OKC, OK September 2023

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CASADY SCHOOL

9500 N. Pennsylvania • Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405.749.3100 • casady.org

Casady School is a PreK-12, independent, college preparatory Episcopal day school committed to deeper-level learning. Casady School welcomes a student body that reflects the diversity of the world around us and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality, or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics, and other school-administered programs generally accorded or made available to students at the School.

What constitutes style? Most of us probably would find this concept difficult to define or explain to someone, though we know it when we see it.

In this issue, we look at style from several different points of view.

For example, Tracy Ann Miller, a wealth manager at Credent Wealth Management, believes one's desired lifestyle should be considered when planning for retirement. Living in style, she says, means more than knowing you can meet everyday expenses, and then some, but having the means to do more : travel to exotic locales; visit a fancy restaurant when you want to dance or toast a special occasion with loved ones, or just want a fun night out; or fancy a trip to Monaco for a bit of light gambling. Life is short, she reminds us; retirement is the time to start hitting that bucket list. Read Financial Buzz, page 22.

Many people enjoy showing off their style through their carefully curated selection of art in their home. It may not be the first place one would think to go to acquire fine art for your home, but museum gift shops often carry original and even local, works of art. I'm certain you'll find lots to love at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art gift store. See p. 26.

You also won't want to miss our story on Sarah McDonald, a Certified Stylist and Image Consultant, who established Pivotal Style in OKC in 2017 with the goal of providing exceptional styling services to men and women, fostering confidence and aligning their image with personal and professional goals. Read about how this unique company is helping men and women discover their own, unique style. Story on p 15.

On another note... Who's glad to see the end of 100-plus-degree weather and the start of autumn? I am, for sure! May your fall be full of good times: bonfires and football, pumpkin spice lattes and autumn-hued sweaters, and all that jazz! Make sure to take some time out of your busy schedule to see, hear, taste and feel all that comes with autumn in this special place we call home.

September 2023

PUBLISHER

Jimmy Darden | jimmy.darden@citylifestyle.com

405.541.5650

MANAGING EDITOR

Jerri Culpepper | jerri.culpepper@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Kaylin Hill | kaylin.hill@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Lauren Lupton | lauren.lupton@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Brooke Barnett, Julie Dill-Burnett, Jerri Culpepper, Staci Elder Hensley, Kaylin Hill, Tracy Ann Miller, Annabella Potts

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kaylin Hill, Sarah Strunk

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Butzer’s Firm Shortlisted for Global War on Terrorism Memorial

Butzer Architects and Urbanism, a firm led by Hans E. Butzer, professor of architecture and dean of the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture, and his partner, Torrey Butzer, has been selected for the shortlist of prominent designers to be considered for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial in Washington, D.C. BAU is one of the final five candidates to be considered for the project, selected from an international pool of 177 firms.

MEET OUR MINI AIR DIFFUSER

Keep your home smelling fresh and inviting at all times.

A diffuser machine can disperse fragrant essential oils into the air using air technology, creating a pleasant scent in your home.

We offer a monthly subscription service to ensure you have a regular supply of essential oils to keep your diffuser machine running smoothly.

OKC's 'Urban Heat Islands' to Be ID'd in Study

Researchers from the University of Oklahoma, in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, are identifying areas that experience the most extreme heat in Oklahoma City as part of NOAA’s 2023 Urban Heat Island mapping campaign. OKC is one of 18 communities nationwide selected to participate this year. Urban heat islands, with few trees and more pavement that absorb and radiate heat, can be up to 20 degrees F. hotter than nearby neighborhoods.

Tickets Available for Kitchen Tour

WHERE LUXURY MEETS WHIMSY

We are a fragrance and lifestyle brand that is passionate about curating the perfect ambiance for your home.

The Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance will showcase innovative, beautiful and cutting-edge kitchens in the OKC metro area at the 31st Annual Kitchen Tour, scheduled from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22. This year’s event will feature five incredible local kitchens.  Advance tickets are available on the alliance’s website (ocmsalliance. org) and at Culinary Kitchen, 7222 N. Western Ave., or at the door of each featured home on the day of the tour.

Photography: Sarah Strunk

The Style Whisperers

PIVOTAL STYLE IN OKC PROVIDES EXCEPTIONAL STYLING SERVICES TAILORED TO EACH INDIVIDUAL

For most of us, creating and maintaining a desirable personal image and style can be a challenge. But never fear! Help is close by.

Led by Sarah McDonald, a Certified Stylist and Image Consultant, Pivotal Style ( PivotalStyle. com) was established in 2017 with the goal of providing exceptional styling services to men and women, fostering confidence and aligning their image with personal and professional goals.

Sarah’s team includes Lindsey Lawrence, a skilled stylist and organizer with a decade of experience in the fashion industry.

Offering a range of personalized services to cater to clients’ diverse needs, the first step is an initial consultation to learn their clients’ visions and goals.

One of their signature services is Wardrobe Audit & Styling , a transformative process where they curate outfits from existing wardrobes, ensuring clients have a versatile and updated style.

For those who prefer hands-on assistance, the In-Person Shopping Experience teaches clients the basics of styling, helps them find the right outfits, and creates a personalized Look Book to guide them effortlessly every day.

For virtual guidance, Pivotal Style offers Virtual Look Book Styling , a personalized guide with up to 15 looks for clients to navigate their wardrobe with ease.

Popular styling packages for special occasions , new jobs or promotions, and body changes are available, ensuring clients are always their best selves in various life situations.

Personalization is key. Their services consider body shape, color tone, lifestyle and individual preferences, empowering clients to exude confidence and achieve their full potential in all aspects of life.

Pivotal Style strives to spark a newfound confidence that has the potential to transform lives. By providing exceptional styling services tailored to each individual, they help clients discover their inner style and embrace their best selves.

Pivotal Style's Sarah McDonald and Lindsey Lawrence take some time out of their busy schedule to take part in a photo shoot at Rosegold boutique.

Sarah and Lindsey are joined by Amber Kern, owner of Rosegold, a modern, airy boutique located in Nichols Hills Plaza, 6423 Avondale Drive.

your story

REMEMBER: YOU ARE THE HERO AND THE AUTHOR

ARTICLE BY PETER LEVINSON

When we reflect on the events that shape our lives, we often recount the intricate stories that led us to those moments. It's not a simple one-word response when someone asks, "What happened?" or prompts us to share an experience. Instead, we immerse them in the narrative, detailing the who, where, what and why of the events that unfolded.

We embrace storytelling. At this very moment, you might be undergoing one of the most significant and impactful moments in your life. Whatever it may be, I want to convey this important message: what you are experiencing is just

a single chapter in your life. No matter the nature of this chapter, always remember that you are the author of your own story.

Closing the chapter: The end of a chapter doesn't mean forgetting, moving on as if nothing ever happened. In any great story, a chapter ends with a cliffhanger; it can be a great accomplishment or a tragic event. Both require the main character to decide whether this will end the story or more extraordinary things will come.

Will the hero of the tale overcome the tragedy? How will our hero grow from the event, regardless of whether the event is good, bad, or ugly? The ending of a chapter of your life doesn't remove it from the book that is your life; it merely means the beginning of a new part. The latest chapter, with all the experiences and memories of the past, is coupled with the future opportunity.

Writing the Next Chapter:  Did you know the first astronauts who walked on the moon suffered from depression after they returned to Earth? After all the parades and interviews ended, the astronauts were facing a significant question they had to ask themselves: "What do I do now?”

Think about it; they set a goal to walk on the moon, and they did it! These guys were still young, with many more years left to live. Their story wasn't over, but a vast chapter had just concluded. They could not continue to live in the chapter that was “Walking on the Moon.”

Moving into the next chapter takes time and effort. You may have loved the hero of the last chapter and loved who you were before the event that changed everything. Now you are faced with moving forward to keep the story going. To begin writing the next chapter, you must name it.

Give a Title to the New Chapter: What will you call the next chapter of your life? Will it be “What I did after running a marathon” “What I learned from loss” or “Moving forward when I didn’t want to.”

Give the new chapter of your life a name. The name of the chapter is the goal you want to accomplish. Then move into that story and begin living the life of that chapter.

Never stop believing you are the hero of your story as well as the author of it. Others may come in and out of your story, but they are just characters. Some are the main characters that will be with you for a long time, and others will just be supporting characters for only a few chapters.

A LABOR OF LOVE

ARTICLE BY BROOKE BARNETT PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH STRUNK

OKLAHOMA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY SETS 31ST ANNUAL KITCHEN TOUR

The Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance will showcase innovative, beautiful and cutting-edge kitchens in the Oklahoma City metro area at the 31st Annual Kitchen Tour, scheduled from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22. This year’s event will feature five incredible local kitchens, and event proceeds benefit two important nonprofit initiatives.

Tessa Wicks and Margo Ward are serving as the 2023 chairs of the Kitchen Tour, bringing with them a collective 20 years of experience volunteering with the alliance. For the pair, the event is a labor of love with an important goal: promoting and increasing health and wellness throughout Oklahoma City.

“Tessa and I both have always had a passion for event planning and bringing people together,” explains Margo. “We really appreciate the homeowners over the past 30 years who have opened their homes to help us raise money for worthy local health- and wellness-related causes. And who doesn’t love seeing all the gorgeous kitchens!”

“The alliance is a group of physician families who support each other and promote health and wellness throughout Oklahoma County,” Tessa adds. “One of the ways we are working for a healthier Oklahoma is by

assisting nonprofit organizations that meet a health-related need within Oklahoma County.”

This year’s tour will benefit Vizavance and Healthy Schools Oklahoma, an initiative of Bethany Children’s Health Center.  Vizavance (formerly Prevent Blindness Oklahoma) advances children’s education by identifying vision issues as early as possible. The organization provides free screenings at public and private schools, daycares and Head Start Centers in all 77 Oklahoma counties.  Healthy Schools Oklahoma promotes healthy lifestyle choices among children, families and school faculty by improving the quantity and quality of health and physical education programs statewide.

The tour also funds the alliance’s Community Service initiatives, in which the organization donates funds, goods and volunteer hours to support nonprofits in Oklahoma County year-round.

“One hundred percent of the earnings from the tour go directly to our two beneficiaries and the alliance’s community service projects we work on year-round,” Margo says. “In addition, many wonderful local businesses partner with us for fundraisers and shopping nights that benefit our projects, including Rustic Cuff, Pearl’s, Kendra Scott and Papa Dios.”

Highlights of the tour include kitchens outfitted with the latest smart technology appliances, an inside look into a professional organizer’s own streamlined kitchen and pantry, a dreamy open-concept kitchen that opens to an outdoor oasis, and a Spanish-modern remodel on a 1930s-era home.

In addition to getting a look at each of the beautiful kitchens, tour patrons will enjoy string quartets and gourmet coffee, and have the chance to win organizational services courtesy of Well Kept. Bath Sorbet will be on hand with their locally handcrafted bath bombs, with a percentage of all sales supporting the tour. And Diamonds Direct will raffle off a chance to win beautiful jewelry, with all proceeds donated back directly to the alliance.

Advance tickets are available on the alliance’s website (ocmsalliance.org ) and at Culinary Kitchen, 7222 N. Western Ave. Tickets are also available at the door of each featured home on the day of the tour. Tickets are $20 and include admission to all five homes.

“In the 10-plus years I’ve been a dedicated member of the alliance, I have loved serving on the board with really wonderful women,” Margo said. “Being able to work together for the betterment of our community is so rewarding. We hope to see you at the tour!”

IMAGES: This is one of the kitchens that will be featured in the Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance's 31st Annual Kitchen Tour Oct. 22.

Bringing Order Through Organization

WELL KEPT’S JESSICA HARROZ SHARES TIPS FOR KITCHENS & PANTRIES

Jessica Harroz, co-founder of Well Kept, has learned from experience how an orderly, organized space can create ease and peacefulness in your life. She is living proof that structure and well-planned systems provide a sense of security and well-being, a feeling that she says applies to the young and old alike.

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“For both adults and kids, your mental state is more at ease when things are in order,” she explains. “Especially if you have little ones in the home, it helps to have everything in its place.”

As Jessica’s own children reached school age, she was debating what the next chapter of her life might look like and her natural inclination to organize led to an exciting business venture.

“I realized that one of the things I could do to improve my mood at any time was clean out a closet,” she says. “My mom was actually the one who brought it to my attention and pointed out that plenty of people need help organizing.”

Jessica and co-founder Ashlee Sanders opened Well Kept in March 2020 to serve homes and businesses in the Oklahoma City metro area and have since expanded to serve Tulsa and Kansas. They excel at creating aesthetically pleasing, functional organizational solutions in spaces of all sizes, including closets, offices, kitchens and pantries.

“The kitchen and pantry are the heart of the home, so they really need to be functional,” Jessica says. “When they are not, you actually lose money by buying too many items or letting food expire. Once a system is in place, it is easy to maintain and helps maximize both your time and grocery budget.”

Jessica says that deep shelves are a common pantry problem, where groceries can get lost if they are pushed to the back.  She says the key to making the best use of the space is to use the depth as an asset.

“Use large, clear bins to help you see what you have,” she adds. “Put like items with like items in each tub, and make sure everything is labeled [photo 1]. In a well-organized pantry, there are labels and designated spots for everything.”

In the kitchen, Jessica says one of her best tips is to think vertically. Using vertical space allows you to consider ways to best organize both inside and outside of your cabinets.

“Even if shelves are not available, you can add risers [photo 2] to double the capacity of any cabinet or counter. Think up, not out,” she adds.

Another area where clutter happens is under the kitchen sink, an area that Jessica urges is crucial to organize since it houses many frequently used products.

“The best thing you can do is add a turntable under the sink [photo 3]. It adds a lot of storage and provides convenient access,” she advises. “Take everything out of the original packaging and put it in clear, stackable containers with lids [4]. This lets you see exactly how much of everything you have in a quick glance.”

Jessica says that the time and effort put into creating clutter-free spaces provides immediate benefits, and maintaining the systems allows continued enjoyment and stress-relief.

“To this day, every time I go to my pantry, I find joy,” she says. “I love it every single day.”

Well Kept provides personalized organizational services, designed to optimize each client’s lifestyle, goals and space. The process starts with a free consultation, and Jessica and Ashlee work directly with clients through each step of the process. Virtual consultations are available, as well as guided organization and decluttering options.

Find out more and see before-and-after photos at  wellkeptspace.com . Find them at  facebook.com/ wellkeptspace  or @wellkeptspace on Instagram.

Retiring in Style

ARTICLE BY TRACY ANN MILLER, CFP

Let’s face it: finding balance in life is tough. There’s a time to save, a time to spend. There’s a time to be frugal, a time to be lavish. There’s a time to work, and a time to retire! Yay!

Intuitively, we know this balance of life makes sense, but just how do we go about it? When is enough, enough? There are several different approaches to determining just how much one needs to retire comfortably.

There’s the 4% and the “100 minus age” approach, and the “replace 80% of your pre-retirement income” approach, just to name three. But how do you determine what you need to retire in style?

You may think it’s about how much you have but, really, style has more to do with enjoyment and the manner in which you do something.

Would you enjoy a penthouse in the middle of Times Square and a $1,000 bottle of champagne? You may not live with respect to that expense every night, but more than likely you could enjoy it once. Live it up, indulge yourself in your definition of luxuriousness … periodically.

Maybe your vision is a cool ocean breeze while cruising on a yacht through the sultry waters of the Mediterranean. You make a stop to go “Bond” and linger at Monaco for a bit of gambling. Why not? Enjoy a night of splurging now that you have done the hard work of saving and investing.

Or maybe your retirement dream takes you to the far reaches of the Adirondacks. Rent a house on the Adirondack trail, saddle up your horse and enjoy all the hidden delights the forest has to offer as you amble along. Then it’s back to the cabin for choice steaks and wine in the evening.

Time is a cruel master, and we should take care to spend it wisely.

Whatever you think about the amount of money you have when you are at retirement, remember that everyone has different goals for retiring “comfortably,” as they say.

Retiring in style doesn’t take much at all: just the right frame of mind—and maybe a dip into the savings now and then, just for the fun of it!

Bye now! I’m off to find that crazy new treehouse I heard about on Airbnb.

FORMULAS ONLY TAKE YOU PART OF THE WAY, THE REST IS THE ‘RIGHT’ FRAME OF MIND

TRACY ANN MILLER

Tracy Ann Miller is a wealth manager at Credent Wealth Management.

Save Money, Help the Environment

With rising energy costs, there’s no doubt that consumers are looking for options.  What does the cost of power look like for the future?

The unknown leaves many people feeling uneasy. While some consumers may feel like the steadily increasing electric bill is out of their control, fortunately, it is not. With technological advancements, consumers can, in fact, take control of their homes and utility costs.

Co-owners and cousins Ben Williams and Russell Simmonds of Anova Solar are on a mission. They would like to help people take back control of their lives by becoming self-sustaining.

How? Solar energy.

Ben explains, “There is an alternative way for [consumers] to significantly save on power while helping the environment, and most importantly, take control of their own

power… living sustainably on your own instead of being dependent on the city or utility.”

“It gives the power back to the people,” Russell adds. “Month by month, homeowners’ incomes are dwindling because they’re paying more and more for energy. When you go solar, you’re locking in your rate. It’s inflation proof.”

In a recent interview, the two men answered some common questions for consumers interested in transitioning to the solar energy lifestyle:

HOW DO SOLAR PANELS WORK?

The panels absorb the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The consumer sells the energy back to the power company, and a credit is built throughout the day. At night, the credit is used, and during the day credit is built. The goal is to offset power usage 100%. Most consumers will overproduce.

ANOVA SOLAR HELPING HOMEOWNERS BECOME MORE SELF-SUSTAINING

ARTICLE BY JULIE DILL-BURNETT

WHAT WILL MY MONTHLY ENERGY BILL LOOK LIKE?

With solar, a consumer is locking in a rate. It is clear what the payment will be every month. It’s never going to increase, and it will actually go away at the term. It’s a predictable, steady payment. Having solar, in a sense, is “owning” your own energy.

HOW CAN YOU GUARANTEE THAT A HOME IS RUNNING MOST EFFICIENTLY?

Efficiency can be closely monitored with an app. Anova closely monitors this efficiency.  Anova is Pearl Certified, and this is a difficult certification to achieve. The Pearl Certification will certify that the home is considered a “green” home.  A Pearl Certificate is provided that shows the increased value of the home after purchasing solar. In order to get the certificate, the homeowner must have a Pearl Certified company install the product. In Oklahoma, Anova is the only company to offer the Pearl Certification.

WHAT IF THE HOME’S ROOF DOESN’T ALLOW FOR ENOUGH SOLAR PANELS TO MATCH THE ENERGY USAGE? OR WHAT IF TREES SHADE A HOME?

Every home is customized. There are options. Carports can be built, and Anova works with the consumer to maximize efficiency.

ARE THERE INCENTIVES TO GO SOLAR?

Currently, the federal government solar tax credit covers 30% of solar installation costs.

HOW LONG DOES THE INSTALLATION PROCESS TAKE?

Once the decision is made, a permit is obtained, and the installation process begins. Anova has an engineering firm that develops each proposal. The process typically takes 14-20 days.

WHAT ARE CUSTOMERS SAYING ABOUT ANOVA?

“I can’t speak highly enough about Anova Home! From start to finish, they have been a fantastic company to work with.  I have been so impressed with their timeliness, knowledge, and honesty. They took care of all the permitting process, which just made it a breeze. They installed everything so efficiently and personally helped us with the transition. Their salespeople and installers are professional, very informed and well-trained.”

“They took care of the permits, installed the whole system in one day, and they’ve monitored our system ever since. They’re the best. Good price came with great customer service. Highly appreciable Anova Solar.”

Anova is one of the only companies in Oklahoma that does not subcontract the installation. Anova is all “in house,” from the sale, to install, to warranty.

“We’re doing things differently,” Ben explains. “We’re embedding in this community. Our intent is to be here long term.”

For additional information and more customer testimonials, visit AnovaHome.com .

HOW CAN CONSUMERS BE

ENSURED THAT THEY ARE HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT?

Every home receives a custom report that shows how their solar intake impacts the environment.

Russell Simonds Ben Williams

Art for Every Room

OKLAHOMA CITY MUSEUM OF ART

GIFT STORE OFFERS TIPS FOR BUILDING

YOUR OWN HOME GALLERY

ARTICLE BY ANNABELLA POTTS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAYLIN HILL

Choosing the kind of decor that best fits your home design may be challenging without knowing the right place to start. Department stores tend to carry many of the same pieces, many lacking creativity and depth, making your home look just like everyone else’s.

Instead of shopping at your local home design warehouse, try visiting art museum stores that offer limited-edition decor to make your space stand out.

Located in the Arts District, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art store is full of bold and funky artwork from local and prestigious artists. Museum store manager Richard Bruner oversees multiple artist vendors to help curate a customer’s individual space.

“I think that any time that you choose an artist’s work, whether it be a local or national, it’s going to brighten up your home because you don’t want it to look like a furniture catalog,” Richard said.

“You want it to reflect your style. You want it to be full of oneof-a-kind pieces. I believe that’s how you begin your collection, and we in the museum store have the rare opportunity to help you become an art collector.”

The OKC Museum of Art store offers limited-edition prints, paintings, books, sculptures and various glass pieces to elevate your home into a gallery space. One of their biggest vendors is Jonathan Adler; the museum store is one of the few places in Oklahoma where you can purchase his entire line.

Outside of his paintings and unglazed pottery, the store carries his furniture, which mixes architectural and artistic elements, unlike any old couch or table. The OKC Museum store offers white glove service as well, with the option to drop ship anything from their online catalog straight to the customer.

While visiting the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, you may notice Dale Chihuly’s permanent collection on the main floor of the galleries. The museum store offers his new prints and glass at a discounted price so that the public can potentially acquire these limited pieces.

The works of Washington glassblower Preston Singletary will also be found in the museum’s galleries in October. The store will then offer his bronzes, glass and print for a chance to get your hands on your own corner of the museum.

LEFT: Jonathan Adler Reform Nightstand and Channeled Goldfinger Lounge Chair and Rocket decanters; Tom Ford 001 and 002 books (in background: works by local glass artists Rick and Tracey Bewley, Art Fusion Studio) | RIGHT: Hope City (2022 acrylic on canvas) by local artist Clint Stone; Jonathan Adler ceramic vases and acrylic large horn; Jonathan Adler Caracas tripod floor lamp

“Not only will you be able to see the pieces in the galleries from all of these artists, you’re going to be able to go into the store and actually be able to acquire pieces for your home,” Richard said.

As the buyer for the museum store, one of the things Richard considers before purchasing a line of artwork is to see who else in Oklahoma may be carrying it. Through this process, he believes it is more than likely that the Oklahoma City Museum of Art store is the only place offering these pieces across the entire state. In this way, your home design cannot be replicated as it pertains to your individual collection.

Big box retailers offer multiples of basic decor, and whether it be a painting, glass or sculpture, you can expect to see it in stores

across the nation. With local artists, the price point aligns with receiving one-of-a-kind works to build a gallery within your home.

“When you’re dealing with fine art, it’s just a beautiful experience because you get to meet the artists and work with them,” Richard said. “Even though we have local artists that are in other galleries here in Oklahoma City, what they are offering in the museum store is not.

“When you’re able to purchase from here, you’re going to be supporting a national or a local artist, and I think it’s so important to support local art no matter where you are. In that way, you’re not only helping your home, you’re helping an artist get their career moving forward.”

Jonathan Adler hand-beaded artwork, Eyes, Climbing Leopard, and Parrot, Art Deco-inspired Rocket decanters and Giant Acrylic Blue Bird

Dressing for Success – and More

ARTICLE BY STACI ELDER HENSLEY

HELPING WOMEN TRANSITION FROM SHELTERS TO STABILITY & DESPAIR TO HOPE

Imagine the frustration of being an unemployed woman dependent on social services, and the only thing standing between you and a stable job is the lack of a suitable interview outfit.

Meeting this critical yet often overlooked need is the mission of Dress for Success Oklahoma City. Opened in 2015, they are part of a global not-forprofit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Dress for Success OKC provides interview and workplace clothing and accessories to unemployed women in the community with low income. Their network stretches across the metropolitan area.

Clients are referred to them by a diverse and ever-expanding network of nonprofit and government agencies. Along with clothing items, resume support and career coaching, job searches are also provided.

A cornerstone of Dress for Success’s employment retention programs is their Professional Women’s Group, providing ongoing support to women to help sustain employment and build the life they desire, said Necie Black, executive director.

The organization is constantly in need of donations of new or gently used women’s clothing, close-toed dress shoes, purses and accessories. Ideally, these items are easy to maintain and do not need dry cleaning.

Clothing donations are accepted on the First Friday of each month, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; no appointment necessary. More information on specific clothing needs is available on their website at OklahomaCity.DressforSuccess.org , by calling 405.606.7071, or by emailing oklahomacity@ dressforsuccess.org.

Tax-deductible financial contributions can be made online or mailed to Dress for Success OKC at 133 W. Main St., Suite 102, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.

A sample of recently sold properties in OKC.

CoolSculpting® and CoolSculpting® Elite are FDA-cleared for the treatment of visible fat bulges in the submental (under the chin) and submandibular (under the jawline) areas, thigh, abdomen, and flank, along with bra fat, back fat, underneath the buttocks (also known as banana roll), and upper arm. It is also FDA-cleared to affect the appearance of lax tissue with submental area treatments. CoolSculpting® and CoolSculpting® Elite are not treatments for weight loss.

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

SEPTEMBER 8TH - 10TH

PBR Freedom Fest

PAYCOM CENTER, OKC

This top-tier event will feature elite bull riders from all over the world as they ride the toughest bulls and compete during PBR Freedom Fest. Don't miss this world-class rodeo production that is jam-packed with thrills and spills, pyrotechnics and rock 'n' roll music. PaycomCenter.com/ Events/Detail/Pbr-23

SEPTEMBER 9TH

Torc Triathlon

RIVERSPORT OKC | 6:30 AM

Participants can register for a number of events including a sprint triathlon, aquabike or duathlon in the morning and 5k in the evening. Swim through the Riversport Whitewater Facility, bike through downtown Oklahoma City and run along the Oklahoma River during this thrilling sporting event. TriOkc. Club/Torc.Html

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SEPTEMBER

13TH - 30TH

Lyric Theatre Presents: Concerto

LYRIC AT THE PLAZA, OKC

Concerto reveals the creation behind Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s infamous 1878 violin concerto, with an ending one might not expect. Meet vivid characters from the gilded age while learning a surprising turn of events during this collaboration with Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. LyricTheatreOkc.com/Shows/Concerto-2

SEPTEMBER

14TH - 24TH

Oklahoma State Fair

OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR PARK

There is literally something for everyone at the Oklahoma State Fair. Enjoy browsing through five exhibit halls, stop by the fair's auto show to peruse new vehicle makes and models, and compete for prizes while trying your luck in the fair's popular midway.  OkStateFair.com

SEPTEMBER 30TH

Plaza District Festival

1745 NW 16TH ST., OKC | 12:00 PM

Oklahoma City’s Plaza District will come alive to celebrate local creativity with the annual Plaza District Festival. Participants in this year’s festival can enjoy live music, artist booths, kids’ art activities and a variety of local concessions. PlazaDistrict.org

SEPTEMBER 30TH

Fiestas de las Americas

CALLE DOS CINCO, OKC | 11:00 AM

The day begins with a colorful, cultural parade with participants from across the state, followed by a daylong schedule of stage entertainment including folkloric dances and live music. Other activities include a business vendor corridor, artist market, children zone and Travel the Americas showcase. HistoricCapitolHill. com/Fiestas-De-Las-Americas

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