A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS – Moore residents will be asked to cast their ballots on a proposed onecent sales tax increase on April 7th. We do a deep dive on exactly what that penny means.
BEST OF MOORE
BEST OF MOORE & SOUTH OKC — Check out the list of stellar finalists in the 2026 Best of Moore & South OKC Awards. That includes the all-new Best Vocal Talent category, with winners set to announced on March 10th.
FIRST RESPONDER SPOTLIGHT
IN HIS BLOOD — Battalion Chief Chad Cannon didn’t just want to be a firefighter as a youngster; he wanted to be a MOORE firefighter. He shares what it’s been like to live out his dream job in the city he loves.
SPORTS
PICKING UP THE PACE — A stellar freshman year was just the first lap for Moore track and cross country star Dominic Matthias. He’s setting his goals even higher this year.
Letter from the Editor
March’s cover story offers a look behind the upcoming vote on a proposed one-cent sales tax increase for Moore. A single penny may not seem like much, but for those who are both for and against, the numbers matter. That’s why we thought it was worth the time to do a deep dive into exactly what this proposition means and how the community will be impacted if it passes or fails.
We hope you’ll take the time to educate yourself on the issue and then take advantage of our very unique privilege of voting.
Also, don’t miss the 14th Annual Best of Moore & South OKC Awards Dinner coming up on March 10th. This year we’ve added some musical performances that promise to make the night even more memorable than
Brent Wheelbarger Writer/Editor Rob Morris Designer Deanna Parton
For ad placement, specifications and rates, call or email
Michael Cooper 405-370-2667
michael@mooremonthly.com
The things that make a city or community a great place to live aren’t really all that complicated. It begins with some very basic things, like good streets, good schools, good shopping, water and waste disposal, and, of course, safety.
“If you don’t have a safe city, you don’t have a city,” said Mayor Mark Hamm. “People have to feel safe. When you go to the grocery store or for a walk around a park or your neighborhood in the evening, you don’t want to have to worry about anything bad happening.”
When you look at any of the “Best Places to Live in Oklahoma”, Moore is consistently ranked in the top five. And the reason it finishes there is that people recognize the city offers those simple, but very important things to those who choose to make Moore their home.
Moore’s population has grown from in 1980 to about 64,000 today. While claim that Moore is perfect, City work hard to ensure residents have everything that makes the city a great place to live.
“It’s just going to continue to grow, and we have to find a way to keep up with the growth,” said Hamm.
For those reasons, the City is asking voters on April 7th to consider approving a dedicated one-cent increase in the sales tax. An approval which would generate approximately $12 million in additional revenue per year.
Up until now, City leaders have addressed Moore's expanding needs through a combination of general obligation bonds (GO bonds) and sales tax revenue. It has helped the city provide a variety of amenities, including improved roads and parks that are the envy of other cities in the region. City Manager Brooks Mitchell says the challenge is keeping up with the growing population, especially when it comes to funding the growing operating expenses of the police, fire, and maintenance departments.
“Like all cities, we have capital projects we need to continue to do to upgrade our infrastructure and continue our support for public safety,” said Mitchell. “So, how do we want to fund those capital projects in the future? Do we want to continue to do it through GO bonds and have Moore residents fund 100% of it themselves or go to a sales tax proposal where roughly 30% of all the sales tax collected in Moore is paid by people who don’t live in Moore?”
Supporters of the one-cent sales tax increase point out that “shared burden” is one of the biggest selling points for the shift away from reliance on GO bonds.
Midwest City is very similar to Moore in size and community needs. Their City Manager, Tim Lyon, offered his thoughts on the challenges shared by Midwest City, Moore, and all Oklahoma cities.
“Sales taxes are the lifeblood of the general and administrative operations of every city in the state of Oklahoma,” said Lyon. “Oklahoma is the only state in the Union that does not allow a levy on ad valorem.”
What that means, according to the Oklahoma Municipal League (OML), is that, under Oklahoma law, municipalities are prohibited from using property taxes for day-to-day operations such as police, fire, and street maintenance. This forces cities to rely on municipal sales tax for general services.
Mitchell recognizes that while Moore city leaders have been strategic in using GO bonds, there is a growing sense of property tax fatigue among Moore residents. As has been pointed out, when a city uses GO bonds to fund things like capital projects, it is the citizens of Moore who bear 100% of the burden.
“The question before voters is ‘How do you want to fund capital projects in the future?’,” said Mitchell. “This proposal offers our residents a trade. If they will support this one-cent increase, the city portion of their property taxes will begin to
decline.”
That decline will be felt over the next fourto-five years as the city pays off the current GO bonds still on the books. The current projected millage rate in the City of Moore is 16.5%. If voters approve the one-cent sales tax increase, the millage rate is projected to be 8.4% by 2030. (see graphic for projected decline).
If you’re wondering what that increase means for individuals, it’s pretty easy to crunch the numbers. The current sales tax for Moore is 8.5%. Here’s the breakdown of that sales tax, showing how much belongs to the city:
If voters approve the one-cent increase, the breakdown looks like this: State of Oklahoma 4.5%
In practical terms, that means someone shopping in Moore would pay 0.095 cents per dollar spent in the city, or $9.50 per $100 spent. Deidre Ebrey, Moore’s Assistant City Manager, was asked about concerns regarding a negative impact on shopping, Ebrey states, “Our own data from past sales tax increases show no negative impact on sales. The National Bureau of Economic Research suggests leakage due to tax avoidance is small and short-lived”.
Mitchell says that, in addition to sharing the tax burden with shoppers in Moore who do not live in the city, the one-cent sales tax increase will allow leadership to build a cushion as they plan for the future.
“Our planning can be done in ten-year cycles,” said Mitchell. “If this proposal passes, I will ask the city council to put a cap on how much can be committed to projects over the next ten years, which will equal 80%
of the projected collections. That way, we build in a 20% cushion to take care of any economic downturns that might happen.”
The shift away from GO bonds to sales tax also allows the city to address rising public safety expenses. As Moore has grown in size, the needs of the local police and fire departments have also grown dramatically.
“A police car that cost $60,000 just a short five years ago is now close to $100,000,” said Moore Police Chief Todd Gibson, “Being transparent with the operations in the equipment they need, that’s expensive, and that cost goes up almost on a yearly basis.”
Not surprisingly, Moore Fire Chief Ryan Marlar is facing the same challenges with his department regarding equipment.
“In 2015, we could order a new fire truck in ten months and receive that truck at the cost of about $400,000,” said Marlar. “Fast forward to today, and that same fire truck is going to take us three years to receive, and is going to cost about $850,000.”
The constant need for equipment replacement is not the only challenge facing the Moore police and fire departments. The explosive growth of Moore’s population has led to a higher call volume, requiring more police officers and firefighters. Additionally, those officers need adequate training and new technology to be effective in performing jobs where lives are often on the line.
Marlar said, “Back in 2005, we made about 3,600 calls. We made just under 8,000 calls last year, and it’s not just the increase in call volume. A lot of those calls are occurring at the same time. So, as the population continues to grow, we’ll have to consider more growth and resources to maintain the level of service that’s acceptable.”
Chief Gibson says the police department also faces a rising number of calls, along with a growing need for new technology.
"The increase in call volume requires more funding to support the high level of public safety our citizens expect and deserve,” said Gibson. “The technology is advancing across the world and impacts everything we do. From the police officer in the car to the 911 call that comes in, it all filters through technology.”
One other glaring problem facing both the Moore police and fire departments is the need for a dedicated place to train officers and firefighters for the wide variety of situations they face each day.
“We have to drive fast, and we have to shoot guns, and different things like that,” said Gibson, “And we don’t have a place of our own to train for that. So we look to Oklahoma City, Norman, and other surrounding partners for access to that. These are perishable skills that have to be maintained, and without immediate availability to a training location, it really hinders us from continuing that constant training tempo, which allows us to go out and provide that high level of service.”
Firefighters also deal with perishable skills that come into play across the many life-or-death situations they face on an ever-growing variety of emergency calls.
“We have to send our firefighters out of town to train,” said Marlar. “And gone are the days when we just fight fire. We have hazardous material responses. We provide swift water rescues. We have a rope rescue team ready to respond if someone experiences a medical emergency on a cell tower. The challenge is that we don’t have the facilities where our people are able to train shoulder to shoulder on those calls.”
While it may seem a stretch to suggest that a one-cent sales tax can cover such great and growing needs, Mitchell says that’s exactly what it’s intended to do, while sharing the tax burden beyond Moore residents.
“The city operating budget retains the same funding source that it does today,” said Mitchell. “The extra one-cent replaces the GO bonds, the property tax for the capital projects. It also allows additional equipment purchases for public safety and provides additional funding for public safety operations.”
While it’s impossible to address every question about the proposed one-cent sales tax increase, it’s also important to address the broader community's sense of tax fatigue. Some Moore residents have expressed frustration about ANY tax increase.
While big box stores are better equipped to handle the ups-anddowns of shopping trends, some are concerned about the impact of a one-cent sales tax increase on local and small businesses in Moore. Concern over consumer anger has led many local business owners to decline to discuss the tax, which they support.
One local business owner, a lifetime Moore resident who owns a popular business, agreed to share their thoughts anonymously.
“I personally think that, if we need the sales tax dollars to be raised to improve things like public safety, streets, and drainage, then it’s the best way to do it efficiently,” they said. “I’m also a property owner, with investment properties across Moore, so having a lower property tax is always a plus for me. ”
This local business owner also agrees that it will be extremely helpful to see the tax burden shifted from being 100% on the shoulders of Moore
residents under the current system to the expected 70%30% under the proposed sales tax increase. “We definitely have plenty of regular shoppers from outside Moore,” said the business owner. “You know, I recognize that the economy is not the best right now for a lot of people, but the livelihoods of small businesses run on local support. When you hear the words “tax increase,” it sounds negative. But the way I see it is that this additional one-cent is actually a positive. It’s a way to invest back in the place where you live: your streets, your parks, your police officers, and firefighters.”
RANDY HOUSER
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Doors 7PM | Show 8PM
P - $50 | V - $55
E - $60
*Fees may apply
RANDY ROGERS BAND
Friday, April 17, 2026
Doors 7PM | Show 8PM
P - $65 | V - $70
E - $75
*Fees may apply
DON FELDER
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Doors 7PM | Show 8PM
P - $25 | V - $35
E - $40
*Fees may apply
NATE SMITH
Friday, March 27, 2026
Doors 6:30PM | Show 7:30PM
P - $73 | V - $78
E - $83
*Fees may apply
AARON LEWIS
Friday, April 24, 2026
Doors 7PM | Show 8PM
P - $65 | V - $70
E - $75
*Fees may apply
EARTH, WIND & FIRE
GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS MARSHALL TUCKER BAND
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Doors 7PM | Show 8PM
P - $86 | V - $91
E - $126
*Fees may apply
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Doors 6PM | Show 7PM
P - $75 | V - $80
E - $85
*Fees may apply
BOX OFFICE HOURS: SUNDAY CLOSED | MONDAY - THURSDAY 10AM TO 8PM | FRIDAY - SATURDAY 10AM TO 11PM
MARCH 2026
March 2 9:00 a.m. Classic Movie “The African Queen”
March 3 10:00 a.m Wii Sports
March 4 12:30 p.m. Board Games 1:00 p.m. Afternoon Movie
March 5 11:00 a.m Speaker Tina Franklin w/ LifeWave 12:30 p.m. Corn Hole
March 6 11:00 a.m March Birthday’s 12:15 p.m. Bingo w/ Flora 2:00 p.m. Table Tennis
March 9 9:00 a.m Classic Movie “Cool Hand Luke” 9:45 a.m. MCOA Board Meeting
March 10 10:00 a.m Wii Sports 10:00 a.m. Library
March 11 12:30 p.m. Board Games 1:00 p.m. Afternoon Movie
March 12 11:00 a.m Speaker Kathy Tautfest w/ Revolution Mort gage 12:30 p.m. Corn Hole
March 13 12:15 p.m. Bingo with MCOA 2:00 p.m. Table Tennis
March 16 9:00 a.m Classic Movie “El Dorado”
March 17 10:00 a.m Wii Sports
10:00 a.m. Arts & Crafts w/ Dustin 11:00 a.m. Speaker Dustin w/ SSSA 12:15 p.m. St. Patrick’s Day Party
March 18 11:45 a.m Fresh Cobbler 12:30 p.m. Board Games 1:00 p.m. Afternoon Movie
March 23 9:00 a.m Classic Movie “What’s Up Doc?” 12:15 p.m. Bingo w/ Scott
March 24 10:00 a.m Wii Sports 10:00 a.m. Library
March 25 12:30 p.m. Board Games 1:00 p.m. Afternoon Movie
March 26 11:00 a.m Speaker Jeremy Bridges w/ Global Health 12:30 p.m. Corn Hole
March 27 2:00 p.m. Table Tennis
March 30 9:00 a.m Classic Movie “The Out of Towners”
March 31 10:00 a.m Wii Sports
Exercise: Mon, Wed, & Fri 10:15
Stretch, Strengthen and Health: Tues. 9:30
Open Art Studio: Tue. 8:30 & Fri. 9:00
Arm Chair Travel: Wed. 9:00am
Woodcarving: Wed. & Thurs. 9:00 – 11:00
Dominos, Card games, Jig-Saw Puzzles, Pool, Quilting, & Volunteer work to assist the homebound or work is available at the Brand Center.
Moore Council On Aging Bus Service: 799-3130 Seniors may have transportation anywhere in the City of Moore for errands or appointments 8am to 3:30pm, Monday through Friday
Aging Services
Monday through Friday
Call & make reservation by 1:00pm.
Reservations for meals: 793-9069
Donation for a meal for seniors 60 & above: $3.00
Required cost for guests under 60: $6.00
Spring into a Healthier You
March
is National Nutrition Month. It’s a month of transition, offering the perfect opportunity to shed the winter blues, embrace the warmer weather, and focus on refreshing your health and routine. With National Nutrition Month and the arrival of spring, this is the perfect time to “bite into a healthy lifestyle.”
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reminds us that small, consistent changes in our eating habits can lead to big health benefits. As we age, our bodies have different nutritional needs, and our appetites might change.
• Smart Snacking: Instead of grabbing processed snacks, try nutri ent-rich options like almonds, fat-free yogurt, or fresh fruit
• Eat the Season: Take advantage of fresh, seasonal produce like spin ach, beets, and citrus fruits to boost your vitamin intake.
• Stay Hydrated: As temperatures rise, ensure you are drinking enough water – aim for about 8 cups (64 ounces) a day – to stay energized.
Spring Into Wellness
With the days getting longer, it is time to move!
• Gentle Movement: Simple chair exercises or seated movements can boost circulation and flexibility without requiring a gym.
• Get Outside: Take advantage of the pleasant weather by taking a nature walk, bird watching, or getting flower or vegetable gardens ready.
Social and Mental Well-Being
March is a great time to reconnect. Social isolation can be a challenge for seniors, so try to connect with friends, family, or community groups.
• March for Meals: This month highlights the importance of nutritional programs and community connections for seniors.
• Volunteer: Share your wisdom by mentoring younger generations or volunteering in your community.
March Checklist for Seniors
1.
2.
3.
Schedule Check-ups: Book any necessary screenings, such as blood pressure checks or hearing tests, to ensure you are starting the spring in top health.
Review Finances: Utilize free, private benefit assessments to see if you qualify for programs that can help pay for hous ing, utilities, or food.
Protect Your Skin: As you spend more time outside, remember to use sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
4.
Spring Break is for everyone! Here are some suggested activities to take a spring break from sources of tension and stress!
• Buy a couple of potted flowers to decorate indoor or outdoor areas of your home.
• Plant your favorite vegetables and herbs in large pots on your deck or porch.
• Go for a walk and enjoy the spring breeze.
• Go for a hike at a nearby nature park and explore.
• Go out and hit golf balls at a local driving range with a friend. (Even if you don’t golf.)
• Go to a sidewalk café and have a latte or coffee with a friend.
• Go to a local park, sit on a park bench, and people-watch.
• Spend a morning at a local farmers' market.
• On a rainy day, open your windows and listen to the soothing rain.
• Sit outdoors and read a book
Let the fresh air of spring refresh and renew your mind and spirit!
Best of Moore & South OKC2026
This year’s Best of Moore and South OKC Awards event will take place in the Showplace Theatre at Riverwind Casino. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at 6:00 p.m. We have a truly spectacular night prepared for you this year! We’re adding performances by award-winning Dean Martin tribute artist Michael Cooper, backed by the Moore High School Jazz Band. And you’ll hear live performances from our exciting new Best Vocal Artist category.
Individual tickets are still available for $37 and include dinner buffet, drinks, and entry into our big prize raffle. Half-tables are $200, and full tables are $350. For the first time, we’re also offering special $17 balcony seats for those who just want to come check out the musical performances and awards, with no dinner buffet, drinks, or raffle tickets.
If you’re interested in attending, use the QR code to purchase tickets on Eventbrite, or call 405-370-2667 or 405-659-7224.
The April edition of the Moore Monthly will feature a list of winners, top three finishers in each category, and photos from the Best of Moore event!
Thanks again for supporting local Moore businesses!
Here are three finalists in each category, in alphabetical order.
Final Standings
NEW CATEGORY!!! –BEST VOCAL TALENT
• Hope Chancy
• Gabe Chordrick
• Brandon Laib
BEST ATTORNEY
• Foshee & Yaffee Attorneys at Law
• McIntyre Law
• Ramick Law Firm
BEST BANK
• BancFirst
• First United Bank
• Midfirst Bank
BEST BBQ
• Oklahoma Smoke BBQ
• Ray's BBQ - Santa Fe
• Swadley's BBQ
BEST BREAKFAST/ BRUNCH
• Black Bear Diner
• Jimmy's Egg
• Oklahoma Smoke BBQ
BEST BURGER
• Braum's
• The Garage
• Oklahoma Smoke BBQ
BEST CBD/CANNABIS STORE
• American Cannabis Company
• Cheers Cannabis
• Green Gorilla Smoke & Vape
BEST CHILDREN'S PARTY SPOT
• HeyDay Entertainment
• Jump!Zone
• Urban Air
BEST CHIROPRACTOR
• Moore Chiropractic
• Revive Family Chiropractic
• Thrive Chiropractic
BEST COFFEE SHOP
• Black Rifle Coffee Club
• Coffee Darling
• Scooter's Coffee
•
BEST COLD BEVERAGE (NON-ALCOHOLIC)
• HTeaO
• Sonic
• Swig
BEST CREDIT UNION
• Tinker Federal Credit Union
• True Sky Credit Union
• WEOKIE Credit Union
BEST DENTAL CARE
• Homsey Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
• Moore Complete Dental
• OKC Smile
BEST DOG GROOMING
• Doggie Styles
• The Painted Paw Dog Spa
• The Paw Spa Elite
BEST DOGGIE DAYCARE/ BOARDING
• The Hairy Potter Inn
• Vera's Posh Paws
• Urban Doghouse
BEST DOG TRAINER
• Got Your Six Service Dogs for Veterans
• ROC-Jesse Lane
• Tipsy Dog Training-Bradley Kerr
BEST DONUTS
• Donut Palace & Kolache
• Homemade Donuts-27th & Santa Fe
• Honey Bee Bakery
BEST ELECTRICIAN
• Bliss Electric
• Guerrero Electrical Service
• Norman Air
BEST FITNESS CENTER/GYM
• Earlywine YMCA
• Moore Fit Body Boot Camp
• YMCA Healthy Living Center - S. Western
BEST FUNERAL SERVICES
• John M Ireland & Son Funeral Home & Chapel
• Resthaven Funeral Home
• Vondel Smith Funeral Home
BEST HAIR SALON
• Glamoore Salon - Hair by April
• Hair by Jami Brewer
• Lunatic Fringe Social Club
BEST HEALTH FOOD/DRINK STORE
• Fit Body Nutrition
• Goodlife Nutrition
• Green Acres Market
BEST HEAT & AIR
• AccuTemp Heating & Air
• Norman Air Heating & Cooling
• Randall's Specialists
BEST HOSPITAL
• Integris SW Medical Center
• Norman Regional
• Oklahoma Heart Hospital South
BEST INSURANCE AGENCY-HOME/AUTO
• Terry Cavnar-State Farm
• Chad Cobble Insurance
• Jessica Max Allstate Insurance
BEST INSURANCE AGENCY HEALTH
• Doyle Crow & Associates
• Shane Peterson-Health Markets
• Medicare Basic Training - Lowell Bynum
BEST LANDSCAPE/LAWN
CARE
• Elite Lawn Care
• Marcum's Nursery
• Tender Lawn Care
BEST LIQUOR STORE
• Cheers Wine & Spirits
• Moore Liquor
• Sammy's Liquor
BEST MASSAGE THERAPY
• A Balanced Body Message
• CJM Wellness
• Mountain Bliss Massage
BEST MEAL PREP
• CrockStar Dinner Club
• Nosh Restaurant & Catering Creations
• Platelee
BEST MEDICAL SPA/SKIN CARE CLINIC
• Beyond Beauty by Diana
• Namaste Spa
• Touch of Serenity Wellness Spa
BEST MEXICAN DINING
• Hidalgo's Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
• Tacologia Mexican Restaurant
• Ted's Cafe Escondida
BEST ORTHODONTIST
• Craig and Streight Orthodontics
• Elassal Orthodontics
• Orthodontics Exclusively
BEST OB/GYN
• Andrea Miller, DO- Integris Health
• Linzi Stewart, DO-Harmony Women's Healthcare
• Julie Wiley, DO
BEST PEDIATRICS
• Just Kids Pediatrics
• Mercy Clinic Primary Care
• Sunrise Pediatrics
BEST PHARMACY
• Chris' Express Drug
• Med's & Moore
• Moore RX
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
-SPORTS & EVENTS
• BGW Sports Photography
• 405 Sports Photography
• PJ's Printing & Photography
BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY
• OSSPT
• Norman Regional Moore PT
• Physical Therapy Central
BEST PIZZA
• Bella's Pizzaria
• Hideaway Pizza
• Eagle One Pizza
BEST PLACE TO WATCH THE GAME
• Buffalo Wild Wings
• Louie's Grill & Bar
• Industry Gastro Lounge
BEST PLUMBER
• Armstrong Plumbing
• Brandon's Plumbing
• Norman Air
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY
• Chamberlin Realty
• Prime Realty Inc
• ReMax Lifestyles
BEST ROOFING COMPANY
• 3 Dimensional Roofing
• Prosper Roofing & Construction
• Statewide Roofing & Construction
BEST SANDWICH/SUB SHOP
• Jersey Mike's
• Jimmy John's
• Schlotzsky's
BEST SENIOR LIVINGASSISTED/MEMORY CARE
• Legend at Rivendell
• Sommerset Neighborhood Assisted Living & Memory Care
• Village on the Park
BEST SENIOR LIVING-INDEPENDENT
• Chateau on the Green
• Grace Point Living
• The Grove
BEST TRAVEL AGENCY
• Bentley Hedges Travel Service
• Hourglass Travel Services
• Vincent Vacations
BEST URGENT CARE
• Classen Urgent Care
• HealthCare Express Urgent Care
• Norman Regional Urgent Care
BEST VETERINARIAN
• Eastmoore Animal Clinic
• Silver Leaf Animal Hospital
• Scroggins Animal Hospital
BEST WINGS
• Buffalo Wild Wings
• Oklahoma Smoke BBQ
• Wingstop
Thanks to our Sponsors!
Sponsor Spotlight
At Craig & Streight Orthodontics, we strive always to be dedicated, caring, and compassionate. We take pride in providing a welcoming atmosphere that patients feel the moment they walk through our doors. At our practice, you’re family. Dr. Craig, Dr. Streight, and the team are dedicated to making your orthodontic experience in our office the most outstanding in every possible way. We are committed to our Orthodontic family and will provide the highest quality care and service you have come to expect from us. We welcome the opportunity to work with you to create a happy and healthy smile you can enjoy for years to come.
Terry Cavnar State Farm Insurance
Terry Cavnar State Farm has served Moore and the surrounding communities for more than 40 years. Since 1982, we have been providing quality car, home and life insurance along with personalized service. Our office has weathered four devastating tornado events in central Oklahoma, and Terry’s time spent as a Moore city councilman and business owner has helped guide the city toward recovery, implementation of stronger building practices and protections and access to quick, quality and compassionate home repair and coverage. In 2023, I was honored with the City of Moore's Legacy Award - one of the biggest honors of my career - highlighting my commitment to my neighbors and customers.
Jay
Jennings, MD Surgeon
Rahal Y. Kahanda, MD
Colorectal Surgeon
Surgical care, focused on you.
Norman Regional's board-certified surgeons provide a comprehensive and compassionate experience for patients across southern and central Oklahoma. From minimally-invasive techniques to state-of-the-art robotic surgery technology, our team helps you heal faster.
Star t your healing here.
By Trisha Gedon, Sr. Communications Specialist, OSU Extension
SPRING LANDSCAPE CLEANUP BEGINS WITH SMART PRUNING
Gardeners in Oklahoma are eager to improve their landscapes, and pruning trees and shrubs is a good place to start.
Pruning not only is an essential maintenance practice, but it also enhances the beauty of the trees and shrubs, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist.
“Pruning is definitely important not only from an aesthetics standpoint – it’s important for plant health, too,” he said. “However, gardeners must remember that improper pruning can destroy the natural beauty of a tree or shrub. It can also reduce the tree or shrub’s landscape potential by weakening it, which makes the plants susceptible to various maladies.”
Pruning most often involves removing plant parts that are no longer effective or useful to the plant. This helps redirect additional energy toward the development of flowers, fruits, foliage, and the remaining limbs.
The necessity for pruning can be reduced or eliminated by selecting the proper plant for the location. Plants that may grow too large for the site will require pruning to keep them within the space, altering the original intent and potentially making them unsightly or weak with age. Instead, gardeners should choose a smaller-growing tree or shrub.
When should pruning take place? Homeowners can prune at any time of year; however, there are times when pruning is better for certain plants. Pruning at the wrong time of year won’t kill the plants, but it can result in damaged or weakened plants.
Don’t prune at planting, as young trees need all the stored energy for proper establishment. Don’t prune to balance the roots and crown. Once the trees are established, take time to examine them thoroughly for pruning requirements. Don’t let trees and shrubs get overgrown, as this can lead to the need for drastic pruning. If trees are trained properly when young, they typically need little pruning later on.
Spring-flowering trees, shrubs and vines shouldn’t be pruned right now. Wait until the flowers have bloomed and faded. Pruning now would remove flower buds, destroying the spring flowering display. Some plants that fall into this category include crabapple, flowering quince, forsythia, viburnum and wisteria, to name a few.
The blooms of summer-flowering shrubs, trees, and vines appear on limbs produced that season. Therefore, these may be pruned in the early spring or fall. Rose-of-Sharon, butterfly bush and glossy abelia fall into this category.
“If your landscape has evergreen plants, they need to be pruned to control their shape and size, as well as to remove dead, diseased or damaged limbs,” Hillock said. “Remove old branches to allow for new growth. These plants are good landscape choices because they usually require less pruning than deciduous trees and shrubs.”
Make sure pruning tools are sharp and in good condition. Essential tools include lopping shears, a hand pruner, a folding saw for tight spaces, a bow saw, and leather gloves. Be sure to wear eye protection, too. Clean the tools after use to help keep them in good condition.
“Pruning is one of those gardening chores that can make a big difference in the aesthetics of the landscape,” he said. “Just make sure it is done properly and at the right time.”
OSU Extension offers more gardening information online at https://extension.okstate.edu/topics/plants-and-animals/gardening-and-lawn-care/.
Central Oklahoma
Gregory Foust
Gregory Foust is a retired public safety professional and founder of Alpha Omega Technologies, a technology initiative focused on automation, AI systems and scalable digital infrastructure. With more than 16 years of leadership in high-pressure environments, he transitioned into software development to continue strengthening communities through innovative technology solutions that combine disciplined leadership with modern software to improve efficiency and digital resilience.
SHORT-TERM CLASSES
EQUAL POSITIVE LONG-TERM IMPACT
1. What led you to pursue the short-term computer classes at MNTC?
After retiring from public service, I wanted to transition into the technology sector in a structured and intentional way. I’ve always been drawn to systems and problem-solving, and I saw software development as a powerful way to continue serving others, just in a different capacity. While I had been studying independently, I wanted a stronger technical foundation. The short-term computer classes at MNTC provided focused, hands-on instruction that helped solidify my programming fundamentals and move from self-guided learning into a disciplined development path.
2. What specific classes did you take? Did you choose those classes with a specific business goal in mind?
I completed short-term coursework in Python and JavaScript, two foundational programming languages widely used in software and web development. I selected these courses strategically because they directly support the development of scalable digital systems. Python enables automation, backend development, and data-driven solutions, while JavaScript is essential for interactive applications and user interfaces. Together, they form a strong foundation for launching technology-based initiatives through Alpha Omega Technologies and other future projects.
3. How long did it take to complete the classes? What was the most challenging aspect? Did they include certification?
The courses were completed within MNTC’s shortterm structured format. The most challenging aspect was mastering new technical concepts while applying them immediately in practical exercises. Programming requires both logical precision and patience, and the hands-on environment ensured we were building real competency rather than simply memorizing material. I received certificates of completion for the courses, formalizing the training and validating the skills developed during the program.
4. How well did the knowledge and tools transfer to starting your business?
The knowledge is transferred directly and immediately. The courses strengthened my understanding of programming logic, debugging, and system architecture. That foundation has been critical in developing technology solutions through Alpha Omega Technologies. The structured learning environment also reinforced best practices and disciplined workflows, which are essential when building scalable, secure systems intended for real-world use.
5. What advice would you give someone preparing to start a similar business about taking MNTC short-term computer classes?
I would encourage anyone pursuing a technology-focused path to invest in structured foundational training. Even if you are self-taught, formal coursework accelerates understanding and helps eliminate blind spots. The short-term format makes it accessible while still delivering meaningful, handson experience. Choosing classes aligned with your longterm goals can create momentum and confidence that carry directly into launching a business or pursuing a new career direction.
For more information about all of MNTC’s educational opportunities, visit mntc.edu.
RESPONDER
Impacting the Community for Good Still Motivates Cannon
Moore Fire Battalion Chief Chad Cannon says he not only wanted to be a firefighter from a very early age, but also specifically wanted to be a firefighter in Moore.
“I grew up here and graduated from Moore High School in 2004,” said Cannon. “I was hired for the Moore Fire Department in June of 2005.”
Cannon’s father was an OKC police officer, and his mother was a pharmacist, which helped steer him toward serving others. For Cannon, it’s always been about having a positive impact on people in the Moore community.
“When I was on the rig, I just loved experiencing all the times we were able to help and have a positive impact on people,” said Cannon. “Every time we went on a call, anytime we went on a medical call, it was to help others in difficult situations, and folks were always grateful for that.”
Cannon says that passion for serving others still flows through his veins, even as he finds himself spending a bit more time behind the desk as a battalion chief. He takes great pride in the Moore Fire Department's effectiveness.
“The work of the fire marshal’s division has helped us reduce the number of fires,” said Cannon. “But it’s not just fires these days. We get a lot of hazmat and swift water rescue calls, and we train hard to educate ourselves and prepare for all of those circumstances.”
As the city of Moore has grown and the Moore Fire Department has grown with it, Cannon says he has embraced changing alongside that progress in order to continue to serve the community he loves. These days, he gets to watch young firefighters begin the same journey he started 20 years ago.
”The is the best job ever, in the best city to work in,” said Cannon. “It’s been exciting watching this town develop and as I’ve watched, I just wanted to be a part of growing with it. That’s why I’m happy to be a battalion chief here.”
Away from the job, Cannon enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters. His wife is an OKC police officer and his two daughters keep him very busy.
“My kids are totally into sports,” said Cannon. “My wife and I are both extremely competitive and I guess our kids have picked that up. They both play basketball and soccer, which keeps them busy, and that means we’re busy, too.”
Also on the family agenda are camping trips and Disney vacations.
“We’ve been to the Disney parks a lot and taken a few Disney cruises,” said Cannon. “We camp all over the state of Oklahoma and out of state from time to time.”
Tuesday, March 24, 6:00 p.m. – Family Story Time (All Ages)
Thursday, March 26, 6:00 p.m. – Creativity Unleashed: Decorative Birdhouses
Saturday, March 28, 2:00 p.m. – Learn It! Introduction to Metal Detecting
I Contain Multitudes: The
Microbes within Us and a Grander View of
Author: Ed Yong
Reviewer: Jessica True, Customer Experience Manager, Moore Public Library
With the rise of probiotic foods and supplements, I had a decent understanding that bacteria are more complex than simply something that makes us sick. In fact, as someone is bound to tell you in an internet comment section, a huge part of your body mass isn’t even “you,” but invisible organisms crawling in, out, and around. The reality of microbes, explored in Ed Yong’s I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes within Us and a Grander View of Life, is more fascinating than you’d imagine. Yong dives into a microscopic universe that not only affects human life and health but also the entire life on Earth. These simple organisms have evolved alongside plants and animals with surprising symbioses. There are bacteria that help, such as ocean microbes that trigger metamorphosis in creatures like mussels and corals; without them, these animals would be stuck in a larval state forever. There are also more complex
relationships, such as the bacterium Wolbachia, which can cause female wasps to produce all-female offspring without mating.
Yong’s book is a wonderful introduction to a world of microbes that shape so much of who we are and the world around us.
I Contain Multitudes is available through the Pioneer Library System in print or as a downloadable eBook or audiobook. For more information on this title or other recommendations, call the Moore Public Library at 405.793.5100, or visit us in person or online at pioneerlibrarysystem.org.
Get more recommendations by watching this series on YouTube. With weekly uploads, you'll never be short of book recommendations and library insights!
Pioneer Library System’s Annual Community Baby Shower
Moore Public Library, April 18, 10 am – Noon
Join us to meet a diverse range of community organizations offering resources for new and expecting parents! During this self-directed come-and-go event, you will be able to meet with local organizations that provide new families with resources related to health, education, financial literacy, and more. Light refreshments will be provided. Participants can enter a raffle for door prizes, including pack-and-plays, gift baskets, bottles, and other items for you and your baby!
Registration is encouraged. Participating organizations include: Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma, Center for Children and Families, Catholic Charities, Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency (COCAA), Cleveland County and Oklahoma State Health Departments, Crossroads/Head Start, Humana, La Leche League of Cleveland County, Moore Public Schools Pre-K, NorthCare, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Safe Kids OK, Sooner Success, Sunbeam Family Services, True Dads/Family Expectations, Wellspring Weekend, and Women's Resource Center. Please continue to check our events calendar for updates on additional partners who are still signing up.
Pioneer Library System (PLS inspires innovation, engagement, and learning across 10 communities in Oklahoma's Cleveland, Pottawatomie, and McClain counties. With twelve library branches and eight Information Stations in its rural communities, PLS provides welcoming spaces and resources that connect people to information, technology, and experiences, supporting lifelong learning, workforce development, and community engagement. PLS ensures equitable access to information, technology, lifelong-earning programs, maker tools, entertainment, and community experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds. To ensure 24/7 access for all, PLS also offers six 24-Hour Libraries and robust digital access across its resource platforms. As a modern community hub, Pioneer Library System helps its communities to grow, thrive, and imagine what's possible.
ACTIVITIES & CLASSES
This is a partial list of schedules, activities, and classes available through the Moore Parks & Recreation department. You can find something of interest for everyone by visiting Moore Parks and Recreation website at: cityofmoore. com/parks or by calling The Station front desk at (405) 793-5090
SPRING BREAK CAMPS
1-DAY PICKLEBALL CAMP (Outdoor Camp)
Looking to enhance your pickleball skills? This camp will improve and build the skills you already have by challenging you and giving you the one-up on your opponent. To be held at Kiwanis Park. Parents must drop off and pick up their child at Kiwanis Park.
WHEN: Friday, March 13
TIME: 9am - Noon
FEE: $25
AGES: 6-9 years
WHERE: The Station Recreation Center, 700 S Broadway Ave.
REGISTRATION: Online at cityofmoore. com/fun or in-person at The Station Front Desk
ART CAMP
Come and explore your creative side! In the week-long camp, kids will create several different art projects while also making new friends along the way!
WHEN: March 16 – 20
TIME: 9am - Noon
FEE: $75 (Save $15 when also enrolling in Spring Break Science Lab Camp)
AGES: 6-9 years
WHERE: The Station Recreation Center, 700 S Broadway Ave.
REGISTRATION: Online at cityofmoore. com/fun or in-person at The Station Front Desk
SCIENCE LAB CAMP
WHEN: March 16 – 20
TIME: 1pm – 4pm
FEE: $75 (Save $15* when also enrolling
in Spring Break Art Camp) *Age restrictions do apply
AGES: 6-12 years
WHERE: The Station Recreation Center, 700 S Broadway Ave.
REGISTRATION: Online at cityofmoore. com/fun or in-person at The Station Front Desk
COURT COMBO CAMP
Four days, twice the fun! Enjoy two action-packed days of basketball followed by two days of pickleball/red ball. Fast, fun, and perfect for players who love to move, play, and try something new over spring break!
WHEN: March 16-19
TIME: 9am - Noon
FEE: $80
AGES: 6-12 tyears
WHERE: The Station Recreation Center, 700 S Broadway Ave.
REGISTRATION: Online at cityofmoore. com/fun or in-person at The Station Front Desk
ST. PATRICK’S DAY KID CRAFTS
Come and join us for a time of crafting and fun! Kids will be able to express their creative side with several themed projects along the way.
WHEN: March 17
TIME: 6pm – 7pm
FEE: $25
AGES: 4-8 years (Parental participation required)
WHERE: The Station Recreation Center, 700 S Broadway Ave.
REGISTRATION: Online at cityofmoore. com/fun or in-person at The Station Front Desk
ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS
TOGETHER WE ARE MOORE –RAINBOW OF LUCK
The Station Recreation Center strives to be a place where all are welcomed. "Together We Are Moore" is specifically designed for those with special needs in
our community and provide them with a safe and welcoming environment where they can create fun projects and explore their creative side. Come and join us for some fun as we create memories and make new friends! Those who do not meet this requirement are encouraged to enroll in another exciting activity. Participants of all ages must be accompanied by a parent, adult participation required
WHEN: March 13
TIME: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
FEE: Free – Advance Registration Required
AGES: 6-17 years – Adult Participation Required
AGES: 8-15 years
WHERE: Buck Thomas Tennis Courts, 1903 NE 12th Street
FEE: $50 (for entire session)
WHERE: The Station Recreation Center, 700 S Broadway Ave.
REGISTRATION: Online at cityofmoore.
com/fun or in-person at The Station Front Desk
DOING MOORE FOR KIDS –RAINBOW OF LUCK
Moore Parks and Recreation would like to do more for your kids! This fun and free Saturday afternoon class is sure to get your kids' excitement going! In each class we will offer up a fun and exciting project that you and your kids can do together! Come and join us for the fun! This particular activity will require a parent/guardian to be present and help assist your child with the activity.
WHEN: March 14
TIME: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
FEE: Free – Advance Registration Required
AGES: 5-10 years – Adult Participation Required
WHERE: The Station Recreation Center, 700 S Broadway Ave.
REGISTRATION: Online at cityofmoore. com/fun or in-person at The Station Front Desk
TENNIS LESSONS (YOUTH)
Must provide your own tennis racket. WHEN: Tuesdays, March 24 – April 28 TIME: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION: Online at cityofmoore. com/fun or in-person at The Station Front Desk
TENNIS LESSONS (ADULT)
Must provide your own tennis racket. WHEN: Tuesdays, March 24 – April 28
TIME: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
AGES: 16+
CLASS MAXIMUM: Limit: 12
WHERE: Buck Thomas Tennis Courts, 1903 NE 12th Street
FEE: $50 (for entire session)
REGISTRATION: Online at cityofmoore. com/fun or in-person at The Station Front Desk
MOMMY & ME – FISHY FRIENDS
Come and join us for a fun time as we explore the world of arts and crafts! Designed specifically for Mom’s and their little ones. Mommy & Me introduces kids to the wonders of arts and crafts at an early age. Don’t miss out on this wonderful time with just you and your little one!
PARENTAL PARTICIPATION REQUIRED.
WHEN: March 28
TIME: 10am - 11am
AGES: 2-5 years
WHERE: The Station Recreation Center, 700 S. Broadway
FEE: Free (online registration required)
“Being part of the Moore Chamber means your business has a voice, a network, and a seat at the table.”
o o r e c h a m b e r m o o r e c h a m b e r m o o r e c h a m b e r
MooreChamber com
Maggie Alfaro, First Fidelity Bank
OU FRED JONES, JR. MUSEUM OF ART 555 Elm Avenue, Norman, OK
TUESDAY NOON CONCERT
March 3, 12:00 p.m.
WATTS FLUTE STUDIO
Enjoy live music and fine art on the University of Oklahoma campus every Tuesday at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. The Tuesday Noon Concert Series is a weekly collaboration with OU’s School of Music, featuring OU music students and faculty. These 30-minute concerts occur during the semester in the Sandy Bell Event space, located in the museum’s lower level. This week’s concert features students from the Watts Flute Studio. For more information, visit ou.edu/fjjma/visit/events or call 405325-3272.
TUESDAY NOON CONCERT
March 10, 12:00 p.m.
LINDSEY TRUMPET STUDIO
Enjoy live music and fine art on the University of Oklahoma campus every Tuesday at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. The Tuesday Noon Concert Series is a weekly collaboration with OU’s School of Music, featuring OU music students and faculty. These 30-minute concerts occur during the semester in the Sandy Bell Event space, located in the museum’s lower level. This week’s concert features students from the Lindsey Trumpet Studio. For more information, visit ou.edu/fjjma/visit/events or call 405-325-3272.
TUESDAY NOON CONCERT
February 17, 12:00 p.m.
NEUMANN VIOLA STUDIO
Enjoy live music and fine art on the University of Oklahoma campus every Tuesday at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. The Tuesday Noon Concert Series is a weekly collaboration with OU’s School of Music, featuring OU music students and faculty. These 30-minute concerts occur during the semester in the Sandy Bell Event space, located in the museum’s lower level. This week’s concert features students from the Neumann Viola Studio. For more information, visit ou.edu/fjjma/visit/events or call 405-325-3272.
OCCC VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
7777 S. May Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
CIRCUS EVO SOLSTICE: A WINTER CIRCUS EXPERIENCE
Thursday, March 5, 7:30 p.m.
Step into a dreamscape with Circus EVO's "Solstice"! At the heart of the story is a girl who loses her light and stumbles into a world where time bends, memories breathe, and the familiar becomes impossibly strange. Shadows dance, snow drifts fall, and acrobats blur the line between the everyday and the extraordinary. More than a circus, "Solstice" is a living poem — a place where nostalgia meets surreal wonder, and where audiences are invited to rediscover the childlike awe of seeing snow for the first time. In 2026, Solstice returns with all-new elements and an original score composed by NC artist Bella Nona, weaving music, movement, and imagination into a one-of-a-kind celebration of the human spirit. Ticket prices $40 - $75, plus handling fees. For more information call 405-6827579 or email BoxOffice@occc.edu.
BLUE MAN GROUP
Tuesday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. Blue Man Group performances are a celebration of human connection. Mixing art, music, comedy and state-of-the-art technology, the show encourages audiences to reconnect with their inner (and outer) child and see the world through a new perspective. Three bald and blue men explore our cultural norms with wide-eyed wonder, poking fun at our collective quirks and reminding us how much we all have in common. Blue Man Group is not just a show featuring three bald and blue men, it’s a total immersive experience. We think of the Blue Man as an “everyman” – he really holds a mirror up to us and our culture and helps us laugh at ourselves a bit and see ourselves and our world a bit differently. The real goal of any Blue Man Group show is to celebrate all that we have in common as human beings—to celebrate our curiosity, our creativity, and our need for community. Ticket prices $64.50 $129.50, plus handling fees. . For more information call 405-682-7579 or email BoxOffice@occc.edu.
CHURCH & SPIRITUAL CONNECTION
JOURNEY TO THE CROSS
March 27 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. or March 28 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Brookwood Baptist Church, 8921 S. Walker, OKC. All ages are welcome. Prepare your heart and mind to celebrate Easter with Brookwood Baptist Church through our “Journey to the Cross” - an opportunity to engage your heart with the Lord as you step into the settings, scenes and surroundings of Passion Week. You can walk through this immersive experience at your own pace any time.
FIVE LOAVES FOOD PANTRY
Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
291 W. Main Street – the Northeast Door. Or by appointment: call 405-794-6671 (Moore First United Methodist Church).
FRESH START COMMUNITY CHURCH FOOD PANTRY
Open the third Thursday of each month, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
309 N Eastern Avenue, West Campus-Family Life Center. Canned and dry goods available. Must be a resident of Moore (please bring an ID).
CITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, March 2 at 6:30 p.m. Moore City Hall, 301 N. Broadway, Moore
PARKS BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, March 3 at 6:00 p.m.
The Station at Central Park, 700 S. Broadway.
ONCE UPON A TEATIME
Saturday March 7, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The Station at Central Park (Meeting Rooms), 700 S. Broadway. $20 per ticket (Everyone must have a ticket to enter). For ages 5+. You are Cordially Invited to sip, snack, craft, and sparkle at the most magical tea party in the kingdom! Attire encouraged: Royal gowns, capes, crowns, top hats, & sparkles! Alice in Wonderland, and
the Mad Hatter will be attending. For more information, please call 405-793-5090.
WALK THE PARKS – SPRING 2026
Monday March 9 through Monday, March 4, All Day.
Walk the Parks is a physical activity tracking program that encourages participants to practice healthy walking habits while exploring our exercise-friendly parks in the City of Moore. The goal of Walk the Parks is to promote health, wellness, and community by encouraging physical activity and highlighting free resources for all ages. Bring your family, friends, pets, and walking shoes, and get started on March 9, 2026. 10 of the 13 public parks in Moore are equipped with walking paths. For more information contact Buster Bread @bbread@ cityofmoore.com
URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY
Monday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Moore City Hall, 301 N. Broadway, Moore
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING
Tuesday, March 10 at 5:30 p.m.
Moore City Hall, 301 N. Broadway, Moore.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Moore City Hall, 301 N. Broadway, Moore.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m. Moore City Hall, 301 N. Broadway, Moore
SPRING BREAK SCAVENGER HUNT
Friday, March 20 through Sunday, March 22, All Day.
The Moore Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a Spring Break Scavenger Hunt in the Parks at Central Park (700 S Broadway Ave.) and Fairmoore Park (630 NW 5th St.) on March 20-22. Find the scavenger hunt clues and redeem one clue at The Station front desk for a prize! Each participant can redeem a card (one only) for a prize at the Station Front Desk, 700 S. Broadway Ave.
SPRING RECYCLE EVENT
Saturday, March 28, 8:00 a.m. to
12:00p.m.
Moore Recycle Center, 220 N. Telephone Road. Paper Shredding, Electronics – 8 a.m.– Noon (Drive-Thru Time – 8 a.m.–Noon). Acceptable electronics include: Televisions, printers, fax machines, copiers/ scanners, laptops/tablets, Frontier cable boxes, smoke detector alarms, iPods, MP3 players, audio and video equipment, VHS tapes, PC speakers, keyboards, VCR/DVD/ CD players, modems and hard drives, cell phones, telephones, and computer monitors. For more information, please call (405) 793-4373
EASTER AT THE PARKS
Saturday, March 28, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
The parks that will have egg hunts this year will be the following: Central Park (700 S Broadway Ave.), Apple Valley Park (4401 Melrose Drive), Westmoore Trails Park (2206 Lonnie Lane), Arbor Gardens Park (1695 SW 34th St.), Fairmoore Park (630 NW 5th St.), Parmele Park (1308 N Janeway Ave.), Little River Park North (700 SW 4th St.), Kiwanis Park (501 E Main St.), Buck Thomas Park (1903 NE 12th St.) and Veterans Memorial Park (1900 SE 4th St.). Join us for Easter at the Parks! The Easter Bunny has left behind some eggs around the City of Moore. Each parks Egg Hunt will start at 10:00 AM at the sound of a horn! There will be candy and filled eggs scattered around the parks. Bring your basket or sack for your child and let them hunt eggs and candy at one of the parks! There are no guarantees of candy for every participant. For more information please call 405-7935090.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
ADOPT-A-PET
Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., closed on holidays. Moore Animal Shelter, S-I35 Service Road. For additional information call (405) 7935190.
AMERICAN LEGION MOORE POST 184
Monthly Membership Meetings: 7:00 p.m. (Every 2nd Tuesday of every month). Post is open for business
Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 12:303:30 p.m.
207 SW 1st Street, Moore, OK. 73160. VA Certified VSO on-duty to serve all veterans and their families with VA Claims. 'No Veteran Left Behind' Tel: (405) 794-5446
BIG TRASH PICK UP
Moore residents will be allowed two FREE big trash pick-ups a year and one free voucher to the city landfill for each physical address in Moore. Call (405) 793-5070 to schedule your trash pick-up.
DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE
Meetings on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. –7:30 p.m.
Moore Public Library, 225 S. Howard Ave., For more information email Josh Turzanski at josh@dbsaok.org.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM
Moore Police Dept. is starting a Neighborhood Watch Program. If you’re interested in helping your neighborhood reduce crime, contact Sgt. Jeremy Lewis, (405) 793-4448.
OKLAHOMA PARKINSON’S ALLIANCE SUPPORT GROUP
First Tuesday of each month (no meeting in July) 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 13200 S. May Ave. For more information contact the Oklahoma Parkinson’s Alliance at 405-810-0695.
MOORE ROTARY CLUB MEETING
Weekly on Wednesdays, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Moore Chamber of Commerce, 305 W. Main St. Moore Rotary Club meetings are held weekly. At our meeting, we aim to have fellowship and fun, enjoy a good meal and listen to an interesting speaker as well as communicate activity updates to members. There are membership fees associated to Rotary International. Come visit at least once and we’ll be happy to discuss membership options. Rotary International is an international service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service and advance goodwill and peace around the world. It is a non-political and non-religious organization. For more information, contact Dee Ann Gay at
405-300-6202.
405 BUSINESS CLUB
Weekly on Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar & Grill”, 1199 S. Service Road. Here members learn more about each other's businesses and pass referrals between members of the group, all while building friendships, camaraderie, and eat lunch. Meetings are open to visitors looking to find a networking group to join, however; we only allow one business per business category. So before you choose to come, please check out our membership and determine if there is an open seat for you & your business in our group.
NORMAN NEWCOMERS MEETING
Second Monday of the month, 10:00 a.m.
At First Christian Church, 220. S. Webster. You don’t have to live in Norman to join in. For more information, contact Susie Orsenigo at 561-914-0771.
THE MOORE TIPS CLUB BUSINESS AND NETWORKING MEETING
Every Thursday, 12:00 p.m.
Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill, 1199 SS I-35 Service Road. A small but effective business networking group, empowering others through valuable and trusted recommendations. We strive to build each member’s business. Do you have a question about our business referral group, or do you want to see if we match your specific needs? Join us on Thursdays from 12pm – 1pm in Moore, Oklahoma @ Toby Keith’s. See the map for location! Send us a message or call one of our members! We're always happy to connect with new businesses! For more information visit mooretipsclub.com.
MOORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMUNITY COFFEE
Wednesdays, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
March 4 – Coffee Darling, 117 North Broadway Ave
March 11 – The Scriptorium, 228 West Main Street
March 18 - The Harrison of Oklahoma City
10801 South May Avenue, Oklahoma City. Start your day with a cup of coffee and
great company at our Community Coffees! These informal gatherings are the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow community members, business professionals, and local leaders in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. What to Expect: Networking: Build meaningful relationships and grow your connections within the community. Conversation: Engage in casual discussions about local initiatives, business updates, and upcoming events. Community Spotlight: Learn about local businesses, nonprofits, and key projects shaping our area. Community Coffees are a great way to stay connected, share ideas, and start your day with positive energy. For more information call 405-794-3400 or email info@moorechamber.com.
SOUTH OKC CHAMBER SERIOUSLY FUN NETWORKING
Thursday, March 5, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tower Theatre (Ponyboy Bar), 423 NW 23rd Street, Oklahoma City. This is one of the Chamber's networking groups. The Seriously Fun Networking meets for happy hour on the first Thursday of each month at one of the Chamber-member place of business. We always have a round of self-introductions and will begin having a few mini-spotlight speakers. Non-members are also invited to attend to learn about the South OKC Chamber. For more information contact Jamie Crowe at 405-634-1436 or email JamieCrowe@southokc.com.
MOORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NETWORKING LUNCH
Tuesday, March 10, 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, 1199 S. I-35 Service Road. Join us for a Networking Lunch, a casual and engaging opportunity to connect with fellow professionals while enjoying a delicious meal at a local restaurant. These lunches are designed to help you expand your network, share your business highlights, and discover new opportunities. Spotlight Opportunity: Each attendee has up to one minute to introduce themselves, their business, and share a highlight or tidbit about their company. Should you need or want more than one-minute, additional opportunities are available to increase your exposure at this event. Contact Tish Norman, Director of Development and Engagement, for more
details. Bring your business cards and get ready to share, connect, and grow your network in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. For more information call 405-794-3400 or email info@moorechamber.com.
SOUTH OKC CHAMBER BUSINESS NETWORKING LUNCH
Wednesday, March 11, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Foodies Kitchen, 2801 West I-240 Service Road. This is one of the Chamber's networking groups. Come join us, we meet for lunch each month at one of the Chamber-member restaurants. We always have a round of self-introductions and open networking. Pre-register on the Monday Morning Memo or the Chamber's online calendar so that we can prepare appropriately! For more information, contact Jamie Crowe at 405-634-1436 or email JamieCrowe@ southokc.com.
SOUTH OKC CHAMBER MONEY, MOMMY, & ME
Saturday, March 14, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
4330 SE 15th Street, Room AB, Del City. Our mission with Five Rings Financial is to provide as much free education about money as we can and we do that through one of three avenues: Money 101, Wine, Women & Wealth and our newest venture Money, Mommy and Me. Our goal with this program is not only to educate our communities about how money works, but to change how the next generation is taught about money so that they won’t need this education as adults - because they will already know it - and what better gift can we give our children than that? Imagine a place to learn how to navigate through important discussions with our children and to share that experience with other parents all while having a cup of coffee while the children are being looked after? For more information, contact Renita Ejiofor at 405-420-5512 or email renita.ejiofor@outlook.com.
SOUTH OKC CHAMBER COFFEE & COMMERCE NETWORKING
Friday, March 20, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. McDonald’s, 4208 S. Western Ave. Join us for our Coffee & Commerce networking! We have a round of self-introductions plus opportunities for free-style networking with other business professionals! We meet on
the 3rd Friday morning of each month! For more information, contact Jamie Crowe at 405-634-1436 or email JamieCrowe@ southokc.com.
MOORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EGGS & ISSUES
Wednesday, March 25, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Moore Chamber of Commerce, 305 W. Main Street. Join us for Eggs & Issues, a breakfast series where business and community leaders gather to discuss key legislative and business topics that impact the Moore business community. This event provides a unique opportunity to engage with elected officials and gain valuable insights into policies and initiatives at the local, county, state, and federal levels. For more information call 405-794-3400 or email info@ moorechamber.com.
SOUTH OKC CHAMBER BUSINESS
BRIEFING – The Human Firewall: Why You are Your Best (and Worst) Security Asset
Wednesday March 25, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
South OKC Chamber of Commerce, 701 SW 74th Street. $15 for members, $25 for non-members. While technology has advanced, most data breaches still begin with a single human error. This briefing will move beyond technical software jargon to focus on the people who power our local businesses. We will discuss the rise of “vishing” (voice phishing) and the growing threat of AI-generated deepfake scams targeting business owners and employees alike. More importantly, the session will cover how to build a workplace culture where security is a shared responsibility and identify simple habits, such as strong password practices and multi-factor authentication, that can prevent up to 90 percent of modern cyber attacks.The briefing will be led by Professor McGraw, a computer science professor at Oklahoma City Community College and a Cyber Defense Incident Response and Exploitation Analyst at DISA. His practical, people-centric approach makes complex cybersecurity threats easy to understand and highly relevant for today’s workplace. For more information contact Elizabeth Fox at 405-634-1436 or email ElizabethFox@ southokc.com.
SOUTH OKC CHAMBER BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
Wednesday, March 25, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Bentley Hedges Travel Service, 10021 South Pennsylvania Avenue. Pack your bags for a fun-filled Business After Hours at Bentley Hedges Travel! Get ready to network, mingle, and set sail on new connections with fellow South OKC Chamber members. Enjoy great company, delicious refreshments, and maybe even pick up some vacation inspiration along the way! No passport required. Just bring your business cards! See you there! For more information contact Elizabeth Fox at 405-634-1436 or email ElizabethFox@southokc.com.
MOORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CAPITOL CONNECTIONS: COMMUNITY LUNCH WITH CONGRESSMAN TOM COLE
Tuesday, March 31, 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Join us for our Membership Luncheons series, where community leaders and professionals gather to discuss pivotal topics influencing our region. Each luncheon offers valuable insights and networking opportunities. March: U.S. Representative Tom Cole. Join us for an afternoon of insightful discussion as we welcome U.S. Representative Tom Cole. As the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and a seasoned leader in Congress, Representative Cole will share his perspective on the current legislative landscape, federal fiscal priorities, and the issues most impacting our community. $40/$75 Admission – Early Bird Pricing Available. For more information call 405-794-3400 or email info@ moorechamber.com.
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION BANQUET
Tuesday, March 31, 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Moore Norman Technology Center-South Penn Campus, 13301 South Pennsylvania Avenue. The 2026 Excellence in Education Banquet will be held on March 31, 2026, at Moore Norman Technology Center - South Penn Campus. We would like to invite you to join us for a special evening featuring dinner, entertainment, and the presentation of awards and scholarships. If you would like to join us for this event, please call the Chamber office to purchase your
tickets. Individual tickets: $45, Corporate Table: $600. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Elizabeth Fox at ElizabethFox@southokc.com or (405) 634-1436. For more information contact Destanee Ratley at 405-634-1436 or email destaneeratley@ southokc.com.
SENIOR CONNECTION
TRANSPORTATION:
• Metro Transit will provide van service for age 60 and older on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the Moore area to Oklahoma City for medical appointments. Call Jackie at (405) 297-2583.
• MOORE COUNCIL ON AGING. Seniors may have transportation anywhere in the City of Moore for errands or appointments. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Monday –Friday. Call (405) 799-3130 at least one day in advance.
• “SHARE-A-FARE” for age 60 and over or disabled. Purchase taxi fare at 40% off.
MARCH SPORTS CALENDAR
(All
MOORE
BASKETBALL
March 5-7 AREA TOURNAMENTS
March 11-14 STATE TOURNAMENT
BASEBALL
March 2 Westmoore
March 3 @Mustang
March 5 @Edmond Memorial
March 9 @Piedmont
March 10 Piedmont
March 12 Marlow
March 19-21 @Edmond Tournament
March 23 @Norman
March 24 Norman
March 26-28 @Choctaw Tournament
March 30 Edmond North
March 31 @Edmond North
GOLF
March 2 @Stillwater (Girls)
March 23 @Southmoore (Girls)
March 24 @Southmoore (Boys
March 25 State Preview (Girls)
March 30 COAC
SOCCER
March 3 @Southmoore
March 6-7 Moore Tournament
March 10 Edmond Santa Fe
March 13 Lawton Mac
March 24 @Norman
March 27 Westmoore
SOFTBALL
March 2 @Westmoore
March 3 @Southmoore
March 12 North Rock Creek Festival@ Firelake
March 24 @Yukon
March 26 @Broken Arrow Festival
March 31 Mustang
TENNIS
March 2 Westmoore Tournament@ Earlywine
March 11 @PC North (Boys)
March 12 @PC North (Girls)
March 26 Southmoore
March 30 @Mustang (Boys)
March 31 @Mustang (Girls)
TRACK
March 5 Battle of the Jungle@MHS
March 12 Ken Hogan Invitational@ MHS
March 27 East vs West
SOUTHMOORE
BASKETBALL
March 5-7 AREA TOURNAMENTS
March 11-14 STATE TOURNAMENT
BASEBALL
March 2 Mustang
March 5 Harrah
March 6 @Midwest City
March 7 @Yukon
March 9 Edmond North
March 10 @Edmond North
March 12 @Norman North
March 13 @Bridge Creek
March 16-17 @Lawton Tournament
March 23 Choctaw
March 24 @Choctaw
March 26 @PC North
March 30 Capitol Hill
GOLF
March 2 @Westmoore (Girls)
March 10 @Ponca City (Girls)
March 23 @Deer Creek (Girls)
March 26 Sabercat Invitational
March 31 @Mustang (Girls)
SOCCER
March 3 Moore
March 5-7 @Enid Tournament (Boys)
March 6-7 @Arkansas Tournament (Girls)
March 10 Westmoore
March 12 Harrah
March 26 @Piedmont
March 31 @Putnam City
SOFTBALL
March 3 Moore
March 5 @Yukon
March 9 @Stround Festival
March 10 Washington
March 23 Westmoore
March 24 @Deer Creek
March 26 USA Softball Festival@Hall of Fame
March 30 Norman
March 31 @Choctaw
TENNIS
March 2 Westmoore Tournament@ Earlywine
March 10 @Ponca City (Boys)
March 23 @Deer Creek (Boys)
March 26 Southmoore Tournament
March 31 @Mustang
TRACK
March 5 Battle of the Jungle@MHS
March 12 Ken Hogan@MHS
March 13 @Husky Hustle
March 27 Sabercat Relays
WESTMOORE
BASKETBALL
March 5-7
AREA TOURNAMENTS
March 11-14 STATE TOURNAMENT
BASEBALL
March 5-7 @Patriot Classic
March 10 US Grant
March 12 Mount St Mary
March 13 @Marlow
March 19-21 @Edmond Tournament
March 23 @Yukon
March 24 Yukon
March 26-27 @BA/Jenks Tournament
March 30 Mustang
March 31 @Mustang
GOLF
March 9 @Edmond North Invitational (Girls)
March 10 @The Academy (Boys)
March 23 @Sabercat Invitational (Girls)
March 24 @Sabercat Invitational (Boys)
March 30 COAC Tournament (Boys)
March 31 @Lady Jackets Invitational (Girls)
SOCCER
March 3 @Edmond Memorial
March 5-7 @Bentonville Tournament
March 6 Norman North (Boys)
March 10 @Southmoore
March 12 Norman North (Girls)
March 13 @PC West
March 24 @Edmond North
March 27 @Moore
March 31 Lawton Eisenhower
SOFTBALL
March 2 Moore
March 3 @Deer Creek
March 5 Plainview/Norman North
March 13 North Rock Creek Festival@ Firelake
March 23 @Southmoore
March 26 USA Softball Festival@Hall of Fame
March 31 @Plainview/Turner
TENNIS
March 2 Westmoore Tournament@ Earlywine
March 10 @Ponca City
March 11 @Lone Wolf
March 25 @Norman
March 26 @Southmoore
March 30 @Mustang (Boys)
March 31 @Mustang (Girls)
TRACK
March 5 Battle of the Jungle@MHS
March 10 Thrower’s Meet@WHS
March 12 Ken Hogan@MHS
March 20-21 @Texas Distance Festival
March 27 East vs West
Sports Photos
Sports Photos Cotinued
Photos by BGW Sports and Adrian Espinoza.
Picking Up the Pace: Moore
High’s Matthias Claims Indoor State Title
As he turns the corner into the spring outdoor track season, Moore Lions sophomore Dominic Matthias keeps checking some pretty big accomplishment boxes. The latest is the 2026 Oklahoma Cross Country and Track Association (OCCTA) Indoor State Championship in the 1600M run. Matthias blistered the course with a time of 4:20.11 to claim the top spot. He says racing indoors can be challenging.
“Indoor arenas like that are a lot harder to run in,” said Matthias. “It’s so compact that it feels harder to breath and the track was flat and shorter, so there are more turns. That slows you down a bit.”
It’s no surprise that Matthias would say that running 1600 meters in 4:20.11 is “slower.” Even though that works out to right at 65 seconds per 400 meters, it’s still a full 10 seconds slower than his personal best in the 1600. Last summer, Matthias excelled, competing in a number of races against the nation’s best and then set a 5K record of 15:04.82 to win the 2025 Oklahoma 6A state cross country championship. That’s the second-fastest 5K performance in Oklahoma state history – as a sophomore.
His stellar performance in cross country also earned Matthias the 2025 Oklahoma Cross Country Gatorade Player of the Year title. Over the summer, Matthias finished 46th at Nike Cross Nationals and earned First Team All-Region honors at the NXN South Championships.
“Whenever you run these fast times, you get more opportunities to run against faster people,” said Matthias. “That’s what I ultimately want to do. I want to run against the fastest guys out there and see what I can do.”
Even as a sophomore, Matthias is keenly aware of what it takes to be competitive at the highest levels. He has placed his trust in his coaches and the training it takes to run at elite levels. And he says he’s found the answer to that question that separates good runners from great ones.
“Why do I keep going is the question you have to ask yourself when you get three or four laps into a race, and your body starts hurting,” said Matthias. “It becomes a mental battle, and for me, the answer is simple. I trust my coaches. I trust the training that we put in. And I have a goal to run against the best.”
Reaching that goal involves grinding out a variety of distances in practice.
“We do a lot of 400 meters,” said Matthias. “The 400 is really good to train for the 1600-meter run. We also do 800s and the occasional 1600.”
Matthias says the regimen helps build the kind of mental toughness you need to excel at middle and long-distance running. That mindset also earned Matthias All-State honors for this year’s OCCTA Indoor State Championship meet. As nice as the state title and All-State honors are, Matthias has
already set his sights on his next challenge.
“We have Nike Indoor Nationals in New York City in about two-and-ahalf weeks,” said Matthias. “We’ve been putting in a bunch of training to get ready for this. I’m excited to go out there and compete against the best in my age group.”
In addition to the hard work on the track, Matthias is also embracing the off-the-track hard choices it takes to compete at the highest level. That means doing something that is rare among high school or college students.
“I try to be in bed by 9:15 or 9:30 at the latest,” says Matthias.
Honestly? How many high school sophomores do you know that are going to bed of their own accord that early? And that’s not all! He’s also working hard on his classes (straight A’s last semester and carrying a 4.64 GPA) and focusing on eating well. Not perfectly…but well.
“I stay hydrated and try to get some really good protein every day for dinner,” said Matthias. I try my best to stay away from chocolate. I eat some, but I do my best to stay away from it.”
And whether he’s running 400-meter lap intervals for training, a wooded 5K cross country course against the best runners in Oklahoma, or a 1600M indoor race in New York City against the best in the country, Matthias does what any great athlete does: takes it one moment at a time.
“I just focus on what’s in front of me,” said Matthias. “I’m not really thinking about the outdoor season yet. I mean, you do have to be aware of what’s coming, but it’s more important to focus on the immediate challenges.”
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THE GOLD STANDARD IN EARLY EDUCATION
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1111 SW 89TH ST OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73139 ENROLLOKC.ORG
