February 14, 2019

February 14, 2019 Vol. 19, No. 38

In This Issue DIRECTIONS

IT’S TIME TO VOTE FOR YOUR EDMOND FAVORITES! SEE PAGES 5 - 8

BROADWAY TONIGHT SEASON CONCLUDES

Directions, by Joe Slack, in real life is located in front of OnCue, at 15th and I-35, 4100 E. 15th Street, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper. Email c o n te s t @ e d m o n d p a p e r. c o m with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing.

For more information, see page 4.

❤

Bridal 2019 All About Alpacas?

See Pages 17 - 20

from your friends at

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Edmond Life & Leisure

Partly Cloudy High 41° Low 26°

PHOTO PROVIDED

The University of Central Oklahoma’s Broadway Tonight Series will conclude the 2018-19 season with a performance by the renowned 12-member dance ensemble, Ailey II at 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 16 in Mitchell Hall Theatre on UCO’s Campus. Pictured, Carl Ponce Cubero (left) and Caroline Theodora Dartey (right) will perform alongside fellow Ailey II dancers.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Cloudy High 46° Low 28°

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Cloudy High 42° Low 29°

The University of Central Oklahoma’s Broadway Tonight Series will conclude the 2018-19 season with a performance by the renowned 12-member dance ensemble, Ailey II at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 in Mitchell Hall Theatre on UCO’s Campus.

As the junior company of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II has merged the spirit and energy of young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s emerging choreographers.

Started in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, Ailey II embodies Alvin Ailey’s pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training and community programs for all people.

The dance company has launched African-American modern dance into the spotlight, revolutionizing popular perceptions of American dance.

Today Troy Powell, artistic director of Ailey II, continues this legacy.

Ailey II’s Broadway Tonight performance will include three pieces from their wide-ranging repertory: n Road to One, choreographed by Darrel Grand Moultrie; n Touch and Agree, choreographed

by Juel D. Lane; and n Breaking Point, choreographed

by Renee I. McDonald “To see Broadway Tonight grow and diversify with this legendary group from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre—this is a major milestone for the Oklahoma City metro,”

said Greg White, Ph.D., director of Broadway Tonight.

The 2018-19 Broadway Tonight Series is supported, in part, by the Oklahoma Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Oklahoma and the National Endowment for the Arts.

For tickets to Ailey II, visit mitchellhalltheatre.com or call the Mitchell Hall Box Office at 405-974-3375.

A complete listing of UCO College of Fine Arts and Design events and performances, including Broadway Tonight performances, can be found at cfad.uco.edu.

Also for other events scheduled in Edmond or the metro this weekend, please see Page 9 for our weekend calendar of events.

Page 2 • February 14, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 14, 2019 • Page 3

Patti Neuhold

Patti Neuhold will replace Betz as UCO president

By K.S. McNutt NewsOK.com/The Oklahoman Patti Neuhold will become the University of Central Oklahoma's 21st president July 1 — the first woman to lead the university — officials announced last week.

"It shows diversity and switches things up," said Macayla Hill, a sophomore from Oklahoma City. "It's about time. She deserves it."

Neuhold, 45, is UCO's vice president for finance and chief financial officer. She will succeed President Don Betz when he retires June 30 after eight years as UCO president.

The Board of Regents for the Regional University System of Oklahoma named Neuhold as the successor following a meeting Friday on the campus of East Central University in Ada. UCO is one of six universities governed by the regional board of regents.

Hill said she has gotten to know Neuhold through her job in the benefits department.

"She always made me feel valuable and comfortable and a part of the team," Hill said.

Han Seth Lu, a sophomore from Myanmar, said he likes Neuhold's leadership style and passion, and he is excited the next president will be a woman.

"I'm super-duper happy about it," Lu said. "It shows the university is embracing diversity and inclusion."

Neuhold has served in leadership positions at UCO in finance and budget, administrative and professional development departments since joining the university in 2007.

She balanced UCO’s $187 million budget through years of the most significant declines in state support and declining enrollment. She also oversaw business process reviews that resulted in savings, higher retention of faculty and new leadership development opportunities.

“Patti has been a key member of the university cabinet for several years and has exercised significant leadership on a number of highly relevant issues to the university,” Betz said Friday. “I believe that Patti will serve the UCO community, the metro and the state with energy, insight and distinction. I will work closely with her throughout the transition. I am delighted, and I sincerely look forward to the successful future of the university under her leadership.“ Regents interviewed seven candidates last month from among 62 applicants for the position. Finalists were interviewed Thursday at ECU. “Patti Neuhold has the leadership experience and vision for the university that will help prepare our students to contribute ideas, innovation and solutions to the marketplace,” said Mark Stansberry, regents board chairman. “Her blend of financial acumen, organizational development and understanding of what industry needs will help UCO continue to lead in education and workforce development.”

Founded in 1890 as the Territorial Normal School, UCO has nearly 16,000 students in 121 undergraduate areas of study and 74 graduate majors.

Page 4 • February 14, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure

From the Publisher

Happy Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day is a wonderful holiday. I enjoy celebrating it with my incredibly beautiful and loving bride.

Because of how we are blessed to have found each other again in life, our celebration of being together is daily. Yet it is good to take this holiday as a special reminder of how lucky Ray Hibbard we have been.

Lisa and I met in seventh grade at Heritage Hall.

We went on to graduate high school together as well. It is amazing to me that we found our way back to each other after so many years. Lisa and I have chalked it up to nothing but a God thing. We just know we are blessed.

Men get nervous on this very complicated day of Feb. 14. We guys are simple creatures and Valentine’s Day can get more and more complicated each year. Massive amounts of commercialism can make Valentine’s Day a little tricky for both men and women. All the broadcast advertising can really put pressure on folks.

The National Retail Federation estimates that people in the U.S. will spend over $19 billion for this year’s Valentine’s Day with over $1 billion going to cards. However, it’s not actually a so called “Hallmark holiday” invented to merely move merchandise.

Complaints about Valentine’s Day being too commercial date back to 1847 when the New York Daily Tribune ran an article about the loss of oldfashioned, non-commercial day of love. They said, “There was a time when Valentine’s Day meant something. Then it was a business of real lovers and there was sweetness under its delicate shy disguise. Good [graces]! that’s gone long ago. Now nobody makes more than a joke of it.” The Tribune went on to declare, “We hate this modern degeneracy, this miscellaneous and business fashion.

Send a Valentine by the penny post too? Bah! Give us the sweet old days when there was a mystery about it.”

Folks must worry about such things as if the chocolates they are buying are from trade free zones and if the paper on the cards can be recycled. Even with several great restaurants in Edmond, eating out on Valentine’s Day can be difficult and crowded. Romantic meals at home especially when the day falls during the week can be hard to pull off as well. All I know for sure is that it is always a good day to do something special for your loved ones and to tell them how you feel. I am a lot like the Zac Brown song that says, “Every time I try to tell you how I feel, it just comes out, I love you.”

To counter all the commercialism that might go with Valentine’s Day, I have turned to our friend Mike Robertson. He is the Rector Emeritus for Church of Good Shepherd here in Edmond. We like to call him our corporate chaplain for Edmond Life & Leisure. Father Robertson will stop in with a story idea, but he takes the time to visit with our staff. He sits down at each of their desks and checks on them making sure things are going well in their life.

Below is the story of Saint Valentine that Father Robertson used in his sermon last Sunday.

Saint Valentine

By J. Michael Robertson, Rector Emeritus Church of Good Shepherd Valentine’s Day is a day each year set aside for showing and expressing love. (Why just one day, how about every day?)

I will tell you one of the greatest lovers of all times. An example of true love. It is Saint Valentine, a real and true saint of the ancient church who was martyred, for his faith. Unfortunately, Father Valentine had no connection with lovers or courting couples as we think of today. It is a love story however, a Christian love story.

The story of Valentine’s Day begins in the third century with an oppressive Roman Emperor and a humble Christian martyr. The emperor was Claudius II. The Christian was Valentine, a priest of the church.

Claudius had ordered all Romans to worship the state’s religious idols and he made it a crime punishable by death to associate with Christians.

Valentine was dedicated and unwavering to Christ and not even the threat of death could keep him from practicing his beliefs. During the last weeks of his life, while in prison, a remarkable thing happened.

Legend has it, one day his jailer brought his daughter to Saint Valentine, having heard of his medical and spiritual abilities asking Valentine to heal his daughter who had been blind since birth.

The jailed priest examined the young girl, giving her an ointment for her eyes and the promise of prayer.

The jailer learned that Valentine was an educated man and asked if he could bring his daughter for lessons to which Valentine agreed. The blind jailer’s daughter saw the world through his eyes, trusted in his wisdom and found comfort in his quiet strength.

One day Julia asked, “Does God really hear our prayers?” “Yes, my child, he hears each one,” Valentine replied. “Do you know what I pray for every morning and night?” the daughter asked. “I pray that I might see. I want so much to see everything you’ve told me about,” she said. “God does what is best for us if we will believe in Him,” the priest said.

“Oh Valentine, I do believe,” Julie said. “I do.”

She knelt and grasped his hand. They sat quietly together, each praying.

Weeks passed and the girl’s sight was not restored. Yet, the man and his daughter never wavered in their faith and returned each week.

Finally, Valentine was beaten with clubs and beheaded on Feb. 14, 270 AD. The reason was for not renouncing his faith.

On the eve of his death, Valentine wrote a last note to Julie, knowing his execution was imminent.

Valentine asked the jailer for paper, pen and ink.

He quickly jotted a farewell note and handed it to the jailer for his blind daughter.

When the jailer went home, he was greeted by his little girl. She opened the note and discovered a yellow crocus inside. The message urged her to stay close to God and he signed it, “From Your Valentine.” As the little girl looked down upon the crocus that spilled into her palm, she saw the brilliant colors for the first time in her life. The girl’s eyesight was restored. A miracle. A miracle of love.

You see love is a flower and hope is its stem and endurance is the root.

Love is the greatest of all virtues, the foundation and the guide to the rest. Who is the greatest lover of all times? Jesus Christ! And we are to follow his example. We are to be living Valentines and Christ’s elves.

A blessed Valentine’s Day to all!

(Ray Hibbard may be reached by e-mail at ray@edmondpaper.com

Check out what’s inside! n n n n n n n n n

Vote on Edmond Favorites ......................................................Pages 5-8.

Weekend calendar of events ........................................................Page 9.

Columnist weighs in on Bob Stoops and the XFL ......................Page 10.

Sports ........................................................................................Page 14.

George Gust reviews latest Lego movie......................................Page 15.

Crossword ..................................................................................Page 15.

Planning a wedding. See bridal section ................................Pages 17-20.

Business News ............................................................................Page 21.

Worship directory ......................................................................Page 23.

See if you can find ‘Directions’ “Directions,” in real life is located in front of OnCue, at 15th and I-35, 4100 E 15th Street, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper. E-mail contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing.

Local artist Joe Slack created the sculpture to draw the public in. “I just want to engage,” said Slack, “And for it to be part of the landscape.” At it’s tallest point of 17 feet ‘Directions' is the largest sculpture Slack has ever attempted. It features three huge faces with a rust patina. Located along I-35 it is certain to draw travelers in to engage with just one of the pieces of public art Edmond is known for.

For more information on Edmond public art please visit http://visitedmondok.com/public-art.php

Publisher Ray Hibbard Jr. ray@edmondpaper.com Partner Christopher T. Hoke Editor Steve Gust news@edmondpaper.com Production April Burgess, Deanne York

Cover Design April Burgess Legal Counsel Todd McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC Copyright © 2019 by Edmond Media Publishing 107 S. Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 405.340.3311 (office) 405.340.3384 (fax)

Advertising Director Alexx Harms alexx@edmondpaper.com

Mailing address: P.O. Box 164 Edmond, OK 73083

Advertising Account Executive Chris Thomas chris@edmondpaper.com

All rights reserved.

Material contained herein may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission from Edmond Media Publishing.

Contributing Writers Dave Farris, Mallery Nagle, Kacee Van Horn, Rose Drebes, George Gust.

Photographer Melinda Infante

edmondlifeandleisure.com facebook.com/edmondlifeandleisure twitter.com/edmondlifeandleisure instagram.com/edmondlifeandleisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 14, 2019 • Page 5

VOTE ONLINE! EDMONDLIFEANDLEISURE.COM Simply answer each question below. Feel free to elaborate on a separate piece of paper!

We will announce your Edmond Favorites in our March 7 issue.

Ballots can be mailed to:

EDMOND FAVORITES, 107 S. BROADWAY, EDMOND, OK 73034

You are welcome to drop your ballot at our office (same address as mailing address above).

DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 28

AT LEAST 50% OF BALLOT MUST BE COMPLETED FOR YOUR VOTE TO COUNT! PLEASE WRITE CLEARLY AND COMPLETELY.

FAVORITE FOOD / RESTAURANT: Asian Food

Ice Cream / Frozen Yogurt

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Bakery

Lunch Spot

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Barbecue

Mexican Food

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Breakfast / Brunch

Night Spot

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Burger

Pizza

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Caterer

Sandwiches / Subs

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Coffee House

Seafood

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Desserts

Special Occasion Restaurant

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Ethnic Food

Steak

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Food Truck

Sushi

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Page 6 • February 14, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure

FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY: Antiques

Home Decor

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Appliances

Jewelry

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Athletic Shoes / Apparel

Mattresses

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Beauty / Cosmetic Supplies

Men’s Clothing

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Books

Plants / Landscaping

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Children’s Clothing / Accessories

Shoes

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Consignment / Resale

Sporting Goods / Outdoor Gear

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Flooring

Tires

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Furniture

Wine & Spirits

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Gifts

Women’s Clothing / Accessories

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Groceries ___________________________

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 14, 2019 • Page 7

DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 28 VOTE ONLINE! EDMONDLIFEANDLEISURE.COM Simply answer each question below. Feel free to elaborate on a separate piece of paper!

We will announce your Edmond Favorites in our March 7 issue.

Ballots can be mailed to:

EDMOND FAVORITES, 107 S. BROADWAY, EDMOND, OK 73034 You are welcome to drop your ballot at our office (same address as mailing address above).

PLEASE WRITE CLEARLY AND COMPLETELY.

FAVORITE BUSINESSES/SERVICES: Automobile Repair

Fitness / Health Club

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Barber

Florist

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Birthday Parties

Golf Course

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Car Wash

Hair Salon

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Chiropractor

Insurance Agent

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Custom Framing

Lawn Care

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Dance Studio

Live Music Venue / Live Music Spot

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Dentist

Massage

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Dry Cleaning

Nail Salon

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Eye Care

Oil Change

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Financial Planner ___________________________

Page 8 • February 14, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure

VOTE ONLINE! EDMONDLIFEANDLEISURE.COM FAVORITE BUSINESSES/SERVICES (CONT): Park

Romantic Place To Stay The Night

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Pet Grooming

Travel Agency

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Pharmacy

Veterinarian

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OTHER: Best Customer Service

Locally Owned Business

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Most Attractive Building

Long Term Business

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Civic Organization

Public Art Piece

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Edmond Event Or Festival ___________________________

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 14, 2019 • Page 9

Parents Helping Parents to meet Feb. 19

Thursday Feb. 14 ---- In the Gallery ---- Exhibit: Seals of Isaiah and King Hezekiah Discovered ---- Transcendence: Contemporary Op Art by Jason Wilson ---- Lance Graves International Championship Barrel Race ---- Free Wagon Rides in Downtown Edmond ---- Julian Bliss Septet ---- Hearts for Art ---- Blake Shelton in Concert ---- RV Super Show Friday Feb. 15 ---- In the Gallery ---- Exhibit: Seals of Isaiah and King Hezekiah Discovered ---- Transcendence: Contemporary Op Art by Jason Wilson ---- Lance Graves International Championship Barrel Race ---- Souled Out ---- Oklahoma State Swimming Championships ---- Hearts for Art ---- Almost, Maine ---- RV Super Show Saturday Feb. 16 ---- In the Gallery ---- Exhibit: Seals of Isaiah and King Hezekiah Discovered ---- Transcendence: Contemporary Op Art by Jason Wilson ---- Lance Graves International Championship Barrel Race ---- Oklahoma State Swimming Championships ---- Jessica Tate ---- UCO Broadway Tonight: Ailey II ---- Hearts for Art ---- Downtown Edmond Historic Tours ---- Almost, Maine ---- RV Super Show ---- OKC Philharmonic Presents: Impressionist Variations ---- Monster Jam ---- Sports Experience ---- Urban Addiction Sunday Feb. 17 ---- In the Gallery ---- Exhibit: Seals of Isaiah and King Hezekiah Discovered ---- Transcendence: Contemporary Op Art by Jason Wilson ---- Lance Graves International Championship Barrel Race ---- Hearts for Art ---- Almost, Maine ---- RV Super Show ---- Monster Jam ---- Urban Addiction Extra Information on Weekend Happenings In the Gallery Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute Extra Info: Featuring works

by Cody L Rains For information go to: http://www.edmondfinearts.com/ Exhibit: Seals of Isaiah and King Hezekiah Discovered Location: Armstrong Auditorium Extra Info: Free Admission; an archaeological exhibition that will enable visitors to discover the history of ancient Judah’s most famous kingprophet pairing — a story which illuminates how Jerusalem escaped annihilation at the hands of King Sennacherib’s Assyrian army at the end of the 8th century B.C. For more information visit armstrongauditorium.org.

Transcendence: Contemporary Op Art by Jason Wilson Location: UCO – Mitchell Hall Theater Extra Info: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., the exhibit is located in the Krottinger Family Gallery, a space located in the hallway leading into the newly renovated dressing rooms, classrooms and theater spaces of Mitchell Hall. For more info find them on Facebook.

Lance Graves International Championship Barrel Race Location: UCO – Lazy E Arena Extra Info: for more information visit them on Facebook

Free Wagon Rides in Downtown Edmond Location: Downtown Edmond Extra Info: 5 – 8 p.m., free, for more info visit them at downtownedmondok.com Julian Bliss Septet Location: Armstrong Auditorium Extra Info: 7:30 p.m., $31 ---- $71, for more information go to armstrongauditorium.org Souled Out Location: UCO – Jazz Lab Extra Info: 8 p.m., $20 cash or check, for more info visit ucojazzlab.com Oklahoma State Swimming Prep Championships Location: Mitch Park YMCA/Edmond Recreation and Aquatic Center Extra Info: 4 – 7 p.m., for more information visit them on Facebook Downtown Edmond Historic Tours Location: Downtown Edmond Extra Info: for information visit http://www.edmondhistoricaltrust.co m or visit Downtown Edmond Historic Tours on Facebook.

Almost, Maine Location: Pollard Theatre Extra Info: for more information visit thepollard.org Blake Shelton in Concert Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena Extra Info: 7 p.m., for tickets go to www1.ticketmaster.com RV Super Show Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park Extra Info: $12, free for Police, Firefighters & other First Responders w/ID and kids under 12. Thurs – Sat 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., for more info visit okcrvshows.com OKC Philharmonic Presents: Impressionist Variations Location: Civic Center Music Hall Extra Info: 8 p.m., for info visit okcphil.org Monster Jam Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena Extra Info: Sat 1 & 7 p.m., Sun 1 p.m., for more info visit chesapeakearena.com Sports Experience Location: Cox Convention Center Extra Info: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., free family fun open to the public.

Jessica Tate Location: UCO – Jazz Lab Extra Info: Doors open at 7, show at 8 p.m., $10, for more information visit https://calendar.uco.edu/EventDetails.aspx?EventDetailId=54563 UCO Broadway Tonight: Ailey II Location: UCO – Mitchell Hall Theater Extra Info: 7:30 p.m., $35 ---- $40, for more information visit them at https://www.uco.edu/cfad/mitchellhall/ 3 Doors Down Acoustic Location: Showplace Theatre, Riverwind Casino Extra Info: 7 p.m., get tickets online at riverwind.com Urban Addiction Location: River Lounge, Riverwind Casino Extra Info: Feb 16; 9 p.m. – Feb 10; 1 a.m.

Hearts for Art Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Extra Info: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Pick up a heart at Visitor Services, leave it by your selection, and share on social media using #MyWest

The Edmond Chapter of Parents Helping Parents will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19 at McLaren's Pantry, 3414 South Boulevard (SE corner of 33rd and Boulevard).

The restaurant is closed to the public during the meeting. Our speaker is Donna Woods, CADC, her topic is, "Learning to Hear the Subtle

Messages from Your Emotionally Damaged Child."

Parents Helping Parents provides support and resources for parents of addicted children (any age child).

This is an anonymous meeting and no cost or reservations required. For more information please call 405642-8198.

Page 10 • February 14, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side

Politician’s odd story As I predicted last week there was a lot of drama in the president's annual State of the Union address.

I saw the rebuttal

by Stacey Abrams, a Democrat who ran for governor in GeorSteve Gust gia. I don't have any criticisms of her. She went to the plate to bat for the Democrats and did her job. She seems like a nice enough lady.

What struck me as odd was a personal life story she told toward the beginning of her address.

She talked about the values of her folks and mentioned her father worked at a shipyards some 30 miles from the family home. The family had a car but he didn't use it. Instead Stacey said her father "sometimes," hitchhiked and walked long stretches during the 30-mile trip. I've never worked at a shipyard before but it really sounds like exhausting labor to me. I can't imagine putting in a full shift and then having to hitchhike or walk back home a scant 30 miles. I wonder how this gentleman got to work in the first place.

And 30 miles is a long way. It's like from Edmond to Norman.

Anyway, she went on to say she and her mother one night were worried about him. One night? If I had a loved one walking or hitchhiking that far, I'd probably be worried sick every night. This particular night it was raining. So Stacey and her mother got in the car and went looking for dad. They found him soaked and shivering. He gave his "only jacket," to a homeless man.

OK I understand, and applaud the guy for helping a homeless gentleman. He said he did it because the guy was alone. I'm glad the homeless guy was helped and Mr. Abrams got home alright.

Had it been me though, I probably would have mentioned to my wife that her coming to get me worked out pretty doggone well and perhaps she might consider picking me up every night. Seems a lot safer to me than hitchhiking after a full day of hard work.

---Generally few things surprise me in the news, but Bob Stoops being hired as head coach and general manager of the yet unnamed Dallas XFL fran-

See Gust, Page 11

Optimism taking hold at the State Capitol

By State Sen. Stephanie Bice The 2019 legislative session is now in full swing. We’ve just completed the first week, which began with the annual State of the State address—the first

by Governor Kevin Stitt who was just sworn into office last month.

I think the governor’s remarks perfectly captured the feeling of optimism within the Capitol this year. After years of facing budget shortfalls, our efforts in past sessions to put our state back on firm financial footing have laid the foundation for a much stronger future for Oklahoma.

Many of the governor’s proposals outlined in his speech mirror the agenda already proposed by Senate Repub-

State. Sen. Bice licans. He shares our desire to promote greater accountability and transparency in executive agencies and in the budgeting process. And like Senate Republicans, both education and continued criminal justice reform efforts are top priorities.

On Wednesday of this week, the Capitol was filled with men, women and children

from throughout our state, all looking for the opportunity to meet with their legislators and talk about the sanctity of life for the Capitol’s annual Rose Day. It was my pleasure to meet with advocates from District 22 and from other communities around the state as well.

With the State of the State behind us, the focus has now shifted back to the Legislature.

In the Senate alone, well over a thousand pieces of legislation were filed ahead of the 2019 session. Feb. 28 committees to vote on which of these measures will proceed to the full Senate for further consideration.

Not all of the bills that were filed will be heard by that deadline.

Committee chairs have the authority to determine which will be brought before their committees based on their judgment and expertise. Sometimes the author will decide the bill needs more work and opt not to move forward with it until the following session, if at all. And not all of the bills heard in committee are approved. It’s all a part of the legislative process.

In the coming weeks I’ll be sharing information about some of the bills moving through the Legislature, including some of my own, and how they could help make a positive difference in the lives of our citizens and the future of our state.

If you have any questions about legislation or other issues dealing with state government, please contact me at 405-5215592, or email bice@oksenate.gov. Thank you for allowing me to be your voice in the Oklahoma State Senate.

The folly of minimum wage laws

By Dr. Mark Hendrickson Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed raising the legal minimum wage to $12 per hour on July 1, 2019, and then an additional 50 cents per year until the minimum wage reaches $15 per hour in 2025.

Laws mandating a minimum wage have existed without interruption since the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. So habituated have we become to this form of government intervention that when a politician like Gov. Wolf proposes to mandate a higher minimum wage, few people bother to question whether government is competent to rule on what a proper wage is.

Neither government officials nor committees of experts that they assemble can possibly process as much information as free markets provide through the forces of supply and demand to determine what wages should be. This is one of the fundamental errors of socialism (take note, Bernie and Alexandria) — namely, the presumption that government planners have enough wisdom to overrule markets and set prices. Alas, the woeful result of such hubris is that by supplanting the pricing mechanism that brings supply into balance with demand and thus coordinates economic activity, economic production becomes uncoordinated, irrational, and chaotic, leading to impoverishment (see Venezuela).

Advocates of minimum wages might retort that there are normative issues here that take precedence — that it isn’t “just” or “fair” that an employer pay an employee (even one who is eager to

work at a low wage) less than their arbitrarily chosen minimum. Those who clamor for higher minimum wages are completely free to pay higher wages to anybody they choose to employ. But what gives them the right to tell somebody else how much they must pay for something? Let me give an example.

Let’s say that an enthusiastic supporter of higher minimum wage laws has fallen in love with Tesla automobiles and wants to buy one. Now let’s pretend that Tesla is on the brink of bankruptcy, and that if it goes out of business, a number of Americans will lose their jobs and means of self-support.

Using the logic of the minimum wage law, government should intervene to raise the price of Teslas to improve Tesla’s profitability and preserve those jobs. Do you really want the government telling you how much you have to pay for a car (or at what price you must sell your house, or in any other way interfere in the transactions you hope to make)?

And what would happen if the government ordered higher prices for Teslas? If you answer, “Fewer would be purchased,” you get to sit at the head of the class. This is Economics 101: higher prices tend to reduce demand. That is exactly what happens with minimum wage laws. Yes, the income of some minimum wage workers (emphasis on “some”) goes up; for others, though, it goes down, sometimes all the way to zero, as employers compensate by reducing hours of some workers and laying off others. This isn’t just economic theory. In New York City, where the legally mandated

minimum wage rose more than 15 percent on Jan. 1, a New York City Hospitality Alliance survey found that 75 percent of restaurants intended to reduce employee hours and 53 percent responded that they would eliminate some jobs. A higher minimum wage is the last thing those adversely affected workers needed.

Wolf is proposing to reduce the income of some workers and push others into the unemployment line so that others may benefit. What is so fair or just about that? And where this insidious process really gets ugly is that raising the legal minimum wage hurts black Americans a lot more than white ones. This disparate impact is a gross injustice that mocks our civil rights laws and indeed the Constitution itself.

I am all in favor of higher wages. However, illconceived, counterproductive, and ultimately unfair government intervention like Wolf’s proposal is not the way to accomplish that desirable goal. The economic way — the only way to achieve sustainable increases in earnings and standards of living — is to allow markets to work. Purchasing power increases as two market forces come into play: higher productivity of labor and increased demand for labor, both of which are driven by market competition.

Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposal would hurt many innocent Pennsylvanians. That is indefensible.

(Dr. Mark W. Hendrickson is an adjunct faculty member, economist, and fellow for economic and social policy with The Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College.)

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 14, 2019 • Page 11

On Feb. 26 & 28

Edmond schools will have teacher job fair Edmond Public Schools is hosting a teacher job fair from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26 and Thursday, Feb. 28 at the district’s administrative headquarters, 1001 W. Danforth. Edmond.

Edmond Public Schools Chief Human Resources Officer Randy Decker says the district will have open positions in all areas.

“As the third largest and one of the fastest-growing districts in the state, we are continually looking for enthusiastic educators to prepare kids for success in college and the workforce,” said Decker.

Individuals interested in a job in elementary education should plan to attend the Feb. 26 job fair. Individuals interested in a job in secondary education should plan to attend the Feb. 28 job fair. Participants should bring several copies of their resumes and be prepared to meet with principals for interviews. The district is

also urging college graduates with non-teaching degrees to attend the job fair to learn more about the rewards of the teaching profession. District staff will be available to offer information about alternative routes to teacher certification.

Recognized by The Oklahoman as a Top Workplace for the last four years, Edmond offers teachers a starting salary of $40K, extensive peer mentoring, paid life and disability insurance and the opportunity for supplemental pay for additional duties such as coaching or sponsoring a student club. In addition, the district has unmatched community support of bond issues which funds school upgrades, instructional materials, and technology needs. A full list of benefits can be found on the district’s website www.edmondschools.net.

No registration is necessary to attend the job fair. For more information, call 340-2913.

Pre-k application period to open Edmond Public Schools will open its online application period for 20192020 pre-k programs Feb. 18March1.

Children who are four-years-old but not older than five-years-old on or before Sept. 1, 2019, are eligible for the programs which are available on a space available basis at all schools except Clegern Elementary and Russell Dougherty Elementary.

Applications can be accessed by going to the menu on www.edmondschools.net and looking under “programs.” All applications must be received before 4 p.m., Friday, March

1. Once the application window closes, a random drawing will be held to fill the available spaces. Parents of children who are placed into a pre-k program will be notified on March 6.

There is no bus transportation available for pre k students. Parents are responsible for their children’s transportation.

When enrolling online, parents should choose between the half-day program or the full day program.

Both programs are free. Information on pre-k curriculum, objectives and immunization requirements can also be found on the district website.

Gust From Page 10 chise is the exception.

Stoops, 58, retired from coaching for the Sooners a few years ago, as everyone knows. He probably could have had lots of other college or NFL jobs, had he wanted them. I'd love to know why he selected the XFL. I have to admit I'll be interested in seeing how he does.

I think the XFL may not be as stressful to Stoops as one of the other football jobs. After all, if you

coach OU and the team loses to Texas or Oklahoman State, that stings and you hear a lot of criticism from the one million OU fans who are sure they could be a better head coach than Stoops. But if Stoops loses a game in the XFL to the New York Skyscrapers is that something people can get emotional about?

Doesn't seem like it to me.

(Steve Gust may be reached at news@edmondpaper.com)

Page 12 • February 14, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Groundbreaking for new tennis center After a few delays the City of Edmond and the Edmond Public Schools took action on building a new tennis center at 601 W. 15th Street with 24 outdoor courts. The city and the schools combined for the $14 million facility. Above, Mayor Elizabeth Waner addresses the crowd. Left, Edmond Schools Superintendent Bret Towne also spoke to the crowd. Below, school and city officials grabbed shovels and made the building of the project official. When the new center opens, Kickingbird Tennis Center on Danforth will close.

MELINDA INFANTE

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 14, 2019 • Page 13

Pulitzer Prize-winner due visit and affirms that ‘generosity The University of Central can triumph over selfishness in Oklahoma will host presithe American soul.’ The path is dential historian, Pulitzer a trial. We make the decisions Prize-winner and contributor of which fork to take when we to TIME and The New York reach the inevitable Times Book Review Jon divides. What guides us as we Meacham at 2 p.m. Feb. 27 decide? What unites us, or not, in Central’s Nigh University in the critical hours?

Center Constitution Hall.

Meacham Meacham’s timing in giving Meacham authored the us ‘Soul of America’ could not 2018 book “The Soul of be more relevant.”

America: The Battle for our Better Meacham is a regular guest on Angels,” which examines the present MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” and is moment in American politics and life known as a skilled commentator by looking back at critical times in U.S. history when hope overcame di- with a depth of knowledge about politics, religion and current affairs. vision and fear. The book was choHe served as Newsweek's managing sen by President Betz for the UCO editor from 1998 to 2006 and ediBook Club. tor from 2006 to 2010. The New “I suggested ‘Soul of America’ for the book club due to its near-perfect York Times called him “one of the fit in response to the myriad, persistmost influential editors in the news ent challenges of our times,” said magazine business.”

President Don Betz, Ph.D. The event is free and open to the “Two Meacham passages (among public, however, tickets must be remany) capture a sense of its releserved in advance at uco.edu/cla to vance. ‘America is the most durable ensure admission. Following the experiment in pluralistic republicanspeaking event, a book signing will ism the world has known’, thereby re- take place. Books will be available for minding us of our origins and unique purchase at the event. circumstances.

For more information or questions Later he leads us through the maze about the event, contact of the ‘lesser moments’ in our story ladean@uco.edu or 405-974-5540.

Integris expansion ongoing The new Integris Community Hospital at Council Crossing, which brings a transformative concept of health care to Central Oklahoma, is officially open and accepting patients.

A Grand Opening ribbon-cutting event was held Feb. 5 to introduce the new hospital, at 9417 N. Council Road in Oklahoma City.

The 40,446 square-foot Integris Community Hospital at Council Crossing, which opened to the public Feb. 6, is part of a major initiative in which Integris will, in 2019, open four new community hospitals – small-format facilities also known as micro-hospitals or neighborhood hos-

pitals – in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.

The Integris Moore Community Hospital at 1401 SW 34th St., is scheduled to open Feb. 27. The Integris Del City Community Hospital at 4801 SE 15th St., will open in March and the Integris OKC West Community Hospital at 300 S. Rockwell Ave., will open in May. As part of its expansion initiative, Integris, the state’s largest nonprofit health care system, entered into a joint venture partnership with Emerus, the nation’s first and largest operator of micro-hospitals hospitals, to build and manage the facilities.

Page 14 • February 14, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Sports

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Eagles celebrate winning the Fujikura Invitational last week. From left are David Lynn, Garrett White, Cameron Brown, Andres Brictson, Juan Pallach, Trevor Norby and graduate assistant coach Casey Rebmann.

Eagle rally leads to OC taking title in California VISTA, Calif. – Call it the Rally in Cali.

Down six shots at the start Tuesday, and with only half a round or so to close the gap, No. 9-ranked Oklahoma Christian began grinding, and a few hours later, they were holding their trophies for winning the Fujikura Invitational at soggy Shadowridge Golf Club in suburban San Diego.

OC finished off an even-par team round of 288 for a 36-hole score of 583, one shot better than No. 8 Chico State (Calif.), which had started the day two shots ahead of the Eagles. First-day leader CaliforniaSan Diego was third at 592, while tournament host California State-San Marcos was fourth at 596.

The title was the third of the 201819 campaign for OC, which in the fall won the Missouri Southern Fall Invitational at Shangri-La Golf Club in Monkey Island, Okla., and The Territory Classic at The Territory Golf Club in Duncan, the latter to close the fall season. The Fujikura Invitation was OC's spring opener.

Heavy rain in the San Diego area resulted in the tournament being shortened to two rounds. The 15 teams finished the entire first round and a third-to-half of the second round Monday before play was suspended and they returned Tuesday to finish the second round. At that point, UCSD was at 3-over, Chico State at 7-over and OC at 9-over.

The Eagles sizzled, with three players – sophomore Andres Brictson (70), senior Garrett White (71) and senior Cameron Brown (71) – finish-

ing off under-par rounds on the par72, 7,004-yard course. White closed with a birdie on the par-4 No. 2 that proved to be the difference. As a team, the Eagles had nine birdies over the eight to 10 holes they played Tuesday.

Chico State also shot a 288 in the final round, while UCSD finished with a 292.

White's overall score of 1-under 143 placed him fifth in the 80-man field, three shots behind the cochamps, Kelley Sullivan of Chico State and Devin Gregg of Sonoma State (Calif.). Sullivan won a playoff on the fourth hole.

Brictson's 70 allowed him to jump into a tie for ninth at 145. Brown also shot up the individual standings, into a tie for 11th at 147.

Junior Trevor Norby, playing just a few miles from his hometown of Carlsbad, Calif., finished 22nd at 150 after a second-round 77. Senior Juan Pallach was one spot back, tied for 23rd, at 151 after a 76.

Playing as an individual, OC senior Ethan Smith tied for 71st at 160, closing with an 83.

The tournament win was the 62nd in OC men's golf history. The last time the Eagles won as many as three events during an academic year was 2012-13, when they won four times, including the National Christian College Athletic Association title at The Hombre Golf Club in Panama City Beach, Fla., during the fall.

The Eagles' next tournament will be Feb. 25-26, when they will play in the St. Mary's Invitational at The Dominion Country Club in San Antonio.

Honor for UCO pitcher

Dylan Hall

The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced last week that University of Central Oklahoma junior Dylan Hall is the league’s Pitcher of the Week following Hall’s standout performance in the 2019 season opener.

Hall opened the 2019 season for the Bronchos on Friday with a dominating start, his debut in the Bronze & Blue. The junior right-handed pitcher threw six innings of shutout baseball against Southeastern Oklahoma and struck out 11 batters along the way. Hall allowed only five hits and two walks before exiting the game. UCO went on to win 100 in an eight-inning run-rule.

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 14, 2019 • Page 15

Review of ‘The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

‘Lego’ sequel builds on film success

By George Gust The original "Lego Movie" was a surprise hit in terms of turning an hour and half long commercial for an iconic children's toy into a heartfelt and secretly high minded comedic animated film that enjoyed critical and commercial success.

Then there were two spinoff films made off the success of the original film “The Lego Batman Movie” and “The Lego Ninjago Movie” which showed some diminishing returns, but still were mostly successful. Now comes the sequel, “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” to the original, as himself are fun nuggets for adults and the glitter and it feels like some may feel the Lego franchise filled baby voiced invaders give the younger kids in is overexposed, but ultimately the sequel feels like the audience a way into the movie. a natural follow up to the original and adds Overall, “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” enough new material to justify returning to the colworks both for children and adults alike, but a orful block world. times feel like the series may be running out of It's been five years since everything was awesteam. The pace of the storytelling leaves somesome and the citizens of Bricksburg are facing a thing to be desired, with some lulls in the middle huge new threat: Lego Duplo invaders from outer that give you the feeling the film wasn’t as tightly space, wrecking everything faster than they can reconstructed as the first film. And while this sequel build. To restore the status quo of the Lego unidoesn’t reach the secretly high-minded heights as verse the team from “The Lego Movie” Emmett the first movie, this film still features a heartwarm(Chris Pratt) and Lucy (Elizabeth Banks) and Bating message and leaves the audience with an optiman (Will Arnett) must travel to unexplored mistic view of childhood and family. worlds and fight off enemies and learn how special “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” is rated they really are.

PG for some rude humor.

Sequels are difficult sometimes, how do you bal3.8 out of 5 stars ance recapturing the magic that people liked from the first film while introducing new ideas to newcomers to the series. “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” shakes things up with a comedic tone that has a fun meta commentary that parents will appreciate and exciting action with catchy music for the kids as well.

“The Lego Movie 2” gives life to the feeling of growing up and dealing with the loss of innocence and deterioration of a child’s imagination as they move into adolescence, while still having an optimistic and fun tone. The quick references to more mature films like “Mad Max: Fury Road” and Chris Pratt returns to voice the eternally cheery Emmett and is “The Matrix” and a couple of fun joined again by his brooding counterpoint, Lucy (voice of Elizacameo appearance by Bruce Willis beth Banks) in ‘The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.’

‘Frozen’ stage show in 2021 From the producers of The Lion King and Aladdin, Disney’s Frozen, the Tony-nominated Best Musical, will play a premiere engagement at the Civic Center Music Hall in the spring of 2021, with performance dates to be announced at a later time.

The best way to guarantee tickets to Disney’s Frozen is to purchase a season subscription for the 2019-2020 season.

The 2019-2020 OKC Broadway season will be announced on February 19. Subscribers who then renew their subscription for the 20202021 season will be able to guarantee their tickets for the premiere Oklahoma City engagement of Frozen before tickets become available to the general public.

Subscribers will see Frozen in a designated week of the engagement.

A waiting list for groups of 10 or more is now being started. You may add your group to the list by calling (405) 594-8262. Additionally, VIP Ticket Packages are available that include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program, and an exclusive merchandise item.

For information or to register for advance ticket access notifications, visit FrozenTheMusical.com/Tour Facebook,Twitter and Instagram, or OKCBroadway.com.

Crossword Puzzle STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: THE OSCARS ACROSS 1. *Animated Isle dwellers 5. Dropped drug 8. *Kind of editing 12. Doing nothing 13. Hoodwink 14. Support person 15. Toothy wheel 16. Distinctive flair 17. Tadpoles, eventually 18. *"Bohemian Rhapsody" protagonist 20. Norse capital 21. *Kathy Bates' Annie Wilkes, e.g.

22. Contrary conjunction 23. Withdraw, like Ukraine from Soviet Union 26. Sweet Madeira wine 30. *"Green Book" nominee 31. Completely lacking 34. Clip contents 35. Like pleasant winter day 37. Charge carrier 38. Food between meals 39. Relating to ear 40. Religious split 42. *"BlacKkKlansman" nominee 43. Sweet treat 45. *Paths to glory 47. One or some 48. Wharton's "The House of ____" 50. Shipping hazard 52. *T'Challa, a.k.a. Black ____ 54. Arranges into categories 55. One with pants on fire?

56. Japanese stringed instrument 59. *Nominations for "A Star Is Born" (2018) 60. *Olivia Colman's royal character 61. Discharge 62. Fill to excess 63. Casual attire 64. *"The ____ Emperor," winner of 9 Oscars

DOWN 1. "Can you ____ it, man?"

2. Schiller's address to joy 3. *The Oscars show is filled with it, informal 4. Tranquil 5. Seductive beauties 6. Tire in the trunk 7. Say it isn't so 8. *Ryan Gosling's role 9. *Former American ____ and best supporting actress winner 10. Emmet Brickowski's brick 11. *Robinson in "The Graduate" 13. King's order 14. Run ____ of the law 19. Red, as in healthy complexion 22. *"The ____ and the Beautiful," winner of 5 Oscars 23. Heidi's shoe 24. Fill with optimism 25. Locomotive hair 26. Twiggy's skirt 27. Size 28. *Kevin Hart stepped

down from this role 29. Ox connectors 32. *Bale's role 33. "____ la la!"

36. *Literary forgerer portrayer 38. *2-time Oscar-winning Dame 40. *Jessica Lange won Best Actress for "Blue ____" 41. Famous existentialist 44. Teen worry 46. Israeli money 48. *Jackson ____ of "A Star is Born" 49. Stupid or silly 50. Result of hair follicle infection 51. "Cogito, ____ sum" 52. Neighborhood map 53. *Best Picture and Best Foreign Language Film nominee 54. Dry, Demi-____, Doux 57. "____ the season ..."

58. Giant Hall-of-Famer

See Answers Page 23

Answers Page 23

Page 16 • February 14, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Downtown Edmond has plans for this Valentine’s Day holiday With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, members of Downtown Edmond Business Association will be offering free wagon rides and selling candy grams to benefit a local nonprofit, Fetch Fido a Flight. Free wagon rides will be held in Downtown Edmond on Feb. 14 from 5 – 8 p.m. courtesy of Othello’s Restaurant.

Candy grams will be available for purchase until Feb. 14 at Broadway Antique Mall, Fashion Boutique, Lulu and Lo's, Michelle Schaefer Farmers Insurance and Silver Leaf Gems. They are $2 each or 6 for $10. Anyone can purchase candy grams and have them delivered to businesses in Downtown Edmond (Danforth to 11th st., Fretz to Bauman) or take them at the time of purchase to give to people outside the Downtown Edmond area. They make great gifts for coworkers, teachers, caregivers, significant others, friends or neighbors.

All proceeds will go to Fetch Fido a Flight.

Fetch Fido A Flight is a donation based charity working to fly large numbers of 'at risk' shelter pets from high intake shelters.

These animals would otherwise be euthanized via heart stick, gas chamber, gun shot, or any other form of euthanasia. Those lucky enough to receive a spot on a flight go to no-kill shelter partners throughout the United States. Founded in 2016, Fetch Fido A Flight works to relocate healthy and adoptable pets from their rescue and shelter partners throughout the State of Oklahoma to a safe location where they will be quickly adopted into a forever home.

Downtown Edmond Business Association (DEBA) is a membership organization formed by business owners in Downtown Edmond. DEBA holds many family-friendly events throughout the year.

For more information, contact Elena Listen at debaedmondok@gmail.com or (405) 249-9391.

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 14, 2019 • Page 17

“It created an explosive impact. People wanted them at their weddings.” -Stymerski

Magnolias & Prayers: Everything Alpaca

By Mallery Nagle If you’re planning a wedding, you might want to add an alpaca to your guest list. Or why not have the wedding at an alpaca ranch and invite the whole herd?

Magnolias & Prayers: Everything Alpaca, 2901 NW 16th in Newcastle, is an alpaca ranch that can host a wedding or nearly any event, or they can bring the the alpacas to you.

The ranch opened last winter when brother and sister team Al Boyce and Gail Stymerski joined forces with husband and wife duo Kerry and Terri Bates.

Boyce and Stymerski owned Answered Prayers Alpaca Ranch and the Bates operated the Magnolia Blossom Ranch. After frequenting the same trade shows, they decided to merge.

“We decided that our combined efforts worked better than individually,” said Stymerski. “It was better business.

There are more of us to do the work,” she laughed.

They got the idea to start hosting weddings after a wine and palate event at the ranch. The affair was held in the pasture, and as the participants were snacking and tasting wine, the alpacas decided to join the fun.

“We watched the alpacas interact with the people, and they did beautifully,” she said.

They then took some of their furry friends to a bridal fair at a Tuttle winery and dressed them in wedding attire. “It created an explosive impact,” Stymerski said. “People wanted them at their weddings.”

One client used the ranch as a backdrop for a marriage proposal.

Stymerski said they dressed some of the animals up to participate as the

question was popped. “It was cute,” she said.

Stymerski pointed out that the alpacas’ temperament makes them ideal

If you can’t make it to Newcastle, the alpacas will travel. They have been to nursing homes, trade shows, and they even took part in Newcastle’s Fourth of July parade.

The ranch also features a store selling merchandise made of alpaca fleece. Stymerski makes some of the items herself with fleece from her alpacas. She makes Humming is the most common sound alpacas make. jewelry, book covers and even dryer balls out of the super-soft yarn; the store is open during all events.

In addition, the ranch offers educational programs to anyone who is interested in learning Alpaca fleece is known for its quality more about alpacas and elite characteristics. and their contributions to man and to the “They are quiet and reserved,” -Stymerski animals to interact with humans of all economy. ages. “They are quiet and reserved,” The herd boasts 40 she said. “They emit a feeling of seren- members. Five new adity. You can’t help but feel it yourself. ditions are expected later Their fleece does the same thing. It’s this year. like a worry stone. It will calm you.”

For more informaThe ranch is equipped with a gazetion about Magnolias & bo for weddings; it will host birthday Prayers: All Things Alpaca, parties with guests of the four-legged visit their Facebook page type, serve as a venue for wine and with the same name. You palate events and has even functioned may also contact Terri as a “Yoga with an Alpaca” studio.

Bates at (405) 412-4845 Stymerski said the alpacas were partic- or e-mail her at tbates. ularly interested in the yoga poses. mbr@gmail.com.

“They emit a feeling of serenity.” -Stymerski

Alpaca fleece comes in 22 colors and hundreds of shades.

Page 18 • February 14, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Saying ‘I do’ outdoors

Make a plan

The Springs Edmond wedding venue, located at 7479 W. Simpson Rd. has both and indoor and outdoor features that allow brides to create picture perfect memories.

Regional Venue Manager Barbara Quickel, says that the staff at The Springs Edmond is always determined to give couples and their PHOTOS PROVIDED guests the best outdoor wedding The Springs features a beautiful outdoor setting for weddings. experience.

Said Barbara, “We don’t tell them to have a plan A or a plan B, because their dream is to get married outside. But, we do tell them, because of Oklahoma weather, to have a plan B in the back of their minds.

If they do have to switch anything, as long as they call us by 4 o’clock the day before, we can switch anything.”

The Springs Edmond provides a quiet and serene backdrop for couples. It is far away from busy roads, so it is easy for the bride, groom, and their guests to be totally present during a wedding ceremony and reception.

“On nice days, I come over here before tours to relax and decompress,” said Randyl Holmes, assistant regional venue manager.

“It’s very calming.”

The Springs Edmond has several outdoor features including a gazebo, a water feature, and beautiful outdoor foliage. They even have an outdoor seating area located on turf Outdoor seating is on turf so chairs don’t so that the chairs don’t sink into the ground sink after a rain. after it has rained. Brides can hire their own that will make that choice for you, we will not.” vendors and decorate the venue or let nature Brides expecting fewer than 250 guests have the do the decorating for them.

“What I tell the bride is we’re a skeleton and option to do an indoor and outdoor setup if there is a chance that weather could ruin the event. they can make us as skinny or as fat as they Barbara feels that this helps the bride have more want,” said Barbara. “There are some girls The Springs Edmond has several outdoor features including a gazebo, a water feature, and beautiful foliage. that decorate to the hilt and some girls that do peace of mind on her wedding day.

There are many things that a bride can do to absolutely nothing because it’s beautiful.” others may rent an additional indoor space to use ensure that their outdoor weddings go off without The staff at this venue are determined to give as a backup. It is important for brides to find a brides the outdoor wedding of their dreams regard- a hitch, but picking the right venue is the best venue with a staff that is prepared to handle all of less of the weather. way to ensure your wedding day is as stress-free as the unknowns that come with planning an outdoor “We don’t decide if the brides get married inside possible. For more information about The Springs wedding.

Edmond, visit thespringsevents.com. or outside,” said Barbara. “There are some venues

By Erika Williams

Outdoor weddings are a great way to celebrate love while using nature as your own personal decorator. Unpredictable Oklahoma weather can make it difficult to plan an outdoor wedding. Inclement weather, like snow or rain, can cause stress on a day that’s supposed to be filled with joy.

Many brides will create a “plan B” for their wedding so that they can still get married on their selected date, despite the weather. Some couples decide to put up tents to protect their guests while

Happiness insured Should we buy travel insurance for our honeymoon?

By Rose Drebes Local travel agents say they advise their clients to go ahead and buy insurance because you never know what can happen.

Travel insurance not only covers the cost of the trip in case of cancellation, but also any medical expenses which may take place, Bethany Bates, an agent with Prime Time Travel in Edmond, said.

“When traveling internationally many U.S. health insurance plans do not cover medical expenses,” Bates said. “We have had several incidents where our clients broke a hip, had an appendicitis, got a concussion, etc., all while traveling abroad.”

“If they had not purchased travel insurance, all those expenses would have been out of pocket. This can include both medical expenses and penalties for travel delays as a result of the emergency.”

Bates said clients also buy insurance in case they might need to cancel their trip prior to departing.

“Some of our clients have ailing parents, anticipated job changes, etc., which could cause them to cancel last minute,” she said. “Travel insurance can protect your investment dollars in emergencies.”

Michelle Carbone, of Michelle’s Destinations Unlimited in Norman, agreed that there are many reasons a trip could be canceled and it’s better

to be safe than sorry.

“We advise everyone to get insurance because you never know what could happen,” she said. “Prior to departure, something could happen where you need to cancel (such as a medical issue or death in the family) or during travel an injury, travel delay or illness could be what makes the insurance come in handy.”

Carbone said for her own trips, she asks herself one question when considering travel insurance: “If something happens and we can’t go, am I okay being out the money? If I’m okay being out the full trip cost, I may not get the insurance, but if I’m not okay being out the money, I get the insurance.”

The cost of trip insurance varies.

Bates said Prime Time provides a free quote to each of its clients.

Rates are based on length of trip, cost of trip and age of travelers. Kids traveling with parents under the age of 18 are no additional charge on the policy, she said.

“Some of the tour companies we use have a flat rate that starts as low as $39 per person up to $150 per person, and other policy costs are based on the cost of the trip and age of the travelers,” Carbone said. “So, this could range from $20 a person all the way up to $500-600 a person, or continued on page 3B

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 14, 2019 • Page 19

A videographer for your big day

By Rose Drebes Chris Thomas wanted to make videography affordable for brides- and groomsto-be.

So he started his own company, Terra Productions.

Thomas is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma. He majored in professional media and earned minors in photography and journalism.

The now 22-year-old and Edmond Life and Leisure advertising sales executive was planning his own wedding during his sophomore year of college.

“I really wanted a videographer,” Thomas said.

But, the quote was $3,500. Thomas decided that he could create his own company and make money, as well as making the service affordable for most people.

He said he “learned so much and grew up so fast.” Thomas bought the necessary equipment for the business and got started.

The first year Thomas’ company did 30 weddings. He said his employees are friends he would contract with, whom he hired when he and his wife, Nicole, got married.

At that time, he was working two jobs, was in college and running the business.

“I was just really tired.”

The year after that, Terra Productions upped the cost and did 17 weddings. In

2019, Thomas is hoping to return to the volume of 30 engagements.

Thomas said he still keeps his prices affordable, as customers can book a day of videography for only $1,300 as a part of the company’s most popular package, the Providence.

“I want to give couples the opportunity to book a video without paying $3,500,” Thomas said.

That’s because he said he believes a video is an important part of the special day. Twenty years down the road, couples can relive their special day with their children.

“I wish I could watch my parents’ highlight video,” he said. “You can hang photos on the wall, but with a video you get to relive it.”

Terra Productions has been advertising in Paris, France in hopes of expanding into more destination weddings. The company has also received the Best of Weddings Award for the past two years from The Knot, a popular wedding website.

And, Terra Productions received the Couples Choice Award from Weddingwire.

The greatest satisfaction, however, is when the new couples first sit down and watch their wedding video.

“I love after I send them the video.

“This is amazing.””

For more information on Terra Productions, visit www.terraproductionscl.com.

Advice Please...

How to delicately trim your guest list “I need some advice. How do you tell someone who assumes they’re invited that they actually aren’t?” -Bride to be “I told people we’re keeping it really really small and intimate.”

-Kelly “Just be honest with them and say you are keeping it to just family.”-Maddison

If you’re on a tight budget it’s easy to tell people the reason.

-Michelle “I don’t like confrontation.

I avoided the subject when asked.”-Abby “I just didn’t send them an invitation. If they ask I’ll apologise.”

-Sarah

Upcoming Bridal Shows Oklahoma Bridal Show™ Spring Wedding Show March 31, 2019 Embassy Suites 2501 Conference Drive Norman, OK 73069 Summer Wedding Show July 14, 2019 Pavilion at State Fair Park 3212 Wichita Walk OKC, OK 73107 Fall Wedding Show October 6, 2019 Nigh University Center Grand Ballroom 100 North University Drive

Edmond, OK 73034 Wedding Show Date Night at the Patriot Golf Club February 17, 5-8pm 5790 N. Patriot Dr, Owasso, OK 74055 Renaissance Waterford Hotel Oklahoma City Open House February 24, 11am2pm 6300 Waterford Blvd., OKC, OK 73118 Sweetbelle Farms Venue Debut and Open House

February 24, 3-6pm 6949 East I-35 Rd., Holdenville, OK 74848 The Engaged Event at Coles Garden March 3, 12-5pm 1415 NE 63rd, OKC, OK 73111 Watters, WTOO, Willowby Trunk Show at JJ Kelly Bridal March 8-9 10:30am-4pm 12345 N. May Ave., OKC, OK 73122 Indie Bride Bridal Show & Market at

OKC Farmers Market March 10, 12-4pm 311 S. Klein, OKC, OK The Capitol View Open House at the Capitol View Event Center March 13, 5:309:30pm 5201 N. Lincoln Blvd., OKC, OK 73105 REEM Acra Trunk Show at JJ Kelly Bridal March 22-23, 10:30am-4:30pm 12345 N. May Ave., OKC, OK 73122

Engagement, Wedding notices Do you have a wedding or engagement notice? If so, please contact us at Edmond Life & Leisure, either by phone, 340-3311 or e-mail, news@edmondpaper.com. We will then send or fax you an engagement or wedding form.

The cost is $35, which includes a photograph. Payment is due upon submission by noon Thursday.

Travel insurance from page 2B more, depending on the trip.”

Coverages vary as well depending on the policy, Carbone said.

“Generally you’re getting cancellation coverage (either for any reason or covered reasons, depending on the policy), medical coverage (limits vary), coverage for loss/stolen bags, and delays,” she said.

There are stipulations to all policies and Bates said they make sure clients are aware of those at time of purchase.

“Travel Insurance is just like medical insurance, you have to file a claim and turn in the proper documentation prior to reimbursement,” she said.

Prime Time Travel is a locally-owned travel agency offering decades of travel

planning experience. The company specializes in creating personalized trips to both domestic and international destinations. Bates said the company hires top-rated travel consultants “who will turn specific travel needs and desires into realities.”

Michelle’s Destinations Unlimited is a leisure travel agency which specializes in ocean and river cruises, all-inclusive trips to the Caribbean and Mexico, trips to Disney, Europe, Asia, Tahiti, South Pacific, Hawaii and Alaska, as well as a few other leisure areas of the US, including South Florida, Las Vegas and NYC. Destination Weddings and honeymoons are also a part of the company’s repertoire.

Page 20 • February 14, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 14, 2019 • Page 21

Pugh leads newly formed Aerospace Caucus Acknowledging the importance of aerospace and aviation in Oklahoma and the industry’s influence on a growing workforce and impact on the state’s economy, State Senator Adam Pugh led the first meeting of the newly-formed Aerospace Caucus at the state Capitol last week.

The bipartisan, bicameral group was attended by over 40 legislators, as well as officials from the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, the Department of Commerce, Tinker Air Force Base and private sector aerospace companies. Senator Jim Inhofe, Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, was represented at the meeting by State Director Brian Hackler.

Pugh, R-Edmond, said the caucus was created in response to the increasing visibility of the aerospace industry in Oklahoma. Military officials and aerospace executives continue to push for broadened job training opportunities to fill hundreds of available jobs in the aviation industry across the state.

“We’ve built a broad coalition comprised of the education community, military community and other officials to maximize the competitive advantages that already exist in Oklahoma’s aerospace industry,” Pugh said. “Cultivating the skill sets

Edmond state senator Adam Pugh leading the newly formed Aerospace Caucus.

needed in the aerospace industry will help to drive better jobs, stronger economic growth and higher tax revenues for Oklahoma.”

Pugh said he’s recently learned that Oklahoma’s Aero Caucus is one of the first of its kind in the nation.

“One of the nation’s leading aerospace and aviation companies in the world told me this week that

Oklahoma’s commitment to the industry in the form of a dedicated caucus has not gone unnoticed by the aerospace business community,” Pugh said.

Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission Director Vic Bird was also in attendance at the meeting, noting the importance of the caucus for the future of aviation in Oklahoma.

“Aerospace and aviation is the state’s second largest industry having an annual economic impact of $44 billion, with the industry also providing 205,000 direct and indirect jobs with an average salary of $73,300,” said Bird. “There are seven centers in the world for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft, two of them are in the U.S., and Oklahoma is one of them. Ensuring the industry’s viability is critical to the continuing effort to diversify Oklahoma’s economy, and the Aerospace & Aviation Legislative Caucus is essential to continuing the policies that led to dramatic growth in the industry.”

Pugh is also the author of Senate Bill 432, which would establish the Oklahoma Aerospace Training Center. He said he filed the legislation after officials at the state’s air force bases voiced a need for job candidates with specific skill sets in Oklahoma.

Citizens Bank of Edmond to launch 2019 ‘Cash Mob’ This Friday, join Citizens Bank of Edmond as they continue their tradition of hosting ”Cash Mobs.” Citizen Bank of Edmond will be Cash Mobbing a new locally owned restaurant, Tamashii Ramen House, that originated in Midtown but recently opened their second location Edmond.

A Cash Mob is defined as a group of people coordinated to meet and spend money at a local, independent business during a designated time. This tradition was started by Citizens Bank of Edmond several years ago to bring attention to local businesses. Bank employees and bank customers are provided with cash vouchers to spend at the selected local business throughout the day. While shopping, eating or dining local, Cash Mob recipi-

This Friday at Tamashii Ramen House ents take photos and promote the small business on social media in addition to boosting the local economy.

Since February is often represented by “love,” Citizens Bank of Edmond determined February the best month to launch the 2019 Cash Mob initiative to show love to small businesses and the local community. Citizens invites all to visit Tamashii Ramen house and help welcome them into the Edmond community. To find out more information about Tamashii Ramen House’s origination and their hours of operation, google them at Tamashii Ramen House. Its Edmond location is 132 E 5th St.

During EEDA Preview event

Opportunity Zones stressed

by Lt. Governor in Edmond

By Richard Mize NewsOK.com/The Oklahoman Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell said he and state economic development officials will promote the new federal Opportunity Zones on the road later this year to help make sure all 117 of Oklahoma’s zones attract investors.

A series of “mini summits,” patterned after similar outreach in Colorado and Maryland, will get the word out about the zones, created in 2017 by the tax reform law but still relatively unknown outside of investment circles, he said. “This is a big deal, particularly on the real estate side,” Pinnell said last week at the annual Economic Preview presented by the Edmond Economic Development Authority and sponsored by First Fidelity Bank.

The zones are intended for investors and companies already invested in commercial property. The law allows them to defer and reduce capital gains taxes by plunging gains back into development, via an Opportunity Fund, within 180 days.

Opportunity investors can defer capital gains taxes until Dec. 31, 2026, reduce the tax payment up to 15 percent and pay zero taxes on profits for investments held for 10 years.

Pinnell said details on the mini summits were still being worked out, but he talked about things he is emphasizing as lieutenant governor, Gov. Kevin Stitt’s secretary of tourism and branding, and in his role as member of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce executive committee. n Entrepreneurism and small-business promotion more than pays for itself, Pinnell said, but to keep up with other states, Oklahoma will have to step up by cultivating an environment that attracts more angel

Matt Pinnell investors.

Oklahoma needs more angel investors, he said, meaning those providing start-up capital in return for stock or equity, and business accelerators, organized versions of angel investment that provide training, mentorship, capital and investment in return for startup equity. n Agritourism has been undersold, he said, and the state needs to take fuller advantage of people’s desire to get away to places with authentic “small-town charm.”

Oklahoma is loaded with them, he said. He pointed to Pawhuska and its “30 new businesses” resulting from “one idea” — Ree Drummond’s The Pioneer Woman Mercantile. n Route 66 is another tourism resource that hasn’t been emphasized enough, he said.

“It’s a gold mine. It is the most famous road in the world, and we have more miles of it than any other state,” he said of the historic Mother Road.

(Not when U.S. 66 was first designated in 1926. But Oklahoma, with 404 miles of it, after numerous realignments along the road, did have the longest stretch in the mid-1940s, according to www.historic66.com.)

“We initially invented Cash Mobs in 2013 as a way for the Bank to fulfill its mission as a community bank and support small local businesses and give back to the community.” States Jill Castilla, CEO and President of Citizens Bank of Edmond.

“We had no idea the impact Cash Mobs would have on the local economy over the past several years in addition to community banking in general.

We are very fortunate to be a small business in the Edmond community that understands the true value small businesses add to the community.”

Be sure to check out the hashtag #CBECashMob, and to find out more about the event, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

Page 22 • February 14, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure

These myths rob millions of having financial success When it comes to achieving personal success or accumulating wealth in America, there is no one "set-instone" path. But the most accepted formula still seems to be: make excellent grades, earn a college degree, and climb the corporate ladder by outworking everyone around you.

In an ever-changing business world, however, some entrepreneurs say that traditional thinking is misguided and outdated – and that it can be self-limiting to those who buy into it and fall short of those standards.

“There’s a lot of poisonous conventional wisdom we’ve heard all of our life, things that hold many great people back,” says Daniel Ameduri (www.futuremoneytrends.com), cofounder of the Future Money Trends newsletter. “Much of what we’re led to believe leads to success is really a collection of myths. And they become obstacles in our path when we feel we can’t measure up.

“But if you start to believe in yourself, you can overcome the many negative roadblocks that can be deeply embedded in our subconscious minds.”

Ameduri goes over three common myths that interfere with people’s potential: n Get great grades and degrees.

Many successful and wealthy people never graduated from college, and recently some of America’s biggest brands removed college diplomas from their job requirements. “High grades and a degree can certainly help you,” Ameduri says, “but this very thought has held back millions.

Study after study of millionaires has proven that GPAs and college play a very limited role. This belief actually has the biggest negative effect on people who were straight-A students, but later went on to face rejection in business and in life. This belief has also held back millions who think

they aren’t smart enough to achieve greatness due to poor or average grades in school.” n Work harder than everybody.

“Let’s change it to, ‘Work smarter,’ ” Ameduri says. “I would encourage anyone who has any influence on a child to replace this with ‘work smarter.’ Success does come with sacrifice, but working 12-to-16-hour days is not mandatory. However, maximizing your time and covering details, like researching your investments, is required. I know many people who want to get rich, but then spend their entire Saturday mowing the lawn, grocery shopping, and doing other $10-an-hour jobs. Is that really the best use of their time? And how about time spent in meetings? My honest conclusion is that meetings are where productivity goes to die. If you want something done, use email, make written offers and proposals, and then get it done.” n ‘Jobs are safe; business is risky.’

“Jobs are just as risky, not only because you can be fired or laid off, but because you cap your income,” Ameduri says. “If you’re a school teacher and you over-deliver, it probably won’t change your income. Own a tutoring company and over-deliver, and you’ll receive tips, bonuses, gifts, and can raise your rates. The income equation is simple: deliver value.”

“Belief in one’s self, discipline, and perception of risk,” Ameduri says, “have a lot more to do with becoming successful or even a multi-millionaire and living your own dream life.”

About Daniel Ameduri Daniel Ameduri (www.FutureMoneyTrends.com) is co-founder of the Future Money Trends newsletter, an authority for financial freedom and economic research in commodities, cryptocurrencies, personal finance and income ideas.

How to avoid a cold & flu It’s that time of year. Each day another friend, coworker or child seems to be coming down with something. But it doesn’t have to become a full-fledged infection. So, what should you do when you begin to notice symptoms?

Better yet, how can you avoid a cold and flu altogether?

The best methods for sidestepping the common cold and the flu are the same: wash your hands frequently, keep your immune system in top working order by supporting it with vitamin C and avoid cramped indoor environments full of sick people.

But to be fully prepared for flu season, there are two things you need to do. First, get a flu shot.

Whether you head to your nearest pharmacy, get one at work or go through your doctor, a flu shot can mean the difference between a flufree winter and misery.

Second, if you don’t have a physician to call your own, get one.

Don’t wait until you’re sick to try to find a doctor. The best thing for your health is a physician who knows you and your unique health history.

The symptoms of the flu come on suddenly and can include fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue (tiredness). If you think you have the flu, talk to your doctor ASAP. There’s a brief time in which viral medication can be effective.

If you don’t have a doctor or you just feel too lousy to leave your house, then Integris Virtual Visit may be for you. Doctors and nurse practitioners are standing by 24/7 to talk via video chat or FaceTime about whatever you might need help with. Insurance is never required and the fee is always a flat $45. Member pricing may apply.

After talking face-to-face with a physician or NP, they'll conduct their exam and you'll get their professional medical diagnosis, advice on next steps, prescriptions if necessary and relief.

Most visits are complete in 20 minutes or less and if it's quickly determined that your case can't be treated via Virtual Visit, you won't be charged. To schedule an appointment call Integris Virtual Visit at 844-636-7877.

Edmond Life & Leisure • February 14, 2019 • Page 23

Entries accepted for spring ‘Touch-a-Truck’ event Edmond Electric is accepting entries for their annual Touch-a-Truck event set for Saturday, June 1, 2019, at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Touch-A-Truck is a fundraising event that provides kids of all ages with the opportunity to experience life-size vehicles and interact with community support leaders like police officers, firemen, construction workers and many more. Families will have the opportunity for a hands-on exploration of many vehicles such as Edmond’s own fire trucks and police cars, an Edmond Electric bucket truck and even a solid waste truck.

Admission for the Touch-A-Truck event is a suggested $2 donation with all proceeds going to The HOPE Center of Edmond to benefit local residents in need.

Last year, the event displayed over 50 different vehicles for kids to enjoy and raised $5,000 for The HOPE Center of Edmond.

This event is free for companies/organizations

who are willing to bring out their unique vehicles for display. Due to the interactive style of this event, entries will NOT be accepted that only have a booth type setup.

New in 2019, we will be introducing a quiet hour from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. to accommodate those sensitive to loud noises. During this time, no horns or loud music will be allowed.

If your group or organization would like to participate in this kid friendly event, sign up information can be found at http://edmondelectric.com/touchatruck or you may call Jessica Lyle at 216-7729.

Sign up forms are due by May 31.

Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi Good Shepherd Anglican Church (Traditional Episcopal) 1000 N. Broadway, Edmond •314-8715 Sundays - Holy Communion 8:00 & 10:00am Animal Friendly Parish “If you have people who exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have those who deal likewise with their fellow human being.”

St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)

www.anglicancgsedmondok.com 1928 Book of Common Prayer • anglicancgesedmondok.com

SCRIPTURE • TRADITION • REASON

Page 24 • February 14, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure