degree

174

days in the 2015-’16 OKCPS school year

$8,144,000

$131,282,949

box office for 2003’s “School of Rock,” which combined the concepts

4

average composite score in 2014

highest Billboard position of Chuck Berry’s 1957 opus “School Day”

box office for 1955’s “The Blackboard Jungle,” set in a school and credited with starting the rock revolution thanks to Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock”

1,791

45,297

1010

average score on the math and verbal sections in 2014

perfect score on the ACT

1932

year Babe Ruth appeared in short film “Perfect Control,” in which a boy dreams Babe interrupts class to tell kids math is dumb and they should be playing baseball instead

Ramones in 1979’s “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School,” an earlier, less financially successful attempt to merge the concepts AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 29

UP FRONT | Exchange

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

By Lauren Hammack // Photo by Simon Hurst

A Conv e with rsation Adri e Nobl nne es

WHEN ASKED ABOUT FAMOUS STUNT DOUBLES, Adrienne Nobles pointed out that she’s often likened to Wonder Woman, in terms of appearance, but anyone who knows the stunning and confident assistant vice-president for UCO’s University Relations knows that the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year could pass for Wonder Woman any day of the week.

What is your hometown? Oklahoma City, although my family moved to Nashville when I was 13.

I lived a few other places before moving back.

Congratulations on your recent recognition as Woman of the Year! How did you get involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society? Thank you! I have a friend who is a leukemia survivor.

She invited me to a meeting, in hopes that I’d take on the challenge of raising funds this year.

Is fundraising something you normally do? Not at all – it was way outside my comfort zone.

At some point, though, you agreed to do it. My plan was to hear what the organization needed and then think it over a couple of days before making a decision. Then I got in the car and NPR was doing a feature on the radio about some promising research for leukemia and discussing how their progress is fueled by research dollars. I took it as a sign.

anchorwoman. I eventually did an internship for the ABC affiliate in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where I later became a news reporter.

Do you have any notorious doppelgängers? I get Wonder Woman a lot. Also, Katie Holmes and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

I can see you in all of them! And how appropriate that you’d be compared to Wonder Woman.

Have you ever gone as Wonder Woman for Halloween? No. I think people have a certain expectation of what that would look like and I’d hate to disappoint them.

What day is your birthday? May 1.

Do you think you have typically Taurean traits? I’m pretty loyal.

That’s a Taurean trait.

What do you wish you’d never given away? I once gave away a red Banana Republic pencil skirt that looked great – I’m still not sure why I got rid of it. It was during a serious closet purge. To this day, I pine for that skirt!

How did the campaign turn out? I had the support of a phenomenal team and we raised more than $37,000.

What do you wish you’d started doing long before now? Embracing who I am and not obsessing about what people think.

Where did you go to college?

Western Kentucky University.

What’s not all it’s cracked up to be? Getting older! Or at least, the physical side of getting older.

What was your first job? When I was a teenager, my first job was working at Opryland every summer. I ended up working there seven seasons.

Do you own a Minnie Pearl hat?

No. And that signature “Howwwwwwwwdyyyy!” of hers got real old. It played over the speakers about a hundred times a day.

What career did you think you’d have when you were younger?

I wanted to be a movie star, but then I decided that was a hard life, so I wanted to be an 30 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

Where are you likely to be on a Friday night? At home, sitting outside with a glass of wine in hand and jazz on the stereo.

What do you most value in your friends? A good sense of humor, loyalty and mutual acceptance.

What do you think your friends value most about you? The same – a sense of humor, loyalty and honesty.

Where should I eat this weekend? Ooooooh, I have some good

ones since I have brunch with a group of friends every Sunday.

We love the brunch at West, Packards, Park House, Iguana and Whiskey Cake. Also love the queso at 1492.

Is there anything you’d change about your childhood? I think changing something about it would change who I am now, and I like who I am now.

What are you most grateful for?

At St. Luke’s (United Methodist Church), we were encouraged to keep a gratitude journal for a year, and I wrote about a lot of things I’m grateful for. It was a great experience.

How do you think you’re different after 365 days of memorializing your gratitude? I think it’s easier now to recognize and appreciate the small moments.

THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT ADRIENNE NOBLES I used to write horoscopes for a magazine in Scottsdale, Arizona.

I was once a news reporter.

One summer, I found homes for 15 kittens, which I marketed as “portable heating systems.”

I absolutely won’t eat seafood.

I once got to do an acrobatic maneuver in an airplane as part of an interview when I was a reporter. The pilot told me, “You’re the only one who didn’t throw up today.” Luckily, my mom and dad didn’t live in that market!

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AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 31

UP FRONT | Mingling

Joe and Mary Blankenship Pointer, Karen and Andy Rieger

Jeremy and Allison Owens, Hayley and Zac Dumas

CANTERBURY MASQUERADE BALL Photos by Justin Avera

Canterbury Choral Society presents an evening of glamour and intrigue in its elegant Black and White Ball fundraiser.

Joy Reed Belt, Dr. Joe Phillips

Jacy and Collin Gentry

Sherman and Sandra Rochell

Kim Malone, Keith Lymore

Zach and Jaclyn Duvall, Brock and Brooke Baum Greg and YWCA CEO Jan Peery

Amy Jo and John Davis

YWCA PURPLE SASH GALA Photos by Terrell Fry

The title color symbolizes power and triumph as the YWCA fills the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum with festivity for its gala combating domestic violence.

Benjamin and Natalie Pohl 32 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

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Patsy Aebischer, Neva Stone

OFE trustees Jari Askins, Mary Jenkins Terri and Mick Cornett

Jessica Johnson, John Pettis

Mitch and Liz Day, Sommer and Grant Skinner Boy Scout representative Austin Hinds, OFE Chairman David Boren

Debra and Richard Forshee

John Hermes, Roberta Fields, Mark Burget Jean Hendrickson, Beth Howard Academic All-Stater Tori Denny, Loyd Benson Erin Sanchez, Hailey Hopper, Hillary Jenney, Cristi Bullard

Clay and Louise Bennett

DEAN MCGEE AWARDS Photos by Terrell Fry

Civic leaders and inspirational figures Frank Hill, Judy Hatfield and Mike Grady are recognized for their contributions to the city’s heart at a Downtown OKC, Inc. banquet.

OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE BANQUET Photos courtesy Brenda Wheelock

This annual gala pays tribute to some of the state’s outstanding educators and high school students.

REACH FOR THE STARS Photos courtesy YSOC

With a theme of “Bet on Our Kids,” the cheerful soiree raises funds to support the humanitarian programs of nonprofit Youth Services for Oklahoma County.

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 33

UP FRONT | Wanderlust

77 COUNTIES: GERONIMO!

By M.J. Alexander

IN THE DAPPLED SHADE OF THE FORT SILL APACHE PRISONER OF WAR CEMETERY IN COMANCHE COUNTY, BENEATH A SPREAD-WINGED EAGLE OF CONCRETE, A COBBLESTONE PYRAMID RISES ABOVE THE SURROUNDING GRAVES. The monument offers no eulogy, no dates, no details. Not even a surname.

Its marble nameplate is carved with a single word: GERONIMO. Through the gate of a rusting chainlink fence, a well-worn path curves left toward the grave of the most famous Indian who ever lived.

Visitors trickle in, pausing for photos by the cobblestone pyramid. Some leave behind offerings: A knotted prayer cloth, tied to a nearby tree. Sunglasses. Tobacco. Coins. A smudge feather with beaded handle. A tube of lip balm.

More than a century after his 1909 death while a POW at Fort Sill, his name inspires tributes even – or, maybe, especially – from the military force he eluded and embarrassed for years. Demonized during his three decades of hostilities with settlers and soldiers, Geronimo often now is lionized as a man who was pushed to breaking by the murder of his family, a freedom fighter defending his people and their way of life.

He became 20th century America’s first one-name celebrity, a romanticized survivor of the old Wild West, who at the end of his

34 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

life sold tourists his autograph and buttons off his clothing for 25 cents a pop.

The character of Geronimo has starred in more than 20 films – silent movies, made-for-TV broadcasts, epic sagas. After watching a 1939 Western about his life, U.S. paratroopers began to shout his name as they jumped out of planes, to prove their fearlessness.

He has been featured on a U.S. postage stamp, honored with namesake towns in three states and immortalized as an action figure. In the 1970s, his enduring legend inspired Andy Warhol to create a Geronimo portrait to add to his pantheon of American pop culture icons, joining Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and Jackie O. With the permission of his descendants, his name is used as the motto and insignia of the U.S. Army’s 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment. Without their permission, it was used as a codename in the Navy SEAL Team Six strike in 2011 that killed Osama bin Laden.

ALTHOUGH ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS PEOPLE TO BE LAID TO REST IN OKLAHOMA, GERONIMO WAS KEPT HERE AGAINST HIS WILL AND LONGED TO RETURN HOME. He was born to the Bedonkohe band of Apache in June 1829, in No-Doyohn Canyon, near what is now the Arizona-New Mexico border. His name at birth did not indicate future greatness: Goyahkla, “one who yawns.”

At the time, he was one of an estimated 8,000 Apache, a loose group of tribes that shared a similar language. His early life unfolded much as his ancestors’ had. He provided for his widowed mother from a young age, and at 17 married his childhood sweetheart, Alope.

The newlyweds lived in a buffalo-hide tepee, lined with bear robes and embellished by Alope’s drawings on the walls: “She was a good wife, but she was never strong. We followed the traditions of our fathers and were happy. Three children came to us – children that played, loitered and worked as I had done.”

At the age of 29, his idyllic life shattered. While traveling through northern Mexico with Chiricahua Apache, he and the men left camp for supplies. In their absence, the encampment was attacked by 400 Mexican soldiers. More than 100 Apache women and children were massacred. Returning to the smoldering remains, he found the bodies of his mother, his wife and his young children among the dead. Outnumbered and knowing the attackers were nearby, the Apache bodies were left without burial. In mourning, Goyahkla quickly sliced off his long hair and left the strands near his slain family. A half-century later, he remembered his grief: “I had no weapon, nor did I hardly wish to fight, neither did I contemplate recovering the bodies of my loved ones, for that was forbidden. I did not pray, nor did I resolve to do anything in particular, for I had no purpose left. I finally followed the tribe silently … I spoke to no one and no one spoke to me – there was nothing to say … Within a few days we arrived at our own settlement. There were the decorations that Alope had made – and there were the playthings of our little ones.

I burned them all, even our tepee. I also burned my mother’s tepee

and destroyed all her property … my heart would ache for revenge upon Mexico.”

He talked to Apache councils about a course of action, and gathered 200 warriors to return to Mexico. He had a premonition – one of many – that bullets would not kill him, although he told his band: “If I am killed, no one need mourn for me.”

Goyahkla was selected to lead the charge. “I was no chief and never had been, but because I had been more deeply wronged than others, this honor was conferred upon me, and I resolved to prove worthy of the trust. In all the battle I thought of my murdered mother, wife and babies – of my father’s grave and my vow of vengeance, and I fought with fury.”

During two hours of battle, the Mexicans were heard to shout “Geronimo” again and again. Historians cannot agree why. Some think it was an attempt to pronounce the name of their foe. Others say they were calling for the protection of St. Jerome.

Regardless, the word had an epic ring. After the battle, OneWho-Yawns took it as his name.

“Still covered with the blood of my enemies, still holding my conquering weapon, still hot with the joy of battle, victory and vengeance, I was surrounded by the Apache braves and made war chief of all the Apaches. Then I gave orders for scalping the slain,” Geronimo recalled near the end of his life. “I could not call back my loved ones, I could not bring back the dead Apaches, but I could rejoice in this revenge.”

The 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, in which Mexico ceded all land claims north of the Rio Grande, had cleared the way for ranchers and miners to occupy and annex open territory. The Apache fought back with raids to protect their ancestral lands and nomadic ways. Although never a leader off the battlefield, his premonitions and cunning under fire struck terror throughout the Southwest.

After the Civil War was resolved, as more Anglos headed west, the federal government established a reservation for the Chiricahua Apaches, which included part of their homeland. Before long, however, the boundaries were changed as pieces were carved off. The U.S. Army forced the tribe to move north to the less hospitable San Carlos Reservation with other Apache groups.

On the reservation, Apaches had to wear identification tags, attend daily head counts and ask permission for outings. They were ordered to dig irrigation ditches and plant vegetables in the rocky soil. Time and again, an irked Geronimo would slip away to commit raids and outright war, eluding capture by troops unfamiliar with the lay of the land.

At the end of his life, Geronimo catalogued his battle injuries: “Shot in the right leg above the knee, and still carry the bullet; shot through the left forearm; wounded in the right leg below the knee with a saber; wounded on top of the head with the butt of a musket; shot just below the outer corner of the left eye; shot in left side; shot in the back. I have killed many Mexicans; I do not know how many, for frequently I did not count them. Some of them were not worth counting.”

He took other wives, and fathered other children. Over the years, his skill and tenacity evading those who would tame him burnished his legend and embarrassed outfoxed military commanders on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Some in the tribe resented his refusal to quit. They had adjusted to their new life, for better or worse, tending crops and raising sheep and cattle. Samuel Kenoi, whose father fought with Geronimo, recalled Geronimo would “raid a settlement here, or kill a person, and the whole tribe would be blamed for it. Instead of coming and getting his rations and settling down and trying to be civilized,

he would be out there like a wild animal, killing and raiding. Then they would organize the Chiricahua scouts and send them out after Geronimo’s men. In this way, he caused Apache to fight Apache and all sorts of trouble to break out among our people.”

Geronimo made his final run from the San Carlos Reservation on May 17, 1885. Joining him were 143 followers, including 41 fighting men. The rest of the Chiricahua tribe – 384 men, women and children – opted to stay behind.

For more than a year, the nation followed the pursuit, which saw Geronimo and his followers raiding settlements and killing those who got in their way. Newspaper headlines called them “red devils,” “savage villains” and worse. Geronimo later noted, “We were reckless of our lives, because we felt that every man’s hand was against us. If we returned to the reservation, we would be put in prison and killed; if we stayed in Mexico, they would continue to send soldiers to fight us. So we gave no quarter to anyone and asked no favors.”

It took more than 5,000 U.S. soldiers and 500 scouts – onefourth of the military resources of the U.S. Army – to finally pin them down. Sixteen months after their escape, Geronimo and his band of 39 were finally cornered in Skeleton Canyon near presentday Douglas, Arizona.

ENTERING FORT SILL

In life, Geronimo longed for a life without constraints.

In death, he was buried beneath a concrete slab in a fenced graveyard in the heart of the heavily guarded Fort Sill. The base is an artillery center, home of the U.S. Army, Marines and Army Air Defense Field Artillery Schools, the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, the 75th Fires Brigade and the 214th Fires Brigade, and is one of four locations nationwide for Army Basic Combat Training.

Visitors to his grave require either a Department of Defense ID or a formal application and background check to enter the grounds.

At the white trailer, off Exit 40B of I-44, applicants walk in and take a number. Clipboards with FS Form 118a await upon entry, requesting visitors’ name and address. Purpose of visit. Length of stay. Social Security number. Driver’s license number. Employer.

Phone number. Email. Race.

Leave plenty of time. On my most recent visit, on a Saturday in June, the loudspeaker called number 27 when I came in. I took a number. It was 66. The wait and completion of the process took nearly an hour.

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 35

UP FRONT | Wanderlust

36 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

The date was September 4, 1886. It was the last formal surrender of an Indian leader to the United States government.

In negotiations, General Nelson Miles promised Geronimo that he and his people would be allowed to return to Arizona Territory after serving two years in a Florida prison.

In the end, the government did not keep its promise, or even differentiate between tribe members. Even those who had peaceably stayed behind on the reservation were imprisoned. The Apache scouts who had worked for years with the U.S. Army to help capture Geronimo were shackled as well. Man, woman and child, they were taken into custody and shipped in boxcars to military prisons in Florida and Alabama.

Designated as prisoners of war, they were denied trial and imprisoned. Within three years the group of 500 lost 119 members, mostly to malaria. Children born to the prisoners became prisoners themselves. Dozens of the young were forced to attend the tuberculosis-riddled Carlisle boarding school in Pennsylvania.

After eight years, in 1894, Geronimo and 341 other surviving POWs arrived in Fort Sill. With the relocation, the Apache band became the final group of Indians forcibly removed to Oklahoma and Indian Territory.

History swirled around them, and passed them by. In 1901, the last of the Indian lands were opened for settlement. The St. Louis World’s Fair opened in 1904, with Geronimo as a featured curiosity, “the Apache Terror.” Under guard – not so much to protect the audience from Geronimo, but to protect him from the audience – he was allowed to join Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show, which billed him as “The Worst Indian That Ever Lived.” In 1905, Geronimo rode in the inaugural parade for Teddy Roosevelt.

Before his return to Fort Sill, Geronimo and five chiefs who rode in the parade, including Quanah Parker, were invited to meet the new president. Through an interpreter, Geronimo said: “Great Father, my hands are tied as with a rope. My heart is no longer bad. I will tell my people to obey no chief but the great White Chief. I pray you cut the ropes and make me free. Let me die in my own country, an old man who has been punished long enough and is free.”

Roosevelt declined.

Geronimo died February 17, 1909, nearly 80 years removed and 800 miles away from his birthplace, and was buried within the confines of Fort Sill.

The next day, the Chicago Daily Tribune ran the headline, “Geronimo Now a Good Indian,” alluding to the sentiment “The only good Indians I ever saw were dead” attributed to (and later denied by) General Philip Sheridan.

In an article published the month after Geronimo’s death, a time when many newspapers gloated about his passing and recounted his crimes, real and imagined, attorney Maurice Salzman wrote: “I venture to prophesy that … when we shall be able to look back upon this Indian war chief with a historical perspective, we will decide that he was one of the greatest ‘Americans’ that ever lived.”

FOUR YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH, ON THE EVE OF WORLD WAR I, AN ACT OF CONGRESS ENDED THE CAPTIVITY OF ITS APACHE POWS. Of the 264 tribal members who had survived or been born into the band during 27 years of captivity, 187 opted to relocate to the Mescalero Apache Reservation in New Mexico in 1913. The other 77 remained in Oklahoma, where in 1914 they were granted farmland in Caddo and Comanche counties.

In his final months, Geronimo dictated his autobiography, which he dedicated to Roosevelt in the hope of softening his stance.

In the final chapter, he makes one last plea to be released from Fort Sill: “It is my land, my home, my fathers’ land, to which I now ask to

be allowed to return. I want to spend my last days there, and be buried among those mountains. If this could be I might die in peace, feeling that my people, placed in their native homes, would increase in numbers, rather than diminish as at present, and that our name would not become extinct.”

If Roosevelt read the words, he chose not to respond.

One hundred years after the end of their imprisonment, the Oklahoma branch of the Fort Sill Apache numbers 667. The Apache POW cemetery continues to accept burials of descendants of the original detainees, and remains the final resting place of Geronimo, reluctant Oklahoman.

The grave is not far from his Fort Sill deathbed where, before he succumbed to pneumonia, Geronimo uttered his final words: “I should never have surrendered. I should have fought until I was the last man alive.”

SKULLDUGGERY AT SKULL AND BONES

Whispers echoed for decades about a skull kept under glass inside the entrance of “The Tomb,” the windowless stone headquarters of Yale University’s secretive Skull and Bones Society.

Its members call the skull Geronimo.

In 2006, a historian digging through the Yale University archives came across a letter dated June 7, 1918, sent to F. Trubee Davison by classmate Winter Mead that read: “The skull of the worthy Geronimo the Terrible, exhumed from its tomb at Fort Sill by your club and Knight Haffuer is now safe inside the T[omb] — together with his wellworn femurs, bit and saddle horn.”

The letter confirms a Skull and Bones log entry from 1919, which had been included in a centennial history of the club, which read: “The ring of pick on stone and thud of earth on earth alone disturbs the peace of the prairie. An axe pried open the iron door of the tomb … dug deep and pried out the trophy itself … We quickly closed the grave, shut the door and sped home … where we cleaned the Bones … liberally applying carbolic acid. The Skull was fairly clean, having only some flesh inside and a little hair. I showered and hit the hay … a happy man …” Among the group of grave robbers named in the entry: Prescott Bush, future U.S. senator, father to the 41st U.S. president and grandfather to the 43rd.

On February 17, 2009, the centennial of Geronimo’s death, his great-grandson and 19 other descendants sued Yale University, the Skull and Bones Society and the federal government for the return of his remains.

Not all of Geronimo’s descendants, however, want his grave disturbed. Great-grandson Lariat Geronimo and his branch of the family insist the remains should stay in Oklahoma. “Everywhere the Apache roamed, they considered their land. Wherever they were laid to rest — that’s where it is.”

The lawsuits were dismissed in 2010.

As for the Skull and Bones claim, experts are dubious.

Dr. David Miller, a history professor at Cameron University in Lawton who has lectured on the case of the skull taken by Skull and Bones matter, concludes: “My assumption is that they did dig up somebody at Fort Sill. It could have been an Indian, but it probably wasn’t Geronimo.”

The POW graveyard in 1918 was overgrown, and located miles from the officers’ quarters, across a washed-out bridge. Some of the graves, including Geronimo’s, were unmarked. In 1931, a centenarian cousin of Geronimo finally met with Morris Swett, the Fort Sill historian, to identify the gravesite. The next year, Swett spearheaded the construction of a cobblestone pyramid, extending its Oklahoma rocks and concrete over the length of the burial area to dissuade any attempts at removal.

Fort Still officers donated $40 for a cement eagle to crown the monument. The statue has itself been decapitated, and now features an inartful replacement head atop the bird’s outstretched wings.

Editor’s note: Quotes from Geronimo are from his autobiography, “Geronimo’s Story of His Life.” The work, published in 1906 with the permission of President Theodore Roosevelt, was subject to editing by the U.S. Army. The book was dictated to S.M. Barrett, superintendent of education in Lawton, with the translating assistance of Geronimo’s nephew, Asa Daklugie.

This installment is part of author M.J. Alexander’s “77 Counties” series, chronicling her travels across Oklahoma. The full series is available at sliceok.com/travel/ AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 37

DONATIONS SORELY NEEDED

The Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma City, Inc.

VISIT US AT PFPOKC.ORG

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

MARK T. HANSTEIN, DDS

Bringing over 28 years of dentistry to the Oklahoma City & metro area

2012 Best of Oklahoma City Award for Dental Bonding and Cosmetic Dentistry

Please join us for the 14th annual

Festival of Hope

An Evening of Acclamation & Admiration benefitting HeartLine, providing help, hope and information—24 hours a day.

August 28, 2015

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Teeth Whitening | Lumineers ™ | Mercury-Free Practice | TMJ Disorders Reduced Exposure/Digital X-Rays | Bonding | Root Canal Therapy Botox® | Caring Staff | Enjoy a current movie & an amazing view

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For event/sponsorship information, please call 405.840.9396. heartlineoklahoma.org

38 SLICE // AUGUST 2015 HeartLine Ad_Quarter.indd 1

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MAY 2015 // SLICE 41

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The 14th annual Taste of Western returns this year to Will Rogers Theatre, October 15th from 6-9pm. Come and celebrate the restaurants that make our district delectable and also celebrate Oklahoma City’s distinct flavor of local art as we again take the event to the streets with the installation of 3 more murals into our district.

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MOVING D N U O R A THE METRO FUN FITNESS OPTIONS IN OKC

Most Oklahomans are probably aware of our capital city’s reputation as one of the least-fit cities in the nation. The American College of Sports Medicine releases an annual Fitness Index that lists the 50 major metropolitan areas in the U.S., and ranks them according to their population’s overall fitness levels. Oklahoma City has been either dead last, or hovering around the bottom of the list, every year since 2008.

Granted, certain community factors figure into the score, such as walkability, and access to parks and public recreation areas, and although there’s a push to improve those conditions through initiatives like MAPS 3, Oklahoma City is still challenged in those areas. But personal health indicators in a city’s population (such as physical activity and the number of fruits and vegetables eaten) are also measured, and those have brought down our score as well.

For a lot of people, exercise is just a necessary evil. There are those who seem to thrive on long runs and weight lifting, and while there’s something to be said for simply knowing what needs to be done and doing it, a simple truth about exercise is that if you find something you really enjoy doing … it won’t be such a chore.

If you’ve never found that one activity that gets you excited about raising your heart rate — or if you’re a regular exerciser who is looking for a change of pace — the good news is that you don’t have to wait for Oklahoma City to be transformed into a pedestrian-friendly fit-topia to amp up your personal fitness level. Opportunities for fun fitness already abound in the metro and surrounding areas, and we’ve put together a list of a few — and categorized them — to help you find a good fit.

BY JILL HARDY // PHOTOS BY SIMON HURST 44 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

Stephanie Tolson for Roughhouse Boxing and Fitness AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 45

WHAT'S YOUR

FITNESS PERSONALITY? Not sure where to begin your investigation of the metro’s fitness offerings? While all of the suggested activities would be great for anyone to try, finding a pursuit that fits your lifestyle is a good way to ensure that it’s something you’re excited to do on a regular basis, says Stephanie Tolson, personal trainer and coowner of Roughhouse Boxing. (It also goes without saying that you should check with your doctor before engaging in a new physical activity.)

Stephanie has a B.S. in Kinesiology/Exercise, certification from the American College of Sports Medicine and over ten years of experience in personal training. She believes that enjoying what you’re doing is key in maintaining the habit of exercise.

While some fitness-seekers might be content with the more Traditional exercise standards like pumping iron, taking a boot camp class at a gym or running, Stephanie maintains that searching for different ways to get and stay in shape is a good idea if you struggle with consistency.

“I definitely think the best policy is to find something you like that is also effective for you,” Stephanie says. “It’s also important to know what your goals are, and communicate those with the instructor or coach, if your activity has one.”

“Things like rock climbing, boxing or paddleboarding would probably appeal to the more Adventurous or thrill-seeking individual,” Stephanie says. “Someone who appreciates Functional activities would probably like jiu jitsu or Krav Maga. Martial arts training is also a great learning experience.”

“Creative types might gravitate towards dance-related exercise, like the classes at Teaze or barre3, but these would also be good for people who are open-minded, or looking to develop more body-awareness. They’re generally good pursuits for people who are new to exercise, too, because they’re usually slow-paced and taught in a step-by-step fashion.”

TRADITIONAL

PARK HARVEY ATHLETIC CLUB Oklahoma City, parkharveyathletic.com, 405.606.7100

Located in the heart of downtown, the Park Harvey Athletic Club is a convenient option for the individual who wants access to typical gym activities (group classes like spin, or tabata workouts) and weights and cardio machines … with a few perks.

A smoothie bar, on-site massage therapist and personal trainer and dressing rooms that put many elite spas to shame set Park Harvey apart. High-powered (15 minute) tanning beds and dry saunas round out the list of amenities, and everything that a professional on his/her lunch break would need to freshen up before heading back to the office is supplied.

The Club is a members-only establishment, but the smoothie bar and massage and personal training services are open to the public. (And both are stellar. If you’ve ever thought that it would be a version of heaven to have a personal trainer and massage therapist that can communicate about your specific needs and work together to iron them out … this is the place where that dream can come true.)

If membership seems like too much of a commitment, day passes are available for a reasonable price, and would be a good 46 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

way to get a workout in after a long day at work downtown, before the long drive home talks you out of a visit to your regular gym.

RED COYOTE Oklahoma City, redcoyoterunning.com, 405.840.0033

Discussions of getting in shape usually involve running at some point. And for good reason; running remains one of the most popular means of fitness around. It can be done at almost any time, and requires no complicated equipment and little experience.

But you do need good shoes.

Burke and Jon Beck started Red Coyote after Burke went shopping for running shoes and realized that there was an untapped market for runners who not only needed quality gear, but a little guidance and camaraderie, too.

While running might best be known as a solo activity, the conviviality of a group can raise the fun level for some, and Red Coyote’s organized “Pack Pint Runs” and group trail runs are intended to do just that. (Info about these free group runs can be found on their website) The store also sponsors introductory running programs, and these, along with the group runs, help get newbies started on the right foot (pun intended) and create community between runners of all abilities who just want a pack to run with.

“I think people get hurt when starting out because they do too much too soon,” Burke says. “They think they should be able to go out and run a mile, right off the bat. Your body’s not used to it yet.

Our program helps you start slow and prevent injuries.”

Even if you’re an experienced runner who prefers to go solo, the service and products available at Red Coyote are unmatched. They carry a wide range of gear for running and offer personalized counseling about the footwear that is most appropriate for your specific gait — a service well worth a visit, if you’re a serious runner.

ADVENTUROUS

ROUGHHOUSE BOXING AND FITNESS Edmond, facebook.com/roughhousefitness, 405.586.8655

When the boxing gym where Stephanie Tolson and Joe Garcia worked closed down, it wasn’t just the chance to fill a market that made them decide to open their own.

“I’ve achieved results for myself by doing this that I never thought I would,” Stephanie says. “Nothing compares to it.”

Regular participants range from college students to older adults, and the consensus is that in addition to being an eye-popping workout … it’s an enormous amount of fun to lace up a pair of gloves and punch something.

“No matter what shape you think you are in,” Stephanie says, “Everyone gets a great workout. We offer many different ways to modify — beginners are welcome.”

In addition to getting the chance to feel like Rocky when you pound the heavy bag or step out to train with focus mitts, Roughhouse workouts incorporate circuit training, and Joe and Stephanie are both experienced personal trainers who offer one-on-one sessions as well.

If boxing for exercise sounds like too much fun to be a productive workout, don’t worry. This is one of those rare situations where something that sounds too good to be true is actually on the money.

“Our workouts are 100 percent based on science, not trend,” Stephanie says. “We offer safe, effective workouts that will get you results.”

Eric Pappas for Flat Tide Stand Up Paddleboarding

FLAT TIDE STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING flat-tide.com, 405.496.5703

A mobile SUP shop based at the Route 66 bridge at Lake Overholser (with the occasional move to Lake Hefner and other locales), Flat Tide also offers classes in paddleboarding and SUP yoga and a place to rent or buy boards, and serves as a connection station for those in love with paddling.

Owners Jason Smiley and Eric Pappas say that the SUP movement is only growing in Oklahoma … despite the extra challenge that our wind poses.

“This will be our third summer,” says Eric. “And I’d say our business has quadrupled from the first year.”

The (somewhat fluid) Flat Tide season runs from approximately Memorial Day to September, but website and social media checks are always advised before visiting, thanks to Oklahoma’s famously fickle weather. (Although Jason maintains that the wind here is great for building SUP athletes).

Paddleboarding is suited for a variety of ages and gives a chance to enjoy nature while working out, and even if you’re an established pro, the group paddles that Flat Tide organizes (again, monitor their social media sites for dates and times) are a fantastic way to connect with fellow SUPers.

(And if you’re a yoga enthusiast looking for a new challenge … doing warrior pose while balanced on a board floating on a lake brings a whole new meaning to the word “focus”.)

CLIMBUP Norman, climbupgym.com, 405.310.4648

Avid rock climbers themselves, Lisa and Aaron Gibson had always toyed with the idea of having their own gym, and when the opportunity presented itself, they jumped (or, climbed) right in.

ClimbUP has a definite family-friendly atmosphere; the couple’s young son and the family dog are often around, and there’s a toddler-sized climbing room and several camps and options for kids.

The Mom-and-Pop feel is great for making climbing newcomers feel welcome, but seasoned climbers can rest assured that ClimbUP provides serious, high-level climbing opportunities. The gym’s walls were constructed by Walltopia, one of the world’s leading climbing wall builders, and routesetting is done by USA Climbing Certified Routesetters. The building is climate-controlled, allowing for comfortable climbing during all seasons, and the helpful, engaged staff — all accomplished climbers themselves — are a big part of the draw for ClimbUP’s clientele.

Rock climbing in a gym can be its own individual pursuit, or it can lead to (or help train for) outdoor rock climbing; ClimbUP also organizes outdoor climbing trips with an experienced guide.

Lisa maintains that they love introducing people to climbing, and believes that it poses a great workout, as well as a fairly safe one, since it’s self-limiting.

“You can begin where you’re at,” Lisa says. “You can get as high as you can get yourself.”

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 47

FUNCTIONAL

REDLINE JIU JITSU Edmond, redlinebjj.com, 405.506.7445

Brothers Carlos and Helio Gracie created their form of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the early 20th century, adapting techniques learned from judo and jujutsu. Helio’s version came to be called Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and focused on pragmatic ground moves, meant to allow a much smaller person to overcome a larger opponent.

Redline Brazilian Jiu Jitsu owner (and Gracie Jiu Jitsu black belt) Ty Gay believes that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the most practical martial art there is, and waves off the idea that its practice is something only Ultimate Fighting Champions can do.

“Helio Gracie’s original intent was to empower the weak against the strong,” Ty says. “The woman against the man, the child against the bully. The UFC is great — you have two athletes competing against each other, it’s fun to watch — but that’s not what it was created for. Helio wasn’t a big guy; it was created for self-defense.”

Self defense is definitely the priority at Redline, but fun is important, too. Kids’ classes are light-hearted and include games — no stern sensei or penalties for losing matches — and beginners can walk into the basic class and be brought up to speed and paired with a helpful partner right off the bat. Women wanting to learn self-defense with other ladies have that option (although the basic classes are co-ed, and female-friendly), and adult classes often follow right after the kids, allowing families to coordinate their schedules.

Yoga is also offered, and advanced classes for those who want to progress beyond basics. For those who might wonder if you can get into shape by doing something like jiu jitsu, Ty has one bit of advice: try it.

“It’s deceptive, how intense of a workout it is,” Ty says.

“There’s really nothing like it— swimming might come close, as a full body workout — but it’s a challenge.”

Editor’s note: Contributor Jill Hardy also writes for Redline’s website but she received neither compensation nor perks from them to be included in this article.

TITAN MARTIAL ARTS Norman, titanmartialarts.com, 405.401.1879

Ty Gay and Jennifer Gray for Redline Jiu Jitsu

48 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

Self-defense is also the main name of the game at Titan Martial Arts, where Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, grappling, kickboxing and Krav Maga are taught under the direction of owner and head coach Scott Hewitt.

With over 40 years of martial arts experience, Scott brings a wealth of knowledge to his school, and attendees can be sure that they’re getting top-notch instruction.

Scott believes that the grappling and striking combination found in Krav Maga — a fighting system created and utilized by the Israeli military — provides not only efficient self-defense, but an exhaustive means of exercise that incorporates the whole body.

“Krav Maga was born out of the necessity to survive,” Scott says. “It takes things from several different martial arts and the combination you get gives you real world self-defense as well as functional, survival fitness.”

Beginners are welcome, and options exist for taking part in one of the classes offered, or paying a membership fee for unlimited access to all of Titan’s programs.

CREATIVE

BARRE3 Oklahoma City, Edmond, barre3.com, 405.463.3343

For the fitness-seeker who loves the grace of ballet, the toning properties of Pilates and the warmfuzzy encouragement of yoga, barre3 is the ultimate exercise opportunity. If you’ve never considered how all of those things would fit together, and are looking for a stretch/strength/stabilize experience, then it should be on your list of things to try.

Andrea Mason owns and operates the three metro barre3 locations (see the background of the national chain at barre3.com) and co-owns the Tulsa studio. A Portland native (where barre3 originated), Andrea loved barre3 as a client, and believed in the method and company so much, she didn’t hesitate at the chance to help bring them to Oklahoma.

“I love that it’s challenging, but also very mindful,” Andrea says. “It’s going to target your entire body from head to toe, every class. When you go into a gym you’re concentrating on specific muscle groups — upper body, lower body. But what if you miss? This looks at a workout as a whole.”

Childcare on site is another plus, and the low-impact nature makes it a great choice for beginners.

“Modifications are easy to incorporate,” Andrea says. “The great thing about barre3 is that you can truly make it your own.”

Andrea Mason for Barre3

TEAZE Oklahoma City, teazedance.com, 405.232.7653

Lynn Crowe is a former dance major who always leaned towards cabaret and other “sultry” styles. In 2008 she decided that Oklahoma City needed a burlesque and pole dancing studio, and by the following year, Teaze Dance and Fitness was operational in Automobile Alley.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to grab a pole and take a spin, or just learn some moves that might help you channel your inner siren, Teaze offers a private (all classes are closed-door — no gawkers allowed) means of exploring options for that.

Classes start at beginner level, and cover everything from pole basics and hoop tricks, to chair dancing and floorwork.

The workout that dancing of this sort provides is unique, to say the least.

“It hits a lot of different muscle groups,” Lynn says. “Even more than you might get by working out in a gym. It’s going to do a lot for your chest, your obliques … even in the beginner class, you’re going to get a fitness experience that you’ve never had before.”

Lynn explains that the benefits go beyond the physical ones, for women who find themselves enjoying the various offerings at Teaze.

“Part of what’s so fun,” Lynn says, “is that what we offer is different from just walking on a treadmill; you’re learning beautiful poses, spins, moves. It becomes a whole other realm beyond ‘I’m unhappy with how my body looks.’ You may be a former dancer who can’t find a studio for adults, you might just be wanting to step out of the box and do something you’ve never done. And just like a dance class at a kids’ studio, this gives you a chance to meet people, have fun in a group atmosphere and interact with each other.”

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 49

Off to School Planning for college doesn’t always go by the book; be prepared for bumps and detours

By Heidi Rambo Centrella // Photos by Quit Nguyen

50 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 51

Gracy Helm had her mind made up.

Or so she thought. During her senior year of high school, she knew she wanted to either go into fashion design or the ministry.

She applied to several universities, both locally and as far away as California, and received numerous scholarship opportunities.

When the time came, she decided to stay closer to home and attend Oklahoma State University. Helm went to orientation, signed up for a dorm room with a great friend and all was set.

“Then, in June of the summer before college, I had a change of heart,” she said. “I decided I wanted to go to TCU (Texas Christian University).”

Helm and her mother made the drive, took the tour, and she fell in love with Ft. Worth, the campus and surrounding neighborhoods. She was set to move in August.

“I spent my first semester of college at TCU, majoring in fashion merchandising, and it didn’t take me long to realize that this overpriced private school wasn’t for me,” she said. “I transferred to OSU in January of my freshman year. That first semester I spent every weekend back home in Edmond and dreaded going back.”

But by the start of her sophomore year, everything changed.

Helm embraced her college career, becoming involved in numerous activities similar to those in youth ministry she had been involved with in high school. She met life-long friends, and says she has “absolutely no regrets about making that transfer.”

Express Yourself

Helm most certainly is not alone when it comes to leaving the nest and finding the next right fit, nor is she alone in wanting to return home on the weekends.

Caleb Cash, coordinator for student engagement for orientation and parent programs at University of Central Oklahoma, says the most important thing to remember is “don’t stress.” And that advice is directed to both students and parents.

“Your student is in the hands of trained professionals,” he says.

“We know what these students are thinking. There’s so much more freedom in college.

“The biggest thing with parents is, how do you give your students freedom while also learning and coaching them through the 52 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

collegiate experience?” Cash said. “What I recommend to students is to embrace it all, go into it with an open mind … talk to your parents on a regular basis and let them know what’s going on and also give them information on how they can help you.”

He said they encourage students to stay on campus, get immersed in the culture that’s been created and engage in campus activities, go out and make friends at events.

“There are programs happening every night for students to go out and get involved in the student culture,” Cash said.

As for finding that right fit, Julie Bramble, assistant director of college counseling at Heritage Hall, says the list of questions to be answered is seemingly endless. For some it’s geogra-

Gracy Helm phy: warm or cold; near or far, rural or urban. For others, it’s about a specific major.

“Some students long for big D-1 football games, Greek life and a nearby Super Target, while others would be at a loss without nearby mountains to climb and sleepy small towns to explore,” Bramble said. “While the thought of heading off to college can be intimidating for students, most relish the opportunity to choose where they will wake up and attend classes for the first time in their lives.”

He’s Leaving Home

Amy Urbach, office manager at Urbach Law Firm, understood her son’s calling to attend culinary school from the time he was in junior high school. Like Helm, they toured local universities, as well as culinary schools in Texas and New York.

Her son, Shawn, decided on The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. “The application process to The CIA is extensive,” Urbach said.

“My daughter, Shawn and myself spent an entire evening at a coffee shop filling out the application. We had a great time and had a lot

“Keep an open mind and be prepared to be a new person when you graduate in four years, and get sleep!” – CALEB CASH

of fun with it, as well. I’m certain it brought down the stress level for Shawn for us to help him through the process. I still remember the moment he hit the submit button. And we were all very excited when he received his acceptance letter.”

But then reality hit.

“My son was moving clear across the country,” Urbach recalled.

As the family prepared for the long trip to New York, they made it as fun and adventurous as they could along the way.

“We got Shawn settled into his dorm over the weekend, and that following Monday he started classes,” she said. “His dad, stepmom and I went to the parent orientation meetings that day – lots of information, great day of touring the campus, going over the class schedules, how to encourage and support our kids through the process.

“Students come from all over the world, so they are very good at educating parents and family on what to expect for our students.”

But the day before Urbach was scheduled to return to Oklahoma, she says it sank in and Shawn realized how far he would be from family.

“He panicked and said he changed his mind and said he didn’t think The CIA was for him,” she said. “Now, two-and-a-half years later, he will laugh about it and say how silly that was. I really had to talk him through some anxiety and fear he was having before I left.”

Naturally, this made Urbach anxious, too.

“I cried the entire train ride to New York City and the entire flight home to Oklahoma City. The flight attendant brought me an entire box of tissues, and I had to apologize and explain to my seat mates.”

In the weeks that followed, Urbach says Shawn really struggled and was insistent about coming home.

“His sister told him ‘no,’ his dad told him ‘no,’ his stepmom told him ‘no,’ I told him ‘no,’ and his best friend told him ‘no,’” she said.

“Once he got settled in, he became more comfortable, and now he can’t wait to get back after a visit home.”

Urbach’s daughter opted for a local college experience at University of Central Oklahoma, where she is currently working on her master’s degree.

“These were two totally different experiences for us,” she said. “If my daughter had wanted to attend an out-of-state college, I would have been more than willing to encourage her to do that. I think that it’s really important to encourage your kids to do what they want to do, even if it doesn’t seem conventional, traditional or practical.”

Bramble advises visiting college campuses, as it’s the best way for students to identify a good fit. As they tour and take in information sessions, they can really get a sense for whether they can see themselves there.

“Some students even report that ‘A-ha!’ moment as they step onto a campus,” she said. “Even those students who bleed OU crimson and cream or have been OSU Cowboy-ed up since birth may want to investigate a few other college options to make sure they are making an informed choice.”

Another issue Bramble stressed is today’s “great debate” about the value of attending a highly prestigious, big-name university to

Caleb Cash ensure future success. Some, she says, will argue that an Ivy League education is worth the exorbitant price tag; others advocate for a slightly less competitive environment where talented students can earn substantial merit-based scholarships and be a bigger fish in a smaller pond.

For more information on that front, check out Malcolm Gladwell’s “David and Goliath.” As written in “Peterson’s Newswire: The Real Guide to Colleges and Universities,” “[Gladwell] puts forward the notion that students should not necessarily go to major, prestigious universities just to take advantage of that prestige.

Instead, students should go to universities where they are likely to truly and notably excel.”

GPA? GTHO

One example Bramble gave was a student turning down Vanderbilt for Rhodes this year.

According to Marshall Gray, director of college counseling at Heritage Hall, it’s not a highly complicated process to get into a state school.

AUGUST MAY2015 2015 // SLICE 53

“When you’re looking at colleges, don’t get caught up in the mains … especially for parents who stress about whether I’ve heard of this college before or whether I think this is the best school. The only question that matters is whether the school is the best school for the student.” – MARSHALL GRAY For example, at OSU, a simple search on the school’s website outlines the three different criteria for getting accepted.

“When they give you these black and white things, it’s really nice because there are no tricks to it,” Gray said. “The challenge is when you start to look at more selective schools. As far as tricks or things that are hidden, look at what GPA really means.”

Gray explained that different high schools calculate GPAs in different ways.

Some throw out athletics and arts courses, looking only at core course GPAs. “When I sat down with a student and hand counted a GPA for them, after stripping out arts and athletics and things like that, it can kind of be a pretty drastic difference in terms of … if you have a weighted GPA and then get bumps for AP and honors courses.”

For example, he mentioned a high school in Tulsa that gave four points for an A in a regular course, five points for an A in an honors course and six points for an A in an AP course, resulting in quite lofty overall GPAs. “Typically, OU and OSU are going to strip all that away and take it back down to four points for an A,” he said. “So what the numbers are when you’re looking at the … student, that’s not necessarily the way the school is looking at it.”

Additionally, he points out that while community service is an important component to the application process, don’t overdo it.

“There’s this idea that your student has to be involved in tons of different things to get into a college, or get into a good college,” Gray said. “In this day and age, more often than not, colleges love to see students with a passion. They love to see students who commit to something, who are excited about 54 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

Marshall Gray and Julie Bramble something. You’re much better off to have a four-year history of significant commitments to a small number of activities where you really poured your time and energy and emotion into it than have a resume that has tons of stuff that a college is looking at and knowing that you couldn’t devote too much time to them.”

YOLO: You Only Live Once

When it comes to deciding the best time to start the search, Bramble said it all depends on the student’s aspirations.

Those planning to apply to highly competitive schools should start building the strongest transcript and resume possible in their freshman year.

“The process really begins in earnest for most of our students at the beginning of junior year when they have an opportunity to meet with representatives from over 50 colleges who visit our campus each fall,” Bramble said. “Junior year – and the preceding and following summer – is a popular time to visit college campuses and, ideally, juniors will have taken the ACT or SAT at least once before summer break.

Cassie Gage “It’s important not to wait until senior year to begin thinking about college, as many students will submit applications in the fall, by the November early action or early decision deadlines.”

Have Fun, Work Hard, Take Risks

For many students, the question of paying for college is also part of the equation. Enter Cassie Gage, a freelance public relations specialist living in Norman. She knew what she wanted to do with her life by the time she was in the ninth grade. She wanted to work in sports. She graduated high school with honors, but faltered when it came to standardized tests, such as the ACT. She also knew paying for a college education would be on her dime. But a door opened for her when a local community college offered a small scholarship to do sports public relations for them.

“I never even looked at four-year schools out of high school and after that meeting,” she said. “I could not have gotten in with my ACT score, and I even had to take a remedial ACT to get into community college.”

Although she qualified for federal aid through FAFSA, still, that combined with her small scholarship wasn’t enough to cover the cost of school.

“I had been looking for other aid opportunities since I knew the cost was on me,” she said. “The sports PR part of the equation really prevented me from getting a job to supplement my income. I looked for aid on every website imaginable. I applied for just about anything I qualified for. I came across this scholarship called the Gates Millennium Scholarship one day. It’s run by Bill and Melinda Gates, and Warren Buffett. They literally changed my life.”

The scholarship was designed for minorities who need financial assistance, and she qualified as a Native American, with her father being a full-blood Cohaire Indian (North Carolina).

While she was a registered member of the tribe, the Cohaires are recognized by the state of North Carolina, but not by the federal government, she said.

“That last little bit was my hiccup,” she said. “Coming from a non-federally recognized tribe eliminated me from consideration for a lot of scholarships. But not this one.”

She applied, got accepted, and it covered two years of community college, and went on to cover the next three years at a university.

Gage graduated from college debt-free.

“The best advice I can give is to not rule something out,” she says. “There are scholarships out there for everyone. Do your best to get scholarships first to minimize what you have to pay back later. I got lucky. I’m thankful for Microsoft – even though I have an iPhone.”

Gray says whether or not you have financial support, there are some important things to consider. For instance, if you’re going to a college where you’re above average, not only are you more likely to get more scholarship money, but there are other perks as well.

If you’re going in as an elite compared to your peers, if there is a special opportunity, a faculty member is likely to go to you because you’re a rockstar and suggest that you participate.

If you are a star at the school, and an alum is visiting the campus, you’re more likely to be the one the president is going to ask to have dinner with this alum, or be recommended for an internship, or represent the school at a conference.

“These are job-creating, resume-building opportunities that you might get if you go somewhere that you’re above average,” he said.

Also, standardized test scores aren’t as important today at several schools.

Gray says there are now more than 900 schools where a student can get in without ACT scores.

“Don’t put too much emphasis on standardized testing,” he says. “Many schools are going against the standardized testing requirements. Why put the students through all the stress and agony of it?”

Helm, who currently is working at the District Attorneys Council as a grant programs specialist, but as of press time will have secured a position as executive assistant at Positive Tomorrows, working in the “giving-back” field in which she has always thrived, says college was the best experience of her life so far.

“I would go back in a heartbeat if I could,” she says. “I experienced true heartbreak, and made some of the best friendships I’ve ever had.

“The main advice I’d give someone heading to college is to live every moment,” Helm said. “Don’t think you have to have it all figured out when you’re a sophomore, because honestly we’re all still figuring it out. Have fun, work hard and take risks. It’s worth every minute.”

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 55

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SHOPPING DESTINATIONS Fashion | Home Furnishings | Accessories | Décor AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 57

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STAND OUT STYLISHLY THIS SEASON With Ming Wang’s all-new Fall 2015 collection!

From polished patterning to daring details - get ready for your most stylish fall yet with what’s new at Ming Wang. Available in Missy, Petite, and Women’s sizes at Von Maur, Quail Springs Mall.

Update your wardrobe in an instant with Ming Wang’s ready-to-wear houndstooth jacket and tank set! In fall’s on-trend colors of black, wheat and apricot, this set is sure to keep you looking incomparably chic all season long. M6209AC00VM Jacket, $254-306; M6209B00VM Tank $110-148

Get suited in stripes with the orchid & black reversible jacket from Ming Wang. Whether you’re headed to the office or prepping for girl’s night out, this piece will elevate your everyday look no matter what the occasion.

L6225AD00VM Jacket, $290

Available at Von Maur, Quail Springs Mall Oklahoma City | 405.751.1424 mingwangknits.com

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FA L L 2 01 5 C O L L E CT I ON available at in Missy, Petite, and Women’s sizes

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Razzle-Dazzle for Home or Dorm One-of-a-kind couch in electric blue leather, chrome and glass coffee and end tables, classic retro dresser – all the ingredients for an exquisite and functional space.

519 N.W. 23rd St., Ste 105, OKC | 608.1923 | interiorgilt.com

60 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

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430 W. Wilshire Blvd. | Oklahoma City | 405.840.4231 | dhbyfaye.com

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519 NW. 23RD ST., SUITE 105 OKLAHOMA CITY // 405.608.1923 INTERIORGILT.COM

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 61

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EVERYONE LOOKS GOOD IN BLAC Innovative, original carbon-frame eyewear

Blac is revolutionary designer eyewear. Made from carbon fiber reinforced with titanium for a frame that’s lightweight yet very strong, and distinctively stylish, Blac is inspired by Formula 1 racecar construction, handmade exclusively in Denmark … and an exceptional addition to your personal look.

3840 S Boulevard, Edmond | 405.341.6941 | tsooptical.com 62 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

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AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 63

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TRENDS

BACK TO SCHOOL From preschool to high school to the hallowed halls of higher learning, saying goodbye to summer and hello to a new school year is far more pleasing with a new item or two to ease the transition.

Perfect for carrying all that you need in style, the Longchamp tote neatly folds into a small rectangle for storage. Water-resistant nylon with embossed leather trim, top zip with snap-flap closure. R Meyers Who rules? Your kid, that’s who!

Celebrate that academic advancement with a ruler frame with chalkboard for thought expression and clip for photo.

Urban Farmhouse Designs

Say what everyone is thinking with this sassy little pillow made in the U.S. from canvas plus recycled materials ($110). Designer Rugs

Store your essential information and keep yourself organized in this handy, fashionable myAgenda Desktop day planner, available in an array of colors. In Your Dreams

Let the world know how hard you’re working with the Ashley Brooke Designs Every Day I’m Hustlin’ mug from Antique Garden

64 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

Start your school year with a fresh face! Treat yourself to a facial for a glowing complexion (15% off any facial through September 1 - cannot be combined with any other promo).

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#schoolsupplies #silly #fun #coolstuff #organized … the best gifts for kids headed back to school! Notebooks, sticky totes and pencils with eraser.

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SHOPPING NEWS DESIGNER HARDWARE BY FAYE Two new lines have been introduced to the showroom!

Sun Valley Bronze offers the original and most complete line of handcrafted and hand-finished solid bronze door, kitchen, bath and cabinet hardware (sunvalleybronze. com). Slik Portfolio’s focus on craftsmanship and innovation results in a collection of some of the finest bathroom products in the world (slikportfolio.com).

Aug 1-31 Take an extra 10% off all Flitz products. Flitz offers a comprehensive range of nonabrasive polishes, cleaners and waxes for metal and more.

R MEYERS Special upcoming fashion events: Aug 27-29 Nina McLemore Fall 2015 Sep 9-11 Freida Rothman Jewelry Sep 17-19 Hilton Hollis Fall 2015

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AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 65

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Leather drawstring tote with magnetic closure, detachable cosmetic case, interior zip and multifunction pockets

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Painted Door gift boutique 124 E. Sheridan | 405.235.4410 66 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

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EXCEPTIONAL STYLE Looks That Draw All Eyes

The N.O.W. collection from Lindberg features a minimalist temple design which is made of titanium and joins a remarkably thin composite front. The design is simple, sleek, light and incredibly comfortable. It is not suprising Lindberg has garnered 72 international design awards. Lindberg N.O.W. frame 740.00

Luxury eyewear maker Sama is known for the quality of their slow cured Japanese zyl plastic from which their frames are molded and cut. Many other frame designers continue to use Sama as a design standard. Sama is a favorite of many Hollywood stars and jetsetters including Elton John, Gary Oldman, Tom Cruise and Reese Witherspoon. District 2 frame by Sama, 530.00

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AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 69

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70 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

FARE THE HEAT IS ON

Late summer is a prime season for moving away from the stove; kitchen wizard Caryn Ross calls this Smoky Bacon Mac and Cheese a “game changer,” and we have the recipe. See page 72.

CARLI WENTWORTH

COCKTAILS BY THE BARREL Touring the metro to find classic drink recipes on tap 74 EAT & DRINK Variety is on the menu in Slice’s citywide dining guide 76

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 71

FARE | In the Kitchen

ULTIMATE MEAT RUB ½ c sea salt ½ c black pepper ½ c brown sugar ¼ c dried thyme ¼ c smoked paprika ¼ c garlic powder ¼ c onion powder

Mix together ingredients and store in an airtight container.

Follow your manufacturer’s instructions on setting up your smoker. I like to use hickory and cherry wood for chicken. Make sure and soak your wood chips for an hour before adding them to the smoker. To prepare your whole chicken, simply rub the inside and outside with my Ultimate Rub. Stuff the cavity with chopped lemon, orange and onions. Place in the smoker and cook until you reach an internal temperature of 170 degrees. Allow the chicken to rest and cool at least 20 minutes before serving.

SMOKY BACON MAC AND CHEESE

SMOKIN’ HOT!

By Caryn Ross // Photos by Carli Wentworth

AS THE LONG, HOT DAYS OF SUMMER PASS, I find myself searching for ways to avoid heating up the kitchen. My remedy is to grill or smoke meats outdoors. At first I was intimidated by the grill/smoker.

In my mind, it was a thing “guys” used. Growing up, my dad did all the cooking outdoors.

As you can probably guess, I’m not one for being told, “No, you can’t do that.” So, I taught myself to grill but the smoker still intimidated me.

This Mother’s Day, my family surprised me with an electric smoker.

This gadget is a whiz to use and so far has been fairly idiot-proof.

The secret to preparing a delectable smoked chicken is in the rub.

Creating a barbecue rub sounds complicated, however, it is just a combination of spices from your pantry. Make sure to mix up a double batch, then store your leftover rub in a Mason jar for next time or give it as a hostess gift at the next barbecue you attend. I promise you will love this stuff.

While the chicken is cooking, prepare the mac and cheese and then toss it into the smoker, too. This creamy, smoky mac and cheese is a game changer. You will never look at mac the same!

72 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

1 lb elbow macaroni, cooked al dente 2 T vegetable oil 1 lb hickory smoked bacon, sliced thin ¼ c all-purpose flour 1 qt half and half 4 c cheddar cheese, grated 1 c sharp cheddar, grated 1 c smoked gouda, grated ½ c Parmigiano Reggiano, freshly grated and divided salt and pepper 1 ½ c panko bread crumbs ¼ c butter, melted 1 t Ultimate Meat Rub seasoning Spray a large foil 9"x13" disposable cooking pan with non-stick spray.

Place the elbow macaroni in a large mixing bowl, drizzle with vegetable oil, toss together and set aside.

In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crisp then blot on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve half the pan drippings and turn to medium heat. Sprinkle the warm bacon drippings with ¼ cup flour and stir to make a roux. Whisk in the half and half and continue whisking until it slightly thickens. Add the grated cheeses to the sauce and continue stirring until cheese is melted. Add salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, thin with milk as needed. Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni and stir in the cooked bacon. In a small bowl combine the panko bread crumbs with the melted butter, Parmigiano Reggiano and spice rub. Pour the macaroni into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the panko over the top.

Place the macaroni pan in the smoker and cook at 250 degrees for two hours. To finish, place the smoked macaroni in the broiler and cook until the topping is browned. Place the mixture in one large casserole pan.

224 johnny bench drive | lower bricktown OKC 405.701.3535 | www.kdsbricktown.com

FARE | Matters of Taste

COCKTAILS BY THE BARREL

By Greg Horton // Photos by Carli Wentworth

IF YOU SPEND ANY TIME AT ALL IN BARS where cocktails are as much art as recipe, you will have seen the little oak barrels on shelves and back-bars. The barrels, typically made of American oak, hold premixed cocktails that are aging to allow the components to better blend. The oak-aged cocktail trend is not new, but now it is only one way bars and restaurants are speeding up the process of getting cocktails – and other drinks – to customers.

Popping up all around the metro are cocktails on tap. Wine on tap finally made it to Oklahoma a few years ago, and now keg cocktails are surpassing wine in the number of locations on tap.

Jarrod Holley, who owns WSKY Lounge and Slaughter’s Hall, both in Deep Deuce, said the cocktails in kegs trend is largely an issue of convenience. At both his concepts, the barrel aging is combined with the kegs.

“If you let a cocktail age too long in oak, the flavor changes dramatically,” Holley said. “We age them for what we think is the perfect amount of time, and then move them into the steel kegs to stop the aging process.”

The result is a cocktail with less edge to it, which is to say, some of the harshness of the alcohol has receded and what is left is a cocktail with rounded edges as opposed to sharp angles.

74 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

Slaughter’s Hall has four cocktails on tap: Margarita, Jack Daniels and Coke, Moscow Mule and Scotch and soda. WSKY has three, all of which were barrel-aged. To speed up delivery of one of their more popular spirits, Holley has put Jameson Irish Whiskey in a keg, too. They sell it alongside a Rolling Rock, and the beer and a shot combination is very popular at WSKY. There is a potential downside to barrel aging cocktails, especially those that rely on fruit juices. Jason Ewald is the beverage director for A Good Egg Dining Group, so he has responsibility for cocktail lists at Red Primesteak, Cheever’s Café and Kitchen 324.

They have thus far avoided the cocktails on tap, but are using oak for their Manhattan, which they allow to rest on oak chips.

“The problem with oak aging, especially for cocktails that involve fresh juice, is that the drink will lose some of its vitality – the lively acidity – you expect from a drink with fresh juice,” Ewald said.

One way to combat that is to use peel or zest to enliven the drink before it is served. “I think it’s odd that the trend in barrel aging showed at the same time as the trend toward fresh juice in cocktails,” Ewald said.

“The two don’t always work well together.”

Oak aging aside, convenience is the real reason many bars are going with premade cocktails. For Ludivine, the realization happened during an H&8th Night Market last year. Former general manager Eric Corff said they had customers standing fourdeep at the bar, and they were ordering Moscow Mules at a much faster rate than any other cocktail.

“Those special sales events like H&8th or brunch are good times to work with the batched cocktails,” Ewald said.

Cheever’s serves a brunch punch during Saturday and Sunday brunch, so they batch it ahead of time to keep up with the demand – 25 to 30 punches per shift. Packard’s New American Kitchen added a Moscow Mule to their taps late last year in response to high demand, and Ludivine did the same thing with their Moscow Mules for H&8th. At Ludivine, the batching worked so well that the bartenders now make a punch every week.

“We usually make a fresh one on Monday,” Chris Barrett, a bartender at Ludivine said. “We sell it by the glass or in a larger format for the whole table, and when it runs out, we make another batch.”

While cocktail aficionados may notice a difference with the barrel-aged cocktails from the more traditional one-at-a-time approach, the differences are very slight, and the benefits likely outweigh the possible problems.

“The benefit is not just speed of service,” Ewald said. “The oak allows the components to marry and have more integration. It’s a smoother cocktail.”

The forest of tap handles at Slaughter’s Hall (top left) is growing more crowded // Instead of navigating all these to mix drinks (above), what if bartenders could just pull a handle? // Facing page, clockwise from top left: A spectacular oak-aged Cheever’s Manhattan // A WSKY special: Rolling Rock and a shot of Jameson’s (on tap) // The Moscow Mule at Slaughter’s Hall provides plenty of kick from a keg // The colorful house punch at Ludivine

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 75

Eat & Drink $ $$ $$$

KEY

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

Have an addition that you’d like us to consider?

Send establishment name, address, phone number and a brief description (40 words or less) to dining@ sliceok.com. Submissions must be received two months prior to publication.

AMERICAN ANCHOR DOWN Sip a drink and munch on gourmet specialty corndogs in this fresh concept housed within repurposed shipping containers. 30 NE 2nd, OKC $ ANN’S CHICKEN FRY HOUSE A Route 66 classic with copious decorative memorabilia, and huge portions of excellent chicken-fried steak. 4106 NW 39th, OKC, 943.8915 $ BOULEVARD CAFETERIA Chicken and dumplings, liver and onions - one of the last of the area’s independent cafeterias is still pounding out the hits. 525 NW 11th, OKC, 239.6861 $ CAFÉ 7 Fast and casual, with varied salad, sandwich, pizza and pasta options, all priced under $7. 14101 N May, OKC, 748.3354; 120 N Robinson, Suite W 175, OKC, 748.3354 $ CAFÉ 501 Pizzas, salads and specialty sandwiches on artisan breads. 501 S Boulevard, Edmond, 359.1501; 5825 NW Grand, OKC, 844.1501 $$ CLASSEN GRILL Deftly done diner deliciousness, especially breakfast. 5124 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 842.0428 $ DEEP FORK GRILL Crisply elegant atmosphere complements superb seafood (cedar plank salmon is a specialty) and steaks. 5418 N Western, OKC, 848.7678 $$ DINER, THE The classics never go out of style – just ask the locals who flock here for masterful preparation of ordinary breakfast and lunch fare. 213 E Main, Norman, 329.6642 $ DISTRICT 21 This sleek, inexpensive bastion of creativity is run by Francis Tuttle’s culinary school. 12777 N Rockwell, OKC, 717.7700 $ FLINT Casual style plus outstanding contemporary cuisine makes a winning combination in the Colcord Hotel. 15 N Robinson, OKC, 601.4300 $$ HEFNER GRILL Upscale fare and a tempting brunch to boot, with the enhancements of a live piano and a spectacular lake view. 9201 Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 748.6113 $$ INTERURBAN Great food (and prices) in casual comfort – try the chicken-fried steak and anything with honey-pepper bacon. 4 metro locations, interurban.us $$ KAISER’S DINER A venerable location is back in business, offering juicy burgers, sandwiches, tempting entrees and a vintage soda-fountain experience. 1039 N Walker Ave, OKC, 232.7632 $

76 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

LEGEND’S A casually upscale landmark for over 40 years, it still serves exceptional seafood, steaks and more. 1313 W Lindsey, Norman, 329.8888 $$

O ASIAN FUSION Sublime quality in a wide span of culinary influences – freshly rolled sushi to fiery curry – in cool, vibrant digs.

105 SE 12th, Norman, 701.8899 $$

MUTT’S AMAZING HOT DOGS Inspired creations featuring varied prime meats and unexpected and tasty flavor profiles. 1400 NW 23rd, OKC, 525.3647 $

SAII Rich ambiance boosts expertly done Japanese, Thai and Chinese fare plus stellar sushi. 6900 N May, OKC, 702.7244 $$

PACKARD’S NEW AMERICAN KITCHEN They’re not kidding about the “new” – the menu is filled with innovative ideas. 201 NW 10th, Suite 100, OKC, 605.3771 $$ PARK HOUSE The staunch wine list and great view of the Myriad Gardens add to a menu filled with contemporary American tastes. 125 Ron Norick Blvd, OKC, 445.7080 $$ PICASSO CAFÉ As creative as its neighbors in the Paseo Arts District; zippy sandwiches, salads, pizza and surprises abound. 3009 Paseo, OKC, 602.2002 $ POPS A bit out of the way but worth the drive, this café has burgers, salads, shakes and an unbelievably broad soda selection.

660 W Highway 66, Arcadia, 233.2020 $ THE R&J LOUNGE The culinary luminaries behind Ludivine present a more relaxed, sentimental dining experience; the drinks menu is a thing of beauty. 320 NW 10th, OKC, 602.5066 $$ REDROCK CANYON GRILL Rotisserie chicken, enchiladas and steak in a casual hacienda-style atmosphere by the lake. 9221 E Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 749.1995 $$ ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRILL Amply portioned and green chili-amplified burgers, breakfasts and more fill this inviting diner. 231 S Coltrane, Edmond, 562.4777 $ SATURN GRILL A lunch star: inspired pizza, sandwiches and salads. 6432 Avondale, OKC, 843.7114 $ SCRATCH Isn’t that the best place for food to come from? Entrees, sides and wondrous craft cocktails are carefully concocted inhouse. 132 W Main, Norman, 801.2900 $$ SYRUP The most enticing meal of the day is at this unique breakfast boutique (the crunchy French toast is something special).

123 E Main, Norman, 701.1143 $ VAST Steaks, seafood and globally inspired American cuisine, with a view truly unparalleled in Oklahoma. 280 W Sheridan, 49th floor, OKC, 702.7262 $$ VICEROY GRILLE Opulent décor, comfortable environs and some outstanding cuisine make a strong recommendation for the Ambassador Hotel’s in-house restaurant; don’t overlook the brunch options. 1200 N Walker Ave, OKC, 600.6200 $$$

VII ASIAN BISTRO A bright, sleek interior and savory spate of Chinese and Vietnamese options. 2900 N Classen, OKC, 604.2939 $

BAKERY BIG SKY BREAD Enjoy cookies, scones, brownies or granola, plus an incredible bevy of fresh-baked bread. 6606 N Western, OKC, 879.0330 $ BROWN’S BAKERY An incredible selection of delicious traditional and specialty cakes, cookies, breads and other baked goods. 1100 N Walker, OKC, 232.0363 $ CUPCAKES TO GO GO Love of travel (and a sweet tooth) inspire the myriad flavor combinations in this trove of treats – its rotating menu means every trip reveals a different taste destination. 2524 W Edmond Rd, Edmond, 330.2190 $ CUPPIES & JOE The name is only part of the story: it’s cupcakes and coffee and pie and live music and a cozy, trendy vibe and more.

727 NW 23rd, OKC, 528.2122 $ HURTS DONUT CO. Ignore your childhood hesitations: you do want a Hurts Donut. The 24-hour Campus Corner locale pumps out nonstop sweet and savory innovations. 746 Asp Ave, Norman, 417.300.6106 $ KITCHEN NO. 324 Seasonally inspired café, coffee curator and craft bakery serving spectacular rustic American cuisine. 324 N Robinson, OKC, 763.5911 $ LA BAGUETTE Comfort and exquisite baking make a tres chic destination for brunch and beyond. 1130 Rambling Oaks, Norman, 329.1101; 2100 W Main, Norman, 329.5822 $ PIE JUNKIE Call ahead to order a whole pie or quiche or walk in and choose from what’s on hand; either way the flavors are incredible. 1711 NW 16th, OKC, 605.8767 $ SARA SARA CUPCAKES The ambiance and milk bar make great additions to the variety of specialty cupcakes in this charming little converted house. 7 NW 9th, OKC, 600.9494 $

BAR // PUB FOOD 51ST STREET SPEAKEASY The joint’s porch and patio are perpetually packed, and the top-shelf spirits and beers flow with joyous abandon. 1114 NW 51st, OKC, 463.0470 $

with a primo patio. 1300 Classen Blvd, Norman, 329.3330 $ OAK & ORE A neighborhood hangout of vintage rustic materials, offering more than a handful of creative knife-and-fork sandwiches and lovingly chosen craft beers.

1732 NW 16th, OKC $ O’CONNELL’S IRISH PUB & GRILLE Beloved by students, alumni and townies, it’s served killer burgers, beer and festive atmosphere since 1968. 769 Asp, Norman, 217.8454 $ POWER HOUSE A cozy, rustic bar with some sizzling specialties, found near the Farmers Market. 1228 SW 2nd, OKC, 512.619.1169 $ PUB W Multiple atmospheres for whatever vibe you like, and a menu of choice beer and “new classic” fare from barbeque wings to thick pork chops. 3720 W Robinson, Norman, 701.5844; 3121 W Memorial, OKC, 608.2200 $$ THE PUMP BAR This jumping Uptown spot has a surprisingly sophisticated menu backing its broad drink selection.

2425 N Walker, OKC, 702.8898 $ REPUBLIC GASTROPUB Part beer bar and part upscale eatery, pairing a vast selection of quality brews with imaginative menu items. 5830 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 286.4577 $$ SAINTS An inviting Irish bar where whiskey and beer offerings pair nicely with classics like shepherd’s pie, bangers and fish and chips. 1715 NW 16th, OKC, 602.6308 $$ SIDECAR The fully stocked “barley and wine bar” (including wine on tap and plentiful spirits) keeps Automobile Alley patrons fueled, with a few delicious tidbits to boot.

1100 N Broadway, OKC $$

BARBEQUE EARL’S RIB PALACE Beloved by locals in a competitive genre, the chain pounds out hit ribs and turkey as well as a top-tier burger. 6 metro locations, earlsribpalace.com $ IRON STAR URBAN BARBEQUE Named for notorious outlaw Belle Starr, its entrees are excellent, but the sides are equal players as well. 3700 N Shartel, OKC, 524.5925 $$ LEO’S BAR-B-Q Rich flavor and tender texture for commendable value – no wonder it’s a periennial favorite among Oklahoma connoisseurs. 3631 N Kelley, OKC 424.5367 $ RUDY’S Totally casual – plastic trays and utensils – with serious barbeque chops. 3450 Chautauqua, Norman, 307.0552; 3437 W Memorial, OKC, 254.4712 $$

BURGERS // SANDWICHES

WAFFLE CHAMPION A Midtown diner bringing joy to those addicted to its gourmet sweet or savory waffle options. 1212 N Walker, OKC, 525.9235 $

ABNER’S ALE HOUSE Beers and whiskies of the best, plus knockout dishes aimed at recreating the true English public house vibe.

121 E Main, Norman, 928.5801 $$

BISON WITCHES Monster sandwiches with standout flavors, best enjoyed with a bread bowl of fresh hot soup and a bag of pretzels.

211 E Main, Norman, 364.7555 $

WHISKEY CAKE High-quality locally sourced food served in a homey atmosphere. Enjoy – and don’t forget the namesake dessert. 1845 NW Expressway, OKC, 582.2253 $$

THE BARREL Drink deep of top-shelf wines, beers and whiskies, braced by thoroughly appetizing pub fusion cuisine. 4308 N Western, OKC, 525.6682 $

COW CALF-HAY The selections are ample and the delicious never-frozen patties are mmmmmassive. 3409 Wynn, Edmond, 509.2333, 212 N Harvey, OKC, 601.6180 $

ASIAN

BELLE ISLE BREWERY Live music, handcrafted beers and a great burger selection in 50 Penn Place. 1900 NW Expressway, OKC, 840.1911 $

FLATIRE BURGERS Boasting innovations like sauerkraut, pineapple relish and habanero salsa.100 N University, Edmond, 974.4638 $

BLU FINE WINE & FOOD A sleek bar that stands out due to quick, courteous service and a menu with gourmet range. 201 S Crawford, Norman, 360.4258 $$

GARAGE BURGERS & BEER, THE The focus is on the many tempting flavor possibilities of huge, juicy burgers and fries. 5 metro locations, eatatthegarage.com $

DEEP DEUCE GRILL A funky, comfortable alternative to Bricktown crowds, featuring burgers, beer and a people-watching patio.

307 NE 2nd, OKC, 235.9100 $

HILLBILLY PO BOYS Unassuming name; mighty appealing flavor in tasty seafood sandwiches and the licit thrill of moonshine cocktails. 1 NW 9th, OKC, 702.9805 $

JAMES E. MCNELLIE’S Designed to bring Ireland’s pub culture to OKC, this Midtown hotspot features 350 varieties of beer. 1100 Classen Dr, OKC, 601.7468 $$

ICE HOUSE Big, cheesy burgers, fries and shakes, with the gorgeous Myriad Gardens as a backdrop. 125 Ron Norick, OKC, 232.6427 $

MONT, THE Tempting pub food with Southwestern zing at a Norman landmark

IRMA’S BURGER SHACK Simply great fries, rings and burgers; try the No Name Ranch

COVELL PARK Lunch, dinner and sushi in style from expert creators of modern Asian fusion. 1200 W Covell, Edmond, 285.1720 $$ DOT WO GARDEN Dot Wo continues its legacy by pairing sumptuous classics of Chinese cuisine with fiery, fresh sushi. 6161 N May, OKC, 608.2388 $$ GRAND HOUSE A Chinese restaurant that goes the extra mile to provide enjoyable ambiance alongside its excellent cuisine.

2701 N Classen, OKC, 524.7333 $$ GUERNSEY PARK A hidden treasure on an Uptown back street, it’s home to tasty Asian fusion with a hint of French influence. 2418 N Guernsey, OKC, 605.5272 $$

Steaks Lobster Prime Rib Onion Rings

7101 Miramar Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73111 Reservations Recommended 405.478.1417 www.jbruners.com

REFINED DINING INTRODUCING PAR K AVE N U E G R I LL’ S SOUTHERN TABLE MENU Park Avenue Grill’s new Southern Table menu concept was created to evoke the food memories of generations past. A simpler time when folks came together to cook, converse, and consume.

405

Our farm-to-fork fare is handcrafted from local, organic sources and is equally satiating, whether enjoyed with a night on the town or over a quick business lunch.

702.8444

PA R K AV E G R I L L . C O M

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 77

FARE | Eat & Drink beef. 1035 NW 63rd, OKC, 840.4762; 1120 Classen Dr, OKC, 235.4762 $

enthusiasts. 1015 N Broadway, OKC, 606.2763 $

tantalizing brunch. 747 Asp, Norman, 701.8622 $$

JOHNNIE’S CHARCOAL BROILER Fresh-ground burgers cooked over real charcoal; try the Cheese Theta or Caesar varieties. 4 metro locations, johnniesok.com $

DISTRICT HOUSE Pop into the Plaza District for beans from Tulsa’s Topeca Coffee, deli sandwiches and the occasional live music event. 1755 NW 16th, OKC $

SIGNATURE GRILL Unassuming locale; huge culinary rewards of French and Italian flavors in a few select dishes. 1317 E Danforth, Edmond, 330.4548 $$$

LOUIE’S GRILL & BAR Casually cool and come-as-you-are bar-type hangouts excelling at burgers, sandwiches and pizzas. 12 metro locations, louiesgrillandbar.com $

ELEMENTAL COFFEE Seriously spectacular coffee roasted in-house passionate staff is always eager to share knowledge about the process. 815 N Hudson, OKC, 633.1703 $

LOUIE’S ON THE LAKE An unbeatable view of Lake Hefner from the spacious patio adds ambiance to tasty entrees under $10. 9401 Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 751.2298 $

MICHELANGELO’S Enjoy exceptional coffees and wines, a well-stocked pastry case and breakfast and lunch selections.

207 E Main, Norman, 579.3387 $

MULE, THE Solid beer and beverage selection plus delectable gourmet grilled cheeses and melts (ingredients range from fontina to figs). 1630 N Blackwelder, OKC, 601.1400 $ ND FOODS Gigantic Boar’s Head deli sandwiches, homemade soups and freshly baked cookies, pies and other desserts. 2632 W Britton Rd, OKC, 840.9364 $ NIC’S GRILL It’s small, it’s crowded … and it’s incredible. Mounds of fresh fries and colossal burgers, easily among the metro’s best. 1202 N Penn, OKC, 524.0999 $ S&B’S BURGER JOINT Good news: these super-tasty burgers come as sliders too, the better to sample more selections. 5 metro locations, sandbburgers.com $ THE SANDWICH CLUB The menu deliberately draws inspiration from the ‘80s, but the tastes are timeless in these imaginative combos (including a buildyour-own option). 3703 N Western, OKC, 525.0799 $ SERVICE STATION A former filling station with vintage décor, now serving up delicious half-pound burgers and fries.

502 S Webster, Norman, 364.2136 $ SOONER DAIRY LUNCH This modest little drive-in has been feeding its staunch fans delicious burgers, tots and shakes for over six decades. 1820 W Main, Norman, 321.8526 $ TEXADELPHIA The menu draws raves for burgers and wraps, but especially the monstrous made-to-order cheesesteaks.

200 S Oklahoma, OKC, 208.4000 $ TUCKER’S ONION BURGERS A small menu whose bravura execution makes the meal hard to forget. 3 metro locations, tuckersonionburgers.com $ URBAN JOHNNIE’S Gourmet burgers and more in a sleek bar atmosphere from the minds behind Johnnie’s Charcoal Broiler. 121 NE 2nd, OKC, 208.4477 $ VZD’S A new take on the venerable classic bar and live music hangout – the menu remains filled with temptations.

4200 N Western, OKC, 524.4203 $$

COFFEEHOUSE // TEA ROOM ALL ABOUT CHA Universal standards and unusual concoctions (the sweet potato latte is a wonder) in bright, bustling atmosphere. 3272 S Broadway, Edmond, 340.9959; 7300 N Western, OKC, 840.7725 $ BEATNIX CAFÉ, THE Get a sandwich, cup of hearty soup or powerhouse latte in the lovely laid-back vibe that pervades this dawdling spot. 136 NW 13th, OKC, 604.0211 $ THE BLUE BEAN Smoothies, pastries and sweet treats, plus excellent smallbatch roasted coffee – try the specialty flavor combos. 13316 S Western, OKC, 735.5115 $ CAFÉ EVOKE Outstanding coffee and other beverages from one of the area’s great caterers; plus soup, sandwiches, snacks or sweets. 103 S Broadway, Edmond, 285.1522 $ COFFEE SLINGERS Rocking a brisk, urban vibe on Automobile Alley, it’s a gathering place for genuine java

78 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

PARAMOUNT, THE A Film Row joint with a screening room attached, its all-day beverage menu delivers the stuff dreams are made of. 701 W Sheridan, OKC, 517.0787 $ RED CUP Comfortably ramshackle with great coffee, vegetarian-friendly specials and live music. Highly recommended! 3122 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 525.3430 $ T, AN URBAN TEAHOUSE This endearing retreat offers over 100 varieties and expert counsel to explore a world of possibili-teas.

7518 N May, OKC, 418.4333 $

CONTINENTAL

WEST The staff is speedy, the décor sleek and modern, and the entrées wide-ranging but elegantly simple. 6714 N Western, OKC, 607.4072 $$

FRENCH BONJOUR Make your morning tres bien with marvelously executed breakfast and lunch classics in this petite café.

3705 W Memorial, OKC, 286.9172 $ LA BAGUETTE BISTRO Fine dining (linger over multiple courses often) with an exceptional bakery, deli and butcher shop on site. 7408 N May, OKC, 840.3047 $$ WHISPERING PINES B&B A secluded getaway housing sumptuous, savory cuisine in quiet comfort. 7820 E Highway 9, Norman, 447.0202 $$$

GERMAN DAS BOOT CAMP Exceptional cuisine (and magnificent beer) in a fast-paced location downtown. 229 E Main, Norman, 701.3748 $

BIN 73 Diners can fill up on filet mignon or simply top the evening off with tapas while enjoying the full bar and chic ambiance. 7312 N Western, OKC, 843.0073 $$

FASSLER HALL House-made sausages, pretzels, duck fries and a heftig beer menu, plus a weekend brunch – what’s not to love? 421 NW 10th, OKC, 609.3300 $

BLACKBIRD A gastropub with succulent creativity (pot roast nachos!) and a broad beer, wine and whiskey list. 575 S University, Norman, 928.5555 $$

INGRID’S Authentic German fare, including outstanding Oklahoma-made bratwurst. Don’t overlook breakfast, or the bakery counter! 3701 N Youngs, OKC, 946.8444; 6501 N May, OKC $$

CHEEVER’S Southwestern-influenced recipes and contemporary comfort food; truly one of the city’s finest restaurants.

2409 N Hudson, OKC, 525.7007 $$ COACH HOUSE, THE Definitely among the metro’s most elegant dining: specialties prepared with classical perfection. 6437 Avondale, OKC, 842.1000 $$$ LOTTINVILLES Rotisserie chicken, woodgrilled salmon and a host of entrees, salads and panini; the Sunday brunch is epic. 801 Signal Ridge, Edmond, 341.2244 $$ MANTEL, THE Marvelous steaks and seafood (don’t miss the lobster bisque), in a refined, intimate atmosphere. 201 E Sheridan, OKC, 236.8040 $$$ MELTING POT, THE Make a meal an event to remember with an elegant fondue feast. 4 E Sheridan, OKC, 235.1000 $$$ METRO WINE BAR & BISTRO, THE A comfortably upscale favorite covering cuisines from vichyssoise to crème brulée.

6418 N Western, OKC, 840.9463 $$ MICHAEL’S GRILL Urbane, intimate dining: steaks, chops, seafood and pastas, and Caesar salad prepared tableside. 2824 W Country Club, OKC, 810.9000 $$$ MUSEUM CAFÉ, THE Inside the OKC Museum of Art, its European-inspired menu delights for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. 415 Couch, OKC, 235.6262 $$ PARK AVENUE GRILL A soigne dining experience in the Skirvin Hilton, blending traditional steak and seafood with 1930s high style. 1 Park, OKC, 702.8444 $$$ PASEO GRILL Intimate inside and cheerful on the patio, with an awardwinning menu of distinctive flavors – try the duck salad. 2909 Paseo, OKC, 601.1079 $$$

OLD GERMANY Justly renowned for its Bavarian delights – the schnitzels, soups and sausages are spectacular. 15920 SE 29th, Choctaw, 390.8647 $$$ ROYAL BAVARIA Excellent renditions of traditional dishes, plus fantastisch house-brewed beers. 3401 S Sooner, Moore, 799.7666 $$$

HEALTHY // ECLECTIC COOLGREENS Customization encouraged; every available component in salads, wraps and frozen yogurt is naturally delicious. 3 metro locations, coolgreens.com $$ EARTH, THE Super, super fresh sandwiches, salads and soups in one of the most vegetarian- and vegan-friendly menus you’ll ever see. 750 Asp, Norman, 573.5933 $ LUDIVINE The menu adjusts constantly to reflect availability of elite-quality, locally sourced ingredients. 805 N Hudson, OKC, 778.6800 $$$

ICE CREAM // YOGURT IL DOLCE GELATO Rich, creamy and decadently delicious, handmade daily from scratch. 937 SW 25th St, Moore, 794.7266; 1318 N Interstate Dr, Norman, 329.7744 $ ORANGE LEAF Dozens and dozens of tasty, waistline-friendly flavors and toppings, charged by the ounce. 9 metro locations, orangeleafyogurt.com $ ROXY’S ICE CREAM SOCIAL A heavenly array of hand-dipped ice cream flavors, including cookie sandwiches. 1732 NW 16th, OKC, 593.8328 $

tandoori-cooked delicacies in splendid ambiance. 580 Ed Noble Pkwy, Norman, 579.5600 $$ TAJ A tremendous set of Indian staples and delicacies, plus full lunch and dinner buffets. 1500 NW 23rd, OKC, 601.1888 $$

ITALIAN // PIZZA BELLINI’S Tasteful in décor and Italian offerings alike, this romantic nightspot quietly, confidently exudes elegance.

6305 Waterford Blvd, OKC, 848.1065 $$ BENVENUTI’S Subtly flavored minestrone to rich, hearty ragouts, the fare keeps the booths full; don’t overlook Sunday brunch. 105 W Main, Norman, 310.5271 $$ CAFFE PRANZO The atmosphere raises first-time diners’ hopes; the execution exceeds them as classic dishes are elevated to greatness. 9622 N May, OKC, 755.3577 $$ EMPIRE SLICE HOUSE Reigning over the Plaza District in New York style, it offers whole pizzas or slices, a full bar and a primo patio. 1734 NW 16th, OKC $ GABRIELLA’S A fresh chapter in the family’s delectable legacy; one bite of the homemade Italian sausage should win diners’ hearts with ease. 1226 NE 63rd, OKC, 478.4955 $$ HIDEAWAY PIZZA Incredible pizza in jovial surroundings; it’s amassed a devoted following for over half a century.

7 metro locations, hideawaypizza.com $$ HUMBLE PIE PIZZERIA No humility needed for this true Chicago-style pizza, boasting perhaps the best crust known to man. 1319 S Broadway, Edmond, 715.1818 $ INFERNOS PIZZA The wood-fired oven isn’t the only thing hot; watch your tongue on the spicier of these sensationally savory creations. 2747 W Memorial, OKC, 242.5088 $$ JOEY’S A creative pizzeria on OKC’s Film Row, Joey’s serves first-rate appetizers and salads along with its mouth-watering pies. 700 W Sheridan, OKC, 525.8503 $$ KNUCK’S WHEELHOUSE Homemade daily with sauces from scratch, it’s a tasty and varied stopover for Bricktown wanderers as well as a pizza-lover’s destination in its own right. 103 E California, OKC, 605.4422 $ MONI’S Handmade, New Jersey-style brick oven pizza and authentic pasta recipes from Southern Italy in a casual, comfy ambience (ideal for dates). 17200 N May, Edmond, 285.5991 $$ NOMAD II A classic server of old-school pizza, Italian dishes, steaks and fried chicken, plus a slice of OKC history through its décor. 7301 N May, OKC, 843.4557 $$ OTHELLO’S Warm mussels to tiramisu – all you could want in a romantic Italian café. 434 Buchanan, Norman, 701.4900; 1 S Broadway, Edmond, 330.9045 $$ PAPA DIO’S Three generations of the Bonadio family offer an ample menu of new, classic and healthy dishes in separate dining rooms for family or casual dining. 10712 N May, OKC, 755.2255 $$ PEPPERONI GRILL Pizza, salads, seafood and plenty of pasta-powered classics and innovations; even the bread is a pleasure. 1901 NW Expwy, OKC, 848.4660, 1000 W Covell, Edmond, 285.5454 $$

INDIAN

PIZZA 23 A tempting suite of specialty pies and good beer selection in crisp, urban décor. 600-B NW 23rd St, OKC, 601.6161 $$

ROCOCO RESTAURANT & FINE WINE A diverse international menu set off by select wines. 12252 N May, OKC, 212.4577; 2824 N Penn, OKC, 528.2824 $$

GOPURAM – TASTE OF INDIA A fullservice restaurant with the feel of fine dining, even during the inexpensive and plentiful lunch buffet. 4559 NW 23rd, OKC, 948.7373 $$

PIZZERIA GUSTO Neapolitan-style pizza (quality ingredients, extremely hot fire) stars alongside Italy-inspired salads, pastas and appetizers. 2415 N Walker Ave, OKC, 437.4992 $$

SEVEN47 Enjoy sleek, swank décor and an appealingly broad menu including a

MISAL OF INDIA A Norman institution for over 30 years, specializing in

REVOLVE PIZZA A fully customizable dining experience: guests build their

dream pies from the crust up and the quick-fire brick ovens do the rest. 5500 W Memorial, OKC, 792.2858 $

visually splendid and palate-pleasing treats.

311 S Blackwelder, Edmond, 340.8956 $$

SANDRO’S New York-style pizza and an array of pasta, all made fresh (and delicious) daily. 914 W Main, Norman, 701.8822 $

GOGO SUSHI Prime for lovers of speed and convenience – go go check it out! 1611 S Service Rd, Moore, 794.3474; 432 NW 10th, OKC, 602.6333 $$

SAUCED ON PASEO All kinds of goodness on a thin, crunchy crust in a battered neighborhood hangout. Don’t forget a Krispie treat. 2912 Paseo, OKC, 521.9800 $

IN THE RAW DUNWELL SUSHI A chic space on the Bricktown Canal offering excellent sushi, specialty rolls and sake.

200 S Oklahoma, OKC, 702.1325 $$

SOPHABELLA’S A quiet, classy gem offering premier tastes from Chicago and beyond in style. 7628 N May, OKC, 879.0100 $$$

MUSASHI’S Exquisitely flavorful Japanese cuisine prepared with genuine artistry by skilled chefs at tableside hibachi grills.

4315 N Western, OKC, 602.5623 $$

STELLA MODERN ITALIAN CUISINE A luscious spate of tastes for a casual lunch, romantic dinner or brunch, amid stylish scenery. 1201 N Walker, OKC, 235.2200 $$ TOMMY’S An old favorite returns to the metro to provide primo pasta, pizzas and plenty of ambiance. 5516 W Memorial, OKC, 470.5577 $$ UPPER CRUST This pizzeria and wine bar specializes in thin-crust, New York-style pies. 5860 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 842.7743; 1205 NW 178th, Edmond, 285.8887 $$

SUSHI BAR, THE Sushi staples done with élan, plus more adventurous options, in a bustling, comfortable environment. 1201 NW 178th, OKC, 285.7317 $$ SUSHI NEKO An established OKC favorite combining style (sleek, brisk, classy) with substance (in a broad and creative menu).

4318 N Western, OKC, 528.8862 $$ TAMASHII RAMEN Don’t overlook this Midtown noodle nexus, boasting a small but oh-so-tasty menu. 321 NW 8th, OKC $

adventurous with Ethiopian and Kenyan specialties. 308 W Edmond Rd, Edmond, 509.6441 $$ MEDITERRANEAN IMPORTS & DELI Selected groceries and a menu stocked with options; the food is authentic, quick and spectacular. 5620 N May, OKC, 810.9494 $ NUNU’S Tangy, tantalizing, fresh and healthy flavors, reproduced from generations-old recipes. 3131 W Memorial, OKC, 751.7000 $ QUEEN OF SHEBA A spicy, vegan-friendly menu of Ethiopian delights awaits the bold.

Bring friends and be prepared to linger.

2308 N MacArthur, OKC, 606.8616 $$

breakfast specialties truly dazzle. 3325 N Classen, OKC, 602.2883 $ CANTINA LAREDO A sophisticated take on Mexican fare, specializing in fresh fish and Angus beef. 1901 NW Expressway (in Penn Square Mall), OKC, 840.1051 $$ CHILTEPES Chuchitos to atol de elote, this Plaza District restaurant serves as a guided tour to the wondrous flavors of Guatemala.

1800 NW 16th, OKC, 601.0384 $$ CHUY’S The portions are substantial, the Hatch chile-fueled flavors are strong and the vibe is playfully enthusiastic. 760 N Interstate Dr, Norman, 360.0881 $$

ZORBA’S Family recipes proudly share flavors of Cyprus, Spain, Greece and Morocco. 6014 N May, OKC, 947.7788 $

FUZZY’S TACO SHOP Jumbo burritos, big salads and especially shrimp tacos – quickly and in plenitude. 752 Asp, Norman, 701.1000; 208 Johnny Bench, OKC, 602.3899 $

MEXICAN // LATIN AMERICAN

IGUANA MEXICAN GRILL Unique Mexican flavor in a fun atmosphere at reasonable prices. 9 NW 9th, OKC, 606.7172 $$

1492 Authentic Mexican cuisine in an elegant, romantic setting with perhaps the world’s best mojitos. 1207 N Walker, OKC, 236.1492 $$

INCA TRAIL Flavors from around the world, piquant ceviches to homemade flan.

10948 N May, OKC, 286.0407 $$

ABUELO’S The variety, plates, flavors and experience are all huge. No passport required. 17 E Sheridan, OKC, 235.1422; 3001 W Memorial, OKC, 755.2680 $$

JUAN DEL FUEGO This self-styled MexiDiner dishes up breakfast and lunch from both sides of the border. 223 34th Ave SW, Norman, 310.20302 $ LA BRASA Flavors of Peru make for a powerfully delicious dining experience in ceviches, sandwiches, fried rice and other entrees. 1310 NW 25th, OKC, 524.2251 $$

VICTORIA’S A shabby-comfortable atmosphere with local art on its walls and the art of pasta on its plates – try the chicken lasagna. 327 White, Norman, 329.0377; 3000 SW 104th St, OKC, 759.3580 $

TOKYO JAPANESE RESTAURANT It’s small with a traditional menu; but it’s palpably fresh and routinely cited as among the metro’s best. 7516 N Western, OKC, 848.6733 $$

VITO’S RISTORANTE Homestyle Italian cuisine in an intimate setting where the staff treat customers like guests in their home.

7521 N May, OKC, 848.4867 $$

MEDITERRANEAN

ALFREDO’S Kick back with an agave limeade and peruse the ample menu’s avocado enchiladas, fried tacos and more.

4 metro locations, alfredosok.com $$

BASIL MEDITERRANEAN CAFÉ Chicken Bandarri, Beef Souvlaki or a fresh bowl of tangy tabouli; flavor leaps from every corner of the menu. 211 NW 23rd, OKC, 602.3030 $

BIG TRUCK TACOS It’s often standingroom-only at lunch, but don’t let that deter you from fresh, imaginative taco creations.

530 NW 23rd, OKC, 525.8226 $

MAMA ROJA MEXICAN KITCHEN Handrolled tamales, vendor-style tacos and more, on the scenic shores of Lake Hefner. 9219 E Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 302.6262 $$

JAPANESE // SUSHI

COUSCOUS CAFE Traditional Moroccan tagine dishes to favorites like homemade falafel and kofta, with a bounty for vegetarians. 6165 N May, OKC, 286.1533 $

CAFÉ DO BRASIL It’s a long way to Rio, but the spicy, savory menu covers the distance in a mouthful. 440 NW 11th, OKC, 525.9779 $$

TARAHUMARA’S This airy ristorante serves huge, tasty Tex-Mex classics plus less ubiquitous fare like mole poblano. 702 N Porter, Norman, 360.8070 $$

CAFÉ ICON Tempting sushi and Japanese specialties fill the menu to bursting with

HAIGET’S Vegan-friendly – and friendly in general – this gem rewards the

CAFÉ KACAO A sunlit space filled with bright, vibrant Guatemalan flavors. The

TED’S CAFÉ ESCONDIDO Fast, fresh and amply portioned, it’s often very crowded

WEDGE, THE Wood-fired pies with fresh ingredients (like figs or truffle oil) and sauce from scratch. 230 NE 1st, OKC, 270.0660; 4709 N Western, OKC, 602.3477 $$

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FARE | Eat & Drink and always supremely delicious. 4 metro locations, tedscafe.com $$

bayou treat right nearby. 617 S Broadway, Edmond, 340.1925 $$

a must for its steak, lobster and enduring charm. 7101 Miramar, OKC, 478.1417 $$$

YUCATAN TACO STAND Feisty Latin fusion cuisine plus signature nachos and combos… and over 75 tequilas. 100 E California, Suite 110, OKC, 886.0413 $

THE DRUM ROOM Crispy, juicy fried chicken (among the city’s best) stars with fried okra, waffles and a fully loaded bar.

4300 N Western, OKC, 604.0990 $$

ZARATE’S The familiar joys of enchiladas and chimichangas, plus Peruvian dishes of plantains, yuca and imported spices. 706 S Broadway, Edmond, 330.6400 $$

JAX SOUL KITCHEN The team behind Blackbird and blu dishes up big ol’ helpings of jambalaya, pork ribs, fried catfish and many more deep South classics. 575 S University, Norman, 801.2828 $

HOLLIE’S FLATIRON STEAKHOUSE Plush and cozy, with entrees seared on a flatiron grill and a kick of Southwestern spice in the menu. 1199 Service Rd, Moore, 799.0300 $$

SEAFOOD FISH CITY GRILL Shrimp and grits, oysters on the half shell… anyone who wishes Oklahoma had a coastline should feel right at home. 1389 E 15th, Edmond, 348.2300 $$ JAZMO’Z BOURBON STREET CAFÉ An upscale yet casual environment boasting Cajun and Creole-inspired selections. 100 E California, OKC, 232.6666 $$ LAND & SEA Chef Sean Cummings harnesses the delicious possibilities of multiple biomes in his latest savory concept. 7523 N May Ave, OKC, 755.2622 $$$ PEARL’S CRABTOWN A huge Bricktown warehouse where the Crab Boil is a favorite and taste is king. 303 E Sheridan, OKC, 232.7227 $$ PEARL’S OYSTER BAR A perennial winner in “best of the metro” polls for fresh, flavorful seafood and spicy Creole-inspired dishes.

5641 N Classen, OKC, 848.8008 $$ SHACK SEAFOOD & OYSTER BAR, THE A massive selection of nicely spiced Cajun and Creole cooking, plus seafood. 13801 Quail Pointe Dr, OKC, 286.5959 $$

KD’S Pork chops, stuffed catfish, shrimp and grits and more of Kevin Durant’s favorite foods, presented with skill and vim – and a dose of star power. 224 Johnny Bench Dr, OKC, 701.3535 $$ MAMA E’S WINGS & WAFFLES A labor of love adored by locals seeking authentic Southern classics. 3838 Springlake, OKC, 424.0800; 900 W Reno, OKC, 231.1190 $

STEAKHOUSE BOULEVARD STEAKHOUSE Perfectly soigné ambiance and cuisine easily in the metro’s elite – a sumptuous, if pricy, masterpiece. 505 S Boulevard, Edmond, 715.2333 $$$ BROADWAY 10 Cruise into the Buick building in Automobile Alley to savor steak supremacy in a cozy enclave amid urban bustle. 1101 N Broadway, OKC, 212.3949 $$$ CATTLEMEN’S This Oklahoma institution’s huge corn-fed steaks and matchless atmosphere are history served anew every day. 1309 S Agnew, OKC, 236.0416 $$

SOUL FOOD

GEORGE, THE High atop Founders Tower, its spectacular view adds savor to expert chef-driven creations featuring prime beef. 5900 Mosteller Dr, OKC, 607.4360 $$$

BIGHEAD’S Fried alligator, frog legs and simmering, savory seafood gumbo – it’s a

THE HAUNTED HOUSE Renowned for its spooky past (its name is no accident), it’s

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JAMIL’S STEAKHOUSE Steak, lobster or prime rib with Lebanese appetizers gratis – Jamil’s has fed Oklahoma well since 1964.

4910 N Lincoln, OKC, 525.8352 $$ JUNIOR’S A landmark restaurant where hand-cut Angus steaks and lobster fight for attention with knockout fried chicken.

2601 NW Expressway, OKC, 848.5597 $$$ MAHOGANY PRIME STEAKHOUSE The ambiance and service are sublime, but fine aged steak broiled to perfection is the star. 3241 W Memorial, OKC, 748.5959 $$$ MICKEY MANTLE’S This lushly atmospheric social spot in Bricktown serves powerhouse entrées and sides and with full amenities. 7 S Mickey Mantle, OKC, 272.0777 $$$ OPUS PRIME STEAKHOUSE Hand-cut USDA Prime Black Angus steaks, a vast wine selection and intimate ambience. 800 W Memorial, OKC, 607.6787 $$$ RANCH STEAKHOUSE Effortless opulence, custom-aged hand-cut tenderloins and ribeyes and warm Southern hospitality. 3000 W Britton, OKC, 755.3501 $$$ RED PRIMESTEAK Visionary design and atmosphere house super-premium steaks, vibrant, imaginative flavors and amenities.

504 N Broadway, OKC, 232.2626 $$$

THAI PAD THAI Dine in or carry out beautifully executed exemplars of soups, curries and noodles. 119 W Boyd, Norman, 360.5551 $

SALA THAI Pineapple curry, basil squid, cinnamon beef... the variety is exceptional, making this a popular midday option. 1614 NW 23rd, OKC, 528.8424 $ SWEET BASIL The enormous aquarium adds to the cozy ambiance; with its outstanding curries and soups, it makes a great dinner date. 211 W Main, Norman, 217.8424 $$ TANA THAI There’s a lot to like here, from red snapper filet to pad thai. Pay attention to the soups, and do not play chicken with the spice level. 10700 N May, OKC, 749.5590 $$

VIETNAMESE CORIANDER CAFÉ Updating traditional Vietnamese recipes, this vegetarian-friendly café makes a quick, casual dining alternative.

323 White, Norman, 801.3958 $ LIDO Spring rolls to vermicelli bowls, this venerable diner runs the gamut of Vietnamese,Chinese and even French cuisine. 2518 N Military, OKC, 521.1902 $$ PHO CA DAO Vermicelli bowls, rice platters, piping hot pho, icy cold bubble tea and more.

2431 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 521.8819 $ PHO BULOUS Super fresh and super fast, specialties like Honey Ginger Chicken or Wasabi Salmon merit closer inspection.

3409 S Broadway, Edmond, 475.5599 $

Check o our exp ut restaur anded ant and mor listings inspirat e edible ion o anytime nline sliceok.c at om

A NATIONAL REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE As one of the nation’s most comprehensive organ transplant centers, INTEGRIS Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute (NZTI) is well-known for its expertise in handling the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas. More than 3,000 of these organs have been transplanted in 25+ years at Oklahoma’s largest multi-organ transplant facility.

With their considerable experience in working with major organs, it’s no surprise that NZTI provides far more than transplant services: • Liver

and pancreatic cancer surgery • Advanced Heart Failure Program • Ventricular assist devices and total artificial hearts • Intestinal Rehabilitation Program • Pulmonary hypertension management It’s no wonder people from all over the region are traveling to NZTI.

integristransplant.com 405-949-3349

Hepatology (management of cirrhosis, end stage liver disease, tumors and metabolic liver disease) • Advanced gastroenterology • Pediatric gastroenterology/hepatology • Interventional ERCP & endoscopic ultrasonography •

Health Innovations

Breast Health Network For Your Peace of Mind

F

or Edmond resident Kay Contreras, the message of regular screening mammograms hits close to her heart. It’s not just a message she preaches, it’s one she lives in memory of her youngest daughter.

A few years ago, an area of concern turned up on Kay’s annual mammogram. Her commitment to annual mammograms ensured her doctors would catch any abnormality early on, when – if she needed it – treatment would be most effective.

If Kay meets a woman who isn’t getting her annual mammograms, she is not shy to speak up.

“I say, ‘here’s the number, go get one,’” Kay said. “I would ask that you do that for any loved one in your family.”

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Kay has a powerful reason for advocating breast cancer awareness and the importance of yearly mammograms: In 2010, her youngest daughter Sharla Schooley died after a courageous battle with the disease.

Breast cancer is the secondmost common form of cancer among American women. Regular screening saves lives – major studies have shown that women who start their annual mammograms by age 40 reduce their risk of breast cancer death by almost 30 percent.

In an effort to improve breast health across Oklahoma, OU Medicine has formed Breast Health Network, bringing together Oklahoma Breast Care Center, Breast Imaging of Oklahoma and OU Breast Institute. Breast

Health Network gives women access to advanced screening technologies, Oklahoma’s largest group of breast health experts, and direct access to the leading care and treatment offered through OU Medicine.

Breast Health Network offers a range of screening and imaging services with more accurate results than traditional mammograms. Digital mammography technology allows images to be captured on a computer rather than film, giving physicians excellent image quality. Computer-aided detection also lets doctors see potential problem areas sooner for earlier diagnosis.

The network also offers 3-D mammography (also called tomosynthesis), which produces a 3-D image of the breast. This gives physicians the ability

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to examine the breast from multiple angles and see areas that might otherwise be hidden in dense tissue on a 2-D scan.

Other services offered through Breast Health Network include breast MRI, breast ultrasound, non-surgical breast biopsy, high-risk assessment, and osteoporosis and bone-density screening. The network’s mobile mammogram program also travels statewide to provide screening and diagnostic services to businesses and rural areas.

When it comes to cancer, waiting has never been proven to be the safe choice. While many sources offer conflicting information about when and how often women should get their mammograms, leading physicians, cancer advocacy groups and experts stand together: Screen yearly starting at age 40.

Contreras would tell any woman to do the same. Not only for peace of mind, but for their loved ones.

All Breast Health Network locations are accepting patients, and all women 40 and older are encouraged to come experience the wide range of services, the expert care from leading breast health physicians and the hightouch approach to care each location offers. More information on all this network does for women’s health can be found at breasthealthnetwork.com.

BREASTHEALTHNETWORK.COM

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Health Innovations

Deer Creek Family Healthcare and Wellness Clinic

Pain Free Lounge

A Potential End to Chronic Suffering

Comprehensive Care for the Community

O

verall healthiness is a process that requires attention at every stage of life – fortunately, quality treatment from caring experts is right nearby, thanks to the partnership of Family Nurse Practitioners Kim Knox and Kimberly Allen, and their experienced staff at Deer Creek Family Healthcare and Wellness Clinic.

This facility is not only the first local family practice clinic in the Deer Creek community, it’s also a trustworthy source for a broad spectrum of care from birth on up – from getting a splinter removed to managing chronic conditions like diabetes or thyroid problems to getting assistance with efforts to stop smoking. They’re also at the forefront of treatment options like BioTE bioidentical hormone therapy for restoring balance to the body’s chemistry, and the Oasis allergy drop that aims to cure allergies rather than treat their symptoms.

Both Kims are well-versed in family practice with a wide range of experience, and have strong ties to the community – their clinic is committed to helping to enhance the well-being of local families through exceptional care and service. While appointments are appreciated, don’t prolong a problem by waiting; walk-ins are always welcome. And ask about home visits for qualifying patients.

When it comes to your health and your family’s, you don’t have to wait or worry; contact the professionals at Deer Creek.

A

round 76 million Americans deal with chronic pain in some form – but for metro residents, relief could be practically next door. Pain Free Lounge, now open in Oklahoma City, is the region’s only pain treatment center with Medsonix™, a unique drug-free technology that’s registered with the FDA as a Class 1 Medical Device, and has been granted three distinct U.S. patents. It uses low-frequency sound pressure to increase blood flow and mobility, decrease inflammation and pain, and relieve symptoms attributed to a wide range of diseases and disorders.

The Medsonix™ therapy system has had great success with autoimmune diseases including Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis, giving clients fewer aches, more energy and lower overall inflammation. Clients with Lyme Disease are also experiencing significant symptomatic improvement, even when all other conventional treatments have failed. This treatment is very effective against joint, muscular and nerve pain as well. Arthritis, Bursitis, Migraines, Diabetic Nerve Pain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Back Pain and Sciatica are all painful conditions that can be improved with just a few hourlong Medsonix™ sessions.

Furthermore, clients experience relief quickly. University pilot studies indicate that over 85 percent of Medsonix™ therapy recipients experienced symptomatic improvement with no negative side effects after only one treatment, although the maximum benefit is realized with routine treatment as needed.

Pain Free Lounge has a relaxing environment with plush seating, complimentary bottled water and noise-canceling headphones with Spotify™ provided for clients’ enjoyment. Schedule an appointment – mention Slice for half off your first treatment! – and get ready to enjoy life again.

Pain Free Lounge 19409 N. PORTLAND AVE., EDMOND | 405.359.1122 DCFAMILYCARE.COM

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4100 PERIMETER CENTER DR., SUITE 270, OKC | 405.534.1888 PAINFREELOUNGE.COM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

St. Anthony Breast Center Better Detection with 3D Mammography

S

taying healthy is important, yet it can be challenging at times to schedule the preventive screenings that are needed given busy work and family schedules. That’s why the St. Anthony Breast Center offers results in 10 minutes with the Know Now mammogram. Patients no longer have to wait to receive their results – they know results before they leave their mammogram appointment.

The St. Anthony Breast Center network consists of five breast centers located conveniently in the four corners of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area and in Midtown near downtown. And now, at its Midtown location on the main campus, they offer the latest in 3D Digital Mammography (breast tomosynthesis).

With a three-dimensional view of the breast tissue, radiologists have a greater ability to identify and characterize individual breast structure without the confusion of overlapping tissue. Breast cancer screening with tomosynthesis when combined with a conventional 2D mammography has a 40 percent higher invasive cancer detection rate than conventional 2D mammography alone.

“3D mammography is the most exciting improvement to mammography that I have seen in 14 years, since the introduction of digital mammography,” said Shannon Wood BSRT (R)(M)(BS), St. Anthony Breast Center manager. “This 3D technology allows us to look at the breast, layer by layer, in far greater detail than ever before. We are thrilled to offer it here at the Breast Center at St. Anthony Hospital, and are very confident in its benefit to our patients.”

The tomosynthesis screening experience is similar to a traditional

mammogram. During a tomosynthesis exam, multiple low-dose images of the breast are acquired at different angles. These images are then used to produce a series of one-millimeter thick slices that can be viewed as a 3D reconstruction of the breast.

By offering women the latest and most accurate technology in mammography, the St. Anthony Breast Center expects to increase the number of area women who will be routinely screened.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Statistics indicate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime. The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman’s

chance of survival. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent.

The St. Anthony Breast Center is committed to the early detection of breast cancer by offering breast tomosynthesis digital mammography and results within 10 minutes, before patients leave their appointment. Convenient evening and weekend appointments are also available.

405.272.4226 | SAINTSNEARYOU.COM

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 85

Health Innovations

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Urban Row

Oklahoma’s First Stroke Toward a New Fitness Option

R Geoff Potts, D.D.S.

Personalized, Patient-Centered Dentistry

I

t’s been over 13 years since Dr. Geoff Potts moved into what was then a brand-new office in Norman – and while the equipment and techniques he and his staff utilize to provide patients with top-tier dental care are constantly changing to remain continually updated, his personal and professional commitments to service remain steadfast.

Dr. Potts’ practice provides a full range of oral procedures, including cosmetic dentistry, crowns, bridges, white fillings, root canals, extractions, and treatments for joint pain associated with teeth clenching/grinding. Furthermore, the professionals’ technical expertise is augmented by a sincere personal investment in the individual needs of each patient.

“Our goal,” he says, “is to provide individualized attention, creating rapport between patients and staff. We believe in putting the patient’s needs first; we strive to achieve the basics of successful practice, including honesty, sincerity, tolerance and sympathetic understanding.”

That’s an impressive credo, and its emphasis on individualized quality care over quantity of patients treated is genuine: consider that in addition to being a member of the Oklahoma and American Dental Associations, he’s a longtime supporter and former Chairman of the Integris Young Philanthropist Board, which helps local schoolchildren improve their academic performance.

Plus, appropriately for a longtime Norman resident, graduate of OU and the OU College of Dentistry and former RUF/NEK, Dr. Potts is an avid Sooner supporter – just witness the memorabilia collection in his office.

Having a skilled dentist is a must; having an expert who’s also committed to a personal, caring patient experience is as easy as visiting Dr. Geoff Potts.

1020 24TH AVE. N.W., SUITE 101, NORMAN | 405.447.5577 GEOFFPOTTSDDS.COM

86 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

owing is an incredibly efficient and powerful form of exercise; that’s why Urban Row chose WaterRower™ machines to help mimic the rowing motion, and to help replicate that effect, simply add water.

Presenting Urban Row, a new fitness fusion studio in Casady Square that uses a WaterRower™ to provide a uniquely engaging workout with the perfect amount of resistance. Certified instructor-led classes use high-intensity intervals, coupled with weights, for head-to- toe toning in nine major muscle groups – in fact, the head and toes are almost the only body parts that aren’t engaged in and directly benefited by the process. Delts, quads, glutes, abs, biceps and triceps ... this cardio-intense workout encompasses the legs, core and arms to engage 84 percent of your body’s muscle mass with each stroke.

Because the resistance is infinitely Urban Row owner Callie McPherson variable depending on the user, these machines are also great for injured or rehabilitative clients, as well as people at every stage of fitness. Owner Callie McPherson saw how six years of rowing transformed her twin sons’ bodies and decided to share the beneficial effects with OKC – now Urban Row is the first WaterRower™ and IndoRow certified™ studio in the state.

The health benefits of cardio, strength building and the perfect calorie burn of the WaterRower™ workout, plus the convenience of a neighborhood studio, makes Urban Row the ideal choice. Under the guidance of a staff who knows firsthand what a positive difference rowing can make in a person’s life, you’ll be amazed at the impact this innovative exercise can have on your health.

9215 N. PENN AVE., OKC | 405.414.4090 | URBANROWOKC.COM

PURSUITS LIVING IN HISTORY Writer Elaine Warner’s exploration of Wales continues from slate mines to pastry finds, with plenty of magnificently inspiring historic architecture throughout. Siwrne dda! See page 94.

TOP 10 Prime starting points for making the most of the month 88 ON THE ROAD AGAIN Roaming backroads becomes a form of time travel as the Glidden Tour of historic autos returns to Oklahoma 90 KEEPING THE HEAT The Firehouse Art Center explores and encourages creativity at Midsummer Nights 92

ELAINE WARNER

SAVOR THE EXCITEMENT Don your finest tailgate attire: Big Brothers Big Sisters is taking some of its gala fun outside 93 SEE & DO August’s music, theater, visual arts and other delights 98 AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 87

PURSUITS | High Points

The Top

By Steve Gill

IT’S A BIG, BUSY METRO OUT THERE – IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO EVERYTHING, HERE’S WHERE TO START.

MOVING DAY

August 8, Embassy Suites Norman They do all the work of spinning, dipping and stepping just so; you get to sit back and enjoy.

In the Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Dancing for a Miracle, 10 local celebrities pair with professional dancers to amass bragging rights and lifesaving funds – the “People’s Choice” winner is determined by the donations of guests, one of whom will win a car via raffle.

BEAST IN SHOW

UPSTANDING STARS

Charlotte Blake Alston

Kingdom of Enchantment Aug 27-29, Oklahoma History Center

While the special effects that fill the OKC Storytelling Festival take place inside audiences’ minds, they’re none the less real for it – master tale-crafters Charlotte Blake Alston, Jim May and Megan Wells perform the verbal spells they weave so well in this marvelously engrossing event, which also offers seminars to make your own skills more raconteurriffic.

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August 8, OKC Golf & Country Club Oklahoma is inarguably well-supplied with talented athletes and inspired coaches – what sets the honorees at the Sports Headliner Banquet apart is the inspirational character that accompanies their courtside or on-field prowess. The March of Dimes and its infant care are the beneficiaries of this event lauding competitors who also serve as exceptional representatives of our state.

CITY SPRINT

August 1, St. Anthony Hospital The days may be warm, but at night it’s really time to work up a sweat – the annual Downtown Dash is on track to wind its way through OKC streets, with glory awaiting the winners and proceeds benefiting public art in downtown. The 5k is the first leg of the Run This Town series, followed at weekly intervals by the Limbs for Life Blaze 5k and Midnight Sprint benefiting Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center. Get a move on!

PHOTOS: CHARLOTTE BLAKE ALSTON COURTESY CHARLOTTEBLAKEALSTON.COM, “ART GONE WILD” BY GILLIAN LANG

August 7-30, a.k.a. gallery If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day.

If you give an elephant some paint and a canvas, you get the makings of an interesting exhibit that runs all month. Creative critters from the OKC Zoo contribute some works of their paws and snouts and trunks to the annual showcase of genuine Fauvism (Matisse, schmattise) known as “Art Gone Wild.”

Back in the Saddle Again

August 12, Chesapeake Arena Shania Twain was at the very top of the country music field when she stepped away from the mic, and it was 10 years before she began performing again via a Las Vegas residency. Now she’s hitting the road one more time to light up stages coast to coast on the Rock This Country tour. She’s famously hard to impress, but perhaps the turnout for her OKC show can clear the bar.

RUNAWAY HIT

August 22, Fine Arts Institute of Edmond Edmond is justly proud of its community creativity, and the public art lining the city’s streets should inspire the runners hustling among it during the 5k to Monet – the annual fundraising race (there’s a 5k and a 1-mile fun run) benefits the Fine Arts Institute of Edmond, and is named for the painter whose statue marks the start and finish line.

SIN CITY

PHOTOS: SHANIA TWAIN BY GREG ALLEN - INVISION, CAPITOL STEPS BY MIKE REYNA

August 20-September 13, Jewel Box Theatre Razzle? Check. Dazzle? Check. Jewel Box is kicking off its 58th season with a blast from its past that’s as slinky, sultry, mesmerizing and massively musically entertaining today as it was 30 years ago when last it graced this stage: Kander and Ebb’s awards-laden satire of celebrity culture “Chicago.” Dust off your glad rags and get ready to hear Velma, Roxie et al. do the cell block tango.

NOT FADE AWAY

August 21-September 12, Pollard Theatre Her voice was so rich and her impact on the music industry so large; it’s hard to believe the crossover country-pop star of “Crazy,” “Walkin’ After Midnight” and “She’s Got You” was only 30 when she left this Earth. In “Always …

Patsy Cline,” Guthrie’s Pollard Theatre looks back at a titan through the lens of a warm friendship with one of her fans.

A RAUCOUS CAUCUS OF MOCKERY

August 22, OCCC VPAC The group began as a comedic skit for a Senate Christmas party; over 30 years later The Capitol Steps remain as snide as ever, with more than 35 albums and thousands of performances from sea to shining sea under their Beltway-teasing belts. Politics is nothing if not a consistent source of material for satire, after all.

Singing, dancing and no 18-hour filibustering are in store as their Mock the Vote tour visits OKC. AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 89

PURSUITS | Spotlight

A 1912 EMF Touring car

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

By Greg Horton

ON JUNE 23, 1910, 15 CARS ROLLED INTO OKLAHOMA CITY as part of the seventh Glidden Tour. The tour was an endurance race across the U.S. to showcase the reliability of automobiles. Just eight years before, the American Automobile Association formed, and they started the tour in 1902 in hopes of increasing the visibility of what were then relatively new and rare machines.

In a picture published in The Motor World, an enthusiast magazine of the time, the automobiles are shown lined up in front of Acme Sign Manufacturing Company directly across the street from where wagons are hitched. The picture captures the contrast of horse-drawn vehicles – the “workhorses” of the time – alongside the novel machines that would make them superfluous.

For the first time since 1910, the Glidden Tour is coming to Oklahoma. The tour will 90 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

feature antique automobiles from all over the country, plus a few international cars as well. Cars must be at least 25 years old to qualify as antique. Technically, the 1970 AMC Gremlin or the 1979 Ford Pinto hatchback are antiques by that standard, but the car collectors who are part of the Glidden Tour have their sights set a bit higher.

Eighteen of the 250 or more expected cars on this year’s tour are over 100 years old. The oldest is a 1903 Cadillac, built at a time when the cars still looked very much like a horseless buggy. Twenty-eight manufacturers will be represented. The participants tend to focus on automobiles made before World War II, and all the cars are pre-1943. The cars must be “historically correct,” a requirement that allows for modifications available the year the car was manufactured, like the boat tail kit Cadillac offered for a few years beginning in 1931.

The cars will be in Oklahoma from August 30 through September 4, and the public is invited to view the cars at lunch each day. They are typically trailered at night, so the lunch stops will provide the best viewing.

On Wednesday, September 2, the cars will be parked in Automobile Alley for the viewing, and a three-block stretch of Broadway Avenue will be closed off for the event.

The Tour will visit Blanchard, Edmond, El Reno, Guthrie, Hinton and Norman. Red

Rock Canyon will be the longest day trip for this tour. The day trips include optional activities for the participants as well as the lunchtime viewings. Jeff Lytle, tour chairman for the 70th Revival AAA Glidden Tour, chose the route. He said maximum speed limits for the roads have to be 45 miles per hour.

“I think I drove about 4,000 miles while I was mapping out the route,” Lytle said.

“Some of the cars can’t reach speeds of 45 miles per hour unless they’re going downhill, so we go in small pods instead of one long, slow procession.”

Lytle said the tour started as a “fun run” in 1904, but a point system was added later, and the tour was a competition for many years. “There were nine starting points on the East Coast the first year,” he said. “The cars were making their way to the St. Louis World’s Fair.”

As difficult as it is to imagine now, the nation was locked in a fierce debate about the efficacy of the automobile as a reliable means of transport. This situation was not made easier by various governments’ attempts to write legislation for the cars.

“England had a law that anyone driving a car had to be accompanied by someone

Jeff Lytle and family with their four-door 1929 Ford Model A

on foot carrying a lantern,” Lytle said. “The laws were odd wherever there were automobiles. They were so new and people did not know what to make of them.”

For those of us who grew up in a nation with a developed Interstate highway system, our most frequent complaints are about potholes or traffic congestion. However, the Tour is much older than the Interstates … the roads that existed in 1910 were usually somewhere on the spectrum ranging from dirt road to buggy trails.

“Part of the problem in convincing people that automobiles were reliable was that

1931 Chevy Roadster

there were no good roads at that time,” Lytle said. “The roads were awful; railroads were actually smoother.”

The tour ended in 1913. From 1914 to 1945, there was no Glidden Tour, but Harvey Firestone and Henry Ford revived it in 1946 at the urging of James Melton, a singer who was very popular in the pre-WWII era.

The revival corresponded with the 50th anniversary of the automobile. The tour has run every year since it was revived, but it seldom gets west of the Mississippi River.

Joanna Cooper is a Tulsa resident who has been participating in the tour since 1998. She is also the past president of the Antique Auto Club of America – one of the host organizations – an elected position she held for three consecutive three-year terms.

(The Tour is hosted in alternate years by

the AACA and the Veterans Motor Car Club of America. This is an AACA year.)

“When I was president, I had to remind people that we do have regions on this side of the Mississippi,” Cooper laughs.

Cooper said the Tour cars are usually informally divided into “drivers and trailer queens.”

“The trailer queens are totally restored; they are driven briefly for show and then trailered,” she said. “I prefer drivers.”

Cooper will have two cars in the Tour, one of which is a 1930 Model A. Before he passed away, she and her husband amassed a collection of 25 antique cars. This year, she has friends flying in to drive one car, and she and her daughter will be in the second.

1931 Oldsmobile Sedan

The cars are surprisingly durable – perhaps a nod to an age before planned obsolescence. Lytle said Joe and Betty Swann, two Tour participants, left East Pennsylvania on May 29 in their 1912 EMF touring car. They intend to circumnavigate the U.S. this summer.

“The EMF might do 40 miles per hour,” Lytle said. “Maybe.”

That a 103-year-old car is actually capable of touring the entire U.S. is remarkable.

That it must be done at speeds below 40 mph, more so.

The Swanns, Cooper and Lytle – in his 1929 Model A 4-door touring car – will all be at the Automobile Alley event, as will Steve and Blanche Gordon, a couple participating in their 49th Tour. At every lunch stop and during the downtown event, visitors will be allowed to vote on a People’s Choice Award recipient. Votes cost $2, with proceeds going to support the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition, a 501(c)3 organization with many communitybased literacy programs around the state.

At the end of the Tour, the winner will receive the Glidden Trophy. It goes to the car with the most average drive time as logged on time cards that all participants fill out daily. The system is an unusual one, but Lytle said participants have embraced the system. The Glidden Tour is no longer an endurance test, after all. One hundred and five years after their last visit on the Tour, automobiles are woven deeply into the daily needs of most Americans.

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 91

PURSUITS | Spotlight

WARM IT UP

Form more info, visit normanfirehouse.com or call 329.4523

KEEPING THE HEAT

By Steve Gill

IT FOSTERS PERSONAL CONNECTIONS TO CREATIVITY, forges ongoing bonds among members of its community and is a fair amount of fun for visitors of all age brackets – with no fee attached.

No wonder the Firehouse Art Center’s Midsummer Nights festival is rounding out its fourth decade with no signs of falling in popularity. Lions Park in Norman is home to the 38th annual creativity showcase in the evening hours of August 21 and 22.

Art in multiple media and musical performances fill the outdoor event, which is expected to draw around 3,500 visitors. In fact, Firehouse director Douglas Shaw Elder says that Midsummer Nights has developed a community of its own over the years: “One of the comments that people tell me every year is that they meet certain people only once a year, and it’s at our festival. One of the reasons they come is to reconnect with friends.” Aside from the camaraderie, other draws include the displays of jury-approved works by more than 25 visual artists, the food vendors, the special kids’ activities and the live performances by local stars Bungalouski, Kierston White, Annie Oakley and Alan Orebaugh & the Stupid Guitar Tricks Band, as well as student performers from Norman school and event partner McMichael Music. “I can’t say enough good things about

92 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

Wess [McMichael] and our dedicated artists, both on the visual side and the musical side, that come together to make an event like this happen,” raves Elder.

Visitors, especially children, can also engage with their own inner artists through activities like sculpting with aluminum foil, portrait drawing and the popular Children’s Art Wall, making a fresh reappearance. Elder speaks highly of participation and engagement rather than passive observation, saying that “We love sticking to some of our staples that are 100 percent creative without having an end result, meaning there are no kit projects in what we do. Kids don’t step up and say, ‘Make that, I want that one.’ Kids get to step up and we say, ‘What are you going to make?’ On the art wall, our teachers just facilitate, we ask questions; that gets them fully engaged with their narrative. It’s fantastic when we see them filling in the whole composition.”

Admission, including the opportunity to view demonstrations in drawing, painting and sculpture by Firehouse faculty, is free both days, although donations are encouraged. “Individual donations from our community [help] offset the costs to be able to provide free opportunities – not just for adults, but even for the children,” says Elder. “I’ve made the statement before that anytime we go out into the community, we will never charge children to create with us. And I stand by that.”

Browse finished art, watch new pieces come into being, get front-row seats for local musicians and help foster an atmosphere celebrating ongoing creativity across the spectrum of age … these two evenings are a magical time.

PURSUITS | Spotlight

AUGUST 14 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

NEW

WORKS

BY

DOUGLAS SHAW ELDER

NEW

WORKS

BY

CRAIG SWAN

SAVOR THE EXCITEMENT

WITH JOURNEY OF A SURVIVOR IN THE LIBRARY GALLERY OPENING RECEPTION:

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CLOSING RECEPTION:

6-10 P.M. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 OPEN 11 A.M. - 4 P.M. TUES-SAT

By Steve Gill

FUNDRAISING GALAS TEND TO BE A GREAT WAY FOR ORGANIZATIONS – especially nonprofits – to boost their balance sheets: volunteers and sponsors donate time and materials, guests have a good time, proceeds advance the host agency’s mission. That’s why each fall, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma hosts its flavorful, sample-rich gala The Big Taste. But around here, fall also comes with an especially strong dose of football fever, and so this year the event is trading black tie for eye black: on August 29, you’re invited to “Oklahoma Gameday.”

The week before OU kicks off its season a couple of miles to the south, the action will be at Embassy Suites Norman, where guests will gather for a 6pm tailgate before the gala itself. “This is typically our black-tie event,” smiles Mikaela Borecky, outgoing area director and one of the event’s organizers, “but this year we really want people to come in in their tailgate, game-day chic attire, and just turn the event upside down and have some fun with it.” That attire doesn’t have to be crimson and cream, by the way; you’ll fit right in to the collegial atmosphere in Cowboy orange, Thunder blue, Energy green or the hues of your local high school of choice – but if it influences your decision, know that Boomer and Sooner will be there in person (technically, “in Welsh ponies.”)

When the doors open at 7pm, the traditional taster’s affair will give diners a chance to sample treats from a bevy of local restaurants; the live and silent auctions will offer treasures from autographed memorabilia to a safari; and a program will thank donors for their support and emphasize what a difference they have made in the lives of young area children. “Their dollars are spent directly right here in Norman,” explains Borecky, “and the impact is local – their interest in us and their support directly goes to change these kids in our community.”

And if you’re interested in being a part of that change while having a deliciously fun evening, there’s still room in the starting lineup – visit bbbsok.org or call 364.3722.

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PURSUITS | Getting Away

History, Heritage and a

Touch of Whimsy

By Elaine Warner

AN ITALIAN TOWN ON THE COAST OF WALES? PASTEL STUCCO, OLD STONE, GRACEFUL TOWERS … AND, NO, IT WASN’T A DREAM. WELL, ACTUALLY, IT WAS. ARCHITECT CLOUGH WILLIAMS-ELLIS BELIEVED THAT GOOD DESIGN COULD BE BUILT TO COMPLEMENT ANY LANDSCAPE. FROM 1925 TO 1975 HE WORKED TO CREATE A FANTASY VILLAGE ON THE WELSH COAST. Editor’s Note: This is the second in a two-part series on visiting Wales. Read part one online at sliceok.com/travel

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Clockwise from left: In Portmeirion: steps down to the Central Piazza; Gloriette, the portico from Hooton Hall, on the left // The Gothic Pavilion faces the Gloriette across the Central Piazza // Caernarfon Castle from the Seiont River

PORTMEIRION is a pastiche of styles with a Mediterranean

feel. Williams-Ellis combined new construction honoring old styles and bits and pieces of manor houses and monuments he saved from demolition.

The porch of the octagonal Pantheon was originally a fireplace and minstrels’ gallery in an estate in Cheshire. The Gloriette was once part of the portico at Hooton Hall, another Cheshire manor. The Town Hall incorporates elements from Emral Hall, one of Wales’s great houses, and the Bristol Colonnade (1760) which once stood in front of the bathhouse of a copper magnate in southern England.

Each year, approximately a quarter of a million people visit Portmeirion, a village where no one lives. Many of the buildings are available as self-catering holiday lets. A hotel on the property and accommodations in a restored manor house just outside the village gates, Castell Deudraeth, provide more options.

The village also has a number of interesting shops including an excellent bookstore, several eateries and a pottery shop carrying Portmeirion ware designed by Williams-Ellis’ daughter, Susan.

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 95

PURSUITS | Getting Away

THE HIGH AND MIGHTY AND THE HOI POLLOI By this time – a

week into our trip – we were getting a bit blasé about castles but we couldn’t skip Caernarfon. Four of King Edward I’s northern Wales castles, Caernarfon, Beaumaris, Conwy and Harlech, have jointly been designated a World Heritage Site. The Welsh were an unruly bunch and it took a good deal of the late 13th century and a tremendous amount of money to keep them under English control.

The first English Prince of Wales was born in Caernarfon in 1284 and Prince Charles was invested there in 1969. The castle overlooks the town and the Seiont River. Below the castle, the parking lot sits on the site of a once-important slate-loading port.

While coal mining was the industrial staple of southern Wales, slate mining was the big industry of the north. A visit to the National Slate Museum gives insight into the life and work of Welsh slate miners. Only a few quarries are actively mining slate today. The museum is part of what were once 19th century workshops for the giant Dinorwig Slate Mine. One of the largest slate mines in the world, the company employed 3,000 workers in 1870.

Highlights of a visit include watching slate splitting demonstrations and marveling at the 50-foot waterwheel which turned all the belts operating machinery throughout the workshops. The slate mine closed in 1969, the day after delivering its last order – 96 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

the massive slate dais used in the investiture ceremony of Charles, Prince of Wales.

We still had to visit two more of King Edward’s castles, Beaumaris on the Isle of Anglesey and Conwy. Rick Steves describes the town of Beaumaris as a 13th century English green zone surrounded by Welsh guerrillas. The last of Edward’s castles, it may be the most aesthetically satisfying with its symmetrical design.

Unlike other castles, it was never attacked and was never finished.

Conwy Castle, built between 1283 and 1287, was brief ly occupied by the Welsh in the 15th century but reoccupied and later pretty much abandoned by the English. During the English Civil War (between King Charles I and the parliament) it was reopened by royal forces. It was captured in 1686 by the parliamentary army (Roundheads) who later destroyed parts of the interior of the structure to prevent its re-use by the Royalists.

This page, clockwise from top: Sunset after rain over River Conwy // Fireplace decorated with plaster work in the great chamber of Plas Mawr, built in 1580 and the oldest house in Wales. // Tintern Abbey captured the imagination of 18th century Romantics including poet William Wordsworth // The Crossing at Tintern Abbey, where the transepts meet the nave in a traditional cruciform church.

To me, Conwy was the most forbidding and impressive of the castles we saw. It stands atop a rocky base with eight massive towers and high walls. A city wall surrounds the adjoining town.

We loved Conwy – and not just because we found the best pastry shop ever! Conwy is home to Plas Mawr, one of the most complete and interesting 16th century homes anywhere. Not only were the rooms and furnishings fascinating, there were many displays about life in medieval Wales covering subjects from eating to elimination, the plague, medicine and “modern” medieval conveniences.

I’m pretty sure there’s a 10-year-old boy somewhere in my brain because I find potty history so interesting. I loved it that in the city wall, there were a dozen outcroppings (or should that be outcrappings?) – latrines built by Edward’s master builder for the convenience of his most important civil servants.

From the ridiculous to the sublime, we left Conwy for Holywell, the site of the miracle of St. Winefride. Legend has it that Winefride rejected the amorous advances of a local lad who was so enraged that he cut off her head. She had almost reached the safety of a monastery when her pursuer struck. Where her head landed, a spring of water arose. Bueno, the monastery’s abbot picked up her head and placed it on her body. She was restored to life and the site of her well became a pilgrimage destination famous for miraculous cures.

The present building sheltering the well dates back to the early 1600s but the well itself is the oldest site of Christian pilgrimage in Great Britain. Both Richard the Lionheart and King Richard V sought intercession from St. Winefride before battles and a young Victoria visited here before her accession to the throne.

A FINAL WORD’S WORTH Although William Wordsworth is most

closely associated with England, in 1798 he composed a Welshset poem, “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey.”

Founded in 1131, the abbey f lourished until the reign of Henry VIII, when, in his dispute with the Catholic Church, most of the church properties were destroyed or converted to other uses. In the 18th century, the ruins captured the fancy of the Romantic school of artists and writers for its striking setting and gothic architecture.

A visit to Tintern in southeast Wales was our last Welsh stop and a worthy one. The soaring stone arches against a backdrop of tree-covered cliffs and the serene river Wye alongside the property made a grand coda to the symphony of sights we enjoyed in this beautiful country.

This page, clockwise from top left: High Street, Conwy // Beaumaris Castle (1295) on the Isle of Anglesey, last and largest of King Edward’s Welsh castles // St. Winefride’s spring flows into a starshaped basin in an early 1600’s structure. // St. Winefride’s well, external bathing pool with changing tents, Holywell, Wales // Statute of St. Winefride: note the scar where her head was reattached.

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 97

See & Do EVENTS Dealing for Dreams Aug 1 Make-A-Wish Oklahoma rolls the bones (and deals the cards, and provides other casinothemed entertainment) for guests in this dynamite fundraiser. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org Internet Cat Video Festival Aug 1 A free get-together to enjoy food trucks, face painting and some of the finest feline antics the web has to offer. Myriad Gardens 301 W Reno Ave, OKC, 445.7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com Ron White Aug 1 It’s not that he needs the cigar and glass of scotch to be funny; they’re just part of his act and also vices he enjoys - White’s a cuttingly funny comedian in any environment.

Riverwind Casino 1544 W Hwy 9, Norman, 322.6464, riverwind.com Engaging Men Breakfast Aug 6 The YWCA needs the support of men willing to help aid victims of domestic violence and end the cycle of abuse; think of this event as networking for good. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 951.3333, ywcaokc.org

Live on the Plaza Aug 14 Vendors, artists, residents and passerby unite for a monthly fiesta. OKC Plaza District 1618 N Gatewood Ave, OKC, 367.9403, plazadistrict.org

Paseo FEAST Aug 25 A delicious meal helps artists create their dreams, as The Paseo’s microfunding program continues. Picasso Café 3009 Paseo St, OKC, 525.2688, thepaseo.com

Downtown Edmond Historic Tours Aug 15 Learn a little something new about the legacy and story of the city in this 45-minute walking tour. Downtown Edmond 32 N Broadway Ave, Edmond, 715.1889, visitedmondok.com

OKC Storytelling Festival Aug 2729 Guest weavers of verbal magic share the art and craft of spinning tales. Oklahoma History Center 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr, OKC, 270.4848, artscouncilokc.com

Heard on Hurd Aug 15 A free monthly festival of live music, food trucks and pop-up shops - come enjoy!

Downtown Edmond 32 N Broadway Ave, Edmond, 341.6650, facebook. com/heardonhurd

Farm-to-Table Outdoor Dinner Aug 28 Chefs Kamala Gamble and Barbara Mock provide the Guilford Gardens-sourced fare, Honeylark provides the soundtrack and diners reap the enjoyment in this meal under the stars. Myriad Gardens 301 W Reno Ave, OKC, 445.7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com

Auto Alley Shop Hop Aug 20 Discounts, giveaways, special minievents and have-to-be-there fun fill this monthly mercantile excursion along one of the metro’s distinctive shopping destinations. Automobile Alley 1015 N Broadway Ave, OKC, 235.3500, downtownokc.com

Festival of Hope Aug 28 Community suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization Heartline honors Tricia Everest, John Kennedy and The Homeless Alliance for the hope

Western Avenue on the Lawn Aug 6 Free for all and filled with fun, this monthly event offers live music, games, food trucks and more. Whole Foods Lawn 6200 N Western Ave, OKC, visitwesternavenue.com

1st Friday Gallery Walk Aug 7 The historic arts district’s name means “stroll,” which happens to be the preferred form of locomotion while taking in its wonders during a monthly display of arts and culture. Paseo Arts District 3022 Paseo St, OKC, 525.2688, thepaseo.com Dancing for a Miracle Aug 8 Celebrity steppers show off their moves in a gala benefiting the Children’s Hospital Foundation. Embassy Suites 2501 Conference Dr, Norman, 271.2208, okchf.org Sports Headliner Banquet Aug 8 The March of Dimes honors influential Sooner State sports figures at this VIP dinner and gala. OKC Golf & Country Club 7000 NW Grand Blvd, OKC, 415.1266, marchofdimes.org/oklahoma 2nd Friday Circuit of Art Aug 14 A monthly community-wide celebration of creativity, focused on historic Downtown Norman. Norman Arts Council 122 E Main St, Norman, 360.1162, normanarts.org

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Flight for Futures Sep 3 Now boarding for fine food catered by local restaurants, beverages aplenty, live music and ancing to benefit the community-improving work of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County. Wiley Post Airport 5915 Philip J Rhoads Ave, Bethany, 706.7484, bgcokc.org

FILM Circle Theater Shows Aug 1-30 The OKC Museum of Art screens overlooked treasures and unsung independent films for cineastes who want to step outside the multiplex.

OKC Museum of Art 415 Couch Dr, OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com Classics Series Aug 4-25 Catch a masterpiece you missed the first time around or just want to re-experience on the big screen: “The Departed” Aug 4, “Bad Boys” Aug 11, “The Shawshank Redemption” Aug 18 and “Beverly Hills Cop” Aug 25. Harkins Theatres 150 E Reno Ave, OKC, 321.4747, harkinstheatres.com Sonic Summer Movie Nights Aug 5-19 Bring chairs or a blanket, grab a treat from Ice House or a food truck and settle in for an outdoor flick: “Finding Nemo” Aug 5, “E.T.” Aug 12 and “Guardians of the Galaxy” Aug 19. Myriad Gardens 301 W Reno Ave, OKC, 445.7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com

Smarty Pants Trivia Night Aug 6 Show off the strength of your bountiful brain and have fun doing it in this convivial team event that supports the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Oklahoma History Center 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr, OKC, 463.4863, nationalmssociety.org/ chapters/oke

Art After 5 Aug 6-27 A special Thursday evening treat draws downtowners and visitors to the OKCMOA’s rooftop terrace for drinks and a spectacular view. OKC Museum of Art 415 Couch Dr, OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com

it’s a solid bet. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org

GLORUN

August 29, Mitch Park, Edmond Premiere on Film Row Aug 21 The downtown OKC street festival is family-friendly, pet-welcoming, free to wander through and filled with treats for the ears and taste buds.

Film Row 706 W Sheridan Ave, OKC, 232.6060, Midsummer Nights Fair Aug 21-22 A two-day festival out of the harsh summer sun, when the Firehouse fills the park with art to view and buy, food, creative activities and music.

Lions Park 450 S Flood Ave, Norman, 329.4523, normanfirehouse.com Sunset Cruises Aug 21-28 Music, appetizers, a cash bar, the quiet breeze and gentle motion of the ship proceeding languidly down the river on a Friday evening - relaxation like this is a true pleasure. Oklahoma River 1503 Exchange Ave, OKC, 702.7755, okrivercruises.com Tour de Palate Aug 22 A sensationally tasty evening helping the Go Mitch Go Foundation fight blood diseases, this event boasts an array of restaurant flavors and live music from Zuzu’s Petals. Bricktown Events Center 429 E California Ave, OKC, tourdepalate.com

they have provided to the community.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org H & 8th Night Market Aug 28 Midtown becomes a primetime paradise in this after-hours street festival boasting live music and a convoy of awesome food trucks. Hudson Ave & 8th Street 801 N Hudson Ave, OKC, 633.1703, h8thokc.com Myq Kaplan Aug 28 The “Last Comic Standing” finalist appears courtesy of OKC Comedy, along with Spencer Hicks and OKC Improv. Myriad Gardens 301 W Reno Ave, OKC, okccomedy.com The Big Taste of Norman Aug 29 A themed fundraiser promising loads of deliciousness, to boost the helping power of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Embassy Suites Norman 2501 Conference Dr, Norman, 364.3722, bbbsok.org UPCOMING Ace High Sep 2 The museum deals out a full spread of entertainment and auction treats in this fundraiser;

Boathouse Summer Movie Series Aug 7 The FAA Credit Union sponsors free screenings, where the “screen” is the side of the Chesapeake Finish Line Tower. Catch “Planes: Fire & Rescue” this month. Boathouse District 725 S Lincoln Blvd, OKC, 552.4040, boathousedistrict.org Movie Nights in the Park Aug 14 When the sun goes down, the show starts up - enjoy a free screening of “Into the Woods.” Hafer Park 900 S Bryant Ave, Edmond, 359.4630, edmondparks.com

GALLERIES ONGOING The Elaborate Collaborate Through Aug 15 This innovative and evolving exhibition gathers a total of 54 artists to work with and be inspired by one another, for a final result nobody can predict. IAO Gallery 706 W Sheridan Ave, OKC, 232.6060, facebook.com/ theelaboratecollaborate Fine Arts Institute Aug 3-31 The FAI hosts a collection of works from powerhouse creators Dana Powell and Mary Howard. Fine Arts Institute of Edmond 27 E Edwards St, Edmond, 340.4481, edmondfinearts.com August at the Elms Aug 4-29 The cozy gallery in the Paseo is home to intriguing art, inside and out: this month it welcomes the abstract landscapes from Jim Keffer and new works by Michael Hatcher. JRB Art at the Elms 2810 N Walker Ave, OKC, 528.6336, jrbartgallery.com

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AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 99

PURSUITS | See & Do

Children’s Summer Art Show Aug 7-22 The Firehouse hosts an exhibition of the high points from a summer of youth gone wildly creative. Firehouse Art Center 444 S Flood Ave, Nichols Hills, 329.4523, normanfirehouse.com

All Have Sinned Aug 1, Cymbals Eat Guitars Aug 2, Jukebox Romantics Aug 7, Marriages Aug 8, We the Ghost Aug 22 and more - check online for adds and updates. 89th Street Collective 8911 N Western Ave, OKC, 89thstreetokc.com

The Interpretation of an Enigma Aug 7-29 The community art space for public exploration of art welcomes an engagingly organic solo show from A.K. Westerman. The Project Box 3003 Paseo St, OKC, 609.3969, theprojectboxokc.com

Grand Casino Shows Aug 1-28 It should sound great at the Grand, thanks to a tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis and Chubby Checker Aug 1 and classic rock demigods Boston Aug 28. Grand Casino 777 Grand Casino Blvd, Shawnee, 964.7777, grandresortok.com

Hale Creations Aug 7-29 The arresting gallery in the Paseo Arts District prepares to dazzle visitors and passerby via distinctive acrylic paintings from studio artist Sue Hale and her family. In Your Eye Gallery 3005 Paseo St, OKC, 525.2161, inyoureyegallery.com

Frontier City Shows Aug 1-29 The amusement park offers a few extra musical thrills thanks to sibling-centric R5 Aug 1, Toby Mac Aug 15 and the Eli Young Band Aug 29. Frontier City 11501 N I-35 Svc Rd, OKC, 478.2140, frontiercity.com

Art Gone Wild Aug 7-30 Call it natural beauty: animals from the OKC Zoo create the pieces in this annual exhibit. a.k.a. gallery 3001 Paseo St, OKC, 606.2522, aka-gallery.com

Twilight Concert Series Aug 2-30 The Arts Council of OKC shares a free, family-friendly performance every Sunday evening: Aaron Newman Aug 2, Shawna Russell Aug 9, the Roland Bowling Band Aug 16, Uncle Zep Aug 23 and Porch Mice Aug 30. Myriad Gardens 301 W Reno Ave, OKC, 270.4848, artscouncilokc.com

MUSEUMS ONGOING Prix de West Through Aug 2 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org Art Tech: Skyline Ink Animation Studios Through Aug 15 Artspace at Untitled 1 NE 3rd St, OKC, 815.9995, artspaceatuntitled.com Holly Wilson: A Foot in Two Worlds Through Aug 21, Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center OKC, 951.0000, oklahomacontemporary.org America’s Road: The Journey of Route 66 Through Aug 29 Oklahoma Heritage Museum OKC, 523.3231, oklahomaheritage.com Ledger Art Exhibition Through Aug 31 Red Earth Museum OKC, 427.5228, redearth.org A World Unconquered Through Sep 6 Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art Norman, 325.3272, ou.edu/fjjma Fabergé: Jeweler to the Tsars Through Sep 27 OKC Museum of Art OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com Orly Genger: Terra Through Oct 2 Campbell Park OKC, 951.0000, oklahomacontemporary.org Celebrating Edmond History Through Dec 19 Edmond Historical Society Edmond, 340.0078, edmondhistory.org Enter the Matrix: Indigenous Printmakers Through Jan 17 Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art Norman, 325.3272, ou.edu/fjjma

MUSIC ONGOING Bricktown Reggae Fest Through Aug 1 Get a groove on at this blissful outdoor concert - the food and beer are great, the bands are masters of reggae and the admission is free. Bricktown 100 E Sheridan Ave, OKC, 236.4143, bricktownokc.com 89th Street Collective Aug 1-22 Sonic jams of all descriptions in an OKC hotspot: this month’s slate includes

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Dawes Aug 5 A shimmering guest performance from the progenitors of the Laurel Canyon sound. ACM @ UCO Performance Lab 329 E Sheridan Ave, OKC, 974.4700, acm-uco.com North American Youth Congress Aug 5-7 Dubbed “Anthem,” the 2015 gathering organized by the United Pentecostal Church brings together thousands of youth seeking spiritual inspiration and fellowship. Chesapeake Arena 100 W Reno Ave, OKC, northamericanyouthcongress.com Noon Tunes Aug 6-27 Free lunchtime serenades to sonically spice up your Thursdays: Buffalo Rogers Trio Aug 6, Flanagan and Fisher Aug 13, the Michael Fresonke Trio Aug 20 and Cara Black Aug 27. Downtown Library 300 Park Ave, OKC, 231.8650, mls.lib.ok.us Blue Door Shows Aug 7-29 Self-billed as “the best listening room in Oklahoma,” it certainly has some of the best music, including Bob Schneider Aug 7, Greg Trooper Aug 19, Mike McClure Aug 21 and Bobby Long Aug 29 - check online for updates. The Blue Door 2805 N McKinley Ave, OKC, 524.0738, bluedoorokc.com Summer Breeze: Tequila Azul Aug 9 The open-air concert series continues by welcoming an energetic ensemble billed as “Oklahoma’s first Latin Pop Rock band” - es muy caliente! Lions Park 450 S Flood Ave, Norman, 307.9320, normandepot.org Def Leppard Aug 10 Their music is still the rock of ages, so to speak, since the arena legends are still touring decades after conquering the airwaves - catch them live along with Tesla. Chesapeake Arena 100 W Reno Ave, OKC, 800.745.3000, chesapeakearena.com Opolis Shows Aug 11-27 Metro, meet Opolis - you’ll make beautiful music together, including Rocky Votolato Aug 11, Slim Cessna’s Auto Club Aug 27 and more - check online for updates. The Opolis 113 N Crawford Ave, Norman, opolis.org Shania Twain Aug 12 The chartsmashing singer’s Rock This Country Tour is her first North American trek in over a decade - now’d be a great

time to catch her. Chesapeake Arena 100 W Reno Ave, OKC, 800.745.3000, chesapeakearena.com Mark Chesnutt Aug 15 You don’t get hailed as a classic country singer of the first order by accident - Chesnutt’s many hits make a full quiver of possibilities for a standout show.

Riverwind Casino 1544 W Hwy 9, Norman, 322.6464, riverwind.com Nichols Hills Band Concert Aug 20 A monthly musical serenade from Nichols Hills’ community band; bring seating and enjoy. Kite Park 1500 Bedford Dr, OKC, nicholshills.net Gene Watson, Moe Bandy and Johnny Lee Aug 21 Not one, not two, but three big-name country stars take turns sharing a selection of their hits. Riverwind Casino 1544 W Hwy 9, Norman, 322.6464, riverwind.com The Capitol Steps Aug 22 The political puns are positively shameless when this singing, dancing commentariat comes marching into town to Mock the Vote.

OCCC Theater 7777 S May Ave, OKC, 682.7576, occc.edu/cas Summer Breeze: The Elders Aug 23 Time to wave farewell to the open-air concert series for another season … but not before a final burst of Celticflavored musical storytelling courtesy of the Missouri-based world-traveling Elders. Lions Park 450 S Flood Ave, Norman, 307.9320, normandepot.org Michael Bolton Aug 28 You know his name - he’s sold 75 million albums, won dozens of awards and continues to croon from stages big and small the world over. Riverwind Casino 1544 W Hwy 9, Norman, 322.6464, riverwind.com

SPORTS Downtown Dash Aug 1 Part of the Run This Town series, this race benefits public art and beautification projects in downtown OKC. St. Anthony Hospital 1000 N Walker Ave, OKC, 235.3500, downtownokc.com OKC Dodgers Baseball Aug 1-31 OKC’s men of summer try to create a sparkling season on the diamond by facing New Orleans Aug 1-4, Colorado Springs Aug 5-9, Tacoma Aug 15-18, Reno Aug 19-22 and Iowa Aug 31.

Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark 2 S Mickey Mantle Dr, OKC, 218.1000, okcdodgers.com OKC Energy FC Soccer Aug 4-29 Open wide for some soccer! The OKC Energy FC’s second season continues against the LA Galaxy II Aug 4, Real Monarchs Aug 15 and Austin Aztex August 29.

Taft Stadium 2901 NW 23rd St, OKC, 235.5425, energyfc.com Blaze 5k Aug 8 Part of the Run This Town series, this race’s proceeds aid Limbs for Life in providing prosthetic care to Oklahomans in need. Chesapeake Boathouse 725 S Lincoln Blvd, OKC, 235.3500, downtownokc.com Oklahoma Victory Dolls Aug 8 High-speed grace and a strategic application of brawn here and there; these dames do roller derby right.

State Fairgrounds 333 Gordon Cooper Blvd, OKC, okvd.net Midnight Streak Aug 15 Part of the Run This Town series, this 5k

through Automobile Alley, Midtown and Heritage Hills is a fundraiser for Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center.

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center 1146 N Broadway Dr, OKC, 235.3500, downtownokc.com Arcadia Lake Triathlon Aug 16 It’s the Oklahoma state triathlon championship for 2015: a 1,000-yard swim, 20-mile bike ride and 4-mile run. For those seeking a smaller challenge the aquabike combines the first two legs.

Arcadia Lake 8000 NE 2nd St, Edmond, 204.3243, triokc.org 5k to Monet Aug 22 A fundraising race and 1-mile family fun run beginning and ending at the FAI’s statue of the great French artist. Fine Arts Institute of Edmond 27 E Edwards Dr, Edmond, 340.4481, edmondfinearts.com OKC Roller Derby Aug 22 Belles on wheels combine velocity and a touch of ferocity; this month the OKCRD All-Stars take on the River Valley Rollergirls. Skate Galaxy 5800 NW 36th St, OKC, ockrd.com GloRun Aug 29 It’s a 5k or 10-mile scamper after dark, but don’t worry the course is lined with vibrant artwork and black lights, so wear colorful gear and be ready to pop. Mitch Park 1501 W Covell Rd, Edmond, 525.2525, glorunokc.com

THEATER ONGOING In the Heights Through Aug 2 Life pulses through a colorful, ethnically diverse community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood.

Sooner Theatre 101 E Main St, Norman, 321.9600, soonertheatre.org Spamalot Through Aug 2 It is a silly play. The musical “lovingly ripped off” from Monty Python’s masterpiece stars Arthur, King of the Britons, and a bunch of other singing, dancing dunderheads.

Poteet Theatre 222 NW 15th St, OKC, 609.1023, poteettheatre.com Billy Elliot Aug 4-8 An aspiring young boxer discovers a hidden passion for dance in this joyous musical from Lyric Theatre. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 524.9312, lyrictheatreokc.com Chicago Aug 20-Sep 13 Cellophane dudes, brassy dames, slicker-thangrease lawyers and all that jazz fill the starting slot in Jewel Box’s season.

Jewel Box Theater 3700 N Walker Ave, OKC, 521.1786, jewelboxtheatre.org Always Patsy Cline Aug 21-Sep 12 The Pollard’s epistolary season opener leverages the divine Ms. Cline’s music to remind audiences of her tremendous presence. Pollard Theatre 120 W Harrison Ave, Guthrie, 282.2800, thepollard.org

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The Shoppes at Northpark N.W. 122nd & May | Oklahoma City 405.748.5200 AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 101

Last Laugh

THE PRINCE’S DIARY

By Lauren Hammack

AS THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON JUNE 20, I TURNED OFF THE “AIRPLANE MODE” SETTING ON MY CELL AND WATCHED THE PHONE LIGHT UP WITH AN UNUSUALLY LONG STREAM OF TEXT MESSAGES THAT HAD COME WHILE I’D BEEN IN-FLIGHT. The first came from a coworker. With just a few words, her message doubled me over: “Bob Barry, Jr. was killed this afternoon in a motorcycle accident.”

The din of conversation among chatty travelers around me quickly trailed off, giving way to the maelstrom of my own heartbeat as the blood rushed to my head. My hands shook violently as I began frantically scanning the remaining messages for the text that would surely say, “Correction – he was just involved in a motorcycle accident.”

Before Slice published its inaugural issue in the fall of 2010, I pitched the idea of contributing a monthly interview column, a light Q&A with someone interesting. “This feature should be fun!” I said, and we should set the tone right out of the gate with someone that everybody loves. Who better, I thought, than BBJ? The column’s first incarnation was called “The Other Side of …” and it was intended to acquaint readers with the lesser-known details of a well-known, local personality.

There have been some gems among the 60+ interviews that have followed since the first with Bobby, but I’ve always referred to that particular exchange as the best I ever had. He was funny, insightful, upbeat and fully engaged. His characteristically friendly, approachable manner transcended the printed page to reveal who he truly was – a prince among men, a ray of sunshine who never made exceptions as to whose day he would brighten.

A regular reader of “Last Laugh,” Bobby frequently emailed or texted to tell me how he’d howled or related to something I’d written, pointing out that he always read Slice from the back page first.

With that in mind, I thought it fitting to dedicate this month’s “Last Laugh” to Bobby, whose candid 2010 interview revealed a few of the many reasons we’ll always love, remember and miss our prince and the laughter he brought to us all.

Excerpts from “The Other Side of … Bob Barry, Jr.” from the interview for the November 2010 issue of Slice.

HE LOVED PEOPLE AS MUCH AS THEY LOVED HIM. You’re so publicly visible. Do you ever wish you could just go unnoticed in the doctor’s office waiting room or in the john?

Actually NO, I don’t. I always tell Gina the day I’m not recognized is the day I no longer have a job! I truly enjoy people and chatting up strangers - always have.

I remember how it was when I was younger and wanted to approach so-called celebs. I always expected them to be decent and nice and I told myself if I were ever in that position, I would be humble and cordial to make a good first impression.

102 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

Generally speaking, I like being around people at sporting events who want to visit. My late Mom was very “social” and my Dad always taught me to be kind, so I think I have a good mix of my parents’ personalities.

HE LOVED HIS PROFESSION. Can you enjoy a sporting event without feeling like you’re on the job? Do the lines blur there?

I’m a huge sports fan first, so I would be at the games anyway, if I weren’t working.

As sports reporters, we have to be quiet, so when I go to Thunder games or other local events as a “fan,” I sit still and don’t say anything. The biggest pain in the butt is our deadlines. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to leave a football or basketball game in the waning moments to go outside for a live report. As a fan, it’s really tough to miss the

best part of the games. I remember when all hell was breaking loose in Eugene a few years ago, when the Sooners were getting screwed by the refs and Oregon at the same time, and I was outside the stadium getting ready to go live and screaming, “WHAT JUST HAPPENED???!!!” People thought I was a total idiot, I’m sure.

HE LOVED A GOOD JOKE. Is there one moment or event in your career that left an indelible mark on you?

My first year at KFOR (then KTVY), I decided to inject a little humor during my noon sportscast on April 1st. I had a guy run in front of the camera, waving a piece of paper at me like I was receiving a bulletin. I then reported that OU head football coach Barry Switzer had resigned to join the Dallas Cowboys. The only problem was I didn’t add my punch line, which was supposed to be “April Fools!” The producer was yelling in my ear to go to a commercial break, so I did, which gave the entire state of Oklahoma three minutes to react to that bombshell.

WOW. The receptionist ran into the studio to ask what I’d said to jam the phone lines. The news director rushed in, wondering why media outlets across the region were calling the newsroom. I tried to laugh my way through the next segment, saying “April Fools” about a hundred times, but the damage had been done. Afterwards, I had to call OU officials and apologize profusely. I was also banished from the building, only to meet my dad in the back parking lot. Big Bob was like Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart, racing his Channel 4 car in fast circles and furiously waving at me to get in. When I did, he took off like a crazy man, trying to swing at me while I shined the passenger side doorknob. I didn’t work too many April 1sts after that, but hey, I was a prophet! I had the story correct, I was just 12 years early (Switzer indeed got hired by the Cowboys as their head coach in 1994). It was my first, and almost last, “scoop.”

HE LOVED A HALLMARK COMMERCIAL AND A GOOD CHICK FLICK. Are you sentimental about anything?

I seem to well up a lot during commercials and movies. Must be my age, I don’t know. I’m not ashamed to admit I love “chick flicks.” Gina and I go to the movies fairly often and we prefer a good romantic comedy.

Are there movies you’ve watched so many times, you can recite them word-for-word?

I bet I’ve watched “Animal House” a hundred times and I still laugh every time I see it. My favorite flicks, as you might imagine, are pretty much centered on sports, like “Seabiscuit,” “Remember The Titans,” “The Natural,” “’61,” “Hoosiers,” all the “Rocky” movies and an oldie from 1971 that still makes me weep, “Brian’s Song,” with James Caan and Billy Dee Williams, about former Chicago Bears stars Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers. Gets me every time.

HE LOVED TRASH DAY. Nine times out of 10, you will

.

Go diving through trashcans at home or work, looking for items to put in the little blue recycle bins. I’m obsessed with trash (my wife thinks I’m just weird). My family is always chunking things that need to go in the recycle bins. I honestly think they do it just to watch me “dumpster dive,” but I tell them I’m just doing my small part to save their planet. My next quest is to go to Lowe’s and get one of those sticks with a nail on the end of it and go help clean up the highways and turnpikes. I think it’d be a good workout and I’d feel better about myself doing what I like: picking up trash.

HE HAD LEGITIMATE REASONS TO LOVE TRASH DAY. What is the one thing you’re determined to accomplish by the end of the year?

I would like to eliminate all my “stacks,” as Gina calls them.

I’m a pack rat. I admit it. I save everything. My desk at home is ridiculous, probably two feet deep in paperwork, files, pictures and my weakness – pens and notepads. I am a klepto when it comes to that stuff. I see a pen I like, or a notepad, in hotels, at games, at work … and they’re MINE! Bottom line: clean up my stuff to please the lovely Gina. Mike Turpen always reminds me: “happy wife, happy life.”

HE WAS A ROCK STAR WITH A DREAM. THE SAME DREAM. OVER AND OVER. Any recurring dreams?

I ALWAYS dream I’m a rock star! I have a fantasy band called “Rough Broughton” where I’m lead vocals and the crowd favorite worldwide. I keep waiting for those Oklahoma artists to get me on-stage at the Ford Center. C’mon Toby Keith and Kings of Leon, you’re missin’ out on a talent here!

ABOVE ALL, HE LOVED HIS FAMILY. Thanksgiving is coming up. What are you most grateful for?

I’m most thankful for my renewed health and for my family.

What else is there? Seriously, I want to be one of those guys Willard Scott talks about on “The Today Show” who’s 100+ and still fallin’ out of bed to hang out at Walmart during the day and going to games at night. That’s what I want. And I want to hang out at a bar on a beach far, far away.

What advice do you give your kids?

Spend time with the family. I’m pretty sure my kids would tell you how much I bug them about keeping in contact with the family, especially their grandparents. We try and get our kids together whenever we can for lunch or dinner. I want my kids to call each other on birthdays, show up with a smile on their face at holidays, and engage in conversation with other relatives about what’s going on in their lives. After all, as Bob Stoops would say, “at the end of the day,” all we really have is family.

AUGUST 2015 // SLICE 103

Last Look

Dangling Days Photo by Alex Fitch

Children dip their feet into Lake Texoma on a Saturday afternoon – which, to be honest, sounds like a good idea for everybody this month.

To submit your photo for Last Look, visit sliceok.com/last-look/

104 SLICE // AUGUST 2015

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