MetroFamily Magazine September 2014

Ent to W er Fab our priz IN!

Ser Com es for vice mu for Cont nity girl est s!

(Se ep . 8)

SEPTEMBER 2014

8 PLACES TO FIND YOUR INNER OKIE

Great local ideas to help you relax and recharge FOLLOW THE CHISHOLM TRAIL TO KINGFISHER

Discover two out-of-this-world attractions just above the Kansas border

Kick off fall with 115 spectacular events!

go

guide...

The ultimate OKC family fun

Volume 17, Number 9

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2014

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EDITORIAL

Sarah Taylor–Publisher Hannah Schmitt–Managing Editor Erica Harley–Calendar Editor Nicole Nuccio Calvert, Heather Davis, Jennifer Geary, Jennifer Sharpe, Tanvier Peart & Kent Anderson–Contributing Writers Steffanie Halley–Contributing Photographer

ARE YOU AN OKIE? Discover eight places to experience authentic Oklahoma

GOT A STORY OR BIG EVENT? We are all about family activities and fun in the OKC metro. If you have a story to share, let us know!

CONTACT THE TEAM AT 405-601-2081 or email info@metrofamilymagazine.com.

DESIGN & SALES Stacy Noakes–Art Director Krystal Harlow­­­–Ad Design Callie Collins–Marketing Director Athena Delce, Erica Harley, Eirinn Sutphen & Dana Price–Sales Kathy Alberty–Office/Distribution Circulation - 35,000 Also available as a digital edition at www.metrofamilymagazine.com.

Articles and advertisements in MetroFamily do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Inprint Publishing, Inc.We do not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.The acceptance of advertising by MetroFamily does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services, or information.We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature.

MetroFamily Magazine is a monthly magazine published by Inprint Publishing, Inc. 725 NW 11, Suite 204 OKC, OK 73103 Office: 405-601-2081 Fax: 405-445-7509 info@metrofamilymagazine.com ©Inprint Publishing, Inc. 2014, All Rights Reserved.

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A KANSAS ADVENTURE Find two out-of-this-world attractions just across the border.

PLUS...

DON’T MISS ALL THIS

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FUN ON TWO WHEELS Discover a one-of-a-kind bike shop in OKC.

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KINGFISHER Take a day trip to this town to discover the history of the Chisholm Trail.

A festival & 5K for a great cause Editor’s Picks: Where moms can recharge Encouraging girls to serve (and perhaps win big!)

Real Moms of the Metro: Learn how a belly dancing mother finds time to balance it all Calendar of Events Mom humor: Alone time? What’s that?

Welcome FROM OUR PUBLISHER

This month we introduce you to our new editor, help you find your inner “Okie” and provide parents with ideas on how to “recharge.”

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Visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com/contests to enter.

hether I was in school myself or helping my own kids get started with school, the first of the school year always put me in a “let’s start fresh” kind of mood.

This month, we put the emphasis on helping parents renew and start fresh. Parenting is a fun but oftentimes tough journey and just as we’re told before taking off on a commercial air flight, we should make sure our oxygen mask is on before assisting our children. If we aren’t taking care of ourselves, how can we take care of others while expressing the love and joy we intend?

r u o r e t n E contestsig! to win b

Cure 5K on October 18. It’s not too late to join us! Go to www.metrofamilymagazine. com/fitness to register.

Speaking of fresh starts, we are pleased to introduce to you our new Managing Editor, Hannah Schmitt. Hannah is an experienced journalist with a degree from Texas Tech who most recently served as a writer for www.travelok. com. She and her husband One way to take care of have lived in Oklahoma City ourselves is to eat better and for two years. Please help move more. That’s what our us welcome Hannah to our Strong Together program is family! all about: Moms encouraging Enjoy your fresh start this each other as they train together for a 5K run.You’re September! invited to join our Strong Together team as we set a goal of running the Susan G. Komen OKC Race for the Sarah Taylor, Publisher

AT E R G D FIN ON S T N E FALL EVPTEMBER OUR SE NDAR! CALE 4 PAGE 2

THE GIRL SCOUTS OF WESTERN OKLAHOMA AND METROFAMILY HAVE TEAMED UP TO PROVIDE A WONDERFUL “GIVING BACK” CONTEST WITH FABULOUS PRIZES.

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Girls Making a Difference Contest—This month, girls across the Oklahoma City metro have an added incentive to give back to the community. Teams of up to five girls (ages 5-18) can take a photo of themselves doing a community service project and enter the photo to be considered for one of three prizes. The first place winners will get the exciting chance to be featured on our November 2014 cover! Deadline: September 30.

Find more details about this contest on page 8.

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State Fair of Oklahoma—Enter NOW to win admission tickets and a parking pass AND tickets to Disney on Ice! Deadline: September 5.

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Reader Survey—Complete a short reader survey and be eligible to win a fun family getaway to Grapevine, Texas, valued over $600. Deadline: September 30.

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Cover Kids Search—Your child could grace the cover of MetroFamily! Enter a favorite snapshot photo of your child into our annual Cover Kids Search by September 30.

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Sooner Jr. Kids Club—Enter to win one of ten kids club memberships and receive benefits throughout the year. Contest runs September 15-October 15.

THIS MONTH’S COVER:

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Five-year-old Corbyn Swift of Lawton dances at the 2014 Red Earth Festival.

Photographed by Neil Chapman (chapmansplace.com).

family buzz

This month, we’re buzzing about two ways your family can give back to the community and a few ideas to help metro moms recharge as kids go back to the classroom.

It’s all about family fun!

RESOURCES TO ADD TO YOUR FAMILY FUN QUOTIENT

BY HANNAH SCHMITT - MANAGING EDITOR

Pitch In For Down Syndrome

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n September 20, Oklahoma City’s Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark will come alive with a festival to raise awareness for Oklahoma families with Down syndrome children.

Even if you don’t know anyone with Down syndrome, the Down Syndrome Festival & 5K is a great way to support a local Oklahoma organization that deeply cares for Oklahoma children. Proceeds raised from the event will benefit the

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

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families served by the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma, an organization that works tirelessly to promote the inclusion of people with Down syndrome in the metro area.

Whether you go for the 5K, take the awareness walk around the ballpark or hang out for a day of moon bounces, live music and petting zoos, you will be joining thousands of locals in support of programs that encourage and uplift families.

Head to www.dsfestivaland5k.com to register and learn more about this event.

Editor’s Picks: Best Places for Mom to Recharge

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his month is all about mom. As your kids head back to the classroom, it’s the perfect time for you to relax and recharge. Take a little time for yourself this month by trying out a new hobby or catching up with an old friend.

These ideas should get you started.

All About Cha

7300 N. Western Ave, Oklahoma City 405-840-7725 www.allaboutcha.net Why we love it: Between the relaxing atmosphere and the top notch coffee and tea selection, a trip to All About Cha is a surefire way to shelve distractions and take a moment for yourself. The quiet dining room and charming patio make it the perfect place to catch up with a friend or sneak in a quick weekday date. In addition to the traditional lattes and iced teas you’ll find at any coffee shop, you can try something new like a plum tea or blackberry latte. The cafe serves breakfast all day, and has a stellar bakery counter. So before you leave, grab some sweet treats to take home for the entire family to enjoy.

Paint Your Art Out 10 S. Broadway, Edmond 405-513-5333 paintyourartout.net

Why we love it: Even if you don’t have a creative bone in your body, Paint Your Art Out guides you through making a beautiful piece of art you’ll be proud to hang in your home. But it’s not really about how good the painting looks, anyway. Channeling focus and creativity into something as simple as putting paint to canvas offers up something seriously relaxing.Visit the Paint Your Art Out website to see a calendar of featured paintings and select one you’d like to try yourself. The studio encourages painters to bring their own appetizers and beverages, so plan to make an evening of it.

Ultimate Realm of Serenity 3750 W. Main St. #3, Norman 405-310-4400 ultimaterealmofserenity.com

Why we love it: The name says it all. Even if you just stop in for a 30-minute facial, you’ll leave this spa feeling relaxed. Head to the day spa to change things up and try something unique, like the yogurt and coconut milk bath or the mud body wrap.

barre3

801 N. Hudson Ave, Oklahoma City 405-702-4333 barre3.com Why we love it: There’s no better way to recharge than to do a little sweating, and a class at barre3 delivers. The studio offers classes that cater to any schedule and the instructors embrace students at all skill levels. The flexible workout encourages a balanced life. There are barre3 studios in Edmond, north Oklahoma City and Midtown.

If you end up loving it but don’t have time to attend regularly, subscribe to the online workouts and enjoy barre anywhere.

Childcare is provided on site for a small fee, so there’s no reason not to take a moment for yourself and enjoy a class.

Gourmet Yarn Co

2915 W. Britton Rd., Oklahoma City 405-286-3737 gourmetyarnco.com Why we love it: Having a personal hobby is a great way to recharge and what better hobby than one you can do in your downtime and end up with special gifts for everyone in your family? A class at Gourmet Yarn Co is the ideal way for beginners to pick up crocheting and for skilled knitters to meet up with fellow crafters.

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family buzz

Make a difference in the metro with our new contest!

BY TANVIER PEART

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will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

MetroFamily Magazine is partnering with Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma to salute local girls enriching their surrounding area through community service. The Girls Making a Difference contest will shine light on three teams who work together to answer the call of volunteerism—and entrants don’t need to be Girl Scouts to participate.

Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma provides an outlet for young ladies in grades K-12 to serve nearby neighborhoods while developing core values through shared team-building experiences. In addition to community service projects, there are endless programs available each year for members to connect with their peers and take action. Examples include disaster preparedness, babysitting training, technology-related projects and fun merit-based projects.

“Girl Scouting is the place for girls to have fun and try new experiences such as turning ordinary household items into robots, convincing the mayor to install a swing for special-needs children in a park or hiking the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Reserve,” says Elizabeth Caldwell, communications specialist for Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma. “We know that building confidence is a key milestone for children, and Girl Scouts gives girls the opportunity to do this.”

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The Girls Making a Difference contest is open to girls ages 5-18 who form their own “team” with no more than five people. Each team should take a picture of themselves completing a community service project – and submit the photo along with a brief description (100 words or less) of their volunteer endeavor to the MetroFamily website. Entries will be accepted through September 30 at www.metrofamilymagazine. com/girl-scouts. MetroFamily Magazine will determine the finalists with online voting open to the general public from October 2 through October 9.

Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place (as voted on by the public). All winners will receive up to five wristbands to attend the Girl Scout Fest on October 26 at the Kirkpatrick Family Fun Farm in Yukon, Oklahoma and receive a fun session with Building Minds, a LEGO building/STEM company. The first place team will have an exciting opportunity to be featured on the MetroFamily Magazine November cover and a huge assortment of other great prizes.

“There are so many things that they could choose for their community project,” Elizabeth said. “Helping the elderly, sorting food at a food pantry, organizing a coat drive…. We can’t wait to see what they come up with!”

Find details and entry form at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/giving-back-contest.

local family fun

Embrace Your

Inner Okie

BY HEIDI BRANDES - CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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hether you’re a lifetime Oklahoma resident or a brand new transplant, these sights, flavors and experiences put you on the Okie path.

WHO IS AN OKIE? At the very least, an Okie is a term used for a resident or native of Oklahoma, and during the Dust Bowl Days of the 1930s, the name was actually an insult. When thousands of Oklahomans fled the state for California, outsiders gave them the nickname, which wasn’t meant to flatter.

However, later in the century, the meaning of the term Okie changed as Oklahomans began using the term as a badge of honor and symbol of the the state’s attitude and survival over adversity. In fact, former Governor Dewey Bartlett led a campaign in the 1960s to make the Okie badge popular.

Since then, those who live, thrive or are from Oklahoma call themselves Okies with pride. Why? Because of the unique history, attitudes, destinations and food that make up our great state.

While Oklahoma is filled with thousands of ways to nurture that inner Okie, we could only pick out a few. If you are a new Okie, we hope this leads to you embrace your new home with enthusiasm. If you are an established Okie, the list should remind you of some reasons to have pride in the nickname.

NURTURING YOUR INNER OKIE HARN HOMESTEAD Tucked away among the modern buildings and highways of Oklahoma City is a piece of history come alive. Step back in time and see how life was lived in Oklahoma Territory, even before statehood, at the Harn Homestead and 89er’s Museum. Located in the middle of the metro, the Harn Homestead is a hands-on and minds-on experience spanning more than 100 years of Okie history.

Kids can explore the territorial-era farm, sit in a one-room school house, experience life as a Land Run farm family while learning about the brave men and women who faced a wild, untamed land to make a home for themselves.

HARN HOMESTEA

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“It’s a place where kids can go back in time to see what life was like on the frontier,” said Melissa Gregg, executive director. “The Harn House is an original piece of Land Run property, and walking around allows families to experience what life was like then. We have so many hands-on activities – including milking a model milk cow.”

THE DETAILS: 1721 N. Lincoln Blvd.

Regular hours are 10am to 4pm, Monday-Friday. Summer hours are 9am to 2pm, Monday-Friday. Admission is $5 for ages 4-64, $4 for seniors and military with ID. Guided tours of the Harn House offered at 11am, 1:30pm and 3pm.

THE OKLAHOMA CITY NATIONAL MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM Remembrance and honor are also part of the Oklahoma spirit, and our state has seen its share of tragedies and victory over those tragedies.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum urges all Oklahomans­­­— and visitors from all over the world — to never forget the terrible day when 169 people were killed in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The memorial and museum honors those who were killed, those who survived and those who were changed forever on April 19, 1995.

The museum reveals the fateful event, yet strives to inspire hope and healing through the recovery and lessons learned by all who were touched that day. The outdoor memorial includes 169 symbolic chairs representing the children and adults who lost their lives. More than 1.6 million visitors

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OKLAHOMA CITY NATIONAL MEMORIAL

have walked through the museum to learn the story of Oklahoma’s loss and also of the stories of hope and healing.

The 50,000-square-foot interactive museum leads visitors through the morning of the bombing, the experiences of rescuers and survivors and the aftermath and healing Oklahomans endured. Children will walk away with the knowledge that although tragedy and violence happens, the world is filled with more good than bad.

THE DETAILS: 620 N. Harvey Ave., Oklahoma City. The Outdoor Symbolic Memorial is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day and charges no admission. The Memorial Museum is open from 9am to 6pm Monday-Saturday and from 1pm to 6pm Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors over 62 and for military and students with a valid ID. CHICKASAW CULTURAL CENTER Native American history is an integral part of Oklahoma’s history and culture. From the heartbreak of the Trail of Tears to the rich traditions of Oklahoma’s tribes, our culture is heavily influenced by the American Indian way of life.

the Chikasha Poya Exhibit Center’s collections, classes, lessons and special events.

“For more than two decades, Chickasaw people shared their vision of what a cultural center should be,” said Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby. “This is truly a center of our living culture, because it is built on the ideas, imagination and creativity of Chickasaw people from all walks of life.”

Kids can wind through a historically-accurate replica of a Chickasaw village at the Chikasha Inchokka’ Traditional Village or wander through the Aaholiitobli’ Honor Garden, which honors the elders, warriors and leaders of the Chickasaw people.

THE DETAILS: 867 Cooper Memorial Rd., Sulphur, OK 73086. The center is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and noon to 5pm Sunday. Chikasha Poya Exhibits and Anoli’ Theater Films: $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, students and military; free for children under 12 and Chickasaw citizens (theater shows are $3 for children, $5 for citizens); Combo passes are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, students and military; $4 for children under 12.

Celebrate the culture and history of Oklahoma’s Chickasaw people at the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur. The center offers theatrical environments, interactive media, a performance amphitheater, a research center, an exhibit center, the sky pavilion, a garden village and cafe that explore the Chickasaw culture.

Families visiting the award-winning museum and cultural center can learn about the traditions and story of the Chickasaw people at

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CHICKASAW CULTURAL CENTER

CATTLEMEN’S STEAKHOUSE

NURTURING YOUR OKIE FOODIE EISCHEN’S BAR IN OKARCHE Ask most people in Oklahoma where the best fried chicken can be found, and more than likely you’ll hear “Eischen’s in Okarche.”

Touted as Oklahoma’s oldest bar, Eischen’s was originally a saloon opened in 1896 by Peter Eischen. Prohibition put a stop to Eischen’s operations for a while, but as soon as the fire water started flowing again, Nick and Jack Eischen, son and grandson of the original owner, reopened the famous bar and the legends continued.

While Eischen’s still serves adult beverages to this day from an antique, hand-carved Spanish-back bar, the family-friendly restaurant is known statewide for its fried chicken.

When you order that juicy fried chicken, you can choose sides ranging from fried okra and chili to nachos, pickles and white bread.

“Eischen’s is crispy and tender, never over/ under cooked. It’s all they do, and they’ve been doing it that way forever,” said Oklahoma City fan Kyle Golding.

Others claim that the legend of the restaurant and pub is what brings Okies from miles around.

“The food is awesome but it’s the laid back, fun environment! It’s a destination,” said Oklahoman Jessica Stiles.

True to the legend of being the “oldest bar in Oklahoma,” be aware that Eischen’s does not take credit or debit cards—only cash or checks, but they do have an ATM available on the premises.

CHICKEN AT EISHCHENS BAR

THE DETAILS: 108 S. 2nd St., Okarche, OK 73762. The restaurant is open from 10am to 10pm Monday through Saturday.

CATTLEMEN’S IN OKLAHOMA CITY For a true taste of Oklahoma history, head to the Stockyards City District of Oklahoma City to Cattlemen’s Steakhouse for chicken fried steak, grilled beef perfection and the famous lamb fries.

Cattlemen’s Cafe opened in 1910 to feed cowboys and cattle haulers in the Stockyards City area, where two major meat processors had set up shop. The café was home to colorful characters and cowboy legends, but it changed hands so many times in poker games and other nefarious dealings that it became its own legend.

Gambler Hank Frey owned Cattlemen’s in 1945. When he was down on his luck at a smoky poker game, he put up Cattlemen’s in a game in which a local rancher, Gene Wade, was required to roll a “hard six,” or two threes.

One roll of the dice made Wade the new owner of the Cattlemen’s Restaurant, and today, the eatery maintains its original Wild West feel.

THE DETAILS: 1309 S. Agnew, (Stockyards City), Oklahoma City, OK, 73108. Open 6am to 10pm Sunday through Thursday, open to midnight Friday and Saturday.

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NURTURE YOUR OKIE ADVENTURER RED ROCK CANYON STATE PARK Whether you like to hike, swim, camp or even rappel off high sandstone cliffs, you’ll find it all at Red Rock Canyon State Park near Hinton, Oklahoma. The park and campsites are located among the canyon walls and the park itself offers hiking trails, a fishing pond, playgrounds, picnic areas and steep canyon walls for rappelling and open exploration.

One of the trails, the Rough Horsetail Nature Trail, follows a gentle stream that winds through the north end of the canyon. The rough horsetail plant grows wild along the trail, which can be used to access the rough red stone at the top of the canyon. Summer isn’t the only time to have fun at Red Rock.

In the fall, the foliage turns fire red, and in spring, wildflowers bloom throughout the area.

This canyon oasis has a long history for Oklahomans. Early Plains Indians wintered in the canyon, which protected them from high winds and bitterly-cold weather. The California Trail ran through the park as well, and the ruts made in sandstone by wagon trains traveling westward can still be seen. So strap on your hiking shoes and explore one of Oklahoma’s historic state parks.

THE DETAILS: 116 Red Rock Canyon Rd, Hinton, OK, 73047.

ROUTE 66 Route 66, America’s most beloved highway, runs through Oklahoma, the state that claims the longest section of the famous roadway.

Filled with Americana attractions, historical museums and monuments to America’s past, a trip down Route 66 is sure to bring up the nostalgia of your inner Okie.

One of the most notable stops along our section of Route 66 includes the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, which features the world’s largest curio cabinet, full of items found on Route 66 throughout its history. For a bit of whimsy, follow the Mother Road to check out the Totem Pole Park near Foyil and marvel at the world’s tallest concrete totem pole. The park also is home to the unique 11-sided Fiddle House.

Perhaps one of the most unique and iconic figures of Route 66 in Oklahoma is the Blue Whale of Catoosa. Sporting a baseball cap and big ol’ smile, the Blue

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Whale is a giant statue built in the 1970s at a local swimming hole. The jovial whale still attracts fans, and today, families can picnic at the attraction and snap a family photo in front of a Route 66 icon.

THE DETAILS: Take Exit 65 off I-40 in Clinton to arrive at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum.

Totem Pole Park is located northeast of Claremore on Hwy 28A, four miles east of the Route 66 intersection in Foyil.

The Blue Whale of Catoosa is located one mile north of Catoosa on Route 66 on the west side of the road.

WICHITA MOUNTAINS WILDLIFE PRESERVE Okies have a spiritual tie to the land, and the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Preserve is the heart of the majestic beauty of the red dirt state. Located on 59,000 protected acres, the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge offers easy and challenging hikes, as well as up-close experiences with an ancient buffalo herd, elk, prairie dogs, deer and more.

Families can find abundant fun with activities like mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, fishing, camping and rappelling. The Quanah Parker Nature and Visitor Center holds a wealth of wildlife exhibits and families can also schedule nature and wildlife tours.

THE DETAILS: From I-44, take Hwy 49 (exit 45) or, from Hwy 62, take Hwy 115 (Cache exit) north to the Refuge gate. Open daily from dawn to dusk.

Oklahoma has thousands of ways to embrace and celebrate the history, food, culture, music and art that makes the state unique. Whether traveling the Mother Road or indulging in an authentic cowboy meal, go out and discover your inner Okie.

ROUTE 66

Real moms of the metro

Meet Yelisabel Villarreal Scott

HOW A VENEZUELAN DANCER FOUND SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN OKLAHOMA

BY NICOLE NUCCIO CALVERT - METROFAMILY COLUMNIST PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEFFANIE HALLEY- WWW.STEFFANIEHALLEY.COM

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elisabel Villarreal Scott was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, in the midst of a tumultuous political and economic situation.

When Yelisabel and her family were robbed at gunpoint while watching another carload of people being kidnapped, her life was forever changed. Her parents made the decision to move to the United States for a better life, and her father moved to Miami to prepare their new life and sent for his family six months later.

annual multicultural performance The Rhythm of the World – Dance & Music from Around the Globe has kept Yelisabel busy. However, as a new mom, the dancer is slowing down.

ACCLIMATING TO THE US

The performers who have jumped on board with the project are dancers and musicians from all over the world. The show has become truly international, featuring dances from Hawaii, Mexico and throughout Latin America.

Only 16 years old,Yelisabel found herself in Miami, Florida, knowing only a couple English phrases. She knew if she wanted to go to school, she needed to make the language a priority, and began to teach herself by watching Sesame Street in her apartment and listening to Mariah Carey and Celine Dion songs with a dictionary by her side. She discovered her apartment complex offered English classes and eventually, she knew enough to attend community college.

By the time she was 18, her English was strong enough to allow her to attend mainstream college classes. She earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Miami, where she met her husband, Dr. Steven Scott.

Her husband’s career as a forensic psychologist brought them to Oklahoma, where Yelisabel earned a master’s degree in advertising at the University of Oklahoma.

Her son,Victor Miguel, celebrated his first birthday in August. “Every time he smiles, my heart just melts,” she said. She has taken this time to focus on her son and step back from all of her projects, except one.

Beginning the preparations for the fourth production of her multicultural performance is something that makes Yelisabel extraordinarily proud. She said, “I had a vision of creating a venue for dance and music artists to perform the real thing and create a great experience for both the artists and the audience.”

THE AMERICAN DREAM After 10 years of marriage and a beautiful son,Yelisabel feels proud looking back at her accomplishments, even though she was apprehensive at first to move to the US. Although learning the language and adapting to a new way of life was a challenge, she said she feels blessed to have gained citizenship and made a new home in Oklahoma. “It really is the American dream,” she said. “I feel happy and thankful and fortunate to be here.

I feel so blessed.”

[Editor’s Note: See Yelisabel’s international show on March 7 at Hillsdale College in Moore.Visit www. marjandancer.com/trotw.html for information.]

THE RHYTHM OF MARJAN Dance has been a part of Yelisabel’s life since she was just 3 years old. While at the University of Miami, she earned money dancing in Latin TV shows, and in Oklahoma, she became a member of Candela Latin Dancers from Clips ‘N Hips in Oklahoma City.

She grew a career performing and teaching belly dance and Zumba classes in Norman, and founded Mystical Hips Dance Troupe, her own student-performance group. Belly dancers often take on a dance persona, and Yelisabel is known as Marjan Esáa, meaning “Sea Coral.”

Working full time as a graphic designer, doing freelance translations, volunteering at community events, teaching and performing dance, and producing Oklahoma’s own

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Here’s more about how this mom balances work, passion and parenting Advice for other moms?

Do the research and educate yourself as much as possible on how to best raise your children but follow your instincts and common sense. Also, enjoy every little moment, every silly face or sound, every milestone big or small. They grow so fast!

What is your parenting style?

My son is still very young, so I’m sure many challenges await me, but I believe in being present in every sense of the word: loving, nurturing, leading by example.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

When I arrived in the US at 16, I only knew how to say two phrases in heavilyaccented English: “Hi, how are you? Fine, thanks and you?!”

What are you passionate about?

Dance! That moment when I’m performing and feel goosebumps. When I feel blessed and a channel to bless others, in that moment I know I’m doing something good for others.

How has motherhood changed you?

I’m happier, more thankful and humbled.

My heart smiles just by looking at my son. I smile, laugh, sing and count my blessings every day. I’m amazed and humbled at the enormous responsibility God gave me by trusting me with him.

What inspires you?

Passionate people who are hard working, go-getters, like my husband, for example. Success stories against adversities, big or small.

Of what are you proudest?

My son, the harmony I live in with my husband of 10 years, seeing my students flourish, and producing The Rhythm of the World show every year.

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QUICK FACTS ABOUT Yelisabel: • What are five words that describe you? Perseverant, faithful, smiley, indecisive (for trivial things) and warrior (to defend my own).

• What is your favorite indulgence? A warm chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream, yum!

• Favorite date night venue?

Before baby, we liked going out to eat sushi and to the Warren Theater.

Now, we order take-out sushi and rent a Redbox!

• Coffee or tea? Coffee, decaf now that I’m breastfeeding, but I love a good, strong cup of café con leche!

exploring beyond oklahoma

Find Endless Adventure In Kansas

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ow your family with a trip up Interstate 35 to Hutchinson, Kansas, where two incredible museums are waiting to show you what lies underground and shines overhead.

BY JENNIFER SHARPE - CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KANSAS UNDERGROUND SALT MUSEUM: STRATACA

EXPLORE THE SKIES Just a little more than three hours from the Oklahoma City metro, the Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center sits, ready to show you the wonders of the sky above. This Smithsonian-affiliated space museum features three theaters in an impressive 105,000-squarefoot venue. Start your outer space journey upstairs with the Hall of Space, which features a comprehensive collection of artifacts and exhibits highlighting the role of the United States in rocket development and the tenuous relationship between Russia and the US that evolved into the joint International Space Station. There are a multitude of artifacts to observe and touch, and endless ways to discover something new.

On the main level, the Carey Digital Dome Theater features 45-minute 3D IMAX documentaries and Hollywood feature films.

Current documentaries are D-Day: Normandy 1944 and Great White Shark. The dome theater is a unique viewing experience because the overhead curved projection area gives the images a special sense of motion that also makes the viewer feel more connected to the

action. For the most current film offerings and showtimes, visit www.cosmo.org.

A must-see is the 45-minute live demonstration at Dr. Goddard’s Lab, which gives the audience an interactive, behind-the-scenes look at explosions and propulsion, the basics of rocket science. Hosted in the building that used to be the museum’s planetarium, the lab show combines big bangs with interactive fun to appeal to all ages. Experiments involve liquid oxygen, balloons, fire and the mystery rocket fuel. Questions and enthusiasm are welcome!

The Justice Planetarium Night Sky Live show guides viewers through the various seasonal skies and teaches stargazing and basic astronomy sprinkled with comic relief. The comfortable seats recline for easy viewing of the stars above. The 45-minute show is educational, fun for the eyes and encourages laughs with its witty narrative.

Other attractions include the Cargo Bay Gift Store and the naviGator Flight Simulator, which offers riders a brief yet fun journey. The Cosmosphere also plays host to a variety of

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special events and speakers. A free monthly lecture series, Coffee at the Cosmo, happens at 9am every third Thursday. Additionally, there are a variety of camps for children of all ages.

THE KANSAS COSMOSPHERE & SPACE CENTER

The museum is located at 1100 N. Plum and is open from 9am to 7pm, Monday through Friday, and from noon to 7pm on Sunday. AllDay Mission Passes include one admission to the Hall of Space Museum, one documentary show at the Carey Digital Dome Theater, one Dr. Goddard’s Lab show, one Justice Planetarium show, and one visit to the naviGator Flight Simulator. Admission fees for the Mission Passes are $23 plus tax for adults and $21 plus tax for children (4-12), seniors (60+) and military. Single venue tickets also are available.

HEAD UNDERGROUND Just five miles away from the starry attraction, you’ll find Strataca, the Kansas Underground Salt Museum. This one-of-a-kind museum is located in an underground salt mine formed about 275 million years ago when the Permian Sea dried up. The bedded salt deposit, one of the largest in the world, extends 27,000 square miles throughout central and south-central Kansas. The purest salt vein is located 650 feet below the surface, and is still being mined today by the Hutchinson Salt Company. Strataca is the only attraction of its kind in the western hemisphere.

“The adventure is 650 feet underground with the walls and ceilings exactly how they were mined out, surrounded by salt, left as natural as possible, is what gives me that feeling of awe and wonder and calmness,” said Gayle Ferrell, director of operations. “It’s a different world than you can find anyplace else. You don’t really believe it until you go. I can go underground and it seems like I’ve been there 30 minutes and it’s been 3 hours, and that is unique. I can’t find that anyplace else.

It’s magical.”

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The journey begins with a safety and information video, and leads into a preparation room where everyone dons hard hats and Self-Rescue breathers, worn over the shoulder. A 30-passenger double-decker elevator descends 650 feet below the Earth’s surface in darkness. The ride takes about 90 seconds but immediately one can sense the infinite darkness and the unique scent of salt. The temperature underground is always a comfortable 68 degrees with 45 percent relative humidity.

Once off the lift, enter the Stratadome, a large mined-out area where a guide greets you and explains the various places to explore underground. Then the adventure is in the visitor’s hands! Get dirty in the Permian Playground, marvel at a 600-pound block of salt, take photos and touch displays that are designed to delight and educate. Learn about the mining process and the daily work of a miner from the past to today with exhibits and videos.

The Salt Mine Express is a 15-minute train ride that journeys through a part of the mine that was active in the 1940s and 50s. See the mine exactly as it was used, and subsequently how it was left when the work was done and there was no more salt to be harvested in that area. From the unusual nostalgic garbage left behind by miners to the equipment and even the important but often unmentioned details such as plumbing and electricity, you will see what the life of a miner was like back in the 1940s and 50s.

The Dark Ride is a 30-minute tram adventure where you’ll learn more about the mine from a personal guide, ask questions and even collect your own souvenir piece of salt.

A great time to make the trip would be October 4, when the museum hosts the Hunt for Red Rocktober. Kids 13 and older can go on a supervised collection adventure. On select Fridays and Saturdays at 1pm, the Salt Safari for ages 13 and up sets out on a 3-hour hike through the mine, exploring miles of tunnel in mostly darkness, as the only light will be from head lamps on hard hats.

You can find this underground oasis at 3650 E. Avenue G. Underground admission is $14 for adults, $7.50 for children ages 4-12, $12 for seniors (60+) and active military. Children age 3 and under are not allowed underground.

The Salt Blast Pass includes all rides and rates are $19 for adults, $12.50 for children and $17 for seniors and military.

Visitors should allow about two hours for their visit, but can explore at their leisure until closing. A maximum of 28 visitors can depart at regular intervals from 9:20am to 4pm. Strataca is open from 9am to 6pm Tuesday through Saturday, and 1pm to 4pm Sunday. Strataca is closed on Mondays except for posted holiday hours. It is recommended to call ahead with a credit card and make

advance reservations to ensure minimal waiting upon arrival. Reservation check-in is 10-15 minutes prior to tour time.

There’s so much to explore at each venue, your family easily can make a weekend of it. Whatever you do, don’t miss the rides at Strataca or the shows at Cosmosphere, which are sure to be family favorites.

If you’re planning a visit to the Cosmosphere and Strataca, take advantage of a shared visit discount, which offers visitors who journey to both venues within a ten-day period $5 off at the second venue.

Just present your ticket from the first location when visiting the second venue.

[Editor’s Note: Looking for more family destinations outside the Oklahoma City metro? Find our archived Exploring Beyond Oklahoma articles at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ exploring-beyond-oklahoma/.]

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calendar

events this

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OUR CALENDAR MAKES IT EASY TO FIND FAMILY FUN IN OKC. FIND MORE AT WWW.METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM.

SEPTEMBERFEST—SEPTEMBER 6 Join the Oklahoma History Center and Governor’s Mansion for their annual Septemberfest, a celebration of state history with a fun twist.

Celebrating 18 years, the event provides adventures for the entire family, including hands-on activities, learning stations, re-enactors showing everything from land run participants and 19th-century Native Americans to Civil War and WWII participants, craft demonstrations, storytelling and other live performances. As a vendor at the event, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum will provide chuck wagon cooking demonstrations and tastings. With a theme of “Mystery at the Museum,” Septemberfest is FREE and runs from 10am to 4pm.

MORE INFORMATION: WWW.OKHISTORY.ORG PHONE: 405-522-3602 Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma Historical Society

FULL MOON BIKE RIDE—SEPTEMBER 9 Enjoy a night of leisure and light fitness under the stars with the Full Moon Bike Ride. Myriad Botanical Gardens in partnership with Schlegel Bicycles will host an hour-long bike ride along a Schlegel-designed route. This casual event will begin promptly at 8:30pm as riders meet and begin their journey from the Band Shell (301 W Sheridan). Participants are encouraged to arrive early. Bicycle lights and helmets are mandatory.

Admission is free with the suggested donation of $5.00 per rider.

MORE INFORMATION: OKLAHOMACITYBOTANICALGARDENS.COM PHONE: 405-445-7080 Photo courtesy of Full Moon Bike Ride

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OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR—SEPTEMBER 11–21 The annual Oklahoma State Fair is one of the biggest family events of the year and it features an assortment of activities for all ages. In addition to rides and games, the celebration will showcase a lineup of live concerts, exciting bullriding demonstrations and a series of fun competitions. Headlining events include Disney on Ice and the Dr. Pepper Family Fun Zone. Regular gate admission is $10 for adults (ages 12+), $5 for children (ages 6-11), and free for children ages five and under. Discount admission is available online and at the Arena Box Office, including five Discount Days. Gates open at 8am daily with complimentary parking available. See the website for more details.

MORE INFORMATION: WWW.OKSTATEFAIR.COM PHONE: 405-948-6800 Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma State Fair

FAIRY BALL ON PASEO—SEPTEMBER 20

Children of all ages are invited to partake in a midsummer fairy event that celebrates creativity and make believe. Everyone is encouraged to dress up in their favorite costume from an enchanted garden that includes fairies and elves, bugs and flowers. This year’s Fairy Ball on Paseo event will take place in the Fairy Green (Dewey Avenue and 28th Street) from 7 to 8:30pm. Children will be given flowers, streamers and leaves to add a decorative touch to their costumes. There will be a dance performance from the StarDanceSwan dance company followed by live music from Steve McLinn.

Throughout the event, children and their parents will have the chance to enjoy some dancing of their own.

MORE INFORMATION: WWW.THEPASEO.COM PHONE: 405-525-2688 Photo courtesy of Skip Largent

OKLAHOMA REGATTA FESTIVAL—OCTOBER 2–5 Get ready for a four-day event that has something for the whole family.

The Oklahoma Regatta Festival will be held at the Boathouse District and include kayaking, dragon boats and rowing—along with food from local restaurants, scheduled racing events and more. Families can enjoy a festival with live music, outdoor activities and fireworks at the end of each evening.

Admission and parking are free for the family-oriented festival. See the website for more details, including hours of operation.

MORE INFORMATION: BOATHOUSEDISTRICT.ORG PHONE: 405-552-4040 Photo courtesy of Boathouse District

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THROUGH SEPT 6

Oktoberfest in the Park at Choctaw Creek Park (201 N Harper) includes homemade German food & more than 30 German draught beers and international wines. Also includes live music, car show, crafts, vendors & activities for children.

Adults $5. FREE for children 12 & under.

Labor Day Weekend, noon-midnight; weekdays 5pm-midnight. 390-8647, www. oldgermany.com.

THROUGH SEPT 7 The Phantom of the Opera presented

by Celebrity Attractions at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker). Performance times vary; see website for details. $40$135. 297-2264, www.myticketoffice.com.

THROUGH SEPT 14

FREE Exhibit Oil and Wood: Oklahoma Moderns George Bogart and Jim Henkle at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman) pairs the work of two distinguished OU professors emeriti.

325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjma.com.

SEPT 3 • WEDNESDAY

Author Allan Hendrickson at Full Circle Bookstore (1900 NW Expressway) includes a discussion & signing of his book, “Think It Feel It Have It!” 7pm, 842-2900, events@fullcirclebooks.com.

SEPT 4 • THURSDAY

Urban Gardening Workshop with Howard Garrett at Crystal Bridge (2nd Floor Conference Room) features “The Dirt Doctor” as he discusses Urban Gardening Methods and great ideas for your garden this fall (planting fall vegetables and herbs, preparing & planting trees and getting ready for winter). $5 per person. 445-7080, 11am12:30pm, www.myriadgardens.org.

Hispanic Heritage at Northwest Metropolitan Library (5600 NW 122) features different cultures in South and Central America as well as a demonstration on how to make arepas followed by a tasting.

6pm. RSVP. 606-3580, www.metrolibrary.org.

Ace High Dinner and Benefit Auction at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd) offers a roster of auction items, buffet & refreshments. Doors open at 5pm. Event starts at 6pm. Must be 21 to enter. RSVP. Visit website for ticket info. 478-2250, www. nationalcowboymuseum.org.

The Max Ridgeway Trio performs at Full Circle Bookstore (1900 NW Expressway).

7:30pm, 842-2900, events@fullcirclebooks.com.

FREE First Friday Gallery Walk in the Paseo Arts District features over 60 artists in more than 17 galleries within walking distance.

Friday, 6-10pm; Saturday, noon-6pm. 525-2688, www.thepaseo.com. Other dates include 10/3.

FREE Back to School Bash with The Sugarfree Allstars at the Chesapeake Lawn (62nd & Western) includes a bounce house, food trucks, yard games, a parentfriendly COOP beer tent & much more.

5-8pm, www.visitwesternavenue.com.

SEPTEMBER 4-7

FREE Cleveland County Fair at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds (615 E Robinson, Norman) features livestock shows, carnival rides, tractor pulls, kiddie pedal pulls, petting zoo & more. See website for open times. www.clevelandcountyfair.org.

SEPT 5 • FRIDAY

FREE Family Movie Series Men in Black at the Boathouse District (725 S Lincoln). Concessions available. Movie at dusk. 552-4040, www.boathousedistrict.org.

FREE Red Dirt Rangers Family Concert by Devon Energy at Myriad

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Gardens. Lawn games start at 6pm; concert from 6:30-8pm. www.myriadgardens.org.

SEPTEMBER 5-6

FREE First Friday Gallery Walk in the Paseo Arts District features more than 60 artists in 17 galleries. Friday, 6-10pm; Saturday, noon-5pm. 525-2688, www. thepaseo.com.

FREE Live Music on the Canal at Bricktown (downtown OKC) is a music festival held along the Bricktown canal that features a variety of Oklahoma singers and bands performing on five different stages. See website for schedules, www. livemusiconthecanal.com.

Mustang’s Annual Western Days at Wildhorse Park (1202 N Mustang) features gospel music, a chili cook-off, rodeo, parade, pancake breakfast, open car show, food vendors, carnival & more. 376-2758, www. mustangchamber.com.

SEPT 6 • SATURDAY

FREE Septemberfest at the Governor’s Mansion and Oklahoma History Center (800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr) features living historians, hands-on activities, demonstrations, live performances, storytelling & unique exhibits about Oklahoma. 10am-4pm. 522-3602, www. okhistory.org.

OSU Football vs. Missouri State at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. 2:30pm. www.okstate.com. Other home game this month: 9/25 vs. Texas Tech, 6:30pm.

The Kingston Trio featuring Your Father’s Mustache presented by the American Banjo Museum at Rose State Performing Arts Theater (6420 SE 15, Midwest City). $25-$35. 7pm. 297-2264, www.okcciviccenter.com.

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Saturday Night Movie Frozen at Chickasaw Cultural Center (867 Cooper Memorial, Sulphur) features film on the four-story screen of Anoli’ Theater. 6:30pm. $2 for children; $3 adults, or $5 for a combo package, including ticket, popcorn and a bottled drink. 580-622-7153, www. chickasawculturalcenter.com. Also held 9/13, Captain Phillips; 9/20, Fast & Furious 6; 9/27, The Outsiders.

Gospel Concert at Inspiration Hill (880669 S 3330 Rd, Wellston) featuring The Williamsons, Jesse Lee Turner & Tom Borror. Love offering will be received. 7pm.

356-4051.

SEPTEMBER 6-7

FREE Bank of America Museums on Us Weekend offers FREE admission to a variety of museums, including the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and Oklahoma City Museum of Art, on the first full weekend of each month with any ATM, credit or check card from Bank of America. FREE general admission for the cardholder. http:// museums.bankofamerica.com.

SEPT 6 • SATURDAY

FREE Gallery Talk at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman) Features discussion of modernist furniture

by Former OU School of Art Design Professor Jim Henkle. 12:30pm, 325-3272, www.ou/edu/fjjma.

SEPT 7 • SUNDAY

FREE Block Party at New Covenant United Methodist Church (2700 S Boulevard, Edmond) includes free food, inflatables and activities provided by Safe Kids Oklahoma and OU Medical Center.

12:30pm. 562-3200, www.ncovenant.org.

FREE Family Day at the OKC Museum of Art (415 Couch) features hands-on art activities, interactive photo booth, outdoor

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community art-making, story times by the Metropolitan Library System, live entertainment & more. While there, visit MetroFamily’s art booth. Noon-5pm. 2363100, www.okcmoa.com.

FREE Summer Breeze Concert Series featuring music by Kim Lenz & the Jaguars at Lions Park (Flood & Symmes, Norman). 7:30pm. www.pasnorman.org.

FREE Twilight Concert Series featuring the Justin Young Band at Myriad Gardens presented by Devon Energy Corporation. Sponsored by Arts Council of Oklahoma City. 7:30-9pm, www. myriadgardens.org.

SEPT 9 • TUESDAY

Teddy Bear Tuesday art class at Abrakadoodle (113 W Main, Moore) includes story time and a teddy bear art project. Held 10-11am, ages 2-5 with adult; 1-3pm, ages 6-14; and 4-6pm, ages 6-14; $15. Register by calling 759-7977 or at www.abrakadoodle.com/ok-metrooklahoma-city-register.

FREE Full Moon Bike Ride starting from the Myriad Gardens Band Shell features an hour-long, leisurely group bike ride. Lights and helmets required. $5 donation appreciated. 445-7080, www. myriadgardens.org.

SEPT 11 • THURSDAY

FREE Astronomy Night in the Garden at the Great Lawn. Members of the OKC Astronomy Club provide their telescopes for stargazing. 8:30pm. 4457080, www.myriadgardens.org.

SEPTEMBER 11-21

Oklahoma State Fair (3001 General Pershing) features a large carnival, a variety of midway rides & games, exhibits throughout the fairground buildings, unique shopping opportunities, as well as Disney

mber (THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13) on Ice, contests, concerts, arts & livestock competitions. Adults $10; children (ages 6-11), $5; children (5 and under), free; season passes, $30. 948-6800. www. okstatefair.com.

SEPTEMBER 11-27 Macbeth presented by Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park at Myriad Gardens Water Stage (301 W Reno) features the story of Macbeth’s ambition to be King of Scotland & how it leads him into a nightmarish world of evil, deceit & murder. $15, $10 students/seniors/military.

Thursday-Sunday, 8-11pm. 235-3700, www. oklahomashakespeare.org.

SEPT 12 • FRIDAY

Old Crow Medicine Show concert at Rose State Performing Arts Theatre (6000 Trosper Rd, Midwest City). $25-$35. 8pm. www.okcciviccenter.com.

FREE Movie Night at the Park Hook at Stephenson Park (S Littler & E 4th, Edmond). $1 concessions available for purchase. Movie at dusk. 359-4630, www. edmondparks.com.

LIVE on the Pawza in the Plaza District (NW 16 between Classen & Penn) on the second Friday celebrates pets with local art, live music & shopping. 7-11pm, www. plazadistrict.org. th

Bright Night of Chemistry at Science Museum Oklahoma (2100 NE 52nd) provides an overnight experience where children are encouraged to be a “mad scientist” with live shows, hands-on projects and more. One adult required per six children; bring own sleeping bag. Starts at 7pm and ends 7am the next morning. $45 for non-member child; $35 for SMO members; $25 for adults. 602-3760, www. sciencemuseumok.org.

SEPT 13 • SATURDAY

Hoof’n It 5K at the Boathouse District (725 S Lincoln Blvd) benefits Sunset Therapeutic Riding Center & features a 5K & 10K run as well as a Family Fun Trot. 5K & Family Fun Trot, $30; 10K, $35. 8:30am. www.hoofnitrun.com.

FREE Splat’s Saturday Sampler art lesson by Abrakadoodle held at Yukon Community Center (2200 S Holly Ave, Yukon) 10am-noon, and at Abrakadoodle (113 W Main, Moore) from 1-3pm. For ages 2-14 (ages 2-5 must be accompanied by an adult). Free but must register online. 759-7977, www. abrakadoodle.com.

Jazzy Jos Junk Show at the Crowne Plaza OKC (2945 NW Expressway) features a full bar, OKC mobile DJs, a silent auction as well as $1,000+ in giveaways.

More than 40 vendors, handmade crafts, vintage boutiques & much more! 10am-7pm. www.jazzyjosjunkshow.com.

OU Football vs. Tennessee at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (180 W Brooks, Norman), 7pm, www.soonersports.com.

Full Circle Obedience Dog Adoption Event at the Great Lawn of the Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno) for an all-day adoption event. Dogs will be screened, carefully chosen, and placed with potential owners based on the trainer’s knowledge about that particular animal as well as the new owner’s lifestyle and needs.

Adoption cost: $200. 11am. 721-7829, 721stay@gmail.com.

Friends and Lovers by the OKC Philharmonic at OKC Civic Center (201 N Walker). Dutch violinist Simone Lamsma is featured in her first appearance with the orchestra. 8pm. 842-5387, www. okcphilharmonic.org.

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SEPT 14 • SUNDAY

FREE Wiggle Out Loud: A Family Music Festival at Bicentennial Park (500 Couch Dr) features live music, health and fitness related activities, vendors offering a variety of healthy foods & beverages as well as art organizations & more. Performers include The Doo Dads, the Sugar Free Allstars, Race Dance Company & more.

11am-6pm. www.wiggleoutloud.com.

Sunday Twilight Concert Series presented by Devon at the Great Lawn & Band Shell (301 W Sheridan) features a live performance by Storyville Scoundrels (Swing). 7:30-9pm, www.myriadgardens.org.

SEPT 15 • MONDAY

Kelli O’ Hara and Ted Sperling at Armstrong Auditorium (14400-B S Bryant, Edmond). Enjoy a night out with four-time Tony-award nominee & Oklahoma native Kelli O’ Hara in Broadway’s Classic Hits, hosted and conducted by Tony Awardwinner Ted Sperling. 8pm. 285-1010, www. armstrongauditorium.org.

SEPT 16 • TUESDAY

FREE Art After Noon at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman) includes abstract expressionist art discussion presented by Susan Baley, FJJMA Director of Education. Bring lunch; dessert and drinks are provided. 12:30pm. 3253272, www.ou.edu/fjjma.

“Everlasting Tour” at OCCC (7777 S May Ave) features Grammy award winner Sandi Patty. $25-$45. 7:30pm. 682-7579, www.occc.edu/cas.

SEPTEMBER 17-21

National Cavalry Competition at Fort Reno (7107 W Cheyenne, El Reno) features participants from around the world in the National Cavalry Competition, sponsored by the US Cavalry Association.

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9am-5pm. Tickets may be purchased at the Visitors Center. 262-3987, www. elrenotourism.org.

SEPT 18 • THURSDAY

FREE Shop Good’s Mustache Bash is a block party/fundraising event held near the retail store Shop Good (3 NW 9th St) and benefiting the non-profit ReMerge. Live music, activities for kids, mustache contest and more. All ages. 5pm-midnight. 702-0517, http://store.shopgoodokc.com/stache.

FREE Homeschool Day at Chickasaw Cultural Center (867 Cooper Memorial, Sulphur) features special guided tours, educational information packets, stomp dancing, cultural demonstrations & more.

Best for homeschool groups. 580-622-7153, www.chickasawculturalcenter.com.

FREE Auto Alley Shop Hop in Historic Automobile Alley (Broadway Ave, between NW 4th & 10th) features open house events at local shops, extended retail shopping hours, live music, street artists & performers, kids’ activities, food, discounts, giveaways & more. Held every third Thursday of the month. 6-9pm, www. automobilealley.org.

Third Thursdays at the GaylordPickens Museum at Oklahoma Heritage Museum (corner of NW 13 & Shartel).

Held on the third Thursday of each month, this event includes story time & crafts for families to enjoy together. $3 but FREE for children 6 and under. 10am. 523-3231, www.oklahomaheritage.com.

SEPT 20 • SATURDAY

OKC Fire Department Project Life Run at Regatta Park (701 S Lincoln) features a 5K & 1-mile fun run raises funds to provide free smoke alarms. $25 in advance, $35 race day. 8am. www.signmeup. com/100202.

mber (THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21)

Orphan Love Mud Run presented by It’s a Child’s Life Foundation in Ada for all runners. Features a 5K run with obstacles for adults & a Kid’s Fun Run. All proceeds go to families who are trying to adopt orphan children around the world. Saturday, 7:30am. contact@itsachildslife.org.

FREE Midsummer Fairy Ball at Paseo Art District (Green Space at NW 28th) is a dress-up event where anyone who is young at heart is encouraged to come to the ball dressed as a character from an enchanted garden. Imagination lights up when children gather at the ball dressed as bugs, blossoms, elves, fairies and magical creatures. 7pm.

525-2688, www.thepaseo.com.

Down Syndrome Festival & 5K at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (2 S Mickey Mantle Dr) brings awareness and raises funds for Oklahoma families with Down syndrome children. Festival includes a 5K, awareness walk around the ballpark, moon bounces, live music and petting zoo. www. dsfestivaland5k.com.

FREE Old Town Moore Big Wheel Nationals at the Moore Community Center (301 S Howard, Moore) for ages 4-8 features races with awards & other children’s activities. 4:30pm. 793-4332, www.cityofmoore.com/fun.

Golf Family Fun Night at KickingBird Golf Club (1600 E Danforth, Edmond) includes playing 9 holes of golf with the family. Special junior tees, a putting course, $2 range tokens, food and beverage discounts. $7 green fees, $7 carts. 341-5350, www.kickingbirdgolf.com.

The 28th Annual Renaissance Run at the Nick Harroz Community Center (200 N Midwest, Midwest City) includes a 5K run & walk at 8:30am and concludes with a pancake breakfast held at Midwest Regional Medical Center. Pre-register. $1025 in advance, $30 race day for all ages.

Edmond Mothers of Multiples Fall Consignment Sale at Quail Spring United Methodist Church (14617 N Pennsylvania) has select items half price from 12pm-1pm & also has earlybird passes for $10 to shop the sale from 7am-8am. $1 admission per family. brandirhartman@gmail.com.

FREE Krazy Kids Dog Show at Shannon Miller Park (S Jackson & E First, Edmond) encourages kids ages 4-12 to enter their dogs in two categories for a chance to win a trophy. Each participant will receive a FREE t-shirt. 10am. 359-4630, www.edmondok.com/parks/rec.

SEPT 21 • SUNDAY

FREE Family Day at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman) provides a variety of hands-on art activities for the entire family. 1-4pm. 325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjma.

Actress and author Melissa Gilbert at Full Circle Bookstore (1900 NW Expressway) to discuss & sign copies of My Prairie Cookbook. 1pm. 842-2900, events@ fullcirclebooks.com.

FREE Sunday Twilight Concert Series presented by Devon at the Great Lawn & Band Shell (301 W Sheridan) features a live performance by Empire State Band (rock/jazz). 7:30-9pm. www. myriadgardens.org. Also held on 9/28, Gregory Jerome (Classical Hip Hop) featuring Special Guest.

FREE The Bella Foundation’s Annual Dog Walk, Peace, Love & Pups, at Duffner Park (10901 Victoria Pl) features a meet & greet of pet owners and their four-legged friends, a 1.5 mile “dogwalk” through the city of The Village and a festival. Visit site for detailed schedule and registration. 8am-2pm. 343-3396, www. thebellafoundation.org.

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SEPT 25 • THURSDAY

FREE Opening Reception for new exhibit: The Edmond Sun: Connecting our Community 1889 -2014 Opening Reception at Edmond Historical Society & Museum (431 S Blvd).

This exhibit will include early printing presses, a type case & other artifacts that illuminate the changing face of news technology. 5:30pm. 340-0078, www. edmondhistory.org.

SEPT 26 • FRIDAY

FREE School Day – 2014 Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Expo at Lazy E Arena (9600 Lazy E, Guthrie) a hands-on interactive expo of exhibits, seminars, clinics, workshops & demonstrations centering on wildlife & outdoor life. Registrations required online. 8am-6pm. 522-6279, www. wildlifedepartmentexpo.com.

ZooBrew fundraising event at the OKC Zoo. Features over 30 beers provided by local breweries. Live music and silent auction. Must be 21 to attend. 6:30-9pm, tickets available online. 425-0618, www. zoofriends.org.

FREE H&8th Night Market at Hudson & 8th in Midtown OKC features food trucks & live music. See website for scheduled performances.7-11pm. 633-1703, www.h8thokc.com.

SEPT 26-OCT 4

FREE Chickasaw Nation Annual Meeting & Festival at Chickasaw Cultural Center (867 Cooper Memorial, Sulphur) includes activities and events celebrating Chickasaw heritage, history & customs. Includes cultural events, entertainment, games, fellowship & more.

580-371-2040, www.chickasaw.net.

SEPT 26-28

FREE 2014 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships on the Oklahoma River (725 S Lincoln Blvd)

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features athletes from around the world. Also held during this festival is the PaddleFest Dragon Boat Festival for teams of 10 to compete; no prior experience needed (held Sept 27, 5-10pm). See website for schedule. www.oklahomariverevents.org.

SEPT 27 • SATURDAY

FREE Stockyards Stampede at Stockyards City (1305 S Agnew) features a full day of fun western activities and entertainment for all ages. Includes chuck wagon food tasting, therapeutic horseback riding demonstrations, mechanical bull riding, a petting zoo, scavenger hunt, live entertainment & more. 10am-5pm. 2357267, www.stockyardscity.org.

FREE Edmondopoly at Chitwood Park (2 S Story, Edmond) features a giant sidewalk game board (like Monopoly) made up of Edmond businesses. Food & drinks available. Prizes included. 5-7pm. 359-4630, www.edmondparks.com.

FREE Plaza District Festival at the Plaza District (NW 16 between Classen & Penn) features exclusively Oklahoma artists, performers & vendors. Live music, kids’ art activities & a variety of concessions from local and food trucks, breweries & restaurants. Noon-10pm (kids’ activities close at 6pm). www.plazadistrict.org.

Family Workshop: Walk on the Wild Side at Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua, Norman) features an adventure search at the museum & the park to explore the way animals move. Preregister. $20 members, $30 non-members.

9am-noon. 325-4712, www.snomnh.ou.edu.

Paddlefest Dragon Boat Festival at OKC Boathouse District (725 S Lincoln) features a dragon boat race. Teams will paddle to the rhythm of a drummer in order to propel a canoe with an ornat dragon head & tail down the river. Teams consist of 10 or 20. Ages 8-80. Starting cost is $200 (for a 10-person youth team). Register online. 5pm, 552-4040, www.boathousedistrict.org.

events this

september (THROUGH OCTOBER 4)

SEPT 27-28

celebrityattractions.com.

2014 Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Expo at Lazy E Arena (9600 Lazy E, Guthrie) celebrates natural diversity and opportunities for sporting enthusiasts and newcomers. Features camping, outdoor skills, shooting sports, fishing & more.

Saturday, 8am-6pm; Sunday, 8am-5pm. 5226279, www.wildlifedepartmentexpo.com.

OCT 2 • THURSDAY

SEPT 27-OCT 12

OCTOBER 2-5

FREE Dugout Canoe Exhibit at Chickasaw Cultural Center (867 Cooper Memorial, Sulphur). Exhibit helps visitors explore hundreds of objects that showcase canoe-making, plus paddles, tools fishing equipment, model canoes and more. 10am-5pm. 580-622-7153, www. chickasawculturalcenter.com.

SEPT 28 • SUNDAY

FREE Lecture & Opening Reception at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman). Enjoy a free lecture by Mark White, Eugene B. Adkins Curator and Senior Curator of Collections, followed by an opening reception. 7pm, 325-3272, www. ou.edu/fjjma.

FREE Oklahoma Regatta Festival in the Boathouse District (725 S Lincoln) features a four-day celebration of rowing, kayaking, dragon boating & family fun with the OCU Head of Oklahoma, OGE NightSprings & a family festival including live music, a children’s area, fireworks, food, bear & wine garden & more. See website for schedule. www.oklahomariverevents. org.

Hot Mamas Run & Baby Parade at Mitch Park (1501 W Covell Rd, Edmond) designed to foster the spirit of health, happiness, confidence and empowerment for women and their families. The Baby Parade is a non-competitive, one-mile walk where women and children under 12 can dress up in costumes and decorate wagons and strollers, for a chance to win great prizes. Walk, jog or run. Registration $20$50. 406-8025, www.hotmamasrun.com.

OCT 3 • WEDNESDAY

FREE Science Action & Object I.D. Day at Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua, Norman) features a family-friendly, science-packed day of discovery & fun, including demonstrations & hands-on activities. 1-5pm. 325-4712, www. snomnh.ou.edu.

FREE Baby Bazaar at Mustang Town Center (1201 N Mustang) features new & used clothing, toys & other items for babies & children birth-5T. $10 per booth to sell items. 8am-1pm. 376-3411, www. cityofmustang.org.

SEPT 29 • MONDAY

The Music Man In Concert at the OKC Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker) features composer Meredith Willson’s vintage portrait of Americana & unforgettable characters that discover and rediscover the power of music and romance.

Tickets start at $25 (plus fees). 7:30pm, www.

FREE Edfest presented by Edmond Mobile Meals at Edmond Farmer’s Market (25 W 3rd, Edmond) is a fundraising event with local brewers, live music, kid activities & more. All proceeds support Edmond Mobile Meals. 6-9:30pm. 341-3111, www. edfestokc.com.

OCT 4 • THURSDAY

Discover Family Concert, “Cartoon Classics,” presented by the OKC Philharmonic at the Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker). Kids will enjoy handson activities starting at 1pm; the one-hour concert featuring cartoon music starts at 2pm. $9 per person. 842-5387, www. okcphilharmonic.org.

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events this

september WEEKLY EVENTS

FREE Story Time at Norman Public Library West (3000 Norman Center Court, Norman) for ages 2-PreK. Tuesdays, 10am. www.justsoyouknow.us.

FREE Art Adventures at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman), for ages 3-5. Young artist are invited to experience art through books. Visit site for full list of dates, books and activities.10:30am every Tuesday.

325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjma.com.

Adults Yoga with Alexis Persico under the Pavilion at the Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno) every Tuesday evening. All-levels Vinyasa-style class. Bring a yoga mat & water.

Class will meet under the Pavilion as weather permits; when it doesn’t class will meet inside the Crystal Bridge. $10 for nonmembers; $5 for member. Pay on-site or in advance online.

445.7080, www.myriadgardens.org.

FREE Tuesday Noon Concerts at Fred Jones (555 Elm, Norman) features 30-minute concerts performed by OU School of Music students and faculty. Noon on Tuesdays starting Sept 9, 325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjma. com.

Toddler Story & Craft Time at Unpluggits Playstudio (575 Enterprise, Edmond) features a different story each week & a related craft time. FREE with paid admission. Wednesdays, 11-11:30am. 3407584, www.unpluggits.com.

FREE Bringing Books to Life presented

by Junior League of Oklahoma City in the lobby of the Crystal Bridge in the Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno) every Wednesday.

10am, for ages 2-5. Books are nature-themed and selected based on the season. Children will also create a small craft after the story.

445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org.

Edmond Farmers Market on Saturdays at Festival Market Place (26 W First, Edmond) Purchase regionallygrown produce. 8am-1pm. 359-4630, www. edmondparks.com.

FREE Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May) hosts Crafts for Kids, no reservation needed. Saturdays, 11am-3pm, ages 3 and

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up. 858-8778, www.lakeshorelearning.com.

FREE Children’s Story Time at Full Circle Books (1900 NW Expressway).

Saturdays, 10:15am. 842-2900, www. fullcirclebooks.com.

FREE Children’s Story Time at Edmond’s Best of Books (1313 E Danforth, Edmond). Saturdays, 11-11:30am. 340-9202, www.bestofbooksedmond.com.

FREE Nature Story Time at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) for ages 2-6 features stories to help children discover the world of nature, followed by an activity or outdoor hike. Saturdays, 10am. 755-0676, www.okc.gov/parks.

Drop in Art at the OKC Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) features hands-on art activities for all ages. FREE with paid admission. See website for themes/activities.

Saturdays, 1-4pm. 236-3100, www.okcmoa. com.

FREE Sunday Twilight Concert Series at the Myriad Gardens Great Lawn (301 W Reno). See website for schedule.

Sundays, 7:30-9pm. www.artscouncilokc. com.

FREE Discovery Room programs at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua, Norman). Typically held weekend afternoons. See website for details. 325-4712, www.samnoblemuseum.org.

Norman Farm Market at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds (615 E Robinson, Norman) presents an array of fresh, local produce through October. Current offerings include peppers, sweet potatoes, gourds, fall bedding plants and more. Open Saturdays 8am-noon, Tuesdays 4-8pm. 360-4721, www.clevelandcountyfair.org.

MWC Farmers Market (9104 SE 15 St) features in-season produce, plants and herbs.

Find red and white onions, red and white potatoes, pumpkins, fresh and dried herbs, cucumbers, bell pepper & squash. Open Saturdays 8am-noon through October.

818-1962.

events this

september ONGOING EVENTS

THROUGH SEPT 14

FREE Oil & Wood: George Bogart & Jim Henkle at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman) pairs the work of two distinguished OU professors emeriti.

325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjma.

Gods & Heroes: Masterpieces from the Ecole Des Beaux-Arts, Paris at the OKC Museum of Art (415 Couch) includes 142 paintings, sculptures & works on paper dating from the 17th-19th centuries from the original school of fine arts in Paris. 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com.

THROUGH SEPT 15

Totemic Taxonomy at Science Museum Oklahoma Satellite Galleries (2100 NE 52) features art by Peter Froslie & Cathleen Faubert that explores totems within the context of the 21st century. 602-6664, www.sciencemuseumok.org.

SEPT 13-OCT 26 From Tusks to Treasure: Ivory from the Milligan-Kirkpatrick Collection at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art (1900 W MacArthur, Shawnee) features ivory works. 878-5300, www.mgmoa.org.

SEPT 13-JAN 19

RARE: Portraits of America’s Endangered Species at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua, Norman) features an exhibit of well-known & unfamiliar species ands examines the history, purpose & effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, 1-5pm. 325-4712, www.snomnh. ou.edu.

THROUGH SEPT 27

Fore: Look Back at Golf in Edmond at the Edmond Historical Society & Museum (431 S Boulevard, Edmond) examines how golf has been successful in Edmond. 340-0078, www.edmondhistory. org.

THROUGH SEPT

Art of the Brick: Permission to Play at Science Museum Oklahoma (2100 NE 52) features an interactive exhibit with sculptures created out of LEGO bricks & an area where families can build, play & create.

602-6664, www.sciencemuseumok.org.

THROUGH OCTOBER Stingray Bay at the OKC Zoo (2000 Remington). See & touch live stingrays. $3 entry fee, plus regular Zoo admission.

424-3344, www.okczoo.com.

Midtown Market presented by Urban Agrarian at Saint Anthony Hospital (1010 N Walker) includes fresh, Oklahoma-grown produce, meats & dairy, baked goods, honey & prepared foods such as salsa, jam, jelly & relish. Also includes complementary vendors each week with specialty items such as body care, soaps, wine & more. Friday, 1pm-sunset. 231-1919, www.urbanagrarian.com.

THROUGH JAN 4

Formed in Stone: The Natural Beauty of Fossils at the Sam Noble Museum (2401 Chautauqua, Norman) features photographs of fossils dating from 80-455 millions years old as well as diverse physical specimens. 325-4712, www. samnoblemuseum.org.

THROUGH NOV 19

FREE Wide-Open Wednesdays at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd) features free admission every Wednesday. Pre-register for groups of 10 or more. 478-2250, Ext. 241, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org.

OCTOBER 3-JAN 4

FREE Macrocosm/Microcosm: Abstract Expressionism in the Southwest art exhibit at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman). 3253272, www.ou.edu/fjjma.

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mom gets the last laugh

What’s this “alone time” I hear so much about?

ILLUSTRATION BY EMILY BALL, WWW.EMILYMGBA

LL.COM.

BY HEATHER DAVIS - METROFAMILY COLUMNIST

M

y sweet husband, knowing I’d had a rough week, promised that he’d quietly get our daughters out of the house on Saturday and let me sleep in. Y’all?

Sleeping in is my nirvana. He didn’t have to tell me twice of his plans before I popped a melatonin, put on a sleep mask and drifted off to dream.

If I’d thought ahead, I’d have put on an adult undergarment so I could sleep even later. But, my bladder woke me just before bursting. I exited the bathroom to discover a quiet house. Our house hadn’t been that METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

quiet since my single days—I was a quiet and shy single lady. That’s my story.

I stayed in my pajamas and turned my television on something that wasn’t Nick, Disney or PBS Kids. I opened the front door to let the unseasonably cool Oklahoma wind waft through the quietness. I grabbed the laptop and began surfing Facebook, intent on doing nothing but taking all the quizzes. Before I even found out my super power, Bo the Dumb Dog and JJ the Dumber Dog burst through the back room and invaded the living room. I set the computer down and dashed toward the wide-open front door just in time to be knocked down by them both as they made their way out into the neighborhood, taking my quiet Saturday morning with them. Dumb dogs.

I wasn’t so concerned about Bo. Bo, alas, always comes back. Plus, it was sprinkling. Bo hates rain. Before I could even get up from the foyer

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SEPTEMBER 2014

floor, Bo was back inside. JJ, however, rarely gets out. He has no street smarts—he’d be like those poor Amish kids in the big city.

He wouldn’t know how to get back home and he’d probably try some catnip from the neighbor’s calico and maybe even dance to the devil’s music. I would have to go get him.

I grabbed the leash (because the last time I tried to lead JJ by his collar alone, he almost pulled my arm off, those black labs are rough), slipped on my daughter’s flip flops and set out to snag and bring home JJ. I wasn’t too worried about it because the poor dog has hip dyspepsia, bless his heart, how hard could it be to catch that big, ol’ fumbling lab?

I’ll answer that question for you:Very hard.

Very hard indeed.

Our first stop was the neighbor’s front door, where he marked his territory. I made a mental note to give them an extra big jar of hot chocolate mix when the holidays rolled around. But, he escaped my grasp and headed into their garage. I just about got him on the other side of their motorcycle before he took off again, jarring the motorcycle just enough to give me a full-blown heart attack. Then I

saw that it was just a Suzuki, and my heart rate slowed some.

Next we toured the neighbor’s trash bins, where JJ turned over three cans. I realize now, it was part of his grand scheme to buy himself time, knowing full well that I would be obligated to pick up their trash and right their bins.

Good news, though. The other neighbor’s dog had pooped quite a bit in their own front yard, so JJ had to stop and sniff every last pile of dog poop. I’m disgusted to report that he even tasted some. I know: Go ahead. Say it aloud, “Ewwww...” But, it was because of his tasting that I was able to grab him as he sniffed at the neighbor’s bushes.

I grabbed him, and the skies opened up and poured rain down upon our already sopping wet earth. With the downpour, JJ sought shelter by crawling further into the bushes.

Resolved to win this fight, I, in my nightshirt, boxer shorts and NOTHING ELSE, still holding tight to his collar, crawled right after him. As nothing but my calves stuck out from underneath the bushes, I swiftly clicked the leash onto his collar and began pulling him out.

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JJ, being a dog with a sixties soul, played dead and refused to walk with me. With the rain pelting our leaf-snaggled selves, I picked him up and carried his 100-pound dog body back to our house. I only exposed my myself once, twice, three times. I think Lionel Richie wrote a song about that sometime in the eighties.

JJ began squirming as we approached our front door. I set him down, leash wrapped tightly around my wrist, readjusted my shirt, and grabbed the door handle... The locked door handle. Upon hearing us at the front door, Bo, on the inside, jumped up and looked at us through the window. I, on the outside, secretly cussed the dogs. And by secretly, I mean I cussed loudly like a sailor.

Next time my husband offers me some alone time, it better be at a nice, plush hotel—with a no-pets policy.

Heather Davis is an Oklahoma momma and a writer, and is still looking for ways to relax. She’s the author of the TMI Mom books, available on Amazon. She and her husband live in Bartlesville with their two dogs, two cats and two daughters.

local shopping

Two wheels, two shops, too many reasons to love Schlegel Bicycles.

Welcome Fall with a Family Bike Ride

BY JENNIFER JACKSON - CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SCHLEGEL BICYCLES.

Cooler weather means it’s the perfect time to hit the road on two wheels. Schlegel Bicycles can get you started.

With September upon us, the kids have returned to school and it is a little less daunting to venture outside for a family outing.There are significantly lower odds that some member of your family will utter the words “I’m hot.”

As cooler temperatures set in, so do the memories of our own first days of school.The smell of chalkboard dust and the sound of a bicycle crashing carelessly to the ground before running through the doors of the school. On a good morning, as you usher your own kids out the door, you can almost feel the weight of your backpack on your shoulders and feel your lunch box bang against your knee as you pedal your bike, its wheels slicing through the heavy air of late summer.

Steve Schlegel, owner of Schlegel Bicycles in downtown Oklahoma City, never forgot what it is like to ride his bike, though its unlikely he has allowed one to crash haphazardly to the ground in a good many years. An avid cyclist, Schlegel took his bike up the iconic Route 66 to Tulsa earlier this summer. Since 1984, he has been sharing his passion for two-wheeled transportation with the good folks of the metro. He became the owner of a little bike shop in south Oklahoma City in 1988, established Schlegel Bicycles and things just got bigger and

better from there. Currently situated in the historic Automobile Alley, Schlegel Bicycles works tirelessly to outfit people with the perfect bike.

It’s grown to include two venues, a multi-sport and pro shop across the street from the family and recreation shop. From avid sporting cyclists to families who like to go for a ride on the weekends, Schlegel said he and his team are enthusiastic about the sport and eager to help everyone interested in bicycling, be it for sport, recreation, exercise or transportation.

MetroFamily was able to chat with Schlegel about his bike shop, far from little nowadays, his involvement in the community and about the bicycling culture that is rapidly growing in Oklahoma City. His bike shop has been named among the top 100 bicycle retailers in the country six times.With more than 5,200 retailers competing for those spots, this is

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THE SCHLEGEL BICYCLES STAFF RECEIVES AN AWARD FOR SUPPORT OF THE BIKING COMMUNITY.

no small accomplishment. “It’s not just about market share either,” said Schlegel. “Community involvement, presentation, quality and customer service are factored into figuring out who gets to be a top retailer in the industry.”

Schlegel is no stranger to community involvement, either. Last year, during the aftermath of the tornado that struck the region, he found and orchestrated a way to help. Partnering with Trek Bikes and working in conjunction with FEMA and the YMCA, Schlegel was able to donate 275 bikes back to those who had lost everything in the storms. “It was great to be able to give back in the best way we know how,” Schlegel said of the effort.

Families looking for a fantastic and healthy way to spend the upcoming fall days can find an all-encompassing resource in Schlegel Bicycles.

The professionals at Schlegel Bicycle will happily help you select a quality bike by looking at several elements.The experts will look at your family’s style of riding, or distances you expect to ride, how often you’ll be hopping on the bike and the surfaces you’ll be traversing.They’ll also help you get the best fit. “Just like jeans, your bike needs to fit you just right,” Schlegel said. “Too many people get discouraged about bicycling because their bike just doesn’t fit. It’s uncomfortable to them and it doesn’t respond quite right and it just isn’t fun when the bike isn’t fit properly.”

As to purchasing a high dollar bike for your ever-outgrowing cyclists, Schlegel maintains that a quality bike, though perhaps higher priced, isn’t

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as outlandish as it seems. It’s important for little riders to have bikes that fit them, and there’s always an opportunity to sell the bike when a child outgrows it.

Once you’ve worked with Schlegel to get the best bikes for your fall of family cycling, you’ll be able to choose the route or path. Since 1997, the City of Oklahoma City has been working to improve the safety and accessibility of routes for the metro area’s cyclists. Randy Entz, senior planner for the city, said as the metro population is moving more toward the urban core, the city is focusing more on bicycling culture. In 2008, the Oklahoma City Bicycle Master Plan spearheaded adding miles of trails and facilities for bicyclists, including metro cyclists’ best kept secret - The Oklahoma River Trail. According to Entz the trail is 15 miles and is great for families as it is relatively flat and good for beginners. It is far less crowded than the more well known Hefner Lake Trail and connects to several parks that make great stops for the kiddos.

No matter where you choose to ride, nothing compares to a brisk bike ride with your family on a late summer’s eve. If you aren’t already into cycling with your family, consider letting Schlegel and his crew sell you on the timeless pastime. Invested in the sport, the hobby and the equipment, his passion is contagious and a visit to the shop might convince you to take up two-wheeling.

[Editor’s Note: Read about other local stores we love at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/local-shopping.]

Old West Meets Modern Fun in Kingfisher

ISH STATUE OF JESSE CH

O

OLM, KINGFISHER

ne of the distinct pleasures of life in Oklahoma is that only a short drive from the heart of our metropolitan areas, you can discover the charm, history and unique character of its small towns.

BY KENT ANDERSON - METROFAMILY COLUMNIST PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KINGFISHER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CHISHOLM TRAIL MUSEUM AND KENT ANDERSON.

exploring oklahoma CHISHOLM TRAIL MUSEUM

Just an hour northwest of downtown Oklahoma City, Kingfisher offers much for families seeking a journey into Oklahoma’s pioneer past, but with some intriguing, modern attractions as well.

TRAVEL THE CHISHOLM TRAIL Kingfisher’s leading attractions are the Chisholm Trail Museum and Seay Mansion (605 Zellers Ave., 375-5176, www.ctokmuseum.org). “It takes you back,” said museum director Adam Lynn. “We have items that were actually used by people who came here for the Land Run. We have so many items and so many stories related to people who were prominent in Oklahoma’s history.”

Situated on the famous Chisholm Trail, one of the popular cattle trails between Texas and Kansas, the museum has permanent exhibits related to the Land Run, the Cheyenne-Arapaho Nation and residents of the area who served in conflicts ranging from the Civil War to World War II. The grounds of the museum are a treasure, with its Pioneer Village of actual structures – not replicas – from the area, representing different segments of life in the years after the Land Run. Highlights include a cabin that belonged to the mother of the Dalton boys, notorious frontier outlaws. The Gant School is a one-room schoolhouse, in which eight grades once studied together. Harmony Church features a pulpit from which the famous anti-liquor crusader Carrie Nation once preached.

The museum also features rotating temporary exhibits and a new exhibit opening this month gives a glimpse into the life of women from an earlier era. “No Lady of Leisure” is a rare collection of dresses worn by women in the Victorian era, from the 1840s to the early 1900s. While it will display clothing actually worn by Queen Victoria, the exhibit’s main

PIONEER VILLAGE

focus is the lives of working-class women and how they tended to the management of the home, raised large families and still found ways to clothe themselves in the “respectable” manner of the day. This exhibit opens September 13.

Across the street from the Chisholm Trail Museum is the Seay Mansion, and it represents a fascinating and largely unknown episode from Oklahoma’s history. Most Oklahomans know of the rivalry between Guthrie and Oklahoma City to be the seat of government for Oklahoma Territory, but less well known is the fact that a movement existed to make Kingfisher the capital. Abraham Jefferson Seay was territorial governor in 1892-93, and he built the three-story mansion, named Horizon Hill, in anticipation that it would be the governor’s mansion for the entire territory. This never materialized, but the mansion has been beautifully restored, with most of the original woodwork intact, and is a fine example of the architecture of the period. Admission to the museum also covers the mansion.

DIVE INTO MODERN ATTRACTIONS While Kingfisher is steeped in history and pioneer spirit, it also boasts some very modern attractions for families. The Vernie Snow Aquatic Center (Kingfisher Park, 375-3318), which opened in 1999, is a large indoor facility that is the envy of many larger communities. In use year-round, it features water slides and lap swim areas for the entire family.

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VERNIE SNOW AQUATIC CENTER

Large sliding overhead doors on one end are opened to the outdoors in warm weather.

An exciting project for fitness-minded and nature-minded families is Kingfisher Trails. It is a work in progress, but several sections are complete and open for use. When all sections are open, the walking trail will cover more than nine miles, looping the city. A unique feature of the trails: fitness equipment for public use at various spaces along the trail.

“We’ve set up several stations along the trail, and people are using them,” said John Gooden, chairman of Kingfisher Trails. “There are all different sorts of things, low-impact fitness for the general public and for various ages.

Each station has instructions and it’s been a very pleasant addition.”

GET A TASTE OF PIONEER LIFE Not to be missed are three very distinctive “tastes” that belong to this delightful town.

Medic Pharmacy (119 W. Admire, 375-3202), still known to locals by its original name of Tom’s Drug, possesses a rarity in this age of fast food franchises: an old-fashioned drugstore soda fountain. The soda fountain is famous for its orangeades, and rightfully so.

Not far from here is Designs by Dennis (218 N. Main, 375-4257).Yes, it is a flower and gift shop, that just happens to create and sell fresh homemade fudge. A visit to Kingfisher is not complete without a piece of the legendary fudge. On the way out of town, The Cheese Factory (601 Starlite Dr., across from Wal-Mart, 375-4004) specializes in gourmet blended cheeses, with such unique varieties as Yellow Jalapeno Extreme Cheddar, Italian Sun-dried Tomato Cheddar and Oven Roasted Almond Cheddar.

MEDIC PHARMACY

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The 89er Theatre (304 N. Main, 375-3489, www.89ertheatre.com) speaks to Kingfisher’s respect for history, yet forward thinking.

The town’s original movie theatre, which had THE 89ER THEATRE

occupied the same location on Main Street since 1918, burned down a few years ago.

A group of local businessmen invested in a new three-screen theatre near the original location, that shows the latest movie releases.

They retained the name of the theatre that burned while creating a new modern facility that maintains historic prices.

In the Christmas season, Kingfisher Park is taken over by Kingfisher in Lights, one of Oklahoma’s most spectacular light displays.

The historic swinging bridge, bedecked with lights, is a sight to behold, and the display draws visitors from across the state each year.

WAR MEMORIAL

Kingfisher’s slogan is “small town, big ideas.”

With its thoughtful blend of old and new, art and history, fun and fitness, it is rural Oklahoma at its best.

[Editor’s Note: Find more ideas for fun weekend getaways and day trips in Oklahoma at www. metrofamilymagazine.com/trip.]

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specialty

guides

THE BEST FAMILY RESOURCES, SHOPPING IDEAS, RESTAURANTS AND MORE Find what you need here in MetroFamily’s Specialty Guides!

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES SPECIAL NEEDS GUIDE FAMILY SERVICES GUIDE PARTY GUIDE RETAIL/RESTAURANT GUIDE CHILD CARE GUIDE FAMILY FUN GUIDE

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Find even more online at www.metrofamilymagazine. com/directories.

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AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

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AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Now Enrolling!

Jo Rowan, Dance Dept. Chair

Dance classes for all ages!

Jazz

Small Class Sizes

Tap

Pre-Professional

Creative Movement

Track Trained Instructors

Hip Hop

Spring Showcase Performance

Ballet

Community Dance Center

405.208.5508

CommunityDanceCenter@okcu.edu

www.okcu.edu/communitydance

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SPECIAL NEEDS GUIDE

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

FAMILY SERVICES GUIDE

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PARTY GUIDE

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PARTY GUIDE

RETAIL/RESTAURANT GUIDE

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CHILD CARE GUIDE

405.721.1830

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FAMILY FUN GUIDE

Late Paint Nite September 26th

Kid’s Workshop September 27th

• Punky Pottery • Bridal Parties • Teen Parties

• Birthday Parties • Walk-in Anytime

Paint your own pottery studio 7906 N. May, OKC • 842-7770

www.paintnstation.com

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Ready, Set, Go!

Now that school is starting, it’s time to do something great for you!

Join MetroFamily readers and runhers© women’s association members to train for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K in downtown Oklahoma City on Saturday, October 18.

Whether you’re a fitness novice or a regular runner, there’s a place for you in Strong Together. Through this FREE, eightweek program, you’ll receive instructional emails from local running coach Sara McCauley. It’s a gradual, “sofa2success” fitness program to get ready for the 5K.

Train alongside our local bloggers: Christina Mushi-Brunt, Piper Riggs and Shannon Snow.

A closed Facebook group and encouragement from our four bloggers, including Georgeanna Johnson of ABC’s Extreme Weight Loss show, will help keep you on track!

The program started in late August but it’s not too late to join us!

Learn from the life-lessons of our fourth blogger, Georgeanna Johnson who lost 165 pounds through the Extreme Weight Loss show on ABC.

Sign up at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/fitness