Boyd Street Magazine November 2022

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Food, Hunger and Hope

Hunger in Oklahoma is a pervasive issue, often a dai ly struggle for residents of all ages. Oklahoma ranks 45th in the nation for food insecurity, and the ef fects of COVID and inflation are yet to be fully analyzed.

Dr. Laure DeMattia, a bariatrician and family med icine specialist at Norman Regional Health System, is working to improve lives not only through her medical practice but also with a new initiative aimed at helping with food access.

Together with her husband, Randall Birchall, Dr. DeMattia partnered with Meals of Hope, a nonprof it organization, to bring its approach to helping solve hunger to Oklahoma. The food packing organization works with volunteer leaders to coordinate operations throughout the country. Based in Florida, Meals of Hope ships shelf-stable food from one of two central warehouses and then volunteers coordinate packaging, sealing and distribution logistics.

Dr. DeMattia’s involvement with the group led the cou ple to sponsor a community food packaging event local

ly on Oct. 1 that resulted in the preparation of 50,000 meals, the first of its kind in the area. Norman Regional lent space to more than 120 local volunteers, and health care professionals dedicated hundreds of hours prepar ing for the event where they put together packaged nu trient-enriched pasta dish. Each packaged meal, which includes pasta, protein and red sauce, offers six servings and only requires hot water for preparation.

Kristin Burger, a nurse administrator in Norman Re gional’s post-acute transitions and community engage ment sector, spoke to the urgency of the area’s food cri sis as evidenced by its patient population.

“Food access as a social determinant of health has re ceived so much attention within health care because of its vital role in wellness,” said Burger. “At the hospital level, we can do amazing things and we have amazing staff but if we are sending patients back to the same en vironment, nothing is really changing.”

Hospital board members and administrators worked to address food insecurity by introducing Food Pharmacy,

Norman Regional physicians and staff create opportunities to combat food insecurity

a collaboration between the Norman Regional Health Foundation and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. What started with in-patient services in 2020 expanded to include emergency departments and clinics.

Norman Regional’s intake numbers highlighted a fact so many clinicians were already seeing in their patients: 66% of Oklahomans said they had to choose between purchasing medications for themselves or buying food, often for their families.

“We know if patients have to choose between food and medication, they are very often choosing food because it benefits everyone at home and the patient then goes without,” said Burger.

Food Pharmacy will benefit from 10,000 of the 50,000 meals made at the Meals of Hope event.

The hospital system partners with food and nutri tion services for patients in need to receive two weeks of meals upon discharge, including pre-made, frozen, heat-and-serve dishes as well as ingredients and recipes for individuals who can cook. Follow-up services check in and help individuals in need to locate continued re sources in their area.

“Two weeks of food won’t make or break their health, but that long term benefit can be life-changing,” said Burger. “These issues have always been part of our community, but COVID put a magnifying glass on the situation, with inflation in the world today continuing to have an effect.

“Addressing hunger in this way gave us the confidence to take on other issues, including identifying other bar riers to wellness like transportation, access to medica tion, safety, health literacy and the payment of basics like rent and utilities.”

Burger and DeMattia agree the willingness of the pub lic to share vulnerable information is key to identifying hunger and working to resolve it within the community.

“I have dedicated my life to serving people as a physi cian. Things have gotten harder for so many people and I felt like I just wasn’t doing enough,” said DeMattia. “People are not aware of how many families are strug gling… and a lot of people don’t want to acknowledge

they are struggling. It’s embarrassing. That phrase, ‘There but for the grace of God go I’ is something we should all remember.’”

Food and Shelter of Norman, McFarlin Food Pantry and Moore Public Schools also received meals from the food packaging event to use as part of their programs.

DeMattia anticipates future efforts with other nonprof its, including the Regional Food Bank, with another community food packaging event likely.

Donations can be made online or by emailing cfc@meal sofhope.org, with the specific option to give to efforts in Oklahoma. Find more information at mealsofhope.org.–

BSM

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BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

Students and staff look back on 100 years at McKinley Elementary

McKinley Elementary commemorated a major milestone in October. The school held a special centenary celebration on Sunday, Oct. 16.

Special guests, students and staff past and present as well as future Maverick families were in attendance to mark the occasion.

Nora Yarborough, former McKinley student and cur rent 1st grade teacher, said the 100th anniversary cel ebration highlighted the special community she expe rienced as a student and now shares with her students as a teacher.

“I grew up across the street from McKinley,” she shared. “I am surrounded by people who poured into me, and they still encourage and support me. It is just the coolest thing.

“With all of that history, it really is such a special com munity that we have had for generations. We want fam ilies to see that they are part of a community and that they are valued and loved.”

Erin Carpenter, a 2nd grade teacher at McKinley, said she is inspired by the school’s prized traditions.

“We have multiple generations of families that all went to McKinley,” Carpenter said. “Grandparent, parent and now the child are all Mavericks.”

Carpenter pointed to an old school bell as an example of one of the school’s multigenerational legacies.

“We have this old school bell that used to hang in the front of the school. One of our kids’ grandfathers said the principal used to ring it when it was time to come back to school after lunch,” Carpenter remembered.

Today, 5th graders ring the bell as part of their promo tion ceremony as they move onto middle school and high school seniors come back to ring the bell as part of their graduation festivities.

There is another school tradition that Normanites might be more familiar with. On Sooner football gamedays, McKinley’s PTO opens the school lot to the community for parking. Parents and teachers help Sooner fans find a safe, convenient place to park their cars during OU home games.

“We have people who have parked here for years, and they have a certain spot they park at every game,” Car penter said.

Serving as a successful fundraiser for many years, the parking proceeds help fund field trips, school events and even academic resources.

Despite many changes throughout the district over the past century, McKinley has always been an elementary school, but it is not the oldest in the district. Lincoln Elementary is Norman’s oldest still-functioning public school.

Over the years, McKinley has had several renovations and additions, and, with the most recent bond, the school will soon add two new music rooms that will also serve as safe rooms as well as two additional class rooms. – BSM

A CENTURY OF MEMORIES

Ann Goff, who has worked at McKinley for 25 years, said her favorite memory “was when movie actor James Garner came to McKinley. His cousin, Mr. Bumgarner, was the principal at the time.”

Ann McMillen, who has worked at McKinley for 17 years, said, “McKinley is like a second home” and her favorite memories include “watching former principal Mr. Hopper stand in the halls giving out high fives and Jolly Ranchers at the end of the day on Fridays.”

Leslie Liesenfeld, who has worked at McKinley for 21 years, said her favorite memories are “all the McKin ley Traditions - costume parades, talent shows and the golden trashcan,” just to name a few.

Mick Dow, who attended McKinley between 1989 –1995, said his favorite memory was “riding with my dad to school every morning because I knew that would mean I would get to school extra early! I never wanted to miss out on the fun.”

Clare Ibach, who attended McKinley from 1995 –2000, said her favorite memories include “book club reading Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone and that we sang Zipadeedoodah every morning in Mrs. Schornick’s kindergarten class.”

Kathy Kershen, McKinley parent and then teacher, said her children had “one outstanding teacher after another.”

Ryan Rogers, a senior at Norman High School, said his favorite memories are the “Jog-A-Thon, HERO Recess and meeting all of my peers that I continue to stay in touch with even as a senior.”

Morgan McMillen, a 5th Grade student, said her fa vorite memory is “getting to do the Teddy Bear Picnic in 1st Grade.”

One community member and current McKinley grand parent shared that she remembers “playing among the exact same trees on the playground.

Photos by: Mark Doescher

BY: CHRIS PLANK

Brayden Willis is setting the example for how to han dle yourself on and off the field, through both the good times and the tough times.

When the offense needed to be creative to find a way to move the ball without its starting quarterback, Brayden Willis did whatever was necessary. When tough questions were asked after disappointing losses, Willis answered. When someone needed to make a big catch or a big block, Willis stepped up.

When the Sooners needed a leader, Willis was there with passion and energy even when things weren’t going the Sooners’ way.

In a unique twist, the success he is enjoying this season would not be a reality without the challenges of the 2020 season. Willis received an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 waiver. He could have easily taken a shot at the NFL but felt there was unfinished business in Nor man.

“I just think this is a special place,” Willis said of his de cision to return. “I love it here and I just wanted to be here with my team. I tell this all the time when I talk to recruits. I was recruited a second time so I can tell you everything that they’re telling you is true. I’ve seen it. I’ve got to experience it and I’m so glad I came back.”

Willis was a part of the 2018 recruiting class after a standout career at James Martin High School in Arling ton, Texas. In his senior season at James Martin, Willis recorded 542 passing yards, 574 rushing yards and 574 receiving yards. His diverse skillset shined at James Mar tin High School where he threw for four touchdowns, had 16 rushing touchdowns, seven receiving touchdowns and even registered an interception.

For the last three seasons, Willis has been a consistent presence at the fullback/tight end/h-back position, catch ing a touchdown pass in three straight games to close out the 2019 regular season. After a minor dip in his num bers in 2020, when he only played in five games battling injuries, Willis bounced back in 2021 and started eight games. He caught his most passes for his most yards last season.

With Jadon Haselwood, Michael Woods, Mario Wil liams, Austin Stogner and Jeremiah Hall heading out the door, Willis was presented with a fantastic opportunity to make an even bigger name for himself in his final season with the Oklahoma Sooners. But he would also have to deal with a coaching change as well.

“I think everybody has the same story I do,” Willis said. “When you talk to (Coach Venables), it’s just something different about him, something special. I knew that I wanted to grow as a player. Right off the bat, I knew he was different, that he would be able to make me better in all aspects, not just football but a better man.”

Despite the new coach staff and offensive system under Offensive Coordinator Jeff Lebby, there was some fa miliarity for Willis. Joe Jon Finley returned as the tight ends coach, and he knew what kind of player he had in Willis.

“He’s a lead-by-example type of guy whenever you get in the weight room, out there running, in the meet ing room,” Finley said. “It’s a great picture for those younger guys to see every day. He’s become more vocal because he’s earned that right. He does a fantastic job with every aspect.

“You must treat this like a job. You have to do a great job of managing your time and doing everything right. That’s what he does every single day. He’s the same guy every single guy. That’s why he’s had so much success and will continue to have so much success.”

The decision to return for Willis was rewarded ear ly as he exploded out of the gate both physically and statistically. Willis became a main cog in Lebby’s of fensive machine catching two touchdown passes in the opener against UTEP and has also delivered countless soul-crushing blocks that helped ignite the Sooners’ rushing attack.

“I thought this entire time that his skill set is unique because he gives you the ability to do so many differ ent things,” Lebby said. “He can play on the perimeter, play in the core, block at the point, block on the perim eter, stretch it down the field and catch footballs all over the field in a lot of diverse ways. We’ve got to continue to do a good job of using him and maximizing his ability.”

But adversity struck after an incredible 3-0 start to the season. The Sooners suffered its first 3-game losing streak since the 90s. But, through it all, Willis stayed the course.

“(Willis) is the same dude every single day,” Lebby said. “He’s been an unbelievable leader. He’s got toughness. He’s got physicality. He’s got high want-to, high charac ter and he’s earned it.”

He caught two more touchdown passes in a loss to Kan sas State, had the biggest play of the game in a hardfought loss to TCU, and even stepped up as a quar terback in a new wildcat formation the Sooners used against Texas after an injury sidelined starting quarter back Dillon Gabriel.

“I was out there at one point in time, we were to the

Texas side, and it was rocking, it was loud,” Willis said of playing quarterback against Texas. “I was like,’ Wow. I’m really playing wildcat quarterback right now.’ It was a surreal feeling, especially in that game that meant so much to me.”

The 3-game losing streak was challenging and frustrat ing, but it magnified Willis’ commitment to Sooner foot ball and that caught the eye of Hall of Fame Coach Bob Stoops.

“The guy is incredible,” Stoops said on The Rush with Teddy Lehman and Tyler McComas on the Ref Radio Network. “He’s a talented guy and put it all out there. When I’m around, he’s a positive influence and a great leader. He has done a great job doing all he could to make something happen.”

Willis continued the grind and relentless effort in the Sooners bounce-back Homecoming win over Kansas.

Willis finished with a career-high 102 yards receiving and scored a touchdown. The win broke the 3-game losing skid and helped to reset the energy around the program heading into the bye week.

“I’m just being the best leader that I can, being an old er guy who has been in a lot of situations,” Willis said. “I’ve never been in this situation, but that doesn’t mean

I haven’t been through a whole lot of football. The sky is not falling. The sun is still gonna shine in the morning. If we can get it turned around, we can still have a really good season.”

The leadership Willis provides is not only influencing younger players on the roster but also setting a standard for the veterans as well.

“He’s just such a selfless guy,” Sooner linebacker De shaun White said. “He’s a vocal guy. He knows exact ly what to say. He leads by example. Everything that’s coming for him, he’s worked for it and earned it.”

Willis has already set a career high for receptions and touchdowns in a season while establishing himself as an unquestioned leader. Through a season that has already featured incredible highs and disappointing and chal lenging lows, there has been one constant on the field - the hard work and all-out effort of Brayden Willis

“I’m just going to continue to lead and lead hard,” Wil lis said. “My parents used to say all the time that I’m gonna talk to you until I’m blue in the face. I don’t have too much longer here so I’m going to talk until I’m blue in the face and make sure I get the job done.” BSM

Photo by: Mark Doescher

In year one of the Jennie Baranczyk era, the Universi ty of Oklahoma women’s basketball team established an identity of playing an up-tempo, entertaining style that energized the fan base and helped lead the Sooners back to the Big Dance. Not only did the Sooners make a return trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018, the Sooners also hosted its own Regional for the first time since 2012.

With a year under her belt and all five starters return ing, the sky is the limit 2022-23 Oklahoma Sooners.

This season, Oklahoma returns its entire starting lineup from last year’s campaign and 92% of its scoring pro duction. Madi Williams returns after leading the Soon ers in scoring and rebounding last season and expanded her range, making more three pointers last season than she did in all three previous years combined.

Taylor Robertson is back after becoming Oklahoma’s all-time 3-point record holder and was at the top of the Big 12 Conference’s all-time 3-point list. Robertson is just one of 11 players in college basketball with more than 400 3-pointers in a career.

Paired with the return of sixth-year senior Ana Llanusa, the trio’s 52.5 combined points per game make them the highest-scoring returning trio in Division I basketball. Llanusa tore her ACL in a December game against BYU last season. The torn ACL was the second season-end ing injury of her career after she sat out the 2020-21 sea son due to back surgery. Sitting out was a challenge for Llanusa, but it fueled the Oklahoma native to get back.

“It was tough not getting to be out there,” Llanusa said. “But it also gives me so much to look forward to, now that I can play again. Just seeing all the things that they were able to accomplish without me… hopefully (I will) help them accomplish even more.”

Her coaches and teammates expect her to be even better in her latest comeback.

“I know we’re not chasing her to be where she was (when she got hurt),” Coach Baranczyk said. “We want her to be better and she wants to be better, and I think she’s worked her tail off.

“She stepped out on one of our first days and took a charge in practice. She’s a competitor and she loves the team.”

The trio of Williams, Robertson, and Llanusa helps to fuel an up-tempo attack that averaged 83.3 points per game last season, third highest in Division I and second highest in program history.

The excitement of the returning trio has changed the expectations of the season, but it has not changed the preparation.

“It’s such a cliché thing to say you take every day as a day,” Coach Baranczyk said. “Everybody knows every moment matters and they know right now it matters more.

“We’re giving them a lot of reps and making them

work hard and they want that, they crave that. They’re spending a lot of time on recovery and nutrition, on things young players can’t see yet, but they can value, and it will help the program later.”

The Sooners were able to get a head start on the 202223 season with its 10-day trip to Europe, playing against some challenging teams that will resonate throughout the season.

It also allowed the seniors to set the expectations for the season.

“We got to play some really good teams,” Baranczyk said. “We played the Lithuanian National team (and) a professional team in France, so we were able to learn and make adjustments in August… getting used to each other. The feedback our returners are giving our new comers is that they are picking it up faster because they can see it.”

Baranczyk and the staff were in teaching mode at this time last year. Instead, this year, they are in competeand-teach mode.

Joining the trio of seniors is the Big 12 6th Person of the Year Skylar Vann along with Nevaeh Tot and Norman product Kelbie Washington, who rotated at point guard all season. Kennady Tucker started 24 games last year while Liz Scott established herself as solid post presence averaging almost seven points per game.

The Sooners also added Iowa State transfer Aubrey Joens and a four-person freshman class including two post players in 6’4” Kierston Johnson and 6’3” center Beatrice Culliton.

The Sooners have depth and Jennie Baranczyk plans to use it.

“We know our identity is going to be our depth,” Ba ranczyk said. “We’ve got a little bit more size. With the versatility of our new players and the versatility that we’ve continued to strengthen and grow with our re turners, it’s going to be a fun season.”

The road for the Sooners will be different in 2022 than it was in the first Baranczyk season. Unranked in the preseason last year, the Sooners have been all over the preseason watch list and polls this season.

The same group of underappreciated underdogs is now filled with preseason hype and increased expectations. The overall expectation of finding yourself circled on op ponent’s schedules is not anything new at Oklahoma. It’s a challenge that the Sooners and Baranczyk are embracing.

“That’s why you’re here, that’s why you’re at Oklaho ma,” Baranczyk said. “We have so many incredible pro grams at this University. Everyone circles Oklahoma and I love that.

“With this team and where we are right now as a pro gram, we had a lot of highlight reel moments, but we had a lot of lowlights. That’s what nips at your heels, not others’ expectations but our own. No one expects more of themselves and we must live up to it every day.”

BSM

Run it

Madi Williams

Photos by: Mark Doescher

Record Setter

Norman North Volleyball has had a talented cast of characters for an extended stretch of time. Even with all of the talent that’s come through the Tim berwolves’ programs, North has never had a setter and outside hitter quite as productive as senior Riley Roberts.

After the T-Wolves dispatched Union in the regional championship to lock up another trip to the state tour nament, Roberts was recognized for surpassing more than 2,000 assists, a program record, and she added 1,000-plus digs to boot.

“Whenever I heard it, it was a moment of accomplish ment,” Roberts said of what the career landmarks meant to her. “We come in and practice every day and I’ve been working towards this since freshman year.”

Roberts has been a part of North teams that have com bined to win 100 matches during her career at a 75% clip. On the court, Roberts does so many things well. It’s what’s earned her the opportunity to play at the next level at the University of Central Oklahoma.

It goes beyond just the play on the court, too.

“Riley does isn’t just perform on the court. If you talk to any of her teammates, they will tell you she is the most fun person to be around. She’s one of the hardest work ers in the gym,” Norman North head volleyball coach Faith Avalos said of Roberts. “They jokingly say that she makes it look so easy because what she does is kind of effortlessly looking, but it comes from all the hard work she’s done on and off the court.

“She’s made this program better. It’s more fun with Riley there, too. It’s been an absolute privilege to coach her.”

When asked about the type of personality that Roberts brings to this team, Avalos offers terrific praise.

“Riley brings a never-ending force of joy. Determina tion’s a good word for it, too,” she said. “I think about the Union game and how we were going point for point and then Riley delivers a stuff block, then an ace and keeps us in the game.

“We rely on Riley. We know without a doubt we can trust her. We can trust her to make the kill, make the save, make the assist, make the stuff block. And, if she doesn’t get one point, she’s working hard for that next point, which is something we want from all our players.”

North assistant coach Nikki Clay echoes a lot of those sentiments about the type of attitude Roberts brings to the table for the program.

She is the “kind of the kid that you hope you have a team full of,” Clay said.

Bringing that positive mentality is something Roberts has prided herself on throughout her career.

“My main role that I try to achieve is uplifting my teammates,” Roberts said. “Positivity is the way to go, and I try to stay calm throughout the match and go in with the mindset that we can win any game if we are all bought into it.”

For a program that has done plenty of winning, Roberts has managed to leave her mark on the Timberwolves’ program. The program has left its mark on her as well.

“It’s been an amazing experience,” Roberts said. “You hear people’s experience of high school maybe not be ing the greatest, but I honestly don’t have anything neg ative to say about Norman North volleyball.

“I want to come in and work for my coaches every day. I want to be better for my teammates. We all come in and are ready to work, and everyone’s just fun to be around.” – BSM

Riley Roberts

Norman

Norman Regional opens new freestanding emergency care center

Norman Regional Health System recently opened Norman Regional Nine, a full-service, freestanding emergency department in southeast Norman. The hospital’s location was selected to expand healthcare ac cess to east Norman and the surrounding communities.

Located 10 miles from the HealthPlex campus and five miles from the Porter campus, Norman Nine is one of five components of the health system’s strategic plan, Inspire Health.

“Norman Nine is part of the health system’s plan to con solidate services,” said Jason Milam, registered nurse and director of emergency services for the health system.

“Currently, we have a division of services, and our goal is to bring specific services into a single location, under one roof, so we can provide better care for the community.

“The location (at the corner of Highway 9 and 24th Avenue Southeast) was selected for its proximity to our Porter campus to expand our reach to outlying com munities in Norman and beyond that need emergency care services. I am excited about the location and that we can expand our reach of care.”

The two-story, 48,000-square-foot facility also houses out-patient care including a laboratory, diagnostic im aging services, physical therapy and primary and spe cialty care clinics.

Milam said accessible design and technology are what make the facility stand out.

“These standalone ERs, they are accessible and ap proachable,” Milam shared. “It is such a departure from most medical facilities. (Norman Nine) is light, fresh, warm and welcoming. We have windows in our ER treatment rooms which isn’t very common. Even the physical rehabilitation gym has a beautiful view.”

The emergency department is equipped with expand able trauma rooms designed to care for critically ill pa tients and two dedicated behavioral health rooms with psychiatric-safe features.

“Leading-edge technology and patient-specific choices will make the day-to-day care better,” Milam said. “We can treat any patients that come through our doors.”

The 30-acre campus is slated for mixed-use develop ment with plans for wellness services as well as retail, restaurants and entertainment. The facility already houses a Daily Grind Coffee shop.

Acute patient services will move from the Porter cam pus to the HealthPlex upon completion of the expansion project already underway. Construction is expected to be completed in 2023 and will include a new patient bed tower, an expanded emergency department, new parking garage, an ambulatory care center and a com prehensive cancer care center.

To learn more about the Inspire Health plan and upcom ing construction projects, visit InspireHealthOK.com.–BSM

Turning setbacks into comebacks

Photos by: Mark Doescher

Helping OU startups bring jobs, investment opportunities to Norman

Norman, Oklahoma doesn’t always come to mind as the site of innovative business startups. Boyd Street Ventures, the first and only venture capital firm of its kind, is working to change that perception. Boyd Street Ventures, which opened in mid-2021, has been in the making for nearly a decade. The venture capital firm moved into a new space in September at 331 W. Boyd St.

“At Boyd Street Ventures, our dream is to fund and help guide promising new companies that call Norman home. In doing so, we want to create job growth and contribute to an even better quality of life for the entire community,” explained John Pohl, venture partner and head of marketing and investor relations.

James Spann, a class of ‘82 OU graduate, and co-found er Jeff Moore are the official partnership behind Boyd Street Ventures, but they collaborate closely with OU students and faculty, as well as local leadership at the university and in Norman.

“As the state’s foremost business college and Oklaho ma’s only academic medical center, there is tremendous research that starts at OU building marketable, com mercializable tech,” said Spann. “We want to take the best and brightest ideas and keep them in Oklahoma.”

Spann achieved the rank of captain in the Marines be fore embarking on a 30-year career in healthcare-re lated fields in a variety of locations but continued to maintain strong connections to OU as a volunteer, com mittee member, mentor and avid supporter. Moore, a Navy veteran and former McKinsey consultant who continues to serve as executive director of OU’s Ronnie K. Irani Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth, Oklahoma’s largest innovation consultancy, agreed with Spann that what was needed was a venture capital firm based in Norman.

Spann and Moore began holding discussions with OU administrators, faculty, staff, and alums in 2015, and Spann devoted himself full-time to the cause in 2019.

“I would not have had success in my life and career without NAVY ROTC and without my years at OU,” said Spann. “My experiences at OU contributed a lot to my success as a Marine Corps officer and a commercial business leader. Although I’ve moved 24 times during my career, I now dedicate all my time and effort to OU. People have a real love and passion for OU, and I’m proud to be one of them.”

Pohl, a former colleague, was impressed with Spann’s enthusiasm, a factor that influenced his decision to join the firm.

“James was always the most avid alumnus I had ever seen,” he said. “His enthusiasm told me so much not only about him, but about OU.”

Generating significant long-term economic and repu tational growth for Norman, OU and the state is what Pohl and Spann predict as the result of Boyd Street Ven tures, and more broadly, the companies selected as part of its portfolio.

“The businesses we select have advantages over other startups. They are de-risked, with guidance from a stra

tegic, regulatory and operational standpoint, which in creases the odds of success,” said Pohl.

Three investments in OU-generated startups have been made to date, with several others to be added by the end of the year. Current investments are in Ardley, a financial tech sector innovator aimed at reducing loan origination costs, mLogg, a “gig economy” app for managing self-employment expenses and related taxes, and Luna Health, a physical therapy service designed for on-site sessions at work or home.

Boyd Street Ventures reaches out for funding from in stitutional investors like banks, family offices, venture arms of other corporations and other venture capital firms, as well as private investors, including OU alumni interested in furthering the state’s potential while get ting a return on their investment.

“Our goal is $50 million for the fund. A big key to that will be for alumni and the community to engage and see investing in Boyd Street Ventures as a great way to diversify their portfolio and to support these entrepre neurial Oklahomans’ efforts,” said Spann, who hopes people’s affinity for OU’s sports, business school and arts and sciences colleges will influence their decision to support its graduates’ efforts. “Whether you invest as little as $50,000 or much more, OU will benefit and so will Norman. Putting our support behind the amazing intellectual capital we have on campus to launch com mercially successful businesses will contribute greatly to quality of life for the entire Norman community.”

Making the most of these ideas will ultimately help keep jobs in Oklahoma and reduce the number of new grads who leave for other states.

“Because the companies we’re investing in are centered around OU, they’re not within sights of the major ven ture capital companies, which tend to be on the coasts,” said Pohl. “Because companies coming out of high-pro file East and West Coast schools have several firms bid ding against each other, it makes it harder for them to get a good return.

“In our case, our companies are not overpriced or over bid, which helps us target above-average returns for our investors.”

“Under the radar. Above the crowd.” is Boyd Street Ventures’ tagline.

Investors also have the option to shift portions of their 401k or IRA over to Boyd Street Ventures.

“Feel good about supporting the home team while you’re pursuing a healthy return on your investment,” said Pohl.

Spann agrees, “Using your IRA of 401(k) is an easy way to invest without having to come up with disposable in come, plus you have the opportunity to diversify and get a potentially better return than you would through your current IRA portfolio. It’s a very viable option, and one we hope Oklahomans will seriously consider.” – BSM

Co-founder James Spann shares his vision at the ribbon-cutting of Boyd Street Ventures.

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Service Spotlight: Lindsey Shaddrix

Digital Redaction Clerk

The next time you watch local news with a story involving the Norman Police Department, pay at tention to any pixilation or blurred out sensitive information. That’s the full-time job of Lindsey Shad drix, digital redaction clerk.

Shaddrix and her husband moved to Norman seven years ago while he was a pilot in the Air Force, and she was working on her master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration. As a natural transition, she volunteered with the Norman Police Department for three years. When the digital redaction clerk position became available, she applied. As a part-time employ ee then, Shaddrix worked throughout COVID because there was so much work to do.

She became a full-time member of the Norman Police Department in August of 2021.

The job of the digital redaction clerk is to review and prepare all digital media for public release as entities request it. Those requests come from the media, attor neys and insurance companies as well as private citi zens. Digital media includes footage from police body cameras, as well as written reports and 9-1-1 calls.

“Sometimes, people aren’t aware they can get reports and video footage of an incident from the police but it’s all a part of the Open Records Act,” Shaddrix said.

Today, in the age of transparency and accountability, she receives requests more than ever. When a request is made for visual media request, it has to be reviewed for privacy.

“That’s where I come in,” Shaddrix said. “My job is to redact out all information that cannot be included because of privacy. I make sure anything private is pix ilated or redacted.”

With the redaction process, Lindsey watches videos even more than the officers assigned to the case. She watches every angle, reads every word and studies ev ery photograph.

“My job is never boring and never dull,” she said. “It’s been eye opening, and I learn a lot about people.”

With an undergrad degree in psychology, Shaddrix en joys the “people” aspect of her job.

“It is fascinating learning about people,” she said. “It’s one thing I love about my job. I do laugh in my job –not AT people, but at the funny things they do. I also see a lot of heartbreaking things.”

Shaddrix said if someone told her 17 years ago this would be what she’d be doing in 2022, she wouldn’t have believed it.

“Body cams weren’t the thing at the time. Now it all comes together,” she said

Shaddrix sees things most people never will get to see and said she’s very fortunate to do her job and work with the people she works with.

“My co-workers are amazing, and I’ve been given great opportunities,” she said. “I’ve learned not to sit in judgment of anyone. Any one of us can find ourselves in a type of situation that I see every day on my job. I also see amazing compassion on every side of these stories.”

What to Buy and What to Skip This November

The biggest shopping month of the year is here! With Black Friday deals running for as long as the entire month of November and Cyber Monday giving the internet a chance at boasting super-low deals, too, ‘tis truly the season to save.

Before you start charging up a storm, though, keep in mind that not every Black Friday deal is really all it’s cracked up to be. Some purchases should wait until De cember – or until after the holidays have passed. Lucky for you, we have the info you need to score the best deals this month (and beyond). Here’s what to buy and what to skip in November.

BUY: HEADPHONES AND AUDIO GEAR

Tune into your favorite holiday jams with a pair of state-of-the-art headphones bought at a bargain price. Music gear is marked down in November, with sales on all things audio beginning as early as late October and lasting through Black Friday near the end of No vember.

SKIP: WINTER CLOTHING

The winter shopping season is just getting started, so you won’t be seeing deals on winter clothing just yet. This applies to winter outerwear, too; November is not the best time to shop for that overstuffed parka or warm woolen overcoat. Unless you absolutely need it now, wait another month or two before stocking up on cold-weather wear for steep savings.

BUY: PERSONAL CARE ITEMS

Look your best this season without spending a fortune. You’ll find personal care and grooming items like ra zors, hair dryers, electronic toothbrushes and more marked down in November. Treat yourself to new products for the holidays, or stock up on favorites you can use all year.

SKIP: TOYS

You may be eager to cross some gifts for little ones off your list, but you won’t find many deals on toys this month. Instead, wait until the calendar gets closer to the holidays to purchase toys and games at lower pric es. Of course, you’ll risk finding some of the hotter toys of the season all sold out if you choose to wait, but for big savings on classic playthings that never go out of style, it’s best to wait.

BUY: ELECTRONICS

Marked-down electronics give Black Friday its fabulous name. You can check out stores and sites of major re tailers for discounts on large and small electronics from

Nov. 1 through the end of the month, though the best prices will only be available at Black Friday sale events. If you miss out on these marked-down prices, you can also find Cyber Monday electronics deals online.

SKIP: JEWELRY

This is not the month for sparkly purchases, as most diamond and gold jewelry will be retailing at full price in November. Choose another holiday gift for a special someone and wait until the second half of February, when jewelry prices plunge up to 80%, to buy a beauti ful new piece that you can save for a celebration, holi day or a just-because gift.

BUY: GAMING CONSOLES

Major retailers are competing for gamer bucks this month, so expect to see the best bundles with the hot test games at bargain prices in November. Surprise the gamer in your life with a new console and/or trending games, or indulge your own hobby with new gear and games.

BUY: SMALL HOME APPLIANCES

If you need a new slow cooker, you want to spring for an Instant Pot or you need another kind of small home appliance, this is the month to buy it. Black Friday fa mously features super-low deals on small home appli ances for the kitchen and beyond. Pick up a new vac uum cleaner, microwave, food processor and more at slashed prices in November!

Viva Espania

On my recent travels through Spain, I have realized Spanish wine needs exploration and respect.  Although there is, of course, Sangria (a wine cocktail), there are also many indigenous varietals and an expanding number of standard European wines.

While sherry is the classic to end every Spanish meal, Cava is a sparkling star of the show, whether with breakfast (too early for me), lunch (at 3 p.m.) or as an aperitif or accompanying dinner.

Cava is made with a mixture of indigenous grapes, generally Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel·lo. It may be white or rosé. Juvé & Camps Rosé is a favorite of mine. Cava will give you great sparkle and flavor at a price point well under a comparable French champagne or Cremante.

Macebeo is my new favorite white wine. Crisp and a little salty, it is a great wine to accompany seafood or pork. Verdejo is the workhorse of Spanish white wine. It is on every menu, by the glass and by the bottle. Pleasant and a little fruit forward, it is good food wine for tapas, too.

Albarino is Verdejo’s grown-up brother and is similar in style to French Sauvignon Blanc.  It

compliments fish and chicken dinners. Tempranillo is a light red wine, great with tapas and light fare. It is slightly fruity, with light sweetness.  Granache experienced a brief period of popularity a few years ago then seemed to drop off everyone’s radar. It is more full-bodied than tempranillo and is particularly good in blends with monastrella, mencia or cabernet sauvignon. Monastrella is also produced as a single varietal and is a full-bodied earthy wine.

Spanish red wine is sold young or aged, but no indication is aged less than two years. Crianza is minimum of two years, six in barrel. Reserva is aged 36 months, 12 months in barrel.  Gran Reserva is aged minimum 18 months in barrel and minimum 48 months.  There are categories for white and rose with slightly less time involved in each category.

So whether you are going to travel to Spain in person or at your own dinner table, give Spanish wines a try.

Have fun, be safe, Kathy

savvy.blake

BY: CHELSEY KRAFT

Second-generation entrepreneur opens boutique on Campus Corner

Store owner Macey Wolking aims to capture the mindset that “every day is a party” with the atmo sphere and offerings.

While she was growing up, Wolking’s parents owned their own businesses. Wolking said she enjoyed being around that enterprising spirit and wanted to have her own store someday, too. Now, that dream has become a reality as she owns and operates Savvy Blake, located on Norman’s Campus Corner at 731 Asp Ave #A. The store opened in July.

The boutique’s name comes from Wolking’s dog’s name, which is Savvy, and her daughter’s name, Blake ly. Wolking describes it as a trendy lifestyle boutique and gift store that has something for everyone.

“If it’s Family Weekend and you have your parents in town and want to come shop, your mom isn’t going to be bored in the store,” Wolking explained. “Your mom can find something, and the college girl can find something. We have locals that come shop with us too, so I feel like it’s just a good mix of everything for everyone.”

The shop carries a range of items, including home de cor, clothing and game day gear. So far, the designer dupe and luxury items have sold well, along with items that have to do with Champagne or drinks, Wolking said. Currently, Savvy Blake can be found on Facebook and Instagram at savvy.blake, and Woking said they are working on a website and an online ordering process.

For 11 years, Wolking’s mother, DeShanna, owned Two Hip Chicks Marketplace. Wolking shared that after graduating high school, she had her daughter and start ed helping her mom at the store. Eventually, she started working full time there and became “basically her busi ness partner” for four years.

A few months ago, DeShanna decided to retire because she wanted to spend her time doing the things she want ed to do, including enjoying more time with her grand daughter, who just started pre-kindergarten, and her youngest daughter, who is a senior in high school.

Wolking had already been interested in starting her own shop but wanted to continue helping her mom at Two Hip Chicks as long as she was needed. Once DeShanna shared her plans to retire, Wolking recognized the op portunity to take that next step on her own in the town where she grew up.

“When my mom had mentioned it, it was like nine o’clock at night and we got in the car and drove around Norman looking for somewhere,” Wolking said. “I found the spot that I’m in, and we called. And it just happened so fast after that. It felt very meant to be.”

Transitioning to running her own business has been an adjustment that has taken some getting used to, but Wolking said her mom is at Savvy Blake almost every day as the “shop mom,” which has helped. Wolking said having her mom around in this capacity is “the best thing because she’s my best friend, so it’s so fun.”

For Wolking, her favorite part of the store is creating the atmosphere and doing the displays and marketing, all tasks she also did at Two Hip Chips. She’s aimed to cre ate a bright and “very happy place” with Savvy Blake.

“I just want this to be an experience,” Wolking ex plained. “That’s what I strive for is when you walk in the door. It’s more than just a gift shop. It’s the whole experience and the wow factor of, ‘Oh my gosh, this place is magic.’”– BSM

Norman

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

If festive celebrations and cooler days have you craving a sweet treat, Norman has a plethora of local shops serving up delicious dishes sure to sat isfy your sweet tooth. Check out these local offer ings of some of our favorite sweet treats.

Chocolate Bomb Baguette

HOLIDAY COOKIES & CUPCAKES FROM DARA MARIE’S BAKING CO. – 1420 N PORTER AVE

Dara Marie’s, a family-owned gourmet bakery and gift boutique, uses a special recipe for their delectable hol iday cookies that dates back to the Greenleaf Bakery, a Norman-based bakery and grocery store from the late 1960s. They are also famous for their cupcakes and co conut crème pies.

GOOEY PUMPKIN CAKE FROM LEGEND’S RESTAURANT – 1313 W LINDSEY ST

Legend’s gooey pumpkin cake is a scrumptious fall tra dition. The delightful cake is served warm and topped with rich vanilla bean ice cream. Get yours to-go or stop in for a full meal at this Norman staple for 54 years.

MACARONS & TRUFFLES FROM PINKITZEL – 2001 W MAIN ST

Macarons and truffles from Pinkitzel are sure to hit the sweet spot! Pinkitzel, a Marie Antoinette/Willy Won ka-inspired shop, is filled with delightful treats ready to impress any time of the year but their macarons and truffles are a must-try. Popular flavors include sea salt caramel and cookies ‘n crème.

MINI CHOCOLATE BOMBS AND FRESH FRUIT TARTELETTES FROM LA BAGUETTE – 2100 W MAIN ST

Show stoppers like mini chocolate bombs and fresh fruit tartelettes make beautiful additions to any holiday des sert table as well as unexpected treats such as baklava. La Baguette has been serving Normanites French fare since the early 1980s.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING FROM THE SUPPER CLUB - 542 S UNIVERSITY BLVD

The Supper Club, a bistro-style restaurant at the NOUN, Norman’s newest boutique hotel, serves seasonal, signa ture flavors. New to the menu this fall, their triple choc olate bread pudding is made with chunks of chocolate croissants tossed in cocoa custard and decadently topped with a salted caramel sauce and Chantilly cream. – BSM

Birthday Macaroons Pinkitzel