TulsaPeople July 2013 by TulsaPeople

topDENTISTS™

UNACCEPTABLE IN OKLAHOMA: PART 5

EMPTY PLATES

A look at the state’s hunger problem and what some organizations are doing to impact it July 2013

Talmadge Powell, founder and principal of Talmadge Powell Creative, in the firm’s newly renovated office, formerly home to an auto body shop.

FULL CIRCLE

Circle Cinema celebrates 85 years with a grand reopening celebration

REPURPOSED

OFFICE SPACE Tulsa business owners are giving old city structures a second chance at life.

Suburban strong How five Tulsa suburbs are propelling regional growth

Ten exceptional restaurants.One special place. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Pepper’s Grill Starbucks

P.F. Chang’s

Stonehorse Café

Polo Grill

Sushi Alley

Olive Garden J J

Queenie’s The Wild Fork

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Features JULY

2013

✻ VOLUME 27 / ISSUE 9

Bixby’s Bentley Park, a 115-acre sports complex, was built by the city and was recently updated with a $5 million renovation.

Eye on the prize

A Bixby entrepreneur has not let blindness bury her dream of operating a successful coffee shop. by JUDY LANGDON

Full circle

Tulsa’s oldest theater celebrates its 85th birthday with a new look and grand reopening celebration.

by MARNIE FERNANDEZ

Suburban strong

TulsaPeople takes the economic pulse of five Tulsa suburbs committed to regional growth. by BOB HARING

Office space

Tulsa business owners are giving old city structures a second chance at life. by ASHLEY ANTLE

Empty plates

Oklahoma ranks fifth in the nation for food insecurity — inconsistent access to food. TulsaPeople studies the extent of our hunger problem and what some organizations are doing to impact it. by SCOTT WIGTON

100

topDentists™

This list is excerpted from the 2013 topDentists™ list, which includes listings for more than 70 dentists and specialists in Tulsa County. The list is based on hundreds of detailed evaluations of dental professionals by their peers.

The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma helps to cushion the blow for hungry families across 24 eastern Oklahoma counties by distributing food to dozens of partner agencies (many of them churches and ministries) that then provide the food to their clients. TulsaPeople.com

Departments JULY

2013

✻ VOLUME 27 / ISSUE 9

136

CityBeat 13 All aboard A group of Tulsans is introducing residents to a new type of transportation. 16 Odd jobs Meet Glenn Godsey, competitive yo-yo player. 18 What it’s like A hobbyist golfer discusses his lucky break to play with former Masters champ Zach Johnson. 20 The way we were A look at Oklahoma Military Academy, then and now 22 Storefront A local hotelier brings a dose of culture to build the lodging of her dreams. 24 Locker room Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel recently celebrated his first year in the big leagues. 26 Everyday stories Two local veterans’ patriotism remains strong. 28 Artist in residence Artisan Beverly Forester’s handmade kaleidoscopes are sold around the globe. 6

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

140

30 On the verge Tulsa scores 32 At large Will someone please answer the damn phone?

Agenda

The Good Life

127 Rockets’ red glare Jenks hosts two family-friendly festivals with plenty of Fourth of July fun. 128 Agenda This month’s standout events 130 Out & about See and be seen. 134 Benefits Fundraisers and fun happenings 136 The culturist Take Heart Tulsa is helping Tulsans with their bucket lists. 138 Tulsa sound Freak Juice: Tulsa’s longtime funk-rock experimenters and musical mixologists 140 Get the picture Oklahoma’s mark on the movie-making map continues to take flight. 144 The last word Hooked on hookah

85 Fore love of the game Tulsan Don Meint’s new line of golf apparel and accessories 86 My perfect weekend Rusty Rowe, owner of Mod’s Coffee and Crepes 90 Dining out There’s more than hummus among us as two popular restaurateurs tempt diners with Medi-Eastern dishes. 94 Table talk Cucumbers, peaches and Mediterranean markets 96 Wine All 50 states now have winemaking operations, providing a plethora of summertime choices. 98 Health Project TCMS is connecting Tulsans in need with specialty medical care they wouldn’t otherwise receive.

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Visit the newly redesigned TulsaPeople.com all month long for exclusive content you won’t want to miss, including daily blog posts, photo galleries, giveaways, a calendar of local events, dining and shopping directories, and much more.

STAY IN THE LOOP Subscribe to one or all of TulsaPeople’s e-newsletters and stay connected to TulsaPeople from your e-mail inbox. Our weekly Tulsa Weekender keeps you up to date on the best events happening each weekend in Tulsa, as chosen by our editors. The bi-weekly Dine Local highlights the best dishes, deals and news from select local restaurants. And our monthly TulsaPeople e-newsletter will alert you when our new issue is available on newsstands, on our mobile app for iPhone and iPad, or online at TulsaPeople.com.

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GIVEAWAYS

TulsaPeople Magazine is published monthly by

July 5

Enjoy four tickets to Tulsa’s An Affair of the Heart July 12-14 at Expo Square, a $25 Arby’s gift card and a two-night stay at the Inn at Expo Square.

Simply visit TulsaPeople.com and click the link to join our e-mail list. You can choose which e-newsletters you want to subscribe to, and you can unsubscribe from any or all of them at any time.

1603 South Boulder Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119-4407 (918) 585-9924 / (918) 585-9926 Fax PUBLISHER Jim Langdon VP COMMUNICATIONS Susie Miller

MANAGING EDITOR SENIOR EDITOR ONLINE EDITOR A&E EDITOR FOOD EDITOR

Kendall Barrow Morgan Phillips Matt Cauthron Judy Langdon Judy Allen

EDITORIAL CONSULTING Missy Kruse, The Write Company CREATIVE DIRECTOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER MANAGING PHOTOGRAPHER CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER VIDEO DEVELOPMENT

July 12

Cheer on the home teams with a pack of eight Tulsa Drillers flex tickets and tickets to an upcoming Tulsa Shock game.

Amanda Watkins Morgan Welch Michelle Pollard Evan Taylor Greg Bollinger

ADVERTISING SERVICES MANAGER Amy S. Haggard ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Andrea Canada, Steve Hopkins CONTROLLER Mary McKisick MARKETING COORDINATOR Anne Brockman SUBSCRIPTIONS Gloria Brooks INTERNS Hayley Higgs, Hayley Hinton, Sharry Mouss, Hannah Roffers, Lauren Rutherford MEMBER TulsaPeople’s distribution is audited annually by

July 19

Take a summer staycation at the Hotel Ambassador with a one-night stay in an executive king room.

VIDEO A group of Tulsans is offering a new way to ride in style (see story, p. 13); Go inside one of Cheyenne Bus Co.’s retroinspired, refurbished double decker buses, which the company rents out for charters, tours and nights on the town.

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE Read one Tulsan’s thoughts on the Battle of Gettysburg, 150 years after the pivotal Civil War event.

July 26

Dinner’s on us with a $100 Wolfgang Puck Bistro gift card.

Langdon Publishing Company sets high standards to ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable manner. This issue of Tulsa People was printed on recycled fibers containing 20 percent post-consumer waste with inks containing a soy base blend. Our printer is a certified member of the Forestry Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and additionally, meets or exceeds all federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act standards. When you are finished with this issue, please pass it on to a friend or recycle it. We can have a better world if we choose it together.

DRQ&A

Elizabeth Pickvance, M.D. PEDIATRIC ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY

Pediatric specialist Dr. Elizabeth Pickvance talks about tinkering, practicing abroad, adoption and a new service for special needs children. What attracted you to pediatric orthopedics as a specialty?

How did you decide to adopt two children internationally?

I’ve always been mechanically inclined—taking apart clocks and bikes and putting them back together, so orthopedics seemed to be the logical choice. I chose pediatric orthopedics because of my love for children. Now, as part of The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis, I can build long-term relationships with patients and families.

I adopted my oldest son from Ukraine when he was seven. When we decided to adopt again, I wanted to adopt a girl ethnically similar to my son. But you really don’t choose them as much as they choose you. I went to Kazakhstan, saw this child, our eyes locked, we both smiled and that was it. We adopted a Kazakh boy and I couldn’t ask for two boys to love each other more. They were meant to be brothers.

What impact has your international experience had on how you practice medicine?

After medical school and residency in orthopedic surgery in the states, I returned to England (I was born there, moved here in grade school) for a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics at Oxford University. That led to an invitation to spend a year training in Australia. Practicing abroad showed me that, although there are different ways to provide care, it all comes down to the patient/doctor interaction. That relationship is my reason for doing what I do. “ As a kid, I spent a great deal of time with my father, who was a family physician. I never really considered any other career.”

What unique features does The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis offer your patients?

For a number of orthopedic conditions, such as clubfoot or lengthening of bones, we provide care right here. No need to leave town. No need to incur the expense of travel. What can you tell us about your new clinic within a clinic?

My youngest son has mild cerebral palsy so I’m especially sensitive to special needs patients. We created the Special Needs Clinic within our clinic because it’s hard for these families to transport their children and wheelchairs, braces, etc., to multiple locations for treatment. Here, the doctors, physical therapists and equipment suppliers get together to observe the patient and discuss issues, which provides a more unified approach to comprehensive care.

ELIZABETH PICKVANCE, M.D.

From the editors

The story behind the story

by KENDALL BARROW

Managing Editor

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

On Tulsa’s oldest movie theater — MARNIE FERNANDEZ I’ll admit it. I’m a sucker for nostalgia. Growing up in a small town that at one time had a thriving Main Street, I tend to reminisce quite often about the “good old days”. I remember summertime outings grabbing an ice cream at the drugstore soda fountain, then walking across the street to the downtown movie theater to catch the latest flick. No highways, huge parking lots or mega-plex theaters. That is one of the reasons I was especially excited to write about Circle Cinema, Tulsa’s oldest movie theater in the heart of the burgeoning historic Kendall-Whittier District. I am grateful for people like Clark Wiens, president of the Circle Cinema Foundation Board of Directors, who, like me, believes the old stuff is worth saving. After years of fundraising and renovations, the Circle is celebrating its grand reopening with renovations that include four theaters, a new lobby and cutting-edge movies. All happening on the cinema’s 85th birthday. Getting older just got a whole lot better.

Nicole Kelley

Evan Taylor

e have all heard that spending a decent amount of money on a mattress is a good investment. After all, we spend a third of our lives sleeping. Guess where most of us spend another third of our lives? The office. So, why not invest in a well-designed, inspiring office space to attract and retain talented, productive and motivated employees? Writer Ashley Antle discovered several Tulsa places of business are doing just that. From a salon to an architecture firm to a creative shop, our cover story on p. 52 highlights a few of these workplaces. The best part? These business owners are giving old city structures a second chance at life. You will be amazed to learn what businesses these spaces formerly housed. While most of us worry about a good night’s sleep or a pleasant workspace, too many Oklahomans’ greatest worry is not knowing if or when their next meal is coming. It is a problem called food insecurity, and as recently as 2010, the U.S.D.A. ranked Oklahoma No. 1 in the nation for this epidemic — tied with Arkansas. In Part 5 of our Unacceptable series on p. 58, writer Scott Wigton takes a close look at the extent of our state’s hunger problem and what some organizations are doing to combat it. And as this is our annual “business issue,” it seems only natural that we take a look at several places where business is booming — the suburbs. From Jenks’ Village on Main to Broken Arrow’s downtown to Owasso’s new Tulsa Tech campus, writer Bob Haring shares the latest and greatest in five neighboring communities on p. 46. Speaking of business in the suburbs, in this issue you will meet Christie Knipp, owner of Oh My Coffee!, which opened in Bixby in November 2012. In Part 3 of editor Judy Langdon’s “Overcoming the odds” series on p. 36, she shares why this entrepreneur has not let blindness prevent her from fulfilling her dream of owning and operating a coffee shop. As I write this letter, we are fresh in the wake of the tragic tornadoes that devastated Moore and surrounding areas in May. Aside from the utter heartache I have felt over the past week, I can’t help but feel an enormous sense of pride in our state and its people. Oklahoma is a place where we come together like family in times of tragedy. It’s a place where we grieve our losses, but realize material possessions are just that — material. It’s a place where we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and set about rebuilding, no matter what devastation may come. With grit, resolve and the enduring backbone of community, we Oklahomans simply get back to business. tþ

On food insecurity in Oklahoma — SCOTT WIGTON One thing that probably doesn’t come across in my story on food insecurity is the deep embarrassment and even shame many “food insecure” or hungry people feel. In the time allotted for writing, it was difficult to find anyone who would go on record to talk about his or her need. It’s understandable. To not be able to feed yourself and your family is, to many of us, nearly an admission of personal failure, regardless of circumstances. Upon researching the issue, one quickly realizes that feeding the hungry is noble, and providing groceries to struggling families is commendable. These things must be done. Nevertheless, one is only treating symptoms of a deeper problem — namely, poverty. Nearly 17 percent of Oklahomans are poor. That is rocket fuel for Oklahoma’s food insecurity fire. It’s time to ask serious questions about why one in six Oklahomans, including thousands of children, live in poverty and worry about having enough food. Why does no one at the state capitol make it an explicit goal to figure out how to significantly reduce Oklahoma’s poverty rate? Until that is done, food insecurity will linger like a drug-resistant toxin. Ultimately, I suspect the answer will be found in the sweet spot where good public policy meshes with personal responsibility.

citybeat

NEWS ✻ PEOPLE ✻ OPINIONS

All aboard A group of Tulsans is introducing residents to a new type of transportation. by JULIE RAINS

Evan Taylor

Business partners Dan Smolen, Oleg Roytman, David Warta and Don Smolen purchased two 1978 double-decker buses in July 2012 and have refurbished them to create a charter, tour and transit company.

Yo-yo man P. 16

✻

Hole in one P. 18

✻

Get your kicks P. 30 TulsaPeople.com

All aboard: continued from p. 13

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

Evan Taylor

The buses were originally used for public transportation in London.

Custom leather upholstery, paint and bodywork are just a few of the updates made to the buses in the past year.

Evan Taylor

heyenne Bus Co. started with a snow cone. Tulsa attorney Dan Smolen and his family were en route to a snow cone stand when he saw a doubledecker bus, looming large over everything else in a roadside junkyard. Perhaps because the icy, summery treats were on his mind, Dan “became obsessed” with the idea of opening a snow cone stand out of a restored double-decker bus. He brought the idea to his business partners Donnie Smolen (Dan’s brother), David Warta and Oleg Roytman, but the bus idea was met with more enthusiasm than the snow cones. “We came up with all these ways you could use a really cool doubledecker bus,” Donnie says. “Kids’ birthday parties, architectural tours, catered dinners, tailgates, wine tasting, speed dating ...” And so, the snow cone stand dissolved into a charter, tour and transit bus company. The partners purchased two 1978 Bristol VRTs in July 2012. The buses were driven to Tulsa from Minnesota at what was then their maximum speed of 38 miles per hour — without air conditioning. “No mechanic wanted to take on these buses,” Dan says. “Eventually we were referred to this company in Claremore called Anderson Classics and Kustoms.” There, owner Jason Anderson and his team completed all the needed body, paint and upholstery work. When it was time to address the mechanical work, the group got lucky with another local referral. “We called four different states to put heat and air in these things,” Dan says. “Everyone in every state referred us back to KenKool Inc. right here in Tulsa.” Both buses were originally used for public transportation in London, but after all the Tulsa-area renovation work, Dan says, “They are definitely Oklahoma buses now.” The double-deckers are strikingly tall at 13 feet, 8 inches.

“There’s a bridge on Riverside that is 13 feet, 10 inches,” Donnie says. “Sitting on top of the bus, watching yourself come at that bridge looks pretty weird.” “But the height is one of the differences between this and a limo,” Warta says. “You can actually stand up on both floors.” The buses have been restored to honor their original style with custom leather upholstery and woodwork. In true double-decker fashion, the driver’s seat is on the right side of the bus.

At the back, Dan opens a compartment to reveal a huge, impossibly shiny diesel engine. “They still make engines like this,” he says, “but now they put them in yachts.” Eric Fransen, the carpenter who did most of the buses’ woodwork, says the renovation process has “been organic because we have been out on the bus using it. On purpose, we would sit in different seats and think about drink trays and dance parties.” Laura Smolen, Dan’s wife, is the

company’s lead designer. She says, “The buses have a retro, classic feel. Most other buses we’ve seen have the poles and crazy lights. No one has redone them like we have.” However, the buses have been updated for today’s party needs. They boast Wi-Fi, lounge seating for 60, flat screen TVs, large-scale power generators, a window-rattling sound system and a wood veneer bar. Joe Chadwick of KenKool Inc. worked hard to make sure riders would be comfortable despite Oklahoma weather. “It took about a month of research to find products that would work” on buses this size, he says. But now, “there’s enough air conditioning on this bus for two very good-sized houses.” The double-deckers are kept in a warehouse on North Cheyenne Avenue in the Brady Arts District. From this base, partygoers can park and ride to events across Oklahoma. In addition to rentals, the partners plan to make each bus available for a Monday-Friday lunch route, connecting the downtown business district to Cherry Street and Brady Arts District restaurants. The buses will offer pay-per-ride services and run a loop, allowing riders to be at any point on the route within 15 minutes. “One thing I love about Tulsa is that, especially in the last few years, it seems like there are more young people getting invested in the community,” Laura says. “It feels fun to contribute to what’s going on in Tulsa.” From bachelorette parties to a child’s 6th birthday, Cheyenne Bus Co. rides in style. Perhaps you could even take it for a snow cone. tþ

Rental rates for Cheyenne Bus Co. start at $250 per hour. To book a ride, visit www.cheyennebuscompany.com.

ODD JOBS

Interesting Tulsa occupations

Glenn Godsey Competitive yo-yo player by BRAD MORRIS

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

onship,” he says. “She became disabled and can’t do it anymore, but she did win that championship.” After retiring from TU last month, Godsey is looking forward to more time yo-yoing as he continues his reign in a world he was drawn into, he says, by serendipity. “I just hit it at a good time,” he says. tþ

Godsey’s secrets for competitive yo-yo success 1. Passion. “You’ve got to love it,” Godsey says. “It’s a magical, historical thing with a lot of potential for self-satisfaction.” And while he took a break from the yo-yo for a while due to back trouble, when a doctor told him he needed to stand up and do something several times throughout the day, he returned to his love.

Glenn Godsey, the world’s oldest sponsored competitive yo-yo player, shows off one of his tricks. Still, he’s on a competitive team sponsored by yo-yo-maker GeneralYo, though his aw-shucks demeanor says he knows he’s the black sheep of the team — and of competitive yo-yo in general. “Most of the teams are made up of 16- to 30-year-old members,” he says. “They all have spiky hair. I don’t think there’s anyone else even over 40 on any of the teams.” But he is, and although he’s not out to win anything, he still enjoys the competitions. “I enter about one (competition) a year now to keep my status as the world’s oldest,” he says. He usually

picks a regional competition in Minnesota, but he eschews national and world contests. “I’m not much of a traveler.” Godsey says winning is not his motivation for competing. “I go to competitions and play and see my young friends,” he says. “They treat me with a lot of respect, and they can’t believe people even live that long.” He has passed his enjoyment of the yo-yo on to his daughter, Kallen, herself a Tulsa-city champion in the 1970s. “My daughter learned it from me, and she won the Tulsa city champi-

Evan Taylor

magine you’re 7 years old, World War II has just ended, and that war’s accompanying rations made buying toys an unreasonable luxury. What would you do? If you’re University of Tulsa art professor Glenn Godsey, you take an interest in the yo-yo, and you never stop. Godsey is, at 76, the world’s oldest sponsored competitive yo-yo player. He got his start when he saw the touring yo-yo professionals of the Duncan Toys Co. as a young boy living in Amarillo, Texas. “The Duncan pros started coming around then,” he says. “... They came to a little grocery store across the street from the elementary school. Sometimes, they’d go to the 5-and10 store and sell yo-yos there. So, they’d do a demonstration and then have a contest. I won a lot of those badges because I was the one who was really interested.” It seems, to hear him tell it, he’s just a natural. “I just play. For me, it’s like meditation,” he says. “It’s a relaxing thing to do.” Some might wonder if a sport should be relaxing. Or if playing with a yo-yo is a sport. Or a hobby. Or something else. “It’s controversial,” Godsey says. “There are those who think of it as a sport. Quite a few of the young ones do. I don’t think of it that way. I think of it as an art. I think of it as meditative play, a play of skill.” Despite his oldest-competitive-yoyo-player distinction, competition is not really all that important to him. In fact, there are aspects of it he just plain doesn’t enjoy. “The competitions develop a scoring system where they give you a certain number of points for different things, and that turns it into a race,” he says. “It’s fast and kind of jerky. I don’t like that, because people can’t really see what’s going on. So, I’ll never be very good at that kind of competition.”

2. Obsession. “To be great at it, I think it takes a kind of obsession and caring about winning,” he says. “I don’t really care about that. I’ve been a person all my life with many interests, and a lot of them haven’t changed since childhood, whereas most people feel like they have to move on to more mature things. I just don’t think that way.” 3. The Internet. “Yo-yos are so advanced now that people should enjoy them and learn the basics from the Internet,” he says.

WHAT IT’S LIKE

First-person experiences

Playing with the pros A hobbyist golfer discusses his lucky break to play with former Masters champ Zach Johnson. by LANE CLEGG

How did you enter the contest? What was your reaction when you won? GolfLogix has an app that I use to play golf from. It gives you certain distances, and I’ve had the app for a couple of years. What I found out is that they’re working real hard to be the No. 1 app for golf. It was something that came in an email — you know, “Win a round with Zach Johnson.” The process started maybe as early as July, when a man called me up on the phone and said, “Hey, you’re fortunate. You’ve won a round of golf with Zach Johnson.” And I said, “Yeah, right.” They told me that I was the sixth person they had contacted. The first three accepted the trip and the next two were thinking it was too fishy. So, I said, “OK, keep talking, I’m listening until I feel like I need to hang up.” When they sent me a plane ticket, it was just exciting. I don’t know how else to say it other than that ... The waiting was like waiting for Christmas. It was that good.

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

Contest winner Bill Irmen found himself on the green with professional golfer Zach Johnson.

Photo courtesy of GolfLogix

ill Irmen has been playing golf for 37 years, the past seven in Tulsa. For the 55-year-old Arizona native, golf is an outlet — his “go-to thing.” He plays two or three times a week. But seven months ago, the Spirit AeroSystems employee won the chance of a lifetime. Through a contest sponsored by golf technology developer GolfLogix, Irmen and three other entrants won an all-expense-paid trip to play golf with former Masters champion Zach Johnson. TulsaPeople asked Irmen to describe the experience.

Were you intimidated to play with Johnson? Absolutely. The week before I went, I had shot a 75. I was feeling cocky ... Got there and absolutely forgot how to play. I shot an 89, and it was indescribable how fun it was for shooting so bad. The golf course we played, Frederica Golf Club (in St. Simons, Ga.), was unlike anything you’re going to play anywhere. Zach was just the most personable person. He made us feel like we were a regular fivesome every weekend. Super guy. He signed about

seven golf gloves for my friends and a dozen and a half golf balls for me. It was just something that he didn’t have to do. It was an added bonus. What did Johnson shoot? Johnson shot a 67. Five birdies, no bogeys, missed one green. The green he missed, he put it in the bunker and got up and down for par. His ball did a low draw every time. It was just so much fun to watch that. Did he give you any tips? Absolutely. He kept saying I had a good swing, but it just didn’t matter. And

I had worked hard on looking good, but playing good wasn’t happening. I’m a club builder on the side, and he gave me a few tips on that kind of thing. I’ve actually used some of those. Who would be your dream professional to play with for another contest? No. 1 would be Jack Nicklaus. I even tried to name my son after him. We ended up naming him Peyton Cole ... My wife tried to convince me that Cole was a derivative of Nicklaus. tþ

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THE WAY WE WERE

A peek into Tulsa’s past

War stories by ALANA JAMISON

Photo courtesy Oklahoma Military Academy Museum

This photo, taken in 1965, appeared in the Oklahoma Military Academy cadet yearbook, the “Vedette.” The Meyers Barracks housed OMA cadets during the school year.

Today, the barracks is called Meyer Hall and houses the OMA Museum on its second floor.

t was considered the “West Point of the Southwest,” and the U.S. Department of Defense rated it one of only three ROTC Honor Schools below the four-year level. The state-assisted Oklahoma Military Academy no longer exists, but from 1919-1971, the institution trained more than 10,000 cadets through its six-year high school and junior college program in Claremore. The idea of a military academy was heavily favored at the time of the OMA’s establishment as World War I brought the desire of preparedness for combat. Somewhat ironically, the academy closed due to the distress caused by the length of the Vietnam War and the low enrollment that followed.

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

More than 2,500 of the OMA’s cadets fought during times of war — World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War — and 101 lost their lives during the conflicts. “OMA had this saying, ‘Send us a boy and we’ll send you back a man,’ and it was true,” says Phil Goldfarb, vice president of the OMA Alumni Association’s board of trustees. He is one of approximately 7,800 ROTC cadets who attended OMA. “It is estimated that 80 percent or 6,250 (OMA) alumni served our country in times of war and peace,” Goldfarb says, “which is the highest percentage of any school in Oklahoma.” Today the OMA Alumni Association honors these individuals

through the OMA Museum, located in the former OMA barracks, now Meyer Hall at Rogers State University in Claremore. One display features former alumnus Dr. William J. Daugherty, who was captured along with more than 50 other Americans stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Iran during his first tour with the CIA. The Iranian government held them prisoner for 444 days, from Nov. 1979-Jan. 1981. Another artifact, a rare copy of the WWII document of Japanese surrender, features former cadet Dallas Meade, who penned the document according to the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces Douglas MacArthur’s instruction. In an attempt to reunite OMA

alumni and to secure more artifacts for the OMA Museum, the OMA Alumni Association is in search of former cadets. Just this year the association located 1,000 alumni, half of whom were deceased. Yet 1,500 former OMA cadets are still unaccounted for by the association. Former cadets can contact Dr. Danette Boyle, executive director of the OMA Alumni Association, at 918-343-6888 or dboyle@rsu.edu. tþ

To learn more, visit the OMA Museum from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, on the second floor of Meyer Hall at Rogers State University Campus, 1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd. in Claremore.

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STOREFRONT

Looking at small business

The best exotic Tulsa hotel

A local hotelier brings a dose of culture to build the lodging of her dreams. by LINDSAY WHELCHEL

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

Kay Patel and her brother-in-law, Has, opened a midtown hotel that features colors and decor reminiscent of Patel’s background in India and Africa. ished in the expansion of Interstate 44. Patel received a small compensation for the land the Oklahoma Department of Transportation used to complete the project. After the hotel’s demolition, Patel quite literally found herself with a clean slate. The family decided to build a hotel the way they’d always wanted. Working with Wyndham again required Patel to use certain contractors and architects. After a year of construction, the new Wingate opened Nov. 27, 2012. “It had always been my dream to have a (hotel) that had everything I would like,” Patel says. Her determination to give the hotel a personal touch required a

Evan Taylor

he elephant in the lobby and the crystal chandelier tell visitors to the midtown Wingate Hotel by Wyndham they have arrived somewhere other than a cookie-cutter lodging. The hotel, located at East 51st Street and South Harvard Avenue, almost seems to have crossed the ocean from India or Africa, and landed, against all odds, in Oklahoma. And in a way, it did. The hotel’s owner, Kay Patel, grew up in Kenya with roots in India. She describes a relatively happy childhood in Africa. It wasn’t until after high school, when she returned to India and an arranged marriage, that Patel found herself conflicted with differing perspectives on female independence. “In India, women never worked (outside the home),” Patel says. “I would be at home all the time, cooking. I didn’t want to stay in India forever.” She and her husband, Raj Patel, lived with his grandparents in a tiny village in India before coming to New Jersey to seek a better life and new opportunities, she says. Among the changes, Patel wanted a career for herself. “In India, our people are hospitality people,” Patel says of her family. “It’s kind of like a business that runs in the blood. When we came here, of course we were going to look for something like that.” What they found was a boutique hotel in scenic western Massachusetts, which Patel and her family operated for more than eightyears. Then in 2005, after too many cold winters, they headed south to Tulsa. The first Oklahoma hotel the family operated, a Howard Johnson, under the Wyndham umbrella, was demol-

long process of back-and-forth discussions with its parent company. But Patel’s efforts paid off. Most Wyndham franchises sport grays and neutral colors. Patel’s hotel emphasizes her exotic culture and background with its greens and oranges. Her brother-in-law, Has, and a team of employees work with Patel. Has, who began his hotel experience in maintenance and works now as Patel’s handyman and second-incommand, says the work has its challenges, but they are lucky to have the employees they do. One such employee is front desk attendant Kim Glunz, who initially relocated to Tulsa from Georgia to

start her own business. Though it didn’t take off as she’d hoped, the experience has given her insight into the struggles Patel has faced. “There’s a real empathy (in Patel), truthfully, for people starting something fresh,” says Glunz, who adds she’s impressed with the hotelier’s determination and entrepreneurship. “I understand how challenging that is.” For Patel, her life’s work has culminated in this hotel. “I picked everything,” she says. “It’s all my hotel, and when people have good reviews, it just makes me feel good. It makes me feel like I have achieved something.” tþ

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LOCKER ROOM

Getting to know Tulsa’s top athletes

Dallas Keuchel

The Houston Astros pitcher recently celebrated his first year in the big leagues. by STEVE HUNT

ishop Kelley High School product Dallas Keuchel just celebrated one year since his MLB debut in June 2012 with the Houston Astros. Since then, he has shuttled between Houston and Oklahoma City, home to the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate. Off season, he lives in Tulsa. TulsaPeople caught up with the young pitcher to hear about his bigleague experience thus far.

Dallas Keuchel throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles on June 4 at Minute Maid Park.

The first MLB game you ever attended was a Rangers game in Arlington, Texas. That had to make debuting there extra special, right? The first memory I have of that ballpark is (when) we got tickets in the third deck, and it literally felt like we were about to fall over onto the field because it was so high. It was great. It was one of those experiences I’ll never forget. You’re one of several current bigleaguers from Tulsa, including infielder Pete Kozma (St. Louis Cardinals) and pitcher Tommy Hanson (Los Angeles Angels). Talk about being part of that group. Well, it’s a special group. A lot of Oklahoma baseball players don’t get the recognition they deserve, and I think Oklahoma’s a great baseball state. You hear about Texas players and California players and so on, but Oklahoma’s had some pretty good players. The next couple years with

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

Photos courtesy of the Houston Astros

What do you remember about your big-league debut? They woke me up in my hotel room and told me, “Today you’re finally going up, and good luck.” It was just kind of a whirlwind, but it was a good opportunity, and I tried to make the most of it. The best thing was my family was only 3 1/2 hours away, so they got to see everything, and we had a great time.

(Archie) Bradley, (Dylan) Bundy and a few other guys, it’s going to be fun. Since you’re still technically a rookie, what sort of hazing have you endured? I had to carry the bullpen bag for a while, but we don’t have many true veterans here on this team, so it’s a little bit better off for the rookies. I’ve got to keep, like, snacks and stuff (in the bag) for the bullpen guys — just keep them happy. You just don’t want to act like you’ve been there for a while. Just keep to yourself and speak when spoken to. You began the season as a reliever, and now you’re in the rotation. Talk about that change. It was a little bit of an adjustment, but (in) spring training, I had a few outings out of the bullpen. It’s just

something you’ve got to get used to. I told them (I’d do) whatever I needed to do to help out the team. I’d like to start, but if I’m helping out of the pen and that’s my job, I’m going to try to do it to the best of my ability. I’ve got to go execute pitches. What do you think is the biggest misconception fans have about MLB life? We get here at 2, 2:30, for a 7 o’clock game and don’t get out of here until midnight. We’re here about 10 hours out of the day just putting in work, looking at scouting reports of opposing pitchers and opposing hitters, getting ready. When you’re on the field, it looks kind of easy when everything’s going right, but it’s extremely tough to get a professional hitter out and to hit a professional pitcher. I think that’s the most common misconception. tþ

Dallas Keuchel’s baseball bio BISHOP KELLEY HIGH SCHOOL • Twice named Metro Lakes Conference Pitcher of the Year. • Helped lead Comets to Class 5A state titles in 2004 and 2006. • As a senior in 2006, went 10-0 with 1.57 ERA and 94 strikeouts. • Third player from Bishop Kelley to play Major League Baseball, joining catchers Charlie O’Brien (1985-2000) and Rick Wrona (1988-1994). UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS • Pitched for Razorbacks from 2007-2009. • Helped lead Arkansas to 2009 College World Series semi-finals. • Spent two summers pitching in prestigious Cape Cod League. • Was named to Southeastern Conference’s All-Freshman Team in 2007. • Majored in apparel design. HOUSTON ASTROS • Drafted in seventh round of June 2009 Amateur Draft. • Made professional debut in 2009 with Tri-City Dust Devils of Short Season Single-A Northwest League. • Named Texas League AllStar in 2011 after going 9-7 with 3.17 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 20 starts for Double-A Corpus Christi. • Made big-league debut on June 17, 2012, in Arlington, Texas, against the Rangers, allowing just one run off four hits in five innings of work.

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EVERYDAY STORIES

Tulsans you should know

NUMBERS

The patriot next door

30 and counting by ALANA JAMISON

by ROBIN BLONSKY

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

ever in her wildest dreams did Cheryl Bauman, executive director of Crisis Pregnancy Outreach (CPO), expect the nonprofit to grow so large or become so comprehensive. Now in its 30th year, CPO provides a range of pregnancy and adoption services and parenting classes to expectant mothers, operating with an all-volunteer staff of about 150. “I love working with birth moms and having the opportunity to sow into their lives,” Bauman says. “To see these young women bloom as a result of being in counseling with one of our therapists, attending the weekly support group meetings, having a woman to be their mentor and having so many cheerleaders for the first time in their lives is beyond rewarding.”

people, including Bauman, met in 1983 to draft a proposal for CPO and present it to the board of directors at Tulsa’s Christian Chapel.

$200

was given to CPO by Christian Chapel for printing brochures. This marked the nonprofit’s start as a ministry of the church.

weeks later, CPO’s first young woman entered the program. She decided to raise her child but lived with one of CPO’s first host families for support during her pregnancy and six weeks after delivery. Evan Taylor

or nearly 25 years, rain or shine, Veterans Alexander “Al” Barnett U.S. Army veteran Alexander and Dr. James “Hal” H. Neal Jr. “Al” Barnett’s daily ritual has share a street and patriotic values. been the same. At sunrise, he raises the American flag in his front yard. “You march out ... you are going somewhere with a reason,” Barnett says of his morning mission. “You mount that flag ... and then you retreat and leave the flag alone. It deserves respect.” Each sunset, he lowers the flag and takes it inside. Such patriotism isn’t commonplace today, but it is even more surprising because Barnett wasn’t born in the U.S. A Canadian citizen, he came to this country in 1967 via Buffalo, N.Y., to voluntarily join the Army. “I’ll admit that my decision to volunteer wasn’t for entirely patriotic reasons initially,” Barnett says. “I was frustrated with my banking career and the whole Canadian banking system during that time. I saw the news about Vietnam in the paper, and it just seemed like the right thing to do.” He deployed to Vietnam for four consecutive tours, documenting the war as a photojournalist and combat photographer, along with other duties. And though he carried a pistol and a grenade, Barnett says, “I shot with a camera.” On July 17, 1973, he proudly became a U.S. citizen. After Barnett’s retirement as command sergeant major — after 22 years of military service — he moved to memories was the day the first flag was raised on South Dakota for 10 years and then, in 1997, into Iwo Jima as the war was nearing its end. a Tulsa neighborhood. Not long after, a retired “Everybody on the whole island was yelling,” surgeon, Dr. James “Hal” H. Neal Jr., became his he recalls. “The ships were blowing their horns ... neighbor and promptly mounted his own flag. everybody was as happy as larks.” Also a veteran, Neal had served as a U.S. Naval Due to Neal’s failing health in recent years, Reserve lieutenant junior grade during World War II. Barnett offered to do the daily honors for both Fresh out of medical school in 1943, he was placed flags. Sometimes the veterans salute one another in the reserves until his deployment to Iwo Jima in during the protocol. 1945. “If everybody in the U.S. showed their pride and “I was fighting for my country, just like everybody (did) not just take it for granted, then maybe more else,” Neal says. “I was going to do my part.” people would vote or at least read the paper a little After the U.S. bombed Nagasaki and Hiroshima, bit about who the next mayor might be,” Barnett the Navy sent Neal to Japan, where he served until says. the end of his tour before returning home to civilThis month marks Barnett’s 40th year as an ian life. American citizen. He says to him, America means One of the 93-year-old’s more vivid wartime “everything. I can’t imagine a better place to be.” tþ

450

babies have been placed in permanent homes throughout northeast Oklahoma and the U.S. through CPO efforts.

10 28 150

babies have been placed in homes this year. families were waiting to adopt as of May 21.

women regularly volunteer at CPO. Men occasionally volunteer behind the scenes.

$350,000

is CPO’s annual budget, most of which comes from individual donations. No staff member has ever accepted a salary.

Visit www.crisispregnancyoutreach.org for more information.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Highlighting local talent

As the scope turns Artisan Beverly Forester’s handmade kaleidoscopes are sold around the globe. by JUDY LANGDON

ost baby boomers can remember playing with their first kaleidoscope — a cardboard tube with an eyehole that displays changing, colorful, geometric designs when turned. That’s how Broken Arrow artisan Beverly Forester first became fascinated with kaleidoscopes. The retired nurse founded her home studio, Keepsake Kaleidoscopes, five years ago. Her works range from traditional tubes to triangular and rectangular designs, as well as “scopes” made from stoneware bud vases. They are not toys, but works of art, costing hundreds of dollars. TulsaPeople recently visited with Forester before she headed to a national kaleidoscope convention in Maine.

How did you first become interested in designing kaleidoscopes? I held my first kaleidoscope, the small cardboard kind, when I was around 5 years old. I was fascinated by the colors and images, and have loved them ever since. Twelve years ago, while on vacation in Stowe, Vermont, I saw my first kaleidoscope that was truly art. I came home determined to learn how to make them. Now my scopes sell at that same gallery. What subjects do you frequently use in your kaleidoscopes? My specialty among kaleidoscope artists is my floral work. I use real flowers, leaves and butterfly wings. When I make custom kaleidoscopes for weddings, anniversaries, special trips or in memory of a loved one, the cus-

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

Beverly Forester makes kaleidoscopes in various shapes from her home studio in Broken Arrow.

Forester’s kaleidoscopes are sold in Great Britain, Japan, Australia and in shops and galleries across the U.S. They range in price from $100-$800 for a hand-painted scope. a rectangular bead scope and a large special edition, which is a trapezoid. Since my specialty is floral work, I’m now making my own vases and using them for the body of the scope. … I cut all my own glass and mirrors. Then, there’s soldering and resin work. tomer collects items that tell their special stories. My bead scopes hold glass beads and pearls. The goal is to make a beautiful image when seen through the mirrors. Approximately how long does it take you to design and complete one kaleidoscope? It takes about a week to design and create each

kaleidoscope. If I’m making a floral kaleidoscope, there is an extra three weeks to allow the flowers to press properly. How difficult is it to make these pieces of art? The magic is in the mirror systems. So, the outer part of a kaleidoscope can vary. I do the more traditional triangular shape, but also

The mirror systems are intense. I make three types: two mirror, three mirror and reversed taper. Each gives a very different image and is based on exact cutting of mirrors. Everything has to be perfect. However, that’s part of the challenge. When I’m finished ... oh my! It’s worth it all. tþ

ON THE VERGE

A fresh look at developments, news and issues facing Tulsa

Tulsa scores with pro soccer I was born in 1980, just two years after the Tulsa Roughnecks brought professional soccer to our fair city. But before I even started kindergarten, they were gone. As I grew, all I knew of the team came from my occasional dining experiences at (the original) Charlie Mitchell’s. Mitchell, the Scottish favorite who played for and coached the Roughnecks, had transitioned from the sports world into the culinary world. And now, Sonny Dalesandro, only a couple of years older than myself, has done the reverse. In May, a crowd of approximately 3,200 took in the inaugural game of the Tulsa Athletics, the first professional soccer team to call T-Town home in nearly 30 years. Coowners Dalesandro, proprietor of the eponymous Italian eatery in the SoBo district, and Dr. Tommy Kern partnered to bring the league to Tulsa. After playing soccer professionally in his youth, Dalesandro wanted to see if he still had what it takes. But a realization soon came that training and playing while running a business didn’t seem feasible. “Essentially the sun had set on my career as a player,” the restaurateur says. “The competitive side of me was and is absolutely as strong ever, though. So, as the sun sets, it also rises.” His dream didn’t die; it simply changed. After some time in touch with representatives at the National Premier Soccer League, Dalesandro decided to make a move. It’s hard not to feel nostalgic when talking about pro soccer in Tulsa. Though their tenure was quite brief, people speak of the Roughnecks with such reverence. Let’s not forget, they even won the Soccer Bowl in

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

Restaurateur Sonny Dalesandro coowns Tulsa’s new professional soccer team. The Tulsa Athletics’ home field is the former Drillers Stadium.

1983. At the height of the team’s popularity, the Roughnecks’ average game attendance at the old Skelly Stadium approached a whopping 20,000. And since that time, soccer has become a staple in the lives of American children like never before. Every parent I know seems to always be coming from or heading to a soccer game. The timing seems right for a rebirth. In a subtle nod to our sports history, the Athletics’ home field is located in the old Drillers Stadium on the corner of East 15th Street and South Yale Avenue. After sitting dormant for years since the team headed downtown to ONEOK Field, it’s great to see the stadium lit up at night. Dalesandro agrees. “There’s just something wonderful

and incredibly nostalgic about walking through the turnstiles that a lot of us walked through when we were younger and seeing a seemingly doomed landmark come back to life,” he says. To be completely honest, I’ve never played soccer or seen a full game in person. But as a champion of this city who wants it to have a full swath of offerings, it’s a delight to see this development happening in such a homegrown, organic fashion. There’s certainly room to grow if the Athletics want to reach those heights of yesteryear, but if optimism is any indication of ambition, the future looks bright. Five years from now, Dalesandro hopes to have an average game attendance that would make possible a bid for a

Major League Soccer franchise. “Our goal is to hoist the MLS cup the same way that the Tulsa Roughnecks hoisted the Soccer Bowl in 1983,” he says. “The Tulsa Athletics are a family, and we welcome any Tulsan with open arms.” But remember, no hands. tþ

Jeff Martin is an author and the founder of BookSmart Tulsa. His latest book is “The Late American Novel: Writers on the Future of Books.”

Evan Taylor

by JEFF MARTIN

HONORED AGAIN in the 2013 SPJ Awards and Great Plains Journalism Awards.

Q&A

Dr. Hisashi Nikaidoh

2012 Komen Tulsa Race for the Cure®

TulsaPeople Magazine and TulsaPeople.com were recently honored with 12 new journalism awards.

Remodeled Tulsa Tour September 2012

The magazine won nine new awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, Oklahoma Pro Chapter, including three First Place Awards and one Second Place in the “Best Magazine” category!

September 2012 ✻ THE BREAKFAST ISSUE ✻ www.TulsaPeople.com

BREAKFAST CLUB

TulsaPeople.com was also honored by SPJ with a First Place award for Online Community Engagement and Third Place for Best News Website.

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Exclusive video online

The Tulsa Press Club recognized TulsaPeople with three Finalist honors in its 2013 Great Plains Journalism Awards competition, which honors outstanding journalism from an eight-state region. Veggie Eggs Benedict with fresh fruit from Queenie’s

These awards reflect the skill of our talented professionals and our pursuit of quality journalism and overall excellence in TulsaPeople.

Second Place

TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

2012 Best Magazine 2013 SEA SON

Making sense of senseless crimes

Celebrating Fashion’s Night Out in Tulsa

FIRST PLACE AWARDS World War II memorabilia from the collections of the five Tulsans we profiled

TulsaPeople.com

Feature Writing Nellie Kelly “The Greatest Generation”

To see more World War II memorabilia view our online photo gallery. >VIDEO Hear these five Tulsans recount World War II in their own words.

Isabel McCormick came out to her parents as transgender in spring 2011. Since then, she has begun volunteering at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, and she and her parents attend support groups offered by Oklahomans for Equality. “You kind of get the sense that you’re not alone — and that someone else understands what it’s like,” McCormick says. “And I kind of get the sense that I help other people with that, and that feels good.”

THE Greatest Generation

Each Veterans Day, fewer of the men and women remain who served in World War II and on the homefront. by NELLIE KELLY

As the 30th annual Tulsa Pride gets under way this month, it will highlight the activities of its host organization, Oklahomans for Equality, which has provided valuable programs and services for the area’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community since 1981. by JOY JENKINS ◊ photos by ADAM MURPHY

About the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center The sixth-largest LGBT community center in the world, it is also the only one to operate completely debt-free. The 18,000-square-foot facility, which is open seven days a week, can accommodate six to eight groups at a time. It also features an art gallery, library, memorial area for LGBT military veterans, a testing clinic, a boardroom, a wellness room, a kids’ room, a cybercenter and other features. A new event center has been funded and is scheduled to open later this year.

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2012

TulsaPeople JUNE 2012

rom 2-3 p.m. most weekdays, Isabel McCormick is one of the first faces visitors see when they enter the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. She sits behind the front desk, usually wearing the red polo shirt and khaki slacks of her school uniform and sometimes adding a bow to her curly brown hair. She provides information on the phone line, helps prepare for events, moves furniture — whatever is needed to help the center run smoothly. For McCormick, a high school senior, volunteering at the Equality Center is a chance to be part of something important, something that helps other people who have faced the challenges she has faced. “Since the center is almost entirely volunteer run, anything I do to help feels pretty good,” she says. “Plus, I’ve made a lot of friends.” A little over a year ago, McCormick was living a far different life. Then, she was Zachary, a boy who had been uncomfortable in his own

skin since puberty but didn’t have the words to describe what he was feeling. It wasn’t until February 2011, when McCormick was doing research online, that she found the term she was looking for: transgender. McCormick soon shared her discovery with her parents, who supported her, finding her a therapist who helped her start hormone therapy, buying her new clothes and working with administrators at her school to ensure her transition process went smoothly. This spring, they also helped her secure a court date to finalize her new name: Isabel. In addition to help from her family and friends, McCormick has found solace with another group, a transgender teen support group at the Equality Center. They meet monthly to talk about their lives and concerns. They also discuss milestones in the process to embracing their true gender. McCormick’s parents are involved in a support group as well, one for parents of transgen-

der teens, and they also appreciate the opportunity to share their experiences with others in similar situations. McCormick and her parents are just a few of the thousands of people who benefit from the classes and programs offered at the Equality Center, which has served as home to Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) since 2005. This month, as the Tulsa Pride Street Festival and Parade welcomes thousands of members of the area lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, the Equality Center will be on full view, reminding some and informing others that it serves as a hub of resources and activities. Tulsa Pride will also be a chance to highlight the milestones of OkEq, a more than 30-yearold organization that has continued to evolve to meet the needs of the LGBT community.

News Writing Joy Jenkins “Faces of Community”

LAYING THE FOUNDATION

Dennis Neill moved to Tulsa in 1977 to work for a local law firm. Over time, he was TulsaPeople.com

Longtime downtown business Tulsa Shoe Rebuilders brings new life to old leather goods — from cowboy boots to high heels to purses — attracting clients from Tulsa and around the world. by JOY JENKINS • photos by MICHELLE POLLARD

Page Design Katy Cauthron “Rebooted” Cowboy boots await repair at Tulsa Shoe Rebuilders in downtown Tulsa. These boots feature a variety of materials, including snakeskin, ostrich and lizard. Staff at the shop will add new soles to the boots and cover the lizard boots with ostrich to restore their appearance. 46

TulsaPeople MARCH 2012

TulsaPeople.com

See “after” photos of the boots shown above as well as additional behind-thescenes images of Tulsa Shoe Rebuilders.

hen Chuck Adamson and his staff put the finishing touches on a shoe repair, they are not simply adding a new heel to a pair of women’s shoes or re-soling a pair of cowboy boots. They are finishing a story. In some cases, the shoes are gifts — perhaps from a parent or grandparent — and Adamson and his staff are adding years, and possibly, decades, of life to them. One man from Tennessee sent boots his mother-in-law gave his wife. The shoes were returned, good as new after a puppy chewed them, and the man received them within days of his mother-in-law’s death. Another time, a woman from Georgia sent her son’s Harley-Davidson boots, a gift from his father, now gone. “When I hear these stories, my heart, it just breaks,” Adamson says. “ … We feel special that we’re getting delegated to do these things.” Of course, there are routine and even funny memories, too, such as the women’s shoes that came in a box from Clemson, S.C., accompanied by a photo of a dog with the caption “Guilty.” Tulsa Shoe Rebuilders did not always receive repair orders from customers across the country. The business’ success in this area came in 2010, six years after Adamson bought the shop from Otis and Ida Kemp. A friend had heard a Wall Street Journal podcast about cobblers completing mail-order repairs. Adamson instantly saw a niche for his small business, which had competition from several other shoe repair shops in Tulsa. Within months, he received his first call — from a customer in New York whose cowboy boots needed new soles. The customer was so happy with the work, he sent three more pairs. The next day, a call came from another state. “It just never has stopped,” Adamson says. Adamson never intended to own a shoe repair shop. A Tulsa native, he had worked in construction and corporate information technology when he learned the Kemps were retiring in 2004. Tulsa Shoe Rebuilders, which the Kemps took over in 1970 (it opened originally in 1928), was located in the Skelly Building, and the Tulsa World was set to demolish it and another defunct building to make way for new newspaper facilities. By that time, Otis was 89 and Ida was 87 and they did not want to reopen the shop in a new location. The week before the shop was set to close, Adamson, desiring a new career that would Continued on p. 49 TulsaPeople.com

Online Community Engagement Matt Cauthron TulsaPeople.com

BARRY FRIEDMAN AT LARGE

One man’s opinion

urdoch. Calling Mr. M uffett. B Calling Mr.

Will someone please answer the damn phone? by BARRY FRIEDMAN What’s that smell? At its nitrogen facility in Enid, Koch Industries is planning to build a fertilizer plant that will increase production by more than 1 million tons per year. In a related story, the company also is thinking about buying metropolitan newspapers, including The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times and The Baltimore Sun. Just hope when the Kochs are finished with the acquisitions, we’ll be able to tell the difference. The KKK as a teachable moment Arguing against a name change for the Brady Arts District, Mayor Dewey Bartlett said, “We use history as a teaching device, that is a very good use. We ... take advantage of his (early city leader and alleged Klansman Tate Brady’s) and our past and look for how not to do things and, hopefully, how to do things.” Mayor, Strunk and White, line one. The eclectic Brady Arts District is known for its entertainment, art and diversity. It is an immensely popular cultural/arts venue and a shining piece of downtown Tulsa’s revitalization. Do Tulsans today want Brady’s name attached to it? I have a better idea: Just rename it the Clark District. Who’s Clark? Otis Clark, 109, died last year — believed to be the oldest survivor of Tulsa’s 1921 Race Riot. The small print is even worse. In the latest anti-abortion measure passed by our state legislature (which will be ruled unconstitutional in exactly 17. 3 milliseconds), the bill’s co-sponsor, Sen. Kyle Loveless, (R-Oklahoma City) said the measure also would allow people to sue physicians for failing to follow the new guidelines, even if the person mounting the lawsuit has no relationship with the woman obtaining the procedure.

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

Ups and downs

Fear the Chippewas?

… the Rev. Dr. Mouzon Biggs Jr. and Rabbi Charles Sherman, both recently retired. How religion should be done.

… Oklahoma State University head football coach Mike  Gundy for not allowing quarterback Wes Lunt to transfer to a Pac-12 school or Central Michigan — yes, Central Michigan, one of OSU’s opponents in 2015 (2015!). There are some mitigating circumstances, but please. Lunt is not an employee; he’s not chattel. He’s a kid who’s not happy. Let him go where he wants. … Sen. Tom Coburn, who said he won’t vote for federal disaster  assistance to Oklahomans — let me repeat, to OKLAHOMANS — unless the money is offset somewhere else in the budget. … The 18-year-old Tulsan who, when cornered by a police dog,  started kicking it in the head. Anyway, the dog then grabbed a hold of the aforementioned leg — as if to say, “Dude, really?” — and then chomped down. Later, the teen was charged with — and who knew such a thing existed — battery of a police dog.

No. Reach into the pork barrell, Dr.

Facepalm. Read it again. Repeat. Zeus wept. There is talk yet again about bringing the 2024 Olympic Games to Tulsa. (Stop snickering.) OK, go ahead. Aside from everything else, like hotels, infrastructure and coming up with the $3.5 billion needed to fund the project, how are we going to get local restaurateurs to serve past 9 p.m.? You know those Socialist Europeans and their late-night eating habits. Rule 1 In the morning, upon waking, first kiss your significant other; then check Facebook. To: Tulsa International Mayfest and Blue Dome Arts Festival planners Re: Scheduling Look, one of you take the first week in May, one of you take the last. It’s not that difficult.

“You’re a great crowd. Tip your wait staff.” In his show, uh, speech, before the Tulsa Republican Club last month, Sen. Jim Inhofe cracked jokes about Democrats and then said of President Barack Obama, “Never in the history of our country have we had a president with so much disdain for every institution that made America great. I can’t leave my 20 kids and grandkids out there alone. I’m going to do all I can to stop this trend in this country.” We’re not sure if Inhofe meant the trend of senators who make unsubstantiated, berserk statements, or the trend of senators who use their family as props to make unsubstantiated, berserk statements. “Sorry, Officer, but Channel 8 told me not to stop.” On the KTUL website, the station listed five ways to mitigate the high cost of gasoline. Last item: “Eliminate left turns and stop lights.”

lude And our games will inc ! wrestling, of course

“Shannon, party of one, your heart’s ready.” So, after Gov. Mary Fallin proposed spending $50 million in state tobacco tax revenue to underwrite private insurance for the 9,000 Oklahomans who would lose coverage at the end of the year (had she accepted Affordable Care Act funds, 150,000 Oklahomans would have had access at no cost to the state, but no matter), Speaker of the House T.W. Shannon poured both salt and sanctimony on the state’s uninsured. “I have no plans to continue a government-run insurance program,” he said. “I simply do not believe it’s the government’s job.” Seniors, veterans, you got that? In which we channel Seinfeld ... You know how to bury the time capsule. You just can’t remember where you put it — and that’s really the most important part of the time capsule: finding it later. In 1998, students at Tulsa’s Eisenhower International School buried a time capsule near a pole. Problem is — OK, two problems, but they’re related. 1. Someone moved the pole, and 2. Nobody can find the capsule. Worse, the school is now moving to a new location, so unless the capsule is found quickly, the “Boogie Nights” VHS and Nirvana hoodie could be lost forever. tþ

Send in the gophers!

Barry Friedman is a national touring comedian, the author of “Road Comic” and “Funny You Should Mention It,” and doesn’t trust anyone who refers to him or herself in the third person.

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

THE SECOND DECADE 1983-1993 Founding of Leadership Tulsa Leadership Tulsa Class 14

Sharon Gallagher with a happy National Conference team: Janice Edmiston, Ginny Creveling, Michael Graves, Sharon Gallagher, Lynn Jones and Jim Miller.

eadership Tulsa, founded in 1973, is celebrating its 40th anniversary! Last month, we explored the first ten years. In its second decade, Leadership Tulsa continued to expand its programs and its impact on leadership in the community. As part of a ten year celebration in 1984, LT published its first alumni directory and created a Leadership Tulsa T-shirt which was featured on The Today Show with Willard Scott! Borrowing the idea from Leadership Oklahoma City, in 1985, the first Paragon Awards were presented to honor those members demonstrating exemplary leadership in the community. The Past President’s Council was also created during this time and is still active today. And of course, there were many memorable holiday parties for alumni, held at creative event venues such as the Union Depot, Brady Theater, Tulsa Garden Center, Bank of Oklahoma, and Saks Fifth Avenue. In 1986, Leadership Tulsa hosted the first joint session

of Leadership Tulsa and Leadership Oklahoma City. By this time, 359 Leadership Tulsa members were serving on 157 area agencies. In 1989, the LT Membership Directory won a national award at the National Leadership Conference. During this time, Leadership Tulsa also began to experiment with new programming such as the Tulsa Insight Series, the first Leadership Forum Series, LeaderFest at Harwelden, the LT SpringBOARD series, and their first ever Golf Tournament in 1993. Leadership Tulsa added non-profit board skills training to their class curriculum and expanded class days from half a day to a full day of training. This was the period of greatest growth in the number of Leadership programs statewide and nationally with Leadership Oklahoma hosting its first class in 1987. Leadership Tulsa is proud of its role in this nationwide movement to expand leadership in community service.

PRESIDENTS OF THE LEADERSHIP TULSA BOARD 1983-1993 Monty Butts, (1983-84) David Holden (1984-85) Janelle McCammon (1985-86) Britt Embry (1986-87) Nathan Richards (1987-88) James Miller (1988-89) Sandra Sober (1989-90) Michael Graves (1990-91) Janice Edmiston (1991-92) Kim Holland (1992-93)

SHARON GALLAGHER, Executive Director of Leadership Tulsa 1987-1994 & 1997-2000 Sharon Gallagher had only been in Tulsa for five or six months when she threw her hat in the ring for a job that sounded like a lot of fun. When the chair of the search committee noted in her first interview that LT was “definitely looking for someone who had been in the community for a minimum of five years,” Sharon figured she didn’t have a chance of being selected and just relaxed and enjoyed the con-

versation. She did, however, walk out of that office thinking “I would love that job!” And she must have impressed because she held the job for more Sharon Gallagher than ten years, all told. The most exciting and memorable experience of her tenure was when

Tulsa hosted the National Conference of the Community Leadership Association in the fall of 1993. She remembers that despite early skepticism that Tulsa was a good place to hold a national conference, we ultimately had record attendance with more than 800 flying into Tulsa from around the nation. It was also reportedly one of the most memorable conferences ever. Leadership Tulsa took the conference attendees by bus out to a rodeo event and hosted a “goat

dressing contest” where teams had to dress and undress a baby goat in boxers and t-shirts for a prize. Jim Miller, Class 4, chaired the conference. Sharon left Leadership Tulsa in 1994 to work for a while at the University Center at Tulsa and ultimately left again in 2000 to work at OU Tulsa. Today, Sharon works for the Tulsa Area United Way where she is the Director of Collaborative Initiatives.

NEWS FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

Chris Nikel celebrates 40 years as Tulsa auto dealer I

n 1973, Chris Nikel opened Tulsa’s Alfa Romeo dealership — Chris Nikel Autohaus — with just six employees and 30 cars on display. Today, as the dealer celebrates his 40th year in the automobile business, Chris Nikel Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge Ram is a mega dealership with a 1,200-car/truck display on 14 acres with 140 employees. And a FIAT studio has been added to the mix. “I credit our longevity to following the three ‘Ps’ — patience, pride and perseverance — and the good fortune to surround myself with fine people,” says Nikel. Nikel, a native of Austria, entered the auto business on May 2, 1952 in the service department of a dealership in his native country, working his way up to a new car salesman in 1965, used car manager in 1969, and then general manager for the local Nissan and BMW dealer from 1970-1973. When he opened Chris Nikel Autohaus in 1973, Alfa Romeo was the Tulsan’s dream car. “It’s not only transportation,” he says of the legendary Italian sportscar. “It has personality.” The dealership soon expanded in the European car segment with the addition of FIAT, Renault, Bertone and Pininfarina to its lineup at 3737 S. Memorial Drive. In 1987 Nikel seized the chance to expand his dealership by adding Jeep and later Chrysler, Dodge and Ram trucks. The business was located at the Admiral traffic circle location from 1987-1992 before moving to the corner of East 11th Street and South Lewis Avenue. In 2005, Nikel

Ambassador Hotel unveils renovations T

An aeriel view of Chris Nikel’s mega dealership on the Broken Arrow Expressway. moved his growing enterprise to the group’s signature South 145th East Avenue and Broken Arrow Expressway location — affectionately known as the “Dodge Mahal.” Today, the dealership also maintains its preowned Jeep store on South Memorial Drive, and the FIAT studio is located next door at the original Autohaus’ location. “It’s like rekindling an old flame,” Nikel says of bringing the exciting FIAT brand — the pride of Italy — back to Tulsa.

he Ambassador Hotel recently finished renovations to its lobby, restaurant and meeting rooms — all to enhance its guests’ experience. Originally named The Ambassador and built in 1929, the historic hotel was reopened by Paul Coury, owner of The Ambassador Hotel Collection, in 1999. Guests are now welcomed by the lobby’s new spacious brightness, which was created with fresh paint, lighting and furniture. “Prior to the renovation, it was darker and more intimate,” says William Kinser, Ambassador’s managing director. “Although still intimate, the lobby now exudes a lighter and warmer glow, and overall is more inviting to our guests.” The Chalkboard Restaurant, located in the hotel’s basement, received new carpet, banquettes and chairs, while the hotel’s meeting rooms now have new floor treatments. Guest rooms feature new furniture to keep the rooms up to date, yet “still comfortably familiar,” Kinser adds. “As a company, our focus this year is to establish the Ambassador Hotel Collection brand so that all of our hotels reflect the same vibrancy and historic elegance as our new hotels in Kansas City, Wichita and Oklahoma City,” Coury says.

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

While many things have changed over the years, Nikel’s commitment to the three “Ps” has kept the business grounded. Nikel, along with his wife Milena, daughter Tina and son Chris, work at the family-owned and managed dealership.

Chris Nikel Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge Ram is located at 2920 N. Aspen Ave., Broken Arrow. Chris Nikel FIAT is located at 3737 S. Memorial Drive. For more information, call 918-355-5000 or visit www.chrisnikel.com or www.chrisnikelfiat.com.

Ambassador Hotel owner Paul Coury stands in the hotel’s newly renovated lobby.

The Ambassador Hotel is located at 1324 S. Main St. For more information, call 918-587-8200 or visit www.ambassadorhotelcollection.com/tulsa.

NEWS FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

Car Trends moves store to Brookside C

ar Trends owner Andy Bartovick sees his business’s relocation from south Tulsa to Brookside as a return to its customer-centric roots in one of Tulsa’s historic shopping districts. “Our new business approach here is just getting back to basics with quality products and good customer service,” says Bartovick, who references a disturbing trend in the industry since opening his business 12 years ago. Over the years, Bartovick says big-box stores Car Trends’s new showroom in Brookside features forced Car Trends and similar companies to carry the latest high-end products and customer displays. less expensive products to compete in the marketplace. However, these products were often tomer service and take advantage of Brookside’s inferior in quality. popularity and character. “People had shifted their sights more toward “People come to shop, be comfortable and relax getting the best deal and not necessarily the best in Brookside. To me, it’s a place that represents customer service,” he explains. Tulsa well,” he adds. When he decided to leave Car Trends’ original Car Trends’ new location, which opened April South Memorial Drive location, Bartovick says he 8, features a modern showroom with the latest remodeled his business strategy to reprioritize cus-

high-end products, interactive customer displays and knowledgeable, industry-veteran staff. The company specializes in automotive electronics and accessories, including car audio, in-car video systems, alarm and remote starts, window tint, Bluetooth cellular products, radar detectors, iPod and iPhone car integration, wheels, tires, back-up camera systems, aftermarket accessories and automotive detail services. “I feel that we have been successful in our industry for this long because we strive to offer quality products and give our customers topshelf customer service before and after the sale,” Bartovick says.

Car Trends is located at 3832 S. Peoria Ave. For more information, call 918-627-5190 or visit www.cartrendstulsa.com.

AmeriTrust moves to new location T

he AmeriTrust Companies recently relocated its offices to 4506 S. Harvard Ave. The move allows for more space and continuity among the financial services company’s employees and easier access for its clients. AmeriTrust, which has served Tulsans for 16 years, provides three primary services: trust administration, investment management and Fee-Only financial planning. “All our services are offered on a Fee-Only basis, which allows us to be focused on our clients’ needs as we do not receive commissions from selling securities or products,” says Harvie Roe, president and CEO. “We believe having Fee-Only services allows us to focus on the needs of our clients without outside influence to sell commissioned products. “We believe our services assist individuals in various stages of their lives by helping them plan their financial goals, implement and monitor the process, and provide a smooth transition for the next generation.”

For more information, call 918-610-8080 or visit www.ameritrusttulsa.com

The team at AmeriTrust, left to right: Kim Weaver, Lincoln Anderson, Del Snoberger, Nancy Rhees, Virginia Talbert, Peggy Predl, Kathleen Kriegel, Edith Gregory, Glenda Osei, Laurie Saint Horton, Susan Edwards, Charlene Scoles, Harvie Roe, Gary Pierce, and Shawn Buzan.

Forest Ridge opens new phase of neighborhood development T

Forest Ridge is a master-planned community with amenities that include an award-winning public golf course, trails system, catch-and-release fishing lakes, swim and tennis center, full-service restaurant open to the public and private community parks.

he Robson Companies has opened a new phase of the Wellstone neighborhood in Broken Arrow’s Forest Ridge development. Wellstone II, now open for custom home construction, consists of 30 home sites. Thirteen of these are golf course home sites overlooking Forest Ridge Golf Club’s No. 11 fairway and green. Four overlook the lake, fairway and green on No. 16. Traditional home sites, of which there are 13, are also in the new phase. Home sites range in price from $68,900-$95,900.

For more information about property in Forest Ridge, visit the information center at 901 N. Forest Ridge Blvd., Broken Arrow; call Robson Realty at 918-357-1488; or visit www.forestridge.com. Wellstone features 30 home sites at Forest Ridge. TulsaPeople.com

Overcoming the odds

Eye on the prize A Bixby entrepreneur has not let blindness bury her dream of operating a successful coffee shop.

The familiar aromas

of a freshly brewed cup of Joe, muffins, spices and flavorings fill the air at Oh My Coffee!, located at 13161 S. Memorial Dr. in Bixby. When stepping into the coffee shop, however, one would never guess this buzzing little venue is co-owned and operated by a barista who has been legally blind since birth. Tulsan Christie Knipp and her husband, Phillip, are the founders and proprietors of Oh My Coffee!, open since November 2012. Christie was born with aniridia, a congenital ocular condition that means “without an iris” (the colored part of the eye). She also has nystagmus and glaucoma, ocular problems associated with aniridia. “The lack of irises is simply seeing things extremely brighter than the normal person,” she says. “Your irises are God’s given ‘sunglasses.’ I see things about 40 percent brighter than everyone else. “Nystagmus means my eyes can’t stay still. So, my eyes dance and jump around uncontrollably, which also causes nerve damage,” she explains. “So, I can see some, as long as things are very close to me. I just struggle to focus and avoid bright lights.” Being blind as a child wasn’t as easy, the Muskogee-born entrepreneur admits, but she doesn’t remember being bullied often by classmates. “The biggest challenge was being as fast as other children in my school work because my eyes tired easily, and I had to stop and rest

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

by JUDY LANGDON (them) often,” she says. “Sadly the technology wasn’t as advanced when I was a kid, but I was always given extra time to complete assignments. I loved school and always tried to do my best.” She learned to read Braille as a child, though she also was able to read large-print books and often listened to audio books. During her school years, “I was blessed that for the most part my peers were understanding and accepted me as an equal,” Christie says. “Of course, there are always those ones that make fun, but I never took it to heart. I knew I could do just about anything the other children did. I might just have to take a different approach to it.” The Knipps met in Tulsa and spent their college years at Ozark Technical Community College in Springfield, Mo., where Christie obtained an associate’s degree in business and marketing and Phillip earned a culinary arts degree. It was at OTCC that Christie first learned the ropes as a barista. “I worked through a program called work study, and then in my last semester I did an internship at the coffee bar,” she says. Married for 17 years, the couple made their home in Springfield for nine years, completing their degrees, starting their family and serving as foster parents for three years. “(We) were also caretakers for Phillip’s mentally handicapped niece after his sister passed away unexpectedly,” Christie says. They moved to Bixby two years ago with their three children: daughters Sarah, 16, a

Bixby High School freshman; Amber, 4; and son Sol, 3. Like their mother, Sarah and Amber also have aniridia, but without glaucoma; the iris condition is more common in women than men. The family chose to live in the Bixby school district because “a smaller district will often work closer with parents to put together a more appropriate Individual Educational plan than larger districts,” Christie says. “Bixby is recommended by other visually impaired students and parents as one of the better districts.” Shortly after moving to Bixby, the Knipps decided to open a coffee bar that also served food, a concept embracing both of their educational backgrounds. They chose the site of a former church, and daughter Sarah named the business because of her mom’s frequent use of the phrase, “Oh my!” in daily conversation. With the assistance of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitative Visual Services, they secured a building with a rent-to-own option and did nearly all of the renovations themselves, with the exception of hiring a licensed plumber or electrician when needed. “Phillip has been a painter/contractor for 24 years, so we were able to complete the majority of the work ourselves,” Christie says. The ODRVS also helped the Knipps purchase some of their equipment. Luckily, the church originally had a simple coffee bar area, “so we left it there, and enlarged it,” Christie says. Their shop opened in Nov. 2012. Ask any entrepreneur if starting a business

Bixby coffee shop owner Christie Knipp is accompanied by service dog Bogie while on the job. Knipp was born with a genetic ocular condition that makes her legally blind.

is daunting at best and, like most, Christie quickly agrees. “Yes, we were nervous, but at the same time we wanted to start a new phase in our lives,” she says. “With the bigger family and moving back to Oklahoma, we wanted to focus our attentions on a family business we could all have a part in.” Christie calls the coffee shop — which features several sitting areas, a live music staging area and a kids’ room — a “work in progress.” A meeting room is available for private groups, and the couple hopes to renovate and expand a patio behind the site. Though rent and expenses have been tough to cover while the shop gets on its feet, business has done well so far, Christie says. As with any business, “we have a few slow days, but right now we stay busiest at night,” she says. In fact, the shop has become well known for its live music on weeknights and weekends. Musicians perform for free, “and for many of them, it is their stepping stone,” she says. “Our live, family-friendly music program is open to any musician who wanders in and wants to play and sing. We don’t pay them, but we do offer them free coffee.” Christie has not let her blindness stop her on the job, and she serves up various fancy coffee drinks most days — Oh My Coffee! is open from 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Saturday — a feat many without an ocular condition would find difficult. By memorizing each drink’s ingredients and their locations, Christie completes the shop’s orders quickly and efficiently — “unless someone moves them, and then I am sunk,” she says — while Phillip does all the cooking and food preparation. “Blindness is a complication, but for the most part, it is possible to work around,” Christie says. “I may not be the fastest person behind the counter, but I strive to be.“ While Christie relies on Phillip to read the temperatures of the coffee orders so she doesn’t burn herself, her sense of smell and hearing help make up for what she can’t see. TulsaPeople.com

Overcoming the odds

they

GOTthere Hundreds of students graduated from OSU-Tulsa in May, joining the ranks of OSU alumni who add to the state’s workforce and economic prosperity. With an internationally respected OSU degree, these graduates have created new opportunities and a more secure future for themselves and their families. Contact us to learn how OSU in Tulsa can help you get there from here.

Downtown Tulsa

918-GET-HERE

Visit TulsaPeople.com for the New Directory The 2013 A-List Directory debuts on TulsaPeople.com this month! The A-List Directory features Tulsa’s BEST businesses according to more than 50,000 TulsaPeople reader votes. Visit the A-List directory for TulsaPeople reader-recommended businesses in four distinct categories:

FOOD

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

FUN

SERVICES

SHOP

Knipp makes the shop’s coffee drinks by memorizing the location of ingredients and relying on her other senses.

“I can hear when a shot is to the right point, or when the milk is heated and ready,” she says. “I just lean more on my other senses and try not to think about what I don’t have.” Still, in a busy coffee shop there remains the fear of bumping into a customer and encountering hot, messy spills. “If I have to leave the coffee bar, I always take my time wherever I am headed,” Christie says. “I move slowly, so I can usually avoid running into people or things that might get in my way.” While moving around the shop has become familiar, she says she was initially nervous about meandering outside when she needed a break, or when she got hungry for something not served at Oh My Coffee!. For example, crossing busy South Memorial Drive traffic on foot was a challenge. However, Christie is always accompanied by her yellow Lab service dog, Bogie, who has a bed inside the shop. “Someone told me that Ron’s Hamburgers was across the street from here, and I was nervous about venturing over there,” she says. “A couple of people accompanied Bogie and me going over there at first. But now Bogie and I do it a lot.” Phillip does all the grocery shopping for Oh My Coffee!, and for their home, which is nearby. “I guess the hardest thing to work around is not being able to drive, but I’m thankful I have a husband who’s a good sport about doing all the driving,” Christie says, “and other friends and family that don’t mind helping when I really need a ride.” Despite its challenges, Christie says she loves her work and the coffee shop, which has nearly become a second home for her, Phillip and their children. “We are always here … you might say we practically live here,” she says. “This business is just the perfect fit for us.” tþ

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4/3/13 2:38 PM TulsaPeople.com 39

You’re Invited to announce your recent wedding in TulsaPeople Magazine TulsaPeople Real Weddings features beautiful photos and details of real Tulsa weddings in a beautiful layout you are sure to treasure. To have your special day featured in the October issue of TulsaPeople, please contact us at the number below. REAL WEDDINGS

Live in: Melbourne, Australia. Occupations: Gracie is an interior designer; Simon is the CEO of Fivespot Brand Management and a volunteer firefighter in the Country Fire Brigade. Weather: Warm, sunny, mid-80s; perfect. Number of people who attended: 100. How they met: Gracie, a native Tulsan, was introduced to Simon, who was born and raised in Melbourne, through a mutual friend while interning in Australia. Favorite date: Picnic in the park. What she loves most about him: Gracie loves how compassionate and loving Simon is to everyone. She loves how smart and clever he is and that he’s an amazing cook. She especially loves his ability to make her smile all the time. What he loves most about her: Simon loves Gracie’s cheeky smile and infectious laugh, not to mention her amazing eyes. Favorite detail: Simon’s mom made the wedding cake, which was enveloped in berries from the garden and had a cake topper — made by a local artist — depicting Simon’s favorite birds. The beautiful “Queen Anne” cake, which is a Turner family recipe, was served with a variety of “American”-flavored cupcakes such as peanut butter and jelly.

Gracie Coury

Simon Turner

3.31.12 photography by Jake Walker

Colors: Gracie loves native Australian flowers, so they chose earthy and bright colors to complement the exotic flowers. Pre-wedding parties: There was a festival of activities the week prior to the wedding, including wine tasting, golfing, spa days, dinners and bachelor/ bachelorette parties.

What was unique: Simon and the groomsmen arrived at the wedding on a firetruck with lights flashing and sirens sounding. Although it scared a few people at first, it set the tone for a fun and exciting day. Her advice for other brides: Gracie says Simon’s advice was the best: “Don’t sweat the small stuff!” Honeymoon: Bali, Indonesia.

The engagement: Simon surprised Gracie in Tulsa over Christmas vacation in 2010. She thought he was camping and had no phone service, but he was actually on the 20-hour plane ride from Australia to Tulsa to surprise her for Christmas with a proposal. Number of months it took to plan the wedding: 15. Thing they would have done differently: Absolutely nothing.

Ceremony and reception site: “Araluen,” Simon’s family property in the Melbourne countryside. Gown: Gracie wore her mother’s wedding dress, which she redesigned. She used a dressmaker in Claremore (Mrs. K and Co.) and then had a designer in Melbourne (Oglia-Loro) complete the dress with Italian lace. Gracie loves the evolution and history of the dress.

TulsaPeople APRIL 2013

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Single Full Page: $500 ~ Two Page Spread: $800 (shown)

“Real Weddings” Deadlines: Space reservation deadline: August 1 Photos, questionnaire and payment deadline: August 14 Please call 918-585-9924, ext. 200 for more details.

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FULL CIRCLE Tulsa’s oldest theater celebrates its 85th birthday with a new look and grand reopening celebration. by MARNIE FERNANDEZ

All four of Circle Cinema’s theaters feature plush seats in an intimate setting. TulsaPeople.com

A Route 66 preservation grant and local matching funds are helping support the renovation of the original front façade, which will have a 1952 motif.

Circa 1942

Building for sale in 2002

Circa 1934

CIRCLE CINEMA HISTORY The Circle Cinema is Tulsa’s oldest movie theater, built in 1928 by builder and architect William Chilton. It was especially noted for its unusual height, colorful bricks and proximity to the street. The Circle is the only pre-1960s theater remaining in Tulsa.

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

Historic photos courtesy of Circle Cinema

1928 The Circle Theater opens with a showing of “Across the Atlantic.”

1963 General Theaters closes the Circle for renovations, reopening it Christmas Day with first-run, high-quality films.

1957 The south storefront is incorporated into the theater entrance, creating a larger lobby.

1983 The theater is used as a backdrop in the movie “The Outsiders.”

1978 The old Circle becomes the New Circle, an adult film theater.

1994 Circle Theater closes to the public. After another stint showing adult films, the Circle shows Hispanic films for a time.

Clark Wiens helped form the Circle Cinema Foundation, which in 2002 purchased the dilapidated Circle Theater. More than 10 years later, the theater celebrates its 85th birthday this month thanks to Wiens’ vision and dedication.

CIRCLE CINEMA WALK OF FAME

CLARK WIENS

is a movie buff. So much so, in fact, he decided to buy a movie theater. And not just any theater. Wiens and George Kravis were instrumental in forming the Circle Cinema Foundation, which in 2002 purchased — with support from community development block grant funds — the dilapidated Circle Theater at 10 S. Lewis Ave. At the same time, the foundation purchased the theater’s adjacent storefront to the south. The two buildings are located in the heart of the Kendall-Whittier District’s Whittier Square, home to Tulsa’s first suburban shopping center. “It was a complete wreck when we bought it,” Wiens says of the theater. “I think people thought we were crazy.” The Circle had been in disrepair for years. A roof collapse had destroyed or compromised the interior and furnishings in the original

2002 Clark Wiens and George Kravis form the Circle Cinema Foundation to purchase Circle Theater with plans to restore it.

2004 Circle Cinema reopens to the public. Earlier that year, the Circle helped commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day with films at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, which were attended by thousands of Tulsans.

auditorium, lobby and the small apartments located above the lobby. The theater changed owners several times before closing its doors in 1994. For the next eight years, the building sat vacant. But Wiens, who is now president of the foundation’s board of directors, had a vision for the then-74-year-old movie theater. The Circle reopened in 2004 in the space adjacent to the original theater, which brought the movies back to Whittier Square. Work on the original theater building began in 2005 but was halted when the structure was damaged during interior demolition. Renovations began again in 2008 when the Full Circle Capital Campaign was announced to raise the funds needed to complete the project. This month, the Circle will celebrate a grand reopening of the lobby and two auditoriums in the space that was the original theater’s footprint. And it’s no accident the celebration is Continued on p. 44

Oklahoma has its fair share of star power. And not unlike Hollywood, Circle Cinema honors these legends of entertainment with its own Walk of Fame right outside the theater — commemorating our homegrown talent not with stars, but (what else?) circles. Here are just a few of the Walk of Famers that Oklahoma heralds as its own: Actor Gene Autry Actor/director Tim Blake Nelson Actress Kristin Chenoweth Actor Roy Clark Actress Peggy Dow Helmerich Director Sterlin Harjo Writer S.E. Hinton Actor/director Ron Howard Actor Dennis Letts Actor Chuck Norris Actor Brad Pitt Actress Mary Kay Place Actor Tony Randall Actor Will Rogers Actor Will Sampson Actress Amber Valletta And the list goes on. Circle Cinema plans to add several more “circles” to the Walk of Fame in the coming years.

2012 “Bully” is shown at the Circle in partnership with Oklahomans for Equality, the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice, and the Parent Child Center, with support from the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation. This leads to the formation of Tulsa’s Anti-Bully Collaboration, which now includes more than 35 local partners and supporters working to promote anti-bullying awareness in the community.

2005 The Circle hosts its first showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The film is now a midnight movie feature one weekend each December.

2011 The theater broadcasts the Royal Wedding of Great Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton, inviting guests to dress in English wedding finery.

2013 The Circle will host its 85th birthday and grand reopening celebration (see p.44 for events and dates).

TulsaPeople.com

FULL CIRCLE Continued from p. 43 A vintage projector is on display at the theater.

A new concession stand will feature an extensive coffee bar, Nathan’s Hot Dogs and, of course, popcorn.

happening on the theater’s 85th birthday. The one-screen Circle Theater opened its doors on July 15, 1928, with a showing of “Across the Atlantic.” Throughout the years, the Circle became popular among local preteen and teenage crowds. Movie prices were 10 cents, and a nickel bought a cup of hot, roasted peanuts and cup of orange juice from the vendor next door. Kids lined up to see film serials such as the “The Green Hornet” and James Bond movies such as “Dr. No” and “Goldfinger.” Thanks in part to Wiens, the building is once again thriving — a pioneer in the recent redevelopment of the Kendall-Whittier neighborhood. “It’s exciting to see all that is happening here,” Wiens says. Since the Circle reopened in 2004, it has hosted a wide variety of movies, from indie films to documentaries and everything in between. “We show films that make you think,” Wiens says. “We screen all movies before we show them, and we only show quality films from all sides of the spectrum.” In fact, one of the Circle’s highest-grossing showings to date was the documentary “Bully,” which thousands of people attended, including many school groups. “I think the awareness this movie brought to the public was definitely a help in getting the (statewide) anti-bully legislation passed,” Wiens says. “This is the kind of stuff we want to keep doing.” Another highlight was in 2009 when the Circle hosted a Skype session from one of the newly refurbished theaters with renowned director Francis Ford Coppola. “As we were talking to Coppola, he stopped in mid-sentence and looked around at the 44

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theater,” Wiens recalls. “He couldn’t believe he was seeing the theater again (the dilapidated theater was a backdrop for the Coppola-directed 1983 film “The Outsiders,” filmed largely in Tulsa). He got so excited to see that it had been restored.” With the help of grants, gifts and donations from foundations, businesses and individuals, Circle Cinema is undergoing the final part of its $2.5-$3 million expansion, which supporters hope to complete by the birthday reopening. “We opened our third theater last November, and our newest and largest theater (seating 250) will open this July,” Wiens says. “We are also expanding the lobby, putting in a new concession stand and renovating the front façade (and original theater entrance). All our renovations will also maintain the integrity of the original building whenever possible.” A Route 66 preservation grant and local matching funds are helping support the renovation of the front façade, which will have a 1952 motif. All four theaters feature plush seats in an intimate setting. Each theater has been designed so that every row has great visibility, Wiens says. A new concession stand will feature serve-yourself gourmet snacks, Nathan’s Hot Dogs and an extensive coffee bar. Future plans might allow for a bar at the Circle’s former concession stand that would allow customers to order wine or a cocktail to sip while watching a movie. Wiens also is refurbishing the original twomanual, four-rank, Robert Morton pipe organ that was used when the theater played silent movies. “I have a waiting list of people who are dying to play our organ,” he says. “We will incorporate live organ music during special events such as when we show ‘White

The newly reopened theater lobby features a gallery.

Christmas’ or silent films. It will really add to the overall experience.” Circle Cinema plans to expand its monthlong summer matinee film series in 2014 and plans to host special programming for children during holiday breaks starting later this year. Wiens’ vision to show cutting-edge films in a historical, intimate and unique setting has come to fruition. For him, it has truly been a multi-phased labor of love. “I haven’t taken a penny from this place,” he says. “I just want to see Tulsans enjoy this theater — that is my legacy.” tþ

GRAND REOPENING EVENTS Friday-Sunday, July 12-14 — Circle Cinema is working on several events and special movie showings featuring entertainment legends and notable dignitaries from Oklahoma. For a schedule of grand reopening events, please visit www.circlecinema.com. 6-10 p.m., Monday, July 15 — The Circle will host an 85th birthday celebration that is free and open to the public. South Lewis Avenue from Admiral Boulevard to East First Street will close to traffic for a street party, including food trucks, birthday cake and live music. Inside, all four theaters will show highlights of the Circle’s history, including interviews with film stars and other icons of the industry. Staff also will offer tours of its recent renovations.

A great amount of pride comes from doing things the right way. It’s about being dedicated to every detail, and having the vision to see the end goal. At MidFirst Bank, we believe that level of commitment is worth the effort. Because we feel that we have a responsibility to do what’s right by you. To make sure your money performs at the highest level.

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VisitTulsa promotes our area to conventions, associations and meeting planners. We also launched a comprehensive campaign to engage the local community and generated $1.4 billion in economic impact to the Tulsa region. That’s good progress, but we’re just getting under way. Stronger. Together. Join us.

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STRONG TulsaPeople takes the economic pulse of five Tulsa communities committed to regional growth. by BOB HARING

Broken Arrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Main Street includes restaurants, shops and other businesses. 46

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Wes Smithwick, Broken Arrow chamber president and CEO, stands in the city’s newly named Rose District, which commemorates a past in which the community was known as “the city of roses.”

regional effort for economic development has been generally successful for Tulsa and its suburbs. The program, dubbed Tulsa’s Future, also is innovative in the way it combines the efforts of chambers of commerce, municipalities and the private sector across northeast Oklahoma. “It is unusual to find this many chambers and municipalities working together,” says Matt Pivarnik, executive vice president and COO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. He says it may be “unique to find this many organizations putting aside competition and working as one.” The basic thrust is seven economic development compacts among the Tulsa chamber and the chambers of commerce in Broken Arrow, Jenks, Owasso, Sand Springs, Bixby and Sapulpa. They joined together in 2006 in a Tulsa’s Future project to create new jobs — one that has been so successful, its goal was increased. It began as a five-year initiative to attract 10,000 jobs paying $50,000 a year or more. Two and a half years later, 7,000 jobs have already been added and the goal raised to 15,000 jobs. Those jobs “run the gamut on size,” Pivarnik says, from a 500-job expansion to smaller organizations adding 25 jobs. “We work together on prospects,” he says, understanding that a new job in any community will benefit the entire area.

BROKEN ARROW Broken Arrow was the first Tulsa suburb to experience major development, spurred by construction of an expressway to connect it to the central city.

It is now the largest suburb, with more than an estimated 100,000 residents — larger than all other Tulsa suburbs combined. In fact, it is Oklahoma’s fourth-largest city with still more room and opportunities to grow. That growth “has been both a challenge and an opportunity,” says Lisa Frein, director of downtown development for the Broken Arrow Economic Development Corp. “National retailers and developers are now paying closer attention to Broken Arrow,” she says, because of its size and its “coveted audience of young, educated families with disposable income.” The challenges, she says, are to maintain the public infrastructure and “recruit the businesses, retailers and service providers needed” to support the growing community. The city, the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce and its Economic Development Corp. work together to meet those challenges, she says. Broken Arrow is the state’s third-largest hub of manufacturing, with more than 300 companies. Some are newcomers, but others have grown with the city. Blue Bell Creameries has been there since 1992. Flight Safety, a world leader in aircraft simulators, has more than 700 employees and inspired a number of related companies to locate there. A company started in a garage and a firm formed by two brothers evolved into Tactical Electronics, creating state-of-the-art military and law enforcement technology, and Air Hygiene, a world leader in emission testing. Businesses are attracted to Broken Arrow, Frein says, by “ample land available; great housing options for employees; an outstanding school system; and strong educational partners Continued on p. 48 TulsaPeople.com

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STRONG Continued from p. 47 in Tulsa Technology Center, Tulsa Community College and Northeastern State University.” The retail sector also has boomed, with restaurants, small shops and such major national operators as Bass Pro and Dick’s Sporting Goods. A new 110-acre Warren Theater project will feature “a unique movie-going experience,” plus dining and other retail venues, Frein says. It also could be a catalyst for other development, just as Bass Pro inspired two hotels, numerous restaurants and stores and has become a regional attraction, which Frein says “essentially proved the market to be more than just a suburb.” That was a product of developers who provided the land along with a city investment of $24 million in infrastructure and buildings. But economic development opportunities remain, Frein says. “Broken Arrow has only utilized around half of its total landmass, so there is plenty of room to grow,” she says. “We are actively working to recruit new retailers to the community with national recruitment efforts, and we have an active business retention and expansion program to help grow the existing businesses and manufacturers in the community, as well as work to attract new businesses.” Broken Arrow works actively with Tulsa and other suburbs, as well as with Wagoner County, which comprises some of the city. Downtown redevelopment also is under way as the result of a revitalization master plan developed several years ago. Leaders looked at what was happening in downtown Tulsa and other cities. Three years ago, a group took a two-day bus tour to inspect other communities and gather ideas. From that came the naming of the area as the Rose District, commemorating a past in which Broken Arrow was known as “the city of roses.” A streetscaping project will convert a portion of Main Street, which includes restaurants, shops and other businesses, into a pedestrian-friendly entertainment district. That area may be small, says Wes Smithwick, Broken Arrow chamber president and CEO, “but its impact is huge.”

JENKS Jenks’ economic development appears healthy despite a lack of commercial property on the market. Much of the recent activity has been in the retail sector, including the sale of RiverWalk Crossing to the Muscogee Creek Nation and development of a major mixed-use center. Both projects are along the banks of the Arkansas River. The community’s traditional antique shopping area in the historic downtown also 48

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Josh Driskell, president of the Jenks Chamber of Commerce, stands before the city’s newest development, the Village on Main, a large complex that is about 25 percent complete.

Jenks’ Main Street is popular for its abundance of antique stores.

remains vital, says Josh Driskell, president of the Jenks Chamber of Commerce. The biggest challenge for Jenks, Driskell says, “is the fact that it is landlocked and there is not an abundance of commercial property.” But, he says, “that creates a unique opportunity to do special developments.” The next big one is the Village on Main, a large complex now about 25 percent complete. When done, it will have a six-story bank headquarters, a variety of other office space, a highend restaurant, a new Green Acres Market and a 550-car, five-story parking garage. It is spearheaded by Duane Phillips, a structural engineer who also has a development company. “There just is not a lot of retail and office

space in Jenks,” Phillips says, “so I saw an opportunity (developing land on the west side of the 96th Street Bridge) to expand retail and office development.” Approximately 40,000 cars a day pass over the bridge in view of the Village on Main, which also is visible from the Creek Turnpike, he says. One component of the riverfront development, the Waterfront Grill, abuts the Oklahoma Aquarium, which has become a tourist destination. RiverWalk Crossing, located on the river’s west side, was one of Jenks’ earliest developments. With office space, restaurants, retail shops and a movie theater, the complex thrived for a few years after it was built, but the

Glenpool’s new city conference center hosted 232 events in 2012.

and a new Creek Turnpike, which “provide ease of access to other parts of Tulsa and the state ... as well as other large cities, such as Oklahoma City, Dallas and Kansas City.” It means families are able to live in Jenks, but work elsewhere in the area — though employees of Jenks’ new office buildings also are beginning to relocate there, boosting the local real estate market. “Jenks has had a lot of success building a diverse workforce,” Phillips says, citing retail jobs as well as positions with companies such as Kimberly-Clark, Tulsa Winch and Continental Wire Cloth. He predicts, “With the construction of the First Oklahoma Bank headquarters, our office workforce and daytime population will explode.”

GLENPOOL David Tillotson, Glenpool’s assistant city manager, at the city’s new Tulsa Community College campus

developers and investors became involved in a dispute. Eventually a bank foreclosed for nonpayment of $28 million in loans. The Creeks bought the center at a Tulsa County sheriff’s foreclosure auction for $11.5 million and have begun its rejuvenation. It is across the river from the tribe’s River Spirit Casino, which has plans to build a major hotel. “That presents a great opportunity,” Driskell says, with the Creek “interest in high-end development there.” Jenks has “a great working relationship with other suburbs and the Tulsa chamber,” he adds, with “the goal to bring people from outside the area ... For businesses looking to locate here, the Jenks demographic is undeniably attractive.”

He attributes much of that to a strong school system, high-quality housing options and a strong quality of life. Development “is all tied together,” Phillips agrees. “You need retail first, then housing, then manufacturing.” He notes that some of the major retail development has brought new businesses to the area, such as art galleries, clothing shops and boutiques. “We are truly trying to grow the Oklahoma economy,” Phillips says, “not just move tenants from one retail center to another.” Improved transportation has been a major factor in development. Phillips cited a new 96th Street Bridge connecting Jenks’ Main Street with Tulsa’s expanded Riverside Drive

Tulsa’s first boomtown suburb is booming again. Glenpool was established with the 1905 discovery of the Glenn Pool, at one time the world’s richest oil field. That helped make Tulsa “the oil capital of the world,” but when oil activity moved elsewhere, Glenpool reverted to a small town to the south. For some years, it was considered “too far away” or “too blue collar,” but the general push of Tulsa development to the south coupled with improved highway access and more affordable housing are changing those perceptions, says Mandy Vavrinak, owner of Crossroads Communications and an economic development consultant to the city. U.S. Highway 75, the Creek Turnpike and regional highways have improved access to Glenpool, and more affordable housing has attracted a lot of young families, new employers and retail establishments. “We seek to make our community truly development friendly, to do a good job of working with retailers, business owners, land owners and residents to fill needs, take care of problems, and generally smooth out any bumps encountered along the way,” says David Tillotson, assistant city manager. Glenpool participates in regional development projects associated with the Tulsa Regional Chamber, believing job creation “is very much a regional approach,” Vavrinak says, “because any major industrial, commercial or technology-based endeavor locating in the Tulsa metro will affect the entire area to some extent.” Even successful retail development, she says, benefits everyone. She cited the major Tulsa Hills shopping area to the north as helping to Continued on p. 50 TulsaPeople.com

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STRONG Continued from p. 49 overcome any worries about development to the west of Tulsa. Growth in Glenpool has run the gamut, from a new Tulsa Community College campus to a 199,000-square-foot Walmart Supercenter to a major medical clinic, a major motel and a variety of restaurants and local and regional businesses. Some “homegrown” employers such as Champagne Metals and Phoenix Industrial Insulation also have expanded and added jobs. Phoenix, for example, started as a husband and wife company but now serves Public Service Co. of Oklahoma facilities over a broad area, regularly employing about 50 workers with seasonal peaks up to 100. Transportation has been key in Glenpool’s new economy. A four-lane Highway 75 carries 45,000 cars a day and makes it 15 minutes from Glenpool City Hall to the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa, Vavrinak says, while fourlane roads connect to Bixby on the east and Sapulpa on the west. A new city conference center hosted 232 events in 2012, ranging from trade shows to art exhibits to weddings, attended by an estimated 40,000 people. The city also has made major investments in parks and recreational facilities and passed a $25 million bond issue for school improvements in 2010. The combination of “general growth patterns, affordable land and homes, access to the metropolitan area, and a community that feels like home to families will continue to drive growth in Glenpool,” Vavrinak says.

OWASSO Aerospace, medical care and education are key elements in Owasso’s economic development, according to Gary Akin, president of the Owasso Chamber of Commerce. Homebuilding and retail development continue to expand, he says, but “growth is related Retail and commercial development off U.S. Highway 169 in Owasso

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to maintaining jobs.” That, he says, requires a regional approach, “so we’re working with our neighbors to develop our region for quality jobs ... it will benefit all of us if we improve primary jobs.” Transportation also is a factor, he says, and continued improvement of Highways 75 and 169 “will expedite growth.” Owasso’s location between those highways “funnels significant traffic counts right to our doorstep,” agrees David E. Charney, a major builder and developer who grew up in the town. It enables the community to attract business both from Tulsa and from areas to the north, as far as southern Kansas, he says. Akin cited the American Airlines maintenance base at Tulsa International Airport — “critical to the entire region” — and the nearby Port of Catoosa as key elements. Owasso also has seen an increase in health care jobs with two hospitals bringing jobs there and to related Gary Akin, president of the Owasso Chamber of Commerce, at the Tulsa Technology Center campus in Owasso, where Tulsa Community College also will offer classes.

medical facilities. Tulsa Tech is opening a major campus in Owasso, and Tulsa Community College also will offer classes there. All of that has produced residential growth, with construction up 25 percent last year in new residential construction, and major retail development, including a 28-acre Sam’s complex, restaurants and other businesses. Overall, Akin says, “I think we’re doing very well.” However, he says, “a lot of the dollars and issues that impact Owasso are regional.” That is why Owasso supports efforts such as the Tulsa’s Future program. “We need Tulsa to be dynamic,” he says. “That core is important.” The Tulsa Tech campus, “second to none in the state,” will bring employees and students to the area, Charney says, and will help in a renewed effort to bring in quality jobs. “We are looking to broaden our appeal to

Krystal Crockett, president of the Bixby Metro Chamber of Commerce, at the Bentley Park playground

Left, in addition to residential and commercial growth, Bixby also has retained its traditional agricultural industry, with farm operators such as Conrad. Below, Bixby’s Dawes Street is the city’s main thoroughfare.

attract other professional jobs to our region, based on quality of life and a quality educational system,” he says, in a “cooperative effort between the public sector and private sector.” A number of smaller manufacturing groups have come in, as well, he says. He cited National Steak and Poultry, a food processor that produces menu items for national chains. That has a double benefit because it uses local labor, providing jobs and markets for beef and poultry producers.

Charney, who owns housing construction and land development companies, says Owasso must seek new employers and new retail opportunities to serve its growing number of households.

BIXBY “Bixby is booming,” claims Bixby Mayor Ray Bowen, citing a residential growth rate of 69 percent from 2000-2012.

He says the community south of Tulsa “is trying to catch up on retail.” Recent growth has included five to six major bank branches in the past four to five years, two motels, two major food stores and a number of restaurants, says Krystal Crockett, president of the Bixby Metro Chamber of Commerce. There has been a downtown rejuvenation with “a good handful of businesses” opening, including a performing arts training studio, Crockett says. But Bixby also has retained its traditional agricultural industry, with farm operators such as Conrad and Carmichael and a number of major sod farms. She says many smaller businesses have expanded “because they just have to get bigger to meet customer demand.” Both Crockett and Bowen decried the need to focus on retail development simply because sales tax is a municipality’s only source of revenue. “That forces us to go after retail, and we would much rather be going after jobs,” Bowen says. However, he adds that retail also has created some jobs, and “we need more retail for more revenue ... keeping up our infrastructure is our biggest challenge.” Much of Bixby’s residential growth has been fueled by its location, with good highway access to Tulsa and other areas through an expanded Memorial Drive — Highway 64 — and four-lane roads to the west toward Jenks and Glenpool. A 115-acre sports complex built by the city and recently updated with a $5 million renovation “has really helped downtown,” Bowen says. “It’s amazing how many people it brings in ... a lot of out-of-town people ... it helps make us a nice destination.” The SpiritBank Event Center on the north side also draws visitors and residents. Bixby attracts a lot of high-end residential development and has an average household income of $95,000, according to Claritas. That is due in part, Bowen says, to “a good school system ... and great quality of life with the sports complex and other family attractions.” He says growth is split between people moving to Bixby from other parts of the region and relocating there from out of the area. The city government and chamber work closely together, Crockett and Bowen say, and with other communities. “There are a lot of ways to work together to the advantage of all,” Bowen says. “One of the big challenges is that our only source of revenue is sales tax and that pits municipalities against each other. “Getting some diversity from the state for revenue would be a tremendous help.” tþ

TulsaPeople.com

OFFICE Janet Selser and Robert Schaefer, owners of Selser Schaefer Architects, dubbed this workspace “the room” — a 100-by-75-foot factory floor with soaring ceilings.

Tulsa business owners are giving old city structures a second chance at life. by ASHLEY ANTLE

n the Roaring ’20s, downtown Tulsa was the social and business hub of the city. Back then, Main Street and the city’s center were growing by $1 million per month with much of the skyline being shaped by the era’s popular art deco architecture, according to the Tulsa Regional Chamber website www.tulsadowntown.org. But like most cities in America, urban sprawl eventually lured people and businesses out of downtown and into the suburbs, weakening the relevancy of the town center ... until today. 52

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The neighborhood names Brady, Blue Dome, East Village, Deco, Pearl, SoBo, Greenwood and Kendall-Whittier are synonymous with Tulsa’s urban revitalization movement that is once again making downtown and its surrounding districts the place to be and be seen. These districts and neighborhoods are home to numerous locally owned and one-of-a-kind restaurants, retailers, gathering spots, artistic outlets, sports venues, historical monuments, entertainment centers and living spaces.

While each of these districts has its own unique history, architectural identity and vibe, they have one thing in common — visionary people. These are entrepreneurs committed to turning what once was old and, in many cases, in disrepair, into something new, visually stunning and useful. They love this city and believe in making the heart of Tulsa a vibrant center for work and pleasure. They are breathing life back into abandoned buildings and beautifying street corners once considered blemishes on the face of Tulsa.

SPACE Icehouse to architecture firm In June 2012, Selser Schaefer Architects purchased the 1920s-era Tulsa Ice Co. building located at 2002 E. Sixth St. in the burgeoning Kendall-Whittier neighborhood for what owners Janet Selser and Robert Schaefer considered a trifecta of criteria. “We had been looking for a building to rehabilitate for a few years … a building the right size, a building with character and in an area of Tulsa that was experiencing a renaissance,” Schaefer says. The building houses what the two dubbed “the room” — a 110-by-75-foot factory floor with soaring 26-foot ceilings. They first saw it while peering through the massive windows

that line all sides of the space and knew it would be the perfect office area for their team of architects and interior designers. “The daylight that came in through the windows was just spectacular,” Selser says. “We were hooked.” The architects envisioned a modern space where as much as possible of the original architecture, character and even surface imperfections of the building would remain unchanged. “We knew exactly what we wanted to do with the room, which was nothing,” Schaefer says. Their vision was to remove anything in the space that was not part of its original form and bring back as much of its early glory as possible. The result is a stunning mix of old and new,

where the warmth and charm of exposed brick walls and original columns and beams meets the contemporary art effect of visible electrical cables, John Boos butcher block desktops, minimalist furniture and the purposely exposed fire sprinkler riser. In “the room,” architects and interior designers work side by side in the large space unencumbered by cubicles or office walls. “Our employees have said they are never going to work in an office with a 9-foot ceiling again,” Schaefer says. The staff kitchen is anchored by a 20-foot table made from a bowling alley Selser and Schaefer found in the building. On pleasant days one will find employees enjoying lunch Continued on p. 56 TulsaPeople.com

OFFICE SPACE

Clockwise from top left: An office gallery showcases the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past work; the reception area; visitors to the office often leave remarks about the newly remodeled space; the outdoor lounge area was once the Tulsa Ice Co. loading dock; the exterior of Selser Schaefer Architects; the staff kitchen is anchored by a 20-foot table made from a bowling alley Selser and Schaefer found in the building.

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Clockwise from top left: The newly remodeled exterior of Talmadge Powell Creative, which was once an auto body shop; the office features an open-concept room free of cubicles or dividing walls; the conference room features vintage 1969 Herman Miller chairs and recycled carpet squares; the staff kitchen; the workspace features three garage doors that assist in loading and unloading supplies for events; the wall in the lobby area is the only original wall the firm chose to keep.

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OFFICE SPACE

Continued from p. 53 Architecture firm owners Schaefer and Selser

or taking a meeting in the outdoor lounge area that was once the icehouse’s loading deck. The hallway just off the building’s entrance serves as the company’s gallery space to showcase its work, which includes the design of notable Tulsa structures such as the Hardesty Arts Center, Morton Comprehensive Health Center, Tulsa Boys Home and the TCC Center for Creativity. The owners couldn’t be happier with their new Kendall-Whittier location. “It was important for us to be in a place where we could truly make a difference through our architecture,” Selser says. “It wasn’t that we needed to be in any specific place, but we needed to find a building that needed its soul back.”

new space needed to reflect the company’s celebrated image, style and aesthetic. “We wanted a space that could feel cool and creative and have a nice overall vibe about it,” says Powell, the company’s founder and principal. It also needed to meet some specific criteria such as having ample parking, a location adjacent to downtown and loading space for event equipment. Oddly enough, an old body shop and mechanic’s garage at the corner of East 11th Street and South Cheyenne Avenue was the perfect fit. “I think we knew early on we wanted to do urban renewal,” says Todd Pyland, Talmadge Powell creative director and principal. “We liked the idea of finding a space that we could breathe new life into as opposed to new construction or the standard office space. We wanted to find something that we could put our own signature on.” With the help of an architect and contractors, Powell and company stripped the inside of the building down to the studs, keeping only one original wall that separates the lobby from the office area. Three overhang garage doors on the back of the building remain and are used for loading and unloading event equipment and provide ample light for work. The office area, located in the old garage where mechanics repaired cars, is an open-

concept room free of cubicles or dividing walls. It’s a design feature, Pyland says, that sparks creativity and increases communication among team members. The original concrete floor has been polished, but the character-adding dents and imperfections were left untouched. One of two original oil trap trenches that run the width of the building along the floor was the perfect fit to house the electrical and media equipment wires in the office area — an example of the inventive thinking that transformed the building from an industrial space into a sleek, modern and visually uncluttered workplace. “That was easy to think of but difficult to execute,” Pyland says. “We threw some big curve balls to the contractor.” Furnishings throughout the office give a nod to mid-century modern design, especially the vintage 1969 Herman Miller conference table chairs designed by Charles Eames and purchased from Tulsa’s Mod50s Modern. Staying true to the company’s passion for sustainability, recycled and refurbished materials are used throughout the space. The conference room is finished with recycled carpet squares, and a focal corner window made by 3Form displays strips of recycled magazines sandwiched between resin panels. Artwork throughout the building features local artists, a touch that makes the building even more rooted in Tulsa’s unique culture.

Car garage to creative one-stop shop Talmadge Powell is known for his creativity and ability to transform a space into a spectacular event experience. Last year the Tulsa event designer expanded his business into a full-service creative shop, adding marketing, advertising, branding and design to his company’s services. With the new brand identity and the addition of two business partners came the need for a larger office space. Like the signature Talmadge Powell Creative event where out-of-the-box creativity and attention to detail is paramount, the 56

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Talmadge Powell Creative founder and principal Talmadge Powell and Todd Pyland, the firm’s creative director and principal

Now home to Michael Brothers Hair, the building was gutted to feature an open floor plan, mixed metal finishes and clean lines.

Harvard’s makeover man For years, hair stylist Michael Brothers has been masterfully styling the locks of Tulsa women. Now, he’s using his eye for beauty to remake and revitalize dilapidated buildings along a strip of South Harvard Avenue near The University of Tulsa campus. Brothers started his venture in property development six years ago with the purchase of a 1920s building that now houses his salon, Michael Brothers Hair, at 1148 S. Harvard Ave. In its early life, the building was everything from a video rental store to a restaurant. It had been abandoned for about a year and fell into disrepair, but Brothers had the vision to turn it into something more. “The only thing this building had going for it was that it was an open box,” Brothers says. “In the state it was in, the most appealing thing about it was the price. I looked at different types of spaces, both newer and remodeled. I basically concluded the long-term benefits (of purchasing an old structure) were more appealing and the cost to renovate was more cost effective.” With the help of general contractor Kurt Barron, Brothers gutted the inside of the building and replaced the roof, HVAC system and electrical wiring. Antiques Warehouse owner Dale Gillman sourced and provided many of the fixtures and furnishings featured in the salon, including the large, beehive-shaped

entry light reminiscent of the popular 1960s hairstyle. The eye-catching focal piece hangs in the front entrance and immediately captures the interest of entering clients. For design inspiration, Brothers and his business partner, Amanda Fields, traveled to salons in Los Angeles and New York. The finished product is now a space with the look and feel of a modern art gallery, featuring an open floor plan, mixed metal finishes and clean lines. “We wanted to create something you would see in a very high-end environment on the coast that you could recreate and clients could experience here in the Midwest,” Brothers says. His vision for revitalization goes far beyond the four walls of his salon. He has caught the restoration bug, so to speak. RoBros, a partnership between Brothers and entrepreneur Keith Roberts, recently purchased two buildings on South Harvard Avenue. They remodeled the building next to the salon, formerly home to one of Tulsa’s early post offices and, more recently, a skate shop. It opened its doors in April as Revvd Fitness, managed by trainers Kevin and Emily Wilson. Brothers is tightlipped about plans for the building two doors down, but believes his strip of Harvard will soon be a destination. “I have some ideas about the neighborhood,” he says. “We’re heavily invested in it, and I could not be happier to be here. Before I’m done, Harvard will be a lifestyle strip.” tþ

The exterior of Michael Brothers Hair

Michael Brothers TulsaPeople.com

In its last fiscal year, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma (CFBEO) distributed nearly 15.5 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 12.8 million meals. 58

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Part 5 Oklahoma ranks poorly in many

national categories, leading us to explore six of these rankings and the reasons behind them.

EMPTY PLATES Oklahoma ranks fifth in the nation for food insecurity — inconsistent access to food. TulsaPeople studies the extent of our hunger problem and what some organizations are doing to impact it. Stories by SCOTT WIGTON

If you are hungry

and don’t know when your next meal is coming, it’s probably a good idea to take full advantage of every opportunity to eat. That’s what Katie Plohocky did years ago when she was trying to support herself and her three young children. “There was just not enough money to go around,” she recalls. Plohocky received food from a local pantry and even supplemented her family’s diet from a small garden. Still, there were times she had to take more drastic action. “The worst story was when a girlfriend and I went to a restaurant with an all-you-can-eat buffet,” she says. “We (each) took a gallon Ziploc bag with us, and we filled them up. We were able to feed our kids for a week on that.” When there was a little bit of money, she felt she had to get maximum calories for her dollars, which meant buying high-sugar, high-fat, processed foods. The kids were full, but the food wasn’t exactly healthy, and it wasn’t establishing good eating habits for the future. Plohocky and her children eventually were able to escape a downturn that took them into hunger and homelessness, but the experience indelibly marked her psyche and made her determined to help those who today face similar circumstances (see “Groceries on the go” sidebar, p. 64) by giving them healthy, affordable food choices. “I know what it’s like to be hungry,” she says. “I know what it’s like to not know where your next meal is coming from.” Continued on p. 60 TulsaPeople.com

Continued from p. 59 Eileen Bradshaw, CFBEO executive director

FOOD INSECURITY — Consistent access to adequate food is limited by a lack of money and other resources at certain times during the year.

17.7% of Oklahoma’s population (664,890 people, including 244,050 children) are considered food insecure. Source: Feeding America’s 2012 report

A ‘huge problem’ in Oklahoma Not knowing if or when one’s next meal is coming is a surprisingly common problem for people throughout Oklahoma, including the Tulsa area, says Eileen Bradshaw, Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma (CFBEO) executive director. “Unfortunately, food insecurity — not knowing if they are going to access food for themselves or their family — is a huge problem,” she says. “Feeding America, the umbrella organization for the network of food banks across our country, collects tons of data, and they are currently saying Oklahoma is fifth in the nation for being food insecure.” As recently as 2010, the U.S.D.A. has ranked Oklahoma as high as No. 1 in the nation for food insecurity — tied with Arkansas. “This is definitely a Top 10 list you don’t want to be on, and it translates into things like one in four of our children in Tulsa County experiencing food insecurity and potentially going to bed hungry at night because there was not enough to eat,” Bradshaw says. The CFBEO helps to cushion the blow for hungry families across 24 eastern Oklahoma counties by distributing food to dozens of partner agencies (many of them churches and ministries) that then provide the food to their clients. In its last fiscal year, the food bank distributed nearly 15.5 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 12.8 million meals. One of these food bank partners is Tulsa’s Restore Hope Ministries. Founded 35 years ago through the United Methodist Church, Restore Hope helped more than 6,000 families last year cope with food insecurity. “The families that come to us, most of them are asking for help for the first time,” says Executive Director Jeff Jaynes. “Food 60

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FOOD BANKS — Oklahoma has two main food banks: the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma based in Tulsa, which serves 24 Oklahoma counties, and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, which serves 53 central and western Oklahoma counties.

In 2011, Oklahoma food banks distributed 63.1 million pounds of food to partner agencies, a 99% increase from 2007. Source: October 2011, Oklahoma Food Security Committee report

SNAP — Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps), which helps families meet part of their dietary needs. Beneficiaries no longer use coupons or stamps, but a card that is used like a debit or credit card.

623,000 Oklahomans use SNAP, with 45% of them children. Source: October 2011, Oklahoma Food Security Committee report

insecurity is a big part of that. Many are not comfortable asking for help. Most are on food stamps, but the benefit isn’t enough to last through the month, so we step in and put food on their table.” Jaynes likes to cite a couple of real-life examples of those who came seeking food assistance. One was a single mom fighting cancer. The day before Thanksgiving 2012, she was laid off. Her choice was between feeding her family or continuing expensive insurance to cover her cancer treatments. Another case was an Iraq war veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The condition kept him from working regularly. He couldn’t afford rent or food. In both cases, Restore Hope jumped in to help, making sure the family and veteran received the food and other assistance they needed. “Through no fault of their own, these people needed help,” Jaynes says. “Yes, I know there are a few people who live off the system, but by far most of our clients are those who are not happy about coming here for help.” Food insecurity isn’t just an affliction of poor, dense urban areas or remote, rural locations. In recent times, more of the suburban middle class has experienced it. The so-called Great Recession triggered this trend, something Broken Arrow Neighbors Executive Director Kim Goddard hadn’t seen much of before. The food bank partner agency in 2012 helped 3,349 families who struggled with food insecurity — many of them middle class. “So many people fought so hard to maintain their self-sufficiency,” Goddard says. “They depleted their savings and their 401(k)s, and by the end of the recession we were seeing a different kind of client — those who had exercised all their options and came to us in dire straits. “It was middle-class people who had fallen on hard times. Those who had been givers to our program now became receivers. I heard so many say, ‘I never had to do this before.’”

Low wages and poor education Even while the U.S. economy has improved and Oklahoma’s unemployment rate (around 5 percent) has dropped to near pre-recession 2007 levels, food insecurity continues to persist. Simply put, hunger in Oklahoma is primarily caused by insufficient income, according to a 2011 report issued by the Oklahoma Food Security Committee. Torri Christian, public policy director for the CFBEO, says several profound, underlying problems promote food insecurity across the state. Continued on p. 62

WIC — Women, Infants & Children. The program provides special supplemental nutrition assistance along with affordable health care referrals.

More than 50% of Oklahoma infants are enrolled in WIC.

Source: October 2011, Oklahoma Food Security Committee report

SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAMS — Targeted to low-income seniors living in urban and rural communities, these programs provide group and home-delivered meals.

About 10% of Oklahoma seniors are poor. In 2011, approximately 5 million meals were provided to food insecure seniors. Source: October 2011, Oklahoma Food Security Committee report

The CFBEO’s Food for Kids Backpack Program sends backpacks of food home with students at risk of going hungry over the weekend.

Food insecurity at school For too

SCHOOL BREAKFAST/ LUNCH PROGRAMS — These programs alleviate hunger for low-income schoolchildren.

For the 2010-11 school year, about 61% of all Oklahoma schoolchildren were enrolled for free or reduced-cost breakfast and lunches. In Tulsa Public Schools, 88% are enrolled in the programs. Source: October 2011, Oklahoma Food Security Committee report

many kids in Tulsa’s classrooms, the specter of food insecurity — not knowing where their next meal is coming from — looms large. In fact, of the approximately 41,000 students in Tulsa Public Schools, an astounding 88 percent qualify for free or reduced-price lunches based on their families’ incomes. That’s more than 36,000 students. Without this program, many or most of these kids would probably experience hunger during the school day that impairs their ability to focus and learn. During the summertime when this program isn’t available, it’s likely many eat less, or eat cheaper, poorer-quality foods, unless they participate in programs such as the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma’s Food for Kids Backpack Program, which sends students home with backpacks of food. Not only are most students on the student lunch program, many of their families also rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps). Getting by on SNAP isn’t easy.

Last December, Dr. Keith Ballard, TPS superintendent, took what was called the SNAP challenge. For two days, he lived on the typical SNAP benefit of $4.23 for a member of an Oklahoma family in need. “It impacted me, and I was surprised,” Ballard reports. “I really didn’t get enough to eat. I had that hungry feeling — it gnaws at you — and it affected how I felt overall. But I had people helping me. I thought of those who don’t have help and no access to a grocery. It could be a disaster for them.” Ballard has no doubt that food insecurity and hunger in the classroom are detrimental to learning and to the future prospects of many. “We must solve hunger issues in the urban setting,” he says. “We have to make sure that kids’ needs are being met. It’s inexcusable to just say that they are on free and reduced lunch. “They are children, and they ought to be fed, and they ought not to have to worry about food. Providing a good education is what helps break the cycle of poverty and hunger.” TulsaPeople.com

Continued from p. 60

“Food insecurity doesn’t exist in a vacuum,” she says. “We may talk about low unemployment, but we don’t talk about things like low pay, incarceration, inequality and lack of investment in education. Sure, we have employment, but we also have significant underemployment. People can’t get jobs with the pay and hours they need.” Christian says nearly one-third of Oklahoma jobs exist in professions with a median pay range below the poverty level. That means Oklahoma has lots of people working, but they’re just not getting paid enough or clocking enough hours to cover all of their living expenses, including food. In 2010, 17 percent of Oklahomans lived in poverty, and today about 18 percent (more than 600,000 people, including one in four children) of the state’s population is classified as food insecure, Christian says. The Oklahoma Policy Institute (OPI) reports that nearly one-third of Oklahoma’s 77 counties has a poverty rate of 20 percent or more, greatly aggravating food insecurity. Poverty, it seems, is at the heart of the issue. But what is at the heart of poverty in Oklahoma? The OPI cites the following reasons for poverty’s persistence: underemployment and low wages; low educational attainment (Oklahoma ranks 48th in spending per pupil); mass incarceration (Oklahoma leads the nation in jailing nonviolent offenders and women); hunger and poor health (Oklahoma ranks 48th in health outcomes); and inequality (people of color still face barriers, and more women in Oklahoma have been raped, stalked or abused by a partner than in any other state).

Handouts are not the answer Anyone who looks seriously at the problem of hunger and food insecurity in Oklahoma knows that providing food to hungry people is, at best, a necessary stop-gap measure. Oklahomans — and Tulsans, in particular — are generous in providing financial and in-kind resources to meet immediate needs. But “providing food is a Band-Aid to the problem,” Christian says. “Food banks and feeding networks are the emergency response to the problem of hunger. They are not a solution to the problem of hunger.” Christian says it’s no use blaming political parties either. Both share culpability since food insecurity and

FOOD DESERT — An area with limited access to affordable and nutritious food, particularly areas composed of predominately lowincome communities. Further defined, it is an area of at least 500 people, or 33% of a census tract, residing more than a mile from a supermarket or large grocery store. 62

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its driving force, poverty, have been serious issues for a long time. Instead, she says Oklahoma needs to make a sustained effort to address the problem of poverty, which in turn will ultimately help alleviate food insecurity. “It’s going to take a long-term public and private partnership to solve this problem,” Christian says. “The answer is not handing out more food. It’s our job as advocates to show lawmakers that the problem is beyond hunger. These things need to be addressed at the legislative level, and we need to make investments in areas like health and education if we want real solutions.” The Rev. Steve Whitaker, president of Tulsa’s John 3:16 Mission, which provides meals and shelter to the homeless and food to at-risk families, agrees the longterm solution is not distributing more food privately or through government programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Women, Infants & Children (WIC). While those services provide valuable emergency assistance, he encourages people to become as self-sufficient as possible. “Over the long haul, you worry that big government programs are not sustainable,” he says. “I personally worry that we are not doing enough to help people care for and provide for themselves.” John 3:16 Mission provided food baskets to more than 8,800 families last year and served 205,000 meals to Tulsa’s homeless. Whitaker, who served on the Oklahoma Food Security Committee, encourages home gardening as part of the solution to food insecurity and poor diets. The Mission offers classes to teach clients various skills, such as gardening and food preparation, that will help them become more self-sufficient. “Oklahoma is a garden state, and people shouldn’t be going hungry,” Whitaker says. “You can grow almost anything here, and we shouldn’t be importing so much food from other states and paying more for it in stores. I truly believe in the saying that ‘If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.’” tþ EDITOR’S NOTE: Scott Wigton provides special insight into the subject of hunger. Along with being a regular contributor to TulsaPeople, he is the assistant development director of John 3:16 Mission, which helps Tulsa’s hungry, homeless and at risk.

FOOD SWAMP — An area with an overabundance of highenergy, low-nutrient foods (such as fast food or convenience store processed foods) that exceed healthy food options. Food swamps are often found in low-income areas and associated with contributing to obesity among the poor. Continued on p. 64

The lunch service at Tulsa’s John 3:16 Mission serves the program’s students — formerly homeless men who are in recovery. TulsaPeople.com

Continued from p. 62

Groceries on the go Consider this scenario:

The cupboards are bare. The refrigerator is nearly empty. The kids are hungry. Groceries are only four hours away. Huh? Four hours? Maybe you’re thinking this hypothetical family lives out in the country somewhere. Wrong. This is a real-life example from right here in urban Tulsa. “This is approximately how long it takes, roundtrip, for someone without their own vehicle living at about 56th Street North and Martin Luther King Boulevard to get groceries from the Gateway Market at Pine Street and Peoria,” says Katie Plohocky, a local entrepreneur and chairwoman of the Tulsa Food Security Council. “They have to catch the bus, go downtown, wait, catch another bus, get dropped off at the store, do their shopping then catch a bus back home with their groceries.” Too many Tulsa residents reside in food deserts — areas where reasonably priced, healthy food remains largely unavailable. This forces residents in these areas, most of whom tend to be low income and often lack their own vehicles, to travel a considerable distance for access to a full-service grocery that offers fresh produce and meats. That is about to change. This month, Plohocky and her business partner, Scott Smith, are rolling out a mobile grocery store to meet the needs of people in Tulsa’s food deserts, particularly in north Tulsa. Their philosophy is that if the people can’t get to the groceries, get the groceries to the people. Called R&G Family Grocers (the R and G stand for Real and Good), the mobile grocery is inside a 28-foot-long converted horse trailer. “It’s going to be really cool,” Plohocky says. “It’s basically one long

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

TulsaPeople.com

Learn more about Tulsa’s food deserts, including where they’re located.

grocery aisle with a freezer and a cash register on one end.” Unlike convenience stores that tend to sell expensive, processed and not particularly healthy food items, the mobile grocery is going to offer many of the items found at larger, full-service stores. “We’re going to have healthy foods, eggs, milk, cheese, breads, grains, yogurts and fresh produce sourced locally,” Plohocky says. “We will have some frozen items and some dry and canned goods and a few hygiene items, as well.” Uniquely, they also will offer “Meals in a Bag,” the complete makings of dishes so that shoppers can quickly prepare healthy meals for their families. “We’ve done a lot of homework to find out what people want to eat in the areas that we will be operating,” she says.

There are two things that won’t be offered: soda and chips, twin culprits in Oklahoma’s obesity epidemic. They are making an exception for ice cream. The mobile grocery will operate in dense urban environments near apartment complexes, senior living facilities and neighborhoods where people can easily access the food. They will accept cash, credit cards and SNAP cards, while keeping prices affordable for shoppers. The two Tulsans are well suited for this innovative venture. Plohocky herself experienced food insecurity and hunger at one point in her life (see main story), while Smith operated the short-lived Blue Jackalope grocery near west downtown Tulsa. Equipped with a business plan and supported by seed money from the Helmerich Foundation,

Katie Plohocky, a local entrepreneur and chairwoman of the Tulsa Food Security Council, and her business partner, Scott Smith, are rolling out a mobile grocery store to meet the needs of people in Tulsa’s food deserts, particularly in north Tulsa. they hope to have a second mobile grocery operating within a year. Ultimately, however, it’s not about making a lot of money. Instead, they want to provide better choices and better outcomes for people living in food insecure areas. In the process, they plan to gather valuable data for those who might consider opening their own full-service groceries in underserved areas. “We’ll be collecting sales data to help people start their own brickand-mortar store,” Plohocky says. “One day, we hope to put ourselves out of business.” tþ

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

With any thriving business, it is the people who make it a success. In an age of technology, iPads and smartphones, it is nice to see a familiar face when you walk through the door of your favorite restaurant, repair shop or fitness center. That personal attention is what gives Tulsa its small-town feel, despite a plethora of big-city offerings. Whether they were born into the family business or have recently opened shop, these “Faces Behind the Places” know that customer service is king. In this special advertising section, we highlight the people responsible for the continued quality of these local establishments. We hope you enjoy these profiles and stories about the people behind some great Tulsa businesses.

After Fx Spa and Salon

Bailey LeClair

Where the after effects will amaze you

Passion, purpose and professionalism drive Bailey LeClair and the After Fx Spa and Salon staff. “Helping people feel good about themselves and beautiful has always been something that made me happy,” says LeClair, who has owned the salon for two years. Education keeps After Fx stylists on the cutting edge of the industry. “We are very focused on education and goals in this salon,” she says. “We are constantly striving to be the best by staying up with the latest trends in fashion After Fx Spa and Salon and beauty.” 2237 W. Washington, After Fx is a certified Redken Broadway Broken Arrow salon, a registered and certified Pureology 918-451-2445 salon and boasts two in-house National www.afterfxsalon.com Board Redken Certified Colorists.

Oklahoma Premier Bariatrics,

Dr. Luis Gorospe

a program of Wagoner Community Hospital Tired of the weight?

Dr. Luis Gorospe changes people’s lives every day as he helps people lose weight, overcome health issues and return to a productive life through bariatric surgery. Gorospe is one of the country’s leading experts in bariatric surgery, having completed more than 3,000 procedures. He was the first to perform laparoscopic roux-en-y gastric bypass in Oklahoma and was the first Oklahoma doctor to be a member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons. Oklahoma Premier Bariatrics offers free monthly seminars for anyone wanting to learn Oklahoma Premier Bariatrics, a program the benefits of weight loss surgery. During of Wagoner Community Hospital these seminars, Gorospe explains the entire 705 W. Queens St., Broken Arrow process, from beginning to end, and assists the 918-252-2800 group of attendees in determining if they are www.centerforsurgicalweightloss.com qualified for surgery. TulsaPeople.com

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Cajun Ed’s Hebert’s Specialty Meats & Restaurant Laissez les bons temps rouler – in Tulsa For Ed Richard, his restaurant and specialty meats counter is about more than just steak, Turducken or seafood. His family’s recipes are what make Cajun Ed’s Hebert’s Specialty Meats & Restaurant a Tulsa favorite for fresh and original Cajun delicacies. “My family has been in the restaurant business for generations,” says Richard. “We still cook some favorite family recipes, but keep adding new ones along the way.”

“Jennifer’s Salad” is just one of those creations. Inspired by his wife, it features shrimp and crab and is becoming a customer favorite, too. Everything is prepared onsite at Cajun Ed’s Hebert’s the big red house Specialty Meats & on East 71st Street, Restaurant open for lunch and 2101 E. 71st St. dinner Monday918-298-8400 Saturday. www.cajuned.com

Ed Richard

Teresa Grasso

Social Security Law Center LLC Social Security disability law — it’s all we do

Local representation means the best chance of success when dealing with Social Security disability claims. With four offices in Oklahoma, Social Security Law Center offers clients expert local representation. Teresa Grasso is the managing attorney in the Tulsa office. Over the last eight years, she has developed a comprehensive knowledge of Social Security disability law. Grasso provides her clients with diligent case development. She zealously represents each client giving them individualized attention. Social Security Law Center LLC “You don’t have to be denied by the Social Security Administration 2241 E. Skelly Drive, Suite 101 before we’ll talk to you about your case,” Grasso says. “The earlier the 918-388-7752 attorneys at Social Security Law Center get involved, the more likely you www.sslcnow.com are to be approved.”

The Tulsa Wedding Show

The Tulsa Wedding Show includes fabulous vendors, discounts and prizes for Tulsa’s engaged couples planning their big day.

“Plan your Day in a Day”

For 20 years The Tulsa Wedding Show has helped engaged couples find everything to make their wedding events an expression of their personalities. Founder Vicki Taylor brings together core services like photography, cakes, flowers, décor and new and innovative exhibitors. The Tulsa Wedding Show pioneered two events unique to Tulsa. “January’s Visit the Venues Day gives attendees the opportunity to personally visit the venues seen at the Show the day before,” says Taylor. “Also, The Tulsa Wedding Show our newest innovation is the Very Held twice a year at the Important Bride (V.I.B.) Elite Preview Renaissance Tulsa Hotel Event, which gives a limited number 6808 S. 107th E. Ave. of ticket holders entrance to the 918-366-3116 Show before the public to receive the www.thetulsaweddingshow.com exhibitors’ individual attention.”

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

Vicki Taylor

SPONSORED EDITORIAL Stylists and owners Amy Ethridge and Michele Wright

The Beauty Shop

Boutique salon features master stylists One of Tulsa’s most stunning newly constructed buildings is the home of The Beauty Shop, a hair salon created by stylists and owners Michele Wright and Amy Ethridge. “We’ve created The Beauty Shop to be a boutique salon that is also luxurious,” says Wright. “Our business is about making each of our customers look amazing, and to bring Tulsa the very best our industry has to offer.” “Our industry is always changing and is an extension of fashion, which makes it exciting and fun,” says Ethridge who along with the salon’s Kristy Shackelford just returned from Paris where they styled hair for Fashion Week. Each stylist at The Beauty Shop is a master stylist with multipleyears experience, including owners Michele Wright and Amy Ethridge, and Kristy Shackelford, each 11 years experience; and Brittany Raney, Katrina Durant and Ashley Gaitlin, each with 6 years.

“We are passionate about what we do and feel it’s important to relate that passion to both our clients and employees,” says Wright. “We are here to give the client the most amazing experience while they are sitting in our chair, and then leave feeling confident and on trend,” adds Ethridge. Services offered at The Beauty Shop include airbrush tanning, facials, waxing, microdermabrasion, The Beauty Shop makeup application, all color, 1402 S. Peoria Ave. cuts, blowouts, Great Length 918-779-7887 extensions, special event styling, www.thebeautyshoptulsa.com editorial styling and runway.

Owners, Josh Ozaras and Shannon Ozaras Palazzo

The Chalkboard Where we live to eat

At The Chalkboard, dinner is more than a meal. It’s an experience. That’s a sentiment Joshua Ozaras and Shannon OzarasPalazzo take to heart. As owners/controllers/operators of the restaurant, the two share a passion for the business. “The ability to have the freedom to create a wonderful atmosphere, a great dining experience and relationships with local and hotel guests are just some of the reasons we love what we do,” says Ozaras-Palazzo. The two were raised in the restaurant business and have developed great values, respect and passion for the industry. At The Chalkboard, each diner is treated like a guest and menus are specifically designed around the seasons. “We take pride in the fact that the majority of our products are locally sourced,” says Ozaras. The owners work with General Manager Tracey Sudberry and Chefs Aaron Shoddy and Anthony Goodman to create uniquely crafted fare featuring only the best and most vibrant culinary creations.

Ozaras and Ozaras-Palazzo assumed ownership of the 14-year-old restaurant in March 2012. The Chalkboard, located in the historic Hotel Ambassador, recently underwent both front and back-of-house renovations. Along with breakfast, lunch The Chalkboard and dinner, The Chalkboard 1324 S. Main St. offers full banquet and meeting 918-582-1964 facilities as well as off-site www.thechalkboard-tulsa.com catering.

TulsaPeople.com

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Final Touch Cleaning Inc.

Local company gives back to those in need

Lindsay Henderson, Sandra Gardner Mullins, Jackie Vu, Brooke Taylor

“We Give Meaning To Cleaning” is more than a motto at Final Touch Cleaning. It is a chosen way of doing business. “When we started our company in 1985, we made it our mission to create a culture of giving,” says Sandra Gardner Mullins, president of the Tulsa company. “We wanted to give back and help our clients do the same.” Final Touch, Oklahoma’s only nationally certified janitorial company, annually donates thousands of dollars to local nonprofits through its client relationships. Final Touch Cleaning supports Cleaning for a Reason, a national foundation that has provided more than $1.2 million in cleaning services to women undergoing cancer treatment. “We believe in community,” said Brooke Taylor, director of operations. “We partner with our clients to help them fundraise for causes they’re passionate about.”

Ludger’s Catering and Private Dining

Mullins’ daughters, Taylor and Lindsay Henderson, work with a team of longtime employees to fulfill the company’s mission: “To whom much is given, much is required.” “We care about our employees, and they care about this company,” said Mullins. “I attribute our success — and our ability to give back to organizations such as YMCA of Greater Tulsa, Catholic Charities and Tulsa Boys Home — to our employees who provide outstanding service, 24 hours a day.” “The Final Touch Advantage is when companies do business Final Touch Cleaning with us, we TOUCH causes 918-663-1919 close to their heart,” Mullins www.finaltouchcleaning.com emphasized.

Ludger’s prepares everything from traditional American fare to smoked meats, Mexican, Italian, and comfort food favorites — a Ludger’s specialty and a trend they’ve seen in many recent events.

Your event. Our passion.

Megan and Chef Scott Sherrill’s passion for their business involves more than a love of food. Helping people plan celebrations, creating new and exciting recipes and meeting people from across the community are just some of the reasons they love what they do. In 2009, the couple purchased Ludger’s Catering and Private Dining from original owner Ludger Schulz. Both Megan and Scott came into Ludger’s with years of restaurant and industry experience. Scott attended and taught culinary school at Oklahoma State University and Megan has worked in restaurant management for many years. With a firm foundation already set by the original owner, the Sherrills decided customer service and continued excellence with food would be their focus. Only having a staff secondto-none can do this, Megan says.

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“We have an amazing staff that makes us look good and we try to take really good care of them and have work be a place they look forward to coming to,” she adds. Ludger’s Catering and Chef Scott says Ludger’s Private Dining specializes in catering for any 6120 E. 32nd Place occasion — from wedding 918-744-9988 receptions and holiday parties to www.ludgerscatering.com corporate events or office lunches.

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Moore Funeral Homes and Crematory; Fitzgerald Funeral Service

Tulsa traditions of strength and care for more than 80 years

Moore’s Memory Chapel opened on East 14th Street and South Peoria Avenue in 1932. Since then, Moore’s has grown with Tulsa with the addition of five more chapels. Eastlawn Chapel, on East 19th Street and South Memorial Drive, opened in 1966. Southlawn Chapel, immediately adjacent to Memorial Park Cemetery on East 51st Street, opened in 1983. Rosewood Chapel, on East 27th Street and South Harvard Avenue, was purchased in 1989. In 2011, Moore’s purchased the two Fitzgerald locations, Ivy Chapel on West 14th Street and South Boulder Avenue, and Southwood Colonial Chapel adjacent to Calvary Cemetery on East 91st Street and South Harvard Avenue. Legendary Tulsa funeral director Joe M. Moore was president of Moore’s for over 50 years until his passing in 2011. His singular message to his staff was to provide the best possible service to Tulsa families.

Parkhill’s Liquors & Wine South

Unique spirits store is a destination

Parkhill’s Liquors & Wine South is not your ordinary liquor store. The core business has been defined by offering guests great product selection, engaging customer service and valued purchasing options for entertainment or party planning needs. “We pride ourselves in not only hiring a staff that is very capable of serving our clients, but have continued to invest in advanced product and inventory education for all of our team,” says owner Tina Parkhill. Store managers Chris Vedda, Tyler Mirt and Phillip Baxter are true professionals dedicated to expanding their product knowledge in this very dynamic industry, the owner emphasizes. The experience of the staff of Certified Wine Specialists, Sommeliers and Certified Spirit Specialists offers customers a carefully chosen selection of unique labels of wine, liquor and beer — many from

Lynne Moore and Elaine Moore Jones

At his death, his son, Dr. Joe P. Moore and his wife, Lynne, took over ownership to carry on this tradition of service. Formerly a registered nurse, Lynne recently became a licensed funeral director and feels a calling to help others. Also carrying on the family legacy is Elaine Moore-Jones, daughter of Joe’s brother, J. Foreman Moore. Elaine is manager of Moore’s Southlawn Moore Funeral Homes Chapel and has a great heart and and Crematory; passion for the business. The goal Fitzgerald Funeral Service at Moore’s is to make every funeral 918-744-1202 event a lasting and memorable www.moorefuneral.com tribute to honor the deceased.

Owner Tina Parkhill with store managers Chris Vedda, Tyler Mirt and Phillip Baxter

artisan winemakers, single barrel distillers, and unique micro breweries — as well as all of the popular brands. The unique store design enables the clientele to easily shop the selections in an elegant clean environment. In addition, Parkhill’s South has implemented a customer education Parkhill’s Liquors & Wine South program through Club Parkhill. The 10018 S. Memorial Drive program offers members exclusive Tulsa, 74133 product reviews, information and 918-528-6700 complimentary access to vendor www.parkhillssouth.com tastings and seminars in the Beyond the Label Tasting Room. TulsaPeople.com

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Muscogee Nation Business Enterprise

Changes Coming to Riverwalk Crossing

“Improvements are in the works at the Riverwalk Shopping Center in Jenks and with the announcement of the River Spirit Hotel and Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville Casino and restaurant development across the river we are experiencing considerable interest from businesses wanting to locate at Riverwalk,” says Woody Anderson, CEO of Muscogee Nation Business Enterprise. Riverwalk, located on the western edge of the Arkansas River at 300 Riverwalk Terrace in Jenks, is a diversified center with retail and office space, restaurants, a movie Muscogee Nation theater, and an outdoor amphitheater Business Enterprise where live band concerts continue 1018 South Wood Drive to be popular on Saturday nights Okmulgee OK 74447 during the summer.

Woody Anderson, CEO Rendering of River Spirit Hotel and Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville Casino

(918) 752-3154

Courtney O’Brien, PhD. Counseling individuals to personal success As a licensed professional counselor, Dr. Courtney O’Brien specializes in treating anxiety, depression and sexual issues within relationships. Sexual addiction is a specialty specific to O’Brien’s practice and encompasses range of behaviors. She also offers sexual health therapy, discussing with individuals the emotional and physical factors associated with intimacy, sexual issues and how to surpass these difficulties to achieve a healthy sexual lifestyle and communications. Family, individual and couples counseling is also available. O’Brien takes a multidimensional approach to healing before resorting to medication when possible. O’Brien says, “Less invasive forms of therapy such as

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

exercise, nutrition and therapies directed toward behavior modification can often help meet the needs of a client’s therapeutic goals.” She provides guidance and the tools for individuals, ages 18 and older, to facilitate a healthier mental and physical growth opportunity. The services are based on understanding one’s symptoms and finding the best method of treatment to help promote growth and provide relief. O’Brien says, “it is not what you do, but how well you invest in your skill and those who embrace you.” Throughout her career, O’Brien says her quest for knowledge and encouragement given from those who have supported her own personal journey, have helped to make a difference in people’s lives.

Dr. Courtney O’Brien, PhD., LPC, MHR

Courtney O’Brien, PhD. 1723 E. 15th St., Suite 250 Office: 918-794-0570 Cell: 918-639-0570 www.drcourtneyobrien.com

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Adam W. Curran

Adam W. Curran Homes Inc. Going beyond the standards

For Adam W. Curran, the attention is in the details. As the owner of his luxury custom home building business, Curran immerses himself in the details for every home he builds. “When you drive up to one of our homes, each one is special,” Curran says, “but it’s when you get inside that you instantly know there is something special about this home. Every detail is special in every room of the house.” Curran has been building luxury homes in Tulsa for seven years. Over that time, he has become known for his superior standards and 100 percent customer satisfaction rate. “The home is truly where life starts and ends every day,” he says. “Your home is your castle and where family memories are made. It’s imperative that every home I create is amazing and exactly meets the clients expectations.” Adam W. Curran Homes offers custom building from $500,000 to more than $3 million, with designs ranging from European cottage to modern. Adam W. Curran Homes reside in the Tulsa-area’s premium

developments and utilize the most experienced craftsmen, designers and architects to create a person’s dream home. While luxurious amenities are always standard in a Curran home, he says new trends and technologies are constantly arising. “The green movement is becoming more and more affordable and therefore more attractive for our clients to invest in their homes,” he says. “We are doing more foam insulation packages that help reduce energy usage and monthly utility costs, as well as incorporating innovative technologies throughout the home.” One of those technologies is the ability to control any part of the home simply by accessing an app on a smartphone or tablet. Adam W. Curran Homes is a member of the National Association of Home Builders and the Home Adam W. Curran Builders Association of Greater Tulsa. Homes Inc. Curran is proud to be a professional 918-510-0246 certified builder by Oklahoma State www.adamwcurran.com Home Builders Association.

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Bill Easley and Brian Hart

Cowen Residential “It Starts with an Idea!”

Cowen Residential is familiar with this concept as they turn homeowner ideas into reality each day. “Every customer gives you the chance to help them realize a dream and achieve a goal,” says Bill Easley, Cowen Residential’s General Manager. “To me there’s nothing more fulfilling professionally than that.” Cowen Residential started as an idea. In response to requests from existing commercial clients, fourth-generation owner John Cowen formed Cowen Residential in 1999 as an independent division of Cowen Construction. It was Cowen’s idea to create a uniquely qualified and diverse team of craftsmen, vendors, designers and subcontractors to make this a reality; all founded on generations of experience. That team approach extends to all company facets. From the principals of the firm to the administrative staff and construction management team — all proudly share an active role in fulfilling a client’s dreams. “The spirit of cooperation and mutual respect for our team members ensures success of the projects in which we are involved,” Cowen says.

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“Our company likes to work where the owners, developers, architect and Cowen are an integrated team working toward the same common goals.” For more than 20 years, Cowen has served as owner and president of the family business, carrying on the tradition of dedication, customer service and craftsmanship set forth by his grandfather in 1896. Recently, the company added a new dimension with the addition of Easley as General Manager. Easley is an industry veteran with more than 30 years of hands-on residential experience. Brian Hart brings years of custom home building experience as Cowen’s Manager, where he manages the company’s residential projects. “With our mix of high-end Tulsa home renovations and additions and custom new homes, we are presented with many challenging Cowen Residential yet rewarding projects that 2200 S. Utica Place showcase the level of craftsmanship 918-582-2220 that’s synonymous with the Cowen www.cowenresidential.com name,” Hart says.

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Dog Dish owner Emily Bollinger with sales associate Megan Shelton, assistant manager Pat Fluegel, and sales associate Denise James pictured in the store’s premium food section. The Dog Dish team is trained and certified in pet nutrition, and James is a certified pet massage specialist.

Dog Dish

Premium Pet Foods and Much More

Question: Why does a store like Dog Dish devote so much of its store space to bags and cans of food for dogs and cats? Answer: Healthy pets are happier pets. “We believe good nutrition will improve the quality and longevity of a pet’s life,” says Emily Bollinger, owner of the popular store in The Farm Shopping Center. “Feeding a pet food with quality ingredients and controlling portion size are proven factors that can extend a dog or cat’s life up to 20 percent. And proper nutrition can prevent common ailments such as ear infections, allergies and tear stains.” Each employee at Dog Dish is trained and certified to be knowledgeable about the store’s selections of holistic foods. As a quality standard, Dog Dish sells pet foods that are produced by a family-owned business or a company that owns and operates its own manufacturing facility. “One of our most popular brands is Orijen which is produced in Canada by Champion Pet Foods,” Bollinger says. “It has been named ‘Pet

Food of the Year’ multiple times by the Glycemic Research Institute for “Best Overall Healthiest Pet Food.’” Fromm, another innovative brand, is produced in Wisconsin. The Fromm family has been producing its premium pet foods since 1904. Dog Dish offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee on all foods in the store, and frequent buyer rewards are available on select brands. “We have free samples of many of our foods for taste-testing, too,” Bollinger noted. The store, now in its 11th year, is also known for its bakery case filled with a large variety of special treats for dogs, plus selections of “unique toys, trendy collars, quality beds and clever apparel” for cats and dogs. “We try to be a complete store for dog and cat lovers,” added Dog Dish Bollinger, “and always welcome 6502 E. 51st St. owners to bring their pets with 918-624-2600 them when they come to the store.”

www.thedogdish.com

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Tom Gilbert/Tulsa World

Hasty-Bake President Richard Alexander

Hasty-Bake Charcoal Oven Pioneering product more popular than ever

Hard to believe it’s been 65 years since Tulsan Grant Hastings produced the original Hasty-Bake Charcoal Oven. The now legendary portable and hooded “backyard cooker” that revolutionized the way food was cooked outdoors is now more popular than ever in its proud history. Since its pioneering development in 1948, Hasty-Bake cooking has attracted much notoriety, been written about in books, and won many awards. And though the local company has undergone many changes over the years, the novel design of the Hasty-Bake Charcoal Oven remains unchanged, and about 2,000 Hasty-Bakes are manufactured in the Tulsa factory each year and sold worldwide. “Our ovens are built for the discriminating chef who desires a cooking environment that produces meals that are superior in taste,” says Richard Alexander, owner of the company since 1994. “Our adjustable fire box offers the flexibility to grill, bake or smoke food and other features — the V-shaped grills, accurate thermometer, removable heat deflector and ventless hood — make the Hasty-Bake a truly unique product and cooking experience.”

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And with high-quality materials and construction, Hasty-Bakes are legendary for their durability. “With proper care and maintenance, one can expect our black powder finish, cold-rolled steel ovens to last 15-25 years and our solid stainless models to be usable virtually forever,” Alexander says. Hasty-Bake operates its own Tulsa manufacturing facility to build its grills and control quality. The facility also fabricates steel parts for other companies. Today, sales of Hasty-Bake ovens and accessories are at an all-time high thanks to robust online sales, a network of dealers, a construction wing that builds outdoor kitchens for homeowners, and the company’s flagship store at its headquarters in Tulsa. At the store or on the company website, customers can purchase the variety of Hasty-Bake ovens Hasty-Bake Charcoal Grills and accessories ranging from BBQ 1313 S. Lewis Ave. sauce, apparel, replacement parts, 918-665-8220 charcoal, sauces and seasonings, www.hastybake.com and cooking classes.

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Ace Cuervo

Tamara Noel, seated left, with designers Kristin Yannaccone, Michelle Harrison, Kim Calabrese, and Nancy Horton.

Luxe Home Interiors Popular store announces new ownership

Tamara Noel is the new owner and manager of Luxe Home Interiors, a design center and home furnishings showroom located at 9922 S. Riverside Parkway in the King’s Landing Shopping Center, it has been announced. “I’ve loved this store as a customer and am now very happy to be involved — along with our talented interior design staff — in assisting our clients create perfect living spaces that meet the needs of their lifestyle and budget,” says Noel, a graduate of Bishop Kelley High School and the University of Oklahoma. Luxe is a furniture and design showroom where customers will find everything for their home, including custom upholstery, dining and entertainment center collections, window treatments, rugs, bedding, lighting, art, and accessories. “Updating the décor in an old room or starting from scratch in a new home can be daunting, and most people simply do not have the time or ability to create the desired look and feel in their home,” notes Tamara. “At Luxe we make the process much easier with our complimentary design services. Our professionally trained design consultants will help with ideas

The Chamber ribbon-cutting ceremony at Luxe.

and also be guides through the process whether the customer is desiring a single piece of furniture or a whole room makeover.” Interior design consultants at Luxe are Kristin Yannaccone, Kim Calabrese, Michelle Harrison and Nancy Horton. “Each is talented, skilled and helpful whether a customer knows exactly what is wanted or is in need of guidance,” says the store owner. “Even if we don’t have what you are looking for in our showroom, it can be ordered from our extensive collection of fine vendors.” “We want Luxe to be a place where clients will find virtually everything they would like to have in their home, and at a price for every budget,” Noel says. “A walk into our store presents an opportunity to see some of the most requested styles in furniture and accessories, as well as a wide array of Luxe Home Interiors the unique. Add in the work of our 9922 S. Riverside Parkway designers and there are no limits to 918-459-8950 what we can offer our customers.” www.luxetulsa.com

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Dr. Cathy Burden, before her retirement, with Union elementary school students.

Murphy Sanitary Supply Union Legacy Fund honors Dr. Cathy Burden

Dr. Cathy Burden spent 19 years “Forming a More Perfect Union” as the superintendent of Union Public Schools until her retirement in June. All of us at Murphy Sanitary Supply join others in saluting Dr. Burden for her innovative leadership that resulted in strong student achievement and a positive school culture for Union’s students, families and employees. Upon Dr. Burden’s retirement, members of the Union Board of Education established the Dr. Cathy Burden Legacy Fund through the Union Schools Education Foundation to honor her work. The goal is to raise enough money for the fund to become an endowment to help fund three of Dr. Burden’s overarching initiatives at Union: early childhood education, community schools, and college/career readiness.

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

Murphy Sanitary Supply is proud to contribute to the Dr. Cathy Burden Legacy Fund so that these three important initiatives will perpetuate within Union Public Schools. Our company, now in its 11th year of business in Tulsa, distributes a complete line of cleaning chemicals, janitorial products, commercial paper, cleaning equipment, facilitates customized training, and maintains an equipment repair division for industrial, commercial and retail customers. “We work very hard to offer the highest quality products and service from a very knowledgeable and trained team,” says Jeannie Murphy, founder and president of the janitorial supply company. “We believe in going the extra mile for our customers.”

Dr. Burden at her retirement reception where the establishment of the Dr. Cathy Burden Legacy Fund was announced. Murphy Sanitary Supply 13105 E. 61st Street, Suite B Broken Arrow, 74012 918-461-2200 www.murphysanitary.com

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John Allan, CEO, along with Rick Willhour, Senior VP, who is the newest member of our lending team, and Doug Terry, EVP of Lending.

ONB Bank and Trust Company Strong roots. Endless possibilities.

Honesty. Sincerity. Enthusiasm. Success. These four core values are at the heart of ONB Bank, a financial service provider serving the Tulsa area. Since its founding in 2000, the financial institution’s devotion to these values has lead it to the title of one of Forbes Magazine’s “Best Banks in America,” an honor bestowed on ONB for four consecutive years, as part of Central Bancompany, a $9.7 billion bank holding company with 13 fullservice community banks in 235 locations and 66 communities. Central Bancompany serves consumers and businesses in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Illinois. “As in the past, this is a tribute to our dedicated employees and their commitment to prudent banking practices,” says President and CEO John B. Allan. “We also want to thank our valued customers for the loyalty they have shown to our banks.” Allan leads an executive team comprised of Doug Terry, executive vice president-lending; Pat Zimmerman, executive vice president; and Steve Schooley, executive vice president and chief financial officer. This group of individuals leads the ONB team in the community and is committed to providing exceptional service in the markets we serve. As with any other

industry, technology continues to evolve and changes the way banks do business. As more and more customers rely on mobile technology for banking services, ONB has implemented many more technology-based financial services. “Mobile banking is truly changing the way we conduct business and serve our customers,” Allan says, “It has proven to provide efficiencies for our institution, added convenience for our customers, and is already playing a more significant role in monetary transactions.” One way the bank is doing this is with “Checknology” — Technologically Advanced Checking. This new checking package has unsurpassed features, tools and mobile applications that make customers’ money work harder for them. ONB has six full-service locations in the greater Tulsa metropolitan area, including ONB Bank and the communities of Owasso and Sapulpa. Trust Company Serving Central Oklahoma, ONB has 8909 S. Yale Ave. offices in Stillwater and Edmond. A variety 918-477-7400 of personal and business services are offered www.onbbank.com at all these convenient locations.

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POSTOAK Canopy Zipline Tours offer guided fun.

Greg Robinson, owner of Challenge Quest LLC oversees Oklahoma’s only Canopy Tour Zip line adventure at POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat.

POSTOAK Canopy Tours

Zipping along for organizational development or pure fun

Greg Robinson has a unique perspective on Tulsa. Flying through the Osage Hills along a 3/4-mile long zip line, he has a birds-eye view of Tulsa while coasting along the POSTOAK Canopy Tour. As the owner of Challenge Quest LLC and partner in Adventure Quest Recreation, Robinson offers experiential training programs and oversees seven ropes courses in three states, including Tulsa’s own POSTOAK ropes course and the newer Canopy Zipline Tour. The former youth pastor turned ropes course instructor and designer came to Tulsa to work as an organizational development consultant with a specialty in experiential based team development. Robinson, who has a Ph.D. in organizational behavior and leadership, believes in this type of team building exercise. “I believe it’s one of the most impactful and efficient ways to help people learn, change and develop,” says Robinson. “I’ve taught, in some fashion, all my life and shared experience is by far the best medium to help people make the hard changes needed to succeed in an ever-changing world.”

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

Instructors and guides lead teams through the course, which is situated on the POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat campus. Manager Betsye Colvard and Director of Sales Kelly Jo Rickman also help clients plan their group development. “I love when people have an ‘aha’ moment,” Robinson adds. “It’s really powerful when people awake and see things that they could not see before. For many it’s life changing to become aware of their own assumptions and that they can take responsibility for their own life.” The POSTOAK staff works to create a unique and lasting experience for all those attending, including leisure guests there just to have fun and zip on the weekends. The POSTOAK Canopy Tour is Oklahoma’s first canopy tour zip line and offers participants an POSTOAK Canopy Tours exhilarating ride close to nature, 5323 W. 31st St. N. cruising on six zips and seven 918-697-2700 platforms, all in view of the Osage www.postoakcanopytours.com Hills and the Tulsa skyline.

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Mike Tidwell, president of Southern Sheet Metal Works, and son, David, the company’s chief operating officer, standing next to a 4’x4’ Southern SafeRoom. Inset, the entrance to Southern Sheet Metal Works’ headquarters at 1225 E. Second St.

Southern SafeRooms, LLC Southern Sheet Metal Works creates new division The first-hand view of the destruction of an EF5 tornado inspired Mike Tidwell, president of Southern Sheet Metal Works, to create a new division within his 109-year-old Tulsa company. “There clearly was a need for us to design and manufacture shelters that could protect people from these horrific storms,” says Tidwell. “We knew our company’s 100+ years of knowledge, experience and skill in engineering and steel fabrication enabled us to build a safe room that would withstand the destructive winds of the worst tornadoes.” Today, Southern SafeRooms, LLC is that division within Southern Sheet Metal Works, a fourth-generation company with a 35,000 square foot manufacturing facilty located in the Pearl District of downtown Tulsa. Southern SafeRooms fabricates above ground, reinforced steel storm shelter/safe rooms that are certified to withstand the 250 mph winds of an EF5 tornado. “Our safe rooms are designed to be installed in garages, workshops or any location having a reinforced concrete slab that is a minimum four inches

thick,” notes Tidwell. “Most garage pads have concrete that meets those requirements.” For new home construction and home remodels, a contractor can convert any closet into space to accommodate a safe room. Southern SafeRooms designs and builds custom size or standard 3’x5’, 4’x4’, 4’x6’, and 4’ x 8’ shelters. “We are proud our safe room has been tested at Texas Tech University’s Wind Science & Engineering Research Center, and the tests ensure our design meets impact guidelines of FEMA 321/361 and ICC500,” notes Tidwell. Another advantage of a Southern SafeRoom: If a homeowner with an installed safe room moves Southern SafeRooms to a another home in the 1225 E. Second St. Tulsa metro area, Southern 918-585-3371 SafeRooms will move and david@southernsaferooms.com install the shelter into the new www.southernsaferooms.com home.

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Clockwise from top right: Darin Alred, President and Owner; Rachel Terry, CPP, Payroll Operations Manager; Becky Early, FPC, Client Support Manager; Steve Hobbs, Vice President, Sales and Marketing

Southwestern Payroll Service Darin Alred new owner of longtime Tulsa business

Originally founded in 1955 as a data processor for the geophysical engineering industry, Southwestern Payroll Service is now one of Tulsa’s oldest locally-owned businesses. The trusted company provides payroll services to over 1,200 businesses and organizations in northeastern Oklahoma and other states, with operations is all 50 states. “Our mission is to provide accurate payroll processing services to enable our clients to focus on their core business,” says Darin Alred, president and owner of the longtime Tulsa company. “We take great pride in the work we do — serving our customers with flexibility, integrity and accuracy — and in being a locally-owned business in Tulsa.” Alred, who is a graduate of Holland Hall School and later the Culinary Institute of America in New York, spent 14 years as a professional chef before deciding to change careers in 1998. “I returned to school and earned a degree in Computer Science at OSU-Tulsa,” he says. “While at OSU, I interned at Southwestern Payroll which led to a part-time job and then a

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

full-time job offer when I graduated in 2002.” In 2012, after seven years as a minority partner and vice president, Alred purchased the company from longtime owner Ray Fowler who had joined Southwestern in 1965 and served as president of the firm since 1986. In addition to complete payroll processing, Southwestern provides vital services such as time and attendance, payroll tax processing, garnishment administration, and other related products and services. “We succeed in our business by building relationships with both clients and employees based on honesty, integrity and mutual reward,” says Alred. “In every business, Southwestern so many things are connected to payroll, such Payroll Service as tax compliance. Many of our clients say the 11008 E. 51st St. accurate and reliable tax services we provide 918-587-3321 them are singularly worth the cost of our www.swpay.com payroll service.”

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Cynthia and Taras Tikhomirov

Spa Lux

A modern retreat for men and women

When an editor of Travel & Leisure Magazine rates a day spa in Tulsa as one of “25 American Hot Spots” you get the idea that something truly special is happening within our midst. Observed by Bruce Schoenfeld, he states: “to come across a world-class day spa” with “handcrafted shoji doors, white marble steam rooms and a hydrotherapy capsule” in Tulsa is surprising. Now celebrating its fifth year in business, Spa Lux is a well-known luxury day spa in Tulsa yet still a pleasant discovery for new customers. “Spa Lux is our dream business that offers the services of a luxury day spa in a setting that is modern and unique,” says Taras Tikhomirov, co-owner of the business with his wife, Cynthia. “We desired to create a luxury spa that would truly be an ‘escape from the ordinary’ so we visited luxurious spas in Moscow, Paris, London, New York — even one at a rustic resort in Turkey — to develop our original strategy for Spa Lux,” notes Cynthia. “We believe our Tulsa spa is on parity with the world’s best. We describe it as European lavishness with an occasional Asian touch.”

The largest luxury day spa in Tulsa welcomes men and women with targeted treatments for each. The full-services menu includes a full spectrum of massage services, aromatherapies, hydrotherapies, facials and waxing. “Holistic treatments are our signature specialties and are offered to clients seeking healing and rejuvenation,” notes Cynthia. At Spa Lux, one quickly appreciates that space appears to be as important as style. “Open space is soothing, and we’ve added elements of eclectic flair to bring it all together,” notes Taras. “Cynthia’s background in design enabled her to develop a unique concept that drew inspiration from various styles and cultures.” The look and feel of the Tulsa day spa has been recognized by DAYSPA Magazine with an award for Top Design. Spa Lux is truly a modern retreat for women and men…in Tulsa…to descend Spa Lux into a luxe, relaxing environment to 8922 S. Memorial Drive indulge and revive one’s body and soul. 918-615-3339

www.spalux.org

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Stall, Stall & Thompson, P.A. Client satisfaction means success Eric Stall, Doug Stall and Kate Thompson

Tulsa attorneys Doug Stall, Eric Stall and Kate Thompson, with more than 50 years of combined experience, formed a law firm dedicated to direct, honest advocacy to achieve the very best results for their clients. Having represented many different clients in a wide variety of business and personal injury matters makes them a superior choice for handling complex legal problems. “We believe that it is our responsibility to help our clients understand all of the issues before making decisions that affect their legal rights,” says Doug Stall. The lifelong Tulsans formed this fullservice civil and criminal litigation firm in 2011. Their practice areas include business and general civil litigation; personal injury law; construction and real estate law; criminal defense; defamation; nursing home negligence; medical malpractice; and oil and gas law. By employing a team approach to solve legal problems and collaborating with each other on cases, clients benefit from their many years of legal experience and successes. “Our collaborative approach helps us to optimize the initial strategy for each case and to effectively pursue each client’s interests in the most efficient manner to win,” says Eric Stall. Clients are at the heart of this firm. Client service is more than a promise to those who choose Stall, Stall & Thompson for representation. “We never stray from the idea that our client’s needs set the course of our representation and that client satisfaction is the greatest measure of our success,” says Thompson. Some of those successes include a $65 million jury verdict for bank fraud, a $6.5 million defamation jury verdict, a $3.7 million defamation jury verdict, a $3.2 million oil and gas judgment, a motor vehicle accident settlement totaling $2.2 million, and numerous other verdicts and settlements for their clients.

Stall, Stall & Thompson, P.A. 1800 S. Baltimore, Suite 900 918-743-6201 www.stallthompsonlaw.com

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Tom Butchko and Tom Butchko Sr.

Tom’s Outdoor Living Life is better outside

Tom Butchko has always loved the outdoors. His father, Tom Butchko Sr., instilled in him that passion along with a commitment to the community. Those values are what laid the foundation for Tom’s Outdoor Living. “I love to help others see the potential in their outdoor surroundings,” Butchko says. “What looks like a weed-ridden, unkempt yard to someone else holds endless possibilities to me.” Tom’s Outdoor Living is a full-service landscaping and design company that assists homes and businesses with turf management, tree care, bed maintenance, fertilization, and snow and leaf removal. Tom’s is also known for its outdoor kitchen and pergola designs, which can transform an individual’s back yard into an outdoor retreat customized to the homeowners wants and needs. “We are absolutely a hands-on company,” he says. “We develop and nurture relationships with all of our customers. We make sure they feel good about their investment and realize their vision.”

Butchko adds that having the opportunity to share what he knows and loves with others and helping them see the potential in their own yards is what drives him every day. “I love waking up and knowing that my day involves doing exactly what I love to do,” he says. Tulsa’s Designer Showcase chose Tom’s as the designer to lead the landscape makeover for this year’s home. “It was both an honor and a challenge to complete this extensive project in just a few short months.” As Tom’s Outdoor Living brings the comfort of indoor living outside, Tom Sr. has now taken aspects of the outdoors to the indoors with reclaimed wood products. Wellmount specializes in floating shelves or Tom’s Outdoor Living mantels made from reclaimed 2120 S. 130th E. Ave. wood and handcrafted, custom918-695-1653 designed shelving. For more www.tomsoutdoorliving.com information on Wellmount, visit facebook.com/tomsoutdoorliving www.wellmountusa.com.

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YOU BELONG

HERE

Congratulations to Tulsa-native Tracy Letts for winning the 2013 Tony Award for “Best Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role” for his performance in “Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf.” TRACY LETTS LARRY PAYTON And, to the late Larry Payton, founder of Celebrity Attractions, who was honored with a special “Remembrances” tribute during the Tony Awards program.

the

good life TRENDS ✻ HOME ✻ HEALTH ✻ FOOD

Fore love of the game

Tulsan Don Meints’ new line of golf apparel and accessories, 1930 Golf, is a nod to what Meints considers the greatest year in the history of the sport, when Bobby Jones won golf’s four major championships in the same year and tasteful attire was the norm.

by KENDALL BARROW

A selection of 1930 Golf merchandise. Prices vary.

For more information about the line or to purchase merchandise, visit www.1930golf.com.

Mod man P. 86

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American wines P. 96

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Project TCMS P. 98 TulsaPeople.com

MY PERFECT WEEKEND

Rusty Rowe Owner, Mod’s Coffee and Crepes

Oh, the places I’ll go … The New Atlas Grill Breakfast at the Atlas is a weekend staple. They have the most amazing home fries with fried jalapeños and onions; they’re the best in town. Don’t miss the French toast and waffles. Plus, it’s all in the bottom of a historic downtown building. Bison and Bear The only shop I know of that caters specifically to beardy, manly men. It’s of course one of my favorite shopping destinations if I’m shopping for myself. I exclusively use their unique shaving products (not to brag, but I do have an award-winning beard). Fat Guys Burger Bar This is definitely one of my favorite places to eat on the weekend (when I’m not watching my girlish figure). I get the Peanut Butter Bacon Burger with Thai toppings. I know it sounds weird, but trust me, it’s the best. Riverside Drive I love to ride my Vespa down Riverside and check out all the cool public art, including the new Route 66 sculpture at Riverside Drive and Southwest Boulevard. Maybe I’ll even grab a beer at the Blue Rose. They usually have local beers on tap. Tulsa Zoo Saturday afternoons at the zoo are the best. We always do a round-trip train ride. Our daughter always has to see the elephants, giraffes and the otters; they are her favorites. Eloté Café & Catering They have great queso, and it’s a super-fun, local destination for something different. The luchador fights are always a sight to be seen, and it’s the most authentic Mexican wrestling this side of the Rio Grande. Guthrie Green Sunday Market From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sundays, the Guthrie Green hosts an amazing local market that’s more than just farmers. They also have local artists, handcrafted goods and food trucks. It is a great time. Bands start playing at noon. Our daughter loves to play in the fountains and the splash pad. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday. Admiral Twin When we want to see a movie but can’t find a babysitter, the Admiral Twin is the perfect solution. The baby can play while we watch the movie, and then she’ll fall asleep in the car to the lull of the movie score. If we’re feeling extra saucy, we might even stay for the second feature, which is free! Whiskey Business I honestly don’t know how I survived before Whiskey Business opened. It’s downtown’s only liquor store. They have an amazing selection of wines and great, local beers. I love to buy some local craft beers like Prairie Artisan Ales and Marshall Brewing Co. tþ

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

Rusty Rowe tours his favorite Tulsa destinations on his Vespa.

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Vietri’s Landscape Wall Plates from Tuscany Display these beautiful works of art depicting the Tuscan countryside on a wall or use for serving. Made of terra bianca and handpainted in Tuscany. Dishwasher safe. Come see our complete selection.

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Amazing Pad Keeps Dogs Cool In Summer… The Cool Pet PadTM is a self-cooling cushion that is activated by your dog’s weight. As soon as your pet lies down, the cooling effect starts. No refrigeration, water or electricity needed. You can put it in the fridge to super cool it, if desired. Recharges automatically. Safe and non-toxic. Various sizes available. Come see. The Farm Shopping Center at 51st and Sheridan Open 10 - 6 Monday - Saturday • (918) 624-2600 Unique Toys • Trendy Collars • Snazzy Beds Clever Apparel • Healthier Foods • Gourmet Treats

If you like TulsaPeople Magazine, you are certain to enjoy the Tulsa Weekender e-newsletter. Compiled by the expert editors of TulsaPeople, it features the best events in the Tulsa area in a variety of categories to help you plan your weekend.

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DINING OUT

Up for a good Laffa? There’s more than hummus among us as two popular restaurateurs tempt diners with Medi-Eastern dishes. by JUDY ALLEN

The Mezze Medley includes a sampling of dishes. Pictured clockwise from left are the tabouli, pickled beets and Harissa Carrot Salad.

Many of you are probably familiar

with some of the dishes from the Mediterranean or Middle East — hummus, tabbouleh and falafel, for starters. But what about labneh, muhammara and shakshuka? The recently opened Laffa Medi-Eastern Restaurant & Bar in downtown’s bustling Brady Arts District is dishing up all of these good eats and more with popular restaurateurs Phil and Miranda Kaiser at the helm. I would buy virtually anything Miranda Kaiser is selling. The darling, feisty blond with the charming British accent — blink and you’ll miss her — has tempted Tulsans for many

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

years with the eclectic menu at Cosmo Café in Brookside that she owns with her husband, Phil. Most recently, the pair opened Laffa, a hip spot honoring the best dishes from around the Mediterranean and Middle East. Miranda developed all of the recipes, with memories culminating from the 14 years she and Phil lived in Israel (quite a love story in itself, but more on that later). The restaurant’s namesake, “laffa,” is the Hebrew word for the bread found all over the region. It also is known as taboon bread, named for the clay-lined conical oven that is used to bake it fresh daily; the flatbread dough, similar

to India’s naan, is “slapped” on the wall of the oven to bake. Virtually every offering on the menu sounded delicious the night Tate and I visited, so a selection of mezze to start seemed appropriate. Mezze (met-zuh) is an assortment of appetizers, hot or cold, typically served together as either a start to a meal or as the meal itself. Laffa features more than a dozen mezze choices (any six for $14.99 or any three for $9.99) — all served with freshly slapped laffa bread. We chose the Harissa Carrot Salad (chunks of crisp-tender carrots tossed with cilantro, honey and harissa, a spicy north African paste), Anatolian Labneh (creamy yoghurt

Behind the apron strings

The Brady salad

A Laffa sign hangs by the to-go window

dip with za’atar spices, garlic, watercress and freshly chopped mint) and muhammara (a spicy spread made with roasted red peppers, eggplant, walnuts, pine nuts, olive oil and lemon juice, and garlic and spices). Other selections include black-eyed pea hummus, pickled cabbage slaw and tzadziki. In addition to the mezze assortment, Laffa offers a small “snack” section of the menu. Items include Maghreb Nachos (Maghreb is a region of northwest Africa comprising Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia) topped with Chermoula salsa, feta sauce, pine nuts, red onions and cilantro ($4.99, small; $6.99, large); Greek mini lamb and beef meatballs ($3.99); falafel balls ($3.49); or creamy olive and feta dip with za’atar spices (dried thyme, oregano, marjoram and sesame seeds) and laffa bread ($6.99). Laffa opened a takeout window to sell falafel and shawarma sandwiches before it unveiled the restaurant’s dining room. And judging by the daily crowds, the sandwiches are a success. So, we couldn’t leave satisfied without trying one. Falafel are deep-fried balls of ground chickpeas and spices (typically stuffed into a pita at other establishments, but served in a lavash wrap here). Choose from an assortment of toppings (hummus, pickled slaw, sweet potato fries and beets, for starters) and sauces (curried tehina, mango chili, mint labneh or lemony avocado). Ours came stuffed with pickled slaw, beets and sweet potato fries with lemony avocado sauce. Luckily another dish had also arrived to share, for I was reluctant to give up half. Entrees run the gamut of Levant countries (namely Cyprus, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria) and include both familiar

Street falafel with sweet potato fries and pickled slaw

and non-familiar dishes. Think beef tagine (or, the “best darn beef tagine this side of Casablanca,” as it is worded on the menu; $15.99), lentil soup ($3.99, cup; $6.99, bowl), shakshuka (Tunisian poached eggs in spicy sauce with salad, labneh and laffa; $13), and lamb kebabs ($17). We opted for Moroccan lemon chicken ($15.99), which included several large pieces of succulent, spiced chicken, served with Persian rice and greens tossed in a mint-lemon dressing. Desserts include rosewater ice cream with hot cinnamon chocolate sauce ($5.99), a chocolate matzo-topped ice cream sundae ($5.99), and creamy lime and Greek yoghurt panna cotta ($5.99). We shared a plate of basboussa, a semolina and ground almond cake doused with sticky orange-water syrup ($5.99). All desserts come with a complimentary glass of hot, sweet Ceylon tea, steeped with fresh mint — a symbol of hospitality. In true Kaiser fashion, cocktails receive special treatment, and Laffa has a list of specialty drinks to prove it. Try the “Fall from Grace” (cucumber vodka, gin, muddled cucumber, soda, tonic and fresh lime; $9), in which ingredients play nicely with the menu offerings. The walk-up falafel window opens at 11 a.m. daily and stays open late (even after the dining room closes), making it a popular spot for visitors to Guthrie Green and the Brady Arts District’s nightspots. I have never been to Jerusalem, Istanbul or Casablanca, but I can only imagine (and hope) that visitors to those cities experience the hospitality and delicious cuisine shared with us at Laffa. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship ... as well as a tasty one. tþ

Tulsa native Phil Kaiser left for Israel after high school to serve in the Israel Defense Forces. At the same time, Miranda Brown left her native Great Britain after attending culinary school “to see the world.” On Christmas Eve in 1988, Phil attended a party on a kibbutz in Israel and was introduced to Miranda by one of his friends, who had his eyes on her pal. Their one-night chance encounter has turned into 23-plus years of marriage ... as well as the birth of several restaurants. While living overseas, the couple opened the first Internet café in Jerusalem — Strudel Internet Café and Wine Bar (“strudel,” Miranda says, is the Israeli nickname for @), before ultimately coming back to Phil’s hometown to settle down. Shortly thereafter, the pair opened Cosmo Café, which moved to its current Brookside location in early 2010. By opening Laffa, Miranda says she hoped to bring the hospitality and cuisine they so enjoyed from the Levant region to Tulsa.

Laffa Medi-Eastern Restaurant & Bar 111 N. Main St., 918-728-3147 www.laffatulsa.com

Cuisine — Mediterranean/Middle Eastern Capacity — 158 Setting — Brady Arts District, corner of North Main and West Brady streets Owners — Phil and Miranda Kaiser Chef — Miranda Kaiser Prices — Mezze and snacks, $3.99$14.99; entrees, $3.99-$17 Reservations — Accepted and recommended on weekends. Credit cards — All major accepted. Hours — 11 a.m.-2 p.m. daily, lunch; 5-10 p.m. daily, dinner. Falafel window and full bar are open 11 a.m.-midnight. Dress — Casual Noise level — Moderate to loud Handicapped access — Yes Parking — Street parking

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JULY VIDEO EXTRA:

TAKE A RIDE: A group of Tul sans is offering a new way to rid e in style. Go inside Cheyenne Bus Co. ’s retro-inspired, refurbished double decker bus, which the company rents out for charters tours and nights on the town.

GRILLED SCOTTISH SALMON FILLET Riverside Grill has several items unique to Tulsa. The Grilled Scottish Salmon Fillet is served with roasted Bixby vegetables. Come and enjoy an amazing sunset overlooking the river. Patio seats are limited. Please call for reservations. Mon-Fri 11 am–2pm and dinner Mon-Sat 5 pm-10pm.

RIVERSIDE 918.394.2433 GRILL RIVERSIDEGRILLTULSA.COM

RIVERSIDE GRILL 9912 RIVERSIDE PARKWAY TULSA • 74137

Free to download • Free to read Appears in Newsstand Automatically updated each month PAD MA-KHUER - “Ma-Khuer” in Thai translates to egg plant. This stir fried dish comes with oriental eggplant with your choice of meat, bell peppers, tomatoes and sweet basil in a savory garlic-soybean sauce. Served with steamed rice. $11.95 Open seven days a week. Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m./11 p.m.

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TulsaPeople JULY 2013

LANNA THAI 7277 E. MEMORIAL DR. TULSA • 74133

LANNA THAI

918.249.5262 LANNATHAITULSA.COM

FRIED SHRIMP Celebrity Restaurant’s Fried Shrimp Dinner Entrée has six jumbo shrimp, butterflied, battered and deep fried until golden brown; accompanied by dinner salad and buttered corn on the cob with choice of sides. Celebrity Restaurant is open for lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Dinner is served 5-9 p.m. MondayThursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. CELEBRITY RESTAURANT 3109 S. YALE AVE. TULSA • 74135

Reservations Preferred. 918.743.1800 CELEBRITYTULSA.COM

REUBEN Fresh, beer braised corned beef, served on marble rye bread with Russian dressing, big eye swiss cheese, sauerkraut and onions. Side item choices include: pub fries, tabouli, sweet potato fries, cottage cheese, Irish mashed potatoes or seasonal vegetables. Open 11 a.m.- 2 a.m. Monday-Sunday.

MCNELLIE’S 409 E. 1ST ST. TULSA • 74120

918.382.7468 MCNELLIES.COM

TILAPIA DE LA CASA Seasoned and grilled, topped with pico de gallo and served with steamed rice and seasonal vegetables. Open to the public. Dinner specials (Wednesday-Saturday). Sunday Brunch. Sun.-Tues. 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Wed.-Sat. 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

CAFÉ SAVANNAH’S AT FOREST RIDGE 7501 E KENOSHA BROKEN ARROW • 74014

918-357-2719 FORESTRIDGE.COM

FAJITAS Sizzling beef, chicken or shrimp smothered with grilled onions and peppers, with flour tortillas, shredded lettuce, jack and cheddar cheese blend, sour cream and pico de gallo. Enjoy live entertainment each Friday and Saturday night, 8:30-11:00, at Delaware location. Proudly serving Tulsans for over 35 years. PEPPER’S 1950 UTICA SQUARE TULSA • 74114 2809 E 91ST ST TULSA • 74137

UTICA - 918.749.2163 DELAWARE - 918.296.0592 PEPPERSGRILLINC.COM

TONKATSU - A traditional Japanese dish. Tempura fried pounded pork sirloin, served with our special garlic fried rice accompanied with steamed potatoes and carrots alongside our in-house made tonkatsu sauce. Summer is here. The Tropical is open seven days a week. Lunch is served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dinner is from 5-10/11 p.m. THE TROPICAL 8125 E. 49TH ST. TULSA • 74145

918.895.6433 THETROPICALTULSA.COM

SAUSAGE SAMPLER Fassler Hall’s gourmet sausages are homemade and served with a side of fresh house mustard and sauerkraut for the quintessential German food trifecta. Fassler Hall is open seven days a week and opens daily at 11 a.m. for lunch on weekdays and for brunch on the weekends.

FASSLER HALL 304 S. ELGIN AVE. TULSA • 74120

918.576.7898 FASSLERHALL.COM

TABLE TALK

The buzz on Tulsa’s tastiest products, restaurants and events by JUDY ALLEN

Behold, the classic cuke

1-2 thick slices of hearty, country bread (none of that square sandwich stuff) Ball of burrata 1 cucumber, sliced super thinly Extra-virgin olive oil Coarse sea salt

Cucumber, a perennial farmers’ market fave during the hot summer months, can be found, in some form, in virtually every cuisine. See it rolled in sushi, coated with cool yogurt as a foil to spicy Indian stews, or pickled and scattered across burgers or sandwiches. Sadly, however, the lowly cucumber is often relegated to the simple salad bowl. Break your cukes out of their rut and try some of these summertime snacks sure to become summer standbys. WARM CUCUMBER SALAD Serves 4 as a side The person who coined the phrase “cool as a cucumber” never tried this refreshing warm salad. I love warm cucumbers served with delicate grilled fish and a dollop of Greek yogurt. 1 shallot, finely chopped 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 medium cucumbers, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 2-3 teaspoons chopped, fresh herbs Pinch of flaky sea salt In a bowl, combine shallot with vinegar; set aside. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add cucumbers and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cucumbers turn tender and pale green, 3-5 minutes. Season with kosher salt and transfer to a bowl. Pour the shallot mixture over the cucumbers, along with the herbs. Toss to combine and sprinkle with a light dusting of sea salt. CUCUMBER, AVOCADO AND FETA SALSA Serves 4 as a side Creamy avocado pairs nicely with the crisp cucumber in this quick and easy salsa. It’s delicious over grilled fish or chicken tacos or simply scooped up in a tortilla chip with a frosty margarita chaser.

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

Toast bread and layer with a generous smear of burrata. Top with a layer of thinly sliced cucumber (you could throw in a slice or two of radish, if you dare). Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Simple, yet sublime. I promise.

Medi markets 2 large cucumbers Kosher salt 3 avocados Juice of half a lime 2 tablespoons olive oil Zest and juice of one lime 1/2 cup chopped, fresh mint 1/2 cup feta cheese, diced or crumbled Peel cucumbers, cut them in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with a teaspoon; cut into half-inch pieces and place in a colander. Generously sprinkle cucumbers with kosher salt and let sit in the sink for 30 minutes to drain. (This will prevent your salsa from getting too watery.) Rinse quickly and blot dry with paper towels; set aside in a large bowl. Dice avocados and scoop into another bowl. Toss gently with the juice of half a lime. In another small bowl, whisk together olive oil with the zest and juice of 1 lime. Pour over cucumbers. Add fresh mint and feta cheese to the bowl and toss gently to combine. Cover and let stand in refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. CUCUMBER, BURATTA AND OLIVE OIL TOAST Makes as much as you need Burrata is a fresh ball of mozzarella, stuffed with curds that have been mixed with cream. The ball breaks apart easily, oozing into a pile of deliciousness.

A delicious meal at the recently opened Laffa (see p. 90 for my dining review) immediately made me want to stock my pantry with unique Mediterranean-inspired ingredients so I could whip up an assortment of mezze (a selection of hot and cold appetizers), chicken tagine or flatbread with za’atar at home on a moment’s notice. Unfortunately, though, I find it difficult to locate pomegranate molasses or Bulgarian feta in my local supermarket. There are a few spots in town, however, that pride themselves on shelves stocked with all of the essential (and even nonessential, but intriguing) Mediterranean and Middle Eastern staples. Stop in and browse the aisles — I guarantee you will leave with something new and ultimately delicious.

Jerusalem Market: 6124 E. 51st Place, 918- 660-7102 Middle East Market: 5459 S. Mingo Road, 918-665-0979 Al Sultan Grill and Bakery: 9515 E. 51st St., 918-622-2942 Albarka Food International: 5010 S. Sheridan Road, 918-622-3261 Kabani’s: 15 N. Harvard Ave., 918-834-3400

It’s the pits It’s that time of year again: the time I look forward to biting into a hand-picked, juicy, ripe peach — the kind of peach that actually tastes like

a peach, and that drips sweet stickiness down your arm as it is eaten! Consequently, this is the only time of the year I consider peaches edible. Visit downtown Porter, Okla., for the 47th annual Porter Peach Festival from July 18-20, and sample some of the most delicious peachy treats around — cobblers, jams and butter — or bring home a bushel of the sweet jewels of summer and make your own dessert. For more information, visit www.porterpeachfestivals. com. Stratford, the self-professed “peach capital of Oklahoma,” has hosted a peach festival for the past 36 years. Visit the 37th annual festival from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., July 20. Call Gina Phillips at 580-759-2116 for more information. Get a head start on the festivals by celebrating National Peach Ice Cream Day on July 17. Any excuse to eat a peach, right? tþ

Judy Allen is an awardwinning journalist, avid home cook and food magazine/cookbook junkie. Prior to moving back to her home state, she was the senior food editor for Martha Stewart Living magazine. She also has developed recipes, written articles and styled food stories for Real Simple, Cooking Light, Cottage Living and Food Network magazines. In her spare time, she blogs at www.homemadeoklahoma.com.

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WINE

The United States of wine All 50 states now have winemaking operations, providing a plethora of summertime choices.

With all the

by RANDA WARREN, MS, CWE, AIWS, CSS*

pomp, parades, picnics and parties around the Fourth of July, wine lovers will want to plan their purchases. And you’ve got the whole U.S. of wine from which to choose. Did you know all 50 states have winemaking operations? North Dakota was the last one to join the pack in 2002. Many wineries across the nation, including several in Oklahoma, grow their own grapes in state. Some also ship in grapes from states such as California and then ferment the grapes, make and bottle the wine themselves. One example of Oklahoma wine from California juice is Tulsa Deco wines, which are finished and bottled in downtown Tulsa. Some wine brokers, or companies that specialize in selling bulk wine from assorted wineries, will ship wine to wineries that may have a shortage of quality grapes. These wineries will then bottle the wine locally before selling it. The wineries may choose to blend the bulk wine with another bulk wine, creating their own signature version. Some even add flowers, herbs or other fruit to the blend. However, if a vintner is spending a lot of money on California wine for blending and bottling, he or she likely will keep additives to a minimum. Every state wants to be represented when it comes to featuring wines from their home turf, regardless of whether the grapes are grown in the state. It is a huge tourist draw, and many locals love supporting wines from their state, no matter how they are made. Keep in mind that wine can be made from fruits other than grapes, such as blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, pineapples (native to Hawaii), chokecherries (popular in North Dakota) and also from flowers such as dandelions — even sap from maple trees. One must simply ferment the juice so that yeast consumes the sugars, turning it to alcohol. When planning your next patriotic get-together, explore varieties from various states, including the p. 97 selections from California, Oregon and Arizona. tþ

TulsaPeople.com

Randa shares ideas for summertime food pairings, including the best barbecue wines. 96

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

SIPS AT HOME

SIPS AROUND TOWN

SUMMER IN A BOTTLE Tangent 2011 Albariño, Edna Valley, Calif. — $13.49 The Albariño that thrives in Spain is grown and also produced by Tangent in Edna Valley, Calif. It has the acid of Sauvignon Blanc, the minerality of Riesling and the aromas of Viognier. To say it’s vibrant is an understatement. It’s also something different and well worth your attention.

WILD FORK Bar Manager Danyelle Winn does a great job heading the beverage program at Wild Fork. Not only is the Fork’s food to die for, the wine list is constantly improving. Winn’s favorite white wine at the moment is White Haven New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, which sells for $8 per glass and $32 per bottle.

A SOFT SUMMER SIP King Estate 2011 Pinot Noir, Eugene, Ore. — $25.99 Pinot fits into any summer schedule whether for lunch, in the late afternoon or as a partner for lighter summer fare in the evenings. King Estate is one of the most respected families in Oregon with very consistent quality year after year. This Pinot is jammed with red fruit flavors and soft tannins and pairs beautifully with salmon, duck, burgers and pizza. AN ARIZONA WONDER Arizona Stronghold 2010 “Mangus,” Cochise County, Ariz. — $24.99 This red wine is a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. You’ll experience seductive flavors of red and black cherries, plums, blackberries, and a slight earthy component that adds some character. This was a real surprise to me, and I wish I had tried it years sooner.

Let me help you find your style! Richard Neel

1820 Utica Square, 918-742-0712

LUCKY’S It will be your lucky day when you stroll through these doors and order up a taste of Bieler Pere Et Filf Rose. It’s a red berry explosion with a hint of residual sugar at $8 per glass and $32 per bottle. Bar Manager Liz Taylor Pounds has a hard time keeping this one in stock, so hurry down. 1546 E. 15th St., 918-

592-5825

*Wine columnist Randa Warren is a Master Sommelier; Certified Wine Educator; Associate Member of the Institute of Wines and Spirits; and is a Certified Specialist of Spirits.

3742 South Peoria

918.742.4777

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HEALTH

SPECIAL ASSISTANCE Project TCMS is connecting Tulsans in need with specialty medical care they wouldn’t otherwise receive.

by MISSY KRUSE

Greg Miller prides himself on his

work as a professional sauté cook. But when the wear and tear on his knees from his athletic youth went beyond over-the-counter pain relievers, it threatened his 40-hour-a-week job. “On a scale of 1-10, (my pain) was 10 every day just trying to walk around,” let alone do his job, says Miller, who eventually had to stop working about a year ago. A knee replacement would fix his problem, but his job offered no health insurance. His problem was debilitating, but it wasn’t life threatening, so the usual avenues for charitable care were barred to him. He was in limbo, going periodically to Morton Comprehensive Health Services for exams and whatever pain management its doctors could suggest. He is not alone, explains Kim Morris, program manager of Project TCMS (Tulsa Charitable Medical Services). More than 93,000 of Tulsa County adults do not have health insurance. Often they are working one or more low-wage jobs, earning too much to qualify for programs such as Medicaid, but not earning enough to afford health insurance. While Tulsa offers numerous clinics to help the impoverished and so-called “working poor,” their services do not extend to surgical or other specialty care. While hospitals and physicians will provide emergency care, those in need of “elective” — non-life-threatening — procedures have been forced to rely on the goodwill of health care providers who periodically donate their services based on informal requests from freeclinic directors. Doctors have limited time to

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

Dr. Marcy Clements, DO, volunteer orthopedist for Project TCMS, reviews a patient’s X-ray.

facilitate such pro bono requests and the same providers are asked to help all too often. Fortunately, Project TCMS, a new initiative by the Tulsa County Medical Society Foundation and funded by 11 additional community partners, made it possible for Miller to have

the knee replacement he needed this past April. Once healed, he will be able to return to the workforce. The concept is fairly simple. Project TCMS acts as a clearinghouse to match specialty referrals from clinics with medical specialists

and hospitals. It has developed a list of more than 70 physicians, along with area hospitals, that are willing to donate their time and services to care for patients such as Miller. Although the pilot program initially targeted a search for orthopedists and dermatologists — the specialists most requested by clinics — physicians in general surgery, urology, and ear, nose and throat also have embraced the program, Morris says. They are assigned patients on a rotating basis, allowing them to better manage pro bono requests. The majority of patient referrals comes from the area’s two federally qualified health centers, Morton and Community Health Connection, but an additional seven of the project’s 15 clinic partners are actively referring patients to TCMS for specialty care, Morris says. Not all patient problems are simply incapacitating, like Miller’s knee, she says. One patient who had apparently gone for agerelated tests was found to have a higher-than-normal reading on his prostate screening. “We got him in with a urologist,” Morris says. “He had prostate cancer.” If the man had gone to the emergency room with symptoms, they would have referred him to a specialist, but he couldn’t have paid for the consultation and probably wouldn’t have been treated, she explains, adding, “I see this as saving lives.” Although referred by clinics, patients must meet certain criteria, Morris says. Along with being uninsured and ineligible for programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, qualifying patients must live

in Tulsa County and have an income less than 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The program began accepting referrals in February 2012. By May of this year, Project TCMS had helped more than 200 patients and, through its participating physicians and hospitals, donated more than $403,000 in care, Morris says. This is on a budget of slightly more than $100,000, a 4-to-1 ratio of which she is proud — “but we always need more volunteers and funds,” she adds. One of Project TCMS’ participating physicians, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Marcy Clements, says every community has people who have experienced “a streak of bad luck or health problems that keep them from being productive members of society.” However, they are willing to work if they can receive the specialty care they need. “There is satisfaction in doing something for somebody because you know you could, not because you had to, and that hopefully you have made their life better and they can pay it forward — and that becomes a good cycle,” she says. tþ

July 18 — Second annual Art RX 6 p.m. Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, 111 E. First St. Benefits Project TCMS. Event features 19 physicians or their family members — all artists — donating works in various media, including jewelry, photography, paintings and blown glass. $50. For more information, call 918-743-6184 or email tcms@tcmsok.org.

Now Open in the Tuscana Shopping Center

8931 S. Yale Avenue, Suite H Tulsa, OK 74137 918-794-6700 w w w.2020Tulsa.com

“We are pleased to announce the opening of our optometry practice. We are dedicated to providing the best comprehensive eye care for all ages. Our areas of specialization include Corneal Re-Shaping Therapy for patients desiring to be free of glasses or contacts. We also provide vision for patients who can no longer see with glasses or contacts after Refractive Surgeries such as LASIK or RK or due to corneal diseases like Keratoconus. We are dedicated to addressing any individual concerns about eye care, and invite you to call to schedule an appointment.”

Dr. Lynsey Bigheart, O.D. Dr. Shannon Morgans, O.D. TulsaPeople.com

DENTAL HEALTH

New styles in smiles High-tech advances make it easier than ever to keep teeth healthy and sparkling. by ANNE BROCKMAN

Some say the best first impression

is a great smile. Just as in any other field, technology advancements in dentistry help make a patient’s ability to achieve those pearly whites even easier and more successful. Better ways to detect cavities are just some of those advances. Digital radiography, which is replacing traditional X-rays since it’s more efficient, has been on the market for a number of years but is increasing in popularity among dentists. According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), digital X-rays use a smaller dose of radiation and process faster, allow dentists to adjust contrast and brightness to assist in finding cavities and can help dentists see below the teeth to detect bone loss. Advances in technology also have brought forth new ways for dentists to remove areas of decay. Air abrasion uses an air compression device that forces small aluminum oxide particles to remove decay

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from the tooth’s surface. In most cases, this causes minimal discomfort without the need for anesthesia, reports the AGD. Lasers also have arrived as an alternative to traditional dental methods. Anesthesia is used less often with these devices, which are more precise and can shorten healing time. The AGD says lasers are already being used for teeth whitening, removal of tooth decay and periodontal disease therapy. Along with how to keep their chompers chomping, many look for ways to improve the appearance of their smiles. Recent advances in bonding and filling materials make that possible. Today, dental professionals use more advanced composite resins in bonding and veneers that are longer lasting and available in more shades, allowing them to blend the resin to the tooth’s natural color, according to the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics. More dentists also are using similar toothcolored composites or porcelain fillings instead of amalgams to fill cavities.

Homemade anti-cavity mouth rinse Makes a two-week supply 8 ounces water 2 teaspoons PreviDent GEL (1.1 percent sodium fluoride)* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 tablespoons xylitol 1/4 teaspoon peppermint oil extract or other favorite flavor *Available from a pharmacist Blend ingredients with an emersion blender or regular blender. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Rinse with 2 teaspoons for approximately 1 minute 1-2 times per day after brushing. For best results, do not eat, drink or rinse for 30 minutes after expectorating. Do not swallow. SOURCE: Developed for American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry by Dr. Shawn Frawley

Vic Trammell, D.M.D.

Gregory Segraves, D.D.S. MS

Larry Lander, D.D.S. MS

Todd Johnson, D.D.S.

Quality of Care & Patient Safety is

Our Primary Concern.

Introducing Heath Evans, D.D.S.

Eastern Oklahoma Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (EOOMS) is committed to providing comprehensive oral surgery care. EOOMS practices the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Common procedures include wisdom teeth and dental extractions with intravenous anesthesia for patient comfort. We specialize in all aspects of dental implant surgery, bone grafting and jaw reconstruction. As a group we offer 24-hour practice coverage and take trauma calls for local hospitals. For patients’ convenience, most of the group’s services are provided in the EOOMS offices. The offices are board certified for office IV anesthesia to ensure patient comfort. Quality of care and patient safety are always the group’s primary concern.

The EOOMS staff is a committed group of employees striving to achieve the highest standard of care. The surgical team has specialized training in oral surgery and anesthesia assisting, which provides for a more comfortable and safe oral surgery experience.

www.EOOMS.com Owasso: 12455 East 100th St. North (918) 274-0944

Broken Arrow: 4716 West Urban Street (918) 449-5800

DENTAL HEALTH

Specialty care

Five healthy habits Just like the rest of your body, your mouth needs to stay in shape, too. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry lists five habits adults should adopt to keep oral hygiene in tiptop shape:

Floss nightly. Flossing at night is best since less saliva is produced then, allowing active bacteria to do more harm. By flossing at night, one removes that bacteria and helps avoid plaque and tartar buildup.

Know what really whitens teeth. Just because toothpaste says it whitens teeth doesn’t mean it really gets the job done. Most whitening toothpastes only affect the tooth’s appearance, not its inherent color. In-office or over-the-counter products that affect the internal discoloration work best.

Use an electric toothbrush. By using an electric toothbrush, which functions at more than 30,000 strokes per minute, more fluid is forced between teeth and around the gums than with a traditional toothbrush that only averages 100 strokes per minute. Gum inflammation, gingivitis and periodontal disease are prevented over time by using this at-home instrument.

Use mouthwash. Using mouthwash helps prevent tooth decay, reduces plaque and tartar, and prevents and reduces gingivitis, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). You can even make your own mouthwash (see recipe on p. 100) at home using xylitol, a sugar substitute that has been shown to prevent tooth decay.

Eat foods that promote oral health. Certain foods can improve not only your overall health, but also your oral health. High in fiber and vitamin C, pineapple and its citric acid act as an allnatural mouthwash by fighting bacteria. Kale, broccoli and quinoa contain tooth-strengthening minerals. Reduce oral bacteria by eating onions and wasabi.

A brighter smile Many of us want that movie-star grin. Often the easiest way to achieve that is through whitening treatments — whether at home or in the dentist’s office. The ADA explains three ways to achieve a whiter smile:

Whitening toothpastes with the ADA Seal of Acceptance effectively remove stains with special chemical or polishing agents. These toothpastes only remove surface stains, and don’t change the color of teeth.

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Another at-home whitening technique uses peroxidecontaining whiteners that bleach tooth enamel. Usage regimens vary, and there can be potential side effects, such as increased sensitivity or gum irritation.

Dentists can perform in-office bleaching in one visit and protect gums with a rubber shield and/or a protective gel. Special lights and lasers may be used to enhance the whitening agent. tþ

Sometimes your teeth need special treatment. Here’s a rundown on dental specialties, according to the ADA: Endodontics — Diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases and injuries of dental pulp and surrounding tissues; performing root canals. Oral and maxillofacial pathology — Researching, identifying and diagnosing diseases of the mouth, teeth and surrounding regions. Oral and maxillofacial radiology — Diagnosing and managing oral diseases and disorders using X-rays and other forms of imaging. Oral and maxillofacial surgery — Diagnosing and surgically treating diseases and injuries of the mouth, oral and maxillofacial regions. Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics — Diagnosing, intercepting and correcting dental and facial irregularities. Pediatric dentistry — Diagnosing and treating the oral health care needs of infants and children through adolescence. Periodontics — Diagnosing and treating diseases of gum tissue and the bones supporting teeth. Prosthodontics — Restoring natural teeth or replacing missing teeth or oral structures with artificial devices, such as dentures.

topDentists™ INTRODUCTION This list is excerpted from the 2013 topDentists™ list, a database that includes listings of more than 70 dentists and specialists in Tulsa County. The list is based on hundreds of detailed evaluations of dental professionals by their peers. The complete database is available at www.usatopdentists.com. For more information, call 706364-0853; write P.O. Box 970, Augusta, GA 30903; email; info@usatopdentists.com or visit www.usatopdentists.com. SELECTION PROCESS (METHODOLOGY) “If you had a patient in need of a dentist, which dentist would you refer them to?” This is the question we’ve asked thousands of dentists to help us determine who the topDentists should be. The nomination pool of dentists consists of dentists listed online with the American Dental Association, as well as dentists listed online with other dental societies, thus allowing virtually every dentist the opportunity to participate. Dentists are also given the opportunity to nominate other dentists who we have missed that they feel should be included in our list. Respondents are asked to put aside any personal bias or political motivations and to use only their knowledge of their peers’ work when evaluating the other nominees. Voters are asked to individually evaluate the practitioners on their ballot whose work they are familiar with. Once the balloting is completed, the scores are compiled and then averaged. The numerical average required for inclusion varies depending on the average for all the nominees within the specialty and the geographic area. Borderline cases are given a careful consideration by the editors. Voting characteristics and comments are taken into consideration while making decisions. Past awards a dentist has received and status in various dental academies can play a factor in our decision. Once the decisions have been finalized, the included dentists are checked against state dental boards for disciplinary actions to make sure they have an active license and are in good standing with the board. Then letters of congratulations are sent to all the listed dentists.

ENDODONTICS Robert A. Augsburger Augsburger Endodontics 4606 E. 67th St., Ste. 201 918-494-4144

Forrest L. Arnould Arnould Dental 7311 S. Lewis Ave. 918-496-3377 www.drarnould.com

David L. Maddox Jr. 5010 E. 68th St., Ste. 202 918-493-3500

Benson L. Baty 7335 S. Lewis Ave., Ste. 206 918-496-1051

Laurie Lynn Southard 5010 E. 68th St., Ste. 104 918-493-3880

Melissa Bowler 1310 W. Main St., Collinsville 918-371-3774 www.thecvilledentist.com

Amy Elizabeth Stone 6565 S. Yale Ave., Ste. 712 918-481-6622 GENERAL DENTISTRY Garry E. Anderson 4415 S. Harvard Ave., Ste. 102 918-742-2096 Bryan D. Archer 4606 E. 67th St., Ste. 312 918-494-4445 Mark Leon Argo Owasso Dental Care 8500 N. 129th E. Ave., Owasso 918-274-8500 www.owassodental.com

Carolyn M. Caudle 401 S. Boston Ave., Ste. 1800 918-582-3877 Russell Coatney 110 S. Date Ave., Jenks 918-299-4477 Walter M. Davies III 7614 E. 91st St., Ste. 120 918-477-7774 www.dentalcareoftulsa.com

Craig Edward Buntemeyer 9113 S. Toledo Ave. 918-743-9275 www.tulsagreatsmiles.com Charles W. Calhoun 10016 S. Mingo Road, Ste. B 918-250-8861 Conrad C. Casler Jr. 6911 S. 66th E. Ave., Ste. 300 918-477-7677 www.tulsadentaldesign.com

Craig Stewart Dudley 2738 E. 51st St., Ste. 120 918-749-1747 Michael Engelbrecht III 6565 S. Yale Ave., Ste. 1104 918-492-9420 Kimberley A. Firey Brooktowne Dentistry 1316 E. 41st St. 918-743-1777 Steven Fooshee Jr. Broadway Dental Arts 135 E. Broadway St., Sand Springs 918-245-0229 www.broadwaydentalarts.com

There’s a good reason Dr. Carrie Sessom is so enthusiastic about going to work every day! – she improves her patients lives through an entirely different approach to dentistry. And it begins from the moment you walk through the doors.

Dr. Argo has served Owasso and the surrounding communities for over 20 years, providing family dentistry, Invisalign, sedation dentistry and implants. DrArgo.com

Located at Riverwalk Crossing in Jenks, Riverwalk Dental Spa provides the ultimate dental experience and state-of-the-art dental technology to provide the highest quality dental care. Improving lives has always been at the forefront for Dr. Carrie. With a range of services spanning from general family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and sleep medicine, Dr. Carrie will help you and your family reach your optimal oral health.

And it’s no surprise she is nationally recognized for her treatments with snoring and sleep apnea. “Sleep Apnea is serious and can be potentially life-threatening if not treated”, says Dr. Carrie. “Offering an alternative to the CPAP is now 40% of our business – it’s gratifying being able to help our patients live better lives.” Dr. Carrie uses the latest sleep apnea treatment technology providing premium dental sleep appliances for the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea, freeing patients from CPAP machines.

For more information on Sleep Apnea treatment alternatives or if you are looking for a superior dental experience visit w w w.River walkDentalSpa.com

400 Riverwalk Terrace, Suite 200 Jenks, OK • (918) 392-1654 104

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918.936.2026

James E. Hereford III 1111 W. Main St., Collinsville 918-371-3375 Bruce D. Horn 7990 S. Sheridan Road 918-492-9090 Douglas Wayne Jackson 5540 S. 79th E. Place 918-663-0284 Dale Kasting 3905 State Highway 97, Ste. 100, Sand Springs 918-245-5984 www.drkastingdentistry.com Karey Low Low Family Dentistry 2538 E. 21st St. 918-742-6321 Steve Oliver Lusk 9815 E. 51st St. 918-664-9995 David O. Marks 6565 S. Yale Ave., Ste. 1100 918-481-4900 www.dynamicsmilesoftulsa.com

Ted L. Marshall Marshall Family Dentistry 8830 S. Yale Ave. 918-492-6200 www.drtedmarshall.com

Jerry Wayne Robertson Restorative Dentistry of Tulsa 9224 S. Toledo Ave. 918-492-7263 www.restorativedentistryoftulsa.com

Joseph James Massad 3314 E. 11th St. 918-749-5600 www.joemassad.com

Carrie Danelle Sessom RiverWalk Dental Spa 400 RiverWalk Terrace, Ste. 200, Jenks 918-392-7654 www.riverwalkdentalspa.com

Karen T. Pate Gentle Dental Care 5510 S. Memorial Drive, Ste. D 918-627-6364 Glenda Payas Cosmetic and Laser Dentistry of Tulsa 5314 S. Yale Ave., Ste. 1100 918-492-3003 www.drpayas.com Terry F. Rigdon Implant Esthetic & Restorative Dentistry of Tulsa 10010 E. 81st St., Ste. 200 918-494-8666 www.tulsaimplantdentist.com

Clinton D. Stevens 15 W. Sixth St., Ste. 2100 918-587-1303 www.clintstevensdds.com Dean O. Todd 5215 E. 71st St., Ste. 600 918-493-2444 Shannon Kaye Toler 611 S. Peoria Ave. 918-747-6453 www.tolersmiles.com Sharon L. Wann 1321 E. 35th St. 918-743-2928

Christopher Keith Ward 12814 E. 101st Place N., Ste. 101, Owasso 918-274-4466 www.owassodentalimplants.com Kevin L. Winters 10031 S. Yale Ave., Ste. 104 918-528-3330 www.tulsadentalcare.com Gary J. Wood 3247 S. Harvard Ave. 918-747-1133 ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY Gary Dean Burnidge 6565 S. Yale Ave., Ste. 303 918-492-4116 www.tulsaoms.com Donald Todd Johnson 4716 W. Urbana St., Broken Arrow 918-494-8634 Larry D. Lander 4716 W. Urbana St., Broken Arrow 918-494-8634

Christopher R. Mastin Aston Creek Oral Surgery 9118 S. Toledo Ave. 918-495-1800 www.suiteoralsurgery.com Dan Eldon Patterson Aston Creek Oral Surgery 9118 S. Toledo Ave. 918-495-1800 www.suiteoralsurgery.com Gregory D. Segraves Eastern Oklahoma Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 4716 W. Urbana St., Broken Arrow 918-494-5800 www.eooms.com Christopher Kenny Templeton IV 6565 S. Yale Ave., Ste. 909 918-508-2121 www.revitalizeimplants.com Vic Trammell Eastern Oklahoma Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 4716 W. Urbana St., Broken Arrow 918-274-0944 www.eooms.com

Continued on p. 106

Restore Your Teeth... Live Life to the Fullest • • • • •

Do you cover your mouth when you smile? Do you avoid social situations? Do you have missing teeth that embarrass you? Do you have difficulty chewing? Do you eat only soft unhealthy food?

If you answered YES to any of the above, it’s time to reclaim your smile and start living again. In just a few visits, Dr. Terry Rigdon will restore your chewing ability and give you a beautiful smile in the process. Don’t live another season with teeth that are ruining your life. Call today, for your FREE Consultation. 918-494-8666

w w w. Tu l s a S m i l e D e n t i s t . c o m

10010 East 81st Street, Suite 200 Tulsa, OK 74133

w w w. Tu l s a I m p l a n t D e n t i s t . c o m TulsaPeople.com

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topDentists™ Continued from p. 105

Michael Hosier 9101 S. Toledo Ave. 918-523-4999 www.hosierorthodontics.com

Kyle Ross Shannon 3150 E. 41st St., Ste. 112 918-743-2321 www.shannonorthodontics.com

ORAL PATHOLOGY Richard Thomas Glass 1111 W. 17th St. 918-561-8240

Jeffrey Alan Housley 12813 E. 101st Place N., Owasso 918-272-4242

Patrick D. Shannon Jr. 3150 E. 41st St., Ste. 112 918-743-2321 www.shannonorthodontics.com

Donal Roy Woodward 6143 E. 91st St. 918-492-6994

ORTHODONTICS Brenda L. Chockley 3916 E. 91st St. 918-488-8889 www.cooperchockleyortho.com

Douglas A. Kirkpatrick 5304 S. Harvard Ave. 918-747-1346 www.klortho.com

Brent Shannon Dobson III 12813 E. 101st Place N., Owasso 918-272-4242

John Taylor Lockard 3200 S. Elm Place, Ste. 110, Broken Arrow 918-455-0976 www.lockardorthodontics.com

Kevin Christopher Duffy 1621 S. Eucalyptus Ave., Ste. 201, Broken Arrow 918-249-1818 www.duffyorthodontics.com

Ryan Van Nowlin Nowlin Orthodontics 12345 S. Memorial Drive, Ste. 113, Bixby 918-369-6100 www.nowlinortho.com

Clinton Wade Emerson 421 W. Stone Wood Drive, Broken Arrow 918-459-0092 www.emersonbraces.com

Van Landram Nowlin Nowlin Orthodontics 5010 E. 68th St., Ste. 200 918-492-6464 www.nowlinortho.com

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY Jeffrey J. Ahlert 14600 E. 88th St. N., Owasso 918-272-1444 www.jeffreyahlertdds.com April Ann Lai 2930 S. Pittsburg Ave. 918-742-9810 www.tulsadentistryforchildren.com Mark E. Morrow 2930 S. Pittsburg Ave. 918-742-9810 www.tulsadentistryforchildren.com Ronald Lynn Winder 5602 S. Memorial Drive 918-664-9797 www.tulsadentist.com

PERIODONTICS Ray A. Beddoe 2619 S. Elm Place, Ste. A, Broken Arrow 918-451-2717 www.gumsbybeddoe.com

PROSTHODONTICS Paul Wilkes 6565 S. Yale Ave., Ste. 505 918-502-6675

William Brent Burchard Vaught, Burchard & Associates Inc. 2902 S. Pittsburg Ave. 918-748-8868

Elmer Josiah Vaught Jr. Vaught, Burchard & Associates Inc. 2902 S. Pittsburg Ave. 918-748-8868 David Han Wong 4545 S. Harvard Ave. 918-749-1850 www.tulsagums.com William Bernard Wynn IV 6565 S. Yale Ave., Ste. 1008 918-492-0737 www.eoperiodontics.com

Dentistry for the Whole Family

Serving families of all ages • Implants • Clear Correct • Digital X-Rays • Cleanings • Teeth Whitening • Root Canals

Since 1985

Our Goal is to Make You Smile 106

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1321 E. 35th Street Tulsa, OK 74105 918.743.2928

TulsaPeople.com

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McGraw Realtors

Luxury ProPerTy GrouP aT mCGraw reaLTors Grand LaKe

Tim hayes

Near Langley Bluff. Great views of the main lake and protected cove with 272 feet of waterfront, 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths, gated and completely fenced, boat dock with lift, covered porch and tons of outdoor living space, granite, tile, hardwoods and just 5 minutes from Reasors! $729,000

918.231.5637 Tim@TimHayesJr.com

KeLLy howard

Grand LaKe

918.230.6341 khoward@mcgrawok.com

Eagleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nest Country French, 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths. Greek Island views of Grand Lake! Granite, tile, hardwoods, completely furnished inside and out with exquisite taste, hardly been lived in. Heat and aired workshop! $675,000

diana PaTTerson 918.629.3717 dpatterson@mcgrawok.com

eiGhT aCres

sherri sanders

2660 S. Birmingham Pl. Renovated and remodeled Jack Arnold home feels like new construction in gated and guarded Midtown community. Grand scale rooms, all new high-end kitchen, master with marble bath. Outdoor living with huge covered patio, fireplace, cooking center, pool and spa. $1,500,000

918.724.5008 ssanders@mcgrawok.com

Gordon sheLTon 918.697.2742 Gordon@GordonShelton.com

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McGraw Realtors

a neTworK of BroKers rePresenTinG The finesT ProPerTies worLdwide McGraw realtors has enjoyed the reputation of beinG northeastern oklahoMaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leader in sellinG luxury hoMes. the luxury property Group at McGraw is an extension of this reputation. the luxury property Group brinGs toGether these experts in MarketinG luxury and unique properties, eMployinG the hiGhest standards.

siLver Chase 3304 E. 98th St. Gorgeous landscaped setting with mature trees. Professional grade stainless steel appliances in granite kitchen. Hardwood floors, heavy crown moldings. Great Room open to Kitchen. Master Bath with free-standing tub. Tranquil outdoor living with infinity pool. 4 BR, 3 Baths, 2 Living Areas, 3-car garage. $649,000

esTaTes of waTersTone 3714 East 115th Street. Nestled on over 1/2 acre in a private cul-de-sac in gated community. This elegant stone and stucco home enjoys outdoor living with pool, spa and pond view. Vaulted Kitchen with commercial-grade appliances, library and home theatre room. 5 BR, 6.5 Baths, 4 Living Areas, 3-car Garage. $1,999,500.

midTown TuLsa

wiLdwood

1441 E. 33rd Street. Quality new construction with large, open kitchen with granite and stainless steel appliances. Game room plus media room. Master suite and guest bedroom downstairs. Outdoor living with fireplace and kitchen. Excellent Midtown location close to Brookside. 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3 living areas, 3-car garage. $750,000

2218 E 25th Pl. 1928 Charles Dilbeck designed home near Utica Square. This 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home offers a clinker brick exterior and authentic interior woodwork with a soaring vaulted ceiling in the living room! A study or TV room is off the living and dining rooms. Unique master suite upstairs with spa-like master bath! 3,014 sq. ft. $540,000

The Luxury ProPerTy GrouP 918 739-0397 TulsaPeople.com

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Luxury ProPerTy GrouP aT mCGraw reaLTors oaKview esTaTes

Tim hayes

2618 E 37th St. Custom built for the current owners in 1991, this 5,616 SF home offers formal living and dining rooms, combined kitchen and family room, first floor master suite and office. 4 bedrooms , 2 baths, game and hobby rooms up. An inground pool, deck, and 3 car garage completes this home on 1/2 acre lot! $975,000

918.231.5637 Tim@TimHayesJr.com

KeLLy howard 918.230.6341

CresTwood aT The river

khoward@mcgrawok.com

12021 S. Kingston Ave. New construction with pond view. Transitional Contemporary design. First floor theatre room, formal dining room, wine bar, study & guest suite. Master Suite has fireplace and closet connecting to laundry room. Exercise & game rooms up. Pool & outdoor living. 5 BR, 5/2 baths, 6 liv, 4-car garage. $1,249,000

diana PaTTerson 918.629.3717 dpatterson@mcgrawok.com

sherri sanders

TerwiLLeGer heiGhTs 2238 Terwilleger Blvd. Exquisite renovation throughout with respect for original architecture. SubZero/Viking professional kitchen with honed granite, marble baths, heated floors, elegant formals, family room, basement club room, guest quarters. Master with spa bath and dressing room. Offered at $975,000

918.724.5008 ssanders@mcgrawok.com

Gordon sheLTon 918.697.2742 Gordon@GordonShelton.com

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The Luxury ProPerTy GrouP 918 739-0397 110

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McGraw Realtors

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Ten acres of beautifully manicured land near 171st St. and 33rd West Avenue. Adjacent to golf course. $120,000

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1424 E 43rd Ct. Gated Brooktowne. Custom built in 2000. Master down, 2+ bedrooms up with office. $455,000.

Skiatook Lake. Magnificent home w/chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen, master w/exercise room. Gorgeous views. $699,000

12022 S. Kingston Ave. Contemporary elegance. Bocci chandeliers. Backyard resort. $1,399,900.

Gated Scissortail at Wind River. 3726 E. 116th Pl. Jenks SE Schools. 5 BR, 4.5 BA, 3 Living, 3-car Garage. $575,000.

Grand Lake. Eagles Roost waterfront. 3 BR, 3 BA, Greek Island Views. 34 ft slip. Completely furnished. $589,000.

7331 E. 112th St. $439,000. 4 BR, 3/2 BA, 3 Living, 3-car. Master and guest suite down. Game and media rooms.

Vintage on Grand lake. 4 BR, 3 BA, waterfront with 36 ft slip & lift, partially furnished. Immaculate. $529,000.

CaLL any one of The Luxury ProPerTy GrouP reaLTors aBouT one of These homes or any ProPerTy ThaT you have an inTeresT.

They wiLL

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River Oaks. 6009 E 117th Pl. Breathtakingly beautiful inside and out. Pristine newer construction. $1,995,000

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The Luxury ProPerTy GrouP 918 739-0397 TulsaPeople.com

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Secluded Log Home with Rich Details & Rustic Elegance

13.2 Acres with 8 Stall Horse Barn & Equipment Barn Open Floor Plan 5 Bedrooms 6 1/2 Bathrooms 4 Car Garage Multiple Living Areas Master Living Retreat En suite Bedrooms Full Outdoor Kitchen w fireplace Koi Pond 3 River Stone fireplaces 112

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9 1 8 . 5 1 8 .0500 BrownAndZinn@mcgrawok.com Raising Standards. Exceeding Expectations.

2218 South Erie Avenue $209,900

Midtown Tulsa

Updated, open Kitchen, Game Room and Family Room. All new thermal windows, blinds, carpet and remodeled Baths. All Bedrooms have walk-in closets. Fabulous Outdoor Living with mature trees. Great Midtown location closet to expressways. 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, 3 Living Areas, 2-car Garage.

10147 South Marion Avenue $274,900 Shady Oaks Estates Fabulous, spacious charmer with Pool and Outdoor Living on 1/2 acre. Elegant Formals, large Great Room, spacious Maser Suite, Office downstairs. Kitchen has serving window to the Pool. New high-efficiency HVAC, roof and gutters. Oversized Garage. Jenks SE Schools. 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, 3 Living Areas, 2-car Garage.

Carol Brown Senior Partner 114

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Chris Zinn

Brooke Spencer-Snyder

Senior Partner

Realtor Associate

Janis Taylor

Gannon Brown

Realtor Associate

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e ric P t an tion c fi c ni du Sig Re

Point South

3807 East 66th Street. Remodeled with stunning results. Spacious and open, all bedrooms have a private bath. Upscale granite and stainless steel kitchen. Fabulous vaulted master suite with luxury bath and huge custom closet. Enclosed patio opens to deck. Home backs to greenbelt. Point South offers neighborhood tennis courts, pool and trails. 3 BR, 3 BA, 2-car Garage. Carnegie Elementary. $325,000.

Catherine Tatum

918 492-7191 ctatum@mcgrawok.com

Catherineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rescued dogs, Magic and Merlin. Spay & Neuter Your Pets. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Kind Act & The Law. TulsaPeople.com

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Q&A from Tulsa Professionals WILLS AND TRUSTS Q: I’m in partnership with a 2-year-old? A: If your partner dies, his share may go to his insufferable wife, who you only tolerated. Worse yet, if she is also dead, it may pass to his 2-year-old kid. Every partnership needs a controlling agreement. The agreement should include buy-sell provisions and involve life insurance to buy his share from his family. With the help of an attorney, you can avoid being in business with a 2-year-old.

FITNESS AND HEALTH Q: I know I should be wearing more supportive shoes, but in the summer I would rather wear sandals and lightweight shoes. Is there anything I can do to get more support? A: Definitely! We love sandals for hot summer days, too, but flimsy sandals that offer no support and require you to grip the sandal with your toes to keep them on your feet are about the worst type of shoe for foot health. We recommend more supportive models from brands like Olukai and Superfeet which have substantial arch support. Additionally, we love Superfeet Dress-Fit Insoles which can add significant support to even the lightest flats and sneakers.

Karen L. Carmichael The Law Office of Karen L. Carmichael 918-493-4939 • 2727 E. 21st St., Ste. 402 www.tulsawillsandtrusts.com

Lori Dreiling, Owner Fleet Feet Sports Tulsa 5968 S. Yale • Tulsa, OK 74135 | 418 E. 2nd St. • Tulsa, OK 74120 918-492-3338 • www.fleetfeettulsa.com

GENERAL DENTISTRY

ATTORNEY

Q: What is gum recession? A: Gum recession occurs when the tooth root becomes exposed and may be a sign of gum disease. The role of gum tissue is to cover and protect the tooth root from decay. When gum tissue recedes, the bone and other tissues that support your tooth’s root are also lost. The resulting root sensitivity may also make eating and drinking unpleasant or even painful. It is important to identify and treat recession early. Left unchecked, recession could worsen to the point where the root becomes unprotected and teeth may loosen and fall out.

Q: I have a judgement against a person or company. What is the next step? A: Obtaining a money judgment is sometimes easier than collecting on that judgment. However, there are a number of post judgment collection options available. You can garnish the debtor’s bank account or paycheck. The debtor can also be required to appear before the court for an asset hearing, bring his/her/ company tax returns, bank account statements and loan information and answer questions under oath regarding all available assets including checking account numbers, personal property, vehicles, guns etc. Contact the attorneys at Stall, Stall & Thompson, P.A. for a free consultation to discuss your rights.

Gene McCormick DDS SAFE/COMFORT 2106 S. Atlanta Pl. • Tulsa, OK 74114 918-743-7444 • www.genemccormickdds.com

Kate D. Thompson Stall Stall & Thompson, P.A. 1800 South Baltimore, Ste. 900 • Tulsa, OK 74119 918-743-6201 • stallthompsonlaw.com

APTITUDE TESTING/CAREER COUNSELING

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Q: Our son doesn’t know what to major in. What can I do to help? A: Deciding on a college major is like any other career decision — you have to start with knowing yourself. You have to determine who you are before you can effectively decide what you want to do and where you want to do it. Help your son look at the whole of who he is, not just his interests. It’s also critical to determine his aptitudes and natural abilities, core personality characteristics, work motivators, values, skills, and goals.

Jenny Larsen, M.A., GCDF 2:10 Consulting, Inc. 8988 S. Sheridan, Ste. Y • Tulsa, OK 74133 918-814-2629 • www.210consulting.org 124

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Q: I have chronic back pain and do not want to take prescription medications. What do you recommend? A: Our pain management specialists receive extensive training in interventional and integrative pain medicine. These specialties are dedicated to the treatment of chronic pain, which often includes back pain, through non-invasive methods or minimally invasive outpatient procedures that help patients “take control of their pain,” ideally without the use of prescription medications. Our goal at Tulsa Pain is to treat pain without prescription medication. We provide patients with education and news they need to “take control of their pain.” Call us today at 855-918-PAIN and learn how we can help. Dr. Martin Martucci Tulsa Pain Consultants 2000 S. Wheeling • Suite 600 • Tulsa, OK 74104 918-742-7030 • www.tulsapain.org

VETERINARIAN Q: What does flea allergy look like? A: In dogs and cats that have flea allergy dermatitis, the owners often report they have not seen fleas. In pets that are hypersensitive, one flea bite can cause itching sensations for two weeks. Dogs typically chew at the base of their tail and self inflict a dermatitis. Cats develop small crusty bumps or excessively groom and pull out their hair. Talk to your veterinarian about the fastest acting flea products and treat all animals in the home year-round. Ed Wagner DVM 15th Street Veterinary Group 6231 E. 15th St. • Tulsa, OK 74112 918-835-2336

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Q: I am a 62-year-old widow and receive Social Security surviving spouse benefit. Would my survivor benefits be adversely affected if I remarry? A: No, your new marriage will not affect your eligibility for survivor’s benefits. After age 60 (age 50 if disabled), surviving spouses who remarry are entitled to continue receiving the same surviving spousal benefit. Keep in mind, should you remarry, after nine months you would be eligible for benefits under the new spouse’s Social Security record.The rules are complex, so seek advice to maximize your entitled benefits.

J. Harvie Roe, CFP, President AmeriTrust Investment Advisors, Inc. 4506 S. Harvard Ave. • Tulsa, OK 74135 hroe@amerad.com • 918-610-8080

BEAUTY AND WEIGHT MANAGEMENT Q: I’ve heard about a new procedure for dermal fillers that uses a micro-cannula. I’m curious what the difference is between this and the traditional method? A: The new technique for administering dermal fillers utilizes a micro-cannula, which is similar in size to a needle but the end has a rounded tip with no sharp edge. This allows for fewer entry sites which substantially decrease the chances of bruising and swelling. It also makes the procedure itself significantly more comfortable. Additionally, there is no damage to the capillaries or disruption of nerves resulting in a quicker recovery time. We invite you to learn more about dermal fillers and this method of application by scheduling a skin care consultation with us today. Malissa Spacek and Dr. James Campbell BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center 500 S. Elm Place • Broken Arrow, OK 74012 918-872-9999 • www.baweightspa.com TulsaPeople.com

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CALENDAR ITEM FIFTH ANNUAL

OKLAHOMA CHAMPIONSHIP

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AUGUST 24, 2013 The largest steak OKSTEAKCOOKOFF.COM dinner in Oklahoma will again be held in downtown Tulsa on August 24th in areas surrounding Trinity Episcopal Church.

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OKSTEAKCOOKOFF.COM 126

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ✻ OUT & ABOUT ✻ BENEFITS

agenda

Fireworks will be seen over the skies of Jenks following the suburb’s Independence Day celebrations.

7/4

Rockets’ red glare Jenks hosts two family-friendly festivals with plenty of Fourth of July fun. by HANNAH SMITH

TulsaPeople.com

Visit our online calendar for additional and updated event information.

Midnight madness P. 128

✻

Funk-rock Freaks P. 138

✻

‘SKID’ makes a mark P. 140 TulsaPeople.com

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July’s can’t-miss events 7

his Fourth of July marks the second annual Jenks America Freedom Fest in Jenks’ historic downtown. The Jenks Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Downtown Jenks Merchants Association to host the 2013 Independence Day celebration. The suburb’s quaint Main Street is a pleasant place for a stroll any time of year, lined with plenty of antique and gift shops nestled into the early 20th century brick buildings. On the Fourth of July, the street will become animated with patriotic decor and amusements. The festival is an all-day event featuring live music, food vendors, a window-decorating contest and more. Attendees will be given blank ballots to vote for their favorite window. At last year’s Freedom Fest, “we had people come out from surrounding regions and some from Arkansas,” says Josh Driskell, president of the Jenks Chamber of Commerce. Driskell looks forward to the community-oriented event this year and expects a similar number of

Freedom Fest will include live music along Jenks’ Main Street. attendees, if not more. Many families are attracted to the festival for its old-fashioned fun. “People can come on down for the afternoon and enjoy an old-time Jenks feel, listen to live music and walk through the shops,” he says. Sherry Bonner, chair of the Downtown Jenks Merchants Association and owner of The Pink Lily shop, says a schedule of event activities, which will include a parade, can be found

Photo courtesy of Jenks Chamber of Commerce

agenda

on the Jenks Chamber of Commerce website, www.jenkschamber.com. Bonner did promise one thing: “Everyone gets free watermelon!” Local merchants and food vendors will be open for the festival, which runs 11 a.m.-4 p.m. First Street south of Main and Second Street north of Main will be closed for the day. Admission and parking are free. After Freedom Fest, people can make their way to nearby RiverWalk Crossing for Sooner Boomfest, hosted by Los Cabos. Activities include face painting, a balloon artist and live music from noon until midnight. The culmination of every good Fourth of July celebration — a fireworks show — will start as soon as the sky is dark enough, between 8:30 and 9 p.m. Los Cabos will team up with local radio stations 103.3 FM and 96.5 FM to coordinate the show with a specially created playlist. Viewers can listen from the Los Cabos patio or tune in from their car or handheld device. Sooner Boomfest is free, with grass seating available near the water. tþ

Tatur’s Midnight Madness 50 Mile Road Race

An Affair of the Heart of Tulsa

7/5-6

7/12-14

is $70. Register at RunnersWorld Tulsa or at www.midmad50miler.eventbrite.com.

Show runs 9 a.m.-6 p.m., July 12 and 13; and 11 a.m.-5 p.m., July 14; at the Expo Center at Expo Square, 4145 E. 21st St. Cost is $7 (good for all three days); kids under 12 get in free. Visit www.aaoth.com for more details.

Tatur’s Midnight Madness 50 Mile Road Race Race Director Brian Hoover describes the Midnight Madness as “one of the toughest races in the country.” Chosen for its proximity to the national holiday and also for the hot, humid weather, this 51.5-mile race is a way to celebrate Independence Day by “testing your mental and physical toughness,” Hoover says. Starting at 11:59 p.m. on July 5, runners will line up at East 41st Street and Riverside Drive for the road race through the River Parks trail system. It is a mostly flat, 10.3-mile loop participants must run five times, alternating clockwise and counter-clockwise. The marathon ends with a celebration lunch at 10 a.m., July 6. Admission

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An Affair of the Heart of Tulsa The largest craft show in Green Country, An Affair of the Heart attracts more than 450 vendors from across the nation. Among the plentiful booths, products range from home decor and jewelry to gourmet food. Vendors share a consciousness of product sustainability and many support charitable causes. Lisa Frein, the show’s public relations representative, is confident that no matter who you are, you will have a good time. “It’s definitely a great family outing, girls’ weekend or just a special treat for yourself,” she says.

7/19-20

Center of the Universe Festival The Center of the Universe Festival, named after the architectural phenomenon on the Boston Avenue pedestrian bridge, will bring more than 70 bands to perform July 19-20. Among them are OneRepublic, Neon Trees, MUTEMATH, Mayer Hawthorne and Churchill. Two outdoor stages (at the Guthrie Green and across from Cain’s Ballroom) will accommodate performances each night until 11 p.m., when shows will move to indoor venues in the Brady Arts District. Proceeds will benefit the Brady Arts District Business Association to expand operating hours for the downtown trolley. Festival runs from

5 p.m.-2 a.m. each night. Free, general admission; $135, BOK Zone (up-close access and BOK Zone access at main stage both days); $245, VIP tickets (up-close access at both outdoor stages and VIP treats both days). Visit www.centeroftheuniversefestival.com for more details.

July 12-14, 2013 Expo Square / Tulsa, OK

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OUT & ABOUT

People, places and events

OCCJ Humanitarian Society The annual celebration of the Oklahoma Center for

Community and Justice’s Humanitarian Society was held on the rooftop deck of the Hardesty Arts Center (AHHA) in downtown Tulsa. Pictured are Mark Barcus, AHHA president; Stuart and Sherri Goodall, OCCJ vice president of membership; Rebecca Marks-Jimerson, OCCJ board member; Ken Busby, AHHA executive director and CEO; Nancy Day, OCCJ president and CEO; and Sanjay Meshri, OCCJ board chairman.

CANdlelight Ball The second annual

CANdlelight Ball on April 26 raised $282,188 for the Child Abuse Network Inc. Nearly 300 people enjoyed an elegant and educational evening at the Mayo Hotel. Pictured at the event are Mary and Frank Shaw, CANdlelight Ball sponsors.

hotel. The event, which was sponsored by Nordam, benefited Make-A-Wish Oklahoma. Pictured are Terrell Siegfried; Jeff Summers, Make-A-Wish Oklahoma CEO; Trish Summers; and Bailey Siegfried. TulsaPeople JULY 2013

Convention Center ballroom. Pictured are John Bolton, event chairman and Street School board member; Kelly McElroy, Street School’s director of community relations; Lori McGinnis-Madland, Street School executive director; and Katherine Offerman, event auction chairwoman and Street School advocate. The official dress was “your best ‘70s attire.”

Super Saturday Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology recently hosted Super Saturday, an event designed to reconnect with the community and showcase the university’s various degree programs and areas of specialty. Pictured at the event’s marker dedication are OSU Foundation representative Glenn Zannotti, President Bill Path and Tom Payne III. The marker was unveiled on the OSU-IT campus, honoring the contributions of Tom Payne Jr. to the institution.

Fight Night Tulsa Charity Fight Night XXII was held recently at the Hyatt Regency Tulsa

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Street Party Street School celebrated its annual Street Party fundraiser at the Tulsa

PSO Public Service Co. of Oklahoma recently celebrated its 100th anniversary by donating a digitized archive of 300 photographs to the Tulsa Historical Society during a reception at the Travis Mansion on May 28. The Tulsa Regional Chamber also presented PSO with a blownglass sculpture to recognize the company’s service to the Tulsa community. Pictured are Stuart Solomon, president and COO of PSO; and Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber.

The Center Polo Classic Andrea Nielsen Bartlett, Connie Doverspike and Susan Barrett

enjoyed an afternoon of Champagne, sideline socializing and divot stomping at the inaugural Center Polo Classic. Proceeds from the event, which was May 17 at Mohawk Park and featured polo matches by the Arrowhead Polo Club of Tulsa, benefited The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges.

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OUT & ABOUT

People, places and events

Iron Gate Grill & Chill 2013 Grill & Chill 2013 — an outdoor living event to benefit

Iron Gate, hosted by Metro Outdoor Living and presented by Iron Gate Young Professionals — was May 16. Pictured at the event are Mark McCoy, Metro Outdoor Living; Meghann Ray, Iron Gate; Linda Johnson, Metro Appliances & More; and Bailey Adkison, Iron Gate.

2013 Gatesway Celebrity Golf Classic The

Gatesway Foundation recently hosted its 2013 Celebrity Golf Classic at The Patriot Golf Club in Owasso. Pictured are Michael Garrett, former NFL player and Heisman Trophy winner; and Barry Maxwell, Gatesway Foundation executive director of resource development.

Southwood’s 30th Anniversary Southwood Landscape & Garden Center celebrated its 30th spring in Tulsa with a full day of festivities and a party on June 8th. Joseph and Virginia Schulte started Southwood in 1982 as a landscape design firm and the business became a retail garden center in 1983. Pictured are co-owners Virginia and Joseph Schulte with daughters Margaret Schulte and Brenda Baird, each a manager in the business located at 9025 S. Lewis Ave.

March Of Dimes Wine Dinner The sixth annual event celebrated the 75th anniversary of the March of Dimes. Pictured are Geoffrey van Glabbeek, executive chef of the Restaurant at Gilcrease; event co-founders and chairs Jeannine and Rob Irwin; Rick Frederico, representing event sponsor Thermador; and Grant Vespasian, executive chef of The Tavern. The gala at Metro Appliances & More was presented by Farmers Insurance Group.

The 2013 Patriot Cup Tulsa’s Bo Van Pelt was one of 25 touring golf professionals to

participate in the annual Patriot Cup at The Patriot Golf Club on Memorial Day. Pictured with Van Pelt (third from right) at the event are Virginia Gravinas, Alan Oliver, Steve Parks, John Roffers and Andy Dexter. The event annually benefits The Folds Of Honor Foundation, which provides scholarships and other assistance to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service to their country.

Oklahoma Young Professionals Conference Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb hosted the Iron Gate Founders’ Dinner The inaugural event honored the three church friends

whose feeding of a hungry person following a Bible study class at Trinity Episcopal Church in 1978 was the genesis of Trinity’s Iron Gate Street Feeding Ministry. The honorees at the dinner benefiting Iron Gate were Gene Buzzard, the Rev. John C. “Jack” Powers and Keenan Barnard, pictured with Connie Cronley, Iron Gate’s executive director. Last year, Iron Gate served 300,000 hungry and homeless people in Tulsa. 132

TulsaPeople JULY 2013

event at the Tulsa Convention Center, which featured topical break-out sessions for young professionals and a keynote speech by Stan Clark, founder and CEO of Eskimo Joe’s. Pictured are Lt. Gov. Lamb; Isaac Rocha, 2013 chairman-elect of Tulsa’s Young Professionals; Stan Clark; Hillary Parkhurst, 2013 TYPros chairwoman; Shagah Zakerion, TYPros program manager; and Henry Primeaux, CEO of sponsor Primeaux Kia, who introduced Clark. Other event sponsors were the Cherokee Nation, TYPros, the State Chamber of Oklahoma and TulsaPeople Magazine.

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The exhibition is organized by Joslyn Art Museum, Durham Center for Western Studies and the Denver Art Museum, The Petrie Institute of Western American Art. TulsaPeople.com

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CHARITABLE EVENTS REGISTRY

Fundraisers and fun happenings

July compiled by JUDY LANGDON

7/22 14th annual Boys &

Girls Clubs of Metro Tulsa Golf Tournament Howard and Billie Barnett

helped to promote the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club Golf Tournament to be held at Tulsa Country Club. Howard played in the Boys & Girls Club Golf Tournament last year, and Billie is the immediate past president of the Salvation Army Tulsa Area Command Advisory Board.

Amy McAbee, Patty Hawkins, Karie M. Jordan and Christina Citty of The Bridges Foundation.

Volunteer Spotlight 7/25 Recipe to End Hunger The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma’s Recipe to End Hunger event will feature a “Barbeque and Beer Night” theme. Pictured are Heidi Ewing, community engagement manager; Maggie Hoey, communications and marketing manager; and Marsha Bukofzer, director of external relations.

July 19 — Eighth annual Bridges Foundation barbecue 6:30-10 p.m. Tulsa Historical Society, 2445 S. Peoria Ave. Oklahoma-style barbecue buffet, live Southern rock and soulful music by the Full Flava Kings, and silent and live auctions. Country club-casual dress. $100. Benefits The Bridges Foundation. Call Christina Citty, 918-592-3333; or visit www.thebridgesfound.org. July 22 — 14th annual Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Tulsa Golf Tournament 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., flights. Tulsa Country Club, 701 N. Union Ave. $150, individuals; $600, teams. Benefits Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Tulsa. Call Carrie Salce, 918-587-7801, ext. 121; or visit www.uss.salvationarmy.org. July 25 — Recipe to End Hunger 6 p.m. Culinary Center, Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, 1304 N. Kenosha Ave. “Barbeque and Beer Night” three-course meal prepared, narrated and served by local guest chef. $45. Reservations required. Benefits Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. Call Deb Hughes, 918-936-4507; or visit www.cfbeo.org. July 27 — 2013 Wild Brew 5-8 p.m. Central Park Hall, Expo Square, 4145

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E. 21st St.; 4-5 p.m., patron’s hour; 5-8 p.m., public event. Domestic and international beer tastings, with food from selected local restaurants. Casual dress. $60, early bird admission; $65, regular admission. Benefits Sutton Avian Research Center. Call 918-633-1308, or visit www.wildbrew.org. July 27 — “Somewhere in Time with RSVP” 6-9 p.m. Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, 777 W. Cherokee St., Catoosa. 6 p.m., cocktail hour with silent auction; 7:15 p.m., dinner, program and entertainment; 8:15 p.m., live auction. “Snowy Moscow” theme suggests white, dressycasual attire; free valet parking. $80, individuals; $150, couples; $500$10,000, sponsorships. Benefits Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Call 918-280-8656, or visit www.rsvptulsa.org. July 28 — Annual benefit concert, “Celebrating Freedom, Hope and Centenarians” Benefits Northeast Active Timers (NEATs). Visit www.NEACCO.org. tþ

TulsaPeople.com

Visit the online Charitable Events Registry for updated event information.

by JUDY LANGDON

Patty Hawkins Volunteer, The Bridges Foundation

atty Hawkins has only been volunteering for The Bridges Foundation since 2011, but that’s after seven years with RARC, which merged with the foundation in 2012. Consequently, she is an old hand at sharing her time and energy. “When I am focused on helping someone else, the load I carry seems so much lighter,” she says. “Everyone has something to give ... money, time, a hug, a smile.” Hawkins became involved with the nonprofit because her daughter, Emily, has been a client since 2005. The Bridges Foundation’s eighth annual barbecue is July 19. Explain the thrust of The Bridges Foundation, and how many years it has been a Tulsa nonprofit. The Bridges Foundation got its start in 1964. At that time, the name was H.O.W. (Handicapped Opportunity Workshop) — not to be confused with the H.O.W. Foundation we know today. The name changed in 1988. So, for almost 50 years, The Bridges Foundation has served individuals with developmental disabilities that live in Tulsa and surrounding areas ... The Bridges Foundation enhances (clients’) quality of life through job placement and vocational training. Why is The Bridges Foundation so important to you? My interest in The Bridges Foundation is a personal one, since my daughter is one of the 202 clients served. She has worked here since graduating high school in 2005. All parents want a safe environment and opportunities for growth

for their children. This is a rare find when an organization like Bridges provides both. Emily is always happy to go to work each day and especially loves “pay day.” Tell us about the eighth annual barbecue. Our eighth annual barbeque will be Friday, July 19, from 6:30-10 p.m. at the Tulsa Historical Society located at 2445 S. Peoria Ave. We will have great music from Full Flava Kings; a wonderful barbecue buffet with open bar; (and) after dinner, we will have both a silent and live auction with items that everyone will want to walk away with. And you have another fundraiser following that, right? The Bridging the Gap Walk is held annually at Centennial Park on East Sixth Street between South Peoria and South Madison avenues. The one lap around the park is a fun walk for clients, families and friends. Prizes are awarded to the individuals who raise the most money in first, second and third place. The 2013 walk will be in August. Why is volunteerism is so important through The Bridges Foundation? Bridges teaches life skills that help our clients grow personally and provides ways to help individuals live as independently as possible. I have watched firsthand someone finding success with a living skill after months of hard work and multiple attempts. Being an advocate and a “voice” for my daughter and the other 202 clients at Bridges is something I don’t take lightly. It is one of my responsibilities as a volunteer to look out for their best interest and make sure each person is represented justly. Without the volunteers, The Bridges Foundation would not be able to provide the services it does.

July 19 — The Bridges Foundation Eighth Annual Barbecue 6:30 p.m.

Tulsa Historical Society, 2445 S. Peoria Ave. Visit www.thebridgesfound.org.

UPCOMING GAMES

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28th Annual Bartlett Regatta Launch Party

Thursday, August 15 at 6 p.m. The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges

Join us for dinner, silent & live auctions! Awards Celebration

Saturday, September 21 at 6 p.m. Cherokee Yacht Club on Grand Lake

Join us for a poolside dinner & the Regatta Awards presentation.

918-794-4506 www.tulsacenter.org

TulsaPeople.com

135

THE CULTURIST

The best of local arts and culture

Beauty in the bucket list

ALSO THIS MONTH

by KENDRA BLEVINS

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Steve’s Sundry book signings “Healing Hearts,” by Tulsa pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Hisashi Nikadoh, shares eight mothers’ deeply honest and gut-wrenching journeys through grief. Signing is 1-3

p.m., July 6.

Chelsea McGuire with Tulsa’s Before I Die wall, part of a global art project presented locally by Take Heart Tulsa — the other is in Oklahoma City — and it features people’s desires, from skydiving to helping the homeless, with a few silly comments such as, “Before I die ... I want to eat a donut.” Anyone can participate, and the group chooses one wish per month to make come true. So, you may want to think bigger than just eating a donut. Andrea Clark, Take Heart Tulsa’s March contest winner, wrote, “Before I die ... I want to run the D.C. marathon.” Clark is an esthetician, and to help her earn the money to get to the marathon in October, Take Heart Tulsa will host a series of spa night events for its members. The proceeds from the events will go entirely to help Clark get to D.C. The D.C. marathon, or the Marine Corps Marathon, is Oct. 27; Clark’s job now is to train for the run in honor of her disabled stepfather. “My stepdad was paralyzed in a car accident when I was in fourth grade,” she says. “It motivates me to run because I have the ability to run.” This will be Clark’s first full marathon, which she will do with her stepmother and brother.

Evan Taylor

t was a muggy day, signaling an imminent downpour, when I met Chelsea McGuire, founder of Take Heart Tulsa, at Back Alley Blues & BBQ. Take Heart Tulsa is “Tulsa’s premier adventure club,” offering group excursions to explore Tulsa and the surrounding areas. “Currently, Tulsa is going through a revitalization and the city has many exciting activities and attractions to offer its residents, but many Tulsans don’t know how to seek these activities and attractions out,” McGuire explains on the Take Heart Tulsa website. “Take Heart Tulsa is bringing together all the things that Tulsa has to offer to create a safe environment for friendship and chemistry to happen while members explore their city.” Excursions range from photography and cooking classes to wine tastings and zip-lining. Membership is free, and most events are reasonably priced. On my own mini adventure at Back Alley Blues & BBQ, I wound my way through the cool restaurant that smelled of smoked meat and out into its hot courtyard, where the Before I Die wall stood. The wall is large enough to occupy almost the entire end of the restaurant’s courtyard. It’s basically a big chalkboard with “Before I die ...” stenciled at the top, with rows of spaces for wishes — yours, mine, the more the merrier. “I have to come out here and get a picture of the entries before the rain washes it away,” McGuire says. The ever-changing wall is part of The Before I Die global art project, which was created by Candy Chang of New Orleans after losing a loved one. The project is being repeated on more than 200 Before I Die walls in more than 40 countries and in 15 languages. Take Heart Tulsa’s Before I Die wall is one of only two walls in Oklahoma

“I would have to wait until next year without Take Heart’s help,” she says. So, why did Take Heart Tulsa branch out from group excursions into wish fulfillment? McGuire says the project fit with its mission to provide a community for people to indulge in their interests. “The wall is a manifestation of those interests and passions,” she explains. “It’s a Tulsa-focused contest, and I want to prove that you can make your dreams happen from right here in Tulsa. Even if it’s outlandish, it can be done in your own community.” To submit your wish to the Before I Die contest, write it on the wall, take a photo of yourself next to it and submit the photo on the group’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pages/take-heart-tulsa. The wall moves quarterly to a new location, so keep up with it on Facebook and Twitter. Learn more about the global project at www.beforeidie.cc. tþ

Take Heart Tulsa membership is free, and members enjoy at least six excursions per month. Be on the lookout for Take Heart Tulsa’s birthday bash this month. Learn more at www.takehearttulsa.com.

“Revelations of Profound Love: New Insights into the Power of Love from NearDeath Experiences,” by Anne Frances Ellis, looks into a world beyond time and space, where love is unconditional, nonjudgmental and inclusive.

Signing is 1-3 p.m., July 13. Steve’s Sundry Books and Magazines is located at 2612 S. Harvard Ave.

Art Explorations Individuals with early stage Alzheimer’s disease and their care partners are invited for a gallery discussion and a hands-on art activity with teaching artist Louise Higgs. Presented in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association Oklahoma and Arkansas Chapter. 10 a.m.-noon,

July 9, Gilcrease Museum, 1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Road. Free.

SummerStage The Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust presents the annual performing arts festival, SummerStage Tulsa, featuring local artists in theater, dance, music and more. Through July

27, at Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 110 E. Second St. Purchase tickets at www.tulsapactrust.org.

Kendra Blevins is a freelance writer who enjoys playwriting, community theater, traveling and reading.

TULSA SOUND

A look at what’s happening in the local music scene

JULY’S BEST BETS FOR LIVE MUSIC

Fresh squeezed

7/10 Son Volt, Cain’s

by JARROD GOLLIHARE

Ballroom “Honky-tonk music is about heartache, heartbreak, the road,” says Son Volt founder/vocalist/ lyricist Jay Farrar. So, I ask you, what better place could there be to experience this acclaimed alternative country band than the quintessential honky-tonk palace, Cain’s Ballroom? The band will play music from its sixth studio release, “Honky Tonk.” The authenticity will be thick ... and the music, as always, will be fantastic. Concert starts at

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7 p.m.

7/14 Alabama Shakes,

Tracy Arvidson for 918 Photos

reak Juice, Tulsa’s longtime funk-rock experimenters, are true musical mixologists. The group creates some of the tastiest, hard-hitting (and sometimes absolutely left-field) concoctions this side of Parliament Funkadelic and Fishbone — with a healthy dose of jazz, punk and R&B thrown in for good measure. Founder/guitarist Tori Ruffin, along with a rotating cast of super talented musicians, including bassist/vocalist Charlie Redd and drummer Stanley Fary (both from Full Flava Kings), bassist/vocalist Christian Mason, and vocalists/emcees Jode Earl “Free Weezy” Hazard and Chris Simpson (aka “Pimpson”), are simply a force of nature onstage. This summer, Freak Juice will release its third studio recording. Ruffin, the band’s leader, has an impressive rock/funk pedigree. After catching the performance bug in his teens, he went on to study marketing and music at Cal Arts and North Texas State in the ’80s before moving to Austin (where he met and played in a few bands with Redd). Eventually Ruffin wound up in Los Angeles, where one of his first gigs was as a member of the fictional funk band Sexual Chocolate in Eddie Murphy’s hit comedy “Coming to America.” In the ’90s, Ruffin met Prince protégé Morris Day and became a full-time member of his backing band, The Time. As if that weren’t enough, he also occasionally plays with eclectic alterna-rock-ska-funk pioneers Fishbone. When not touring with those acts or teaching guitar at Brook Fine Arts in Tulsa, however, Ruffin’s passion project is Freak Juice. “I’ve always loved different styles of music ... jazz, funk, rock, punk,” says Ruffin, whose Freak Juice persona is part rock ‘n’ roll showman, part mad guitar scientist. “I’ve never thought there should be any restrictions on how to make a record.”

Freak Juice In fact, the band’s name sums up its overall musical goal. “Juice is what I like to call the music,” Ruffin explains. “Freak is how we blend all the styles. I had a friend, Michael Landau, a big session player in L.A. We used to call each other ‘juicemakers.’” Ruffin founded Freak Juice while living in L.A., but a chance meeting with Redd changed his perspective of Oklahoma. “We met on the road while Charlie was touring with Jimmy Vaughn,” Ruffin says. “He was telling me all about Tulsa. My first reaction was ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’ But I came down here one time and played a show and fell in love with the place. The audiences are really receptive here, and it’s a good live

music town. Nobody believes me in L.A. when I tell ‘em though.” Freak Juice’s music release catalog so far consists of 2000’s “Juicemaker,” 2007’s “Like You” and a live double CD recorded two years ago at The Mercury Lounge. “The live record is probably the closest thing to what we really are,” Ruffin says. “We’ve got a new studio record we’re working on, though. We’re going to release at The Mercury Lounge on Aug. 10. I’m really excited about it ... we’ve got some good stuff on there.” tþ

Check out the band’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/freakjuice, for more information and booking. The band’s releases are available on www.cdbaby.com and iTunes.

Cain’s Ballroom When Alabama Shakes singer/ guitarist Brittany Howard really digs into her lyrics, you believe every word she’s singing. The band’s old-Southern-soul-meetsindie-rock vibe, punctuated by Howard’s powerful vocals, has been resonating with music lovers since its 2011 independent EP earned the group an invitation to play at the CMJ Music Marathon industry showcase in New York. The band is now touring to support its debut ATO Records release, “Boys & Girls.”

Opening acts include Fly Golden Eagle and Hurray for the Riff Raff. Concert kicks off at 7 p.m.

Jarrod Gollihare is a freelance writer and one-third of Tulsa power-pop group Admiral Twin. He’s also a music producer and a painter of odd things. He claims to be the true king of Prussia, but no one believes him.

Thanks

To Our Supporters & Participants In the 33rd Annual

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Tom Boyd CF Golf Classic at Cedar Ridge Country Club Presented by

Lexus Champions for Charity and Lexus of Tulsa May 13, 2013 PRESIDENTIAL SPONSOR The Jean Boyd Family PRESENTING SPONSORS David and Rita Adams Anonymous in Memory of Lo Detrich Breeze Investments, LLC – Jim and Mary Bush CMark Resources, LLC – Mark and Cinda Marra Jack Richardson Foundation Terry and Pam Carter Jeff Galvin Family – In Honor of Grace Galvin Independent Tubular – Mike and Debbie Allred Lexus Champions for Charity Lexus of Tulsa Mesa Products Primary Natural Resources III, LLC Senior Star Living – Robert and Jill Thomas, William and Susan Thomas TulsaPeople WPX Energy The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation TOURNAMENT SPONSORS Mickey Meimerstorf CJ and Theo Silas Unit Corporation HOSPITALITY SPONSOR Scientific Drilling GOLF SPONSORS Baker Hughes BNY Mellon Wealth Management BlueStone Natural Resources, LLC Chart Cooler Service Company, Inc. Executive AirShare Grant Thornton, LLP Green Country Interiors Halliburton Energy Services Hesselbein Tire of OK Integrated Physical Health — Tyler Bachman In Honor of Sara Sheehan Plaster & Wald Consulting Corp Tulsa Sports Authorities The University of Tulsa Weatherford International of Tulsa HOLE SPONSORS Pat and Jan O’Connor Grand Bank Matrix Service Company SageNet Jennifer Sellers, LCSW TWO Architecture – Richard Winn Venture Properties

AUCTION DONORS 24K Airbrush Tanning Studio Mary and Jim Bush Cedar Ridge Country Club Charleston’s Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Forest Ridge Golf Club Hilti In The Raw Jeannine and Rob Irwin Lexus Champions for Charity Lexus of Tulsa Pat and Terry May Mahogany Grill MeadowBrook Country Club Old Village Wine and Spirits ORU Philcrest Hills Tennis Club Red Rock Canyon Grill Betty Robinson Savoy Senior Star Living – Robert and Jill Thomas, William and Susan Thomas SKY Fitness and Wellbeing Sunny Nails and Spa Synergy Day Spa TiAmo Tulsa Ballet The University of Tulsa Paul Woodul EVENT CONTRIBUTORS Citizens Security Bank Scott Jergensen Sue and Gary Jergensen LDF Companies Lexus of Tulsa Lexus Champions for Charity QuikTrip Corporation Red Rock Canyon Grill Ti Amo Ristorante Verizon WPX Energy GOLF COMMITTEE Mark Sheehan – chair Sean Dolan Phil Eller Jack Fritts Rob Irwin Bob Joyce Mike Sellers Renee Sheehan Rich Talley Jo Ann Winn, CFF Executive Director SPECIAL THANKS CF Volunteers Mike McCarthy – emcee Cedar Ridge Country Club

Don Thornton of Lexus of Tulsa; emcee Mike McCarthy; Sara Sheehan, Mark Sheehan and Renee Sheehan.

Mark Sheehan, Golf Chairman; Bruce Nelson, Chris Dodge and Bailey Word.

Congratulations and Thank You, Tulsa, The Tom Boyd Memorial Cystic Fibrosis Golf Classic once again had a very successful event, raising $150,000 for CF Research this year! That brings the eleven-year total net proceeds raised to about 1.6 million dollars! This is an outstanding accomplishment for a local charity golf tournament, and is due to the generosity of our many sponsors, participants and donors. All involved with the tournament have contributed to its’ fundraising success. It’s impossible to thank everyone, but some people and organizations deserve to be singled out. Special thanks go to our golf committee: my wife Renee, Jack Fritts, Rich Talley, Bob Joyce, Mike Sellers, Sean Dolan, Rob Irwin and of course the indomitable Jo Ann Winn. Mike McCarthy always infuses the event with personality by donating his time and talent emceeing the awards ceremony and live auction. Red Rock Canyon Grill and Ti Amos Restaurant have continuously and graciously provided lunch and dinner, and Scientific Drilling was our new hospitality sponsor this year. Barbara and Don Thornton of Lexus of Tulsa gave the tournament a big boost when they came on board six years ago and have contributed some outstanding auction prizes as well as their other support. David Bryan, Cleve Stubblefield and the entire staff of Cedar Ridge Country Club have always done an outstanding job hosting the event. And, of course, the tireless efforts of Jo Ann Winn, her staff and the many volunteers of the Sooner Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation have been the catalyst to making this golf tournament one of the most successful small market golf events in the nation. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to everyone who has ever been a sponsor, participant or volunteer for this tournament, and I look forward to seeing everyone in the years to come. As many of you know, this is a very personal effort for me as my daughter Sara has CF, so it is difficult for me to put into words the gratitude I feel towards everyone who has supported this tournament and the CF Foundation in general. I am continuously amazed at the generosity of the people in Tulsa!

Sincerely, Mark Sheehan Chairman CF Golf Classic The Sooner Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is located at 2642 E. 21st St. in Tulsa. If you would like information on next year’s Tom Boyd Memorial Golf Classic or the work of the CF Foundation, please call 744-6354.

GET THE PICTURE

Notes on local and regional film and video

High-flying film Oklahoma’s mark on the movie-making map continues to take flight. by HEATHER KOONTZ Actors Brett Bower and Dustin McKamie in a scene from “SKID” filmed at Tulsa International Airport.

he landscape of the Sooner State lends itself to vast storylines and scenes, and has been spotted in movies as varied as “The Grapes of Wrath” and “Transformers.” In an upcoming film adaptation of award-winning Oklahoma native Rene Gutteridge’s novel “SKID,” the third installment of her Occupational Hazards Series, Oklahoma will again be famous. Produced by Grey Wolf Productions, “SKID” is a humorous look at characters on a flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam. Inspiration for the novel and film comes from Oklahoma Citian Gutteridge’s love of comedy and her interest in people’s occupations. Her Occupational Hazards Series focuses on the Hazards, who worked in the family business before tragedy forced them to fend for themselves in the real world. Through her books, they explore various jobs and situations. Gutteridge, who wrote the screen adaptation of her novel — one of 18 she has published — says it just made sense to film “SKID” in Oklahoma.

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Screenwriter Rene Gutteridge in a DC-9 cockpit at the OKC Metro Tech Aviation Campus.

“Oklahomans are hard workers and dedicated to what they put their minds to,” Gutteridge says. “I knew we’d be able to gather a good cast and crew.” Among filming locations are the OKC Metro Tech Aviation Campus, Tulsa International Airport and Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology.

The film’s director, Ryan “Staples” Scott, is the owner of RYIT Creative, and has written and directed various festival films, including his first feature, “Wolf Head.” Staying truly local, producers cast many Oklahomans in the film. Next to leads Wil Crown, Laurie Cummings and Brett Bower, Tulsan Torey Byrne landed the role of character Lucy Meredith. “Working on ‘SKID’ has been one of the greatest experiences of my life,” Byrne says. “The characters (Gutteridge) created are wonderful, and I know I speak for everyone when I say it has been a blessing bringing them to life. The on-set dynamic is incredible.” A graduate of Riverfield Country Day School, Byrne has been acting professionally for about a year and a half, completing five features and eight short films. The 20-year-old actress describes her connection to her “SKID” character, a young woman on Atlantica Flight 1945, as one that many can relate to. Despite many challenges throughout the story, Lucy ultimate-

ly discovers everything she needs within herself. Byrne feels there is a little bit of Lucy in everyone. “That’s what is so special about the story,” she says. “The audience can relate to each of these human beings while being entertained at the same time.” She considers the role the chance of a lifetime, and says she wanted to be a part of this project as soon as she left the audition. “Rene really is an incredible writer, and I’m so grateful to her, our director ... and the entire cast and crew of ‘SKID’,” she adds. They are a cast and crew that, Gutteridge says, wear many different hats. “At one point, I was picking scrambled eggs off the floor of the airplane,” Gutteridge says. “It was the kind of setting where nobody was above doing the small things.” The writer claims more novels are in her future, though she is certain she will return to independent filmmaking when “the time is right.” For now, production continues on “SKID.” The film focuses on the world of airline workers, but its creation will shed light on Oklahoma’s pool of talent. “If I had all of Hollywood at my disposal, I wouldn’t change a single cast member,” Gutteridge says. “There are truly brilliant actors in Oklahoma.” If all goes according to plan, “SKID” should see a premiere this fall. Visit www.facebook.com/skidmovie for updates. tþ

Heather Koontz is a graduate of The University of Tulsa’s Film Studies program. She enjoys spending time with her Westie and French bulldog, as well as remodeling her 100-year-old home with her husband, Byron.

ENTERTAINMENT TO APPLAUD

CELEBRITY ATTRACTIONS

DISNEY’S THE LION KING

Joan Marcus

EXPERIENCE the phenomenon of Disney’s The Lion King. Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by award-winning director Julie Taymor, whose visual images for this show you’ll remember forever. Thrill to the pulsating rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable score, including Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” along with the duo’s other catchy songs carried over from the animated film, including “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata.” Let your imagination run wild at the Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation Newsweek calls “a landmark event in entertainment.” June 4–July 7

JANET RUTL AND

A SONG IS BORN VOCALIST Janet Rutland’s ninth cabaret show for SummerStage Tulsa features music by some of the most celebrated songwriters of our time, including Stephen Sondheim and Burt Bacharach, as well as the prolific work of perhaps lesser-known writers like John Pizzarelli and Dave Frishberg. “I’ve had a few songs in my hip pocket for some time that didn’t really fit into my previous themed shows,” says Rutland. “This time the criteria are that, in addition to being material I love, the songs must be from current (living) writers.” Popular piano man Scott McQuade will accompany Rutland. July 11-12 at 7:30 p.m. C H A R L E S E . N O R M A N T H E AT R E Tickets are $10; $15 for table seating.

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL Tickets are $30-$90.

TULS A FOLKLORIC DANCE THE ATER

DHADKAN

“DHADKAN” means heartbeat. This theatrical show, conceived and directed by Priya Raju, is based on the notion that dance and music are the heartbeat of the human soul. The audience is taken on an adventurous journey through the eyes of a little girl trying to understand the positive impact of dance and music everywhere. Musical acts include Chinese spirited lion dance, colorful Indian classical and

Bollywood dance, beautiful Middle Eastern belly dance, rhythmic salsa and contemporary hip hop. Dhadkan shows that cultural diversity can bring a spirit of unity and be the “heartbeat” reminding us that the world is one giant community. July 12-13 at 7:30 p.m. L I D D Y D O E N G E S T H E AT R E Tickets are $14; $12 for seniors, $11 for students.

TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER • TULSAPAC.COM • BUY TICKETS AT 918-596-7111 AND MYTICKETOFFICE.COM TulsaPeople.com

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ENTERTAINMENT TO APPLAUD THE PL AYHOUSE TULS A

LITTLE WOMEN THE PLAYHOUSE TULSA debuts an original adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved story Little Women. Written by Cody Daigle (William and Judith) and commissioned exclusively for Playhouse Tulsa, Little Women tells the story of the four March sisters, Meg (Anna Bennett), Jo (Tabitha Littlefield), Beth (Courtney Farney) and Amy (Grace Stump). Courtneay Sanders, last seen at the PAC as Corrie in Barefoot in the Park, portrays the girls’ mother, “Marmee.” The family’s handsome young neighbor, Laurie, is played by Tyler Humphries. The rest of the cast includes John Knippers as Laurie’s father, Mr. Laurence, and Barbara Murn as Aunt March. Set in the American Civil War years and filled with humor, heartbreak and hope, Little Women is a timeless tale about the power of family, friendship and love. July 12-13 at 7:30 p.m. July 13-14 at 2 p.m. JOHN H. WILLIAMS T H E AT R E Tickets are $24;$19 for students and seniors.

MISCHIEVOUS SWING IN CONCERT ROOTED IN TRADITION, but also deeply committed to innovation, Mischievous Swing is a refreshing voice in both jazz and acoustic genres. Covering the rich scope of jazz, the quartet’s music invites you to experience the rhythms of Latin America, the sounds of French cafes and gypsy camps, and the swing of jazz clubs in New York, Chicago and Kansas City. Mischievous Swing is made up of Isaac Eicher, known nationally for his prowess in mandolin contests; violinist Shelby Eicher, who was a member of Roy Clark’s band for 15 years; virtuosic gypsy-jazz guitarist Ivan Peña; and bassist Nathan Eicher, who holds a master’s degree in jazz studies. Bound together by family and deep musical friendship, this is a tight band that celebrates the joy of making music. July 13 at 7:30 p.m. July 14 at 2 p.m. C H A R L E S E . N O R M A N T H E AT R E Tickets are $12; table seating is $17.

VANESS A ADAMS -HARRIS

NATIVE WOMEN’S VOICES: SOFKEE FOR THE SOUL SOFKEE IS A NATIVE AMERICAN food similar to grits, often kept in a big crock on the floor beside the stove. Just as sofkee is a sustaining food, eaten in the winter months, art and the art form of playwriting feed the soul of an artist playwright. Native American Women’s Voices: Sofkee for the Soul is an exploration work on hearing new voices emerge, hearing how Native women are sustaining themselves and experiencing the world of Native iden-

tity through playwriting. How are Native women feeding their souls? How are they sustaining their connection to community through writing? What’s going on in Indian Country and the border regions? July 18-20 at 7:30 p.m. July 21 at 2:30 p.m. C H A R L E S E . N O R M A N T H E AT R E Tickets are $10; $8 for seniors, $5 for students and children over age 2.

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PORTICO DANS THE ATRE

COMBINED MINDS COMBINED MINDS is a cross-disciplinary performance using new aerial apparatuses, largescale installation art, and multiple dance styles to illustrate a troubled young girl’s mind. The production features children in a twisted tale of toys coming to life and controlling the mind of a bullied girl. Similar to the Russian ballet Petrushka, the story shows toys that develop emotions, but pushes further by having the toys help plot revenge on the girl’s bully. This production marks the first time Portico Dans Theatre’s aerial dancers will use lyra (for carousel horses) and bungee cords (for a jack-in-the-box). Additional aerialists portray monkeys on aerial silks. Original video by Jeff Anderson and large-scale installation art pieces by renowned artist Glenn Herbert Davis create a dynamic set. July 19-20 at 8 p.m. July 21 at 2 p.m. J O H N H . W I L L I A M S T H E AT R E Tickets are $20; $15 for seniors, $10 for students.

CELEBRITY ATTRACTIONS

1964… THE TRIBUTE

THE ATRE TULS A

CHILDREN’S LETTERS TO GOD BASED ON THE best-selling book by the same name, Children’s Letters to God is a musical that follows the lives of several young friends as they voice beliefs, desires, questions and doubts common to all people but most disarmingly expressed by children. The tuneful music and delightful story, based on actual letters, explore timeless issues in a humorous and often poignant way. This entertaining show carries a universal message that crosses the boundaries of age, geography and religion. A spirited cast of some of Tulsa’s most talented youth performers brings this show to life with live music and energetic staging. July 19-20 at 7:30 p.m. July 20-21 at 2 p.m. L I D D Y D O E N G E S T H E AT R E Tickets are $16; $12 for students and seniors.

WE LOVE THEM, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH! 1964…The Tribute is back for its 28th consecutive summer in Tulsa. Lauded as the “best Beatles tribute on Earth” by Rolling Stone magazine, 1964…The Tribute takes you back to the early days of the “British invasion” when John, Paul, George and Ringo appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, and music, hairstyles and fashion changed in a drumbeat. From their Beatle boots, “Shea” jackets and stovepipe pants to their mannerisms, musicianship and unmistakable harmonies, the stars of 1964…The Tribute capture the essence of the Fab Four as they perform a live concert of their early hits, including “Please, Please Me,” “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” “A Hard Day’s Night” and many, many more. July 19 at 8 p.m. CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL Tickets are $25-$50.

TICKET PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE • BUY TICKETS AT 918-596-7111 AND MYTICKETOFFICE.COM TulsaPeople.com

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The Last Word

Commentary on Tulsa life by CONNIE CRONLEY

Hooked on hookah

So, the other evening

when I was at the hookah lounge ... What? You don’t think I’m hip enough to go to a hookah lounge? I worried about that myself. I didn’t know what a hookah lounge was. I see them popping up — usually around colleges — but they sound illegal, like an opium den. Surely not, what with “hookah” painted in big letters outside. Before I went, I did some research. The smoke is inhaled through the long tube of a hookah pipe and passes through a water bowl to cool and purify it. In southeast Asia the hookah pipe is called a shisha. Elsewhere it is called a hubble-bubble. I’m not advocating hookah smoking or denouncing it; I’m reporting. As the saying goes, I’m not saying, I’m just saying. Hookah cafés are popular social places in the Arab world. The first recorded mention of hookah was in Persia in the 1500s. The British discovered the pleasures of hookah during the British Raj colonial era in India in the late 1800s. The United States discovered hookah in the 1960s and ’70s ... and now, again. Here, an average pipe costs $15 or $20 and lasts about 40 minutes, but in upscale lounges, the price can go up to $150. Usually no alcohol or food is served in a hookah den, only soft drinks, tea and coffee. So, armed with this information, I strolled into my neighborhood hookah lounge. I was a bit disappointed with the décor. I had hoped

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the place would be dripping with Persian rugs and brightly colored satin pillows with tassels. I imagined I would sit cross-legged, puff from an ornate water pipe and blow out colored smoke rings — much like the caterpillar in “Alice in Wonderland.” It wasn’t like that. Except for the water pipes. The hookah lounge itself was chock-ablock with mismatched low tables, sofas and chairs. It was comfortable but ordinary, like my apartments in college.

I’m not advocating hookah smoking or denouncing it; I’m reporting. As the saying goes, I’m not saying, I’m just saying. I was at the hookah lounge right after work, and the place was practically empty except for two very young men sitting in a corner. I said to the waitress, “It’s my first time here. Where do I sit and what do I do?” She guided me to order a mango-flavored tobacco. One of the young men came over and asked, “If you’re alone, would you like to join us?” I’ve watched enough true-crime TV shows to have

second thoughts, but only for a split second. I jumped right into their party, and soon we were joined by one young man’s mother, a nurse who often works 36-hour shifts. She and her son meet regularly at the hookah lounge to spend time together. They said it’s quieter than dinner out and costs about the same. The three of them showed me the ropes — how to smoke and savor the flavored tobacco; how to lean back, relax and talk quietly; how to enjoy a cup of hot chai with the hookah. They told me the place is completely different at night with music, lots of people and, sometimes, belly dancers. What I liked best was the gentle smell of the tobacco. It clung to my clothes and to my hair. I drove home thinking how nice and welcoming the three people had been, and how vaguely relaxed I felt — as if I’d shed a heavy coat. I drove home singing, “I’m hooked on hookah, and hookah’s hooked on me.” And then I got home and everything changed. A crisp call on my message machine told me the veterinarian’s office was closing for the day, and I had forgotten to pick up my cat. He’d have to spend the night there. Forgot my cat! Oh, what an egregious, slattern pet owner am I. Guilt kicked the hookah right out of me. Now, I’m going to have to go back to the hookah lounge and begin my relaxation all over. I’ve taped a note to myself on the dashboard: Do not forget to pick up cat. Or dog. tþ

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