Tulsa World Magazine Fall 2021

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TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE

TULSA W O R L D

M A G A Z I N E

| ISSUE 33 | FALL 2021

50

THINGS WE ARE LOVING ABOUT TULSA THIS YEAR

TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

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‘Danny Boy’ speaks candidly on troubled youth, saving Outsiders House Take a tour of Tulsa area’s DINERS, music history, murals and more Tulsa World Magazine 1


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TULSA W O R L D

M A G A Z I N E

Fall 2021

TAKE A TOUR Local and regional tours featuring food, music, art, breweries and more.

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TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE 50‌

Our staff has picked the top things we recommend you do, see and experience. These are the places you want to be in 2021.

Get on the gravy train: Diners worth the drive. Rhythm & Routes: Oklahoma Tourism Department’s Music Trail. Pearl Brewery Tours: Kick back and enjoy the brews. Magnificent Murals: View this new outdoor art. Haunted: Three spooky spots to visit.

Cover: Diners eat at In the Raw VU on top of the Vast Bank building. IAN MAULE, TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE

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BEHIND THE STORY

The Outsiders House Museum is a hot draw in Tulsa. The man who saved it from demolition, Danny Boy O’Connor, talks openly about the rough road that led him here.

TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

ALSO INSIDE

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OKLAHOMA MADE: Hasty Bake made grilling history. AT HOME: Mums make fall gardens pop. THE MOMENT: Tulsa World photographers tell the story behind a photo. DISTRICT: The Rose District in Broken Arrow keeps growing. TULSA TRAILBLAZERS: When QT co-founder Burt Holmes gives advice, you should take it. LIFE IN NATIVE AMERICA: Fall bounty features traditional dishes. LET’S GO: Celebrate fall with festivals, arts events. Tulsa World Magazine 3


FROMTHE

EDITOR.

TULSA W O R L D

M A G A Z I N E

Tulsa World Magazine is a specialty

Celebrating Tulsa favorites

both old and new

‌C

Nicole Marshall Middleton Tulsa World Magazine Editor

ue the Julie Andrews soundtrack and sing along with us: Raindrops on roses And whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Brown paper packages tied up with strings These are a few of my favorite things OK, now we’ve properly set the stage for the fall edition featuring the Tulsa World Magazine 50. Feel free to finish the song on your own. But the sentiment fits. In our cover story, we share with you 50 of our favorite things that can be found in the Tulsa area. For the record, that is way more than a “few.” These are things that you can do, see, taste or experience. Creating such a list would not be possible without the varied viewpoints and contributions of our talented newsroom staff. Most of the places on this list are relatively new, or had recent remodels or upgrades that we suggest you experience. But we threw in a few oldies, too. For example, we couldn’t resist celebrating Mecca Coffee Company’s 100th year with a nod. We hope you hold onto this 2021 list for a while and pick it up again when you are looking for something to do. And, personally, I hope you make your own list of places you’ve been meaning to try or places that you’ve loved that you’ve been meaning to visit again. While this is far from a novel notion, it bears repeating — these places and things might not be there when you finally get around to visiting them again. Make a point to patronize the locations you love. Also in this edition, reporter Jimmie Tramel introduces you to a local celebrity, Danny O’Connor, director of the Outsiders House Museum. O’Connor shares some tough stories about his past and tells us what finding a home in Tulsa means to him. And to celebrate fall, we want to take you on a tour. But we couldn’t just narrow it down to one. From best diners in the region, to music, local outdoor art, ghosts, breweries, architecture and more, we’ve got suggestions for both guided tours and self-guided tours. We think you’ll find something to inspire you to get up and go. We also have all of our regular features including Tulsa Trailblazers, Oklahoma Made, District and Life in Native America. We hope you enjoy trying a few of our favorite things!

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publication of the Tulsa World, 315 S. Boulder Ave., Tulsa, OK 74103. This magazine is published with the Sept. 26, 2021 edition of the Tulsa World. All content copyright Tulsa World 2021. The contents may not be reproduced without permission.

NICOLE MARSHALL MIDDLETON Editor nicole.marshall@tulsaworld.com STACEY DICKENS Assistant Editor stacey.dickens@tulsaworld.com TOM GILBERT Photo Editor JOHN WALBLAY Page Editor

Additional copies of Tulsa World Magazine can be found at the Tulsa World or at local retailers. Annual magazine subscriptions are $29.70 for six issues. To subscribe or have single issues mailed for $4.95, go to tulsaworldmagazine.com or call 918-581-0921.

ADVERTISE IN TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE To advertise, call 918-581-8509 or email Libby First at libby.first@tulsaworld.com

WANT MORE TWM? Don’t want to miss a copy of Tulsa World Magazine? Make sure you get them all by subscribing to the Tulsa World at tulsaworld.com/subscribe.

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Kelly Hines // Tulsa World Magazine

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uring the past seven decades, Hasty-Bake charcoal grills have become a family tradition. “We’ve been around since 1948, so we have grandfathers who passed it down to their son and on to their son,” Hasty-Bake Marketing Director Jennifer Caudle said. “We have people still cooking on models from the ’70s and ’80s.” The Tulsa company was founded when Grant Hastings teamed up with Gus Baker to find a way to make restaurant-style barbecue something that could be achieved in their backyards. They worked with welders to develop the concept for their grill, and it grew from there. “The only place you could get real barbecue as we know it would be going to a barbecue restaurant in town where they have the big chamber barbecue grill where they’re capturing smoke,” said Nick Parsons, vice president of marketing and operations. “But nothing like that existed in the home. “By the late 1950s, half of Tulsa had them in their backyard.” Hasty-Bake was a true innovator, becoming the first to put a hood on a grill and the first to put wheels on one. It was selected by the U.S. Department of State to represent American industry at the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958, and it won the Hess Award for the best houseware item of 1962. After being bought by current president Richard Alexander in 1994, Hasty-Bake has continued to adapt while staying true to its original concept. All of its grills are made at the Tulsa factory near 11th and Lewis that employs about 50 people and uses American steel. “We’ve had some smaller models that were added and had some bigger models that were added, but the function and everything of the grill is all the same,” Parsons said. “We do sell parts for grills that are 40-plus years old because it’s still the part we use today.” The Tulsa Grill Store adjacent to the HastyBake offices sells a variety of brands and products and has become a central hub for backyard barbecue fanatics in the area. “What we’ve kind of done is taken that community of people who are already here and kind of said, here’s a mothership for them,” Parsons said. “So they come in and they buy supplies here all the time. They tell us stories and they swap recipes. And it kind of becomes the ‘Cheers,’ if you will, of the barbecue world here in Tulsa.” Although Hasty-Bake does most of its business in the U.S., it has expanded into other countries that are discovering and falling in love with its charcoal grills. “We’re international,” Parsons said. “We have dealers in Norway and Netherlands, Belgium, Australia. I am working on Canada dealers. “Especially this last year with the HB250 and our Rangers, which are two portable models, those are becoming really popular overseas, mainly because American barbecue has become more popular overseas and it’s cheaper to ship a small grill.” TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

OKLAHOMA MADE

TULSA’S

HastyBake A FAMILY TRADITION

Hasty-Bake was founded when Grant Hastings teamed up with Gus Baker to find a way to make restaurant-style barbecue something that could be achieved in their backyards. TULSA WORLD FILE PHOTOS

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at home

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR

MUMS

Colorful chrysanthemum plants seemingly bursting with blooms are hard to resist in the fall. It seems you see them everywhere. There’s a good chance you will break down and buy couple to decorate your front porch. They come in a wide variety of colors, and few plants fill a pot with such a massive number of flowers. Here are some mum facts and gardening tips compiled from past Tulsa World columns to help you make the most of your mums.

MUM ORIGINS Chrysanthemums are native to China, where they have been prized for more than 2,000 years. The name “chrysanthemum” comes from the 6 Tulsa World Magazine

Greek words for gold (chrysos) and flower (anthos). Modern garden mums come in a huge selection of colors, shapes and sizes.

PLANTING POTTED MUMS Many of the mums you might find for purchase this year have been forced into blooming for the season. This process makes introducing them into your garden more challenging. Some are also bred specifically for pots and are likely not as hardy as the mums you see in gardens. These potted mums may have an extensive root system in the pot, but they may not be able to establish themselves before winter. This doesn’t mean you can’t try. But be prepared to enjoy them for the season and move on.

PICKING YOUR PLANT Select bushy plants with plenty of leafy stems branching out at the base. Also, select plants that are well-budded but not yet in full flower. Winter survival tends to be better when plants are not in full bloom at planting time.

PLANTING TIPS If you do try to plant mums, plant them in sunny, well-drained locations with good air circulation. Mums need at least 5 to 6 hours of direct daily sunlight for maximum flowering.

MULCHING AND FEEDING MUMS Dormant mums mulched with 4 to 6 inches of chopped leaves or straw after TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


the ground is frozen have the best chance to live through hard winters or winters in which the soil constantly thaws and refreezes, say horticulturists. Mums are notorious feeders and require an abundance of plant food to attain their maximum development. Most gardening authorities advise incorporating liberal amounts of manure or compost in the soil, along with peat moss and shredded leaves.

SPRING PLANTING Mums planted in the spring are more likely to overwinter better than those planted in the fall. Extreme cold, heaved roots, inadequate drainage and the absence of a thick organic mulch all could contribute to their demise. Set the plants 12 to 18 inches apart in holes no deeper than the pots they came in. Mums make their maximum growth during hot weather, and throughout this period they require a liberal supply of water.

PINCHING BACK

done to keep the plant compact and bushy. You should remove the top one inch when growth reaches four to five inches and continue to pinch back this way most of the summer, usually until Aug. 1. For really large flowers, allow only a few blooms per plant to develop.

DIVIDING Unlike many flowering plants, mums like to be divided every year. If left undisturbed from year to year the quality of the mum diminishes, horticulturists say.

WHERE TO FIND MUMS Chances are, mums will find you! They are everywhere in the fall. Besides your local nursery, you can also find them at pumpkin patches, farmers markets, grocery stores and flower shops.

Pinching greatly encourages bud formation and massive blooms and has to be

RIGHT: Mums need at least 5 to 6 hours of direct daily sunlight for maximum flowering. BARRY FUGATT, FOR THE TULSA WORLD

BELOW: Select plants that are well-budded but not yet in full flower. Winter survival tends to be better when plants are not in full bloom at planting time. IAN MAULE, TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE

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Tulsa World Magazine 7


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ASK THE EXPERT

Inventory is up, seller’s market is down Real estate expert explains population impact

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he real estate market has been booming in Oklahoma and across the country. Sellers have received an astonishing number of offers on houses in record time, and buyers have found themselves chasing property after property for months. It appeared homes were selling as soon as they hit the market. But the pendulum is slowly starting to swing the other way. Chinowth & Cohen President Leland Chinowth said, “The inventory has very gradually increased each month since May. So, the market is getting a little more favorable for buyers than it was previously.” In other words, you’ll start hearing that Tulsa is a seller’s market less and less. As we get into the fall and winter months, as with any other year, Chinowth says to expect the hustle and bustle of real estate to slightly taper off. The Tulsa market ramps up in the spring, peaks in the summer, and slows back down in late fall. And that’s for a couple of reasons. The holidays are a big factor when buyers and sellers are trying to find a good time to close on a property, especially if kids may have to move schools. Chinowth says parents would rather their kids move schools between semesters than in the middle of a semester. So, since the average closing time is around 45 days, many buyers and sellers want to start that process around October in order to close in time for the holidays in December. But as things start to quiet down, Chinowth advises buyers not to slow down the search for their next home. He said, “Interest rates are still at historical lows. In the long-term, getting a good interest rate is an important factor in saving money over time. So, if you’ve been discouraged as a buyer, I would not stop looking now, because interest rates are so low combined with an increase in inventory.”

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LELAND CHINOWTH PRESIDENT

Email us your questions at expert@tulsaworld.com, and our expert will answer on our Tulsa World Scene Facebook page!

But buyers in the Tulsa area shouldn’t expect prices to drastically decrease just because inventory is up. “The Tulsa metro population has just reached 1 million,” Chinowth said. “When you get to a million, your rate of growth in a city typically really takes off and accelerates at that point. I don’t see prices decreasing because I think Tulsa as a city and the growth and increase in industry will keep enough population and demand for homes here. That will offset the fact that many other markets will be kind of coming down from this elevated market of high prices and multiple offers on every home. It’ll level off rather than crater.” For more info visit ccoklahoma.com or call 918-392-9900.

SPONSORED FEATURE OF TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE


ASK THE EXPERT

Duane Blevins President of First Oklahoma Mortgage

Email us your questions at expert@tulsaworld.com, and our expert will answer on our Tulsa World Scene Facebook page!

I

How long will mortgage interest rates remain low? Consult community banking experts for best advice

s it a good time to buy a home? Interest rates will eventually rise, but for now they remain near all-time lows. So, it is a good time to consider buying a new home or refinancing an existing mortgage and potentially shortening your loan term in the process. Since 1971, when Freddie Mac started surveying lenders, the interest rates for mortgages have varied widely, ranging from a high of 18.63% for a 30-year, fixed mortgage rate in 1981 to below 3.00% more recently. According to a recent Bankrate article, many mortgage experts expect rates to climb above 3.5 percent by the end of 2021. “Before the pandemic, we started to see rising interest rates with the consensus that the trend would continue. With projected economic growth gradually driving interest rates higher, we’re seeing many homebuyers taking advantage of the lower rates today,” said Duane Blevins, president of First Oklahoma Mortgage, a subsidiary of First Oklahoma Bank. The No. 1 thing potential homebuyers currently want to know is whether they can lock into a low interest rate before the rates start rising, Blevins said. The answer is yes. They can lock in a rate for up to 90 days. The challenge right now, however, is that home prices have steadily increased as the number of homes for sale has lagged demand. The housing market has not fully recovered its balance since the pandemic, Blevins said, and many homebuyers are vying for a limited supply of homes. SPONSORED FEATURE OF TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE

Blevins notes that most purchase transactions close within 30 days, while the refinance process averages about 45 days. The mortgage loan process is fully automated today. Homebuyers use a secure portal through First Oklahoma to apply for loans. Loan applicants need to be prepared to provide loan disclosures, employment and asset verification. “One of the things that sets First Oklahoma apart from our competitors is our FastTrak mobile app. This is especially popular with the millennials. Through your mobile device you can utilize the same, secure application portal that also is available online,” Blevins said. The FastTrak mobile app makes the home-buying process fast and easy. Anyone who has a mobile device with access to the Apple Store or Google Play can download the free app. Completing the home loan application takes less than 10 minutes. FastTrak provides additional benefits: √ Convenience and peace of mind with fast, easy, and secure document sharing √ The ability to easily track the loan progress any time √ A built-in mortgage calculator tool To learn more about First Oklahoma Mortgage, call one of our mortgage professionals at (918) 481-8810 or visit our website at www.firstoklahomamortgage.com. Member F.D.I.C and Equal Housing Lender. TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


ASK THE EXPERT

Clear-tone shapes future of hearing aid technology Hearing Aid Experts tailer solutions for unique needs of each patient

E

xperiencing hearing loss can feel daunting or discouraging, but it doesn’t have to, said Paul Jackson, director of marketing at Clear-tone Hearing Aid Laboratories in Tulsa. Clear-tone is shaping the future of hearing aid technology not just in Oklahoma, but across the world. 80% of all hearing aids sold around the world utilized patented technology from Clear-tone, and they have over 50 patents on hearing aid technology issued around the world as a result of their constant pursuit of innovative technologies, Jackson said. The company works to find the right hearing aid for each individual patient, taking into account not only their level of hearing loss, but also their age, lifestyle and individual needs. “Hearing loss is almost always something that happens gradually,” Jackson said. “We see a huge success rate with patients — even patients that don’t think they’re having a problem — because you don’t know what you’re missing until you actually get tested and experience better hearing.” Hearing loss can affect people of all different ages, lifestyles and demographics, Jackson said. While hearing loss occurs naturally as people age, it can be precipitated by illnesses and exposure to loud noises. “There’s no question that long periods of loud noise exposure — whether that’s by your trade or a hobby you have, like listening to music — can play a factor in hearing loss,” Jackson said. “Typically, the most common type of hearing loss we see is just the typical aging process. Much like with eyeglasses, once you hit the age of 50, the likelihood of somebody having glasses versus not goes up tremendously. We see that with hearing aids, too. There’s different types of viruses, accidents, certain drugs, like chemotherapy, or radiation that can cause hearing loss as well. “ Individuals who appear similar on paper may have completely different levels of hearing loss, causing them

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PAUL JACKSON CHARLEY FEELEY Clear-tone

Email us your questions at expert@tulsaworld.com, and our expert will answer on our Tulsa World Scene Facebook page!

to need hearing aids that meet their unique needs, said Charley Feeley, director of operations at Clear-tone. “Everybody’s hearing loss is like a thumbprint — you can’t take a cookie cutter approach,” Feeley said. “You have to come up with a custom hearing solution for each individual. You might have two guys who worked in the same oil fields for the same amount of time, and one of them has a much worse loss than the other. It’s not always a perfect science.” Scientific advances in the hearing aid industry, brought on by Clear-tone’s patented hearing aid technology, allow clients access to cutting-edge technology like Bluetooth connectivity and foreign language translation, Jackson said. Importantly, many of the hearing aids offered at Clear-tone are discreet and small in size. “Nobody wants their hearing aid to be super obvious,” Jackson said. “Our hearing aids are so compact, they are virtually invisible when they’re worn. And now even more so, because if you need to adjust your volume on your hearing aids, you can pull out your iPhone and use the app. So it kind of just looks like you’re texting or checking Facebook.” Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts at Clear-tone noticed people recognizing they may be in need of a hearing aid. “There was an enlightenment as people went through [the pandemic] — you don’t realize how much you read people’s lips,” Jackson said. “Everybody’s wearing a mask, which exposes some people to the realization that they do have a hearing issue and need to get it resolved. There’s a lot to be said about being able to hear. It’s such a critical component to communication and being connected to people.” For more info visit mycleartone.com or call 918-493-4040.

SPONSORED FEATURE OF TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE


Becoming an

OUTSIDER

Danny Boy O’Connor overcomes rough past to salvage his life and Tulsa’s Outsiders House

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By Jimmie Tramel Tulsa World Magazine

W

ho’s the most famous person you ever punched? Danny O’Connor didn’t hesitate when answering. He immediately said “Vince Neil.” O’Connor isn’t proud of slugging Motley Crue’s vocalist. He likes those Crue guys and used to hang with drummer Tommy Lee. But Neil took the first swing, according to O’Connor, who felt felt obligated to return serve. Speaking of punches, it felt like O’Connor pulled none during a two-hour interview that tackled different subject matter than had been covered in many past interviews with the Tulsa World. Leonardo DiCaprio didn’t require an introduction when coming face to face with O’Connor in July, but in case you need an introduction to the person known as “Danny Boy:” O’Connor is a music artist from the 1990s hip-hop group House of Pain. The group’s most well-known song, “Jump Around,” is likely playing somewhere at a sporting event right now. O’Connor loves the 1983 shotin-Tulsa film “The Outsiders” so much that he purchased a former film site — a decaying greaser home at 731 N. Saint Louis Ave. — and oversaw a restoration of the home into The Outsiders House Museum, an attraction dedicated to the film and its source material, a book by Tulsa author S.E. Hinton.

 Danny O’Connor has embraced his new life in Tulsa. He knows city leaders, attends local events and often skates with girlfriend Mary Flaven at Skates Rollertainment in Sand Springs. JOHN CLANTON, TULSA WORLD‌

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The Outsiders House has become “the” place in Tulsa for celebrity pop-ins. Actors from “The Outsiders” have returned to the film site in recent years because they have history at the little house, but other visitors from the entertainment world have included DiCaprio, Jack White, Green Day and Soleil Moon Frye, who was shown talking with O’Connor on the porch of the Outsiders House in her 2021 documentary “Kid 90.”

House of Pain being booted from the tour, but the Jerry Springer-ish final straw came when O’Connor and three family members — sister, brother, mom — tag-teamed a bouncer for daring to lay hands on sis and questioning her backstage credentials after a show. Watching from nearby, Nicolas Cage had a “this is great” smile on his face, according to O’Connor. “Everybody else is appalled,” he said. At least it was a family bonding mo-

MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD FILE‌

Outsiders House Museum founder Danny O’Connor will tell you the Outsiders House saved his life and gave him a purpose.

“Kid 90,” executive produced by DiCaprio, revealed that Frye and O’Connor have decades-old history and the documentary showed Tulsans that this guy they knew only as the savior of the Outsiders House had a whole other life before settling in Tulsa. Danny Boy agreed to talk about that life. Let’s get to it.

THE KNIFE STORY‌ Six dates. That’s how long House of Pain lasted on its first tour as a support act for the Beastie Boys. “I’m a Beastie Boy fan to the core,” O’Connor said. “We scared the (heck) out of the Beasties.” Maybe it was the AK-47 that O’Connor bought during a tour stop in Texas? There were other factors that led to 14 Tulsa World Magazine

ment for a family that could have used more of them. O’Connor was 17 when his never-inthe-picture father, described by Danny Boy as a homeless alcoholic, was murdered. “Someone poured gasoline on him and lit him on fire,” he said, adding later that his stepfather also met a tragic end (died at age 35 due to cirrhosis of the liver). O’Connor said his mother, who is living, had a good upbringing, but is cursed with a “bad picker.” Translated: She likes tough guys and picked mates accordingly. O’Connor, who “hearts” ‘80s movies, pulled out a photo to show that his biological father resembles “Urban Cowboy” actor Scott Glenn. One reason Danny Boy didn’t see much of his longshoreman father is because dad did things (“I would love

to get his criminal record”) to wind up behind bars. O’Connor said he and his mother were always at odds. She saw too much of Danny Boy’s father in him. He said she got angry at mannerisms that reminded her of you-know-who. He said he heard this a million times from mom: “You’ll be dead or go to prison by the time you’re 21, just like your father.” “I didn’t have any problem with that,” O’Connor, said. “And so when I turned 21, would you believe I’m being booked in? The lady says, ‘Damn, it’s your birthday, and you’re being booked into jail.’ I said, ‘No, ma’am my birthday is tomorrow.’” But she was right. The clock had passed midnight. O’Connor was 17 when he was arrested for the first time. He said he was falsely accused by his mother of brandishing a knife. Prior to the arrest, he had joined a gang and had been getting into fights, so he had worn out his welcome at home. The knife story? Danny Boy listened to Wall of Voodoo rehearse at Reseda Country Club, about 10 miles from the place where he lived with his mother in California. His bicycle had a flat tire, so he made a can-you-come-get-me phone call. Mom refused and the conversation got worse from there. She told Danny Boy she wanted him out and said she had been packing up his possessions, including throwing stars and nunchucks, because she didn’t want those things in her home. O’Connor walked his bike home and, at the door upon arrival, told his mother “you didn’t take everything.” He showed her his knife. He said he did it in a non-threatening way. Regardless, mom told him to get out. O’Connor took refuge at a Denny’s restaurant, where police officers showed up looking for him. He hid the knife in a seat cushion and told his side of the story to no avail. He was taken to juvenile hall and wound up on probation. The terms of his probation called for him to go to school (he had dropped out and, even when enrolled in school, he preferred to ditch classes) and hold down a job. O’Connor said jobs were not easy to get when you looked and talked like he did. He spent the first six years of his life in New York before moving to California. He said he looked like a New Yorker and talked like a hip-hop TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


guy. When he would visit a suburban kid’s home, there was a 50-50 chance a parent would pull their kid aside and say “why did you bring that person into the house?” They didn’t want their son or daughter associating with Danny Boy. “Which is ironic,” he said. “The kids that slipped under their radar were like a hundred times worse.”

HOUSE OF PAIN‌ O’Connor was photographed for this story at Skates Rollertainment, a Sand Springs skating rink. He sometimes posts roller skating photos on social media. Funkytown is integral to his story. Asked how he got into music, Danny Boy said his mother has a lot of soul. He said she had a great record collection (hello, Motown) and loved disco. He loved disco, too. And when they temporarily relocated from the San Fernando Valley to Simi Valley (“which is like moving one planet over”), the saving grace was a roller rink. “So I learned to skate and I’m at the rink all the time,” he said. People called him “Disco Dan.” They were fighting words even though he grooved to disco. Know what else got people moving on the rink? “Rapper’s Delight.” It’s the song that helped deliver hip-hop to the masses. O’Connor was all in on hip-hop. “By the time Run-DMC’s first record came out, it was all over but the shouting,” he said. Danny Boy said the tough kids liked hip-hop. He learned early in high school that he was one of the tough kids. “I was a b-boy,” he said, using a term that refers to a youth who pursues hiphop culture. “But I never thought in a million years I would end up making a group and doing that for the next 30 years off and on.” The story of how House of Pain came to be is a tale for another day. But it’s 100% fair to say House of Pain saved O’Connor from a life of crime. He said he sold cocaine while in high school, but didn’t use drugs at that time. He had no problem putting his hands — and pistol — on people. He took advantage of a clever card scheme to acquire nice possessions (“my house looked like a mansion”) and cash. He didn’t invent the scheme (someone else gets credit for that), but he was smart TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

enough never to go after items that would raise suspicion. Because O’Connor was from New York and had a rep, a group of guys chasing a potential big score in New York decided he could join them for a piece of the action. They visited him the night before they were all supposed to board a plane for New York. One of them brought a girl — and lost her immediately to O’Connor. When Danny Boy woke up with a hangover the next morning, he discovered that he had been left behind. Why? The ringleader was mad about the girl. So, this is a natural spot to talk about O’Connor receiving three significant phone calls in one day. The first call was from Monica Lynch of Tommy Boy Records. She congratulated Danny Boy because the label chose to sign House of Pain to a record deal. The second call — collect — was from a prison in New York. The guys who got mad about the girl and left O’Connor behind got caught and served eight years of a 10-year sentence, according to Danny Boy. If he had gone with them, that presumably would have been his fate, too. The third call was from O’Connor’s mother, who told him about a brother he didn’t know he had. It was a big news day.

DESCENT INTO DARKNESS‌ Branded as a hard-edged, IrishAmerican hip-hop group, House of Pain (Danny Boy, DJ Lethal, Everlast) tapped into a vibe. A 1992 debut album went platinum. At one point, House of Pain and Cypress Hill were the biggest names in hip-hop, according to O’Connor. High times ensued. “I think it’s never going to end and I’m also making up for lost time,” he said. “I feel like my whole youth was lost time.” All of a sudden prominent folks were getting out of the way to make room for the House of Pain guys in VIP rooms. Danny Boy began keeping company with Tommy Lee and actor Mickey Rourke. O’Connor said he and Rourke were thick as thieves for four years. Girls who weren’t allowed to be around Danny Boy in high school because their parents disapproved were going out of their way to be reintroduced. Remember me? How could he — the alleged “loser” — ever forget? During this overwhelming period, O’Connor was relieved when House of Pain got booed. House of Pain was paired with rock acts on show bills. One of those bands was the Ramones. Initially, the Ramones’ fans booed

MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD FILE‌

Danny O’Connor holds up a movie still as workers refurbish “The Outsiders” house in 2016. Tulsa World Magazine 15


 Members of the band Green Day pose with Danny O’Connor (left) of the Outsiders House Museum during a recent visit to the museum. COURTESY, DANNY O’CONNOR‌

 Actor Rob Lowe, who played Sodapop Curtis in the movie “The Outsiders,” returned to visit the house where it was filmed in 2017 with his son. JOHN CLANTON, TULSA WORLD FILE‌

 Danny O’Connor renewed acquaintances with Leonardo DiCaprio when the Academy Award-winning actor visited the Outsiders House Museum. COURTESY, DANNY O’CONNOR‌

 Danny O’Connor of the Outsiders House Museum posed with Jesse Plemons when actors from “Killers of the Flower Moon” visited the museum. COURTESY OUTSIDERS HOUSE MUSEUM‌

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 Soleil Moon Frye traveled to Tulsa in 2018 to renew acquaintances with Danny O’Connor and to interview her friend for the Hulu documentary “Kid 90.” COURTESY, DANNY O’CONNOR

 Danny O’Connor of the Outsiders House Museum points to an item while giving a tour to actor Barry Williams of “Brady Bunch” fame in April 2021. JIMMIE TRAMEL, TULSA WORLD‌

 Actor Brendan Fraser, shown with Danny O’Connor of the Outsiders House Museum, was among “Killers of the Flower Moon” cast members who visited the museum. COURTESY OUTSIDERS HOUSE MUSEUM‌

 Actress Heather Langenkamp of “Nightmare on Elm Street” is part of Outsiders history. She signed the wall during a visit to the Outsiders House Museum. COURTESY, DANNY O’CONNOR‌

 Music artist Jack White was photographed sitting on the steps of the Outsiders House in 2018. He donated $30,000 to the renovation of the film site. PHOTOS COURTESY OUTSIDERS HOUSE MUSEUM‌

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 Danny O’Connor, co-founder of the Outsiders House Museum, stands on the roof of Will Rogers High School, which is where author S.E. Hinton wrote the book. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD

House of Pain and pelted Danny Boy and his mates with coins and drinks. O’Connor said there’s a “Twilight Zone” episode where a billiards player wins every game he plays in the afterlife and, hey, is this heaven or hell? That’s how he felt when House of Pain was on a winning streak. You’ve been told all your life you’re going to be dead or in prison. And now you can do no wrong? “It made me question my sanity,” he said. During the House of Pain glory years, O’Connor became close with Frye, who had been a child star on “Punky Brewster.” O’Connor felt fortunate to be friends with someone who had been on a successful TV show and was navigating life afterward. “You know how we have one person we can trust?” O’Connor said. “For me,

at that point, it was Soleil. I could just confide in her and tell her what was going on. ... This was before we were, like, intimate. We were friends like that. I used to bring her to all the spots. She was just like my wing man for a hot minute there.” O’Connor said he also knew DiCaprio during the ‘90s. “In Hollywood, we knew everybody,” he said. The chariot ride ended after three albums. When House of Pain called it quits in 1996, O’Connor said he had the mental state of a teen with no skills except for crime. He began a descent into darkness that included addiction and no real place to call home. A New York Post story published post-“Kid 90” said that, by 2005, Danny Boy was sleeping on a couch in a warehouse after burning through millions of dollars on drugs.

O’Connor believes karma was paying him back for things he did earlier in life. Now he’s celebrating 16 1/2 years of sobriety, and he said Robert Romanus (a friend who played Mike Damone in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”) is his hero. Explaining, Danny Boy said acting is a difficult profession and, when hit with career adversity, Romanus responded by taking non-acting jobs to make a living. “I thought I was too stupid to work at Starbucks,” O’Connor said. “So what I did was I buried my head in drugs and I ran from my life.” O’Connor said he wishes he had gotten to know Romanus earlier in life. Maybe he would have had a role model to influence him to choose a different path. Danny Boy said he once applied for a graffiti removal position in a city near Beverly Hills. He figured he would make enough money slinging gray paint to pay the rent while figuring out a next step in life. He said he didn’t get the job due to a lack of work history. He hadn’t worked a non-music job since he was a teen. O’Connor found his next step while on a trip to Tulsa with La Coka Nostra, a hiphop group which, at times, has included

Danny Boy O’Connor of House of Pain is shown during a 2017 performance at the BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival in Napa, Calif. ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE

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Danny O’Connor received a key to the city from Mayor G.T. Bynum in 2018. Standing at right, actor C. Thomas Howell and “The Outsiders” author S.E. Hinton. TOM GILBERT, TULSA WORLD FILE

all three House of Pain members. Isn’t Tulsa where “The Outsiders” was filmed? O’Connor went hunting and was thrilled to see the Outsiders House still standing. In 2016, after checking with Hinton to make sure she had no plans for the home, O’Connor bought the house and saved it from demolition. O’Connor has said that he cried twice — once when he became owner of the home and once when he saw the condition of the home.

TULSA TO THE RESCUE Danny Boy will tell you the Outsiders House (“it’s the greatest thing that ever happened to me”) saved his life and gave him a purpose. He had no real purpose in hip-hop except to get rich or die trying. Now he’s the caretaker of something that is important to people, himself included. Danny Boy feels a kinship with greaser characters in “The Outsiders.” The scene in “The Outsiders” where Johnny didn’t want to go home because he didn’t want to be a witness to what was occurring inside? Been there, done that. Reactions from Outsiders House visitors remind O’Connor the home is tied to their heartstrings, too. He believes Tulsa needed this to go along with other attractions. And he needed Tulsa, which is why he moved here. “People say what do you like about Tulsa the most? You left L.A. to be here just because of ‘The Outsiders?’ No. I love ‘The Outsiders’ like the next man. My original intent was to stay in Beverly Hills and maybe get a place here, but I fell in love with the people. It’s the people that make Tulsa great. It’s Okies. It’s Tulsans. It’s the spirit that people bring and it’s TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

infectious and it’s reciprocal.” O’Connor doesn’t live in the Outsiders House. He has never spent a night there, which is surprising. “Home” is two miles away at the Mayo Hotel. “When I got to Tulsa, the insurance for my two cars dropped $300. My health care dropped. The cost of living here is so cheap.” The personal change: Priceless. O’Connor watched a video interview of himself that was filmed for an upcoming Outsiders-related project and saw a different man. He seemed — his words — very soft. “At first I was embarrassed by what I saw because I saw myself with my armor down, and I had never seen myself in an interview like that,” he said. “I was just explaining how magical this (house) has been. And, for the first time, it was like I believed in myself, like there really is a 180 in you, dude. This has softened me in the best possible way.” The right turn includes taking issue with a lifestyle he once embraced. He feels many improper things are glorified in our culture. As a sober adult, he’ll tell you it all starts at home — or, in this case, a house. Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum presented O’Connor with a key to the city during a ceremony at the Outsiders House Museum in 2018. It was a scene that could’ve been taken straight from “The Outsiders” playbook: It doesn’t matter if you did regrettable things or were stereotyped in the past. You can change the narrative and receive positive recognition for a rescue. Johnny and Ponyboy saved kids from a burning building. Danny Boy saved a Tulsa treasure — and himself. Tulsa World Magazine 19

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‘I JUST adore him’ COURTESY, KELLY KERR‌

Tulsa author S.E. Hinton wrote “The Outsiders,” which inspired the 1983 movie of the same name.

S.E. Hinton talks about Outsiders House rescuer Danny O’Connor

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JIMMIE TRAMEL Tulsa World Magazine ‌

efore there was a museum, there was a movie. Before there was a movie, there was a book. “The Outsiders,” written by Tulsa author S.E. Hinton while a 16-year-old junior at Will Rogers High School, was the root of it all. Influenced by the social division she witnessed among Tulsa teens in the 1960s, Hinton wrote of the privileged socs and the wrong-side-of-the-tracks greasers from the viewpoint of 14-yearold Ponyboy Curtis, who lived with his two older brothers. She has been credited for ushering in a new era of realism in young-adult fiction because of the 1967 book’s serious topics. The book inspired the 1983 filmedin-Tulsa movie which used the Tulsa residence at 731 N. Saint Louis Ave. as the Curtis family home. Fast forward a few decades, Danny O’Connor led a movement to transform the home into a tourist destination, The Outsiders House Museum. Hinton talked about O’Connor and The Outsiders House Museum during an interview with Tulsa World Magazine.

How do you feel about what Danny O’Connor has done with The Outsiders House? “I feel grateful to him. Nobody could do a better job than what he is doing. He is so detail-oriented. I can’t believe the mess he had to take on when he

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It wasn’t something I would go drive by and look at and get lost in memory lane. It was a good set. There were a lot of good times had there. ... Before Danny took it over, there were people that came from all over the world to take pictures of it. It does mean a lot to a lot of people. Danny has done it.”

How long did it take you to figure out Danny wasn’t just a nutty guy? IAN MAULE, TULSA WORLD FILE‌

“The Outsiders” author S.E Hinton, shown at the opening of The Outsiders House Museum in 2019 with Danny O’Connor, says she is grateful to him and that “nobody could do a better job than what he is doing” with the house.

got that house. He and I met for lunch before he really started. He was saying would I be interested in it? I said, ‘No, I can’t keep up with my own house’ or something like that. We hit it off right away. I could think of him as one of my best friends. I just adore him.”

It’s neat that someone who was raised on the East Coast and West Coast saved this house in middle America. The house means something to people. “Apparently it means so much more to people than it did to me. To me, it was another set we had for ‘The Outsiders.’

“Part of the way into (our first) lunch. I always expect to like people. It’s just the way I am. I try not to come up with any preconceived ideas. I expect to like people and it has worked for me more often than the other. Also I am a good judge of character and who I am compatible with. I really never thought he was nuts or anything. He is so sincere. He really is.”

Danny says The Outsiders House saved his life and has given him purpose.

“He has told me that. I like hearing from my fans. ‘I never liked to read and I read your book and now I really do like your book.’ But it scares me when people say ‘you changed my life’ because who am I to change anybody’s life? That’s a little bit more responsibility than I want. But a lot of people have said that and I say it’s the book that changed your life. Don’t get the message mixed up with the messenger.” TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


Thoughtful gifts show how much you care OkieSpice & Trade Co. takes guesswork out

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inding the perfect gift is all about showing someone how much you care, said Kim Zieg, co-owner of OkieSpice & Trade Co. in Sand Springs. OkieSpice & Trade Co. is a spice and seasonings store with a large selection of gourmet food products, gifts and novelty items. When shopping for someone special, the value of giving that person something unique and thoughtful is immeasurable for both the giver and the receiver, Zieg said. “It’s all about the smiles on their faces and the enjoyment — not only for the people who receive the gift, but the people who are giving it, too,” Zieg said. “When you know you’ve found the perfect gift for someone — one that you’re not going to find at most other places — it’s a great thing.” For the person who seems to already have everything, gifting them something edible or food-related is always a safe choice, Zieg said. OkieSpice has an in-house cheese shop where customers can select gourmet cheeses or even customize their own charcuterie board or gift basket. “What do you get someone that can go and purchase anything they want for themselves?” Zieg said. “We have many things at OkieSpice that would be considered a treat that someone maybe wouldn’t get for themselves. If it’s for someone elderly who doesn’t cook a lot, you can put together a good little gift basket with different meats and cheeses from Oklahoma.” For a man in your life — whether it’s a brother, father or partner — barbecue seasonings and tools can be great gift options, Zieg said. “Rubs, barbecue seasonings and sauces are usually what we steer people toward when they’re buying a gift for a guy,” Zieg said. “Barbecue aprons, mitts, or even snacks like TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

beef jerky or chocolate-covered pretzels can make a great gift — we’ve got something for everyone here.” For the ladies, specialty dishes, bread or cake recipes and drink mixes are perfect for girls’ night celebrations or birthday presents, Zieg said. “Ladies love cute tea towels, socks, aprons, casserole dishes, fancy bread mixes — all things they usually wouldn’t buy for themselves,” Zieg said. “We see a lot of ladies that get together for poolside parties and bunco nights where they’re all bringing gifts. It’s easy to find something inexpensive — like wine slushie mixes or coasters — and we can dress it up in a gift basket.” To find a gift that feels personal and special, it’s best to shop local, Zieg said. OkieSpice carries products from several vendors and artisans all over Oklahoma. “We’re always searching for new, made-in-Oklahoma products,” Zieg said. “We want to introduce them and be able to tell the people in the store the story behind the product — if someone started that business because it’s a passion of theirs, or it was a recipe that their grandpa passed down — to be able to share that is so special.”

ASK THE EXPERT KIM ZIEG CO-OWNER OkieSpice & Trade Co.

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For more info visit okiespiceandtrade.com or call 918-514-0045. OkieSpice is located at 107 N Main St. in Sand Springs

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GreG Girard Oklahoma Men’s Clinic

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Improving men’s health starts with conversation Problems are more common than most men think

he Oklahoma Men’s Clinic is working to destigmatize men’s health and wellness and improve the lives of men all over the state. Offering treatments for erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, low testosterone, hair loss and more, the Oklahoma Men’s Clinic — which has locations in both Tulsa and Oklahoma City — treats men for common problems with the goal of improving their selfesteem and quality of life. “People think men’s health isn’t needed or that it’s secondary — but it’s not, it’s primary,” said Greg Girard, owner of the Oklahoma Men’s Clinic. “Men need to take care of ourselves [because] we have a place in this world: taking care of things, making sure our families are safe and well taken care of.” Men’s health and wellness is a topic that’s rarely discussed and often overlooked compared to other health topics, Girard said. Men struggling with any kind of personal health problems should know that they are not alone, and that the issues they’re facing are likely easy to treat. “The problems that men have are more common than men think, but there’s no reason to be embarrassed about them,” Girard said. Girard said some of the most frequent conditions men struggle with — erectile dysfunction and low testosterone — affect men of all ages and demographics. “We see men as early as their twenties with erectile dysfunction and low testosterone,” Girard said. “10 years ago, we never saw anybody under 40 with low T. Now, we’re seeing them at 19, 20, 21, and it’s largely because of the type of food that we eat, the water that we drink and the modern lifestyle.” Stress-inducing work schedules, lack of sleep, fast food consumption and even the usage of recreational drugs can all factor into a man’s sexual health, Girard SPONSORED FEATURE OF TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE

said. Many low-quality foods like cheeseburgers contain high levels of estrogen, a hormone that promotes the development of female characteristics of the body, which can cause erectile dysfunction if consumed too much by men. “Low T comes from a lot of places — one of them is being stressed, which is cortisol levels,” Girard said. “If you pick up a cheeseburger from McDonald’s, it’s got more estrogen in it than an estrogen shot. Marijuana also really lowers testosterone.” There are many lifestyle choices men can make to maintain their personal health and wellness, Girard said. “Watch the things you eat, keep your immune system high and take good supplements — vitamin D, vitamin C and zinc,” Girard said. If a man’s sexual health problems persist or worsen, it’s worth it to speak with a specialist like those on staff at the Oklahoma Men’s Clinic, Girard said. Girard said he’s seen treatment plans for premature ejaculation and low human growth hormone therapies completely transform men’s lives. “I’ve had people come in here looking like they were about ready to die,” Girard said. “But the next time they came in to pick up their medication, they were smiling, happy, upbeat. For them to get their confidence back and have the ability to be intimate — that’s everything.” For more info visit okiemensclinic.com or call 918-921-9699.

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Best recipes for tailgating start with – BBQ sauce! Sneak peek at favorite Head Country crowd pleasers

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klahoma has two time-honored traditions: football and tailgating. At Head Country, we’re not only proud to be Oklahoma’s barbecue sauce of choice, we’re proud of our rich tradition of celebration every season with football fans in our state. Whether you’re partying in the parking lot or homegating with friends and family, you can be sure you get the most out of the tailgating traditions by making sure everyone has plates full of the flavors they love. The best tailgating recipes are easy, travel well, and can please a crowd. Here are our favorites: Jalapeno poppers. Simply split jalapenos, fill with a mixture of cheddar, cream cheese and onion, then wrap with bacon. Dip each popper in Head Country sauce and grill until done. Make lots of these. There is no such thing as a leftover jalapeno popper—especially once everyone in your party figures out how tasty they are on burgers. Wings. Grill these and toss them in our favorite wing sauce: one part hot sauce, one part melted butter, and one part Head Country Bar-B-Q Sauce in Original. Queso. Just a tablespoon of our Original or High Plains Heat seasoning in your game-day queso will take it from good to great. Quesadillas. They’re a great walking-around food, and they’re easy to dip or drizzle with BBQ sauce. Pulled pork. Whether you make it in the slow cooker or in the smoker, pulled pork is versatile enough to take you from breakfast tacos while you get set up for the day, to sandwiches for before the game, to post-game pulled pork-topped burgers and drinks. TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

Tailgating Brisket Chili. Put this chili in your set of camping bowls with some fresh-fried tortillas, or in a bag of corn chips as a walk-around Frito chili pie. Smoke your brisket ahead of time, or order some from your favorite BBQ joint. Make this chili on your tailgater grill or smoker or, if you’re homegating, on the stovetop, if it’s easier.

ASK THE EXPERT CR HEAD, PRO BBQ SLINGER Head Country

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Tailgating Brisket Chili Serves 6-8 and doubles well Ingredients: 3 pounds of meat (a mix of ground beef and chopped brisket) 1 Tbsp. Head Country Original Seasoning 1 bottle of beer 1 jar of salsa A few chipotle peppers, plus some of the adobo sauce 1-1/2 c. crushed tortilla chips 6 oz. can tomato paste 1 Tbsp. Chili powder 1 tsp. Cumin ½ C. Head Country Bar-B-Q sauce in Original or Hot & Spicy 1-2 C. water, as needed Instructions: In a large cast-iron Dutch oven, brown ground beef and season with Head Country Championship Seasoning in Original. Mix in chopped brisket. Add beer, salsa, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, and Head Country Bar-B-Q sauce and mix well. Add chipotle peppers and some of the adobo sauce, according to your heat preference— one pepper and 1 Tbsp. of the adobo sauce is a good place to start. Mix in the crushed tortilla chips and water. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring regularly and adding water as needed. Get more recipes and tips at HeadCountry.com or call 580-762-1227. SPONSORED FEATURE OF TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE


ASK THE EXPERT JP Culley Head of School Holland Hall

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Your child is worth it says Holland Hall expert Consider exploring private K-12 education options

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eciding where to send your child to school can be a difficult decision. It may be worth it to invest in a private school education, said JP Culley, head of school at Holland Hall. Holland Hall is a private, K-12 Episcopal school in Tulsa that prioritizes a liberal arts education, college preparatory curriculum, and the foundation of critical thinking skills. Deciding to enroll your child in a private school like Holland Hall can yield not only academic success, but also personal growth and professional preparedness, Culley said. “We believe that kids learn best when they are appropriately challenged, but also comfortable and have a voice and great connections with other people,” Culley said. “We help create contexts and opportunities for kids to develop their own voice and their own sense of independence.” If you’re unsure about the idea of private school, there are several different avenues of research you can take, Culley said. Parents thinking about private school education should read the mission statement of each school they’re considering to see whether or not it aligns with their personal values, and visit the school in person so they can meet current parents and students at the school. One of the most important actions a parent can take is scheduling a time for their child to visit campus by themselves, Culley said. “Have your child spend a ‘shadow’ day on campus, if they are old enough,” Culley said. “Ask about the predominant teaching styles they experienced, the friendliness of other students, how engaged they were. Remember, you are not buying into a report card or a transcript. You are buying into a community with a distinct culture. Culture is one of the most influential teachers in a school.”

While some private schools may come with a big price tag, Culley said parents should not rule out the option solely for financial reasons, as many schools offer financial aid awards and scholarships. “Your child is worth it,” Culley said. “A higher tuition means better faculty pay and benefits, which translates into exemplary teaching and learning environments, including much smaller class sizes. If you want your child to really be known by her teachers, small classes and committed teachers — that’s everything.” Culley said a benefit of private school education is the opportunity for a student to build strong relationships with teachers and faculty, so they can then help the student achieve their specific goals and become prepared for adulthood. “We get it down to the individual students — because we’re small enough to do that — and figure out what their hopes and dreams are,” Culley said. “We make sure they’re making all kinds of mistakes along the way, so they learn that’s a part of life that makes you a stronger person — I think that’s a key differentiator.” There is no one type of private school student, Culley said. The goal of a private school education is not to change who a student is, but rather to give them the skills to balance their life so they can pursue what they are passionate about. “We don’t have a specific mold that we’re trying to create our kids into,” Culley said. “But our graduates would tell you, what they learned here was self discipline — ‘How do I manage my time? How do I manage my interests? How do I manage my relationships?’ — That is key. [Students] are going to live a resilient life that’s going to take them pretty far.” For more info visit hollandhall.org or call 918-879-4755. TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


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Marketing solutions can grow your business Expert manages and delivers results for DaVco

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hat happens when your advertising campaign is so successful that you get inundated with business your team can’t handle? Customer service drops and bad reviews, right? This is exactly the scenario Vince Jaramillo, at DaVco Mechanical Contractors has been able to avoid by having the right marketing strategist. Jaramillo found the right media partner in Mark Hill and the team at the Tulsa World Media Company. Now offering a full-service menu of marketing resources from traditional media, digital to e-commerce, the Tulsa World Media Company has a Premier Google Partnered digital agency – Amplified Digital –as well as a partnership with Amazon. “There was a time when I was working with several media companies for different products. Sometimes the advertising would work too well and we would have more heating, cooling and plumbing business than we could handle, and then again sometimes we needed to be able to ramp up to get the calls in,” Jaramillo said. It became a lot to manage, he said. It also became increasingly more difficult to track which advertising was working over another, not to mention how all of the moving parts worked together to deliver the best return on investment. “Mark and I got a long really well, he offered all of the tools I was utilizing - so it was easy to make the decision to bring all of our marketing strategies under one umbrella,” Jaramillo said. “Now when an adjustment needs to be made as our business picks up or has lulls, I can adjust our campaign with just one phone call!” Since then, ongoing marketing efforts continue to work together to deliver results. Hill and team keep a watchful eye on DaVco’s campaign to ensure all of the digital assets are optimizing to the right audience and actions taken with detailed reporting and campaign transparency. “Whether we are adjusting Vince’s campaign strategies to drive more business in or redirecting efforts to recruit for TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

MARK HILL MARKETING STRATEGIST Tulsa World Media Company

Email us your questions at expert@tulsaworld.com, and our expert will answer on our Tulsa World Scene Facebook page!

more qualified professionals to join their team so DaVco can take on more business, we are dedicated to taking care of him and his team,” Hill said. “Because Vince is so great with communicating his needs, we’ve been able to help grow his business at just the right pace.” Keeping a fully staffed team and providing quality customer service allows DaVco to grow, Jaramillo said. “I’m able to keep my focus on running the business, and know I have a great marketing team which allows me to do just that,” he said. For business owners not knowing where to start, Hill recommends to just make the call. “Our team works together to create innovative and strategic solutions,” he said. “We give business owners access to top of the line tools and mediums that empower them to grow their business – at just the right pace.” We work to provide a full throttle marketing plan aimed at increasing your conversion rates and returns on investment by utilizing proper targeting techniques across various mediums, all with engaging creative, Hill said. “We start with a conversation about your goals as we get to know each other,” he said. “We can build out a plan based upon the direction you are looking to grow your business.” For more info visit amplifieddigitalmarketing.com or call 417-527-3986.

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THE MOMENT

LAFORTUNE STADIUM SUNSET

JOHN CLANTON // Tulsa World Magazine

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ight from the sunset divides the sky as the Will Rogers and Central high school football teams face off during the All-City Preview at LaFortune Stadium in Tulsa on Friday, Aug. 20. I already had my sunset picture. I’d watched the sun set behind LaFortune Stadium from atop the visitors stands. It wasn’t much of a picture, though. The teams weren’t playing yet; they were warming up at opposite ends of the field. A few minutes later, the last of the day’s light looked as if it had been measured with a ruler, dividing the night sky. This time, the teams were playing and they were at the north end of the field. I walked back up to the top of the stands and made this photograph. Seconds later, the Central Braves ran the length of the field to score a touchdown against Will Rogers, and the unusual sunset faded away.

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From relaxing escapes to fabulous foods and fun shops, these are the 50 things we are loving about Tulsa this year.

Bricks of Himalayan salt make a wall in the salt therapy room at Poppi’s Urban Spa. READ MORE ABOU T THE DOWNTOWN SPA ON PAGE 30.

JOHN CLANTON, TULSA WORLD


Hummingbird Fine Craft

1  David Boynton hangs up artwork at Hummingbird Fine Craft.  A mirror reflects a painting of late Tulsa musician Leon Russell at Hummingbird Fine Craft. The shop is a block from Russell’s former Church Studio. IAN MAULE PHOTOS, TULSA WORLD

317 S. Trenton Ave. Inspired by famous Tulsa musician Leon Russell’s “Hummingbird” song, Hummingbird Fine Craft is a unique artist cooperative gallery on Studio Row in the Tulsa Pearl District, a block from Leon’s Church Studio. Hummingbird Fine Craft is a Tulsa artist cooperative featuring artwork, clothing and accessories, greeting cards, honey products, jewelry and pottery. Several artists joined to form the artist cooperative in January 2020 to showcase their unique works and offer one-of-a-kind, handmade and specialty items to art lovers, collectors and gift shoppers alike. If you are looking for a unique and inspiring gift — for yourself or someone else — this is the place to go.

American Inheritance Confectionery

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1531 S. Main St., Broken Arrow Ronnie Watchorn, owner of American Inheritance Confectionery, has moved from Coweta to Main Street in Broken Arrow to sell his delicious chocolates. A member of the Choctaw Nation, Watchorn uses history to inspire his flavors and presentation. A series of whiskey-flavored caramels, for example, are named for U.S. presidents and historical figures such as Jim Thorpe and Marilyn Monroe. He also has bars named Tulsa’s Golden Driller and flavors such as caramelized White Chocolate with Coffee and Biscoff and Brown Butter with Roasted Walnuts. Watchhorn works with area farmers to source some of his more unusual flavors, such as huckleberry and rye in a Jack Daniels ganache or strawberry and honeysuckle. TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

American Inheritance Confectionery has moved to Main Street in Broken Arrow. STEPHEN PINGRY PHOTOS, TULSA WORLD

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JOHN CLANTON PHOTOS, TULSA WORLD‌

The Deluxe Combination at La Tertulia comes with a taco, a rolled blue-corn enchilada, a tamale, a chili relleno and a good portion of carne adovada, which is chunks of pork shoulder simmered in a rich and spicy red chili sauce. Accompanying all this are rice, pinto beans and pozole, or hominy.

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La Tertulia 311 E. Second St.

If you want to travel to New Mexico without leaving the Tulsa city limits, then La Tertulia is your destination. This restaurant, the brainchild of James Beard Award-winning chef Kevin Nashan, is an homage to the place his grandparents operated in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for some 30 years. The authentic decor, with its white stucco walls, chiminea fireplaces and Native American pottery, sets the mood for the equally authentic northern New Mexican cuisine that comes out of the kitchen. The menu is not extensive, but it is varied. For example, appetizers include the expected queso and guacamole, along with a shrimp and octopus ceviche. The soup offerings eschew the usual tortilla soup for a green chili stew, pozole and a black bean and jalapeño soup. To get the best sense of what La Tertulia has to offer, the deluxe combination dinner ($18.25) is the way to go.

La Tertulia owner Kevin Nashan (right) poses with chef de cuisine Brian Green.

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Poppi’s Urban Spa

302 S. Frankfort Ave. Poppi’s Urban Spa is a retreat in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown Tulsa. At this oasis, you can find massage therapy, facial services and Life Lounge amenities. Believe it or not, it was formerly home to KOTV-Channel 6. There are lots of open, communal spaces where you can hang out and relax with friends. It’s basically a self-care hub, owner TJ Woodberry said. “Everyone loves the lounge space. I curated the lounge personally with a lot of the self-care tools I use in my own practice,” Woodberry said. One thing we are excited about is the color pod, which uses the centuries-old concept of chromotherapy to treat diseases and to affect mood or emotions. Poppi’s also has a beautiful salt room where you can experience the natural benefits of salt therapy. Salt therapy is an alternative treatment for a variety of ailments and conditions such as anxiety, sleeplessness, asthma and allergies.

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Rare roasted yellowfin tuna, fried calamari, black and white brioche, Basque Style snails, montaditos, salt-baked Petrale sole, and wood ovenroasted brook trout (clockwise from top left) are offered at Restaurant Basque.

6 The color pod uses the centuries-old concept of chromotherapy for wellness treatments.  Owner TJ Woodberry created the popular lounge room at Poppi’s Urban using treatments that she loves and uses herself. JOHN CLANTON PHOTOS, TULSA WORLD‌

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JOHN CLANTON, TULSA WORLD‌

Restaurant Basque

114 N. Boston Ave. The Basque region, which borders the Atlantic Ocean and straddles the border between Spain and France, is home to a unique cuisine that draws equally from the oceans and rivers, farms and fields. And Restaurant Basque has brought an authentic sampling of that diversity to the Tulsa Arts District. The restaurant, the latest concept by Amelia Eesley, is overseen by executive chef Andrew Donovan, who has traveled the Basque region and imports as much of the ingredients he uses as possible from Spain. Another tradition of Basque cuisine is its communal nature — most dishes are designed to be shared among those at the table, like the tapas popular throughout Spain. But instead of strolling from bar to bar, at Restaurant Basque it all comes to you.

Patio 201

201 E. Second St. The old OTASCO store, built in the 1970s at Second Street and Cincinnati Avenue, seemed so utterly boring that people could drive past it day after day for years and not notice it. The most notable features included blank walls of beige brick and a flat roof with a giant air-conditioning unit on top. Tulsa architect Josh Chesney, however, re-imagined the ground floor as sleek, modern storefronts. And a glass elevator now takes visitors up to the main tenant, a new downtown location for The Brook bar and grill that opened last spring. Rooftop seating offers a sweeping view of the skyline. A lot of people still call it the OTASCO building, but developer Jeff Scott is branding the location as “Patio 201,” which has a double meaning. It refers to the address on South Cincinnati but also to pair of patios, one upstairs and one down.

TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

MICHAEL NOBLE JR., TULSA WORLD‌

“Patio 201” has a double meaning. It refers to the address on South Cincinnati but also to pair of patios, one upstairs and one down.

Tulsa World Magazine 31


STEPHEN PINGRY, TULSA WORLD‌

Queenie’s Plus

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1816 Utica Square Queenie’s has been one of the most popular dining spots in Utica Square since it opened in 1985 — with “spot” being a defining term, as the bakery-cafe’s close confines made eating there a more intimate experience than usual. Last year, Queenie’s moved into new, more spacious digs that also included an expanded patio for outdoor seating. The menu, however, still includes all the breakfast and lunch dishes that Queenie’s fans have come to love, along with daily specials. Drive by and you’ll find that the patio is almost always full.

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Gambill’s Pastaria & Grocery

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1921 S. Harvard Ave. Gambill’s Pastaria & Grocery has caused a buzz in Midtown. Opening in the hallowed ground that used to be Jim’s Coney Island — Never on Sunday, the space remains casual while the food remains coveted.

Find fresh pasta and made-fromscratch foods — like really made from scratch from the get-go. They make the vodka in the vodka sauce. They make the rum in the tiramisu. They spend 16 hours simmering the broth for the bolognese. And fans of RC Cola have been happy to find that there, too. Dillon Walenciak prepares a pizza at Gambill’s Pastaria, 1921 S. Harvard Ave. TOM GILBERT, TULSA WORLD‌

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Zoe Cakes Unlimited

Zoo’s tiger cub

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6421 E. 36th St. North The Tulsa Zoo welcomed an adorable new member July 11 — a female Malayan tiger cub named Dara. She was born through the Tulsa Zoo’s participation in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Malayan Tiger Species Survival Plan. The Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Species Survival Program works to ensure a sustainable population of Malayan tigers in the Tulsa Zoo’s care. Malayan tigers are native to the Malay Peninsula and are the national animal of Malaysia, but there are fewer than 250 in the wild due to threats such as habitat loss and poaching. Ava’s cub is the sixth Malayan tiger cub to be born at the Tulsa Zoo. For more information about Tulsa Zoo and exhibits such as this, visit tulsazoo.org.

1441 S. Quaker Ave. Rameissa Thompson opened Zoe Cakes Unlimited on Cherry Street in March. And it didn’t take long for her to cause a stir in a good way. Thompson makes elaborate and intricately designed cakes that are edible works of art. Social media has played a significant role in Thompson’s business growth, and ultimately she wants to open more locations of her bakery. The shop also sells macarons and other treats, and Thompson has been busy. She makes up to 10 cakes a week — some take as long as 24 hours to complete — for weddings, birthdays, graduations and other special events.

10 STEPHEN PINGRY, TULSA WORLD‌

Zoe Cakes owner Rameissa Thompson said owning her own bakery is a dream come true.

COURTESY, NICK WALTERS, TULSA ZOO‌

TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

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Friday night lights Allan Trimble Stadium, 205 E. B St., Jenks; Spartan Stadium, 601 S. Riverview Drive, Bixby; Patriot Stadium, 6363 S. Trenton Ave.; Hardesty Field, 5666 E. 81st St.

12 ABOVE: Jenks fans cheer as their team takes the field for warmups against Edmond Santa Fe in the Class 6AI state football championship game Dec. 5, 2020 in Edmond. The Trojans will defend their state title this season. RIGHT: Bixby fans touch the state championship trophy as they celebrate their win over Choctaw in the Class 6AII state football championship game Dec. 5, 2020. Bixby looks to win another state title before it moves up to 6AI next year. MIKE SIMONS PHOTOS, TULSA WORLD‌

Show your school spirit or come see the college and pro stars of tomorrow at a local high school football game. You can watch the tradition-rich Jenks Trojans (Class 6A1) and powerhouse Bixby Spartans (6AII) defend their state football titles. The Spartans, who unveiled an impressive $600,000 video board last season, will move up to join Jenks, Owasso, Broken Arrow and Union in 6A1 next year. Tulsa’s Holland Hall Dutch (3A) and Metro Christian Patriots (2A) also return state champion teams to the field. Holland Hall won its first state title as an OSSAA member last season. Metro Christian repeated as 2A champion, defeating Washington, Okla., 48-37. The top-ranked Patriots’ passing game was too much for No. 3 Washington in their win at UCO’s Wantland Stadium. Sophomore quarterback Kirk Francis passed for 367 yards and five touchdowns for the Patriots.

Polo Grill Lounge

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2038 Utica Square Since its debut in 1983, the Polo Grill has been one of Tulsa’s prime destinations for fine dining in an elegant setting. However, chef and owner Robert Merrifield always dreamed of having a place that offered all the quality patrons of the Polo Grill have come to expect in more relaxed surroundings. That dream came true this year, with the opening of the Polo Grill Lounge, right next door to the original Polo Grill. As Merrifield said when the new place opened, “The whole guiding principle was to make this a casual place, where you could come in wearing a tuxedo on your way to the opera, or straight off the tennis courts in shorts and sneakers.”

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IAN MAULE, TULSA WORLD‌

TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


Cherry Street Kitchen

13 111 W. Fifth St.

Fans of Cherry Street Kitchen discovered there was a whole lot more to love this year when the popular eatery and bakery opened in an expanded form in downtown Tulsa. “As much as I loved being on Cherry Street, it has always been something of a dream of mine to move downtown,” chef-owner Jen Lindsay said. “And this opportunity was simply too good to pass up.” The new location, which opened this summer, gives Cherry Street Kitchen about three times the dining space and also has room for a full bar, which allowed Lindsay and her staff to create a unique cocktail menu, with several of the creations making use of locally produced spirits, such as 1907 Bourbon and Gambill’s Vodka. The biscuits and gravy are a must-try.

STEPHEN PINGRY, TULSA WORLD‌

An over-easy egg and rashers of bacon top the Brunch Burger at Cherry Street Kitchen.

Claremore mountain bike trails

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15011 E. 470 Road, Claremore

For years, it seemed that Tulsa-area mountain bike enthusiasts had only a couple of choices when it came to places to ride: Head to the notably tricky trails at Turkey Mountain in Tulsa, or hit the road for a couple of hours to northwest Arkansas. But more recently, a third — and increasingly popular — option has surfaced on the shores of Claremore Lake. The Claremore Mountain Bike Trail, with 16 miles of singletrack, has become the newest go-to hot spot. What started out as a modest (and neglected) 2.5-mile trail turned into a diverse, well-marked, all-abilities mountain biking haven. “We have intentionally built trails for all levels of riders to enjoy and have worked hard on providing quality signage, maps and trail markers,” said Rory Peterson, who, along with other mountain bikers, started building out the trail system in 2014. The Claremore Mountain Bike Trail has gained notice. In addition to a steady stream of local cyclists, it’s become a host site for mountain bike races and a destination for curious visitors.

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macsbbqok.com

(918) 396-4165 Mac’s BBQ, 1030 W Rogers Blvd, Skiatook, OK 74070

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Reeder’s Convenience Store

16 2406 E. 21st St.

“Reeder’s Convenience Store is truly one of a kind.” This is the bold statement offered up on the store’s website. But we tend to think it is spot on. Find everything from sushi to sandwiches, several varieties of local beef jerky and snacks and even local bakery items such as pie from Antoinette’s and Bavarian Cheesecake from Ludger’s Bavarian Cakery. But there’s lots, lots more. There are toys and unique retro candies, too, and freshly brewed iced tea that will keep you coming back. We’d even say this is a stop you should make when friends and family are in town... just to rub it in that our hometown has Reeder’s and theirs doesn’t.

IAN MAULE, TULSA WORLD‌

Handmade pottery, salsa and other items sit on the shelves at Felizsta.

IAN MAULE, TULSA WORLD‌

The cookies at Felizsta are a family tradition. STEPHEN PINGRY, TULSA WORLD‌

Felizsta

Cheryl Reeder and husband, Ross Ledbetter, pose in the convenience store area of Reeder’s Auto & Tire Center.

1102 S. Lewis Ave.

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Felizsta, a cute store at the Shops at Mother Road Market, is all about honoring heritage and celebrating culture. Lizette Corcoran opened the store in July 2020 after operating online for two years. Her parents and grandparents owned and operated panaderias (Mexican bakeries) in Texas. Her parents’ bakery, Celebrity Cake Shop in McAllen, was best known for its biscuits, cakes and pan de polvo. Customers sought the pan de polvo from all over the country, and that’s where Felizsta came in. Felizsta made it easy for fans to get the fresh Mexican cookies in a convenient way. In addition to the cookies, the store also sells Latinxinspired goods, art, home decor and gourmet foods. Stop by and check out the other shops and restaurants at Mother Road Market while you are there.

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STEPHEN PINGRY, TULSA WORLD‌

Cakes from Ludger’s Bavarian Cakery and ice cream from Antoinette Baking Co. are among the freezer items available at Reeder’s Auto & Tire Center.

TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


Dunkin’ Tulsa

18 1869 S. Yale Ave.

Five years after Dunkin’ made its first long-heralded re-entry into the area with a Broken Arrow store, a new location of the popular doughnuts-and-coffee shop has opened in midtown Tulsa. The new store, open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, is at the entrance to the Target location near the Tulsa Fairgrounds. When the the Broken Arrow location, 1101 N. Aspen Ave, opened five years ago, it was the first Tulsa-area location since the 21st Street and Memorial Drive store closed decades earlier. Judging by lines at the new store, Tulsans are glad it is back.

Cheese shops: Veldy’s, Meat and Cheese Show and Charcuteray Veldy’s, 2439 E. 11th St. The Meat and Cheese Show, 1103 S. Peoria Ave. Charcuteray, coming to 1207 S. Lewis Ave.

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We love cheese and all the people who sell us cheese arranged expertly with fruit and meat

on boards. Here’s what’s new with three local cheese experts. TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

Veldy’s made the switch from an eatery to an artisan cheese and wine shop and event space this year. They serve quality charcuterie boards featuring their own Veldhuzien Farms cheese paired with wines and local beers. Meanwhile, as of press time, The Meat and Cheese Show was set to open soon down the street at 11th and Peoria. This new shop is a collaboration of Chefs Amanda Simcoe and Joel Bein. They offer cheeses and charcuterie that you can’t get anywhere else, and everything you need to make the best grazing table along with chef/catering services. And shortly before press time, Charcuteray announced a new brick and mortar cheese shop/bodega coming to 11th and Lewis Avenue soon.

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Flavors of Deliciousness! www.okiegirlfudge.com Tulsa World Magazine 37


‘Reservation Dogs’

19 JOHN CLANTON, TULSA WORLD‌

D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, who plays Bear in the FX series “Reservation Dogs,” talks with the media during an Aug. 2 premiere at Circle Cinema.

The shot-in-Oklahoma FX series “Reservation Dogs” is making history and gaining big-name fans. “Reservation Dogs” (available on FX on Hulu) follows four Indigenous youths on the modern-day reservation. There’s never been anything like this before on television. The series creators, Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, are Indigenous. The writer’s room is Indigenous. Every series regular is Indigenous. And people are digging it. Among high-profile fans is actor Mark Ruffalo, who plays the Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, called the series “great” after watching the first two episodes. Season one of “Reservation Dogs” was shot primarily in Okmulgee. An Aug. 2 red carpet premiere with Harjo and cast members was staged at Circle Cinema in Tulsa. Circle Cinema also offered free screenings of new episodes on Mondays through the end of season one. Here’s hoping “Reservation Dogs” has a long life span.

Circle Cinema 10 S. Lewis Ave.

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The magnitude of cool events that happen there leads to this conclusion: Circle Cinema is a Tulsa treasure. Circle Cinema began the year by serving (along with another Tulsa treasure, the Admiral Twin Drive-In) as a satellite site for the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. “Judas and the Black Messiah,” which received a best picture nomination at the Academy Awards, premiered in Tulsa and other satellite sites around the country. In July, Circle Cinema hosted a festival of its own. The Circle Cinema Film Festival was responsible for former NBA star John Starks returning to his hometown for a screening of the documentary “Keep Shooting: The John Starks Story.” And, in August, “Reservation Dogs” creator Sterlin Harjo and cast members got the red carpet treatment at Circle Cinema when the theater hosted a premiere for the history-making FX series shot in Oklahoma. Former NBA star John Starks returned to his hometown for a screening of the documentary “Keep Shooting: The John Starks Story.” TULSA WORLD FILE

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In the Raw VU

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110 N. Elgin Ave. The newest location for In the Raw, one of Tulsa’s sushi pioneers, is atop the Vast Bank Building north of downtown, just across the street from ONEOK Field, and offers panoramic views of the city that quickly made it one of Tulsa’s top outdoor dining destinations. The fact that this In STEPHEN PINGRY, TULSA WORLD‌ the Raw also offers an Yellowtail sashimi is topped extensive drink menu, with slices of chili and served as well as special food with a chili ponzu sauce. creations along with all the In the Raw favorites patrons have loved for years, only adds to the place’s cachet. Weekend night owls will appreciate the late-night menu, and the fact that this location is open late on Saturdays (until 2 a.m. Sunday). Food specials include a variety of sashimi dishes, served on ice-cold plates to highlight the freshness of the fish being served, as well as the Hot Crab Roll, a huge creation of baked crab encased in a thick layer of rice and wrapped in a sesame soy paper, served with a rich, sweet sauce.

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“Gröna Lund, Stockholm, Sweden,” c. 1883, 2019, by Marta R. Kas.

“Figaro, South Yorkshire, England,” c. 1989, 2017, by Hayley Doyle. COURTESY, HAYLEY DOYLE, ACCIDENTALLY WES ANDERSON‌

COURTESY, MARTA R. KAS/ACCIDENTALLY WES ANDERSON‌

‘This is an Adventure: Accidentally Wes Anderson’ Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S. Rockford Road Filmmaker Wes Anderson’s unique visual sense — seen in such films as “The Royal Tenenbaums,” “Moonrise Kingdom,” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel” — inspired artist Wally Koval to create an Instagram account showcasing photographs of everyday scenes from around the world that pay homage to Anderson’s use of symmetry and distinctive colors. Tulsa’s Philbrook Museum of Art has brought to town the best of these images in “This Is An Adventure: Accidentally Wes Anderson,” now on display. The show also features photos of Tulsa and the surrounding area that also look like moments out of a Wes Anderson film that were submitted by the Philbrook community. The exhibit, which is on display through Jan. 2, 2022, encourages viewers to take a closer look at the world around, and to open one’s mind to the possibilities of beauty, whimsy and adventure waiting there.

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Check out the trails when you visit the 1360-acre nature preserve located just east of Keystone Lake. It is one of the largest, undisturbed examples of the Crosstimbers ecoregion – where east and west collide! www.sandspringsok.org Tulsa World Magazine 39


Gas Petal Flower Truck

23 Gretel is Tulsa’s on-the-go flower bouquet pop-up shop. When you see her, stop and make a custom bouquet. COURTESY, CHELSEA LEGRANGE ‌

IAN MAULE, TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE

thegaspetal.com Chelsea LeGrange has found a way to make it easier for Tulsans to smell the flowers when they are out and about town. Who could resist Gretel? She’s a 1970 Volkswagen Single-Cab Transporter filled with beautiful blooms. LeGrange parks Gretel at locations where people are out shopping, and customers stop by to make custom bouquets. To find the Gas Petal Flower truck, follow them on social media and go to thegaspetal.com. Soon, LeGrange says, they will have a brick and mortar store on Cherry Street, one of Gretel’s favorite spots.

Mecca Coffee Co. 1330 E. 41st St.

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Mecca Coffee Co. is celebrating its 100th year in 2021, and we think that deserves a shout-out. These days, Mecca is considered a cornerstone of the city’s Brookside district, but the shop got its start downtown, when Greek immigrants opened a shop in a building at Third Street and Boulder Avenue. Michell Culbreath has been operating the Tulsa icon since the late ‘80s. Stop by and pick a commemorative up T-shirt to celebrate with them. But don’t forget to stock up on your favorite coffee, specialty olive oil or flavored vinegar while you are there. 40 Tulsa World Magazine

STEPHEN PINGRY, TULSA WORLD FILE‌

Coffee has been a staple of Mecca Coffee Co. throughout its 100-year history. Owner Michell Culbreath said, “We work to make it affordable to everyone and keep the quality high.” TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


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Greenwood Rising 23 N. Greenwood Ave.

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The full history of Tulsa’s storied Greenwood District is on display at Greenwood Rising, an interactive history center that

opened Aug. 4. Naturally prominent is a retelling of Tulsa’s 1921 Race Massacre, but that is only part of the story. The $30 million, 11,000-square-foot facility focuses on the industry, ambition and resilience of a neighborhood that became known as America’s Black Wall Street. Perhaps the most unusual feature is a barber shop in which visitors sit in vintage barber’s chairs while three-dimensional hologram barbers talk about life in Greenwood and its history. Greenwood Rising is open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. every day except Tuesday, when the museum is closed. Admission is free during the first year of operation, but reservations are required. Docent-led tours are scheduled every half-hour. See greenwoodrising.org or call 539-8673173 for tickets and information.

Jonathan Horton sits in a period-correct Black Wall Street barbershop that has holographic barbers at the grand opening of Greenwood Rising. MICHAEL NOBLE JR., TULSA WORLD‌

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Birria tacos Various locations

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Birria is one of the hotter trends in Mexican cuisine and a number of Tulsa restaurants offer their take on the dish. Tortillas are stuffed with stewed goat or beef, seared on a hot griddle and served with a cup of the consomme in which the meat was cooked. El Paso Mexican Bar & Grill, 5209 S. Sheridan Road, is one of the places where you can have a truly traditional birria made with goat. 918 Maples Catering and Cafe, 8151 E. 21st St., sells a platter of four tacos, each stuffed a generous amount of tender, shredded beef, cheese, onions and cilantro, and served with a consomé broth that has the rich unctuousness and complexity of a good onion soup. Other local places for birria tacos include Don Justo Red Tacos, 1942 S. Garnett Road; Tacos San Pedro, 12929 E. 21st St.; Tacos mi Rey, 2176 S. Garnett Road; and Ranchero Snacks, 3944 S. Garnett Road.

COURTESY, MATTHEW MURPHY‌

“Come From Away,” the Tony Award-winning musical about a small Canadian town that became a haven for some 7,000 passengers aboard 38 planes, when their flights were rerouted there on Sept. 11, 2001, will be at the Tulsa PAC Oct. 12-17.

‘Come From Away’ Oct. 12-17 at the Tulsa PAC, 101 E. Third St.

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Originally scheduled for the 2019-2020 season, “Come From Away” finally makes its way to Tulsa, courtesy of Celebrity Attractions. This Tony Award-winning show is based on the true story of a small town in Newfoundland to which a number of planes were diverted in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. When some 7,000 strangers suddenly descend on this small town, cultures clashed and tensions ran high, but with time uneasiness turned into trust and gratitude into friendship. As Newsweek magazine put it, this musical “takes you to a place you never want to leave.” 44 Tulsa World Magazine

JOHN CLANTON, TULSA WORLD FILE‌

After undergoing renovations recently, Helmerich Park, located at 7301 Riverside Parkway, reopened in March 2020. TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


TULSA WORLD FILE‌

Tiger Woods raises his arms in triumph after winning the PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club in 2007. The PGA Championship is returning to Southern Hills in 2022.

Southern Hills

29 2636 E. 61st St.

Southern Hills has a long history of hosting professional golf majors. U.S. Opens were staged at the Perry Maxwell-crafted course in 1958 (Tommy Bolt), 1977 (Hubert Green) and 2001 (Retief Goosen). PGA Championships took place there in 1970 (Dave Stockton), 1982 (Raymond Floyd), 1994 (Nick Price) and 2007 (Tiger Woods). Here comes another major: The 2022 PGA Championship will be decided at Southern Hills next May.

Helmerich Park

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7301 Riverside Parkway If you’ve been socially distancing away from public parks, you might have missed the updates at Helmerich Park. The park reopened in March 2020. Alas, the popular train feature has been removed, but in its place are pirate ships for the young and very young climbers (ages 2-5 and 5-12). For the young at heart, there is a new adult exercise area as well for those who aren’t quite ready to return to indoor gyms. If you’re not into pirate ships or plyometric blocks, there are also quite a few picnic areas.

TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

We expect that golf mania will continue to grow in Tulsa leading up to this major event. If you are not a member of Southern Hills, you can still be part of a championship experience where the only thing thicker than the rough is the tradition. You can share turf with the greatest golfers on the planet by volunteering. Adults age 22-over can volunteer for a fee of $210 (plus tax and fees) and receive grounds access, apparel, meal vouchers and other perks. There is no fee for junior (age 16-21) volunteers. For information or to submit an application, go to pgacham pionship.com/volunteers.

FarmBar

30 1740 S. Boston Ave.

Every meal at FarmBar is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. That’s because chef-owner Lisa Becklund creates her menus based on the freshest local products available, which means the courses that are served as part of the restaurant’s 10-course tasting menu each evening are constantly changing. Fortunately, the attention to detail in the preparation and plating, and the way that the 10 courses work together to create a truly unique dining experience, remain constant. FarmBar uses locally sourced ingredients, include much that Becklund grows herself at her Living

MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD‌

FarmBar serves a 10-course tasting menu made of all Oklahoma ingredients from dozens of local farms.

Kitchen Farm & Dairy in Depew. One can also choose to accompany one’s meal with curated wine pairings; and non-alcoholic options, featuring kombuchas, shrubs, juices and handmade sodas, are also available. Tulsa World Magazine 45


Tulsa Hills 7200 S. Olympia Ave.

33 Artist renderings for some of production designer Tracy Grant Lord’s costume designs for Tulsa Ballet’s new production of “The Nutcracker” are shown. The show is scheduled to have its world premiere as part of the company’s 2021-2022 season.

Tulsa Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’

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Dec. 10-23 at the Tulsa PAC, 101 E. Third St. Tulsa Ballet will inaugurate a new holiday tradition this December, with the world premiere of its new version of the classic ballet “The Nutcracker.” The ballet was created through the combined talents of Val Caniparoli and Ma Cong, the company’s former and current resident choreographers, with lavish sets and costumes created by internationally acclaimed designer Tracy Grant Lord. This larger-than-life production, set in 19th-century Germany, tells the story of a young girl’s magical journey on Christmas Eve, from the epic battle between the Nutcracker Prince’s army of toy soldiers and the Mouse King’s rodent minions, to the enchanting land of the Snow Queen and the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Kingdom of Sweets. The professional dancers of Tulsa Ballet and Tulsa Ballet II will be joined by close to 100 local children to create this magical world.

A shelf check at the Tulsa Hills Vintage Stock store revealed two in-stock copies of the film “Field of Dreams.” Perfect. “If you build it, they will come” absolutely applies to the booming Tulsa Hills area alongside U.S. 75 in west Tulsa. Anybody remember what was there before Tulsa Hills exploded into a shopping and restaurant destination? It was all hills and trees. Shopping, dining and entertainment options have popped up beyond the boundaries of Tulsa Hills and on both sides of U.S. 75. In mid-August, Tulsa Hills announced that new arrivals will include Gung Ho Restaurant (serving ramen, bubble tea and poke bowls) in the former Freebirds location and The Joint Chiropractic (a chiropractic clinic & wellness center) in the former Sally Beauty location. (Sally Beauty relocated next to Bath & Body Works.) Among additions to the landscape on the west side of the highway is Tulsa Hills Donuts at 1531 W. 81st St.

Keystone Ancient Forest

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TULSA WORLD FILE‌

Jacques LaFrance guides a group on the Frank Trail at the Keystone Ancient Forest. LaFrance has been a trail guide since the forest opened to the public in 2007. 46 Tulsa World Magazine

160 Ancient Forest Drive, Sand Springs With its new $1 million visitor center, a freshly unveiled hiking trail to add to its collection, two recent expansions of its public hiking hours and its first fulltime staff member, the Keystone Ancient Forest has been getting plenty of media attention, as it should. Owned by the city of Sand Springs and protected through a conservation easement held by The Nature Conservancy, the preserve is considered a world-class hiking destination. The nearly 1,400-acre nature preserve is home to 500-year-old cedar trees and 300-year-old post oak trees. Deer, mountain lion, bobcats, eagles, migratory birds and more than 80 species of butterflies are among the forest’s inhabitants. The preserve has five trails of varying lengths and difficulty totaling more than 12 miles of hiking adventures that offer great views of Keystone Lake. TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


‘Puccini and Verdi Play Ball’

34 TULSA WORLD FILE‌

Sarah Coburn performs during the Tulsa Opera’s production of “Rigoletto” at ONEOK Field last season. The company will again open its season with a special production here, titled “Puccini and Verdi Play Ball,” on Oct. 15.

Oct. 15 at ONEOK Field, 201 N. Elgin St. Tulsa Opera made history last season, when it became the first professional opera company in the country to perform to a live audience during the COVID-19 pandemic, staging a unique, baseball-themed production of Verdi’s “Rigoletto” at ONEOK Field. The success of that endeavor prompted the company to take its audience out to the ballpark one more time, opening its 2021-2022 season with “Puccini and Verdi Play Ball,” a production that combines some of the greatest arias and ensembles from the operas of Giuseppe Verdi with Giacomo Puccini’s comic one-act opera “Gianni Schicchi,” about a wily fellow who manages to outwit a greedy family and secure happiness for himself and his daughter. The evening features singers Levi Hernandez, Rachel Blaustein, Emily Pulley, Jonathan Johnson, Julius Ahn and Danielle Pastin. James Blaszko directs, and Oriol Sans conducts the Tulsa Opera Orchestra.

Black Wall Street Liquid Lounge 10 N. Greenwood Ave.

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There’s a lot more than coffee that’s brewing at Black Wall Street Liquid Lounge. Owners Guy and Yvette Troupe have made sure their establishment helps to illuminate the broader history of the Greenwood District, with displays that evoke the neighborhood’s resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity. “Most people know only one thing about Greenwood — the massacre,” Guy Troupe said. “But there is so much more to Greenwood and Black Wall Street than that one thing. I’m hoping people will learn a little about the real history of Greenwood when they come here.” That history is even a part of the menu, with specialty drinks named for such people as O.W. Gurley and J.B. Stradford, who were instrumental in establishing Greenwood as a thriving Black community.

TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

 Tikara Williams makes a coffee drink at the Black Wall Street Liquid Lounge.  The Cowboy Frap is one of the more popular creations at Black Wall Street Liquid Lounge. TULSA WORLD FILE ‌PHOTOS

Tulsa World Magazine 47


Tulsa Symphony’s ‘Triumph’ Oct. 9 at the Tulsa PAC, 101 E. Third St. After a year in which the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra performed on television, on the radio, on the internet and in baseball parks, returning to the Chapman Music Hall stage of the Tulsa PAC is — in the eyes of the orchestra — a triumph. And “Triumph” is the title of the Tulsa Symphony’s season opening concert, which will feature noted pianist Garrick Ohlsson as the soloist for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, the “Emperor.” Guest conductor Bramwell Tovey, an acclaimed composer and conductor making his Tulsa debut, will lead the orchestra in performances of the “Festive Overture” by Shostakovich, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s “Ballade” and “Les Preludes” by Liszt.

36

COURTESY, DARIO ACOSTA‌

Pianist Garrick Ohlsson is the soloist for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, the “Emperor,” in “Triumph.”

Mary Beth Babcock owns Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios in the Meadow Gold District. STEPHEN PINGRY, TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE FILE‌

Meadow Gold District

37

11th Street between Peoria & Utica avenues

Travelers along Route 66 can find many reasons to pull over and mosey around a spell in the Meadow Gold District. It’s here that you can find roadside attractions such as Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios, watched over by the much-larger-than-life space cowboy who gives the place its name, and Decopolis, a cornucopia of wonders ranging from Tulsa’s Art Deco history to the frontiers of science fiction. Fine art connoisseurs can enjoy what’s on display at Joseph Gierek Fine Art, the Sky Gallery and Atelier MFR, shop at Jenkins & Company for unique home goods, or help the family dog learn to be better behaved at Spirit Ranch. For those with an appetite, enjoy a bowl of chili at Ike’s, one of the city’s longest-lived restaurants; sample “The Nightowl” at El Rancho Grande; take one of the gigantic slices of pizza at Bobby O’s Pizza; or have breakfast or lunch at the Wildflower Cafe.

48 Tulsa World Magazine

Farrell Bread & Bakery

38 8090 S. Yale Ave.

Not only can you find delicious bread and pastries at Farrell Bread and Bakery, they are now serving coffee and sandwiches at their flagship store. Find them in a new spot at 81st and Yale Avenue facing 81st now rather than Yale. It is much bigger (more room for eating sandwiches) and cute to boot. You can also find them at Mother Road Market, 1124 S. Lewis Ave. Curious about the sandwiches? Here’s a taste: Caprese on Bagette, Sweet Corn Pimento Cheese on Garlic Focaccia and Grilled Cheese Sammie with bacon. So basically, great bread + cheese = delish.

COURTESY, JTR GROUP‌

The new location of Farrell Bread has ready-to-eat breakfast items. TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


Okie Girl Fudge okiegirlfudge.com

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Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Butterfinger, Unicorn, Wedding Cake, Apple Pie, Turtle, Root Beet Float and Santa’s Coal are just a few of the 70 flavors of fudge offered by Okie Girl Fudge. How fun is that? Find Okie Girl Fudge at Bountiful Harvest in Wagoner and Yvette’s Gifts in Coweta. They also make regular appearances at the Broken Arrow Farmers Market and local festivals and events.

MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD‌

Church Studio owner Teresa Knox stands outside a studio that once served as home to Leon Russell and Shelter Records.

Church Studio

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304 S. Trenton Ave. Is it true that, eventually, everything is in fashion again? The Church Studio, the place to be for music artists in the 1970s, is back in vogue. Homegrown Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Leon Russell returned from California to Tulsa at the dawn of the 1970s and transformed an old stone church into a recording studio and hangout for music artists of that era. Russell, JJ Cale, Kansas, Jimmy Buffett, Dwight Twilley, the Gap Band, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, Michael Bolton, Freddie King, Phoebe Snow and Peter Tosh are among artists who recorded at the studio, according to information from thechurchstudio.com and Church Studio’s current owner, Teresa Knox. Knox made it a goal to restore Church Studio so it can be enjoyed by the public and so it can again be used as a functional recording studio. This year — 2021 — is the arrival year. Can she get an amen?

NICOLE MARSHALL MIDDLETON, TULSA WORLD‌

Find Okie Girl fudge at the Broken Arrow Farmer’s Market and local events.

Crumbl 1340 E. Hillside Drive, Broken Arrow If variety is the spice of life, then the new cookie shop in Broken Arrow, Crumbl, is spicy. Crumbl offers a weekly rotating menu of 120-plus flavors. The flavors are inspired by desserts of all kinds — from pies to cakes to candies and more. All of the cookies are made fresh daily. Here’s a taste: Chocolate Potato Chip, Dulce de Leche and Kentucky Butter Cake — all served warm. But don’t forget about Classic Sugar — served chilled. Heads up. The word is out, and fans have been known to line up for their favorite flavors at the shop.

41 STEPHEN PINGRY, TULSA WORLD‌

Crumbl offers a weekly rotating menu of 120-plus flavors. TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

Tulsa World Magazine 49


The Yard

1924 Riverside Drive

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The Yard Bar on the River Trails is dog friendly, it is kid friendly and it is very cyclist friendly. That’s where you’ll find a bunch of cyclists taking a break from their rides, especially on Wednesday nights. Formerly Elwoods and before that The River’s Edge, The Yard Bar is a great place to take a beat, grab a cocktail and enjoy the sunset.

JOHN CLANTON, TULSA WORLD‌

Kayakers navigate Lake Logan during the opening of the Herman and Kate Kaiser YMCA in June.

Herman and Kate Kaiser YMCA

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5400 S. Olympia Ave. Branded as “Tulsa’s Backyard,” the Herman and Kate Kaiser location of the YMCA in west Tulsa opened this year after a massive $15 million face lift. “So many of our kids don’t have a backyard to play in. Being able to provide a space where kids can play and learn and explore and grow as individuals, as well as together with their families, is so important,” YMCA of Greater Tulsa CEO Ricki Wimmer told the Tulsa World last year. Although the large outdoor pool (complete with a twostory slide and zipline) is closed for the season, there are still group exercise classes, an outdoor fitness circuit, a ninehole disc golf course, a basketball gym as well as a covered basketball court. The location also offers access to Turkey Mountain trails and a playground. The facility also rents camping gear on a first-come, first-served basis. For membership information, see ymcatulsa.org.

JOHN CLANTON, TULSA WORLD‌

The Herman and Kate Kaiser YMCA features a new gymnasium and locker rooms. 50 Tulsa World Magazine

JOHN CLANTON, TULSA WORLD‌

Olivia Oliver pours Fireball shots for a customer at The Yard.

Oasis Fresh Market 1725 N. Peoria Ave.

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Oasis Fresh Market owner A.J. Johnson had lofty goals for his new store. He wanted it to be a community centerpiece. “One thing that’s going to be particularly different about this grocery store is that our motto is more than just groceries,” Johnson said before Oasis Market opened. “… Our goal is how can this oasis serve families on a greater scale.” From what we can see, he’s done that and more at this beautiful and much-needed market.

MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD‌

Xavier Kelley works in the produce section at the Oasis Fresh Market. TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


The Collaborative Coffee and Wine Bar

46 4532 E. 51st St.

The Collaborative Coffee and Wine Bar is a great place to get a little work done — or to avoid it altogether and relax. You’ll find coffee, cocktails, food, a patio, catering and wine there. For a fun twist on charcuterie, try the Jarcuterie, a single-size serving of cheese, sausage and all that jazz. There’s also a location in Jenks, 1577 W. 121st St. South, and one coming soon in Bixby.

TULSA WORLD FILE‌

Ribs with barbecue beans and campfire potatoes is one of the offerings at Mac’s Barbecue in Skiatook.

Mac’s Barbecue 1030 W. Rogers Blvd., Skiatook

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Mac’s BBQ is a Skiatook landmark and a favorite local eatery. Recognized by Southern Living as one of the South’s best BBQ joints in 2019, loyal fans travel from far and wide to enjoy pulled pork and ribs smoked with hickory and pecan wood on hickory pits. Mac’s was originally founded in 1985 by Mike McMillan, and his son-in-law, Adam Green, continues the family tradition. Green loves Skiatook, and Skiatook loves him back. Skiatook’s City Council declared April 5, 2019, Adam Green Day to express their appreciation for all he does for the community. In May, Green and his staff organized Mac’s Mayfest to raise funds for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). The event featured Mac’s award-winning BBQ, food trucks, vendors and a raffle with donated items. Several musicians and bands played at the event. The event raised more than $20,000 for the VFW. Some of the menu favorites are the Mac, the Barbeque Frito Pie, the Spicy Pie, the Okie, the Messy Pig and the Loaded Bake. TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

JOHN CLANTON, TULSA WORLD‌

General manager Gabriel Phillips and his staff work at The Collaborative Coffee and Wine Bar in Tulsa.

Adventure Avenue

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8150 S. Harvard Ave.

COURTESY, ADVENTURE AVENUE‌

Addy and Reid Trammell, ages 8 and 6, play construction workers at Adventure Avenue.

This children’s entertainment venue that specializes in dramatic play recently celebrated its first anniversary. Kids can dress up as a firefighter or postal worker, play café owner or doctor or “shop” for groceries. With so many costumes and play areas to choose from, their imagination is the limit. The venue, which is open by reservation only, also hosts birthday parties. It’s suitable for up to age 12, but the younger crowd might enjoy it the most. Tulsa World Magazine 51


Gardner’s Used Books & Music

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4421 S. Mingo Road

ART HADDAWAY, OWASSO REPORTER‌

Owasso held its first Farmer’s Market of the season at Redbud Festival Park on May 1.

Redbud District

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Owasso’s burgeoning Redbud District is a popular destination among local residents. The revitalization of downtown’s Main Street over the past five years has led to the development of a thriving restaurant, retail and recreational hot spot that continues to expand. It all started in 2016 when city officials carried out their longtime vision to create a unique shopping and dining destination for citizens to enjoy. Their hard work has since culminated in the construction of two large mixeduse buildings — SEVEN6MAIN and Mowery Retail & Lofts — as well as a 2-acre beautified gathering place, Redbud Festival Park, located in the heart of the district. Owasso’s $10 million, three-story SEVEN6MAIN complex, completed in November 2018, offers 45,000 square feet of space for new shops Wild Ivy, Wilder Brothers, The Steele Horse, Bluestem Mercantile and Evergreen Coffee Co., along with restaurants MAD Eats and SMOKE Woodfire Grill. Passersby can also enjoy the offerings of Art in Bloom, a florist, and Emersumnice Brewery at Mowery Retail & Lofts — a $5 million, 27,000-square-foot facility, completed a few months after its neighboring development. Outdoor enthusiasts aren’t left ignored, either, often flocking across the street to Redbud Festival Park, which debuted in July 2020, where food trucks, musical concerts, movies and other events, including Owasso’s weekly farmer’s market and yoga classes, are held.

Gardner’s Used Books and Music has been collecting, trading and reselling items for decades. And it’s more than just books: They trade in video games, audiobooks, music on CD and vinyl, and movies and TV on DVD and Blu-ray. For serious collectors or anyone in need of a bookthemed gift, Gardner’s Gold section (can’t use trade or store credit for these items) often has an impressive selection of gilded leather books from a variety of printers, including Easton Press. Comic collectors should note only new books are sold, though some used trades can still be found there. If you bring in items, you can get trade credit in that media category, meaning you can get a $8-$10 item for just a dollar and change. Save your receipts; once you spend $100, you get $15 in store credit.

Gardner’s Used Books and Music houses about a million books. Its location spans more than 20,000 square feet. TULSA WORLD FILE‌

Arkansas River trail extension

Along Riverside Parkway

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Run, walk, bike or even electric scooter your way down to the Arkansas River and enjoy some of the best trails in the area for fresh air, exercise and scenic views. However, the part around Gathering Place tends to get congested with park-goers walking in every direction, so for a less crowded and less noisy area of the trail, check out the extension next to the river by Margaritaville at River Spirit Casino Resort near 81st Street and Riverside Parkway. It is accessible from the south Jenks area trails; from the north near Helmerich Park, or even the Joe Creek trail from the east.

Tulsa World Magazine 50 compiled from suggestions provided by newsroom staff: Sharon Bishop-Baldwin, Anna Codutti, Lindsey Chastain, Stacey Dickens, Bob Doucette, Art Haddaway, Randy Krehbiel, Nicole Marshall Middleton, Michael Overall, Althea Peterson, Jimmie Tramel, James D. Watts Jr. 52 Tulsa World Magazine

The trail running behind the River Spirit Casino Resort along the Arkansas River is a bit off the beaten path — in a good way. TULSA WORLD FILE‌


NEW BI-FOLD DOORS! Available only at Burnett: Vinyl? Aluminum? Wood?

Fast and free estimate! CALL: (918) 215-4463

SHOWROOM: 11202 E. 61st St. - Tulsa, OK •

burnettinc.com


District

BLOOMING LIKE A

ROSE

Thriving Rose District creating an urban lifestyle in Broken Arrow

P

KELLY HINES Tulsa World Magazine

art of a thriving downtown described as sleepy only a couple of decades ago, the Rose District in Broken Arrow is consistently buzzing with activity, with a variety of shops and restaurants that offer something for everyone. “Prior to 2012, I’ve seen pictures in which literally there was not a car down here,” said Brent Brassfield, Rose District coordinator for the city of Broken Arrow. On a 100-degree Saturday in late July, not a single parking spot could be found on Main Street between El Paso and College streets. Business is booming, ushering an era in which residents don’t have to leave their city and spend money elsewhere. “Once people started getting out again (following the pandemic), we’ve just been receiving tremendous inquiries about what is available as far as vacancies down here,” Brassfield said. “It’s a good problem to have, but there’s not many vacancies right now if any. It’s pretty full.” While navigating the challenges of COVID-19, the Rose District and the rest of the city saw record retail sales in 2020. “Broken Arrow’s got a very strong chamber and we partnered on the importance of shopping local during that time period,” Brassfield said. “I believe our citizens kind of encompassed that and supported that very well.”

54 Tulsa World Magazine

ABOVE: Business is booming in the Rose District in Broken Arrow. LEFT: The BrownKimbrough Center for Arts, Innovation and Creativity is under construction in the Rose District. STEPHEN PINGRY PHOTOS, TULSA WORLD

The Rose District started taking shape about a decade ago and quickly exceeded expectations, receiving national recognition by USA Today in 2018. Its name is a nod to Broken Arrow’s first half-century, when it promoted itself as “the city of roses and sparkling spring water,” and 100 strands of roses can be found lining the streets. What initially was an attempt to breathe life into downtown has transitioned into the creation of an urban lifestyle. Brio at the Rose features 96 high-end apartments with 31,000 square feet of retail on the bottom floor that will soon include a market and restaurants. On the southeast edge of the district is the trendy Succulent Shop, which attracts boomers and millennials alike. Restaurants like Rustic Chophouse and Toast are often crowded, and Books and Bistro and Rattlesnake Cafe are popular hangout spots.

There’s also new construction in the form of the $4.7 million BrownKimbrough Center for Arts, Innovation and Creativity, which boosts the Rose District’s profile as an arts and entertainment district. The center is slated to open in January. The district also underwent a major makeover to provide a pedestrianfriendly space with fewer traffic lanes, wider sidewalks and mid-block crossing. Safety in general remains a priority. “We’re one of the safest cities in America with over 100,000 people,” Brassfield said. “So with the ambiance and the atmosphere of the Rose District, you can still come down here and have that small-town charm even though we’re growing at a very rapid rate. “As you grow the personality of your city can change, but it’s really important to the people that we maintain that.” TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

Tulsa World Magazine 55


TULSA TRAILBLAZERS

A LEVELHEADED

APPROACH QT co-founder Burt Holmes lives ‘in the middle’ with even-keeled disposition MICHAEL OVERALL Tulsa World Magazine

O

n a scorching hot afternoon in May 1958, Burt Holmes bumped into an old classmate on the sidewalk in front of the Philtower in downtown Tulsa. “You look terrible, Chester,” Holmes said. He was partly teasing his old pal. But Chester Cadieux really did look rather haggard. “Holmes,” Cadieux said, “you don’t look too good yourself.” They had known each other since the seventh grade at Wilson Middle School. Now in their mid-20s, Holmes was working for his father’s insurance company while Cadieux was a salesman for a local printing company. He hated every minute of it and the job was making him miserable, Cadieux confided in Holmes. “Well, let me buy you a malt in here,” Holmes suggested, gesturing toward a popular ice-cream parlor in the Philtower. “And I’ll tell you what my problem is.” He had recently been to Dallas and seen a new 7-Eleven, the world’s first chain of convenience stores. Tulsa didn’t have anything like it, and Holmes, an aspiring entrepreneur, sensed a business opportunity. He had already secured a $5,000 bank loan and three investors had agreed to put $2,000 each. “I’m looking for someone to put up

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MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE

QuikTrip co-founder Burt Holmes mostly left the business alone after it got off the ground and concentrated on his insurance job.

another $5,000,” Holmes said, “and run the company.” “I might like to do that,” Cadieux said. “I’ll ask my dad if he’ll loan me the money.” The first QuikTrip opened Sept. 25, 1958, at 5204 S. Peoria Ave.

NOT SO FAST At this point, the story of QuikTrip usually fast-forwards to the company’s phenomenal growth and success. But let’s slow down. “It wasn’t always big-time,” Holmes told Tulsa World Magazine. Git-N-Go opened its first location two weeks before QuikTrip, winning the race to become the city’s first convenience store. And with significant corporate backing, Git-N-Go dominated the Tulsa market for a long time, Holmes said. QuikTrip lost $10,000 the first year and $16,000 the next. As president of the company, Cadieux was taking home just $100 a week, only $10 a week more than the first store managers. Holmes, meanwhile, concentrated on his insurance business and mostly left the convenience stores alone. “The most important contribution I ever made to QuikTrip was getting Chester involved. He and I had some very important talks about particular

issues, and I had a lot of value to him. But other than that, I basically have not had anything to do with the growth of that company. And I have no problem with that. I wanted it that way.” Cadieux, while always more hands-on with the company, adopted a similar philosophy: Surround yourself with talented people, delegate responsibility, and let employees make their own mistakes. “The only way you can grow this business or any business is to employ people to grow it with you,” Holmes said. “QuikTrip does not think of payroll as an expense, the way most companies do. They think they’re building an asset that is going to make them money. Your employees, if you hire the right people, are an investment, not an expense.” The company made a small profit in 1960 and has grown steadily ever since, making more than $1 million for the first time in 1972. Today, it’s an $11 billion company with more than 900 stores in at least 11 states with more than 24,000 employees, making it one of the largest privately held businesses in the country. And Fortune magazine ranks QuikTrip among the “best companies to work for” thanks for competitive salaries, benefits and working conditions. TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


IN THE MIDDLE‌ When Holmes was born at St. John’s Hospital in 1931, his grandfather owned a small grocery store at Fifth Street and Lewis Avenue, east of downtown. It went bankrupt during the Great Depression, which is why Holmes’ father, a quarter of a century later, wasn’t thrilled about his son investing in a chain of small grocery stores – which is basically what QuikTrip was. It didn’t start selling gas until 1972. Holmes wasn’t going to stake his entire future on it, either. After working for his father for more than 10 years, he established his own firm, Burt B. Holmes and Associates, which evolved into the Tulsa-based Holmes Organisation. “That’s how I made a living consistently through my ups and downs, which have been substantial,” he said. “I have lost a lot of money in deals and I’ve made some money in deals. Some

TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

deals made up for a lot of losses in other deals. QuikTrip was one, for sure.” Financial success has allowed him to be generous with a wide range of local causes, including the University of Tulsa, the Gilcrease Museum, Family and Children’s Services and the Tulsa Philharmonic. He became involved in efforts to open the Tulsa Botanic Garden after discovering that Tulsa was the only city its size in the United States that didn’t already have a botanic garden. “When things go bad, I never miss a minute of sleep,” Holmes said. “A lot of people can’t do that. But I live in what I call ‘in the middle,’ because I do not get high when things are good, but I do not get low when things are bad. I just go to sleep that night and get up the next morning and go to work at the things that I know I can do well, and that’s a big part of why I have accomplished what I have.”

MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE‌

Burt Holmes co-founded QuikTrip with a childhood friend, Chester Cadieux, in 1958.

Tulsa World Magazine 57


courtesy, Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City’s Harvest Glow Shines Bigger and Brighter Than Ever Pumpkins, Crafts, Rides, Food & More

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y day and by night, Silver Dollar City’s acclaimed Harvest Festival returns in fall of 2021 with even more pumpkins, new bigger-than-life pumpkin sculptures and more lighted pathways featuring spectacularly hand-carved designs. The 2021 addition covers more than 2 acres with glowing carved masterpieces, stretching from the Woodland Hike all the way through Rivertown. As part of the on-going 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee, the 2021 half-million-dollar investment expands The Harvest Festival featuring Crafts, Cowboys and Pumpkins, running September 24-October 30, 2021. In the past six decades, the internationally-awarded 1880s theme park has created one of the most heralded crafts festivals in Mid-America by presenting a celebration of fall in the Ozark Mountains. With the 2021 additions canvasing a larger portion of the City, new elements include a 14-foot ‘Lucky’ Dog, the Dalmatian mascot of the kid area called Fireman’s Landing, colorful, friendly bats with 5-foot wingspans perched atop dramatic lighted areas, more festoons draping over pathways and vivid ground lighting all throughout the new area of SPONSORED FEATURE OF TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE

Rivertown. This extends the existing lighted trail of thousands of pumpkins and themed sculptures such as a massive cat, pumpkin craftspeople, an icon scarecrow more than 2-stories tall and brilliant animals that measure from 5-feet to more than 20 feet. The setting adds to the ambiance of the tree-shaded 110-acre park, with over 40 rides & attractions all nestled within the hills and hollows of the Ozark Mountains near Branson, Missouri. Silver Dollar City’s heralded, cutting-edge roller coasters utilize the existing mountainous landscape for record-breaking thrills, drops, loops and breathtaking views.


“There’s a sense of discovery while exploring the Harvest Festival as guests experience all the pumpkin masterpieces while they journey between demonstrating artisans, rides, shows, restaurants and shops,” said the Silver Dollar City’s Events Manager, Kelly Eutsler. “From daytime crafts to evening aglow, the City offers fun in a family friendly, outdoor, safety-conscience environment.” The overall festival lets guests stroll and observe demonstrating crafters while toe-tapping western, bluegrass and country music sounds from outdoor stages and cowboy lore is brought to life by legendary figures; then evening and nighttime are set aglow as the energy heats up and a pumpkin-centric plaza gathering takes over, featuring pumpkin pals and glow-in-the-dark fun.

All throughout, there are the City’s rides and coasters soaring into the Ozark skies and, as has become tradition, a wide selection of creative Silver Dollar City food specialties. The Makers’ Market houses some of the most intricate creations. In the streets and courtyards, there are dozens more demonstrating crafters along with several worldrecognized pumpkin carvers. Just around the corner from the crafts, guests find yesteryear cowboy culture such as cooking on outdoor grills, storytelling by wranglers of the old Silver Dollar City Stagecoach, western lore historians, artists and musicians. A favorite is famed watercolor artist, Buck Taylor, known from his youth on the TV series ‘Gunsmoke’ and now seen in the trendy series, ‘Yellowstone.’ For more information: www.silverdollarcity.com

The 2021 Harvest Tasting Passport exceeds expectations this year with a long list of specialty pumpkin flavors including: Autumn pork belly skillet Pumpkin Danish Pumpkin sausage pizza Pumpkin sausage potato soup Pumpkin coconut chicken curry and rice Pumpkin mac and cheese This year the menu features all things pumpkin. Fan favorites are also returning this year with pumpkin chili, pumpkin corn dogs with sweet potato fries, pumpkin cinnamon roll and pumpkin spiced churros with pumpkin fluff. “Over the years we’ve found that people really love all of the exciting flavors and foods we create for Harvest Festival,” said Director of Food and Beverage Sam Hedrick. The Rivertown Smokehouse will also fire up the grill, serving a pork sandwich with pumpkin barbecue sauce or pumpkin spiced ribs and pumpkin bread pudding! SPONSORED FEATURE OF TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE


Take a

tour

Autumn is the perfect time to sample the Tulsa area’s diners, music history, murals and more

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PAGE 69 JOHN CLANTON, TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE‌

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TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


Clanton’s Café in Vinita opened in 1930 and has been on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” TULSA WORLD FILE‌

FROM

GRAVEL TO

GRIDDLE

Hit the road for an egg-cellent breakfast and diner specials JUDY ALLEN For Tulsa World Magazine ‌

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here is no denying that Tulsa proper is chock full of delicious diner options — we’ve got that one down pat. But while you’re out exploring the rest of the state, why not try some suburban and off-the-beaten-path spots? They are all sure to satisfy your craving for eggs, biscuits and other homestyle breakfast favorites. Depart on your next road trip armed with ideas for the most important meal of the day. Many of these places also specialize in other diner favorites such as chicken fried steak (with gravy) and pot roast (with gravy) as well as the most important food group — pie.

SUNNY’S COUNTRY DINER‌ 118 N. Oklahoma 11, Sperry, 918-480-5002

Offers breakfast, lunch and dinner — as well as weekly karaoke — in a quaint strip-mall setting. Stop in for classic diner fare, including pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and chicken fried chicken.

DUFFY’S GRILL‌

706 S. Elm Place, Broken Arrow, 918-251-3285

TULSA WORLD FILE‌

Clanton’s Cafe would qualify as one of the “must-eat” stops on Route 66. Vinita is home to the world championship calf fry every spring, and this diner is a great place to try the local delicacy. Guy Fieri, star of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” even helped create the sauce in which to dip the calf fries.

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Serving hungry Broken Arrow diners for over 30 years. Breakfast specialties include skillets and omelets, but diners flock in for home-cooking favorites such as chicken fried chicken and smothered sirloin. Tulsa World Magazine 61


TOAST ‌

201 S. Main St., Broken Arrow, 918-286-6770 toastandfranklinsonmain.com A well-known brunch staple in Broken Arrow, and shares a kitchen with a sister restaurant, Franklin’s on Main. White tablecloths hint at a more upscale diner experience, and the menu backs it up with offerings such as bourbon steak and eggs, daybreak poutine and a chicken tinga-stuffed breakfast burrito.

TOM GILBERT, TULSA WORLD FILE‌

Tulsa diners Feeling like diner food but don’t want to drive? Don’t forget about all these great spots in Tulsa. Dilly Diner 402 E. Second St. dillydiner.com

Blue Moon Bakery & Cafe 3512 S. Peoria Ave. bluemoontulsa.com

Savoy Café 6033 S. Sheridan Road eatsavoy.com

Freeway Café 1547 E. Third St.; 465 S. Sheridan Road; 5849 S. 49th West Ave. freewaycafeinc.com

Wanda J’s Next Generation 111 N. Greenwood Ave. wandajs.com Tally’s Good Food Café 1102 S. Yale Ave.; 6100 S. Sheridan Road tallyscafe.com Ollie’s Station 4070 Southwest Blvd. facebook.com/Ollies-StationRestaurant Jimmy’s Egg Multiple locations throughout the state. jimmysegg.com Neighborhood Jam 4830 E. 61st St. thatsmyjamok.com Apple Barrel Café Multiple locations throughout the Tulsa area applebarrelcafe.com Cherry Street Kitchen 111 W. Fifth St. cherrystkitchen.com 62 Tulsa World Magazine

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Jesse’s Restaurant 1134 S. Memorial, 918-8329052 Tim’s Diner (formerly Phill’s) 3310 E. 32nd St., 918-7424563 Queenie’s 1816 Utica Square queeniesoftulsa.com Bramble Breakfast and Bar 1302 E. Sixth St.; 400 Riverwalk Terrace, Jenks; 121 N. Ash, Broken Arrow bramblebreakfastandbar.com

Toast, in the Rose District of downtown Broken Arrow, shares a kitchen with its sister restaurant, Franklin’s Pork & Barrel, and both feature “contemporary American cuisine with a Southwestern slant.”

JAKE’S CAFÉ‌

626 S. Aspen Ave., Broken Arrow facebook.com/JakesCafeBrokenArrow Stop into this family-owned spot with friendly service and a classic breakfast menu. Corned beef hash, Belgian waffles and fiesta skillets are popular choices, as well as homemade biscuits and gravy.

Wildflower Café 1306 E. 11th St., Suite F wildflowercafetulsa.com Timmy’s Diner 10915 E. 31st St. timmysdiner.com Brookside Diner 4510 S. Peoria Ave. brooksidedinerok.com

TULSA WORLD FILE‌

The fiesta skillet at Jake’s Cafe includes hash browns topped with cheddar cheese, mushrooms, onions, celery, bell peppers and two sunny-side up eggs.

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COURTESY, MAD EATS‌

Owasso’s MAD Eats features creative takes on diner classics.

50’S DINER‌

1500 W. Kenosha St., Broken Arrow 50sdinerok.com For a blast to the past, pop in to this diner for delicious breakfast fare, served in an old-style diner environment. Old-school offerings are plenty, but the menu is peppered with modern choices such as avocado toast and breakfast crepes.

THE JENKS RESTAURANT‌

215 E. Main St., Jenks, 918-296-4000 The Jenks Restaurant has been a local mainstay for over 50 years. Check out the collection of antique clocks (they’re all for sale) while enjoying the newly remodeled dining room.

50’s Diner’s stuffed French toast features three slices of French toast with cream cheese, strawberry, blueberry and peach toppings and whipped cream.

MAD EATS‌

BOOM-A-RANG DINER‌

MATT’S PLACE‌

201 N. Main St., Suite 130, Owasso madeatsok.com

Multiple locations throughout Oklahoma boomarangdiner.com

Diners flock to MAD Eats for creative takes on diner classics (the name stands for modern American diner), including the Monte Cristo sandwich, stuffed hash browns and the MAD brunch skillet. Our household drives for the pacos (pancake breakfast tacos) and crazy shakes.

The Boom-A-Rang Diner started over 25 years ago as the East Side Diner in Muskogee and has expanded to include 54 locations throughout Oklahoma and even into Colorado and other neighboring states. Breakfast is served all day and includes all the classics — pancakes, omelets and Elvin’s Big Breakfast.

Chef Matt Sowers opened Matt’s Place in 2020 to lucky lake-goers looking for delicious home cooking. Customers love the Monte Cristo sandwich, steak and eggs, and other breakfast offerings as well as fried catfish or shrimp.

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STEPHEN PINGRY, TULSA WORLD FILE‌

2151 U.S. 59, Grove mattsplacerestaurant.com

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Oklahoma City area diners

EAST SIDE CAFÉ‌

GRANNY’S KITCHEN‌

If you are heading to the OKC area, give these a try.

Garbage takes on a new meaning at the East Side Café in Pryor — hash browns are cooked together with onions, peppers, tomatoes, eggs and breakfast meat. Or choose from an assortment of pancakes, biscuits and gravy, or breakfast burritos.

You could look over the breakfast menu at Granny’s Kitchen in Stillwater, but just go ahead and order the ‘Fat Granny:’ chicken fried chicken on top of Texas toast piled with fries and covered in sausage gravy then topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, ham, onions and crumbled sausage.

Kitchen No. 324 324 N. Robinson Ave., OKC kitchen324.com

720 E. Center St., Pryor jackandmaryseastsidecafe.com

701 S. Main St., Stillwater grannyskitchenstillwater.com

Classen Grill 5124 Classen Cir., OKC classengrillokc.com

SHORTCAKES DINER‌

219 N. Main St., Stillwater facebook.com/ShortcakesDiner

Waffle Champion 1212 N. Walker Ave. St. 100, OKC wafflechampion.com Hatch Coming soon to the Tulsa area 1101 N. Broadway Ave., OKC; 13230 Pawnee Dr., OKC hatchearlymoodfood.com The Diner 213 E. Main St., Norman thedinerofnorman.com Juan del Fuego MexiDiner 223 34th Ave. SW, Norman facebook.com/JuandelFuego Syrup 1501 NW 23rd St., OKC syrupbreakfast.com Around the Corner 11 S. Broadway, Edmond aroundthecorneredmond.com

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Jincy’s Kitchen in Park Hill was used in the movie “Where the Red Fern Grows.”

JINCY’S KITCHEN‌

31392 S. Qualls Road, Park Hill facebook.com/JincysKitchen Jincy’s Kitchen may be known for madeto-order fried chicken and homemade pies, but customers know that breakfast is served on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Enjoy a country breakfast and reminisce about your childhood — the building was used in the movie ‘Where the Red Fern Grows’.

KUMBACK LUNCH‌ 625 Delaware, Perry

Stop at the neon “EAT” sign and pop in to Kumback Lunch, where Oklahomans have dined on comfort classics since 1926. The wall art documents the nearly 100 years of the restaurant’s history, and the friendly atmosphere and stick-to-your-ribs comfort food — think fluffy biscuits and creamy sausage gravy — keeps customers coming back.

If you went to Oklahoma State University and didn’t spend time at Shortcakes Diner, did college even happen? Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy an old-style diner experience with a full menu served all day. Pecan waffles, French toast and chicken fried steak are popular, and the ‘Orange Plate Special’ is always a favorite in Cowboy country.

HUGO’S FAMILY RESTAURANT‌ 1217 Archer Dr., Claremore

Breakfast is served all day at Hugo’s Family Restaurant, a Claremore favorite — you’ve got to love a menu section named “cakes, eggs and meat”. The Pan San breakfast is popular and includes two pancakes, two sausage patties and two eggs cooked any style.

THE ROCK CAFÉ‌

114 W. Main St., Stroud rockcafert66.com The Rock Café in Stroud may take its name from the local sandstone used in construction, but the restaurant’s popularity, as well as owner Dawn Welch, inspired the character Sally Carrera in the Disney Pixar movie “Cars.” The food — breakfast, lunch AND dinner — is great. Breakfast includes a selection of crepes, burritos, omelets and waffles.

CLANTON’S CAFÉ‌

319 E. Illinois Ave., Vinita clantonscafe.com Clanton’s Café opened in Vinita in 1930 (in its current location in 1947) and has become a popular destination on Route 66. Guy Fieri paid the café a visit on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and loved the chicken fried steak.

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Kumback Lunch is well-known for comfort food, including its delicious cinnamon rolls. 64 Tulsa World Magazine

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KAREN’S COUNTRY KITCHEN‌

415 W. Main St., Collinsville, 918-371-2190 At Karen’s Country Kitchen, enormous cinnamon rolls are an obvious choice, but don’t overlook a loaded breakfast potato — baked potato topped with hash browns, cheese, grilled onions and peppers and crisp bacon.

SILVER DOLLAR CAFE‌

1022 W. Main St., Collinsville, 918-371-0599

The thickcrusted chicken fried steak is served with green beans and a baked potato at the Silver Dollar Cafe in Collinsville. TULSA WORLD FILE ‌

The Silver Dollar Café is a Collinsville staple. They are known for their oversized portions — the crispy chicken fry and steaks are a bargain. The Silver Dollar Café is where the locals go to unwind and have a good time and great food.

BUFFALO JOE’S‌

403 E. Main St., Pawhuska facebook.com/BuffaloJoesDriveIn Many flock to Pawhuska for the Pioneer Woman or movie sets, but it has been said that the pancakes with whipped butter at Buffalo Joe’s will make one nostalgic for grandma’s cooking. For a savory option, build your own breakfast burrito.

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IAN MAULE, TULSA WORLD FILE‌

Posters with Wanda Jackson’s tour history are part of the scenery at the Maud Historical Society Museum in Maud.

SOUNDS OF THE ROAD JIMMIE TRAMEL Tulsa World Magazine ‌

Texas-raised music artist Clay Walker, during an August interview with the Tulsa World, began talking about the remarkable number of music artists (including buddy Toby Keith) who have come from Oklahoma. If you love travel and you love music, travelok.com mapped out possible road trips for you. Seek out the Oklahoma Music Trail Rhythm & Routes section of the site for a wealth of information about Oklahoma-connected music artists. From that segment of the site, you can click on “itineraries” and take your pick of follow-the-dots maps that show which Oklahoma towns served as 66 Tulsa World Magazine

historically significant for Okie music stars. Courtesy of travelok.com, here are three itineraries:

WANDA JACKSON

1.

Maud Historical Museum, 130 E. Main, Maud. Jackson, the queen of rockabilly, was born in Maud. Stop at this local museum, which is housed in the old Irby Drug Building, to see memorabilia and photos from Jackson as well as the drug store’s original soda fountain.

2.

Wanda Jackson Boulevard in Maud. The main road that runs through Maud was renamed Wanda

Music trails feature meaningful locations for Oklahoma artists

Jackson Boulevard.

3.

Wanda Jackson Way in Oklahoma City. In 2009, the naming of Wanda Jackson Way in downtown Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Entertainment District was made official with a live performance by her. It runs east and west between Mickey Mantle Drive and Oklahoma Avenue.

4.

Wanda Jackson’s childhood home, home 721 SE 35th St., Oklahoma City. After the Jackson family moved back to Oklahoma from California, Wanda and her parents lived in this house during her high school years. During that time she started singing on the radio and began performing for fans across the city. TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


5.

Capitol Hill High School, School 500 SW 36th St., Oklahoma City. Jackson attended this high school. Her career as a singer took off when she was discovered at age 15.

6.

Centennial Rodeo Opry, Opry 2221 Exchange Ave., Oklahoma City. Located in Stockyards City, the Centennial Rodeo Opry hosts up-and-coming country singers as well as contemporary legends, including Jackson, who has performed live there many times.

5.

Checotah High School and football stadium. Underwood graduated stadium from the school in 2001.

6.

Where Highway 69 meets I-40, I-40 Checotah. The song “I Ain’t in Checotah Anymore” begins and ends with “Where 69 meets 40/There’s a single stop light in town.” The town is Checotah. Look for a sign along Highway 69 that reads “Checotah, Home of Carrie Underwood – American Idol 2005.”

GARTH BROOKS

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE‌

CARRIE UNDERWOOD

1.

Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. While attending NSU, Underwood sang and danced with Downtown Country, a Branson-style performance group, and also earned the title of runner-up in the Miss Northeastern State University pageant in 2003. Before graduating, she became an “American Idol” champ and later returned to fulfill a promise to her parents by finishing degree work.

5.

Dupree Sports, Sports 316 S. Washington St., Stillwater. Brooks worked at the sporting goods store while in college.

6.

Willie’s Saloon (later State Room Bar), 323 S. Washington St., Stillwater. During college, Brooks performed Wednesday night gigs here. The audience was prone to hear covers of Don McLean, Neil Young and Dan Fogelberg songs.

1.

7.

2.

8. 9.

3.

10.

4.

11.

Former home of Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, 19393 Clear Brook Yearwood Road, Owasso. This Owasso ranch was their family home before moving to Nashville in 2014. They agreed they would move once their three daughters finished high school.

Carrie Underwood (right) is presented with a replica of a road sign to be placed in her hometown of Checotah by then-Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry and Oklahoma first lady Kim Henry at a news conference in 2005.

He threw the javelin for the OSU track and field team.

St. John Hospital, 1923 S. Utica Ave., Tulsa. He was born here to Raymond and Colleen Carroll Brooks on Feb. 7, 1962. Tumbleweed Dance Hall, 5212 W. Lakeview Road, Stillwater. Brooks worked here as a bouncer in college. He met his first wife, Sandy Mahl, at the popular nightspot. Oklahoma State University, University Stillwater. Brooks attended OSU from 1981 to 1985, majoring in advertising.

Garth Brooks Boulevard, Boulevard Yukon. On May 31, 1992 Yukon renamed 11th Street in honor of Brooks, who spent his childhood there. Yukon High School. Brooks is a 1980 graduate.

Yukon Historical Society Museum, Museum 601 Oak Ave., Yukon. The Yukon Historical Society features a collection of Brooks memorabilia and photos. Childhood home, home 408 Yukon Ave, Yukon. Fans have referred to this as the “Graceland of Yukon.”

Yukon water tower, tower 1650 W. Vandament Ave., Yukon. In 1991, Brooks’ name was painted on the city’s water tower.

2.

Sam & Ella’s, Ella’s 419 N. Muskogee Ave., Tahlequah. While in college, Underwood worked at Sam & Ella’s, a favorite of pizza lovers.

3.

Muskogee Civic Center, 425 S. Boston St., Muskogee. When Underwood qualified for the “American Idol” season four finale, thousands gathered here to watch the gal from nearby Checotah become a winner.

4.

Happy Paws Animal Shelter, 2282 N. Broadway, Checotah. Underwood opened this shelter in 2011. It’s part of her C.A.T.S. Foundation (Checotah Animal, Town and School Foundation), which assists the community with various projects.

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STEPHEN PINGRY, TULSA WORLD FILE‌

Garth Brooks attended Oklahoma State University from 1981 to 1985, majoring in advertising. He threw the javelin for the OSU track and field team. Tulsa World Magazine 67


PEARL BREWERY TOURS delivers you to local breweries

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TOM GILBERT Tulsa World Magazine ‌

yler Palmer started something in 2018 that he was passionate about — a brewery bus tour. But he does more than just drive a 14-passenger bus around. He educates the beer tourist about beer, the brewing process and the breweries he visits. Have friends in town? What a great way to entertain them by taking a tour of the local breweries without the worry of parking or driving. “We try not to be too much like a high school field trip and a little bit more like what you hoped it would have been like,” he said. With the number of breweries in Tulsa now, “... every day we get something new, and they all bring something unique and individual,” Palmer said. “Our job is to deliver people and make sure they get to see the best of that brewery. Your ticket includes samples so that you can test out some of what Tulsa has to offer. We spend plenty of time at each stop so that you can try a few as well and see what you end up liking the most.” Tickets are $70 a person and they give discounts to uniformed professions such as police officers, nurses, doctors and firefighters as well as military and senior discounts. Palmer’s most memorable tour was a group of 70-year-old men enjoying a bachelor party. “One of our older gentlemen clients was getting remarried in his late seventies. And so it was his bachelor party. I would say every brewery that we went to on that day remembers that group because it was a loud rambunctious group of 70-year-old men. I think that was probably the loudest they had been in a couple of decades. It was a hell of a night; honestly, it was a good time,” Palmer said. Pearl Brewery Tours are on Facebook, Instagram or you can email them at pearlbrewerytours@gmail.com to book your tour.

68 Tulsa World Magazine

TOM GILBERT PHOTOS, TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE‌

Tyler Palmer, owner of Pearl Brewery Tours, sits in his tour bus at Marshall Brewing Co. Taproom.

Tyler Palmer takes a photo of a group of beer tourists at Marshall Brewing Co.’s Taproom.

LEFT: The tour bus is en route to Marshall Brewing Co.’s Taproom.

A group of beer tourists disembark the Pearl Brewery Tour bus at Marshall Brewing Co.’s Taproom. TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


“The Mural of Space and Time” at 304 S. Trenton Ave. is by artists Patrick (P.S.) Gordon and Brian Lewis. JOHN CLANTON, TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE‌

IF THESE

WA LLS COULD TALK

Let this be your guide to an outdoor art tour JAMES D. WATTS JR. Tulsa World Magazine‌

If nature abhors a vacuum, as Aristotle once said, then one could argue that the city of Tulsa seems to abhor a blank wall. More and more, sides of buildings and businesses around town are being adorned with all manner of multicolored murals that range from homages to hometown heroes to images that reflect the highs and lows of the city’s history, from images designed to raise a laugh to abstractions aimed to dazzle the eye. Some of the murals one encounters around town have become iconic images in their own right, such as the “Black Wall St.”

TOM GILBERT, TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE‌

“The Majestic” mural, 410 S. Main St., is by artists Ryan “Yanoe” Sarfati and Eric “Zoueh” Skotnes. TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

Tulsa World Magazine 69


mural across from the Greenwood Cultural Center, created by Tulsan Chris Sker of Sker Creative and Kansas City artist Donald “Scribe” Ross; the Woody Guthrie mural by Clean Hands that adorns the western wall of the Woody Guthrie Center; and the series of Mayfest poster kites, painted by William Franklin on the facade of the downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel. The downtown area has perhaps the greatest concentration of murals, with some 30 or so works of public art on display from the city center and neighborhoods such at the Blue Dome District, the Tulsa Arts District and Greenwood. Here’s a list of some of the newest, most eye-catching murals to be found around town.

“THE MAJESTIC”

410 S. Main St. Artists: Ryan “Yanoe” Sarfati and Eric “Zoueh” Skotnes One of the city’s newest murals is going to be the largest “augmented reality” mural in the world. Artists Sarfati and Skotnes, who have created murals in Los Angeles and Columbus, Ohio, as well as New Zealand, Switzerland and elsewhere, designed the 15,000-square foot mural to incorporate imagery that evokes Tulsa and Oklahoma, as well as honoring the city’s history of art deco architecture. And, once it is live, when viewed through a camera phone, the augmented reality portion of the mural will “bring to life” the flora and fauna of the mural.

LEON RUSSELL & AFRICANAMERICAN MUSIC MURALS 415 E. Third St. Artist: Jeks

The North Carolina artist known as Jeks is known for his almost photo-realist murals, three of which can be seen here. The most recent a triptych in which portraits of Tulsa’s The Gap Band and basketball starturned-smooth jazz master Wayman Tisdale flank an image of Aretha Franklin. These expansive images join Jeks’ two existing images — a portrait of Leon Russell and a painting of an astronaut, whose suit bears a “Tulsa Remote” patch and whose visor reflects the Tulsa skyline. 70 Tulsa World Magazine

JOHN CLANTON, TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE‌

The “Leon Russell Mural” by the artist Jeks is at 415 E. Third St.

“TAKE ME BACK TO OKLAHOMA” (BOB WILLS MURAL)

“THE MURAL OF SPACE AND TIME”

Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys called Tulsa and the Cain’s Ballroom home during the heyday of Western swing. They would perform weekly radio shows at Cain’s when they weren’t touring the country in their special bus, which is a feature of this mural.

An epic undertaking. Tulsa artist Patrick (P.S.) Gordon created eight large-scale paintings that evoke the spirit of Tulsa music legend Leon Russell, which were then transferred onto the wall of a building across from the Church Studio, which was Russell’s headquarters in the 1970s and ‘80s, by mural artist Brian Lewis.

514 E. Second St. Artists: Aaron Whisner and Justin Baney of Clean Hands

304 S. Trenton Ave. Artists: Patrick (P.S.) Gordon, Brian Lewis

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The “African-American Music Mural” by the artist Jeks is at 415 E. Third St. JOHN CLANTON, TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE‌

“1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE” MURAL 322 N. Greenwood Ave. Artist: Michael Rosato

Created to mark the centennial of this horrific moment in Tulsa’s history, this mural captures the violent destruction of the area known as “Black Wall Street,” centered around an image that evokes Michaelangelo’s “Pieta.”

JACKIE ROBINSON MURAL

120 N. Greenwood Ave. Artists: Chris Sker & Thomas “Detour” Evans The Tulsa Drillers, mindful of the fact that their ONEOK Field home is located in the heart of the Greenwood District, commissioned Chris Sker of Sker Creative, and Denver-based artist Thomas “Detour” Evans to create a portrait of baseball legend Jackie Robinson. While Robinson has no ties to Tulsa, his legacy of courage and talent have made him a icon for fans and players.

MEADOW GOLD DISTRICT MURAL

“The Mural of Space and Time” by artists Patrick (P.S.) Gordon and Brian Lewis is at 304 S. Trenton Ave.

1306 E. 11th St. Artist: Josh Butts

Butts is a prolific muralist, with several of his works currently on display around town. This image is a bit prescient — while the title and imagery celebrate the building in 1904 of a bridge across the Arkansas River, the slogan associated with that feat, “You Said We Couldn’t Do It, But We Did,” might also serve as the rallying cry for the revitalization of this classic Tulsa neighborhood through the arts.

JOHN CLANTON, TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE‌

ARTS DISTRICT MAP MURAL 18 E. Reconciliation Way Artists: Color Pop Art Lab

STEPHEN PINGRY, TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE‌

Isaac Hanson and Scott Taylor of Colorpop Art Lab stand in front of the “Arts District Map Mural,” 18 E. Reconciliation Way. TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

Arts Alliance Tulsa commissioned this fanciful depiction of the Tulsa Arts District, which features such landmarks as the Tulsa Theater, the Vanguard, Hunt Club, Cain’s Ballroom, the forthcoming OKPOP Museum, TAC Gallery, Ida Red, Caz’s Chowhouse, Arts Alliance Tulsa, 108 Contemporary and ahha Tulsa, as well as a shoutout to the “Tulsa Sound” impact on the music world.

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3 SPOOKY

SPOTS

should be noted, is not a “ghost tour” per se) lasts 35 minutes. Admission for adults is $7, seniors (62+) $5, students age 6–18 $4, children 5 and under free, veterans and active military (with ID) free. See okhistory.org for more.

IN THE TULSA AREA

HUNTER’S HOME, PARK HILL‌

Spooky season is around the corner. Here is a sampling of places in the Tulsa area that have a chilling reputation (visit at your own risk).

Last year, Oklahoma’s only surviving antebellum home offered Virtual Ghost Stories during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guides told of the legends that surround the former George M. Murrell Home, such as the mysterious black dog that suddenly

TULSA SPIRIT TOURS‌

appeared along the local creek behind the home one night more than 150 years ago, the apparition of a woman who appears in the home’s attic window or the specter of a little girl who has been seen on the stairs. The museum didn’t have any in-person events scheduled for this fall at press time, but a representative said to stay tuned to the Hunter’s Home Facebook page for an announcement soon to come. In the meantime, the home’s YouTube page is frequently updated with videos, giving viewers the taste of a tour: youtube.com/ user/murrellhome/videos.

Founded in 2003 by Teri French, Tulsa’s longest-running ghost tour returns this fall with more ghostly goodness. If haunted history intrigues you, check out their flagship tour, “Haunted Tulsa,” is a bus tour (two hours, $40 plus fees) that teaches about Tulsa’s ghost stories, urban legends and more. Tour guides do not guarantee participants a paranormal experience but advise them to be prepared, just in case, since the places being visited have had accounts of paranormal activity. Guests will be shown chilling photos and hear real EVPs (electronic voice phenomena, aka disembodied voices on a digital recorder). If (ghostly) pale ales are more your style, Tulsa Spirit Tours also offers a Haunted Pub Crawl (2 1/2 hours, $30, includes food/appetizers). On this walking tour through the Tulsa Arts District, you’ll learn about the haunted history of some of the bars in downtown Tulsa. Other tours include the Serial Killers Tour and the Creepy Christmas Lights Tour. See the full schedule and buy tickets at tulsaspirittour.com.

PAWNEE BILL RANCH AND MUSEUM, PAWNEE‌ The home of the Wild West entertainer is said to still be occupied by the man himself — as well as his wife, May Lillie, and others. Visitors might see the ghost of Pawnee Bill in an eerie painting upstairs in the 14-room, two-story mansion. Visitors have reported cold spots in the home, including in an upper bedroom and near the front door. An unexplained chill reportedly also has been felt near the radio tower, where Bill’s son Billy tragically hanged himself at age 9 while playing with a friend. The all-ages Mansion Tour (which, it 72 Tulsa World Magazine

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Q

uench your thirst for knowledge and stretch your legs at the same time with a themed tour. Go for a stroll around downtown Tulsa, where you can book guided tours of art deco buildings, Black Wall Street, tunnels and more. Or, if you’d prefer to go at your own pace, self-guided tours are an option. You can even hitch a ride on a trolley.

ART DECO‌

One of Tulsa Tours’ featured outings is the art deco walking tour (1.5 hours, $25). Learn about art deco styles and how to identify them on this 1.5-mile walk. In

addition to facades, at least one lobby is on the tour. www.tulsa.tours Tours of Tulsa offers daily private driving tours lasting two to four hours for $80. The tours have included a wide variety of destinations: downtown buildings; “Black Gold Row,” blocks of mansions built in the 1920s when Tulsa was the “Oil Capital” of the world; the campus of Oral Roberts University to see the giant Praying Hands sculpture; and the Greenwood area. toursoftulsa.com

BLACK WALL STREET‌

Learn about an important period of

WELCOMES

CHRISTOPHER WILD, MD General Orthopedic Surgeon

Dr. Wild is an orthopedic surgeon skilled in knee, hip and shoulder replacements, arthroscopy of the shoulder and knee, and fracture care. Dr. Wild is also a proud Union High School graduate and is excited to join the Tulsa Bone & Joint team.

MORE TO EXPLORE Tulsa history on a tour of the Greenwood area. The REAL Black Wall Street Tour offers the Complete Black Wall Street Tour, which lasts two hours and up, for $30; and the Walking Black Wall Street Tour, 1 hour, 15 minutes and up, for $15. facebook.com/therealblackwallstreettour. Tulsa Tours offers a combined art deco and Greenwood tour (3 hours, $50) that is 2 miles long. Starting at the Philcade Building, the tour highlights oil barons’ influence on Tulsa as well as the prosperous past and rebuilding of the Greenwood area. The tour ends at Greenwood Avenue.

DOWNTOWN TUNNELS‌

Tunnels snake beneath downtown Tulsa, connecting buildings and parking garages. The underground corridors and street-level interior hallways are open for self-guided exploration until 5 p.m. on weekdays. They are locked on weekends and holidays. Tours of Tulsa offers a flexible one-hour underground tour that’s ideal for out-oftowners who are staying nearby, as the tour can start and end at their hotel if they wish. For $25, guides with Tulsa Tours guides can lead you on a quarter-mile walk that lasts one hour.

CHURCHES‌

Tours of Tulsa explores downtown churches of various faiths and their history in this tour that lasts two to four hours. These churches were built between 1914 and 1929.

ARCHITECTURE AND MORE‌

The nonprofit Tulsa Foundation for Architecture offers monthly walking tours, each featuring a different historical area or topic of downtown. October’s tour, “DOCOMOMO: Honoring Modern,” focuses on modernism. Tickets are $18.

918.392.1400 4802 S. 109TH E. AVE. TULSA TULSABONEANDJOINT.COM TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

TROLLEY TOURS‌

For a twist on tours, book an Old Urban trolley. You can hire a tour guide through Tours of Tulsa, or bring your own. Tulsa World Magazine 73


LIFE IN NATIVE AMERICA

Chef Nico Albert says grape dumplings are one of her favorite traditional dishes to prepare — and eat. TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE FILE

Fall favorites Grape dumplings, kanuchi are traditional Indigenous dishes

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LENZY KREHBIEL-BURTON Tulsa World Magazine

t only took about five years to try them, but grape dumplings have become one of chef Nico Albert’s favorite traditional dishes to prepare. That distinction is partly because they are also one of her favorite dishes to eat. “I like the ones that are real comfort food for my family and for people in general,” she said. Grape dumplings are considered a traditional dessert among several tribes forcibly relocated to Oklahoma from the southeastern United States, including the Chickasaw, Muscogee, Choctaw and Cherokee. They are historically made with wild possum grapes that are harvested in the fall,

74 Tulsa World Magazine

boiled down for juice, then boiled again with strips of dumpling dough added. However, it is not uncommon for modern cooks to trade out the small, purple fruit for commercially available grape juice to speed up the cooking process and make the dessert available year-round, including at wild onion dinners in the spring. “It’s always been a little elusive,” she said with a chuckle. “When I first moved to Oklahoma and was able to go to wild onion dinners and Native church events, the grape dumplings were always the first thing to go. I’d show up late for everything and they’d be gone. It took almost five years before I was able to finally get these grape dumplings that everyone kept talking about.”

Along with crops that are more commonly associated with fall such as squash and corn, possum grapes are among the fall plants that show up in long-standing Indigenous recipes. Another traditional recipe about to come into season is kanuchi, a Cherokee soup made from hickory nuts. Traditionally, the nuts are gathered in the fall after the first frost, dried and the inner meat is separated from the shells. After sifting out the hulls, the nuts are then ground into an oily paste and made into a ball about the size of an adult’s fist or a baseball. The kanuchi ball is then heated in about a quart of water until it dissolves. After using a cheesecloth-lined sieve to strain out any straggling nut hulls, the creamy hickory nut broth is served over rice or hominy with salt or sugar TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM


to taste. Along with regularly preparing and experimenting with traditional recipes, Albert also puts an Indigenous twist on dishes from time to time, such as incorporating wild rice from the Minnesota-based Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians with a Thai-inspired meal. Kanuchi is one recipe that she has tweaked a few times, albeit out of sourcing necessity rather than for fun or out of culinary curiosity. “I want to be able to share kanuchi with as many people as possible because it is such an important dish in our culture, but I can’t go get hickory nuts in the store,” Albert said. “That makes it more of a special delicacy, but to still be able teach people about it and spark their interest… I do make a version of it with pecans, black walnuts or European walnuts.” If given the choice, Albert said she would use the original nut rather than a substitute. “The day I find a piece of land that has all of those hickory trees, I’ll be sure to start stockpiling every year to make the real deal because that hickory nut is something that you just can’t replace that flavor,” Albert said. “You can’t approximate it with any other combination of nuts. It just has its own special flavor.”

ABOVE: Grape dumplings are historically made with wild possum grapes that are harvested in the fall. However, modern cooks often use commercially available grape juice. These dumplings were made with Concord grape juice and garnished with Thomcord hybrid grapes. NICOLE MARSHALL MIDDLETON, TULSA WORLD

LEFT: Hickory nuts are preferred, but pecans can be used to make kanuchi. TULSA WORLD MAGAZINE FILE ‌

M ULTIPH H AUNTS S CARE L EV:: F AF F UN TO N IGHTMARE B REWS & W INE - S AVORY & S WTT F OODS G IFT S HOPS & A RTISANS N O G ATE A DMISSION G ATO OPEN AT 5 : 3 0 PM

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Tulsa World Magazine 75


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ASK THE EXPERT

Tile, carpet or hardwood leaving you ‘floored’? Grigsby’s expert recommends visiting their showroom

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hen it comes to choosing the right flooring for your home, there are thousands of options available, making it difficult to decide which is the perfect choice for you and your family. Penny Carnino is the director of operations at Grigsby’s Carpet, Tile and Hardwood in Tulsa. Grigsby’s offers a plethora of flooring styles — carpet, tile, hardwood and luxury vinyl plank, to name a few — and while Carnino said shopping online for flooring is an easy option, it’s more helpful for the customer to visit a showroom like Grigsby’s to discuss their flooring needs in person. “It’s really important to talk to somebody knowledgeable about flooring,” Carnino said. “You can get a lot of information online, but everything you read online is not always the truth. There’s a lot to be said for experience, and it’s always a good idea to pick someone’s brain about what you feel like you need to make your home look beautiful.” When searching for the right flooring option, there are several factors you should keep in mind, Carnino said. It’s helpful to come into the shopping experience with a list of ideas or design inspiration from websites like Pinterest or Houzz, or from design shows on HGTV. “A lot of people just have trouble choosing, but it’s helpful if they can identify their style — that helps narrow it down,” Carnino said. “Then, the major considerations are always children, pets and how long you want your floor to last.” In the last several years, there has been a shift among consumers away from traditional hardwood in favor of luxury vinyl plank. While traditional hardwood is classic and charming, luxury vinyl plank may be a better option for those with pets or young children, Carnino said. “Luxury vinyl plank is pet-friendly, kid-friendly, and it’s topically waterproof,” Carnino said. “It’s also a lot friendlier to your pocketbook. Wood is beautiful, but if you have big dogs, they’re going to scratch it. It’s a gorgeous product that lasts a lifetime, there’s just going to be more maintenance TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

Penny Carnino Director of Operations Grigsby’s Carpet, Tile & Hardwood

Email us your questions at expert@tulsaworld.com, and our expert will answer on our Tulsa World Scene Facebook page!

with it. And if you do have a flood, it’s going to have to be replaced.” Recently, Carnino said she has seen a resurgence in the popularity of carpet in the home. “Carpets are coming back because people have spent so much time in their homes — They liked that warm fuzzy feeling,” Carnino said. “Experts used to recommend going to a hard surface if you were a person who had allergies, but that way of thinking has changed. We now know that carpet holds [allergens] into the fiber and keeps them from floating around in the air, and then you can just vacuum them up. It’s beneficial in this time right now when everyone is concerned about germs.” In terms of cleaning and maintaining the floors you’ve purchased, Carnino said carpet should be vacuumed regularly and professionally cleaned every 12-18 months, while hardwood should be treated with Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner or a similar product. If you have any sort of hard surface in your home, it’s smart to invest in a dust mop. “You always want to use a dust mop to try to keep residue off your floors,” Carnino said. “That way, somebody won’t step on something that’s going to scratch it.” For more info visit grigsbys.com or call 918-627-6996.

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ASK THE EXPERT

Linda Curtis CEO of Pearl District Credit Union

Email us your questions at expert@tulsaworld.com, and our expert will answer on our Tulsa World Scene Facebook page!

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Need help to establish or rebuild your credit? Pearl District Federal Credit Union offers solutions

oining a credit union could be the right move for your finances, said Linda Curtis, CEO of Pearl District Credit Union. The Pearl District Federal Credit Union is dedicated to Tulsans who live or work in the Pearl District as well as medical workers who serve in the area. Members of the Pearl District Federal Credit Union have access to savings, personal and auto loans, IRA’s, checking and debit cards, Curtis said. “We understand our members and their needs, and we address each one of them,” Curtis said. “It doesn’t matter what your financial ability is, you’re a member of our credit union and you deserve the best service you can get.” While credit unions and banks provide many of the same services, there are many fundamental differences between the two, Curtis said. A key distinction is that credit unions are not-for-profit, while banks are for-profit. Additionally, credit unions offer more personalized customer service, whereas, at a nationwide bank, you may never speak to the same representative twice. “We offer the same services as your bank does, but we’re more personable,” Curtis said. “At a credit union, you can really talk to somebody. We just try to serve our members and keep our costs as low as we can because we’re not-for-profit.” While credit unions can be a good solution for someone looking to rebuild their credit, they can also serve someone with favorable credit by helping them achieve better rates than a bank may offer, Curtis said. “If you don’t have the best credit in the world, we’re not going to say no — we’ll see what we can do for you and help you out,” Curtis said. “A lot of members come in at the beginning without the best credit who could barely get a small loan, who now have credit scores in the 700s. We also price our products so that if you’ve had

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stellar credit for a long time, we’ll give you the best credit you can get — we’re going to beat the bank.” Curtis said a major benefit of joining a small credit union like Pearl District Federal Credit Union is that when you become a member, you have a stake in the company and your opinion is respected. “If you’re a member, you actually own part of the credit union,” Curtis said. “When you join a credit union, you put your shares in there, so you have a say. We have annual meetings, and members can speak their opinions and we’ll listen to them.” Someone should consider joining a credit union if they have a desire for personalized financial recommendations as well as a close relationship with those handling their finances. “Once you join a credit union, we’re just like a family and we’ll help you like a family,” Curtis said. For more info visit pearldistrictfcu.com or call 918-579-7998.

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ASK THE EXPERT

Digital marketing strategies don’t have to be scary Expert helps Cecil & Sons Discount Tire see results

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eeping up with marketing strategies and identifying the most cost effective and efficient approach as consumer behaviors shift, is not always easy for small business owners. Troy Cecil, second generation owner of Cecil & Sons Discount Tires in Sand Springs and Sapulpa learned having the right marketing partner in Annette Riherd, digital marketing strategist at Tulsa World Media Company was the first step to continuing and building on his success. “Traditional media tactics that worked well 15 to 30 years ago, just became less effective as time wore on,” Cecil said. “When Annette called on me about changes that were happening at the Tulsa World, she caught my attention.” With the growth of technology, marketing tools have allowed for a more targeted approach as opposed to a “wide net” approach, Riherd said. So once we identify the client’s goals and needs, we can develop the right mix of marketing strategies to help them reach their goals. “We have a couple of locations, and while many folks know about us, there was a growing population who didn’t. We simply weren’t seeing the return using traditional media anymore. I had a lot of questions about target marketing and if it would make sense for our tire business,” Cecil said. “Annette was so helpful throughout the entire process. If I asked her a question about something and she didn’t know the answer – she didn’t make up an answer to please me. She’d reconvene with the team at Tulsa World Media Company’s full-service Premier Google Partnered digital agency – Amplified Digital – and come back with the answer.” Riherd’s ability to be a “straight shooter” was important in building Cecil’s confidence to try something new, he said. “Our core values are to be transparent, be strategic, be creative and be bold,” Riherd said. “The digital marketing landscape is changing all around us. Understanding the trends and forces that will shape our business in the future and moving swiftly prepare us for what’s to come. Taking cli-

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ANNETTE RIHERD DIGITAL STRATEGIST Amplified Digital Marketing

Email us your questions at expert@tulsaworld.com, and our expert will answer on our Tulsa World Scene Facebook page!

ents with us on that journey ensures a win-win relationship. We’re here to build Troy’s company, and companies like his, up so the metro Tulsa area continues to thrive.” Together, we were able to take a look at what our current customer ‘looked like’ and also identified geographical areas where we’d like to grow, Cecil said. We developed an ongoing marketing campaign that not only reached new customers, but also maintained a presence for our current customers, keeping them coming back for continued business, he said. “Doing business is all about relationship building. Our clients are our neighbors and our friends, who have services to offer our neighbors and our friends,” Riherd said. Together, we find the right combination to accomplish that, she said. “There will no doubt be new ways to reach our audience in the future, and I look forward to working with Annette and the team at the Tulsa World to explore what options will be right for us,” Cecil said. For more info visit amplifieddigitalmarketing.com or call 918-694-3490.

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ASK THE EXPERT AUSTIN MORTON, PROJECT MANAGER Video Revolution

Email us your questions at expert@ tulsaworld.com, and our expert will answer on our Tulsa World Scene Facebook page!

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Electronic expert helps with the perfect fit inside and out Technology advances offer better at home experiences

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Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Oklahomans have been orced to stay home, leading them to watch much more television than they normally would. Now more than ever, it’s important to have in-home entertainment systems and televisions that work for you and suit your unique interests, said Austin Morton, project manager at Video Revolution in Tulsa. Video Revolution offers customers new technology from companies like Sony, Samsung, LG and more, as well as installation and repairs. The company is helping Oklahomans perfect their at-home TV-watching setups while also ensuring they receive the technology that will best fit their lifestyle, Morton said. A big thing we’re seeing is people trying to refine their experience [because] they’ve watched more TV and had more home time than they’ve had in decades,” Morton said. “They’ve started to appreciate quality and are paying attention to little details like, during an action scene of a movie, ‘Can I actually hear the dialogue of the actors? Or am I just hearing bullets flying around the room with no conversation at all?’ We’re seeing an elevation of people’s expectations.” When looking to purchase a new TV or upgrade your entertainment system, there are several key factors to consider, Morton said. It’s essential to have in mind who will be watching the TV, and if it will be used for families or entertaining large groups, or if it’s a dedicated media space. “We look at who the audience is going to be, and then we factor in the environment, size of the room and lighting conditions,” Morton said. “Things like whether or not you watch TV during the day with a lot of natural light or mostly in the evenings. Then we’ll factor in things

like content — what are you actually intending to watch? Are you mostly watching sports or primetime TV shows? Are you a video gamer and Netflix-watcher? It’s a matter of finding our suggested best fit, and then finding what’s also the best fit for the size area and budget.” There have been many technology advancements over the last few years which have led to an improved experience in home entertainment, he said. “We’ve seen improvements in soundbars which increase intelligibility and augment the entertainment experience as well as improving TV technologies to allow us the best picture and supporting the newest video standards,” Morton said. “Navigating all of the different components can be daunting. We make sure all of your equipment is matched to meet the specifications of the newest audio/video formats. For example an older and antiquated Surround Sound Receiver may bottleneck the video capabilities of newer video sources like a 4K Apple TV or Game Console. Also, we make sure that video cabling meets or exceeds the current industry spec to ensure the best signal for your system.” Once you’ve chosen the system that’s right for you, our team of installation professionals will make sure all of the technology in the house is optimized giving you the best performance and overall experience, he said. “To protect your overall investment, we make sure all of your expensive electronics are plugged into a proper surge protector with some level of filtration to act as a buffer for the “dirty” power we frequently have in Oklahoma,” Morton said. For more info visit expert website here or call 918-495-0586.

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Editor’s note: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, please check event websites and social media for all the latest updates.

SEPTEMBER > ‌9/30-10/10, TULSA STATE FAIR The Tulsa State Fair entertains festivalgoers with an array of carnival rides, midway games, attractions, concerts, art and more. Find all of your favorite foods on a stick and take in a variety of agricultural exhibits, numerous kitchen demonstrations and vendor booths galore. Musical acts include Josh Turner, Vanilla Ice and the Ying Yang Twins, Dru Hill, Eli Young Band and P.O.D. WHERE: Expo Square, 4145 E. 21st St. FOR MORE: tulsastatefair.com

LET’S GO.

OCTOBER > ‌10/1-30 FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS, Haunted Castle Halloween Festival Find thrills for the entire family at the Haunted Castle Halloween Festival in Muskogee. From the sinister, fog-shrouded forest to the carnival atmosphere of Halloween Land, there are performances and activities for all ages. WHERE: The Castle of Muskogee, 3400 W. Fern Mountain Road, Muskogee FOR MORE: okcastle.com

TULSA WORLD FILE PHOTOS‌

Find fried foods and games on the midway at the Tulsa State Fair, which runs from Sept. 30-Oct. 10.

> ‌10/7, John Legend, BOK Center American singer, songwriter, record producer and 12-time Grammy winner John Legend brings his Bigger Love Tour, with special guest Kirby, to the BOK Center. Tickets: $53.50-$203.50. Doors at 7 p.m. WHERE: BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. FOR MORE: bokcenter.com

> ‌10/1, MercyMe, BOK Center The Grammy-nominated contemporary Christian band MercyMe visits the BOK Center for its Inhale (Exhale) tour. MercyMe has an Oklahoma connection — the band was founded in Edmond in 1994. Tickets are $29-$84.50. Doors at 6 p.m. WHERE: BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. FOR MORE: bokcenter.com > ‌10/2-3, BaseCamp at Turkey Mountain Normally off-limits to campers, Turkey Mountain opens its grounds to the public overnight on this weekend. A bonfire, live music and sunrise yoga are planned. Pitch a tent or splurge on a glamping experience. WHERE: 6850 S. Elwood Ave. FOR MORE: facebook.com/basecampatturkey > ‌10/2, KISS, BOK Center Celebrating nearly 50 years of rocking and rolling all night, KISS brings The Final Tour Ever to Tulsa for a Saturday night show that was originally set for 2020. Tickets: $39.50$129.50. Doors at 6:30 p.m. WHERE: BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. FOR MORE: bokcenter.com TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

> ‌10/3, TURKEY MTB FESTIVAL The eighth and final race of this year’s Oklahoma Tour de Dirt race season will be at Turkey. Watch or ride in mountain bike races for all ages. WHERE: 6850 S. Elwood Ave. FOR MORE: oktdd.org > ‌10/4, TOBYMAC, BOK CENTER Christian hip-hop artist TobyMac brings his Hits Deep 2020 tour to the BOK Center. It was originally scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. Tickets: $22.75-$92.75. Doors at 6 p.m. WHERE: BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. FOR MORE: bokcenter.com

> ‌10/9, Tulsa Symphony Orchestra: ‘Triumph’ Pianist Garrick Ohlsson will perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, the “Emperor,” and guest conductor Lina Gonzalez-Granados will lead the orchestra in performances of the “Festive Overture” by Shostakovich, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s “Ballade,” and “Les Preludes” by Liszt. WHERE: Tulsa PAC, 101 E. Third St. FOR MORE: tulsasymphony.org > ‌10/9, Hops ‘n Bops at New Orleans Square This festival put on by the city of Broken Arrow celebrates local music, beer, wine, food and more. WHERE: New Orleans Avenue and 81st Street, Broken Arrow FOR MORE: facebook.com/NewOrleansSquareBrokenArrow Tulsa World Magazine 81


> ‌10/16, Kendall-Whittier Arts Festival Find local art vendors, gallery shows, food trucks, live music, interactive art and kids activities. WHERE: Whittier Square and the corner of Admiral and Lewis FOR MORE: visitkendallwhittier.com

IAN MAULE, TULSA WORLD FILE‌

A booth vendor looks through her products at Tokyo in Tulsa at the Cox Convention Center.

> ‌10/12-17, ‘Come From Away’ The story of a small Canadian town that welcomed thousands of passengers from planes diverted there because of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks is turned into a Tony Awardwinning musical. WHERE: Tulsa PAC, 101 E. Third St. FOR MORE: celebrityattractions.com > ‌10/14, OKC Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets, BOK Center Tulsa’s basketball fans can get a taste of the NBA right in their backyard as the Thunder makes its 12th preseason appearance at the BOK Center. Tickets: $12-$95. Doors at 6 p.m. WHERE: BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. FOR MORE: bokcenter.com >10/15, ‘Puccini & Verdi Play Ball’ Tulsa Opera presents the one-act comedy “Gianni Schicchi” along with selections from Verdi’s opera in an open-air concert at ONEOK Field. WHERE: ONEOK Field, 201 N. Elgin Ave. FOR MORE: tulsaopera.com > ‌10/15-17, Tokyo in Tulsa The state’s largest convention for anime, Japanese and pop culture is set to return. Guests and schedules are to be announced. WHERE: Hyatt Regency Tulsa Downtown, 100 E. Second St. FOR MORE: tokyointulsa.com > ‌10/15, Marc Anthony, BOK Center Influential Latin music artist Marc Anthony brings his Pa’lla Voy Tour to Tulsa. Fun fact: Anthony is the top selling tropical salsa artist of all time. Tickets: $64-$184. Doors at 7 p.m. WHERE: BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. FOR MORE: bokcenter.com

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TOM GILBERT, TULSA WORLD FILE‌

Dead Armadillo’s Wild Brew beer is a Blackberry New England-style IPA.

> ‌10/16-17, Brush Creek Bazaar Enjoy shopping, entertainment and carnival activities at an outdoor festival featuring vendor booths with everything from decor and soap to candles and clothing. All of the proceeds from this event go to support at-risk teens in the Teen Challenge Programs of New Lifehouse Academy for girls and Brush Creek Academy for boys. WHERE: 10900 S. Louisville Ave. FOR MORE: brushcreekbazaar.org

> ‌10/21-24, Linde Oktoberfest Tulsa Visitors to this Oktoberfest celebration will enjoy delicious food, refreshing beverages, carnival rides, live music straight from Germany and much more. Savor authentic German beer imported from Munich, or enjoy a glass of wine while listening to the sounds of live Bavarian-style entertainment. Other festivities include polka dancing and rows of booths filled with art and crafts. WHERE: River West Festival Park, 2100 S. Jackson Ave. FOR MORE: tulsaoktoberfest.org > ‌10/23, Alabama, BOK Center Multi-platinum-selling country rock group Alabama brings its 50th Anniversary Tour to Tulsa, along with the duet Grits and Glamour: Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis. Tickets: $39.50-$129.50. Doors at 6 p.m. WHERE: BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. FOR MORE: bokcenter.com > ‌10/28-31, ‘Breaking Bricks’ Tulsa Ballet presents the world premiere of “Breaking Bricks,” a ballet by Jennifer Archibald inspired by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, paired with Ma Cong’s “Flight of Fancy.” WHERE: Tulsa PAC, 101 E. Third St. FOR MORE: tulsaballet.org > ‌10/29, Elevation Nights, BOK Center Elevation Nights is a new tour featuring Elevation Worship and Steven Furtick. It brings the worship experience of Elevation

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de printemps,” Poulenc’s “Les biches (The Does),” William Grant Still’s “Darker America,” and Stravinsky’s thrilling “Petrouchka.” WHERE: Tulsa PAC, 101 E. Third St. FOR MORE: tulsasymphony.org > ‌11/13, Dan + Shay, BOK Center Three-time Grammy-winners Dan + Shay are headed to the BOK Center for a Saturday night show with special guests The Band CAMINO and Ingrid Andress. Tickets: $17-$76. Doors at 6 p.m. WHERE: BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. FOR MORE: bokcenter.com COURTESY, CASTLE OF MUSKOGEE‌

The Halloween Festival at the Castle of Muskogee runs Friday and Saturday nights in October. The Trail of Blood earns a maximum five skulls out of five on the castle’s spooky scale.

Church into arenas across the country. Tickets: $27.50-$102.50. Doors at 6 p.m. WHERE: BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. FOR MORE: bokcenter.com > ‌10/30-31, Sweets & Treats on Spooky Street Gathering Place presents a trick-or-treating experience for families. With games, costume contests, live entertainment and more, this event is sure to be a monster mash of memories. WHERE: Gathering Place, 2650 S. John Williams Way FOR MORE: gatheringplace.org > ‌10/31, LANY, BOK Center Los Angeles music artists LANY hit the road to promote their new album, “gg bb xx,” this fall. Special guest keshi will join them on the tour. Tickets: $29.50- $59.50. Doors at 6:30 p.m. WHERE: BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. FOR MORE: bokcenter.com

NOVEMBER > ‌11/2-7, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ Roald Dahl’s classic novel of a young boy who wins a once-in-a-lifetime visit to a magical confectionery comes to the stage in this new musical. WHERE: Tulsa PAC, 101 E. Third St. FOR MORE: celebrityattractions.com > ‌11/5, Dia de los Muertos Arts Festival Living Arts of Tulsa hosts the annual Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a celebration of the Latinx heritage honoring loved ones who have died. Reservations to view altars in the gallery are encouraged, but TULSAWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

not required. WHERE: 307 E. Reconciliation Way FOR MORE: livingarts.org > ‌11/5, Chris Stapleton, BOK Center Country singer Chris Stapleton brings his All-American Road Show to Tulsa for the second time. The tour also stopped at the BOK Center on June 22, 2017. Tickets: $49.75$99.75. Doors at 6 p.m. WHERE: BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. FOR MORE: bokcenter.com > ‌11/6, Oklahoma Tribal Celebration This Native arts and culture festival honors and celebrates Oklahoma Indigenous Tribes. Oklahoma Tribal Celebration is a proud expression of music, dance, art, food and fashion, where participating tribes can share their stories and speak of their cultural legacy. This regional festival will honor and acknowledge Tribal Nations in the state of Oklahoma. WHERE: Gathering Place, 2650 S. John Williams Way FOR MORE: gatheringplace.org > ‌11/13, Wild Brew This beer festival raises funds for the George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center, best known for its work with bald eagles. There will be food, live music, live birds to see and take pictures with and a silent auction. WHERE: Cox Business Center, 100 Civic Center FOR MORE: wildbrew.org > ‌11/13, Tulsa Symphony: ‘Symphonic Poetry’ Led by renowned conductor Sarah Hicks, this program features enticing and stirring works such as Lili Boulanger’s “D’un matin

> ‌11/18, Lil Baby with Fire in Little Africa, BOK Center Atlanta rapper Lil Baby takes the stage for this rescheduled tour date. Special guests include Fire in Little Africa, a Tulsa-based multimedia hip-hop project commemorating the 1921 race massacre. Tickets: $49.50-$150. Doors at 7 p.m. WHERE: BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. FOR MORE: bokcenter.com > ‌11/26, Cody Johnson, BOK Center Texas country singer Cody Johnson returns to the BOK Center with special guests including Easton Corbin and Ian Munsick. Tickets: $38-$78. Doors at 6 p.m. WHERE: BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. FOR MORE: bokcenter.com

DECEMBER > ‌12/4, ‘The Polar Express In Concert’ The animated film truly comes to life, as the Tulsa Symphony performs the movie’s score during this holiday special. WHERE: Tulsa PAC, 101 E. Third St. FOR MORE: tulsasymphony.org > ‌12/4, Joe Rogan, BOK Center Comedian and podcaster Joe Rogan brings The Sacred Clown Tour to Tulsa. Note: This event will be a phone-free experience. Use of phones, smart watches and accessories will not be permitted in the performance space. WHERE: BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. FOR MORE: bokcenter.com > ‌12/10-23, ‘The Nutcracker’ Tulsa Ballet presents the world premiere of its new version of the holiday classic, choreographed by the company’s two resident choreographers, Val Caniparoli and Ma Cong. WHERE: Tulsa PAC, 101 E. Third St. FOR MORE: tulsaballet.org. Tulsa World Magazine 83


WARREN CLINIC URGENT CARE Whether you access our on-demand virtual care, 24/7/365 days a year, or you visit us in-person at one of our many locations, Warren Clinic providers are here for you. If you’re looking for care for a sudden illness, a minor emergency or injury, visit saintfrancis.com/urgentcare to select a time and clinic location to visit, or choose a video visit online. TULSA Springer Building 6160 South Yale Avenue 918-495-2600

Tulsa Hills 7858 South Olympia Avenue 918-986-9250 South Memorial 10506 South Memorial Drive 918-943-1050 SAND SPRINGS 102 South Main Street 918-246-5750

BROKEN ARROW Elm Place 2950 South Elm Place, Suite 120 (101st Street and Elm Place) 918-451-5191

Kenosha 1801 East Kenosha Street (71st Street and OK-51) 918-449-4150 VIRTUAL CARE Visit saintfrancis.com/urgentcare

*If you are experiencing severe illness, a major injury, symptoms of a heart attack, stroke or shortness of breath, please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.

saintfrancis.com/urgentcare

URGENT CARE HOURS FOR IN-OFFICE VISITS: Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

(Springer location only)

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

VIRTUAL URGENT CARE: Visit saintfrancis.com/urgentcare to schedule a virtual urgent care visit 24/7/365.


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