Edmond Outlook November 2012 by Outlook Magazine

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80 East 5th St. Ste. 130 Edmond, OK 73034 405-341-5599 Fax: 405-341-2020 www.edmondoutlook.com info@edmondoutlook.com PUBLISHER Dave Miller CREATIVE DIRECTOR Karen Munger EDITORS Erica Smith Sarah Neese ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Laura Beam ADVERTISING ASSISTANT Lauren Wright PHOTOGRAPHY Marshall Hawkins www.sundancephotographyokc.com DISTRIBUTION The Edmond Outlook is delivered FREE by direct-mail to 50,000 Edmond homes. Volume 8, Number 11

Edmond Outlook is a publicationof Back40 Design, Inc. ÂŠ 2012 Back40 Design, Inc. Articles and advertisements in Edmond Outlook do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Back40 Design. Back40 Design does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by Edmond Outlook does not constitute endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Edmond Outlook assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

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Edmond. What a great place to live and work.

We recently moved into our new design studio on East 5th

Street and I don’t think we could have found a better space. It's the big tall building just west of the UCO Jazz Lab. Across from Stephenson Park and a few blocks from downtown, we're right around the corner from some great places to eat. This publication is created by some very talented people at Back40 Design. If you don’t

39 A Car Named Lola

know Back40, I’m sure you know our work. Over the past 12 years, our designers, developers

Local car collector and vintage racer, Jeff Norris, rebuilds a classic English race car from the wheels up.

and programmers have created hundreds of web projects for clients all over Oklahoma—and beyond. Check us out online at www.back40design.com

November 2012

As we enter our 8th year of publishing the Edmond

Outlook, we want to thank you for the opportunity to bring you local stories. And if you know any great Edmond stories we might include in future issues, please let us know by emailing info@edmondoutlook.com.

8 Sports

FEATURES

10 Louise

20 Nurturing Progress

Skydiving

Incubators provide support for business start-ups

Thankful!

13 Food

The Melting Pot Food Faves

15 Business

The Bottle Shop Communications Federal Personal Health Partners

22 Fight Like a Girl Meet Jessica Cargill, World Class Kickboxing Champion

25 South Korea Connection

18 Holidays

40 years after adopting two Korean babies, a family returns.

28 Style

38 My Edmond Outlook

Christmastime

Modern Vintage

Tim McGhee

32 Arts

Fiber Artist

36 Shopping

Cover photo by Marshall Hawkins

Fall & Winter Finds

To advertise, call Laura at 405-301-3926 www.edmondoutlook.com edmondoutlook.com

sPORTS

F a l l i ng 9,500 feet,” she said. “They tell us to put our right foot out of the plane onto the railing, but as soon as my foot hit that ledge, I went out. I just couldn’t wait. I’ve done tandem jumps each time, only because I still get so excited that I’m not sure I can control it.” UCO student Cana Shaw joined Madison that weekend, for her first dive too. As a friend of Madison’s, Cana was up for the adventure. “I had to watch Madison go out of the plane first,” she said. “I wasn’t nervous until I was in the plane. When we first pushed off out of the plane, it was scary at first, and everything goes kind of slow-motion. Then you’re falling.” When a person jumps out of a plane thousands of feet in the air, to free fall into the sky, thoughts can either be life-changing or just plain weird. Madison worried a little about her hair whipping her tandem instructor in the face. “My helmet was kind of loose, and I had that fear that it would fly off and my eyeballs would dry up and I’d die,” Madison said while laughing. Approximately 2 million parachute jumps occur annually, and less than one percent of the jumps that take place result in some sort of mishap. Grant Rasmussen, instructor at Oklahoma Skydiving Center, is quick to point out that skydiving is safer now than it ever has been. “I’ve done nearly 700 jumps, and I’ve only had two malfunctions. Because you have two parachutes, the second one always works perfectly. Those are pretty good statistics,” he said. Grant has a family history in skydiving. His parents met and fell in love while jumping from planes, then stopped when Grant and his brother were born. It wasn’t until Grant turned 16—the age requirement to jump—that father and son both began the hobby again. “I did my first jump in December, and it was freezing and I was scared out of my mind,” Grant said. “But it was a real out-of-

The feeling of falling from 10,000 feet in the air, towards the Oklahoma earth, isn’t what you’d expect. That stomach-in-your-throat sensation from riding rollercoasters isn’t there; the rush of jumping off a cliff, into a lake, isn’t there. It's more like floating… like riding a strong wind above the world,

and for several Edmond residents, it’s the best and most exciting feeling ever experienced. Skydiving—which makes an appearance on the bucket lists of many—is safer, more accessible and more affordable than ever before, and a few Edmond adrenaline junkies are taking the ultimate plunge. Madison Farr’s bright blue eyes light up when she thinks about jumping out of airplanes. It’s the jump that thrills this University of Central Oklahoma senior, the feeling of leaping into the air and falling 9,500 feet towards the earth. Skydiving has always been her dream, and when she turned 18, Madison and her cousin took the leap. “I went as soon as I turned 18, but I hadn’t gone back until I started school at UCO and met Lindsay and Grant. It’s a lot of fun when you know the instructor,” she said. “The best part is jumping out of the plane. When the parachute opens, the view is nice and all, but it’s the jumping out that I love.” Madison is a bit of an adrenaline junkie, despite her all-American, girl-next-door looks. She has been on zip lines and gliders, taken rides in air show planes, and has experienced scuba diving. She wants to bungee jump in the near future, but right now, falling from the sky is her new passion. “We went with a bunch of people on Labor Day, and we jumped at

"It's the jumping out that i love."

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Michael Rasmussen, Madison Farr, Cana Shaw and her instructor tandem jump above: grant rasmussen and Lindsey Jenkins

Skies

by Heide Brandes

body experience. You aren’t able to explain the feeling to anyone because there is no feeling like it. It doesn’t feel like falling, and you are so high up, you can’t tell that you are falling.” So in love with the feeling, Grant began hoarding his lunch money to save up to jump and eventually began doing odd jobs at Oklahoma Skydiving Center to trade for free jumps. Then he began teaching there. Now, both Grant and his father, Mike Rasmussen, teach and do tandem jumps at Oklahoma Skydiving Center. Lindsey Jenkins of Edmond, and a graduate of UCO, was accompanied by Grant on her first jump on September 1st. “I was looking forward to it after Grant told me about it, but being attached to him my first jump made it not as scary,” she said. “I’m going to do it again. It’s expensive, but worth it.” Most students need 10 to 15 jumps before they jump without their instructor. Some may require more jumps before they are secure enough to take on the sky solo. Oklahoma Skydiving Center trains first-time students to do solo jumps as well. On a normal summer weekend, up to 100 people visit the school to skydive. “There are three skydiving operations in Oklahoma, but only two that do tandem jumps,” Grant said. “We do tandems, and that’s what most people do their first time. Basically, you are strapped to the instructor who does all the work for you. If you are going to do it, be prepared for a crazy experience!”

Oklahoma Skydiving Center is located at the Cushing Regional Airport. To book a jump or lessons, call 918-225-2222 or email to info@skydiveok.com

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Louise

Thankful!

Back: Mike, Dotti, Shouna Front: Glenda, Jay, Mary Lou, Becky

More than a year has passed since my husband, Carl went to heaven and I still don’t know how to manage this lonely life. After 45 years of marriage, life without Carl is foreign. I no longer watch for his pickup to turn into our driveway at the end of the day or listen for him to come through the back door, but I still get a lonesome feeling around 5:00 pm without even looking at the clock. Carl would be calling to tell me he was on his way home and ask if I would like for him to pick up something for dinner. That and so many other routines have been built into my psyche for too many years to turn them off in such a short time. But as lonely and difficult as life is without my husband, I am thankful for those who have helped me along the way and wish to give a few accolades to some special folks though they don’t seek recognition. I have a group of people I call “Team Jay,” who have helped me for months. Twice a week, Dotti, Becky, Mike, Glenda, Carol, Pam, or Shouna show up at my door to stay with my son, Jay while I go to physical therapy. Some also stay when I have doctor appointments or do grocery shopping. My neighbor, Nancy, and her son, Caleb, have helped me water my 30 trees, two-dozen crepe myrtles and other flowering shrubs for two hot and dry summers. Her daughter, Alexis, weeded an overgrown flowerbed and planted new flowers without being asked. I enjoy this acre of land that my husband loved so dearly, but the upkeep is overwhelming. My lone contribution to this family was to babysit Fred-the-fish while they were on vacation. I am thankful for so many people. My son, Aaron, calls often to check on me. My sweet daughter-in-law, Amy, spent hours helping me purchase and set up an iPhone. My 95-year-old

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by Louise Tucker Jones

mother frequently sends cards to Jay. Diane, my longtime friend in Tulsa, calls weekly to see how I’m doing while Sandi and other friends e-mail often. Marqueeta spent most of one night in the emergency room with me while Jay was being treated for cellulitis. Of course, Glenda, Claudine, Becky, Dotti and Mary Lou have spent time with us in the ER too. Not a place I want to be but good that friends are there when needed. Mary Lou brought me scrumptious cupcakes on Carl’s birthday and mine—just nine days apart and two of the loneliest days of the year. Aaron, Amy, Alex and Axton came from Arkansas the weekend following my birthday to give me a “rock & roll” party, complete with a standup Elvis in his gold suit. Yep, I am definitely an Elvis fan! His love ballads take me back to my dating days with Carl. My son, Jay, is the reason I get out of bed in the morning. He needs help in every area of his life and I need him. Without Jay, I would probably pull the cover over my head and never leave the house. He keeps music in our home, playing inspirational songs daily and gives me something to smile about each day. A passel of people at church make Jay smile when they comment on his snazzy ties each Sunday. Of course, I thank God daily for giving me strength to get through each day and this ongoing grief. When my husband was in the hospital he would often put his arm around me and pray for God to give me an extra measure of strength. Surely Carl’s prayers are what keep me going. And now, during this season of thanksgiving, I’d like to thank you, my readers, for being an encouragement to me. I love hearing from you and smile each time I open one of your emails. You have blessed me tremendously. May you also be blessed with a “Thankful Thanksgiving.”

About the Author

Louise Tucker Jones is an award-winning author and inspirational speaker. Author and co-author of four books, her work has been featured in numerous publications. Contact her at LouiseTJ@cox.net or LouiseTuckerJones.com.

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FOOD

by Kim Hickerson

Public fondue-ing can be a slightly intimidating experience to a first-timer, but that is part of the adventure and fun of it! Becky Chapman, owner of The Melting Pot, commented, “the first time you eat here is so different from any other restaurant.” Everything is prepared at the table, so an average meal for two at the The Melting Pot can last an hour and half or longer. People should feel welcome to stay because as Chapman explained, “It’s a dining experience…your food and entertainment rolled into one.” I was excited to get started on my own dining experience. Our waitress, Nancy, was like a tour guide in the land of fondues, giving us any guidance needed. She recommended the heat settings for our fondues and provided guidance whenever we seemed lost. The opening course consisted of a fresh Caesar salad—with Parmesan, crispy croutons, pine nuts and a sweetly flavored Caesar dressing. For the second course, we ordered the spinach artichoke cheese fondue, which included light and buttery Fontina and Butterkase cheeses which became softer and creamier as they melted in the pot. The main event was our third course. We had trouble deciding as there were so many

options: Surf and Turf, Good Earth Vegetarian, Steak Lovers. Eventually we chose the French Quarter which offered a sampling of chicken, filet mignon, shrimp and sausage all with Cajun spices, and cooked in a Court Bouillon broth. A spread of vegetables was also brought to our table. Cooking the main dish right at the table ensured that the filet mignon, potatoes and mushrooms were all cooked to personal perfection. The variety of sauces provided were fun to mix and match and the yellow yogurt curry sauce added an especially nice kick of spiciness to the vegetables. For dessert, the crème brulee came with a picturesque presentation of strawberries, bananas, miniature brownies, rice krispies and cheesecake. All were delicious and hard to stop eating. Despite feeling full, I ended the four-course experience by dipping one last miniature Rice Krispy treat into the fondue and then giggled at how ridiculously over the top it was. After all, that’s the pleasure of fondue!

The Melting Pot caters special events, birthdays, anniversaries and romantic nights out. Let them plan your next event as a number of special packages are available to accommodate your celebration. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for parties of seven or more.

PHotos by Lacey Elaine Dillard

4 East Sheridan Avenue, Bricktown, Oklahoma City Mon-Thu 4–10 pm, Fri-Sat 11:30 am–11 pm, Sun 11:30 am–10 pm. For reservations call 235-1000. Kim Hickerson is a culinary enthusiast and local food writer who enjoys exploring new restaurants, foods and recipes wherever they're happening. She writes, photographs and occasionally podcasts about her adventures at www.enamoredwithfood.com

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FOOD

FOODFAVES

by Laura Beam

Roma's Italian Restaurant

Edmond Wine Shop

City Limits Donuts & More

Great Italian food just seems to bring people together. What better time than the holidays to

Be the first to take home the exciting new vintage of Beaujolais! In a much heralded

Mornings never looked so good! Discover north Edmond's hot new donut shop that brings old-fashioned neighborhood charm and modern variety into one cool spot. For three generations, this donut-maker has delighted crowds with freshly made donuts, glazed and iced to perfection. Stop in and enjoy an amazing selection of all your favorite donuts, bear claws, sausage rolls, Long Johns, cinnamon rolls and more, along with a hot cup of coffee, cappuccino or fountain drink. Kick back and catch the morning news on TV or grab a quick dozen at the drive-thru for your office or meeting. Ask about their fantastic made-to-order cakes for all occasions or give them a call to preorder your holiday pies and gift baskets. Stop by on Waterloo just two blocks east of Broadway, near Sonic and Habaneros, find them on Facebook, or call 513–5656.

savor the rich tradition and serve up a magnificent feast for your parties and family gatherings? For generations, the Roma family has perfected its exquisite sauces, homemade pastas, pizza dough and rolls to offer a menu of delicious variety. Signature sauces give traditional favorites like stromboli, calzones, spaghetti, ravioli, pizza and lasagna a delicious new bite. House specialties add to the amazing variety with chicken, veal, pasta and rib eye selections. Enjoy fantastic seafood entrées, too—like salmon, shrimp and scallops— and don’t miss the great appetizers, salads and desserts. Call 260–1552 to order your holiday meal or plan catering for up to 300 people—perfect for office parties! Visit 1202 S. Division, Guthrie or romasitalianrestaurant.com.

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annual release at the stroke of midnight on the third Thursday of November, Beaujolais Nouveau sparks a fun-filled worldwide race as wine enthusiasts seek to be the first to sample the new wine. Like the carefree fanfare surrounding its arrival, this easyto-drink red wine has a fruity, light appeal that pairs perfectly with Thanksgiving dinner. Don’t miss its limited arrival November 15th at Edmond Wine Shop! This friendly neighborhood shop treats you to an impressive assortment of hand-selected wines, champagne and spirits at excellent prices. Descriptive note cards and an expert staff make it fun to browse. Stock up now for gift-giving and all your holiday celebrations. Visit them at 1520 S. Boulevard or find them on Facebook.

BUSINESS The Bottle Shop by Linda Treadway

Formerly 33rd Street Wine & Spirits, The Bottle Shop, located at 13516 N. Eastern at Memorial, is not your typical liquor store.. The common response from customers is that it looks bigger on the inside than the outside. They have casual sitting areas where customers can sit down and read a magazine or have a discussion. The owner, Hal Abel, has owned a pharmacy in Jones for the last 30 years. His new manager, Jevon Hart, has been with the store for the last three years. He has two part-time salesmen, Dylan Swanson and Matt Stanley, who also possess a passion for wine knowledge. Jevon strives to keep new products stocked, create new displays and offer new ideas to his customers. He tends to surprise people with a mixture of his knowledge and youthful appearance. He and his crew keep up with the trends through research and the information they obtain through their wine reps.

“There are so many different variations of liquors, wines and beers. We engage people and take the time to sit and talk with them. If I don’t know the answer, I will research it for them and get them an answer. I think that is what separates us from the usual liquor store.” Their rows of wine racks have “shelf-talkers” describing the wines. This allows the customer to browse at their leisure. Jevon and his team stand by ready to offer more information if a customer desires. “You can just tell when someone wants to do their own thing. I’ve also had customers come in early in the day, and I’ll sit and talk with them for twenty minutes about wines, scotches and beers,” Jevon explained. They often partner with neighboring businesses to do charity wine tastings. In October, they hosted one for the Mastiff Rescue. There were treats for the dogs and wine for the people, as well as music. “People were actually

doing conga lines, dancing. We’re planning another fundraising event for Eric White who does the Pitbull Rescue,” Jevon announced. In October, they booked an event for Keller Williams at a lavish, million-dollar open house, booking a Jazz Trio at their own expense. “Usual wine parties are just a table where you pour and go. We like to pay attention to the smaller details, mingle and get to know people. We want our clients to feel like they are getting a full package, not just a couple glasses of wine.” Customers can get 10% off wines and champagnes on Tuesdays, unlimited quantities. The same discount applies if bought by the case any day of the week. They often run specials when they obtain stock in quantity at a discount. They have coupons in the Edmond Outlook for 10% off. For more information call the store at 286-1619 or check out their website at www.bottleshopokc.com.

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Jevon Hart

BUSINESS Communication Federal Credit Union by Linda Treadway

Steven Lark

Communication Federal Credit Union opened a new branch in south Edmond, on August 25, 2012. Located at 100 NE 150th Street, the branch boasts a community room available to local groups, a refrigerator stocked with free sodas and water, a free coffee bar in the lobby, and larger private offices. “We want to make people feel at home,” Stephen Lark, VP Marketing and Corporate Development, commented. “Our focus was on our members and how we could improve our facilities and came up with this new branch model.” Communication FCU started out small in 1939, owned and operated by employees of Pioneer Bell. Over the years, they merged with other Bell Credit Unions around the state. Today, with 16 locations throughout Oklahoma, two in Topeka, Kansas, and 53,000 members, they serve 250 groups including most of the major utilities in Oklahoma including Sandridge Energy, Chaparral Energy, OG&E, and Oneok, to name a few.

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“We want to stay visible in the community and let everyone know we are not only there to provide financial resources for consumers but that we are part of the community and there to support the community,” Lark explained. One weekend in October, the new Edmond branch employees helped at the “Juggernaut”, a run at Mitch Park, which benefited the Komen Foundation, a charity the credit union sponsors. Always looking for new ways to get involved in community activities, Communication FCU workers have participated in the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank, the annual Enid BBQ event, the A2A Marathon in Ardmore, the Habitat For Humanity Chocolate Festival in Muskogee, Race for the Cure in Tulsa, and many more. “Everyone can provide the same checking account, the same loans, but we feel being involved in the community, supporting the community, is what sets us apart from some of the other institutions. That’s why we created the slogan ‘connecting with you’” Lark commented.

“All credit unions are member-owned financial cooperatives. That’s how we can offer such great rates because we take care of the membership as a whole.” Lark offered, “Our auto loan rates are spectacular right now. Our home loans are at all-time lows. We just started a new program for CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) fueled vehicles, a new local alternative to foreign oil. CNG is also a zero emissions fuel compared to gasoline, so it’s much better for the environment.” On May 24, 2011, during a week of severe tornado outbreaks, one employee mentioned the costs involved in purchasing a storm shelter. After some discussions with the CEO and staff, a new product was made available the next day. Storm Shelter loans at the fixed rate of 2.99% APR were serviced within 12 hours after launch. Check out their website at www.comfedcu.org to browse their member services and products.

Personal Health Partners

by Linda Treadway

“Medical services designed to give individuals the tools they need to evaluate and maintain personal, optimal health,” is the phrase that defines Personal Health Partners (PHP). Nan Bertone, RN, and her husband acquired the business in August 2011. Nan has served as a registered nurse for forty years—and is also an occupational health educator and an oncology nurse. After taking over, she added services to the existing laboratory tests which only nurses are qualified for, such as immunizations and educational programs. “The original focus of the company was identifying people with diabetes and heart disease through laboratory testing. It grew into a company that did a lot of health ministry programs with churches and cities all over Oklahoma,” Nan explained. Nan has three staff members who have each been with the company more than a decade. Linda Lonkerd is the lab manager and has been a medical lab technician for 15 years, 12 of those for PHP. Joyce Conaway is the administrative assistant and her daughter, Kim Waters, is the business office manager.

When not in the office, the staff travels Kim Waters, Nan Bertone, Linda Lonkerd, Joyce Conaway all over Oklahoma and the U.S. offering health services and testing at various recommendations or any kind of diagnosis. What events, the largest being several United Methodist we do is give people the information they need and Conferences held each year for ministers and their tell them if there is an issue with their tests, who to family members. go to see and what to ask them.” Nan changed the name to Personal Health Most walk-ins are those without insurance Partners because she felt it better illustrated the or those with insurance not covering certain new direction the company would take. PHP tests. Labs like PHP can do testing for much less offers a variety of services including screenings, than a regular hospital or clinical lab that accepts immunizations, educational and informational insurance. programs, as well as a long list of lab tests, none As of August 1, 2012, because of health care of which requires a doctor’s script. Test results are reform, insurance companies are required to pay mailed to the customer’s home in hard-copy format for health prevention services like immunizations or as a PDF file on a USB drive. for flu without co-pay. For more information about “In order to make good choices, you need this and other medical matters, visit PHP's website the information to back it up. You can order any at www.urhealthpartner.com or call 330-5755. test you want done and you can pay for it yourself. Oklahoma is 48th in the nation in the health of The lab is located in Turtle Creek just east of its residents. I passionately believe that if you Bryant at 2000 E. 15th Street, Suite 300. know that information it’s a lot easier to focus Office hours vary due to off-site activities, on your health and make informed decisions,” so call 330-5755 before visiting. For more Nan declared. “We do not do any treatment information, visit www.urhealthpartner.com.

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Season

'TIS THE

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Nurturing Progress

by Radina Gigova

Starting a small business is a complex process but some entrepreneurs have big help on their side. Office facilities called “incubators” provide various resources and services to small business startups to help them succeed.

“An incubator gets its name from what we think of in the world of agriculture,” explained Peggy Geib, who is the assistant superintendent for Business Industry Services at Francis Tuttle and works with incubators and entrepreneurs. “Incubators provide an environment that nurtures and helps the egg to grow. A business incubator would be very much the same, only instead of eggs that are in the incubator, these would be companies.” According to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, there are 49 certified incubators in the state, working with nearly 200 businesses. The newest incubator will open next summer in the Edmond area. It will be located at the Francis Tuttle Business Innovation Center on the northeast corner of I-35 and Covell Road. Geib, who is part of the development team, said the 10,000- squarefoot facility will be comprised of technology, service-based and light manufacturing companies. It will offer office space as well as training, mentoring and assistance in areas such as business planning, marketing, human resources, sales and bookkeeping. “One of the really nice parts about business incubators is that they are made up of numerous entrepreneurs and as a result of all of them being collocated, they have the opportunity to build on each others’ strengths.” Companies and business owners will have the chance to formally

apply for a spot there. Geib said her team would be looking for candidates who have a clear vision, who are proactive, persistent and are able to present their business plan to the incubator director and the board. Dale Hester is an inventor and a business owner who is in the initial stages of developing his business. He invented the Wonderfunnel™—a funnel that facilitates the transferring of large amounts of fluids between containers. Hester said he will apply for an office space at the Edmond incubator. He is hoping to get advice on how to place his product into retail stores. “I made the product but that’s just the easy part. Then you have to finance it; you have to market it,” he said. “It’s just easy to underestimate how much time and money you will spend on something.” The rent that business startups pay to office at an incubator is less than what it would cost them to rent an office or a shop somewhere else. In addition, tenants of a certified incubator facility may be exempt from state tax liability on earned income for up to ten years, thanks to legislation that the state of Oklahoma passed. Another characteristic of incubators that makes them appealing to small business startups is the success rate of the companies that take advantage of the services that incubators offer. Oklahoma Department of Commerce statistics show that companies that are part of an incubator are much more likely to stay in business during their first years and start creating jobs than companies without such support. “Incubators are, in my opinion, a tremendous resource,” said Kevin Barber, a manufacturing consultant with the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, who is also co-owner of Monkey Island Shaved Ice. In his role

Incubators for new business ideas enourage steady and stable growth.

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as a consultant he works with inventors and he has witnessed the impact of the incubators on small businesses. “There is not a real good single stopping point for an entrepreneur who is trying to collect all the information they need in order to get started—other than perhaps the incubators—for the purpose of taking care of all that,” he said. Barber pointed out that incubator tenants receive direct guidance from the incubator director, who partners with many companies and can help startups with networking and taking advantage of the numerous incentives. “That hands-on attention is just key to the small businesses’ success,” said Lori Broyles, Business and Entrepreneurial Services Coordinator at Francis Tuttle Technology Center. She added that the relationship between incubators and small business owners is also beneficial for the state, because when new companies are able to stand on their own, they employ more people and contribute to the state’s economy. According to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, 84 percent of incubator graduates stay in their communities and continue to provide a return to their investors. Currently incubator companies employee over 1,500 people in the state. “I definitely believe that incubators are here to stay,” said Broyles. Her advice to entrepreneurs who are considering launching a new business is simply to seek advice. “It takes more than passion; it takes commitment. It is a 24/7 business, so you really have to be committed to living, eating, breathing that business.” Broyles said she will be a consultant at the upcoming Edmond incubator and is looking forward to the opportunity to help entrepreneurs and small businesses in the area. For more information, visit www.francistuttle.edu or www.okbia.org.

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edmond kickboxer wins IKF World Classic

Fight

Like a Girl by Heide Brandes

If you had told Jessica Cargill of Edmond 10 years ago that she would be kicking

and punching people for a living, she just might have… well, punched you. Tall and slender, with a waterfall of dark brown hair, Jessica is the epitome of the pretty Edmond mom. Eight years ago, she wandered into Pride Martial Arts in Edmond to find a martial arts school for her painfully shy son. She had tried several things to help build the boy’s confidence—“T-ball was a disaster,” she said—and something about kickboxing struck a nerve. “I’d always been competitive with other things in my life, so I started training too,” she explained. “In fact, we started training together as a family.” Eight years later, that same pretty Edmond mom is now the IKF World Classic Women’s Super Lightweight Champion, having won the title in July in Orlando. She stands out in the competitive kickboxing world, not just as the best of the best, but also as a woman nearly a decade older than her other competitors within the international rules of “no knees, no elbows” kickboxing.

TAKING A PUNCH

“I took to kickboxing pretty fast,” Jessica said. “Don’t get me wrong, I had to work at it and it wasn’t easy. But the fact that my whole family was training— and that it was great exercise—was the biggest draw for me. It’s different every time you do it. It’s not running or doing a treadmill. Kickboxing keeps you engaged and keeps the interest up.”

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The gym proved to be a home away from home for Jessica. She began learning the Krav Maga style of kickboxing, as well as Muay Thai and some Kali and Jiu-Jitsu. “The first time I sparred with someone, I was very nervous about being hit,” she said. “I’d never been hit before. But, once you got past that and realized that you are okay, you fall in love. ‘I’m alive and I like this!’”

morning excited to work with the kids and coach.” Martial arts is more about life than it is about kicking. Jessica’s son still trains, and her daughter recently won the 2011 Featherweight Junior Girls Championship. It’s about pushing yourself to be better, to be honorable and to have confidence in life.

TOUGH COMPETITION

Jessica’s first fight was in 2007 in Illinois. Pumped and excited about her first competition, Jessica faced disappointment when her competitor backed out. She was then matched with another fighter from a different weight class, so the match was demonstration-only. “We did the fight, and I remember thinking, ‘Oh, I really, really like this.’ I did very well,” Jessica said. “It’s difficult to fight in tournaments. When you spar at the gym, you get to expect certain moves and things from your partners. But in a tournament, you have no idea what you are going up against. It’s open to anyone, so you could fight someone with little experience, or someone who has been training since they were eight years old.” In fact, most of the people Jessica fights have 15 to 20 years of training. She’s a latecomer to sport, having begun her kickboxing life in her 30s. Nearly 38 now, Jessica often matches against women who are in their early 20s. Still, it’s a sport she’ll never give up. “Martial arts is a great way of life. It built up confidence in my son. It brought us together as a family. Martial arts pushes me to be better, and it holds me to higher standard,” Jessica said. “It’s not just for me, but for the kids I coach too.” “Being a winner,“ she said, “isn’t about winning a match. It’s about character, sportsmanship, leadership and fun. It’s about how we can better ourselves every day. That’s what I teach my kids.”

AVID BELIEVER IN PEDICURES

When training for a big fight, like the IKF World Classic, Jessica meets with a strength coach every day for an hour. She does another two to three hours of boxing training every day. Yes—every day. She gave up coffee, doesn’t drink soda and follows a nutritional diet. “Now that I’m not training, I still do strength training, with the boxing training two to four times a week,” she said. “I do training daily for other skills, like personal protection, and I train with my instructors and test once a month to keep up certification.” She also teaches several children’s classes a week, as well as adult classes. Her youngest students are four years old and her oldest student is 68. “If you had told me 10 years ago I’d be doing this, I would have said you were crazy,” she said. “But it’s a God thing. All I did in my life prepared me for this. I wake up every

Still, being a girl kickboxer surprises people. When she kicks the bags, she does it with painted toes. “Most people I know are here at the gym, but other people are surprised when they hear I do this,” she said. “It’s hard to balance sometimes. I’m a girl in my own way, and I like being feminine, but it’s hard to balance when you are here setting the standard. I’m an avid believer in pedicures.” Will Jessica compete again? She’s not sure. Part of her wants to coach her own children and the children in her classes to victory. She wants to empower other women as well. “A big goal of mine is women’s self-defense,” she said. “I see it all the time—strong is the new skinny. I want women to know they don’t have to be soft and skinny. They can be strong and confident and themselves. “It’s about mental and emotional strength. Kickboxing is a huge part of who I am, and every day I can’t wait to put the gloves on.”

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South Korea

Kathryn Spurgeon, Mrs. Park, and Treasure at the orphanage in 1971.

C o n n e c t i o n

by Lindsay Whelchel

It was both a time and a place far removed from the small Oklahoma farming town where Kathryn Spurgeon grew up. It was South Korea in the early 1970s and her experience would stay with the young Spurgeon for the rest of her life. During 1971, the Vietnam War was still a conflict concerning the Republic of South Korea and the presence of Kunsan, the military air base located in the town of Gunsan. Its presence brought an

orphanage every week to help out. It wasn’t long before Spurgeon felt called to adopt another child, a toddler named Gina. By this point Korea was so ingrained in Spurgeon’s heart that even when her husband received orders to relocate to another base, she stayed behind in Korea on her own, working and living in the orphanage. “I was trying to help with all the babies, but I learned things that helped me later in life,” she said. After living in South Korea for two years, Spurgeon did finally come home to Oklahoma. She and her husband had a third daughter, Mistie. Then they divorced and Spurgeon found herself a single mom raising three children on

"I started helping with all the children at the orphanage." influx of American troops into the country. It also brought military wives like then-19-year-old Spurgeon. Bypassing the rule that spouses were not allowed to join their husband or wife at this base, Spurgeon came to Korea anyway—as a tourist, and as a result, had to live off base just like a local. “I grew up in the countryside of Oklahoma, very sheltered, so it was a big shock for me. I’d never been out of the country, never seen poverty like that,” Spurgeon stated. “It was a hard time for Korea—a lot of beggars on the street and no running water in the houses. You had to bleach the food or you’d get sick, so it was sort of like camping. It was a big change for me.” Despite the difficulties, Spurgeon grew to love the food and even the rice paddies. She also fell in love with the people, especially the children. “I learned that we can adjust to our surroundings more easily than we think we can,” she said. “I also learned I had a heart for children because I started helping with all the children in the orphanage.” That orphanage was called Il Mag Won where a woman named Park Kung-Hee (also known as Mrs. Park), along with her husband, dedicated their lives to approximately 100 children age five and younger. Spurgeon, being a young girl far away from home before the advent of the internet, had little support when she and her husband made the decision to adopt a child. She didn’t know much about raising a baby but she knew it was the right thing to do. Treasure was not even a year old when Spurgeon adopted her. The new young mother resolved to continue going back to the

her own. She persevered, went to college and then put her daughters through college. “You do what you have to do,” Spurgeon said. “I guess maybe when you’re younger you adjust more easily. If you have to take care of three kids, you just do it.” She remarried after her kids were grown and now she and her husband live in Edmond. They help welcome and look after the international students at the University of Central Oklahoma. “I get to know them and help them because I understand what it’s like to be far away from home,” she says. A strong desire remained through the years for Spurgeon to return to South Korea but it wasn’t until this past summer that Spurgeon had the opportunity to go back to the country. She was also eager for her daughters to come with her. Continued on next page

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Continued from previous page

It had been almost 40 years since the last time she was there. Korea had greatly developed, with new infrastructure, buildings, subways and even Starbucks. But the endless rice paddies, the culture and the food still greeted Spurgeon upon her return. Although her son currently runs the orphanage, Mrs. Park, now 92 years old, was there to greet her. She is still dedicating her life to looking after the children. And plans for new construction will also allow older children to call the orphanage home. “That was probably the highlight of our trip for me, to meet her again,” Spurgeon said. “She didn’t speak English, but her son did so Kathryn Spurgeon, Gina, a traditional Korean man, Treasure and Mistie traveling in Korea in 2012 he interpreted for us. She’s a very Travel opens your mind to other cultures. sweet lady. She remembered us and she said there were only five It's a smaller world than we think. babies that were adopted through the base in that town and so she was pretty happy to see us.” Spurgeon and her daughters spent two weeks in the country Park was sympathetic to hear Spurgeon had been seeing the sights, absorbing the culture and sharing Spurgeon’s a single mother. memories. “It meant a lot to them and it meant more to me to go “She asked me, with them than by myself—to share all the stories with them and ‘Well, was it for them to see where they’re from,” Spurgeon said. difficult to raise She feels everyone should travel if they get the chance. “I think your daughters by travel opens up a person’s mind,” she said. “It opens up your mind yourself? I’m so to other cultures. It’s a smaller world than we think it is.” sorry for that.’ It grew even smaller when Spurgeon crossed paths with a I replied ‘No, young woman in San Francisco who had been adopted from the you raised same orphanage. In fact, she had been there as a baby the same time hundreds Spurgeon was there. of babies.’” “Growing up on a farm, I never thought I’d be involved in another country but it’s been a big part of my life,” Spurgeon said. And for this Edmond resident, South Korea is not very far away after all. Treasure Spurgeon, Mrs. Park, and Gina Spurgeon reunited in 2012.

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style

Oh So

Photo Credit: George Braswell Model: Olga Harrell Makeup: Chanel, Dillard’s, Sooner Mall, Stephanie Bradley Clothing: Dillard’s, Sooner Mall Vintage Pieces: Anty Shanty, Norman Dillard’s: London Times Woman, Polyester Black Dress, $100 Nadri, Faux Diamond Earrings, $35 Trivoli, Emerald Green Ring, $20 Gianni Bini, Black Suede Felcia Bootie, $90

Back when my friends were carrying their high-end designer handbags, I broke trend by sporting a 1950s black floral needlepoint purse found in a local thrift store. I loved the idea of having something special and being different, though many people immediately devalue “thrift store” finds as outdated items with no real or current wardrobe or fashion usefulness. Tisk tisk The truth is that vintage items are so much more than just fashion castaways from yesteryear. They are iconic clothing and accessory items which had super-licious style back in the day— and continue to rock it even today, and in some cases even more so. For instance, for your upcoming holiday events or special occasions, add a special one-of-a-kind vintage find or a treasured ancestral hand-me-down. Your look is sure to be eclectic yet elegant, plus completely matchless, which is unequally yours. Own it! Wearing vintage isn’t something just for a certain age group, or for offbeat corky eccentric people, or those on the financial low. To prove it, here is a list of hot celebrities who can afford to buy any designer item money can buy yet frequently strut vintage wear— in addition to modern designs—at red carpet events: Barbra Streisand, Drew Barrymore, Sharon Stone, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts (who happens to be in town and is just two feet away from me!), and Rachel Zoe (a Hollywood designer).

Anty Shanty/ Vintage: Anitique Brooches, $15 ea. Black Mock Curly Lamb Shawl, $20

Modern Vintage

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hether you are a veteran or a novice at incorporating vintage wear into your wardrobe, there are some things you may want to consider. For instance, wearing vintage attire from head to toe is considered costuming, so save this for theme birthday party

by Kay Byrd

events or similar festive occasions. Although, for a unique look with a fresh twist, take a single timeless treasure—such as a glamorous black faux-curly lamb’s wool stole—and add a montage of vintage brooches. Wear with modern hot-off-the-rack clothing in any choice of neutral colors for your updated blast from the past.

Photo Credit: ften original pieces— George Braswell Model: Melva Curry such as the three-tiered 1950s Makeup: Chanel, necklace I received from my Dillard’s, Sooner Mall, Heather Long Grandma Marie’s estate (seen Clothing: Dillard’s, Sooner Mall on model Melva Curry)—have Vintage Pieces: missing or broken pieces such Private collection Dillard’s as earrings. Something to Adrianna Papell, Poly/Spandex/Rayon consider is to coordinate vinBlend, Dusty Purple, $160.00 tage pieces with complemenCezananne Clip tary pieces from your local Earring, $24.00 Trivoli Champagne department or specialty store. Diamond Ring, $25.00 Current selections of bracelets, Cezanne Stretch Bracelet, $68.00 rings and other needed pieces Gianni Bini Bronze Shannon Strappy to complete your set are easy Platform, $89.99 to find when you bring your Private Collection/ Vintage: heirloom to the store. I took Kay’s grandma’s necklace my Grandma’s necklace to Vintage gold bag Dillard’s where I sought out belonging to model Olga Harrell assistance. In a matter of minutes, the sales associate presented several options which complemented the copper and iridescent stones, taking my one-of-a-kind heirloom hand-me-down from the bottom of my jewelry drawer to being functional and completely wearable.

nother important point to remember is to try everything on for size and fit, including hats and jewelry. Since 2010, it’s estimated that over 80% of all clothing has Spandex incorporated into the fabric. This is not true for clothing manufactured prior to 1970. With this information,

expect vintage fabrics to have either less give or no give. Also (sorry, ladies) be prepared to wear larger sizes. Given that people use to be smaller in both height and weight, head sizes were also smaller. This 1920s felt hat fits perfectly while several other fabulous head-candy hats were too small. For all intents and purposes, vintage is considered 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, while retro is usually 60s, 70s, and 80s. Retro means things that have gone out of style and are more than a decade old—or easily said, things that may still be in the back of your closet. Retro is popular now with high schoolers and young adults, those who could not have possibly been alive or shopping when the style initially launched. I love the idea of replacing buttons with collectable buttons on either an already owned or a newly purchased item. This is called refashioning. Swapping out buttons is incredibly simple and will totally change the look of a stodgy or simple garment from ordinary to extraordinary, with just a whip of a stitch! Some of my favorite rare and collectible buttons are Czech glass, rhinestone, colored gemstones, moonstone, vegetable ivory, ceramic, enamel, and tortoise. Brass uniform buttons are highly prized as well. Alternate complementing buttons to make outfits look over-the-top incredible, if not memorable! Decide what type of vintage style you would like. For novices, it is best to choose an era and stick with that timeframe. For instance, do you like modern 1920s? Do want to have a little something from the 50s or 30s? Maybe you want to have a little romantic Victorian style. Anything goes—just remember the rule to add one special piece to your modern department or specialty store find. Have fun! Inspiration is as close as old pictures of your parents or grandparents or movie stars from glamorous eras of days gone by. Be confident in who you are and what you wear, always. Expect friendly interested comments and glowing compliments. People will definitely admire your style and be inspired by your avantgarde approach to fashion. When looking for places to shop, Goodwill and other charitable locations are local favorites. My personal favorite, and that of local movie stars, is Bohemian Spirit Vintage in Oklahoma City and Anty Shanty in Norman, along with Nichols Hills estate sales & area flea markets. Where will yours be?

Photo Credit: George Braswell Model: Kay Byrd Makeup: Chanel, Dillard’s, Sooner Mall, Stephanie Bradley Clothing: Dillard’s, Sooner Mall Vintage Pieces: Bohemian Spirit Vintage, OKC Dillard’s Antonio Melani Cecile Silk Navy/Ivory $169 Jessica Simpson Patton Red Josette Peep toe $60 Bohemian Spirit/ Vintage: Mustard Yellow Felt Hat, $20

Top 10 Vintage Must Haves

1. Cocktail Dresses, Beaded Skirts or Tops 2. Stoles, Shawls & Scarves 3. Purses 4. Belts 5. Earrings, Necklaces, Rings & Pearls 6. Brooches 7. Hats 8. Shoes 9. Furs 10. Buttons

Kay Byrd, CPC, CSC, is a certified style coach and the president of the Oklahoma Modeling Academy. Coach Kay can be heard at 8:30 am every Thursday on KJ103FM. www.kaybyrd.net

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Time to say, “Out with the old tile and carpet and in with new wood floors!” Are you dreaming of new wood floors, but dread the mess associated with tearing out your tile? Are you tired of your ’70s carpet, but the thought of working with unreliable installers stops you in your tracks? Kregger’s Floors & More is here to help. Not only does Paul Kregger and his crew offer outstanding friendly and dependable service, but they have also created a system that elimnates many of the hassles most associated with tile removal. Their new dust collection system minimizes the dust. Although their technique is not dust-free, Kregger says it is “light-years ahead of the rest.” With most companies, replacing tile can take a week or longer. Besides eliminating much of the dust, with Kreggers, your floor can be free of tile and prepped for new flooring in no time. “Most people think that the task of replacing tile is more construction than they want to deal with. With our manpower and no middle man, your tile can be gone in as little as one day!” said Kregger. The installers are what set Kregger’s apart. This ensures customers are getting someone who knows and shows skills he’s familiar with to install their flooring. “In some stores, the installers are folks the

store has known maybe a day, maybe a year—it’s hard to say. At Kregger’s, all of our installers are long-time employees or family members.” Edmondite Christy Dowell says, “We have a home full of Kregger’s floors! New wood floors, tile floors, rugs, a shower and soon-to-be carpet. Paul and Chris and the rest of their crew have been a pleasure to work with—always courteous, respectful and punctual. They are also very trustworthy. We left our home to them for a week and came back to beautiful wood floors. It seems to me that satisfaction is their number one goal... and I am completely satisfied! I highly recommend Kregger’s Floors and More.”

Must mention Edmond Outlook. Exp. 11/30/12

Kreggers is now offering an unbeatable $5.99 psf on genuine Mohawk hand-scraped wood floors, installed. “What every customer is looking for is great quality at a great price. With our low overhead environment, they always get a great price and workmanship that’s second to none.” For more information, call 348-6777 or stop by the store at 2702 S. Broadway in Edmond.

If wood’s not what you’re looking for, come browse through our amazing selection of carpet and tile! Also ask about our complete bathroom remodels.

www.kreggers.com

500 Not Valid With 12-Month-No-Interest Offer. edmondoutlook.com Must mention Edmond Outlook. Exp.11/30/12 31

Arts

Fiber Artist by Heide Brandes

Donna Hilton's fingers stroke the cream-colored wad of

by Paul Garcia

shimmery, pillowy down made from a mix of Merino sheep, yak and silk. Her hands are smooth and dry from years of petting alpaca fur, sheep’s wool, raw cotton and goat coats. Her store, The Weavery at Indian Meridian, is full of baskets with clouds of fibers in colors ranging from the fawn of natural alpaca to the wild and vibrant dyes of purple, orange and sunshine yellow. Spinner, owner and weaver, Hilton is the latest in a long line of women whose world revolved around the shearing of animals and the modest-but-effective spindle, the spinning wheel. She joins those who took natural fibers and rubbed it against their legs to create yarn. She uses the same equipment— the spinning wheel that revolutionized textiles in the 1500s— imagining the hum of those wheels spinning as women gathered to make thread and yarn, much as they did in the cold and drafty castles of England. Textiles have always been the biggest industry in history. “Before the industrial revolution, all fabric was created by hand,” says Hilton. “All yarn is simply twisted fiber.” Now Hilton is among those passing on the art of threadmaking and weaving, a hobby that’s enjoying a renaissance of sorts among younger knitters and weavers. Located at 624 Henney Road in Guthrie, The Weavery at Indian Meridian not only sells fibers and spun yarn, but is also a home for those wishing to learn the ancient art of shearing, washing, spinning and creating textiles.

in the wash

Hilton picks up a handful of sheared fleece—alpaca— which still contains the rusty red dirt of Oklahoma. Alpacas like to roll around in dirt, she says, which means you have to fill a bathtub at least three times to clean that dust out of the mess. After that, the fur is carded or combed using two metal bristle brushes that pull the fibers straight. When that’s done, the fibers become a vaguely-cigar-shaped airy matted mess. Hilton sits at the spinning wheel and rubs that fiber onto a leader string. As her feet pedal the wheel, the fibers begin crawling up the leader string and become yarn around a spindle. “The only thing I did before moving to Oklahoma was crochet,” she says as her feet drum up and down and the gray fiber spins into fine, smooth lines. “We wanted to live in the country when we moved here, and we wanted something to raise. So we got alpacas.” After moving to Guthrie, Hinton met Wanda Nobbe of Edmond’s Log Cabin Spinners. “In 2005, I bought my wheel from Wanda, who had a shop in Edmond called Mountain View Weaving. She taught me how to spin. When she got ready to Continued on page 34

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Merry Christmas, Dad!

Call for Free Estimates!

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retire, she asked me if I wanted to buy her shop.” Hilton did. She purchased the inventory and moved it to her shop on Henney Road. Nobbe also taught spinning and weaving in Guthrie, and Hilton began teaching that class as well. Hinton now teaches one-on-one when people call her shop for lessons. “It’s mostly hobbyists. No one makes a living from weaving, but this is a way to meet some really great people,” Hilton said. The fibers in her shop not only come from her own alpacas and goats, but from vendors throughout the United States. All ages of spinners, knitters and weavers come to The Weavery for yarn or fiber. “It’s very cool to knit now,” Hilton said. “A lot of them are being very creative and making art yarn. They do crazy things with it like spin feathers or Christmas tinsel or silk ties into it. They might even

use lint from the dryer.” Hilton even recalls one fiber artist from Texas who spins dog hair from family pets into her yarn to make socks and scarves for the family.

…a great way t o meet some really great people.

“It’s very contemplative to do this. It’s like meditation,” Hilton explains as she fingers the soft wool of yak and Merino sheep—as delicate as the fur behind a kitten’s ear. When you sit down to spin, it takes the edge off and you just concentrate. The worry all falls away,” she said. “The most soothing thing to me is having a bunch of women spinning. If no one talks, all you hear are the sounds of the wheels. It connects you to all the women of the past who did this.” For more information or to take classes, contact Hinton at www.indianmeridian.com or call her at 405-822-8927.

Knight Wellness Center Dr. Kamla Knight, Chiropractor

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3209 S. Broadway, Ste 217 • 285-9454 All major insurances accepted • Open MWF 9-5

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The Balanced Life

Weight Loss Clinic The holidays are right around the corner. Are you ready? Lose

AFTER

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The holidays are quickly approaching and La Jolie Femme is full of jewelry, collectibles, home decorating and art. Located inside Edmond Antiques, this booth is filled with one-of-a-kind unique jewelry, from rings and necklaces, to watches and charms. There is something for everyone! Until the end of the month, enjoy 10% offâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;their Thanksgiving gift to you! 509-4661.

Pets and fur-babies are treated like family at Bubbles and Pets. They use nothing but the top of the line pet friendly shampoos, pet colognes/perfumes and many more. Book your fur-baby an appointment today and join the family! Located at Broadway & Main. 509-2364. Check out www.bubblesandpets.com and facebook.com/bubblesandpets.

It's football time! Accessorize in style at Hip & Swanky! We have everything you need to support your favorite team including a great selection of hip tees, hard-to-find boutique dresses, tops and jewelry as well as Corral and Old Gringo boots. Located at 1247 E. Danforth (Kickingbird Square) 341-3066 www.hipandswanky.com

Visit Edmond's hottest cupcake shop

The fairly new Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Vine Boutique has all the latest looks and trends for women and girls of all ages. They have everything from apparel to jewelry and accessories to handbags. Located at 1193 E. 2nd in Edmond. 359-5701.

and see why these delicious treats have become a local phenomenon! Enjoy original recipes perfected by Executive Chef Eric Smith and a selection of more than 20 flavors. Buy one get one FREE when you mention you follow Eric on Twitter! 17 E. 5th Street in Edmond, 216-3562. Look for the new holiday location in Penn Square Mall coming soon!

Shopping 36

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Child Care Providers of Edmond Need a little extra help during the holidays getting your home ready for your guests? Ree's is insured for your peace of mind and offers weekly, bi-weekly, special event and deepcleaning services along with specialty homemade sweets with each visit. Plus enjoy great discounts for referrals. Call 330-6157 for a free estimate and $15 off your first cleaning!

Child Care Providers of Edmond offers FREE assistance to parents looking for home-based child care in the Edmond area. All child care providers are DHS licensed in Oklahoma and are certified in CPR and first aid. For help finding a quality home childcare in the Edmond area, call 330-HOME or visit www.childcareofedmond.com.

Serendipity Market Christmas Open House Saturday, Dec. 1st! Enjoy 15% or more off select merchandise during our Christmas Open House Sale on Sat., Dec 1st, with hourly door prizes & gift certificate drawings. We offer a wide array of home decor, elegant gifts, accessories and restyled furniture. Come into enjoy your holiday shopping here! Next to Ted's at 917 E Danforth Rd. 340-8869 serendipityof edmond.com or find us on Facebook for great specials.

Barrett Jewelers has been in business for over 47 years and specializes in excellent cutomer service. Whether you're shopping for that perfect gift or just need a watch or chain repaired, our knowledge and expertise are unsurpassed. All jewelrywork is done in-house. Stop by 3224 S. Boulevard (off 33rd) or call 340-1519.

Fashions from the west coast straight to Edmond! You’ll find women’s contemporary apparel, jewelry, handbags, gifts and footwear at affordable prices. Present this ad for –25% on any one item, through the end of the year. Located at 17200 N. May Ave., across from Rose Creek in Edmond. 367-0880. Find ‘Terra of Edmond’ on Facebook.

Beaucoup Boutiques is full of the latest trends and greatest holiday finds. With over 15 vendors with boutique clothing, décor, purses, jewelry, and children’s items there is something for everyone! Located at 111 South Broadway in downtown Edmond. 285-7511. www.BeaucoupBoutiques.com.

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Norris grew up in the ‘60s, and his father took him to every road race in wanted to race them. “It’s part of the competition of man against man,” this part of the country. “He always owned sports cars,” Norris remembers. explains Jeff Norris, who knows a thing or two about racing. “He never raced, but we never missed a race.” In that era, the Jaguar, the Lotus, He owns eight race cars, including the world’s only the MGs, the Triumphs—the true sports cars—were British-made, “Asterisk Lola.” He uses the word asterisk because it’s a faithfully so that’s what Norris started collecting and racing. “I’ve had the constructed, vintage automobile made mostly of original parts, but bug—to a fault—ever since,” he admits. it’s his own creation. Only 33 Lola Mark 1s were produced and, in Most guys compete to get money, girls, or both. But Norris the mid-1980s, he came into possession of a 4x2-foot piece of bent-up says he isn’t in it for the money and he already has his beautiful chassis of what is believed to be BR-17, one of three wrecked Lolas wife, Lizzette—so he does it for competition’s sake. His wife is a big that vanished into myth. It was found behind a pub in England and supporter of his racing and she goes to most of the events with him. he had it shipped to Oklahoma. Norris says many racers bring their wives, and a lot of racers are His other cars include MGs, an Austin Healey, a women. There’s no gender bias. “If you get beat by a girl, you just Lotus, a Crossley Formula Ford, and a sports racer with get beat by another driver,” he says. “They’re just as talented and a motorcycle motor. Although he races both new and there’s no differentiation.” vintage cars, he prefers vintage because of the historical When Norris was in his late 20s, he found an old Polaroid value. “There is nothing compared to the true vintage of himself as a 4-year-old, sitting in a 1958 Lola Mark 1

or as long as more than one automobile has existed, men have

A Car

racers,” Norris says, explaining that vintage cars are industrial art instead of just vehicles for personal gratification. “The car is the focus and not the driver.”

verything comes from racing,” he says, explaining that automobile efficiencies enjoyed today were invented as a means to shave seconds off the clock. Electronic fuel injection was developed to let drivers stay on the track longer between pit stops. Front and rear suspension, seven-speed automatic transmission and hybrid engines all came from racing. Some of these things are a lot older than most people realize. Electric cars have existed since 1910 and natural-gas-powered cars have been around since the 1910s. “It wasn’t perfected. It didn’t get great demand in the marketplace, but the market changes every day and sometimes things make full circle,” Norris says.

Named Lola by Nathan Winfrey

at a road race in St. Louis. By that time, he already owned dozens of sports cars, but the photo inspired him to start a quest for that elusive, limited-edition race car. The first breakthrough was the chunk of chassis imported from England. It was just a bunch of tubes pointing in different directions. “To most people, it would have been stuff you would have thrown out in the trash,” he says. But, for Norris, it was a start.

he next breakthrough came seven years ago, when Norris found a man who had a mold of his own Lola so he could repair it after frequent crashes. Norris found another man who built a jig for the chassis and they used the mold to build a fiberglass body. Lo and behold, the body fit perfectly into the jig, adding weight to the claim that the beat-up chassis Continued on page41 edmondoutlook.com

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Continued from page 39

truly was from an old Lola. For the next three years, Norris and his friends, Mike and Ronda Glass, worked on that car. Mike and Ronda completed all 2,700 rivets in the chassis by hand. “Racing is not a one-man band,” Norris explains. “Yes, you’re out on the track by yourself, but it takes a whole community to build these things and race them.”

orris’ Asterisk Lola started to get famous—or infamous. It was picked up by various vintage racing magazines, and the new Lola took a beating on car-enthusiast message boards. Purists had a hard time believing the scrap he’d shipped from England was indeed part of one of the missing Lolas. They were sure they’d all been destroyed. Although he can’t prove it, Norris believes his car is part of the original model, from before the body adjustments that were made over the first three years of production. As the debate heated up, Norris started getting invitations to bring the car to the Concours d’Elegence in Houston, Hilton Head in South Carolina, Rolex at Lime Rock in Connecticut, and Rolex at Watkins Glen in New York. His first time racing the Lola was at Lime Rock in 2010, and he took first in his class. It was also voted “Pick of the Litter.” “It was a huge, huge honor,” Norris remembers. “I was overwhelmed.” The following weekend was Watkins Glen, and an artist asked to paint a portrait of the car. The artist sold 900 lithographs

of the portrait that weekend, and said it was the fastest selling lithograph he had ever done.

hese days, he races the Asterisk Lola all over the country. As for its authenticity, that’s not easy to qualify. “I don’t push it. It is what it is,” he says. Even if he can someday verify the chassis is from BR-17, the rest of it is not. It’s pieced together from spare parts and duplicates. He says it will always be known as an “asterisk car.” However, his Lola does have something none of the 33 factory-manufactured ones ever had: his is street legal. “I probably have 27 years of accumulating all the parts needed to put this car together,” he says. “I could not be any

"It's the adrenaline rush." prouder.” Piecing together a Lola engine from spare parts took two years alone, but he finally tracked down an original motor and installed it in October. “Many times, when you find the right part, you don’t have an opportunity to negotiate,” he warns. Norris has seven other cars he could be driving, but as to why he drives the Lola, he says, “It’s the adrenaline rush.”

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MY EDMOND outlook Tim McGhee: actor, entertainer and poet You write and perform spoken word poetry. What inspires you? It kind of started as just a way to vent personally, but then I figured if just one person can take a positive or learn something from my words, why not put it out there publicly? How did you get interested in acting? I took an acting class at Emerson College and loved it. Being in front of the camera and acting out other people’s lives was so intriguing. At Emerson, I began acting in a couple of my friends’ projects and student films. Your acting resumé says “Stunt Double for Kevin Durant”- tell us about that. I have doubled for Kevin in two commercials. I did one for ESPN called “A Champion Will Rise.” That one ran during this past year’s playoffs. I also did work on “The Gatorade Insider’s Edge” commercial, where basically, I stood in for Kevin until he got there, so they could plan out the camera . For the commercial, were you actually up in the rafters of the Chesapeake Arena? Yes, I was. I was wearing a safety harness, but it was still a little scary. It was a fun experience. Did you get to meet Kevin? Yes, I’ve met Kevin a few times. He’s a great person, a real humble down-to-earth dude. He’s a good role model and ambassador not only for this state, but also for the NBA. You also perform a halftime at the Thunder games with the Storm Chasers. How did you get started with the Storm Chasers? About two years ago, I and auditioned to become a Storm Chaser and ended up being selected. I love to perform, plus I had a background in basketball, so I joined the dunk team. So, what’s it like to slam dunk in front of thousands of Thunder fans? It’s an amazing feeling! Man, you just feel the energy in the arena when you come out to perform. It’s electric! For those few minutes, you feel like you’re Russell, or Kevin or James. There is truly nothing like it. So, what’s next for Tim McGhee? I want to grow and improve as an actor and entertainer—and to build on my YouTube channel following. I’m also writing a web series, comedy skits and my own documentary. Eventually I’d like to make it on the big screen. To watch the commercial featuring Tim McGhee, visit www.youtube.com and search “A Champion Will Rise Kevin Durant.” To watch videos on Tim’s YouTube channel, visit www.youtube.com/user/TheUnsungHero15.

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Follow Tim on Twitter... @Tim_Tmac

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