Territory:OKC Issue 14 by Territory OKC

issue no. 14

FALL 2018

issue no.

10900 HEFNER POINTE DRIVE

5101 N. WESTERN AVENUE

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T H E J O N E S A S S E M B LY. C O M

DOWNTOWN

20 change, one

person at a time

The Conversation Workshops leverage the personal against racism.

22 dĂŠjĂ vu &

premonition

25 democracy is a contact sport

26 okc zoo at the center of (re)creation

27 downtown insider

MIDTOWN

30 cured, alright Two bespoke cocktailers unmake the brick-and-mortar model.

35 changing hearts, getting free

36 midtown insider

32 perfectly minimal

PLAZA DISTRICT

39 where georgia &

creation converge

U P TOW N / PA S E O

42 burn after reading

44 the boss book

Tsubaki Szechuan serves up some of the best food in town, in any category.

W E S T E R N AV E & B E YO N D

50 beautiful, inside & out

Green beauty luxury without the toxic hangover.

52 it takes a colony 55 western ave & beyond insider

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David Bohanon JD, Developer-Broker

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR It was probably 3:30 am, my insomnia biorhythm. My mind was churning with worry about the state of our state, country, world. The fallout from the Oklahoma teacher walkout both inspired and, frankly, mortified this unabashed evangelist for strong classrooms. A polar ice shelf just calved another hunk into the ocean and mama bears were losing cubs to starvation. Then there’s the mess in Washington. Most journalists I know are fighters. When something is SNAFU, we want to do something about it. But my resources are teeny and the problems are pretty epic, no? At some point I drifted back to sleep. As I started to wake up a couple of hours later, a question floated to the surface: how can Territory help shine a light on the many ways people in Oklahoma City are using their abilities to uplift? In a dark time, does it help just a bit to shine a light? The good juju wasn’t hard to find. In fact, there are many more stories to come on our site, social, and future print issues. In #14, we hope you find inspiration in the impassioned grassroots groups determined to

strengthen our democracy, our zoo’s efforts to save endangered animals, the ACLU’s novel idea for bringing criminal justice reform home, and creatives who make our world more beautiful daily. This season of challenge also hit us in a personal way. Our publisher, Trey , had some serious health challenges last spring and early summer. It delayed the release of Issue #14. Your grace and kindness helped immeasurably during a difficult time. Your patience and encouragement were the fuel we needed to push onward. We used the print delay to retool our site and to ask ourselves how we could engage our Instagram family to generate more good. Join us there, where we will tell stories more deeply. We are also so very grateful for the deep intelligence and talent of Beagle Studio, which conceptualized a smarter, streamlined website and refreshed design for Issue #14. We have a lot of good stuff in store for you, fam. Thanks for believing in us, as we do in you. Veronica Pasfield Editor & Co-founder photo by Greer Inez

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EVOLUTION Things are shifting here at Territory. With the involvement of Beagle Studio, our long-time web designer, it seems appropriate to liken the changes to evolution. (Darwin, get it?) Like all print-facing media companies, we’re constantly questioning the interplay between digital and paper. You’ll see some design and approach shifts in this issue of Territory, which represent a step towards a modernized look and feel for print. Like a fish growing legs, not all changes happen at once. Slow and steady wins the race, the tortoise and the hare and that whole thing. (Though isn’t the interesting part of the story that two different species cross-communicated and organized a race? Why do we never talk about that?) Other brand evolution will happen on social and the site.

TerritoryOKC.com Our new website offers a simplified, but still rabidly curated, daily take on OKC. Each week brings new, fasterpaced storytelling and recommendations about the best food, booze, art, events and social issues. We’re also compounding a carefully edited calendar with a heavy eye on what’s best, and a longer view for what’s upcoming. Because planning.

@TerritoryOKC Oh, Instagram fam. You’re our favorite. In this most hallowed space (only sort of kidding), we will be doing more serial storytelling and taking carefully considered, deeper dives into why certain things are worth our attention. (i.e.: Have you heard about the hot new creative juju at the OKC Phil? It’s real, friends, and we’ll tell you why.) We also have invited some of the city’s most interesting programmers into our social space, to help us tell those stories. We hope you are enriched by following along.

T H A N K-YO U F O R B E I N G A PA R T O F T H I S J O U R N E Y W I T H U S . W E C A N ' T WA I T T O S H O W YO U W H AT W E ' V E B E E N W O R K I N G O N , A N D W E I N V I T E YO U R F E E D BAC K .

PUBLISHED BY TERRITORY MEDIA, LLC 3100 n. classen blvd., ste. 103 oklahoma city, ok 73118 www.territoryokc.com

trey mcneill, Publisher trey@territoryokc.com

megan ford, Contributing Writer & Twitter Mistress editorial@territoryokc.com

greer inez, Contributing Photographer @greerinezphoto / greerinez.com

veronica pasfield, Editor

lauren riepl, Contributing Writer

gwyn rainey, Contributing Photographer

editorial@territoryokc.com

@rangared

@jgwynrainey

aija mieux, Contributing Writer

@TerritoryOKCMagazine

@TerritoryOKC

A PLACE WHERE

life and style CONVERGE

13230 Pawnee Drive | Oklahoma City | chisholmcreek.com

Expertise:OKC

True expertise is hard to find. We don’t know until it’s too late if we’re working with a professional who is truly educated, trained and skilled. Territory has created an invitation-only space that introduces you to experts at the top of their fields. We designed this feature as an interview, because we’re inspired by their dedication and hard work. The pros featured in this section have helped pay for the cost of bringing this feature to you. But we invite them into Territory because our community deserves to know about the accomplished innovators who help us live better.

Stephen M. Buchanan, DDS What drew you to dentistry? I grew up watching my dad helping patients. I knew early on that I wanted to use the same values that my dad taught me to help my own patients. I know patients can be scared of going to the dentist, that’s why I always have a gentle touch and a willingness to listen and work with them to help them overcome any concerns. Sleep apnea is now being helped by cutting-edge dental therapies—great news for those who don’t love their CPAPs. Yes! New dental appliance technology can be used in conjunction with Invisalign to help patients position their teeth and tongue, and stop snoring and apnea. People don’t realize Invisalign therapies are so impactful for good health beyond a pretty smile. Heart and lung diseases, stroke, diabetes, and low birth weight have all been associated with poor oral health. Having a healthy mouth means having a healthy body. Having teeth that are poorly positioned allows bacteria to thrive, and it can lead to infection. Dental infection increases a patient’s risk for those other serious health issues. Having properly aligned teeth also prevents premature tooth wear, tooth loss and gum disease, and prolongs the life of your fillings and crowns. The best part is we use a digital scanner, so the patient will be able to see before and after simulations before they leave our office. You’re a nationally recognized expert on Invisalign, who presents nationwide. How does that expertise help your patients? I knew early on that Invisalign would benefit my patients. For over 16 years, I’ve immersed myself in learning through numerous continuing education courses, and traveling to the Invisalign manufacturing site. By doing this, the lab technicians are able to partner with us one-on-one with any specific needs that a patient may have. Many of us neglect this part of our wellness. How do you help reluctant patients? We ensure the patient understands that they are not alone, we are here to help. We work together with them to develop a dental health plan. We have a variety of ways to help our patients overcome any financial barriers they may have, too.

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5609 NW 4th St. OKC, OK. 405 787-0111

VISIT DOWNTOWNOKC.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION

KERR PARK IS YOUR PARK THIS RE-IMAGINED AND ENHANCED SPACE OPENS AUGUST 21 IN DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY

déjà v u

pr emon it ion

ch a nge , one per son at a t im e

democr ac y is a contact sport

okc zoo at the center of ( r e ) cr e at ion

WHAT'S HAPPENING

distr ict insider

d ow n tow n

CHANGE, ONE PERSON AT A T I M E The Conversation Workshop leverages love and connection for a better world. story by ajia meux photos by monica burgess

For two sisters from Oklahoma City, the struggle was particularly palpable the summer of 2016. Philando Castile and Alton Sterling, two unarmed Black men, were murdered by police officers in Minnesota and Louisiana. The sense of tragedy, loss and grief peaked that summer for Leah and Lauren Palmer. They found themselves caught between grieving for men they had never met and wanting to do something. Co-owners of The Wild Mother f loral design and Holloway House event space, Leah and Lauren reached out to friends and family via Facebook. They wanted to offer a space for healing and conversation. Over 60 people showed up on the appointed day to the Palmer family home. They represented a diverse Oklahoma, and all shared about their sadness, anger and frustration. Many discussed their experiences. When it was over, the Palmer sisters contemplated their next steps. After prototyping ideas over the last year, Leah and Lauren have joined with friends Kate Strum and Hillary Coenen to found The Conversation Workshops. With this program of purpose-filled gatherings, they hope to redirect angst into action that addresses systematic racism. Designed around the premise that people need to have difficult conversations about race in order to change racism, The Conversation Workshops developed a threepart manual to facilitate discussion and challenge implicit biases. Participants sign up on the website, and once assembled, the group works through “anti-racism curriculum” designed to help leverage our personal relationships for change—without blowing them up in the process. Imagine the most problematic relative at the Thanksgiving table, or even a lover who was raised with racial bias. Can the power of family and love be leveraged towards a greater societal good? The workshops are betting in the affirmative. They debuted six pilot events at Oklahoma State University, with the goal of strengthening connections between faculty, staff, and students. We sat down with Leah, Lauren and Kate to discuss The Conversation Workshops’ vision.

" We started realizing a lot of people in this community were needing more of a handle on how to confront racism in the people they were next to–the people they loved. "

What can you tell us about the impetus for the program? LEAH: I was having a lot of grief for (the Castille and Sterling deaths). It kind of shocked me, in some ways, because these were men that I didn’t know but I was grieving for them as if they were my brothers. It was the first widely publicized murder of a Black man that was more than an intellectual ‘that’s wrong’ and more of an emotional ‘this is hurting me personally and hurting our communities,… And the fact that it was published on Facebook live. I think that had a huge impact, the fact that you could be in the moment in the car. K ATE: We were all having ver y strong reactions at that time. I have this memor y of pulling into my parking lot at work in Minneapolis and sitting in my car thinking ‘I am feeling so heav y.’ Not so much helpless, but this realization of this passive life that I’ve led relative to racism. I grew up in New York City in a really progressive family, went to school with a lot of people of color. It wasn’t in this super-sanitized community, but definitely a post-racial feel—like one big happy family…. Sitting in that parking lot, I thought, I’ve done nothing to help

How did the first conversation come together? LAUREN: We were seeing a lot of status updates and people posting videos saying, ‘I can’t sleep,’ ‘I can’t eat,’ ‘I’m mourning the death of this man that I didn’t know.’ And that was something we were experiencing. There were 65 people that showed up at our parents’ house. Five or six hours later, we were still in conversation and there was this question: "What do we do now? ” We knew that we wanted to continue to host, because I was sensing there was a lot of healing that was happening. K ATE: It was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever been a part of. People really did allow themselves to be vulnerable. [ They] shared some hard

things about themselves that weren’t all pretty and people of all races were honest about their experiences. LEAH: There was this white kid who said, "I’m so burdened by what happened this week…I want to talk to my dad about it." He said, "I think my dad is a racist." There was another lady who told us "I think my husband is a racist and we’re raising two white sons. It scares me because I don’t feel permission to have this conversation with (him), but in my heart, I see that something is wrong. And we were so young when we got married and we didn’t talk about this.” We started realizing a lot of people in this community were needing more of a handle on how to confront the racism in the people they were next to—the people they love.

I felt like I was back in LA... the crisp textures, a fixation on the South European tempered indulgence pieces.

DÉJÀ VU & PREMONITION Bar Arbolada pins our cultural moment to the map. story by jordan hayes photos by chad bennett

We take a seat caddy corner to a group of suits and dresses. Their formal corner of the bar, painted at the hands of Ed Hopper, starched iron lines and pointed heels, feels no more out of place than our own jeans and sweatshirts. A waitress saunters over to say hello and apologize for the noise, "we’ll be getting soundproofing done soon." Elizabeth and Alex arrive and we make a point to order quickly before the others, laying claim to the tab. Tim paid last time, and I'd be damned if we didn't go one for one. I was raised better than that. At the bar, a mustachioed young man takes my order, smirking when I question the availability of a gin Old Fashioned. I apologize, explaining that I mean it not as a slight of skill. I'm a novice drinker, the gin Old Fashioned is kinder to my tongue and it feels masculine in title. By the time my long-winded Southern apologies pay penance, our party has arrived in full, whispering orders into my ear. A Paloma, a Paloma, a Paloma, an Old Fashioned, a Los Feliz—the house cocktail of mezcal and tequila, chili-hibiscus and blood-orange shrub. Two servers parade out a line of fried potatoes and deviled eggs, a selection of charcuterie, a plate of corn fritters glazed with warm honey, and shrimp cocktail with roasted red pepper romesco and a mild salsa verde. Nearby, a table of two navigate a first date. They share a tepid handshake. She is an artist, accomplished but modest. He works in an office, but maybe there's still time to jump ship for something more exciting. For a moment, I forget the inevitable step out into the humid Oklahoma summer night. I’m feeling like I am back in LA. Not the LA I was eager to leave—morning traffic and heavy rent and a downstairs neighbor, late night crying to Manolo Otero. But the LA of crisp textures and soft weather, indulgence art. Dustin Lancaster and Riley Marshall, Arbolada’s owners, met at a bar in West LA. Dustin, a bartender. Riley, a patron. After a few drinks, the two learned of a shared home state and old friends and addresses on the same LA cul-desac. Over the next five years, Dustin opened up a handful of bars and restaurants under the Covell brand, each opening to public and national-media praise. With their fill of manifest destiny, the pair decided to open a small space back home, named for the cul-de-sac where the two became friends—Arbolada. Bar Abolada presents a marriage between Spanish leisure and American necessity. Riley talks about Arbolada’s vibe with the same pride a father might have for a child, saying it’s “equally at home in the 1920s or the ’60s or the ’80s or now.” He fawns over the concept’s subtleties, things people “won’t notice individually, but they notice as a whole.” To me, Oklahoma and California are often at odds, but here they’ve created a bed neither too hard nor too soft, but just right. I’m here sipping my gin Old Fashioned waiting for the family of bears to come and boot me out. Tab closed, navigating the obligatory, “I’ve got the next one,” I feel less like I am nearing the end of a night—more so a trip out of state. Sentimental hogwash maybe, but back in time, I have readied my spirit for the LA traffic back to my small apartment outside of Koreatown. Back in the present, I catch an Uber on the empty 1 am OKC streets, five minutes and I’m home. My rent is cheap and people smile when they see me and the weather is unpredictable and exciting. I have to wonder if this small piece of LA will lead to the next. The good with the bad. The congestion and the smog and the anonymity that comes with an ever-growing population. As Oklahoma city embraces the sprawl, peppering downtown with streetcars and public art, the growth of that 40/35 city that splits the country down the middle, seems all but inevitable. I am not pining for change. Riley and I are just two of many who’ve moved home, here for many of the same reasons that you are. But for better or worse, we're growing into something different. If that means more establishments like Bar Arbolada, I think I'm willing to make the trade.

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CMY

11/1/16

10:34 AM

D E M O C R A C Y I S A C O N TA C T S P O R T Like football, or hockey. Or Thanksgiving with your Republican uncle. story by veronica pasfield illustrations by joshua cade

Red state, blue state. Left, right. Creamy, chunky. Regardless of party or preference, our democracy depends on engagement. For better or worse, the conversation surrounding our politics is becoming increasingly unavoidable. Ensuring that you are informed and making educated decisions is crucial. Lucky for you, there are some local folks doing their best to provide information, encourage conversation and affect their community in a meaningful way. Here are just a few ways you can get out there and do Uncle Sam proud.

1. OKLAHOMA WATCH - Oklahoma Watch is a nonprofit churning out investigative journalism that digs into public policy and quality-of-life issues, boiling it down for everyday folks. It’s difficult not to picture an Aaron Sorkin-esque newsroom, hell-bent on bipartisan truth and clarity. The Oklahoma Watch website is packed with information, covering everything from issues facing Oklahoma’s educational and criminal justice programs to state budgets, ensuring that you have the confidence to make an educated vote. oklahomawatch.org & @oklahoma_watch 2. OKLAHOMA POLICY INSTITUTE - Speaking of understanding legislative semantics in an ever-more-challenging attempt to understand the political ecosystem in which you live, the OK Policy Institute is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to dig into those numbers and policies that might seem out of reach to regular voters. Their collection of infographics and deep dives into state tax policy will see you as the life of your next party, as you assuredly throw around words like "revenue bill" and “veto referendum.” okpolicy.org & @okpolicy

3. OUR CIVIC EPOCH - Our Civic Epoch is approaching change, one conversation at a time. The ’zine and podcast feature local bipartisan individuals discussing their experiences dealing with local government and the perceived barriers that can scare away voters who may feel uninformed or lost in a sea of unapproachable jargon and complexity. OCE is here to remind us that we are all in this together, and there is (often) a human being with feelings and fears on the other side of those heated social media debates. ourcivicepoch.com & @ourcivicepoch

4. ROCK YOUR VOTE - The website for voting in Oklahoma is www.ok.gov/elections. Want to access out-state POVs or worried about language barriers? We like the established, non-partisan vote411.org and rockthevote.org.

5. LET’S FIX THIS - Let's Fix this is a group of non-partisan “regular folks” providing resources to encourage and facilitate voter registration, as well as active participation and communication with your elected officials. Their website provides a wide range of information to help you feel informed on everything from how to run for office, to simply finding your current legislator or polling place. On the not-so-smallbut-still-local range, Let’s Fix This is the type of place where you get to speak with a human being who you might see at Elemental on any given morning, while still having enough clout to get shit done. letsfixthisok.org & @letsfixthisok 25

O KC Z O O AT T H E C E N T E R O F ( R E ) C R E AT I O N The very important work of saving the last survivors in a world gone mad– and how you can help. story by lauren riepl & veronica pasfield photos by © joel sartore /

national geographic photo ark.

It’s as if we have another planet to go to. Or that Creation, and the life forms who have evolved perfectly over millennia, don’t matter. By some measures, humankind can now can claim parity with a meteor when it comes to our destructive effect on the planet. The good news: Oklahoma City contributes in important ways to the survival of precious species. This fall, the zoo’s commitment shines brightly with an exhibition of the National Geographic Photo Ark collection, a sprawling new Asian habitat, and the October 6th Monarch Madness 5k run, which funds grants for school pollinator gardens. National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore has spent much of his career racing the clock, attempting to document every species in the world’s zoos and wildlife sanctuaries before it’s too late. Born in Ponca City, Sartore moved to Nebraska during childhood and lives there today. Since 2006, Sartore has photographed a staggering 8,485 species. Another 4,000 remain. OKC Zoo hosts the National Geographic Photo Ark traveling exhibition until December 16th. An additional collection of photos just from OKC Zoo animals, called Uncertain Futures, also are on display at the ZooZeum. (You can also follow along via #SaveTogether and NatGeoPhotoArk.org.) “Using Joel’s beautiful photographs to inspire, we want to channel that motivation into action by educating guests about conservation issues and how they can make an impact,” said Rebecca Snyder, OKC Zoo curator of conservation and science. “Protecting wildlife and wild places is central to our mission.” Oklahoma City Zoo is home to 151 endangered species, comprising more than a quarter of its population. On September 28th, the zoo opens Sanctuary Asia, a vast environment housing endangered Asian animals such as elephants, Komodo dragons, red pandas and others. The primary funding source for OKC Zoo’s conservation work deploys one penny at a time via the Round Up for Conservation Program. When spending money at the zoo, staff asks if you want to “round up” the change. Two words: say yes. In seven years, more than $355,000 has been collected. How can you can help? Commit to humane consumer choices, and support the zoo’s engagement with conservation programs, just a couple listed below and so much more at okczoo.org. 26

Mary Anne | American Bison (Bison Bison)

Rudy | Black Rhino (Diceros Bicornis)

Fred | |American Elk (Cervus Elaphus)

D O W N T O W N Insider HIDDEN DRAGON YOGA

RODEO CINEMA

Desirae Penton has built one of the most respected and fiercely loved yoga studios in OKC. After many years in a lovely Auto Alley space, the universe aligned around a relocation to The Steelyard on the eastern edge of Bricktown. Full class schedule now underway at a temp studio there, while the soaring new space is built out this year. 505 E. Sheridan Ave. hiddendragonyoga.com @hiddendragonyoga

A little 1924 theater called Rodeo Cinema once screened silent Westerns to cowboys in The Stockyards. This precious legacy lives on again, thanks to Kim Haywood, long-time programmer for deadCenter Film Festival. The nonprofit art cinema hopes to “promote, engage, and enrich community consciousness through film.” We are in. 2221 Exchange Ave. rodeocinema.org @rodeocinemaokc

CAFÉ DISCO

EN ROOT

French macarons and specialty coffee is a simple, focused concept—and one with a cool name at the impending Café Disco. Owners Amanda and Spenser Sakurai shared that the shop will be small, with a grab-and go-feel, but will definitely accommodate guests that want to stay and enjoy an espresso. “We hope to create a little community that provides an inviting and welcoming experience where we acknowledge each special guest that comes through our door,” Amanda said. Café Disco is set to open this fall in Main Street Arcade, next door to Revel 8 studios. 629 W. Main St., suite 103. cafe-disco.com @cafedisco_okc

After one of Bruce Wright’s older clients fell ill and was unable to make it to his appointment, Wright had an idea: what if the barber shop could travel to those who needed a cut? In 2017, the stylist opened En Root Mobile Barbershop. Co-founder Vanessa Morrison said that En Root is more than just about the cut. It also celebrates the significance of barbershops to communities, particularly African-American ones. The shop has set locations throughout OKC Tuesday through Saturday. Bookings online, and walk-ins welcome for humans of all hair types. enrootokc.com @enrootokc

WE HAVE MOVED TO BRICKTOWN. Come check out the new location.

“New beginnings start when you do.” Intro package: 15 days unlimited for $15 hiddendragonyoga.com info@hiddendragon.com 505 E Sheridan Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73104

405.601.2737

per fect ly min im a l

cur ed , a lr ight

ch a nging he a rts , get t ing fr ee

midtow n insider

WHAT'S HAPPENING

m i d tow n

CURED, ALRIGHT Two skilled bespoke cocktailers unmake the brick-and-mortar model... for now story by megan ford photos by greer inez

Cocktail enthusiasts, rejoice! Two of OKC’s finest bartenders have collaborated to bring a newly minted cocktail catering service, A Clockwork Pour. For years, Chris Barrett and Colby Poulin brought people together over innovative cocktails from behind the stick at Ludivine. Simply put, Colby and Chris are the kind of bartenders you follow from gig to gig because their cocktails are memorable, and if you take the time to ask them about their work, they have much to teach the home cocktailer. Enjoy their punch? Colby will relate how to make oleo saccharum, a bright citrus syrup made by mixing peels with sugar and allowing the concoction to sit while the sugar macerates the fruit, extracting its flavorful oils. Be sure to use powdered sugar, Colby will advise, since it dissolves most readily. It’s the kind of conversation that makes a person want to rush home and get started. The next step for this duo seemed obvious—turning their shared passion of craft cocktails into an indie business concept. A Clockwork Pour services go beyond drink setup. They provide public and private classes, along with full-bar consultation and custom-cocktail development. Once guests arrive, they delve into the ingredients and provide hands-on tools and technique training. “Local, quality ingredients are incorporated into the menu as much as possible,” Poulin said, “including sweeteners like sorghum and honey from the Native Roots market that help the Seminole Nation, or Savory Spices and local spirits like Prairie Wolf and Winship’s Bitters.” A Clockwork Pour created a punch and a shim for y’all to enjoy. Punch is a communal thing, a flexible concoction that can be tweaked to taste and then left to welcome guests and get them talking. The shim, a low- to no-alcohol drink, is gaining popularity in coastal cities. A brick and mortar for A Clockwork Pour is on the horizon, eventually. Their take on it will include programming and conversation that educates customers on what makes a cocktail flow and the history of the spirits and pairings. Of course, they’ll be putting a modern, Oklahoma spin on classics such as the margarita or French 75. Until then, the talented team behind A Clockwork Pour will be bringing it to the people directly. Check out an upcoming WAFTI podcast interview. Or find them on Facebook or Instagram at @aclockworkpour.

FA R M E R'S MARKET PUNCH » » 750 ml gin of choice » » 3 large lemons » » 1/2 c powdered sugar » » 2 c Cascade hops from a brewer's store » » 1.5 l ginger kombucha

Make the oleo saccharum syrup. Peel lemons, reserving fruit, and put peels in a bowl. Add enough powdered sugar to cover peels. Add 1 ½ cups hops. Gently muddle and mix all, then cover for 45 mins or up to 48 hrs. Strain through a fine sieve into the punch bowl. Juice the peeled lemons into the punch bowl. Add gin and kombucha to the bowl. Feel free to use your favorite kombucha, but we definitely recommend one containing ginger. Add powdered sugar to taste, tweaking other ingredients to your liking. (Making punch is a loose and individualistic process.) Do not ice the punch! Refrigerate ahead of time, and guests can ladle punch into glasses. Makes 8-12 servings, and recipe doubles well.

For the Flamingo Tail cocktail recipe, go to territoryokc.com Gold-trimmed barware courtesy of Barkeep Supply, a swanky new hands-on cocktailing boutique in Midtown. 1121 N. Walker. barkeepokc.com @barkeepokc

P E R F E C T LY MINIMAL Craig Proper-ly captures the design moment. story by veronica pasfield photos by greer inez

Minimalism is popular now. I’m resisting the temptation to adorn these sentences with modifiers such as wildly (although it is). Hemingway would probably like minimalist design; he avoided adjectives and adverbs. Note the restraint required of a minimalist in any category. Can you dig it? Modernism owes everything to minimalism. Every time it cycles back, it refreshes our sensibilities about the essence of a thing. As minimalist sculptor Constantin Brancusi explained, “Simplicity is complexity resolved.” Taylor Dickerson, the ceramist behind Craig Proper Home, came upon working with clay organically. Born in Oklahoma City, he was exposed to Scandinavian design when he lived in Dublin from age seven to 13. (His family then returned to OKC). Early influences: skateboard culture. Current inspirations: ceramicist Takeshi Yasuda and Goldmark documentaries on potters around the world. Visitors to the Kitchen at Commonplace Books dine off of Craig Proper dishes, made in Dickerson’s Farmer’s Market studio. “Craig” is Taylor’s middle name. He only later discovered it means “stone” in Scottish Gaelic. “Proper” comes from his Irish childhood, where he learned natty ways. “I went to a private school and had to wear uniforms, use cutlery a certain way, all of that. And when I came back to the States…my friends used to tease me like, “Oh, look at you, you’re so proper eating your pizza with a knife and fork!””

Tell me a bit about how you came to pottery. I could never draw, or paint, or anything like that. I’ve always seen myself being an entrepreneur, though, so I majored in Business at UCO. I was looking for a hobby, and it wasn’t until I took a pottery class at House of Clay that I accidentally discovered a passion and a medium where I felt I could actually express myself artistically.

Minimalism is it right now. But it requires a sharp eye and a lot of self-discipline. What’s your design process? It takes more discipline for me to add color at all. I’ve always been more attracted to the forms or shape of things, not necessarily the textures or colors. My design process always starts with a form in mind and what kind of angles or curves I would like to see, and then building other pieces around those foundational points.

What is it about minimalism that appeals to you? I imagine it has something to do with some kind of balance it might bring to my psyche. Anyone who knows me well knows I usually have clothes all over the floor, dishes in the sink. I don’t make the bed, I’m constantly late to pretty much any occasion. But, aesthetically, I really appreciate order.

Tell me about the process of creating a design. Let’s say I come up with an idea for a bowl. I have to think through and try out different throwing techniques, hand placements, which tools to use, etc. so that I can achieve a design aspect. If you know how to throw a cup, it doesn’t mean you can throw a plate.

Love that stackable mug…. (It’s) the first fully formed design I had hashed out, around which the rest of the tableware was built. It never made sense to me why all of my dishes could stack in my cupboard except for my 30 random cups. Why do we accept this travesty so blindly?! So, I wanted to design a mug with a handle that only attached at the top of the rim. There’s probably some old tin cup I saw in my grandpa’s garage when I was a kid that inspired this thought. I really enjoy that clay gives me the ability to make exactly what’s in my head and then use those items. What do you hope users take away from your creations? (It’s so) important that my home feels like an extension of who I am. I don’t fill up rooms just because there’s space. I want Craig Proper to help...you express yourself in your home. craigproper.com

CHANGING HEARTS, GETTING FREE ACLU of Oklahoma launches a bold campaign to educate voters on criminal justice reform and the power of district attorneys. story by jezy

When it comes to putting people behind bars, Oklahoma stands alone. The state leads the nation in the incarceration of women, and was—until very recently—a close second overall. But after the passage of new criminal justice reforms in Louisiana, the Sooner State has officially become the single largest incarcerator in the United States. In a country representing 4.4% of the world’s population but 22% of its prisoners, Oklahomans are among the most jailed people on the planet. This isn’t where anyone wants to be, but the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma is taking action. The ACLU Campaign for Smart Justice aims to curb worldrecord incarceration rates in the U.S., with the long-term goal of reducing prison populations nationally by 50%. This nationwide initiative calls for prison reform issues to be front and center during district attorney elections and in the creation of new legislation. Thanks to a grant from the national ACLU Campaign for Smart Justice, the local chapter launched a multi-year new initiative designed to bring stories and legal information about prison reform directly to the people. Smart Justice representatives and the formerly incarcerated will be canvassing the project door-to-door in communities across the state, introducing everyday voters to those who have felt the teeth of Oklahoma’s criminal justice system. “Our plan is to work with people who have been incarcerated to help them tell their stories of what it’s like to be over-prosecuted and have your life ruined by a district attorney,” says Allie Shinn, Director of External Affairs for ACLU of Oklahoma. “Part of what we’re trying to do here is address why district attorneys so often run unopposed. They have this great amount of power over the lives of the people that they ostensibly serve—but too often there’s no race at all, and if there is, criminal justice reform isn’t at the center of it.” Who are the people so frequently abused by Oklahoma’s criminal justice system? For starters, they’re disproportionately black and brown. Black men are five times more likely to serve time in an Oklahoma prison or jail than their white counterparts. And while Oklahoma’s female incarceration rate has gotten plenty of media coverage—drawn into disturbing relief with stories of women shackled during childbirth— less has been made of the struggle faced by Indigenous populations during this massive surge in imprisonment. The number of Native people incarcerated in the state has

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increased 46% between 2008 and 2015. With those numbers in mind, the Campaign for Smart Justice is also a campaign about racial justice. “We want to change hearts and minds about what justice means and what it looks like,” says Smart Justice Campaign Manager Nicole McAfee. “Most people know someone who has been incarcerated. It touches families. It touches friends. But there’s often such a stigma around incarceration, and talking about it can be really hard. Part of what we’re doing is trying to create a platform for people to talk about how they’ve been impacted, and also for folks who haven’t to learn what that looks like. The idea is to re-frame who we think of when we talk about people who are in prisons and jails.” ACLU funds were awarded to 10 states with high rates of imprisonment and high potential for meaningful reform. The goal in Oklahoma is to take on a statewide public awareness campaign, but for now the focus is on the counties of Tulsa, Payne, Logan, Pontotoc, Seminole and Comanche. The Campaign for Smart Justice goals are ultimately electoral, but the real work centers on building relationships. “We believe the folks closest to the problem are closest to the solutions,” McAfee says. Since the people most damaged by the system often don’t have the resources to enact the reforms needed to change it, the goal of this new initiative is to amplify those voices and make them a serious factor in district attorney elections. McAfee thinks Oklahoma voters are way ahead of most state policy makers in recognizing the need for meaningful change. She points to the success of State Questions 780 and 781, which re-classified many drug possession charges and directed savings to treatment resources. These voter-enacted reforms, if left intact by a legislature prone to meddling, will relieve some of the burden on overpopulated prisons and overpoliced communities across the state. “(W)ith a continued effort, we can change the narrative and prison structure in a way that shifts Oklahoma toward not only slowed prison growth, but actual de-carceration,” says McAfee. “People are ready to take action and do something that changes the system. The proof is at the ballot box.” The campaign director’s work, while community-focused, is also deeply personal. When her little sister was six, she witnessed the rape of her best friend by an older boy. continued on page 36 35

continued from page 35 He threatened them both at gunpoint, promising to kill the girls and their families if they ever told anyone. “My sister went through several months of nightmares,” McAfee says. “We didn’t know what was wrong, until one day the sheriff knocked on our door and the story unfolded.” Over the next several months, McAfee watched as her young sibling was prepped for court by a zealous district attorney who assured the traumatized child that the boy would spend as much time in a juvenile detention center as possible. The fulfilment of that promise was supposed to be a comfort for the young victims of this brutal crime, but that’s not what it felt like to McAfee. “I realized that didn’t bring any justice to my sister or her friend,” she says. “It didn’t help the trauma they’d been through. It didn’t help the boy who committed this act. It

didn’t address the trauma that brought him to do it, or the trauma he inflicted on other people. It really just kind of left me questioning how and why we call this justice.” That experience animates McAfee’s work on this bold new campaign. “It’s something I’ve lived with and thought about every day since then. Now I have the chance to lift up these broader discussions around how and why we incarcerate people, and why we continue to elect district attorneys who are more worried about their felony conviction rates than actually bringing real, restorative justice to the folks whose interests they’re supposed to represent. That’s what we’re trying to change here in Oklahoma.” For information on the ACLU Campaign for Smart Justice in Oklahoma City, go to acluok.org.

M I D T O W N Insider THE UNCOMMON SEED Lee and Des Beckman, veterans of NYC’s co-working scene, bring a decade of experience and ideas to their new space in Midtown. After moving back to Oklahoma, the couple wanted to create a community space of good people tired of working from home, alone, or in coffee shops. In addition to managing the space, Lee and Des partner with other businesses and artists to help encourage their growth. Prices start at $100 for memberships, which include 24-hour access, lots of snacks and drinks, a space to make presentations, a print/copy/scan station, and a couch that inspires you to stay right there. Day passes are also available for $25. 1006 N. Hudson, suite 103. uncommonokc.com @uncommonokc

VANESSA HOUSE BEER CO. Five friends had a premise: stories and beer bring people together. And so was born the idea for Vanessa House Beer Company, a new taproom coming to a quiet strip of 8th St. between Auto Alley and Midtown. Named for the first house the friends lived in together, the taproom will feature beer brewed and packaged on site. They will offer a variety of brews on tap, named for stories told by the five friends-turned-owners that will be featured on the side of each can. Brewing and storytelling is set to begin by the end of the year, depending on construction and permitting timelines. 118 NW 8th St. @vanessahousebeerco

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W H E R E G E O R G I A & C R E AT I O N C O N V E R G E Solare Shop culls the creative power of women & nature. story by lauren m. riepl photos by solare shop

Down a short alley in the Plaza District, a tiny treasure awaits the curious. Its spare shelves display a chic and simple assortment of goods, each seeming to hold a cache of secrets about optimal living. How might home feel different under the wafting tail of fragrance from copal incense, or the curve of our necks after a swipe of Mondo Mondo eau de parfum? Might we conjure a teeny bit of O’Keefe’s alchemy—or at least the stark beauty of Abiquiu—with graphic gold earrings by Annie Costello on our lobes? The impeccable collection of American- and woman-made goods at Solare make our brains swirl in intoxicating ways. Owners Blakely Hiner-Riley and Angela Hodgkinson created a lifestyle shop focused on simplifying natural self-care. The pair previously owned a boutique in this location, but decided to jump on the growing trend of minimalistic products with a focus on purity. Also, everything in Solare is made by women, and benefits from feminine strength and creativity. Let us pause and consider that for a moment. “Everything we carry is made by women who are mothers, activists, sisters or artists first, and makers second,” said Hiner-Riley. “Supporting women is not only important as a women-owned small business (and in this political climate), but so, so crucial to the longevity of one-of-a-kind, well-made goods being available to all at sustainable pricing.” Most items on the shelves at Solare are made in the U.S., such as Sans[ceuticals] skin-care oils. Block Shop scarves, designed in Los Angeles and made by artisans in India, prides itself on profit sharing and fair wages. What we use and how we use it, how it’s made, the sustainability of a product and its packaging–such interrogations tear down outdated consumerism. Solare asks us to consider minimalism as a way to return us to meaning and purpose. See more via their #SOLAREWOMAN social media series. 1745 NW 16th St. #F4. solare-shop.com @solare_shop

Everything we carry is made by women who are mothers, activists, sisters or artists first, and makers second. "

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BURN AFTER READING Tsubaki Szechuan serves up some of the best food in town, in any category. Go there now. We'll wait. story by jordan hayes photos by greer inez

In the annex of Super Cao, tucked behind the ornate fountain full of terracotta goldfish, shooting water into arches over a teapot centerpiece, past the ever-changing seasonal surplus of potted persimmon trees or crated cookware, and at the end of a brick hallway, you will find two glass doors— unassuming and modestly marked. A gold foiled vinyl reads “Tsubaki Szechuan...Closed Wednesdays.” If you had imagined, like I had—a dark, bamboo-riddled shop, kitchen filled with spice and smoke and religious artwork, an elderly chef, eyes down on the grill—you couldn’t be further from the truth. Rest assured, you are in good company. A few too many hours with Jiro on Netflix, I am overly stimulated with an excess of food pornography, no longer able to perform for the average. My expectations are theatrical. Tsubaki’s dining room is lit like a doctor’s office, ceiling tile hiding an excess of bright bulbs, reflecting off a tan tile floor, unassuming tabletops, plain cookware, paper-wrapped chopsticks. The menu features snapshots of each dish, a

kindness to a community unfamiliar with the vernacular. A single red pepper icon alerts the reader to a mild spice; a group of three indicates a rough time for the light of heart, a fair challenge for those interested in a risqué pick. Despite the spare décor, Tsubaki has been slowly building an underground reputation as one of the best meals in the city and a subtle staple in the culinary community. On any given night you might find one kitchen crew or another, from Chef Vuong Nguyen (Bonjour, Guernsey Park) to the Nonesuch team, table spread with Tsubaki’s full menu, sharing a family meal after a long stretch of service. Mandy described the original NYC location as “busy, full of students.” This amounted to a great deal of business but came with the stress and pressure of constant demand. Business partner Henry Yang had since moved to Oklahoma, opening a handful of spaces, including a sushi and hibachi that bore the Tsubaki name. Late-night conversations between the old friends became less filled with the ‘what-if ’ and more focused on the ‘when.’ After 10 years in

Manhattan, the Lius moved to Oklahoma, looking to trade in the go-go-go for something more relaxed. Tsubaki Szechuan opened late fall, 2017. When I ask what the Luis were up to before New York, I was met with a tight smile and a, "We were in New York for ten years." Language barrier aside, the meaning here was clarified in tone. Tsubaki is looking forward, not back, uninterested in discussing the past. The only tradition you will find here comes on the plate, and as such, the message is clear as crystal. On its nose, when described as both process and execution, Sichuan cooking may come across as novel. I, like many in the OKC community, had never encountered the Sichuan peppercorn. Depending on the person and the day, it carries any number of mystic powers. A jolt to the tongue. An inexplicable high. The endowment of courage. The sustained strength of palette to eat even the most perilous of peppers. As a child, my sister had persuaded me to place a 9-volt battery on my tongue. It sent a quick shock through my taste buds and, at first, scared me. Then again. Once more. While not pleasant or unpleasant, it was new each time. The Sichuan peppercorn has a similar result, and Chinese cooks have used this to their advantage for generations, numbing the tongue to allow for the exploration of other spices. Suddenly you can taste the wasabi puree or shaved red pepper or chili pepper without the insufferable burn. Exploring the notes of each, sans the sweats and strain of heart, focusing on the ingredients. A disclaimer: this, on paper, sounds great, but don't get me wrong, the spice is still there. If you are unable to handle a great

Tsubaki is run by Peter and Mandy Liu, along with their business partner, Henry Yang. Peter stands tall in his crisp white chef's coat, clean-shaven with the shadow of a small mustache and a tall, starched chef â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hat. Mandy is often found up front, greeting the guests with a kind smile and a knowing nod. Peter and Mandy first met Henry in New York City, where they were running a small Szechuan kitchen just east of Central Park. There, they received overwhelming praise from the community, crafting a menu that featured cuisine native the south-central Sichuan region of China, where they were both raised.

deal of spice, this will not grant you some form of magical strength. If you would feel comfortable with a dish in the one-pepper realm, try bumping it to a two. If you are a two, try a three. Now, this is the part of the piece where I wrap things up, tell you what to order and when to go, and it is perhaps the part I am having the most difficulty in writing. The true answer is "go anytime. Order anything." There is a reason you will see the simple tables lined with some of the best chefs this city has to offer. Tsubaki has its priorities well in line. You may be adventurous, ordering the fish filet, served with head and tail intact, eyes staring up at you from the plate, smeared with a sweet soy drizzle and peppered with fresh veggies. Or you may be brave and order the Shui Zhu Yu, Sichuan boiled fish served in a bowl full to the brim with the traditional red, spiced-oil broth, topped with aromatics such as garlic and onion and ginger. Or you may be safe, ordering the spectacular Steamed Dumplings, a familiar dish of General Tsoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or Dan Dan noodles or Mapo Tofu. Regardless, you will leave full and happy, now hip to one of the best meals in town. 1117 NW 25th St. Find them on Facebook.

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B O S S I S A S TAT E O F M I N D An OKC branding, coaching and podcasting goddess on how to grab that dream. story by veronica pasfield photo by sarah becker

The first page of the Being Boss book serves as a perfect example of how bosses function: it boldly defines intention. This is not a book on how to scale your business, writes authors Kathleen Shannon and Emily Thompson. This is a book about getting your mind straight. Your entrepreneurial dreams coming true is a by-product of that. Kathleen and sister, Tara Street, founded Braid Creative, a brand-building business tucked into a stucco complex in the Paseo. Their OKC fan and client base is broad and it is deep—including the Wheeler District, A Good Egg Dining Group and Commonplace Books, as well as national clients like author and TED Talk phenom Dr. Brené Brown. Kathleen furthered her reach with the hit Being Boss podcast, collaborating with “friendpreneur” Emily Thompson. They host frank and supportive conversations with entrepreneurs like Brené and Whole30 creator Melissa Hartwig. The promise of Being Boss: Take Control of Your Work & Live Life on Your Own Terms is not small. But it walks us through the Boss methodology, including workbook exercises, and interviews with their A-list “wolf pack.” The primary premise of the Boss approach is this: first take ownership of yourself. (No biggie, right?) It starts with calming the mind, moves into identifying values and establishing boundaries that nourish them. Being Boss then lays out processes that make a difference. One concept stopped this editor dead in my tracks: “Worry is a form of procrastination and an excuse for not doing the work you need to do.” As I mentioned in Letter from the Editor, worry was ever-present last summer. “Emily said (that sentence) once during our show, and it hit me right in the gut,” says Kathleen. “Worry feels so useful when you indulge in it. It's your primitive lizard brain protecting you from danger. Getting clear on your values, intentions, and boundaries won't eliminate worry or anxiety, especially if you struggle with perfectionism like most of us Type A creatives. (It) will absolutely give your worry a whole lot less power.” Using the Boss method, I broke worry down to a logic equation, which now lives on a Post-it on my computer screen. It goes something like this: identify your values x use them to set your goals + keep your intentions in your sights x set firm boundaries that protect your goals + values. There’s a lot of thought and work required of that equation, to be sure, and Kathleen and Emily provide many tools. If you’re not up to it? “(T)hen put this book down now…(and) consider getting your shit together,” they write. “We’ll be right here waiting for you when you boss the fuq up.” 44

Crow Couple. Kevin Red Star (Crow), no date, lithograph. The Arthur and Shifra Silberman Collection, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. 1996.27.0793.

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BEAUTIFUL, INSIDE & OUT Green beauty expert returns from LA on a mission to help us luxuriate without a toxic chemical hangover. story by sarah james photos by greer inez

The green beauty movement has been gaining steam for years with no signs of stopping. Also known as “clean beauty” or “nontoxic beauty,” these popular terms refer to personal care items that are not only non-toxic, but free of chemicals linked to all sorts of harmful human effects such as neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption and allergies. Is it really that important to pay attention to what we put on our bodies? What you might not realize is that the personal care industry in the United States is a hot mess. No one is regulating what we put on our bodies; in fact, the last major cosmetic regulation was passed when Franklin D. Roosevelt was president. Yes, you read that correctly. Almost 80 years ago. Since then, over 10,000 new chemicals have been introduced into the market without any regulation whatsoever, and the bottom line is this: companies can (and do) use almost anything in products, and the FDA doesn’t test for safety before market nor require companies to provide any safety data before hitting the shelves. A bit unnerving, wouldn’t you say? Considering the average adult uses 12 products a day (teenage girls average 17!), and that each of those products potentially contain hundreds of chemicals, it’s fair to say we are exposed to an enormous list on the regular. And although our largest organ, the skin, provides a protective barrier, it still allows up to 60% absorption directly into the bloodstream, presenting a compelling case to clean up our acts. Many of us have made a concerted effort to eat cleaner and play attention what goes in our body. What about what goes on the body? Now, ladies, I know what some of you are thinking. “Non-toxic beauty products don’t work as well/smell as good/ appear as pretty as their conventional counterparts.” And I hear what you are saying. Heck, up until a few years ago, purchasing organic or non-toxic beauty products mostly meant a visit to a natural foods store, and staring at a slew of unattractive bottles and hoping for the best. Those days are over, my friends, and I’m about to accompany you over to the other side. Please keep in mind this is coming from a woman who spent many years and many dollars at the cosmetics counters of NARS, Chanel, and Yves Saint Laurent. (Psst—the most expensive lines are usually the biggest offenders when it comes to toxicity. I know. I am totally raining on your parade right now.) Never fear, the current class of clean, non-toxic cosmetics not only performs beautifully, but is downright 50

luxurious. This makeup junkie simply doesn’t miss conventional cosmetics, no matter how lush. Imagine my pure delight when my friend Alex Mendez-Kelley called me up last year to let me know that she wanted to add green beauty lines at her iconic Nichols Hills boutique, The Makeup Bar. A brick-andmortar shop offering non-toxic beauty options here in Oklahoma City? Pinch me. After a few brainstorms, we came up with a strong roster of cosmetic and skincare offerings. Make-up artist Chelsey Ann is also slated to open her Salt & Water green beauty and wellness shop downtown later this year.

" Our largest organ, the skin, provides a protective barrier, it still allows up to 60% absorption directly into the bloodstream, presenting a compelling case to clean up our acts. " The Makeup Bar now carries over 15 of the crème de la crème clean cosmetic and skincare brands for the green elite. Declaring herself “hooked for life,” Mendez-Kelley says “these clean lines aren’t just about patchouli and lavender, they have real science behind them, tons of research, and the technology of traditional skincare, but with one big difference. They are non-toxic.” Of course I have my own favorites, so when Territory asked me to share some of my very favorite cosmetics, I simply couldn’t turn down the offer. As you are probably letting on, it’s one of my favorite subjects. Thinking it’s time green up your routine? The Makeup Bar is calling your name.

favorites The Gressa Minimalist Corrective Serum Foundation is packed with botanical extracts and housed in a dropper bottle and is packed with pigment so the smallest drop goes a very long way in minimizing redness and imperfections. If sticks are your jam, Vapour Aura Multi-Use sticks are gorgeous pops of color for cheeks and eyes. Courtesan and Spark pigments are my top picks. New to the green scene, Kosas has blown me away. The lipstick line is absolutely gorgeous, from the shade range to the buttery smooth texture to the rich pigmentation. Be sure to experience their Color + Light Blush duos. I’ve become quite partial to cream blushes as they give this tired forty-something a lovely glow. Axiology has a line of lipstick crayons that wear like a matte on the lips, but are crafted with deeply replenishing ingredients that keep lips hydrated all day. The shade Valor is impeccable. Stop what you’re doing this minute and check out the Lip Color Serums by Fitglow Beauty. These serums are packed with organic pomegranate plant sterols, beet extract, vegan collagen, and antioxidants that improve lip cell structure and diminish fine lines. (Did I mention plumping?) One of the most versatile (and affordable!) green items in my makeup bag is the Lily Lolo eye shadow palette in Laid Bare. A beautiful collection of eight eye shadows for every skin tone, this palette can create anything from daytime to dramatic nighttime looks. Finally my go-getter, my MVP product. From the lavish groves of Zante, let me introduce Ouli’s Ointment. I use this beauty ointment on my skin, my cuticles, my hair...I’ve done everything but eat it. However, my secret trick is to dab the smallest amount onto the tops of my cheekbones for a natural-looking glow.

I T TA K E S A C O L O N Y Hive Helper and the to-don't focus that really matters. story by lauren riepl photo by britta newton-tarron

It’s a truly excellent thing to hire a helper to demolish a chore list. OKC’s new Hive Helper “task service” puts muscle behind helping us complete the zillion things that make everyday life function: cleaning, running errands, organizing. Britta Newton-Tarron and her mom, Misty Garrett, hope clients then take a moment to consider how they might best invest their time. Is there someone you’ve been meaning to call, or help, or love on? “Use your (freed-up) time to connect with the people who are important to you,” encourages Britta. “Investing in services gains you time, which is so much more valuable than that same amount of money spent on material goods.” Britta and Misty know how important such things are. Shortly after Hive’s one-year anniversary, they tragically lost a dear family member. “We received so much support from employees and clients,” said Britta, “and it helped me realize how important building these relationships are to us.” Mother and daughter have backgrounds as creative consultants. Tight schedules contributed to the impetus behind Hive Helper, but they were also unhappy with the process of finding help: too many phone calls, helpers who fell short, finding contractors who were bonded and insured. Necessity is the mother of invention; they assembled a team and developed the Hive Helper app. We admire the way the 52

app keeps you informed every step of the way, and allows you to register specific requests for a project. We tried Hive out on Territory editor Veronica Pasfield. After years of denial, she had to admit that her ability to manage life ended precisely at the threshold of her refrigerator. It was the sort of place where 45 half-consumed jars of jelly went to die. Is there a world where expired Dijon is hunted down and discarded? Yes, friends, there is. “Hive Helper sent Tracy, an angel human who not only cleaned my fridge but arrived with little organizing tubs, which have helped me maintain order,” reported Pasfield. “Then she went to Trader Joe’s to restock with fresh goods, texting me from the store when she couldn’t find specific items. My fridge was impeccable—you could literally eat off the shelves, which is good considering it’s storing my food. Sweet-natured Tracy is like that one non-judgey friend you call when life is out of control.” Confession: our editor used the freed-up time to work on the magazine you hold in your hands vs. a way-overdue return phone call to her aunt or something more meaningful. Still, there really is something peaceful about bringing order to chaos. More info at yourhivehelper.com + @yourhivehelper.

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THE ATLANTIC BEACH PIE »» Beautiful custard–the color and texture are divine. »» Fresh, lightly sweetened whipped cream sprinkled with lime and lemon zest. Love how that touch sets expectation at first sight. »» Loved the unique Saltine cracker crust and its rustic, crumbly look. It has an incredible crunch but maintains that butter flavor you find in a traditional pie crust. The salty bite eally compliments the citrus, too! »» As Lynn suggested, I sprinkled sea salt on this Atlantic Beach pie—how could I not? It dialed up the citrus incredibly. »» Frankly, the best "key lime" like pie I've ever had!

OK-YAKI! Chef Jonathon Stranger wanted to bring yakitori to Oklahoma for quite some time, but few had heard of this Japanese street food. Luckily, the Patriarch beer garden in Edmond understood how great craft beer and boldly flavored skewers could be magic together. Said Stranger, “Ever since my sister-in-law introduced me to it years ago in LA, it’s (family) tradition to try every new spot wherever we are.” The Patriarch’s Brad Mullenix teases he really did it for the snacks. “Adding great food that’s always available solved our biggest problem when food trucks were absent.” We recommend a paired beer or the Lemon Chuhai, made of lemon, Saki and Stranger’s Prairie Wolf vodka. 9 E. Edwards St., Edmond. @okyaki —Megan Ford 55

What makes TCW curriculum unique? LEAH: (It’s) not (the) surface saviorism version of activism that we see in this state—divorced from true relationships, or truly living with or knowing marginalized groups. We teach a dialogue style that can be helpful (for) interpersonal activism. K ATE: This is what ever yone does today: I yell my ideas at you, you don’t listen; you yell your ideas at me, I don’t listen. We walk away and continue to disagree. (Our) invitational dialogue style goes against ever y thing happening in the world right now. LAUREN: And you will experience discomfort sometimes, and that’s okay.

Do church culture and respectability politics play into creating a culture of silence? LAUREN: In Oklahoma, it feels like … a lot of our leaders (and) clerg ymen … give a pass. All this stuff is happening, but … there’s passivity there. I’ve had Black clerg ymen that we’re friends with (say) ‘this is needed.’ K ATE: In the South, ever yone looks pretty, and ever y thing is hush hush. That’s not just about race. In communities of color, yeah. But for white people, too. LEAH: Here, in Oklahoma, there’s a tendency for Black people to be respectable. I think there’s a fear of putting that out in public spaces because of the way historically Black people have been treated for speaking up and out. The question is ‘Is this dangerous for me? ’ especially if you’re in a work setting. Trauma does this to people. But I wonder how helpful it would be to begin pushing the conversation in public spaces. K ATE: Here, if you’re not going to go there (in the church space), you’re not going to have an impact.

What’s the ultimate goal for TCW? LAUREN: The goal is for this curriculum to make its way in those pre-existing communities and those big institutions like church, higher education, public schools—at those ground levels where…people make decisions. LEAH: I think about the kind of world I want my kids to grow up in and the kind of world I want to live in. Part of it is getting away from that fakeness and falseness (and) having skills to talk about things that are hard. I (also) want there to be fewer killings of unarmed Black men. Less death. Less harm for marginalized communities. And more awareness for dominant culture. Learn more and get involved at www.conversationworkshopsok.com. Hillary Coenen collaborative workshop creator Lauren Palmer founder & collaborative workshop creator Leah Palmer founder & collaborative workshop creator Kate Strum collaborative workshop creator

TERRITORY AD PHOTO CREDITS First National Bank-photos by Trace Thomas and David Cobb Packard's-photo by Trace Thomas The Jones Assembly- photos by Madi Rae Jones and Freely Wonder Photography ZT Cigars-photo by Trace Thomas Revel 8-photos by TWilla Williams; models Nadia Saman, Una Kim, Michaela White, and Ernesto Sanchez Stella-photos by Courtney Waugh, J. Gwynn

Rainey, and Trace Thomas Bedlam BBQ-photo by Trace Thomas

issue no. 14

FALL 2018