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- Rodger and Judy Randle
“First Oklahoma Bank has had the greatest rate of return on CDs and extremely competitive loan rates. Paramount to these, every staff member we encountered has been highly attentive to our personal needs, no matter the circumstance.”
- Dr. Don and Megan Zetik
“First Oklahoma Bank is very attentive to the needs of their clients. The personal service is much appreciated. The staff at First Oklahoma Bank has been stellar.”
- Dr. James Burleson
“When it comes to making referrals, I rely on the bankers at First Oklahoma for their expertise, whether it’s for lending or deposit needs. They are always there to help!”
- Jon Stolper
“First Oklahoma Bank has really kind and caring people involved with its organization, and one of the things I appreciate is they are very creative and are able to think outside the box to provide solutions.”
- Jordan James
“The folks at First Oklahoma Bank proudly allow their personal beliefs about integrity, love for others, and a higher purpose guide their business decisions and impact the community.”
- Jim Carrington
“The founders of First Oklahoma Bank are experienced in banking principles/ investments, and always have a willing heart to answer questions or assist in any way. They are involved in the Tulsa-area community…responsive and always very helpful, which gives the banking client a confidence in its myriad of services.”
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Some call it Green Country, but we know northeastern Oklahoma is really Orange Country.
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Soccer league rallies neighborhood. The Colony’s new ownership. Who is the Zink of Zink Lake? This month’s charitable events.
Music store hits high note. Football season destinations. Pretty fall porches. Connie Cronley asks the big questions.
Full Moon’s tortilla soup on McGill’s menu. Touchdown! Recipes for football season. Finding Indonesian fare in Tulsa. Turntables and pizzas.
Kristen T., Parent
Since 2016, we’ve been partnering with public schools to provide extra support for students and families based on their individual needs. Students get one-onone help with behavioral issues while remaining in school and the teachers and staff get the support they need to do their jobs, bringing positive change to the entire school. Want to learn more? Visit grandmh.com/schools.
“I can’t even begin to put into words how important this program is.”
— Kristen T., Parent
As a lifelong Tulsan I have a lot of memories associated with our stretch of Arkansas River.
My childhood home was “in the country,” as our family called it, now just two miles west of the thriving Tulsa Hills shopping center. I’ve crossed the 21st and 71st street bridges thousands — and I don’t think that’s an exaggeration — of times. As a kid during Christmas I vividly remember my mom driving us home at night and seeing Santa, his sleigh and reindeer illuminated for the holidays on the old pedestrian bridge. I spent many sunsets walking along that old railroad bridge with friends sharing conversations that seemed to be endless.
I’ve gone to the river for the Starlight Concerts on the oating amphitheater, taken runs and ridden my bicycle along the miles of trails. I love walking through the cottonwood “snow” in late spring and early summer.
ere will be plenty to see and do as Zink Lake and the new Williams Crossing pedestrian bridge — with its own nightly light display — open Labor Day weekend. But if you’ve been paying attention, you already know there’s even more to come for Tulsa and its river development. Restaurateurs Danielle and Philip Phillips are renovating the former Blue Rose and Sandbar establishment. River Parks is celebrating 50 years and readying for more improvements on Turkey Mountain and along the East and West Bank trails. e City, tourism stakeholders and Route 66 enthusiasts are strategizing improvements near Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza and more. Read all about it starting on p. 36.
As our name — TulsaPeople — implies, I wanted readers to be reminded of where the name Zink Lake originates. Michael Overall did a splendid job telling the story of John “Jack” Zink, an engineer whose passion for nature could only be matched by
his passion for race cars. Learn about Zink on p. 24.
is month’s issue includes the third and nal installment of our Tulsa Area United Way centennial series (p. 32). e kids on the cover and featured in the magazine were a delight to have in our o ce earlier this summer. eir enthusiasm and energy, especially Prince Quadree Jr.’s passion for turtles, are proof of TAUW’s partner agencies working hard to elevate the lives of Tulsa’s youth. Tulsa’s future is surely bright.
September is a busy month in Tulsa. e calendars are full of fundraisers, parties, get-togethers, entertainment and so much more. Be sure to mark your calendar for one of my favorites — Restaurant Week!
Proudly, TulsaPeople created Restaurant Week in 2007 with the support of George Kaiser Family Foundation. e annual bene t has raised more than $700,000 for the Food Bank since its inception. e tradition returns Sept. 6-15, and menus are available at tprw.org. I always consider Restaurant Week the perfect time to try a new-to-me dish or reconnect with friends over a well-priced lunch while our check helps our local dining establishments as well as the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. e Food Bank has been ghting food insecurity in our area for more than four decades. Learn more about all it does and its new CEO Je Marlow on p. 43. I hope September treats you well. Happy reading. tp
Anne Brockman EDITOR
TulsaPeople Magazine is published monthly by 1603 South Boulder Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119-4407 P: 918-585-9924 F: 918-585-9926
PUBLISHER Jim Langdon PRESIDENT Juley Roffers
RLEARN MORE ON P. 12.
ev. Celestine Obidiegwu grew up playing soccer in his hometown of Obodoukwu, Nigeria. “Coming from the country of Nigeria, we play soccer a lot,” Obidiegwu says as he laughs. Obidiegwu, known affectionately as Father O, is the pastor at St. Augustine Catholic Church,1720 E. Apache St., which sits on acres of open land in north Tulsa.
“I’ve been (at this parish for) about seven years, and when I came, we had this beautiful space and it was used for nothing,” he says. “I thought, ‘Let’s find something for kids to do, especially in this north side of town.’”
He wanted to transform his church’s expansive, grassy backyard into soccer fields. So, he found volunteers to help bring his idea to fruition. tp
Did you know there’s a lemonade stand that’s been running for 30 years in Tulsa?
The Lemon-Aid Project is an annual city-wide charity event that provides children with free materials to set up lemonade stands each Labor Day weekend. The money raised goes to a nonprofit of Lemon-Aid’s choosing.
It all started in the summer of 1993 when an 11-year-old Katie Eller Murray, Lemon-Aid’s co-founder and chair, and her siblings set up a lemonade stand. After donating their profits to the Tulsa Day Center, they came up with the idea of the kid-run Lemon-Aid Project, which began in 1994.
Thirty years later, the event continues to empower children entrepreneurially and give to those in need. This year’s beneficiary is Lindsey House, which serves women and children experiencing situational homelessness. This will be its third year donating to Lindsey House.
To commemorate the milestone anniversary, Lemon-Aid will host a tailgate at The University of Tulsa’s football season opener on Aug. 29 and an official kickoff on Aug. 30 at Mother Road Market.
Additionally, Lemon-Aid is launching its Satellite Stands around Tulsa with confirmed locations at the Golden Driller, Philbrook Museum of Art and Southwood Landscape and Garden Center.
“This is a great example of not only Tulsa at its finest, but our children at their finest,” Murray says.
To donate or find Lemon-Aid stand locations on Labor Day weekend, visit thelemonaidproject.org. — HAILEY CALDWELL
From left, Amanda Blair, COO of Expo Square/Tulsa State Fair, with The
Madeleine Eller, Katie Eller Murray and Ben Eller, and Kai, Zoe and Adira Murray. Celebrating 30 years in 2024, the annual city-wide charity event provides children with materials donated by local and national businesses to set up lemonade stands that benefit local organizations.
Ten-year-old Lyla Thomas is the driving force behind FairShare, a program that gives those experiencing homelessness the opportunity to participate in the fun of Tulsa State Fair.
Thomas came up with the idea after attending the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade. She noticed unhoused individuals nearby and asked her mother why they weren’t attending the parade. Thomas had the idea of bringing them to the fair because “that is one of the places I really enjoy,” Thomas says.
Sam Powell, Thomas’ mother, has helped bring FairShare to life. It was “mind-boggling” for Powell to hear her daughter’s deep and empathetic questions about unhoused individuals, like “Do they experience joy like all of us?”
Last year FairShare brought seven individuals and their case workers to the Tulsa State Fair. FairShare also provided them with new shoes, clothes and a haircut before their fair trip. Both Thomas and Powell attended the fair with all seven clients and got to see FairShare’s impact. “That day, they just get to feel normal,” Powell says. Clients receive money to spend on food and rides at the fair.
This year FairShare will operate under the City Lights Foundation, a nonprofit with more than a decade of service to Tulsans who are experiencing homelessness through relational support services. FairShare’s goal is to raise $5,000. To donate, visit fairshareok.com. — HAILEY CALDWELL
Sept. 18
918 DAY TULSA
The 918 Day Festival at Chapman Green will honor the cultural arts of Tulsa’s many vibrant communities with food and music as part of Downtown Tulsa Partnership’s mission to create a downtown that is “truly everyone’s neighborhood.” DOWNTOWNTULSA.COM
Sept. 24
FESTIVAL AMERICAS
Festival Americas celebrates the rich culture of Latin America, inspiring the next generation of leaders in Tulsa’s growing Hispanic and Latino community.
FESTIVALAMERICAS.ORG
Sept. 26-Oct. 6
TULSA STATE FAIR
Ready for 11 days of awesome? With each day offering live music, agricultural exhibits and competitions, shopping and a wacky array of dining options, the Tulsa State Fair has something for everyone in the family. TULSASTATEFAIR.COM
Sept. 2
GREAT RAFT RACE tulsaraftrace.com
Sept. 6
“LADY LIKE” WITH SPECIAL GUEST LADY CAMDEN circlecinema.org
Sept. 8
XTREME QUEEN xtremequeentributeband.com
Sept. 11
FC TULSA VS. LAS VEGAS LIGHTS FC fctulsa.com
Sept. 18
THE AVETT BROTHERS bokcenter.com
Sept. 19
ADULT BOOK FAIR AT NEFF BREWING magiccitybooks.com
Sept. 19-21
TULSA GREEK FESTIVAL tulsagreekfestival.com
Sept. 21
MCNELLIE’S HARVEST BEER FESTIVAL beerfests.com/events/ mcnellies-harvest-beer-festival
MONARCHS ON THE MOUNTAIN MIGRATION FESTIVAL tulsaurbanwilderness coalition.org
Sept. 25
WOODY GUTHRIE PRIZE CONCERT FEATURING TOM MORELLO cainsballroom.com
Sept. 27 CAT VIDEO FEST philbrook.org
Sept. 27-29 ROSE FESTIVAL keepbabeautiful.org/ rose-festival
Sept. 28
OKLAHOMA JOLLOF AND JERK FESTIVAL facebook.com/ oklahomajollofandjerkfest
Sept. 29
BIRTH OF LEGENDS MUSIC FESTIVAL tinyurl.com/3ar3jc4u
SCREWTAPE LETTERS tulsapac.com
Soccer league fills void for eager youth athletes.
BY JULIANNE TRAN
At St. Augustine Catholic Church, cars crowd the parking lot as little soccer players pile out, dressed in shin guards and bright T-shirts.
It’s a Saturday morning, game day for the North Tulsa Soccer League. A multilingual murmur spreads over the eld as students warm up for the big game.
After fundraising and advertising to surrounding schools, North Tulsa Soccer League was born in fall 2020 with 50 elementary school players. Led by Rev. Celestine Obidiegwu, 12 teams of students ages 6-10 are broken into two age groups and play a round robin schedule with a playo game at the end of the season.
“Our goal is to provide something that is a ordable for parents because not every parent can pay $200 (for their child) to participate in a soccer league,” Obidiegwu says.
It costs $25 for each player to participate and the league provides kids with soccer cleats, shin guards, socks and a team jersey.
e league is sta ed entirely by volunteers, from coaches and referees to administration and fundraisers.
Now in its ninth season, North Tulsa Soccer League serves over 150 students from more than 25 schools.
For busy working parents, the league has a simpli ed schedule with all games beginning at the same time on Saturday mornings and only two practices a week.
roughout the season volunteers from local churches and nonpro ts grill hundreds of hot dogs for players and their families to eat after the game. Churches and other nonpro ts provide various lunches weekly.
“ at’s the beauty of what we’re doing here,” Obidiegwu says. “When people hear about what we’re doing, they ask, ‘Hey, how can we help?’”
Obidiegwu is grateful for the generous support of the league’s volunteers and donors. He’s also glad to spend his Saturday mornings like he used to in Nigeria, jogging across elds and kicking around a soccer ball.
To learn more about the league, visit facebook.com/northtulsasoccerleague. tp
Heather Palomino with a couple of pets for adoption at last year’s Rally for Rescues.
Grab your rackets and work on your backhand. Rally for Rescues, founded by Tulsan Heather Palomino, is back for its fifth year on Sept. 12 at LaFortune Park Tennis Center, 5302 S. Hudson Ave.
Every year over 100 women enter the charitable tennis tournament to raise money for local animal rescue Animal Aid of Tulsa. First- and second-place winners are named in each division.
Through sponsorships, raffle items, registrations and vendors giving a portion of their proceeds, Palomino has raised $63,000 in four years, she says. All money made through the tournament has been given to Animal Aid of Tulsa, which was founded in 1961 and helps rehabilitate animals and find them homes, in addition to saving sick, abused and injured animals.
The United States Tennis Association saw Palomino was hitting aces with Rally for Rescues and, in 2022, recognized the event as the Most Outstanding Adult Tournament in Oklahoma.
Palomino says she doesn’t see an end to Rally for Rescues but hopes to expand it in the future by adding a men’s division and making it a multi-day event.
“I intend to do this as long as I can, and when I can’t do it anymore, I hope somebody else can continue the legacy,” she says.
To learn more about Rally for Rescues, search Rally for Rescues on Facebook and Instagram. — PAYTON IRICK
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John Moreland reflects on his time away from the spotlight ahead of playing the storied stage at Cain’s.
STORIES BY JULIE WENGER WATSON
On Sept. 27, singer-songwriter John Moreland takes the stage at Cain’s Ballroom, with fellow Tulsa musician Justin Bloss opening the show. For Moreland the date is part of a measured return to touring that started last spring after signi cant time o from the road. e talented, introspective artist used that break to disconnect from social media and create “Visitor.” Released in April, the album is a beautiful collection of 12 songs written, produced, recorded and mixed by Moreland, who also played nearly every instrument.
“I’m generally attracted to the most e cient way to get some art made,” Moreland says. “As a teenager, a really big inspiration to me was the band Pedro the Lion and their main frontman and songwriter, David Bazan. He did a lot where he was playing every instrument. I’m an awkward loner at heart, and that just really spoke to me. ere’s something really appealing about it.”
According to Moreland, the obligations of performing and being in the
public eye had put him into a di cult mental state. Putting away his smartphone and stepping back from touring gave him the chance to do some soul-searching.
“ e biggest thing I learned is, like a lot of people, I default to codependence and people-pleasing,” he says. “I have those qualities, and after so many years of living that way, it’s easy to lose touch of your own wants and needs, and lose touch with yourself.”
Moreland says the break gave him the space and freedom “to realize that, what other people might say, or think or perceive about me is really none of my business. My job is to do what’s right for me.”
Moreland is looking forward to his upcoming show.
“Growing up here, Cain’s is the place everybody dreams they’ll get to play,” he says. “It’s a cool, hometown thing to be privileged to do.”
Visit johnmoreland.net for more information. Visit cainsballroom.com for tickets. tp
As a “runner” at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa and Cain’s Ballroom, Elaine Nelson is tasked with helping fulfill a musician’s “rider,” that part of a contract that outlines an artist’s requests and requirements for performing at a venue. It’s a job she’s held for seven years, working with the venue’s production team and artists’ tour managers to keep everyone happy and ensure a smooth show. A self-described “fangirl,” Nelson loves her job, which allows her to work with musicians and showcase her hometown, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Twelve-hour days and last-minute errands can be stressful, but according to Nelson, the rewards far outweigh any challenges.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
Getting to show off Tulsa. A lot of the time, I’m driving artists around the city, and I just turn into a tour guide. I love Tulsa, and I love being able to brag about it.
DO YOU GET ANY WEIRD OR RIDICULOUS REQUESTS? I get asked this on the daily, or when I tell people what my job is. Honestly, I’ve worked this job for so long, nothing really shocks me anymore. When I first started, though, I had to pick up condoms for someone, and it was silly because I was like, “Well, I have questions that I don’t want to ask, but what size?” You know, you’ve just got to do and find what you can. I think I’ve been very lucky and have not had any requests that have made me want to leave this job. There is a band that comes to mind that if they were to come back to town, I might just be sick that day and unable to work the show.
THOUGHTS ON TULSA’S MUSIC SCENE? I truly think Tulsa has the greatest local music scene. We have some of the best musicians still living here and who have come out of Tulsa. tp
New ownership at The Colony honors venue’s legacy and emphasizes inclusivity.
STORIES BY JULIE WENGER WATSON
For over 60 years, e Colony, 2809 S. Harvard Ave., has been a staple of Tulsa’s music community. Rumored to be the hangout for musicians like Leon Russell, JJ Cale and Eric Clapton back in the glory days of the “Tulsa Sound,” the venue is known for hosting local, regional and national acts. is spring, musicians Josh Westbrook, Cassie Latshaw and Jared Tyler took ownership of this venerable club, with hopes of honoring its legacy, while also creating a more musician-friendly, inclusive space. e trio has quickly discovered both the joys and challenges of small business ownership, but they remain committed to a shared vision of creating community through music.
“Overall, it’s gone really well, and we’re really pleased,” Tyler says. “As with any business, it’s going to take a while to get on top of things and gure it out, but as far as meeting our goals on the artistic side of things, we’re pretty much 95-100% there.”
Tyler credits e Colony sta for keeping things running smoothly.
“It’s a tightknit community. Everyone’s got each other’s back, and the loyalty is amazing,” he says. “Our general manager, Molly McElwain, is just a recracker. She
gets things done, and she manages the whole team, including the owners. She keeps us all in check.”
Fostering a safe and welcoming space for musicians and customers alike was a top priority when Westbrook, Latshaw and Tyler purchased e Colony. For Tyler, who describes himself as a member of the LGBTQIA community, that’s been particularly important.
“Someone’s got to stand for something, and we certainly are. We’re woman-owned, queer-owned and Person of Color-owned, so inclusion and diversity are very important things to us. I’m pretty proud of that,” he says. “Quite a few times, people in the LGBTQIA family have come up to me and said, ‘ ank you for providing a safe space.’ at’s a big deal to me.”
Under the new ownership, music continues to be at the heart of the venue.
“We want to utilize this place to its fullest potential,” he says. “We’re in that creative, visionary mode still, like, ‘Wow! is could be so many di erent things.’ But, obviously, music remains our No. 1 focus.”
For more information, visit thetulsacolony.com. tp
Singer-songwriter Amber Watson is the featured performer at Tuesday Happy Hour from 6-8 p.m. at The Colony. Her set precedes the Oklahoma Ladies Showcase, which spotlights some of the many talented female musicians in the state. For Watson, who moved to Tulsa from Tahlequah over a year ago, the weekly residency is an opportunity to explore new aspects of her music. Recently, she’s been performing with Chris Combs, an artist known for his genrebending, jazz-influenced guitar work.
“It’s been really awesome because playing with him has opened up my music and given me new ideas,” she says.
“I think I needed something like this to get a little push to have the confidence to know that I could do it.”
Watson appreciates the venue’s musician-centric approach.
“It’s how they see musicians, and how they respect musicians, and they give us our freedom,” she explains.
“They want it to work. It’s owned by musicians now, so they’re really focusing on music and a great atmosphere for people to come, be able to listen to music and enjoy being on the stage.”
For more on Watson, visit Instagram @amberjeannewatsonmusic. tp
New festival focuses on music and outdoor experiences.
STORIES BY JULIE WENGER WATSON
Tulsa has a new festival. Neon Prairie, an ambitious, two-day music and art event takes place Sept. 6-7 at Post Oak Lodge, 5323 W. 31st St. N. e fest features a diverse lineup of local and national acts, as well as camping, zip lines, yoga, disc golf and more. Festival CEO and founder Karin Whang — a Boise, Idaho, native and Tulsa Remote alumnus who’s spent the past 15 years organizing festivals and concerts around the world — believes the timing is right to create what she hopes will become an annual celebration.
“We’re ready for this kind of event. We’re very inspired by Coachella, Austin City Limits and some of those other big, big festivals that we see in other cities,” she says. “We were like, ‘How can we do this in our own way in Tulsa, unique to our own culture and what we like here?’”
Whang thinks Post Oak Lodge, with its cabins, vast wooded acreage and proximity to downtown, is the ideal location for a festival that showcases musicians like Atlanta rapper and activist Killer Mike, electronic artist Marc Rebillet and a trio comprised
Look for Cliffdiver at Neon Prairie in support of its sophomore album “Birdwatching.”
of Foreigner band members right alongside Tulsa-tied talents like AleXa, Cli diver and Johnny Mullenax, while also supporting immersive art experiences and Wi e Ball.
“It’s just so beautiful. You can’t beat the forest, and the fact you can camp just sets it apart from anything else in town,” she
says. “People in our community all want to support our music talent, and the artists and creatives, as well, and just create one big space in this forest, where we can all come together and showcase what Tulsa has.” Visit neonprairiefest.com for tickets and the full lineup. tp
Just a few weeks after a performance at Neon Prairie, Tulsa indie-rock band Cliffdiver will release its sophomore album, “Birdwatching,” on Sept. 20. The record’s title reflects the hobby of many of the band members, as well as a “spiritual overhaul” undertaken in the wake of a frightening freak accident the band experienced on tour in May 2023 when a large steel chain link used to tie down large equipment from a semi-truck flew into their van and nearly killed bassist Tyler Rogers. Fortunately, Rogers recovered, and the new music is full of the energy and hooks that legions of fans have come to expect and love from this seven-member pop powerhouse, who often use their music to address issues of mental health head-on.
For more on the band and its music, visit cliffdiverok.com. tp
Daytime music options strike a chord with audiences.
BY ANNE BROCKMAN
Tulsa is a music city. It’s evident in the vast range of genres, venues and legendary artists who have called Tulsa home — whether that’s because they were born here or decided to make their mark on T-town.
Musical acts play across the city every night. But for those less inclined to venture to a show that starts at 10 p.m., there are several venues hosting daytime live music.
Earlier this year, e Church Studio began its Tunes at Noon series. Held every Saturday — and nearly every Tuesday — the series welcomes local acts to perform at the historic venue and recording studio.
“We want to showcase to the world the exceptional diversity and talented musical o erings this city has,” says Ronnie Carlson, e Church Studio’s chief operating o cer. It’s an opportunity to give back to the local music community, while leveraging the bands’ and venue’s followers to experience something new. “It’s a win-win.”
Carlson says e Church Studio, the legendary home of Leon Russell’s Shelter Records at 304 S. Trenton Ave., is where diverse artists like reggae star Bob Marley, funk and disco group e Gap Band, rocker Tom Petty and so many others recorded.
While learning about Tulsa music history through a tour of e Church, guests can see live music of every genre via the Tunes at Noon series. A recent Saturday performance welcomed trio Swing West, and the following Tuesday students of local School of Rock took the stage. In September, expect to hear from R&B artist OmaleyB, Americana singer-songwriter Jim Bachmann and others.
e gig’s timeslot also allows for extra revenue for the artists who can get a gig in during the day before a nighttime concert, Carlson says. e Church Studio’s administration note the series has been an overwhelming success.
Tunes at Noon is free with paid museum admission ($15), and is one of three performance-viewing options the venue hosts. In Session is a new exclusive, immersive listening experience for an audience of 50. “ ere’s nothing like it in Oklahoma,” Carlson says of the series that debuted Aug. 23 with Chris Combs. And e Church’s Legacy Series, which is limited to 100 guests, has included past performances by Bill Champlin, Air Supply and Taj Mahal. e Church will host Michael Martin Murphy on Oct. 3 for its next Legacy show. tp
Brown Bag It
Free lunchtime concerts at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center are a great way to break up the day.
12:10 p.m., Oct. 2: Kalyn Fay 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m., Dec. 11: Festival Bell Ringers
12:10 p.m., March 12: Cairde na Gael 12:10 p.m., May 7: Tulsa Opera Filstrup Artists
Tuesdays at Trinity
Free concerts begin at 12:05 p.m. every Tuesday at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Sept. 3: Beau Baldwin, organist Sept. 10: Richard Jobe, organist Sept. 17: David Anderson, organist Sept. 24: Karen Rich, organist
Sunday Afternoon Concerts
A pre-concert lecture followed by an all-ages performance at Tulsa PAC, presented by Chamber Music Tulsa.
3 p.m., Sept. 22: Formosa Quartet
3 p.m., Oct. 20: Miró Quartet
3 p.m., Nov. 17: Trio Bohémo
2 p.m., Feb. 9: Escher Quartet
3 p.m., March 9: Notos Quartet
3 p.m., April 27: Kenari Quartet
Fellows preparing for its fourth cohort of students.
BY PAYTON IRICK
The idea for a program like under Fellows began in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in 2020. under General Manager and Executive Vice President Sam Presti and his friend, Creative Artists Agency Executive Mike Johnson, had a phone conversation following the murder, discussing the troubling event.
Cedric Ikpo, executive director of the under Fellows, says after 48 hours of back-and-forth conversation between the two, the vision for under Fellows was born.
A program was created to unlock opportunities in sports, entertainment and
technology for Black high school and college students in the Tulsa area, Ikpo says.
“It made sense to do it in Tulsa because that was about the time of the 99th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre,” Ikpo says. under Fellows o cially launched in March 2021, with the rst cohort of students beginning in the fall of that year.
irty- ve students are accepted each year for the 30-week program focused on data science, going twice a week to under Fellows’ headquarters in the Historic Greenwood District. Ikpo says although the focus is on data science, it is not pushing/forcing students to work in that eld; rather, it
is showing students how data drives the world, the power of critical thinking and problem solving, and how to e ectively communicate data-driven solutions. is combination of transferable skills will ensure they nd academic and career success regardless of the path they choose.
A goal for under Fellows is to create a seamless pathway from high school, to higher education and nally to career opportunities, Ikpo says.
“It gives you an immense amount of knowledge on careers in data analytics,” says Prei’yah Barnes Frazier, a senior at Booker T. Washington High School and under Fellow. “But it also focuses on helping every individual who joins the under Fellows family and graduates from the program to (further) develop into a more well-rounded business professional.”
Frazier joined the program during her freshman year. In the beginning she was introverted and shy, but by the end of the 30 weeks that was no more, she says. rough a project about business pitches, she learned that half the time, the people she was presenting to didn’t notice when she messed up or mispronounced a word. After learning that, she became a con dent public speaker, even speaking at school assemblies, under Fellows events and more.
Kamdon Marshall, a freshman at the University of Tulsa studying computer science, says under Fellows gave him the tools to become Coweta High School’s valedictorian and allowed him to apply for a hefty scholarship to TU. Two annual TU scholarships are available through under Fellows, which include full tuition waivers, free books and a computer. Each student is paired with a mentor in their chosen degree eld, guaranteed an internship after their sophomore year, and given two additional tickets to all football and basketball games.
“Take full advantage of what they have to o er,” Marshall says. “If you take full advantage, you will be propelled past where a normal 18-year-old should be in their life.”
Ikpo says once high school Fellows complete the 30 weeks they become alumni with exclusive access to the program’s continuing education opportunities to and through college graduation.
ough applications for the forthcoming cohort closed in August, visit okcthunder. com/fellows to learn more and prepare to apply for the next cohort. tp
Tulsan’s inventive mind and entrepreneurial e orts carried on a familial legacy of giving back to the city.
BY MICHAEL OVERALL
Shooting sparrows in a pasture on the southern outskirts of Tulsa in 1946, 17-year-old John Zink bet a friend he could outrun the blast from a .410-gauge shotgun.
“You count to ve,” Zink told his pal, “and then shoot.”
He sprinted as fast as he could but it wasn’t fast enough. Zink then drove himself to St. John Hospital to have birdshot removed from his backside.
“I don’t think he counted clear to ve,” Zink told police. But he blamed himself for the humbling lesson and refused to press charges against his friend.
Born Oct. 17, 1928, Zink was a daredevil and adrenaline junky who survived more than one close call. Test driving a race car at his ranch in 1962, for example, Zink lost control at more than 100 mph and slid into a ditch, where the car ipped upside down. e crash left a massive crack in his helmet, but Zink walked away.
He started racing midget cars as a senior at Cascia Hall and entered his rst stock car race between semesters at Oklahoma A&M in 1950. But Zink was more successful as
an engineer than a driver. He designed and built the John Zink Special that won the Indy 500 in 1955 and again in ’56.
Zink-designed cars went on to compete in various forms of racing through the mid1970s and won 13 national championships, earning him a place in the Auto Racing Hall of Fame. Building cars, however, was just a sideline.
Zink took over his father’s company in 1962 making combustion equipment for the petroleum industry at a plant near 41st Street and Peoria Avenue. He sold John Zink Co. in 1980 but almost immediately launched a similar business called Zeeco, which remains headquartered in Tulsa. Zink didn’t just run the companies but remained an active engineer who, over the course of his career, received 35 patents for combustion related devices.
He also took over his father’s ranch, which sprawled across more than 30,000 acres near Skiatook Lake, where he developed extensive campgrounds for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts that are still used today.
Like the ranch, Tulsa’s Zink Park is named after his father, who donated most
of the land for the park near 31st Street and Peoria Avenue in 1943.
Zink grew up just half a mile west of the park near what is now Discovery Lab near Gathering Place. It was an easy walk from his house to the Arkansas River. During Zink’s childhood, however, the banks were overgrown with weeds and littered with trash, o ering little reason to go there even for an adventurous young boy like him.
As an adult, Zink became an enthusiastic supporter of the city’s e ort to beautify the river, and in April 1981 he made a $1 million donation toward construction of an urban lake that was to become the crown jewel of River Parks. He called it an “advantageous frill” that, “like the Ei el Tower or the Gateway Arch at St. Louis,” would make generations of Tulsans proud.
e City Commission named it Zink Lake in August 1982 and it opened just over a year later, on Labor Day weekend 1983.
Forty-one years later, Zink Lake will reopen this Labor Day weekend after a $48 million reconstruction of its low-water dam.
Known as “Jack” to his friends, Zink died Feb. 5, 2005, at age 76. tp
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is proud to support Tulsa Area United Way and its 160 life-saving partner agencies across the Tulsa region. Here’s to the next 100 years of changing lives.
COMPILED BY MADISON WALTERS
AUG. 31-SEPT. 2
Lemon-Aid Project
Benefits the Lemon-Aid Project. thelemonaidproject.org
5
Gold Medal Gala
Benefits Special Olympics Oklahoma. sook.org/gala
Vision Dinner
Benefits Tulsa Community College Foundation. tccfoundation.org
6 Philbrook MIX
Benefits Philbrook Museum of Art. philbrook.org
6-15
Restaurant Week
Benefits Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. okfoodbank.org
7
Optimism Walk
Benefits American Parkinson Disease Association Oklahoma Chapter. apdaparkinson.org
Red Line Gala
Benefits Tulsa Firefighter’s Benevolent Fund. redlinegala.com
12 Flight Night
Benefits Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance. tulsaflightnight.org
Go Red for Women Luncheon
Benefits American Heart Association. goredforwomen.org
Rally for Rescues
Benefits Animal Aid of Tulsa. animalaid.org
Reconciliation in America
National Symposium
Benefits John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation. jhfnationalsymposium.org
Western Days
Benefits Saint Simeon’s Foundation. saintsimeons.org
13
Day of Caring
Benefits Tulsa Area United Way. tauw.org
WALTZ on the Wild Side
Benefits Tulsa Zoo. waltzonthewildside.org
14
Day Gala
Benefits Women Helping Other Women. whownetwork.org
Rock Paper Scissors
Benefits The Pencil Box. thepencilbox.org/rps
Sip and Savor
Benefits the Stonebrook Project. thestonebrookproject.org
18
Women Build
Benefits Green Country Habitat for Humanity. greencountryhabitat.org
19
Champions of Health Gala
Benefits Oklahoma Caring Foundation. championsofhealth.org
Recharge
Benefits The Sustainability Alliance. thesustainabilityalliance.org
19-OCT. 31
Autumn in the Botanic Garden
Benefits Tulsa Botanic Garden. tulsabotanic.org
20-22
BMX Hall of Fame Weekend
Benefits USA BMX Foundation. usabmx.com
21
Race for the Cure
Benefits Susan G. Komen Foundation in Tulsa. komenoklahoma.org
Street Party
Benefits Ascension St. John Foundation. stjohnstreetparty.com
Trivia Night
Benefits City Lights Foundation. citylightsok.org
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Benefits Alzheimer’s Association Oklahoma Chapter. tulsawalk.org
21-22
Home Remodeling Showcase
Benefits John 3:16 Mission. tulsahba.com
23
Links for Little Ones
Benefits Little Light House. littlelighthouse.org
25-27
Zarrow Mental Health Symposium: Life Stages
Benefits Mental Health Association Oklahoma. zarrowsymposium.org
26
Cooking for a Cause
Benefits Iron Gate. irongatetulsa.org
27
The Center Experience
Benefits The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges. tulsacenter.org
Divas 4 H.O.P.E.
Benefits H.O.P.E. Testing. hopetesting.org
Wine and Roses
Benefits Tulsa Garden Center. tulsagardencenter.org
27-28
Chalk It Up! An Art Festival
Benefits Arts@302. arts302.com
27-29
A Brew to Kill
Benefits Tulsa Foundation for Architecture. tulsaarchitecture.org
28
Cow Thieves and Outlaws Reunion
Benefits Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve. woolaroc.org
St. Jude Walk/Run
Benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. fundraising.stjude.org
Stacked Deck
Benefits Resonance Center for Women. stackeddecktulsa.org
Verses
Benefits Tulsa City-County Library. tulsalibrary.org
29
D.I.G (Day in the Garden)
Benefits Children’s Discovery Garden at Tulsa Botanic Garden. tulsabotanic.org
EDITOR’S NOTE: HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS SPONSORED BY TULSAPEOPLE
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS: REFLECTING ON A DECADE OF STUDENT LITERACY On June 6 Reading Partners hosted “Through the Looking Glass: Reflecting on a Decade of Student Literacy,” a celebration bringing together community tutors, donors, corporate partners, organizations, board members, staff, school administrators and supporters of literacy and educational equity. Approximately 150 guests gathered at The Vista at 21 to recognize longtime tutors and community leaders Michael DuPont and Omare Jimmerson for their dedication and service to Tulsa-area students and the fight for literacy. With their delightful costumes and performances, Inspyral Circus entertained attendees in “Alice in Wonderland” themed attire. The affair raised $112,000. 1: Inspyral Circus’ Red Queen with Lollie Moore of Okla-
homa Aquarium 2: The Mad Hatter wishing guests a very merry “un-birthday.” 3: Reading Partners staff Amanda Floyd, Haley Biram, Ashley Horning, Lyssa Flanagan, Emily Fuller, Brandy Gildon-McCracken, Rachel Davis, Mike Thomas, Tara Cain, Courtney Rodebush, Olivia Martin, Rae Carmichael, Brenna Peterson and Alejandra Mata 4: Guests were treated to a delicious serving of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres during the ceremony. Event planner Annie Brady Designs coordinated the wonderland-themed event. 5: Dupont, left, and Jimmerson, third from left, with Reading Partners Executive Director Olivia Martin and Reading Partners Tulsa regional advisory board chair Samantha Aponte-Atkins.
OCTOBER 12 – 13, 2024 10 AM – 5 PM
HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO TULSA SEQUOYAH CONVENTION CENTER
Experience authentic Native art at one of the largest Native American art shows in Oklahoma. New work by accomplished Native artists from across the country will be on display.
Discover and enjoy their exquisite work and add to your collection with beautiful jewelry, pottery, sculptures, paintings, textiles and much more.
cherokeeartmarket.com
100TH ANNIVERSARY PART THREE
Tulsa Area United Way partners with programs supporting youth in difficult circumstances.
BY JULIE WENGER WATSON • PHOTOS BY MICHELLE POLLARD
As Tulsa Area United Way celebrates its centennial this year, it’s important to acknowledge the past, while also looking ahead to the next century of service. This nonprofi t organization supports more than 160 programs in six counties in northeast Oklahoma, working to advance health, education and financial stability. In many ways, all of this effort is an investment in countless individuals to ensure a vibrant future in the communities it serves. One of the most effective ways TAUW accomplishes this is by supporting those organizations and programs that help society’s youngest members.
When you meet 23-year-old Kitana Foreman, you see a confident, happy young woman. It’s difficult to imagine just a few short years ago Foreman was really struggling. Her father’s addiction issues created challenges at home during her sophomore year of high school. As a result, Foreman began suffering from anxiety. A straight-A student at the time, Foreman’s grades dropped, and she lost interest in attending school and playing basketball. On the verge of dropping out completely, Foreman discovered Street School through a counselor’s recommendation.
One of TAUW’s nonprofi t partners, Street School is a Tulsa Public Schools’ accredited alternative education and therapeutic counseling program that serves students grades 9-12. According to Marie Quinten, Street School’s communication and development coordinator, TAUW is a key partner for the school, providing funding and development opportunities.
Foreman was hesitant at first.
“When I heard ‘alternative,’ I was like, ‘No, that’s where the bad kids go.’ I don’t want to be considered bad,” she says.
Once she visited the school, her opinion changed.
“They were so loving,” she says. “There was something about their spirit that made me feel welcome.”
Foreman loved the diversity of the student body. There were athletes, scholars and artists.
“We don’t have to be against each other,” she explains. “In fact, we can help each other.”
At Street School, Foreman found her stride, once again excelling academically and engaging socially, supported by counselors, teachers and fellow students.
“I got to do everything with Street School,” she says. “I got to play basketball. I actually got to start the Native American Club there, and I got to be
involved with dance and dance for my own school.”
Now a student at Tulsa Community College with a plan to eventually transfer to the University of Oklahoma to study tribal law, Foreman, a citizen of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, is an ambassador for Tulsa Indian Club, a competitive dancer and a former Tulsa Powwow Princess. She credits Street School for turning her life around.
“That’s something I love about the teachers and counselors. They look deeper at the students. They actually look at what matters to you,” she says.
According to BBBSOK Tulsa Area Director Abi Sutherland, the nonprofi t BBBSOK is a “oneto-one mentoring program,” matching volunteer mentors — or Bigs — with youth (ages 6-18) — Littles — who need help with self-esteem, decision-making and other areas of life.
“Our mission is to support and create those mentorships that ignite power and promise in youth,” Sutherland says. “We typically serve at-risk children who just need someone who is a stable, consistent figure in their life to help them with responsibility and self-esteem, things like that.”
TAUW partners with BBBSOK to provide funding and leadership training, which ultimately helps ensure Littles like seventh-grader Prince Quadree Jr. have the support they need to reach their potential.
“Sometimes we go to sports things, like watching hockey or soccer or basketball,” says Quadree, whose Big is BBBSOK volunteer Diogo Palhano. “We have a lot of things in common.”
Quadree has been in the BBBSOK program for two years, meeting with Palhano several times a month. e relationship is a great resource to both Quadree — whose father lives in Texas — and his mother, Angel Amor’a
“I love these people. I’ve had some troublesome times in my life, and they’ve helped, as a group, as a support system,” says Amor’a of Palhano and the BBBSOK sta . “It’s been soothing for Prince to have an outlet other than parents, or somewhere that’s so structured, like a school setting. I think it has been an awesome program for him to have that outlet, knowing he can talk to someone about his feelings.”
For Quadree, the con dence he’s gained from being a Little has allowed him to dream of a bright future, perhaps even one where he turns his passion for soccer into a career.
“I’d like to be a soccer player and play for America,” he says. BIGOKLAHOMA.ORG
Oklahoma has one of the highest incarceration rates in the U.S., resulting in more than 35,000 children in the state who have at least one parent in prison. Children with incarcerated parents are at an increased risk for academic, health and behavioral challenges to criminal activity and substance abuse. Girl Scouts Beyond Bars is a program of Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma Troop 5707 that provides comprehensive services, transportation and programming for girls with incarcerated parents. e program, a TAUW partner organization, helps countless girls like 13-year-old Isabella Juliet Madison Self, whose parents are currently serving time in Oklahoma correctional facilities.
Although many members of Self’s Girl Scout troop have at least one incarcerated parent, that commonality is of little importance to Self, who says she “doesn’t really think about that” when she’s at troop meetings. Instead, Self, who goes by Julie, enjoys the activities, especially gardening.
“I’m learning what I’d need to do if I wanted to start a garden at my house,” she says. “I hope to plant some seeds soon — vegetables, fruit and owers.”
According to Shannon Luper, GSBB program director, “normalcy” is one of the wonderful things about the program.
“ ey form relationships. ey share phone numbers. ey love spending time with each other, and like Julie just shared with you, you forget about your circumstances when you’re with someone else that’s going through the same situation,” she says.
In addition to regular Girl Scout programming, GSBB participants are provided with transportation to correctional facilities to visit their parents, often for a meal and sometimes for a troop meeting. “GSBB is more than just a family reunication program. Our goal is to break the cycle of intergenerational incarceration,” Luper says.
GSBB bene ts incarcerated parents, too. ose involved in the program must complete 120 hours of nurturing parenting classes, with the chance to practice their new skills during prison visits with their children.
“We’ve served thousands of children,” Luper says. “ e kids stay in the program, even after the parent is released from prison because you don’t know if the parent is going to go back to their old habits, and we want to make sure trauma isn’t reoccurring for that child.”
e program has been in place over two decades, and according to Luper, many of its graduates now have Girl Scout daughters of their own.
“Some of our girls have gone on to the military. We’ve had girls who’ve gone on to college. We have some that just want to be housewives, but none of them have ended up in prison themselves,” she notes.
As a GSBB support sta member, Tulsa real estate agent LaQuanda Pippins says her time with these girls is rewarding.
“Just seeing them happy about being together and being with others they’re comfortable around, not feeling shy because of what they’re going through, and just having friends that understand where they’re coming from is rewarding,” says Pippins, whose daughter also volunteers with GSBB. “It’s just a wonderful program to be a part of.” GSEOK.ORG
For more information on TAUW, its mission and its partners, visit tauw.org.
Tulsa Area United Way President and CEO Alison Anthony has been at the helm of the organization since 2017. As TAUW celebrates its centennial, TulsaPeople asked Anthony to contemplate what’s next for the organization as it navigates the next 100 years.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST STRENGTHS YOU SEE IN TAUW AS IT HEADS INTO ITS NEXT 100 YEARS? The 360-degree lens of past, present and future: our work is grounded in respect for our history of impact, but equally committed to innovation and transformation, taking on challenges for the future. One of our core values is that we solve problems with innovation, energy and belief in a better future. We have had many opportunities to evolve and pivot to address the community’s needs over the last century, and we’ll continue to do that in the next century, grounded in a spirit of collaboration, hope and compassion.
WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT TULSA IN THE NEXT FEW DECADES, WHERE DO YOU SEE NEW OR GROWING AREAS OF NEED? The truth is that no one really knows the answer to that question. But I know we must be agile, willing to adapt and face forward with courage. I sometimes reflect on the dramatic changes we’ve experienced in a short time.
While technology and artificial intelligence can be great tools, we have also seen the impact of isolation and a lack of connection if we lean too far away from the ways we connect as humans. That’s what I love about the United Way — we come together as people shoulder to shoulder to improve the lives of our neighbors. We see the need firsthand and together we work on solutions. I know the community needs Tulsa Area United Way strong long beyond my tenure as CEO, but I’m confident we have a great team of staff, board members, volunteers, donors and community partners working together to be compassionate and bold, whatever the future holds. tp
Tulsa’s Arkansas River revitalization sparks new opportunity.
BY GRACE WOOD
Tulsa’s Arkansas River is the centerpiece of an extraordinary transformation, bringing new life and excitement to the heart of the city.
After nearly four years of construction, Tulsans now have the chance to experience and enjoy the river’s revitalization. e developments, which include the new Zink Dam, Zink Lake, a recreational whitewater ume, and a new pedestrian bridge connecting the east and west sides of the river, open Labor Day weekend, launching Tulsa into what’s sure to be an exciting new era of waterfront activity.
“When you go back to the days before statehood, you see that the Arkansas River was so vital to Tulsa even being here in the rst place, so taking advantage of it for recreation allows us to tell more of the story of the river and its place in Tulsa’s development — it gives people more reasons not to just drive through, but stay the whole weekend and see everything our city has to o er,” says Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association.
e old Zink Dam, built in 1982, and the pedestrian bridge, built in 1975, had deteriorated, limiting safe access to the Arkansas River. Recognizing the opportunity to restore this area, in 2016 Tulsa voters approved a $48 million project to replace the outdated dam and re-open Zink Lake, signi cantly enhancing the river’s appeal and accessibility near Gathering Place.
“It’s kind of a revitalization of something old to be made new again, with some
Turkey Mountain, our most popular venue on the West Bank,” Edwards says. “For the rst time ever, we have America’s greatest park connected to Tulsa’s greatest mountain biking and hiking destination via a direct pathway.”
e opening of Zink Lake and Williams Crossing brings a range of recreational activities, including kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and shing. While swimming is not allowed, visitors can sh from the banks and use small boat ramps for non-motorized watercraft on both the east and west sides.
“ is is only one of three whitewater parks in our state, so when we think about the folks who are so engaged with water sport activities like this, we know that it’s going to drive tourism here,” Edwards says.
River Parks Authority is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, marking a signi cant milestone for the organization and the popular riverside trails it oversees.
“Now that we’re 50 years old, we’ve gone from roughly 3 miles in linear length to 26 miles plus the additional 40 miles at Turkey Mountain,” Edwards says. “ e heavy use of these trails has proven they’re a staple that Tulsans really love.”
e usage of the trails steadily increases year after year, Edwards says. Nearly 1.5 million users frequent the entire River Parks Trail network annually, participating in activities like walking, biking, skateboarding, running and more.
Re ecting on this success, Edwards says River Parks Authority is excited about future expansion opportunities.
exciting new features,” says Je Edwards, CEO and executive director of River Parks Authority, an organization that oversees the parks and public spaces along the Arkansas River.
Construction of the new Zink Dam and Zink Lake began in October 2020. e new dam features additional gates, a stair-step design and measures to reduce dangerous undertows. A 1,000-foot recreational ume with seven play zones for water access also was added, stabilizing the east bank and creating Zink Lake, which spans approximately 2.5 miles with a maximum water depth of 10 feet.
Williams Crossing, the new pedestrian bridge, honors Williams, a major donor to the project. Alongside contributions from George Kaiser Family Foundation, HF Sinclair and ONEOK, the project received $7.2 million in private donations and $27.4 million from city funding through the Vision Tulsa sales tax and other packages. e bridge features an arched design with sitting areas, light features and separate lanes for cyclists and pedestrians.
“( e pedestrian bridge) is going to reopen our West Bank Trail that’s been closed since 2020, and o er that good connection between Gathering Place and
“We’re going to start to work on projects now and into the future to accommodate the additional growth and success of the River Parks system for the next 50 years, like a visitor center at Turkey Mountain, improvements of the East and West Bank trail, expanding the West Bank trail system and potential South Tulsa dam development,” he says. “All of these things tied together are so exciting for the next 50 years of development along the river.”
e new development of the Zink Dam and Zink Lake has expanded the responsibilities of Edwards and his team, who will focus on maintaining the functionality of Zink Lake. “We have a sta of ve folks who are going to concentrate on the cleanliness of the river and activation of the river and the ume, with our principal focus being the operation of the dam,” Edwards says. “Without the dam, we won’t have a lake or kayaking ume. So the dam is critical, as well as the operations and the functions of it, the mechanics of it and all the things that make it work.”
With the 11th Street bridge — part of the historic Route 66 — crossing over the Arkansas River, the City of Tulsa looked to engage the Oklahoma Route 66 Association for collaboration. Plans are in place to create a launch point for paddle boats near the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza, which will not only attract people to the Arkansas River but also allow them to learn more about Tulsa’s history, Martin says.
“ e Plaza is kind of there by itself, so anything that develops around it and encourages people to walk and explore means they get to see a part of Route 66 history that they might otherwise drive past,” Martin says. “Success will be seeing people enjoy the river and Cyrus Avery Plaza, because that means they are spending more time here, learning more about Tulsa’s history, and how important Route 66 has been to the story of the entire state of Oklahoma.”
With the increased development of the Arkansas River, more restaurants are expected to open to cater to the increased foot tra c. Philip Phillips, head chef and co-owner of Lone Wolf Banh Mi and Chicken and the Wolf, has big plans for the spaces that formerly held Blue Rose Cafe and then Sandbar, as well as e Yard Bar.
“ e ability to work with the City and with River Parks and to be the dining destination for when people are enjoying the new amenities on Zink Lake is a huge opportunity for us to do something really special,” Phillips says.
Phillips and his team are remodeling the restaurant space, revitalizing the property that will host a new concept: a fullservice restaurant called Daigoro. Drawing in uence from a variety of di erent Asian cuisines, Phillips says the plan is to create an exciting, well-rounded experience for diners.
“( is restaurant) is a love letter to my and my wife Danielle’s travels over the last ve years, dining at exciting Asian restaurants across the country,” Phillips says. “We’re taking things from Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam, and turning them into a really fun pan-Asian experience.”
Outside, the former Yard Bar area will be converted into a pizza operation serving thin-crust pies, beer and cocktails, with space for food trucks and live music. Phillips says he envisions this area as having a laidback, casual vibe, where people can relax and enjoy spending time next to the river.
ough the timeline isn’t certain, Phillips plans to open both Daigoro and the pizza operation before the end of the year and is excited to contribute to the economic
growth the river development will bring to Tulsa.
“We hope we’re able to add an extra dimension to the draw of this huge, fantastic investment that the city has made, and help draw people into the River Parks area,” Phillips says.
Tulsa Regional Chamber envisions signicant economic growth stemming from the new developments along the Arkansas River.
“ is body of water is going to be transformative,” says Tim Chambers, vice president of destination strategy and marketing for Visit Tulsa.
e revitalized river will play a massive role in establishing Tulsa as a sought-after destination for tourists, new businesses and events, Chambers says.
e availability of a free outdoor trail system and waterfront is a major attraction for potential conventions and events.
“It helps us sell Tulsa as a destination when we’re competing with other cities,” Chambers says. “If (organizations) realize their attendees can enjoy free, top-tier amenities like Gathering Place, Zink Lake and Turkey Mountain during their downtime it really enhances the overall draw and appeal for hosting their event here.”
e addition of Zink Lake and the whitewater ume will attract more water sports organizations to Tulsa, Chambers says.
“With this new body of water, people will start seeing the potential for things like
rowing regattas, dragon boat races or even something like an Ironman,” he says.
Oklahoma’s already-booming lm and television industry will likely see an uptick in interest due to the river development as well, Chambers says.
“Producers are always looking for unique locations for lming, and Tulsa is fortunate to have rural areas, art deco architecture and now this body of water set against the downtown skyline,” he says. “It’s going to be another notch in our belt as far as attracting productions.”
Tulsa Regional Chamber plans to use the river’s revitalization to attract both businesses and individuals looking to relocate, he adds.
“We’ll leverage the river as we sell to companies that are looking to move their headquarters from the coasts to the center of the country, now that Tulsa has its own body of water to o er,” Chambers continues. “And from a leisure and travel standpoint, many people’s rst experience in Tulsa is Gathering Place. When they nd out the park is expanding and adding a coastline, it’s going to be a big draw.”
Overall, Chambers says he expects the new river developments will likely increase the quality of life for Tulsans.
“Water is very attractive — people like to walk by it and be near it,” Chambers says. “Our River Parks trail system is already incredible and it continues to expand, but the addition of water features adds an extra layer of beauty. Being within driving distance, you don’t have to go far for lake life now.” tp
River West provides more than affordable housing.
BY LAUREN ROGERS
West of downtown, the Eugene Field neighborhood has undergone a transformation more than a decade in the making. With the sixth and nal phase of the River West housing development project nearing a move-in date for residents into the last 80 units, the $180 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation project will be completed this month.
e 435 new apartments and townhomes at 975 W. 22nd Place encompass several square blocks that were formerly Riverview Park and Brightwaters Apartments, and the parking eld at River West Festival Park, 2100 S. Jackson Ave.
Carson Carlock and his daughter were at Brightwaters when the CNI project began. Back then, they did not feel comfortable going outside.
“When we lived in Brightwaters, the park was not safe,” Carlock says.
In 2010, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded a $250,000 Choice Neighborhoods Planning grant toward research to redevelop Eugene Field and support sustainable growth.
In 2017, HUD awarded a $30 million CNI grant to the Tulsa Housing Authority as grantee, and the City of Tulsa as co-grantee.
THA leveraged an additional $150 million in public-private sources that gave
the six-year project the largest budget in city history.
As part of the CNI plan, Riverview Park was demolished in late 2019, with Brightwaters following in 2021. As part of the rebuild, HUD/Choice Neighborhoods required a one-for-one replacement of the subsidized units from the previous housing. Subsidized residents pay 30% of their adjusted gross income, which is the same they paid previously.
e Carlocks experienced this process rsthand.
“It was kind of confusing at rst,” Carlock says. “But they helped.”
“ ey” is the group of more than 43 community partners behind the CNI project. Urban Strategies Inc. has been leading the “People Plan” of the project since its onset. eir team has provided comprehensive family support and service coordination for over 300 families who lived in Brightwaters and Riverview.
USI Family Support Specialists Angie Fent and Wandymar Torres have worked for more than ve years to facilitate this process, which began in autumn 2018 with outreach and data collection.
“Bottom line was building relationships,” Torres says. “Getting (residents) to understand what our role is, and making sure they understand what the process is.”
Whether a resident needed assistance
turning on utilities in a new apartment, nding documentation to apply for certain vouchers or something else, specialists like Fent and Torres were available to help identify resources and remove barriers. Additionally, they served as advocates for resident involvement along the way.
“We helped make sure they were coming to meetings, asking questions and making sure they felt like they had a voice in the process,” Fent says.
ese e orts have resulted in more than 93% of relocated families returning to new apartments by mid-2023, as the neighborhood entered its nal phase of construction.
For Carlock, the move was easier than he anticipated.
“It didn’t take that long,” Carlock says. “I was only at my other place for about a year, and then they moved me back. So, wow.”
Residents in good standing had rst rightto-return for apartments, so Carlock was able to choose an apartment close to the features he and his daughter now use regularly.
“Where the splash pad is there are two grills,” Carlock says. “We use those a lot.” e new in-unit laundry also was a plus for Carlock, as Brightwaters only had laundry rooms.
At Brightwaters “I didn’t think it was safe for me to do my laundry,” Carlock says. “We’d have to go to other places or go to friends’ houses. It was too much.”
Now, Carlock saves time via convenient appliances.
“ e washers and dryers are nice,” he says. “I literally turn it on through my phone while I’m not home.”
As River West is a mixed-income community, there are also workforce housing units and market rate units. In-unit laundry was also a decision maker for market rate renter Briana Cooper
After moving to Tulsa in February, the former Californian received a tip from a friend to apply for an apartment at River West. Cooper had been living in an apartment she found through a coworker but was unhappy with the experience.
At her former Tulsa apartment, Cooper was paying “$1,050 for no microwave, no washer, no dryer,” she says. “Water was leaking from the oor.”
Cooper was unfamiliar with Tulsa, and safety was her priority. When River West contacted her about signing her lease, Cooper toured the property before committing.
“I came to look at the apartment rst,” she says. “And I fell in love.”
Not only did the units meet her needs, but Cooper felt the shared spaces, including the pool, tness center and tornado shelter, were well maintained.
“ ey keep it appealing to people who do want to pay market rent,” says Cooper, who now saves nearly $200 a month in rent. e property also includes a dog park, which is exciting for Cooper. As she builds her home in Tulsa, one thing she looks forward to is adopting a puppy.
While she does not have children, Cooper says she loves how “kid friendly” the area is, as it adds to her sense of security. Parents are seeing the changes, too.
Nearby, Eugene Field Elementary became the third school in Oklahoma to o er free Montessori programming, starting with pre-K and kindergarten. e program will continue to expand by one grade each year through 2027.
ere are also several nonpro ts in the area providing resources for families, including YMCA of Greater Tulsa and a Global Gardens program at Eugene Field where
every class has its own garden. rough Eugene Field, Carlock’s daughter is a participant of the YMCA’s GO Club, which provides students engagement in STEM, reading and other activities. is program will be even more robust once the Anne and Henry Zarrow YMCA next door to River West is complete in January 2025. rough the GO Club, Carlock also has a YMCA membership. ese programs have led to noticeable improvements in statistical outcomes for community members. USI o cials say among residents, there has been a 15.8% increase in the number of children demonstrating kindergarten readiness since 2019, and a 12% increase in Early Learning enrollment since 2019.
One signi cant data point from this project is the 130% increase in annual household income for the area. THA says the resident average has risen from $8,811 in 2018 to $20,319 in 2023. USI Family Support Specialists have helped achieve these results by connecting residents to services like JobsFirst. ese o erings enable residents to advance their careers and address roadblocks to success.
While construction on River West is ending and fresh starts begin in the new housing units for Cooper and the Carlocks,
THA and its community partners are shifting focus to north Tulsa for an even bigger investment in a ordable housing.
Phase I of the city’s next six-year CNI project broke ground this summer at East 36th Street North and North Peoria Avenue. With a $50 million grant from HUD, this $190 million project dethroned River West as the biggest investment of its kind for Tulsa. Dubbed 36N, its footprint will be larger than River West and will have di erent building types.
Source: Urban Strategies, Inc.
THA has spent the past four years engaging with residents to prepare for upcoming changes, and USI came on board two years ago. e rst and largest development will include commercial space on the ground oor and 100 housing units above. e rest of the project is to be completed in phases through the end of 2028. When nished it will have 545 mixed-income housing units and mixed-use commercial space. tp
Jeff Marlow went from country club kitchens to overseeing the Food Bank’s efforts to reduce food insecurity.
STORY BY LACEY TAYLOR • PHOTOS BY MICHELLE POLLARD
Achef is no stranger to a highpressure environment in a demanding industry and is often thought of as a Gordon Ramsay type — extremely loud, un ltered and exacting. In Je Marlow, an experienced chef and now CEO of Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, we nd a servant-leader with small-town roots, a family-style approach to both food and his culinary career, and avors of empathy in a typically tough role that demands perfection.
A self-described people person, Marlow says he didn’t always know he wanted to be a chef, just that he wanted to serve people in some way.
As he sits in his o ce adorned with “People’s Choice” awards from competitive cooking competitions, he quips he’s always loved
people and says, “I’m a Will Rogers-type, never met a stranger.” A sentiment that becomes evident in the entirety of Marlow’s career journey from chef to CEO.
Growing up in rural Oklahoma, he had early dreams of becoming a professional baseball player. It wasn’t until college that he took his rst job as a cook at Duncan Golf and Country Club. He might not have realized it at the time, but there were deeper roots hinting at a culinary future as he described growing up in a large family.
His mother is Italian, and growing up Sunday dinners often meant extravagant meals with several cousins in attendance creating a true sense of togetherness.
“My mom and aunts would work together to create a great meal that would feed up to 20 family members for Sunday
lunch,” Marlow says. “Each meal was followed by a competitive game of family Wi e Ball. ese are some of the best memories of my childhood. I’ve also learned over the years how so many of our great memories are shared over a plate of food.”
A conversation with Marlow is like a progressive meal, moving with intention and ease from one course to the next, all connected by a common thread. He drifts from childhood memories to moving to Duncan where he attended college classes at Cameron University in 1999 and began working at the country club. It was then and there Marlow decided he wanted to be a chef. He laughs and says, “ e executive chef told
me I was crazy and to do something else.” Despite this discouragement, he enrolled in culinary school at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in Okmulgee and took a chef position at Broken Arrow’s e Club at Forest Ridge.
In 2003 Marlow left culinary school to work full time to support his growing family. He found a job at Southern Hills Country Club working as a sous chef under Devin Levine, now the executive chef of BOK Center and Cox Business Convention Center. He sees Levine as an early mentor, teacher and longtime friend of the family. Levine has made wedding cakes for Marlow’s marriage to wife Lacy, Lacy’s father’s wedding, and he also plans to make the cake for Marlow’s daughter’s upcoming wedding.
“Je is fun to be around in the kitchen, always upbeat in a stressful environment,” Levine says. “If you’re not able to roll with the punches, you’ll never make it in the culinary industry.”
From Southern Hills, Marlow continued to work his way up the culinary ladder. He became executive chef for the Oaks Country Club in 2005. He recounts feeling young and inexperienced when applying but ended up staying almost nine years.
He then joined Leadership Tulsa Class 42, becoming the rst person in the food industry to do so, which he says opened a lot
of community doors and provided him a seat at the Food Bank table. As a part of Leadership Tulsa, class members serve as board interns on a local nonpro t board of directors. Marlow admits he knew nothing about the Food Bank when he chose the nonpro t for his board service, but it made sense because he was a chef and loved to cook.
He eventually joined the board of directors for a three-year term, and in 2013 took a leap of faith when he was hired as a chef in the Food Bank kitchen. He left the country clubs and a six- gure salary to pivot his passion into a pathway that could make a di erence in someone’s life. At the time he knew the Food Bank kitchen wasn’t reaching its potential.
Over his 10-year tenure as a chef, Marlow grew the kitchen sta from two to seven employees, and designed and opened a new 12,000-square-foot kitchen.
In January, Marlow was hired as the organization’s CEO. Finding himself at another crossroads with a familiar sense of a tough road ahead, he trusted his experience at the Food Bank and his vision for ensuring Oklahomans never go to bed hungry.
“I felt led. I knew this was my passion,” he says. “I loved working in culinary arts and for 16 years in country clubs. But at the end of the day, it was still about the people for me.”
In August, Marlow celebrated eight months as CEO and 11 years as a food bank
employee. He describes his mindset as a new CEO saying, “this place needed a leader, not a boss. A boss has a title, a leader has the people, which is the reason I got into the food industry in the rst place.”
And even in his role today as CEO, he’s still in the kitchen every day.
“Over the past 10 years, Je Marlow has exempli ed the true spirit of service. His inspiring journey from chef to CEO is a testament to his exceptional leadership and unwavering belief in our mission,” says Jeremy Johnson, chief culinary o cer. “I am honored to call him not only a mentor and colleague but a cherished friend.”
Marlow’s vision is simple: “No Oklahoman goes to bed hungry.”
During the COVID-19 shutdown when schools were out, the Food Bank team partnered with Hunger Free Oklahoma and over 30 local restaurants to make more than 32,000 meals per week. e National Guard provided volunteers and a drive-thru distribution model was set up to get the food out.
Ever a sel ess leader, Marlow didn’t want to get his colleagues or family sick so he slept in a camper on-site at the Food Bank working 16 hours a day alongside the culinary team to ensure families were served.
September is National Hunger Month, and Marlow and his team say TulsaPeople Restaurant Week, Sept. 6-15, is a “win-win” for supporting our local restaurants and chefs and those served by the Food Bank. Though not the o cial slogan, his sta say “eat local, feed local” is the best reason to dine out during Restaurant Week. Proceeds from the event go to the Backpack Program with George Kaiser Family Foundation matching up to $25,000. Visit TPRW.org to view menus from participating restaurants.
He describes it as a rush, knowing he was helping people.
While the Food Bank has existed for over 40 years, the COVID-19 pandemic opened up a new level of food insecurity in Oklahoma. Today one in six Oklahomans is food insecure, according to the Food Bank.
In 2023, a joint committee of the U.S. Congress reported the average Oklahoma family has to spend an additional $8,900 per year to a ord the same goods, services and way of life as they did three years prior.
In scal year 2024, the Food Bank distributed 31.4 million pounds of food –the largest amount since the height of the pandemic. is year the goal is 33.5 million pounds of food. His vision points to 2031, the 50th anniversary of the Food Bank, and
a goal of 50 million pounds of food distributed from of the facility.
It’s very important to Marlow and his team that people understand food security is close to home. His team reports 50% of those whom the Food Bank serves are working class people making a choice between putting gas in their car or food on the table.
Educating the community remains a top priority for Marlow and his sta of 90, noting a lot of what they do is “mythbusting.”
A misconception is those they serve have year-round need, but in reality it’s actually a lot of one-time people. His team describes the Food Bank as a bridge to help folks through life events such as a divorce, loss of
a job, health issues and the various “bumps in the road” of life.
He describes Oklahomans as proud and competitive in nature, coming together in times of crisis to help each other. Oklahoma is one of the leading states in the nation for food insecurity, and Marlow believes the “Oklahoma Strong” mentality needs to carry over to ensuring residents have access to healthy meals.
“How can we channel that energy and make it sustainable?,” Marlow asks. “Why isn’t a hunger crisis enough?”
According to the Food Bank, one in four Oklahoma children are at risk of going to bed hungry tonight. A major focus for the nonpro t is its Food for Kids programs, which includes the Backpack Program that serves elementary students. According to the Food Bank, 84% of kids in Oklahoma depend on free or reduced-price lunches. To combat this, Backpack Program elementary school children receive a sack full of kidfriendly, non-perishable and nutritious food on Fridays to sustain them over weekends, school holidays and summer breaks.
In addition, the Food Bank recently piloted a program that put freezers in high schools and colleges for prepared, frozen meals that kids take home. e pilot program, launched in 2023, put freezers and delivered food to ve schools and created a barcode that allowed for feedback. He says on a ranking scale of 1-5, the program received 4.5 ratings across the board. Due to the success, the program is now being funded by Morningcrest Healthcare Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma. According to the Food Bank, over the next three years, this program will expand from 15 to 45 schools and from 15,000 to 99,000 meals.
Marlow, mostly upbeat and light-hearted leans forward in his chair and very seriously says “we don’t want to serve junk” to the kids. Why? He says there is a huge lack of dignity to some of these programs. He strongly dislikes the “you get what you get” model of food distribution and strives for creative, shelf-stable and nutritious meals for those he serves. “Imagine fresh grilled chicken with rice pilaf and a nice vegetable medley. It’s creating the best meal we can. at’s the future of our Food Bank,” he says. e boy who dreamed of growing up and being a ballplayer entertaining thousands instead grew up to feed them. Tomorrow the chef-turned-CEO will walk into the Food Bank kitchen and continue the work with his team. e requests for meals aren’t decreasing, and the goal is to feed as many possible each day.
Marlow is ready to help serve. tp
September 6-15
Celebrate Tulsa’s best restaurants September 6-15 during TulsaPeople’s 18th annual Restaurant Week benefitting the Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Food for Kids programs! Many of Tulsa’s best restaurants will participate in Restaurant Week by offering a special prix fixe menu, menu items, cocktails or their regular menus which will all include a donation to the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma! Plus, all donations will be matched up to $25,000 by the George Kaiser Family Foundation.
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS INCLUDE:*
Bar Serra • Bishop Quigley • Bull in the Alley • Cafe Olé • Elgin Park Brewery • Isla’s Kitchen • Jimmy’s Chophouse Juniper • Maple Ridge Grocer • McNellie’s South City • Melting Pot • Misfit Kitchen • MK Bistro • Mr. Kim’s • Prhyme Queenies’s • Rib Crib • Ridge Cantina • Ridge Grill • Roka • Sisserou’s Caribbean Restaurant & Catering Society Burger • The Pump Bar Tulsa • The Tavern • Ti Amo Ristorante Italiano • Ti Amo Ristorante Italiano Downtown Wild Fork • Yokozuna (Blue Dome) • Yokozuna Yale
*As of 9/3/24
BRUNCH
Fried Jerk Chicken & Waffles
Mango Coco Chia Pudding
Steak & Eggs
Bake & Saltfish
Tropical Oatmeal
Crabback Benedict
Biscuits & Oxtail Gravy
LUNCH
(Choice of one entree with side of choice)
Jerk Burger
Tuna in a Bake
DINNER
(Choice of one entree)
Jerk Grilled Salmon
Jerk Grilled Pork Chop
umpkins, pansies and porches, oh my! A New Leaf’s Perfect Porch program employs clients to provide porch decorating services for Tulsans. All plants, pumpkins and other seasonal flora used in decorating are grown by A New Leaf clients. After choosing what to decorate with, teams of three or four clients and a job coach then bring customers’ visions to life. tp LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SERVICE ON P. 62.
BY PAYTON IRICK
After reading an article about a senior living residence in upstate New York adapting a Broadway Junior show for the senior community, Jeremy Stevens, former director of community engagement for Tulsa Performing Arts Center, felt inspired. He says, though the Tulsa PAC is everyone’s stage, he felt the senior community was missing at that time.
“We can’t really be called everyone’s stage if everyone isn’t on stage,” he says. “When you look at what’s on stage in the building, that demographic was missing.”
After calling to get permission to recreate the program in Tulsa, Broadway Senior was born. Set to have its third performance in April, the shows are adaptations of fullscale musicals with shortened run times of 45-55 minutes. Like Broadway Junior, Broadway Senior does not require the performers to memorize lines or songs, Stevens says. All participants are given printed
scripts with larger fonts, making them easier to read. ese scripts are also spiral bound, making them easier to hold.
“For seniors like us, memorizing lines is a big chore, you know,” says Broadway Senior performer Larry Cochran, 74. “ is year, we had about four people memorize their lines.”
e rst performance of Broadway Senior was “Guys and Dolls” in May 2023. “Cinderella” was the following April.
Stevens gives the performers a rundown and script of the shows they can pick from and then leaves it up to the performers to decide and “for everyone to have their voice heard,” he says. “ e Music Man” was chosen for April 2025.
Cochran has been in every show and says he plans to be in the next production as well. In “Guys and Dolls” he portrayed Sky Masterson, a successful gambler and risk-taker. In “Cinderella” he portrayed the prince and one of the evil stepsisters, which
Cochran says was an interesting challenge. “I gured out some new ways to move my hips,” he adds.
Around 20 to 26 seniors have participated each year. ere’s no age limit for participants. ey all undergo an audition, but not a traditional audition. ey do not get up and sing in front of everyone due to the negative connotation surrounding it, Stevens says.
“In my world, an audition can be anything,” he says. “I give them an opportunity to sing together and act together to see how they work.”
He says he doesn’t want or need them to be embarrassed.
“It is supposed to be more accessible, not less,” Stevens says.
e next performance of Broadway Senior will be in April at the Tulsa PAC’s Orbit Arts Festival. Visit tulsapac.com to learn more. tp
Father-daughter duo helps seniors expertly navigate transition from long-term homes into alternative living situations.
BY HAILEY CALDWELL
Tony Tortorici and his daughter, Michele Travis, are changing lives by assisting seniors with their real estate knowledge and helping them nd a senior community that is “just right.”
When the time comes, transitioning seniors from their long-term homes into a senior community is no easy task. It’s a complex process that includes a variety of emotions and numerous moving parts. Tortorici, a Seniors Real Estate Specialist, describes it as a complicated endeavor that families of seniors often have di culty navigating.
“I decided to focus on the senior market niche primarily due to my personal experiences with my parents and in-laws,” Tortorici says. “It was a daunting task for
my wife and I with no one to turn to for guidance. It was a very di cult and arduous process for us.
“Once I started and saw how bene cial it was for seniors and families of seniors helping their loved ones in transition, it became a passion for me,” continues Tortorici, who spent 23 years at American Airlines in IT engineering and another 29 as the owner of a consultative engineering rm. “Helping someone sustain themselves in a positive and bene cial manner is a wonderful experience.”
For eight years, Tortorici and Travis have been a part of e Tulsa Senior Lifestyle Group under Chinowth and Cohen. Travis is an award-winning real estate agent of
27 years and brought her father into the business. As Realtor Associates, they help seniors transition their lives.
Tortorici and Travis both have extensive knowledge of tax laws, probate, estate planning, equity conversion strategies and current market trends. e two also are highly invested in their clients and begin each new relationship with a “bonding process” where they interview clients to get a holistic view of their needs. ey remain with the clients throughout every step of the process — from transitioning out of the home with estate sales, auctions, buyouts and even helping with cosmetic repairs to placing seniors in the community that’s right for them.
Tortorici emphasizes the importance of planning for this transition. “We plan for many, many things,” he says. “But sometimes we forget along the path to plan for this inevitable thing we call aging.”
First, individuals must understand their needs. Examining one’s physical and mental health gives clients “a roadmap” to where they may be in the next few years, Tortorici explains. Once a client’s needs are assessed, Tortorici and Travis help clients understand the di erent kinds of senior communities and the ranges of support they o er, including independent living, assisted living, memory care or long-term care. ey also help determine if clients need additional options, like a continuing care retirement community or respite care.
Once the right community is identi ed, Tortorici and Travis assist clients in dispersing family heirlooms before beginning the out-of-home transition. Tortorici explains that most people think estate sales are the way to go, but in reality, they aren’t always the best choice, and he educates clients on the di erence between estate sales and auction services to ensure clients get the best deal. e nal step is selling and moving into the new living situation. Tortorici and Travis help make this emotional process possible, ensuring clients get the best o er on their homes so they can succeed in a senior living community. Additionally, they help veterans and their spouses understand their speci c bene ts.
When asked what advice he would give those beginning the process of moving, Tortorici recommends, “Good education, good education, good education!” tp
To learn more, contact Tony Tortorici at ttortorici@cctulsa.com or Michele Travis at mtravis@cctulsa.com.
Planning for Long-Term Care is important. As Elder Law
and loved ones. Our experience with Medicaid Planning and asset protection
estate planning and long-term care.
Saint Simeon’s Senior Community • saintsimeons.org
For over six decades Saint Simeon’s Senior Community has provided residential care to those ages 62 and older with assisted living, assisted living memory care, long-term care, memory care, Parkinson’s care, and skilled nursing and rehab.
What sets them apart from other communities is “our compassionate, professional staff, the beautiful, scenic location, our four levels of assisted living care and all levels/types of care under one roof, including our Parkinson’s Care Program,” says Angela Green, president and CEO.
The community’s core values – patience, dedication, humility, respect, accountability and compassion – are evident. With the continuous support of the Episcopal Church, Saint Simeon’s has grown and evolved to accommodate the best in senior care practices, technology-enhanced therapies and exceptional hospitality. As Saint Simeon’s enters its 65th year of operation, Green says they are looking at ways to adapt and enhance their offerings, including the need for more affordable options for senior living.
“As more older adults are diagnosed with brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia, but otherwise remain physically active and able, there will be a greater need for communities like ours to expand and focus our attention on assisted living-level memory care while continuing to meet the demand for skilled transitional care,” Green says. “We are excited to uncover ways we can better serve the Tulsa community now and for another 65 years.”
• 50-acre campus in the Osage Hills near downtown Tulsa
• Indoor and outdoor walking paths
• Courtyards with gardens, patios, a koi pond and a gazebo
Saint Simeon’s Senior Community 3701 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (918) 425-3583
Tulsa nonprofi t discusses how seniors are in a prime position to move the sustainability needle.
BY TIFFANY HOWARD
Like most things in life, more can be accomplished when people work together, especially when it comes to sweeping concepts like sustainability. For older adults, Morgan Fehrle, programs and communications manager for nonpro t e Sustainability Alliance, says one of the biggest barriers to making sustainability changes can be lack of community.
“Sustainability can feel overwhelming, it can be confusing,” she says. “When you don’t have community, that sounding board, it can feel daunting and actually start to make people feel more apathetic.”
e Sustainability Alliance o ers multiple ways to get involved and start learning more about sustainable living including First ursday meetings, the First Steps program and communityfostering social events (learn more at thesustainabilityalliance.org).
Inversely, you can be the one to start that community ripple e ect. Executive Director Corey Wren Williams points to her mother-in-law as a prime example: “She’s curious and asks questions. And so now her friend community comes to her to ask, ‘where do I recycle this?’ or, ‘can I give you my batteries, so you can recycle them?’ I think that’s a big thing that seniors can do, to kind of be that hub for their friends.”
Fehrle also discusses two major areas seniors hold power. First, they tend to have a more concentrated amount of wealth than younger generations, “So it’s about using that wealth — what type of sustainable entities are you investing in? Or what non-sustainable entities are you divesting from?” she says, also emphasizing the importance of shopping locally rather than through convenience outlets like Amazon. And second, seniors are one of the largest demographics turning out for
local elections. “If we start to take action on things through policy and through our civic leaders, that is a huge thing they can do to support (sustainability).”
When beginning your sustainability journey, be wary of ashy product pushing. Fehrle gives a golden line of advice: “Anything that has to do with sustainability, you shouldn’t have to buy anything for it.” For example, she says, you don’t need anything fancy to start composting. Just stick a paper bag in the freezer, ll it with scraps as you go, and then drive it to a local community garden, give it to a friend or simply bury it in your backyard.
“People are like, ‘Oh, well, I don’t have the money to buy XYZ’ and it’s like okay, well, if you don’t have the money to buy reusable cutlery just bring a fork from your kitchen. If you don’t want to buy fancy glass containers to store your food just use an old sour cream tub. Always upcycle and reuse before buying new,” Fehrle says.
She adds shaming yourself is also a sure way to sustainability burnout. “You don’t want to put yourself into a corner by thinking ‘Oh, I have to be perfect at this.’ People who might be diabetic are not going to be able to go plastic-free if they need to have their insulin shots. People who have throat issues or are just older and can’t chew very well are going to need to use straws. So it’s not about being hard on yourself there. You’ve got to give yourself grace.” tp
Reuse gift wrapping, bags and tissue paper
Eat more plant-based meals
Audit your trash — is there something you could buy in bulk rather than individual containers?
Replace single-use or disposable items like shopping bags or razors with reusable ones
Shop second-hand or search local “Buy Nothing” groups on Facebook Carpool when possible
Go paperless with bills and statements
Cooking for a Cause is an evening of food, conversation and community. Proceeds provide support for Iron Gate, Tulsa’s largest stand-alone soup kitchen and grocery pantry.
Iron Gate feeds the hungry and homeless of Tulsa every day, 365 days a year.
Cooking for a Cause will feature mystery boxes, a silent auction, gift card and wine pull and delectable cuisine from some of Tulsa’s culinary talent.
Big Dipper Creamery
Chef Devin Levine, BOK Center and Cox Business Convention Center
Chef Jeremy Johnson, Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma
Glacier Chocolate
Chef Damien Jacob, Iron Gate
Justin Thompson Catering Kilwins
Chef Grady Perryman, OSU-Institute of Technology
Chef Tyler Whitson, Rustic Kings Catering/Copper Dome Restaurant
Chef Alex Pierce, Southern Hills Country Club
Chef Austin Plumlee, The Tavern
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Chef Tiffany Tisdale, Tisdale23 Catering
Misfit Kitchen
More chefs to come!
Committee: Sarah Alfred-Cobb, Kelly Bonnallie, Lindsey Bristow, Rochelle Dowdell, Kimberly Grayson, Adam Gross, Rachel Gusman, Suzette
Werner Jones, Ana Maddox, Kara Schatz, Ashli Sims, Mindy Morrison Taylor, Ashley Townsend, Emily Underwood
The Vista at 21 Rooftop – 21 N. Greenwood | 6:30-9:00 pm | Complimentary Valet Parking Denim and Diamonds | Business Casual | Indoor/Outdoor Space
BY MARNIE FERNANDEZ
In an unassuming nook o 15th Street and Lewis Avenue sits one of Tulsa’s arguably coolest stores. Tulsa Guitar Co. — with its historical facade, vintage industrial aesthetic and rows of shiny, colorful guitars on display like a priceless art collection — is a mustvisit for music lovers.
Formally known as Tulsa Band and Guitars, which primarily catered to bands and orchestras, it was founded in 1985. Current owner Trey Johnson changed the name and relocated from east Tulsa to its midtown location in 2023.
“I worked for Tulsa Band since I graduated from ( e University of Tulsa) with my music degree,” says Johnson, who also played trumpet in high school and college. “I loved the idea of working for a small local music company and could see myself eventually having my own store. e owner decided to retire in 2018, so I took it over right before the pandemic hit.”
e pandemic changed the music industry drastically, with the band business plummeting, while the guitar industry skyrocketed.
“I had to quickly adapt to the changing landscape,” he says, “which meant a strong online presence and transitioning our focus to guitars and everything that goes with it.”
While guitars are the main attraction, the store’s bread and butter comes from selling boutique guitar pedals.
“Guitar pedals, which create signature sounds like distortion and delay, are our niche,” Johnson says. “We o er pedals that are hard to nd, and people can buy them right o the shelf, which is pretty rare.”
e shop’s vast inventory of guitars ranges from a classic Squier or Fender, to Heritage custom guitars and even handmade one-of-a kind guitars.
“We have a Tulsa-themed handmade custom guitar in the shop right now,” Johnson says. “It is truly a work of art.” tp
TULSA GUITAR
2432 E. 15th St. • 918-663-3210 tulsaguitarco.shop 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday
ANew Leaf is providing jobs and beautifying Tulsa with Perfect Porch, one of the nonprofi t’s programs designed to empower individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and autism with job training and life skills.
“I love that a segment of our community is introduced to our clients,” says Chief Development Officer Maranda Figueroa, adding Perfect Porch gives clients “an opportunity to leverage skills that come naturally to them.”
Through the Perfect Porch program, clients learn transferable job skills like communication, problem-solving, following and taking directions, and workplace etiquette, Figueroa says.
Since last fall A New Leaf’s clients have decorated more than 35 porches for various holidays. A seasonal cost for Perfect Porch is $300, or customers can bundle fall, holiday and spring for $800. They bring all the decor; all the customer has to do is provide the porch. A New Leaf clients can even clear away porch decorations at the end of a season if desired.
Many community members haven’t had an opportunity to interact with people with developmental disabilities before, Figueroa says. “People with developmental disabilities are far more like their neurotypical peers than they are different and have the same life goals and dreams. These Oklahomans just need an alternative path to success and independence,” she adds.
To inquire about services, email Tina Jabbour at tina.jabbour@anewleaf.org.
Your donation helps provide essential meals and support to homebound neighbors
Best of all, your contribution stays local, directly benefiting individuals right here in Tulsa
Make your gift of $10, $25, or any amount today SUPPORT OUR MISSION
SCAN TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Find paintings and other products by Tulsa artist L. Austin at Ziegler’s, Ida Red, Etnika and Bassett Furniture
BY RHYS MARTIN
Football is a way of life for many families in America — especially here in Oklahoma. Whether you’re a fan of the Sooners, the Cowboys or another regional team, there’s always something to do on the weekend. If you’re going to a game there are some other things you can add to make a day trip or weekend jaunt something for everyone.
Stillwater is the home of OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY and Boone Pickens Stadium, home of the Cowboys. It’s also where Hideaway Pizza was founded in 1957; they are still serving slices near the university campus. Somehow, the pizza tastes even better in the place where it all started. Nearby, Lost Creek Safari is an interactive zoo south of town that lets the whole family feed exotic creatures and learn about animals from all over the world.
For those traveling with a little extra time and a desire to explore small-town Oklahoma, taking Highway 51 to Yale between Tulsa and Stillwater is a great choice. ere’s a small Jim orpe Museum contained within the home the legendary athlete lived in from 1917-1923.
Depending on your age, you know the stadium where the UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA Sooners play in as either Owen Field or the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. is year marks the team’s 100th season in the “Palace on the Prairie” and each home game will feature a theme from a di erent era of OU’s football legacy. e campus in Norman is massive and also includes the National Weather Center; you can book tours in advance to look behind the scenes at this state-of-the-art facility that is so vital to our safety.
I love supporting local and it doesn’t get much more local than the Classic 50’s Drive-In on Lindsey Street, which has been o ering classic American fare for nearly 70 years. If you are looking for something a little more upscale, give Scratch Kitchen a try. Don’t forget to wave hello to the James Garner statue nearby!
Would you rather take a little longer weekend trip? It’s easy to ll a few days just over the Arkansas border. In Fayetteville, the Razorbacks represent the UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. e surrounding attractions in northwest Arkansas appeal
to many interests, whether it’s arts and entertainment at Crystal Bridges or the Walton Arts Center, hiking one of the many trails or educational experiences like the Air and Military Museum. ere are a lot of culinary options in and around the city, though I have a soft spot for a small diner in Springdale, which you’ll pass through on your way to or from the area. Susan’s Restaurant is a delightful, classic eatery that is a time warp in the best way. e food is fresh and the service is friendly. tp
BY CONNIE CRONLEY
Iwas reading a book by a man who said he was abbergasted in the middle of a job interview to be asked, “If you were a sandwich, what sandwich would you be?”
I was abbergasted, too. I thought job interview questions were more job-speci c — What are your computer skills? Do you have a driver’s license?
Once again, I’m the last one to the party. e sandwich question is very popular. It’s all over the internet. Stephen Colbert gets in on the sandwich craze on his latenight TV show when he asks guests their favorite sandwich. Ryan Gosling famously answered: an ice cream sandwich.
As an example of how much computer time can be wasted on this, I took the quiz twice. Once I was pegged as a BLT. e second quiz identi ed me as a pulled pork sandwich. I don’t like either answer. I would like to be a cucumber sandwich, crusts
trimmed and cut diagonally. Others might say I’m a bologna on white bread with French mustard.
It reminds me of a magazine quiz I took as a teenager asking if you were a ower, would you be a long-stemmed red rose, a violet or a eld daisy? And, how did your friends see you? I thought I was a long-stemmed red rose, but my friends unanimously pegged me as a eld daisy. I’m not over that yet.
I suppose a sandwich is as good an identi er as any for how we see ourselves, and how others see us.
e sandwich quiz may be the crass, modern equivalent to two elegant Spanish philosophies: “Tell me the landscape in which you live, and I will tell you who you are” and, “Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.”
Tell me your sandwich, and I’ll tell you your personality, your history and your secret aspirations.
• Grilled cheese: You’re common and sometimes childish.
• Grilled cheese with gruyere and brie: Common with aspirations.
• BLT with avocado: You harbor California fantasies.
• Hot dog with relish and mustard: Nostalgic and dreamy. You think of old-time baseball parks with a ordable tickets.
• Hot dog with charred wiener: Your dad did all the grilling after a couple of beers.
• Pastrami on rye: You wish you were in New York. But here you are in Oklahoma.
• Ham on baguette with butter: Get over yourself. You’re not in France, either.
• Shrimp po’ boy: Your goals are within reach.
• Chicken salad with almonds and tarragon: You’re making the best of things right where you are.
• Peanut butter and jelly: I have nothing to say to you. Next?
• Pimento cheese: Oh, honey.
• Lobster roll: Expensive tastes tending toward a ectation.
• Juicy beef piled thick on a bun with peppers: You’re watching too much television. Finish this season of “ e Bear” and read a book. Don’t even think of opening your own restaurant.
We have long lived in an era of introspection and a quest for self-help. I think it started in the 1960s with the book “I’m OK — You’re OK.” at should have been shelved with fantasy literature because we all have friends and relatives at the intersection of bizarre and bonkers.
I’m all for soul-searching and selfanalysis, and I’m afraid the pandemic that forced us into isolation exacerbated an epidemic of loneliness. Psychologists tell us that social connection is vital for mental health and maybe even longevity. It’s not easy to build a close social network. Or, even a loose one. e older we get, the harder it gets. How many people do you know to call if you’re lying on the oor at 4 in the morning?
Where do we go to meet people? How do we connect with them once we do meet them? One expert in human behavior recommends we should avoid small talk and super cialities. Go deep. Ask questions.
Here’s a question I often have: What the hell is wrong with you?
Does that count? Or should I stick with sandwiches? tp
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M I D T O W N
TIM HAYES 918 -231-5637 thayes@mcgrawok com
GORDON SHELTON 918- 697-2742 gshelton@mcgrawok com
T h i s n e w l y r e n o v a t e d h o m e s i t s o n a n a c r e ( m / l ) o f l a n d i n g a t e d S i g n a l H i l l B e a u t i f u l f i n i s h e s , n e w f l o o r i n g , e l e c t r i c , p l u m b i n g , a l l s u r f a c e s a n d f i x t u r e s C h e f ' s k i t c h e n w i t h e a t i n g a r e a a n d l a r g e B u t l
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DIANA RILEY PATTERSON 918- 629-3717 dpatterson@mcgrawok com
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One of 13 pizzas on the menu, the classic margherita is a star at LoFi, an artisanal pizza restaurant and hip music locale along Cherry Street. With a base of sourdough crust, red sauce is topped with house-pulled mozzarella, fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil. It’s a real deal — only $10 during Happy Hour from 2-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, which also includes the NYC Cheese and Rony, Roni, Roné pizzas. tp
1301 E. 15th St. • 918-921-5634 • lofitulsa.com
BY JUDY ALLEN
Many say the United States, even Tulsa, is a melting pot of cultures when it comes to food.
Just look at the vast selection of restaurants, food trucks and pop-ups in our town that represent all corners of the globe. But if you were to consider Indonesia for a moment, as I did after a recent visit to Rendang and Co. Indonesian Bistro, you would learn that Indonesia the most populous country in southeast Asia and the fourth most populous in the world might just take the cake when it comes to cultural diversity. Indonesia consists of more than 17,000 islands with numerous ethnic groups recognized by its government. It should be
no surprise the cuisine in Indonesia is just as varied.
Back here in Tulsa, you can get a taste of this delicious diversity for yourself at Rendang, which is tucked into an unassuming strip center on 51st Street, across from LaFortune Park’s golf course. Husbandand-wife duo Asnul and chef Indri Bahar opened the restaurant in 2019, operating relatively under the radar until the Bahars were surprised with a 2022 nomination for a James Beard Award, which is often considered the culinary equivalent of the Oscars. ough they didn’t progress beyond the semi- nalist level, the publicity still helped get the word out.
Indonesian cuisine is in uenced by many di erent cultures and varies greatly by region, many of which are re ected on Rendang’s vast menu. Indri is from south-central Java, where the cuisine is primarily indigenous to the area. Sumatran cuisine, from the area where Asnul is from, often has ai and Indian in uences, featuring curried meat and vegetables.
I’ve been in for several meals since they opened and am always treated with the most gracious hospitality. Recently, I o ered to take my sister Mary to lunch to introduce her to the cuisine. We started with Martabak Telur, a deep-fried beef, egg and green onion- lled pancake served with cubed
pickled vegetables. We ordered the namesake Beef Rendang, which is slowly cooked in spices and coconut milk and served with a mound of steamed rice, sauteed vegetables and a fried egg. e meat was tender and very avorful but not spicy.
For the spice factor we opted for a serving of Mie Goreng Aceh, spicy fried noodles with shrimp and beansprouts. It was just spicy enough without being overpowering, with sharp avors of garlic, ginger, chili pepper and curry spices.
Because we felt the urge to try various dishes and love the combination of curry and coconut milk, we nished with a bowl of Terong Gulai, eggplant cooked in yellow curry. Most dishes are big enough to share, so I’m looking forward to a return visit to try some more.
Other popular o erings include Sate (chicken or lamb that is seasoned, skewered and grilled chicken with peanut sauce), Nasi Goreng, a staple of Indonesian cuisine (fried rice with egg, vegetables and your choice of protein or tofu) and Gado-Gado (a salad of mixed steamed vegetables, hard-boiled egg and fried tofu tossed with peanut sauce dressing).
In addition, Rendang also o ers a few retail items including imported specialty co ee beans from Kopi Ketjil, over a dozen avors of Hikmah Fajar seasoning paste and a few varieties of housemade desserts and sweets. tp
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a jersey-wearing diehard football fan or someone who doesn’t know the NFL from the SEC, football food is for everyone.
Tailgate culture and the food that goes along with it gets going in early fall with the rst kicko s. But you don’t have to tailgate to have great food to eat while watching football.
We’ve gathered some recipes perfect for a Saturday college football crowd or a gettogether before heading out to watch some high school football under the Friday night lights. Football food may or may not have a main dish. It’s mostly grazing food, perfect for serving a group.
— NATALIE MIKLES
You can’t beat a trio of salsa, guacamole and queso. is queso is over-the-top delicious.
COWBOY QUESO
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 pound ground sausage
1 can beer (preferably pale wheat or pale lager)
2 pounds white American cheese (ask for it at the deli)
1 (14.5-ounce) can Rotel tomatoes
1/2 cup sliced, pickled jalapeno peppers
1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
Saute onion, garlic and sausage until sausage is browned and onion is tender. Drain any grease and place mixture in a 4-quart slow cooker.
Add beer, cubed cheese, tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, black beans, cumin, salt and pepper. Cook on high 2 hours. Stir, checking to see if cheese is melted. Stir in cilantro. Switch slow cooker to warm. Serve with tortilla chips. Top with more cilantro and red onion to serve.
Looking for some other ideas for serving a footballloving crowd? Try one of these.
LEMON PEPPER WINGS: Make them in an air fryer to cut down on the mess.
SHEET PAN NACHOS: Scatter tortilla chips on a sheet pan, then load up with your favorite toppings before popping them into the oven.
PIMENTO CHEESE SAUSAGE BALLS: Take a classic sausage ball recipe but add pimento cheese instead of grated cheddar.
WHITE BARBECUE CHICKEN SLIDERS: Make a vinegary-mayo sauce and combine with shredded chicken for a di erent take on barbecue sliders.
ITALIAN PARTY SANDWICHES: Tuck layers of salami, pepperoni, turkey, red onion and provolone cheese in Hawaiian rolls before baking until toasty. Brush with butter and some red pepper akes for heat.
If you’re a longtime Tulsan, you probably have had a bowl of the Full Moon Cafe’s tortilla soup. ere were literal lines out the door on Cherry Street for the Full Moon’s bottomless soup and salad. And everyone was there for the creamy, cheesy chicken tortilla soup.
Amy Moss, partner of Hal Walker for McGill’s 61st Prime Dinner House, was part of the original waitsta during the Full Moon’s height.
“I was a Full Moonie. I remember serving that soup every day, and for awhile, every single day there was a line out the door,” Moss says.
And now things have come full circle. McGill’s serves Full Moon-style chicken tortilla soup on ursdays, bringing in those who remember it well, along with those who are just discovering it.
Greg McGill and Walker opened Full Moon Cafe in 1987 and worked with a chef to create that irresistible soup. So serving it at McGill’s, 6058 S. Yale Ave., keeps it in the family. Still, some diners wonder how close to the original the new soup is.
“I’ve had people say, ‘We’re going to test it to see if it’s like the original.’ And I tell them, ‘OK, it will be,’” Moss says.
McGill’s serves its signature French onion soup every day along with a soup du jour that includes the Full Moon chicken tortilla on ursdays. — NATALIE MIKLES
Small Batch Brewtique is filling a niche in Tulsa’s home brewing market. Now open at 2429 N. Aspen Ave. in Broken Arrow, Small Batch is owned by Travis and Katherine Kirby, longtime customers of the now-closed High Gravity Brewing. The Kirbys hired former High Gravity co-owner Dave Knott as the store’s general manager.
“We were customers of Dave’s for a long time,” Travis says. “We bought all our home brew equipment there and became friends over the years. We decided to take on the legacy and open up the store to make sure that Tulsa still had a good home brew store to service the community.”
A lot of the inventory High Gravity had is now at Small Batch Brewtique, though narrowed down a bit to just bestsellers for beer, wine, kombucha and cheese fermentation.
Small Batch Brewtique goes beyond home brewing with art for sale from local creatives, a sitting area and more. “We wanted to have a little bit of something for everybody,” Katherine says.
Small Batch Brewtique is open noon-7 p.m., Wednesday-Friday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday. Visit smallbatchbrewtique.com to learn more.
— TOM GILBERT
TulsaPeople’s annual A-LIST Readers’ Choice Awards named these the best when it comes to mixed drinks and more.
NOLA’S CREOLE AND COCKTAILS
1334 E. 15th St. 918-779-7766 nolastulsa.com
SATURN ROOM 209 N. Boulder Ave. 918-794-9422 saturnroom.com
VALKYRIE 13 E. Reconciliation Way 918-508-2285 valkyrietulsa.com
BAR SERRA 1876 Utica Square, Suite 2E 918-727-7227 barserra.com
BIRD AND BOTTLE
3324-A E. 31st St. 918-895-6468 birdandbottletulsa.com
SATISFYING SANDWICH There are plenty of options around town for a fried chicken sandwich, but few stand out like the one created by chef Matt Amberg for his restaurant’s Sunday night pop-up menu. A juicy, thick chicken breast is breaded in a batter sprinkled with sesame seeds, fried and adorned with avocado, lettuce, pickles, tomato and a zippy Aleppo mayo.
SAVE ROOM FOR SIDES The onion rings can’t be beat. They pack a serious crunch and bite — none of those stringy onion strands here. An order comes with plenty to share with your tablemates, but you won’t want to.
SUNDAY SPECIAL Earlier this year Oren opened Sunday night from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to feature this stripped-down menu that also includes two burger options, chicken tenders and a 3-ounce “son of a burger.” Another perk? Nothing’s over $10. — ANNE BROCKMAN
BY NATALIE MIKLES
Macaroni and cheese at THE TAVERN is gourmet. It’s rich with hints of garlic and a generous amount of smoked Gouda and fontina cheese with a crisp, golden breadcrumb topping. All of that flavor gives this spicy dish the name Angry Mac and Cheese. Add it to the fried chicken dinner (served Sundays only) for a real treat. 201 N. Main St. • taverntulsa.com
THE BROOK’S mac and cheese has a cult following. Those who love it will tell you it’s not fancy. This isn’t a delicately au-gratinned dish with imported cheese. It’s simply homestyle cheesy goodness. You also can order the Build a Mac and pile on a number of toppings to the mac and cheese base. Favorites include taco meat, chicken (blackened, buffalo or fried), chili, jalapenos, bacon and grilled mushrooms. 201 E. Second St. • 3401 S. Peoria Ave. • 7727 E. 91st St. • brookrestaurant.com
If you’re looking for mac and cheese that’s classic comfort food, you’ve got to try MY MOMMA’S HOUSE , newcomer to the Boxyard. It is a creamy, flavorful baked macaroni and cheese with a browned crust topping (our favorite part!). For something really unique, try the Soul Rolls — egg roll wrappers stuffed with mac and cheese, yams and collard greens, among other flavors. 502 E. Third St. • facebook.com/mymommashouse2020 tp
Little gems salad with buttermilk Caesar dressing
Music is a key element to the dining experience at LoFi, the newest product of chef Trevor Tack and restaurant operator Noah Bush. A custom DJ stand is a permanent fixture with live spinning on state-of-the-art equipment every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The rest of the time, staff play vinyl on a classic analog set-up. Dubbed a “listening bar,” Bush says LoFi is a place to gather with friends and loved ones with a soundtrack that’s considered an ingredient just like any other menu item.
“LoFi is an any time, any occasion kind of place and we want it to be your home away from home,” he says.
On the menu, patrons have found favorites like the McMinnville Hot Pie with its spicy red sauce, pepperoni, cherry peppers, hot honey, basil and mozzarella.
A staff favorite is the Boquerones — a type of tinned fish that’s featured on the Cured and Preserved section of the menu — because they are shareable and pair perfectly with wine. Boquerones are a “culturally ancient but extremely contemporary and trendy” food right now, according to Bush. “Food and wine are great human equalizers and the Boquerones are just super fun,” he says.
LoFi’s Caesar salad is perfect for sharing, too, along with a beautiful presentation of roasted carrots.
LoFi is open at 11 a.m. every day, closing at 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and staying open later Friday-Saturday.
ANNE BROCKMAN
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PATRICK MCNICHOLAS
In 1919 the Tulsa Livestock and Industrial Exposition company purchased 440 acres of land on the east side of the city near 17th Street and Louisville Avenue. e land was intended to be the location of a great fair exposition center comparable to that of other national cities. At the time, the fairgrounds were located nearly three miles away at Admiral Boulevard and Lewis Avenue.
But by 1926 the fair relocated to this tract of land and within a few years the fairgrounds and exposition center the organization imagined was a reality.
On March 28, 1932, the Tulsa State Fair Pavilion was dedicated. e art deco masterpiece with colorful terra-cotta tiles and motifs depicting agriculture elements was made possible by a $500,000 bond issue in the midst of the Great Depression. It was designed by architect Leland I. Shumway who received recognition for his “ oating roof” design that made it easier for animals to move through the building. e steel framework of the roof also allowed patrons to have an unobstructed view of the action from anywhere in the arena. e goal to host large national events was
accomplished for decades. e multipurpose building with a capacity for 10,000 hosted conventions, livestock shows, circuses, rodeos, stage shows, concerts, auto races, hockey, soccer and basketball games.
Both famed politicians and musicians have either campaigned or performed here over the years, including Elvis Presley in 1956.
Out of the many buildings that have called the fairgrounds home but were lost over time, the Pavilion remains. Extensive renovations during the 2000s gave the building new life. It is still in use today, especially during the Tulsa State Fair. tp
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