Glitter Ball
Let me call you my Sweetheart!
Brent Hart and Matt Thomas at the deadCenter party which took place at Factory Obscura. Page B1.
Love is in the air as Valentine’s Day is approaching. See photos of your friends and neighbors and their Sweethearts, plus gift ideas from your local merchants. Pages 9 & 10.
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 53 No. 40 • Two Sections • 16 pages February 7, 2020
www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, The Village, Quail Creek, The Greens and Gaillardia for 46 years
Proposed path through Village draws safety concerns By Ashley Haley Staff Writer Security, safety and money are top concerns for The Village residents who continue to fight for a senior park instead of the city’s proposed TIF plan. Residents voiced their concerns at a regular city
council meeting, specifically regarding the city’s plan to construct a 10-foot path in the Hawthorn Community, where many senior citizens live. The TIF project, which was proposed last year, is expected to bring a new park, playground, town center, dog park, walking path
and more to the city. A committee representing the residents in favor of a senior park has met with city leaders numerous times and The Village City Council has compromised with the committee by changing plans for the splash pad to a fountain. Now, residents are also
looking to make a deal on a proposed path through the community. According to The Village TIF Design Report Draft on the city’s website, the city plans to construct a multipath connector from the park to Village Drive. Resident Linda Schoenhals said although not all
Dad writes children’s book to empower girls
See TIF, Page 3
Sunbeam to honor Bob Ross with its 2020 Aspire Award
By Rose Lane Editor Author Tanner Tate read his book All the Things A Girl Can Be to preschoolers at Johnson Elementary. Illustrator Morgan Snyder was also in attendance. The Village Mayor Cathy Cummings presented a copy of the book to the elementary school’s Principal Jana
residents have been surveyed, about 71 percent do not support the construction of the proposed path. She said the path brings safety and security concerns. “Our security is that there’s not a lot of people
From left: Back Row, Donna Stevens, author Tanner Tate, illustrator Morgan Snyder and Beth Ortiz; middle row, Niko Rodriguez, Mar'Kell Taft, Braylon Mitchell, Mayor Cathy Cummings, Hudson Pickett, Nora Evans, Jaciel Hernandez, Kalani Clark and Rai'lee McClellan; and front row, Jackson Smith, Henry Moore, Milo Adams and Gage Miller.
Higgins. The father of a 5year-old girl, Tanner said he wrote a book geared toward girls
rather than boys because he wants her to grow up with the confidence and belief that she can do and be
anything she sets her mind to. “I don't think boys See BOOK, Page 9
Sunbeam Family Services has named Robert J. Ross, chairman and CEO of Inasmuch Foundation, as its 2020 Aspire Award recipient. The Aspire Award is presented annually by Sunbeam to Oklahomans who have made significant contributions to support the nonprofit’s mission of providing people of all ages with help, hope, and the opportunity to succeed through early childhood, foster care,
BOB ROSS
counseling and senior services programs. “I am honored to be named the 2020 Aspire Award recipient,” said Ross. “I See ROSS, Page 2
Herman Meinders, is seated center, with his wife, LaDonna, left and brother, Bob. He is surrounded by family, standing, his sister and her husband, Linda and John Drum, and daughter, Christine Meinders, at the dedication of the Meinders Neuroscience Institute at Mercy Hospital on Memorial Road.
Mercy dedicates Meinders Neuroscience Institute Mercy Health Foundation recently hosted a cocktail reception and dinner honoring Herman Meinders and his family. “The Meinders extraordinary generosity made it possible to build the Meinders Neuroscience Institute and the Meinders Center for Movement Disorders,” said a Mercy spokesperson. “This is
a comprehensive, innovative new center of excellence, which is the only facility of its kind in a multi-state area.” The medical specialists with Meinders Neuroscience Institute in Oklahoma City are experts in the care of the nervous system, brain, and spine. It is the largest, most See MEINDERS, Page 2
FRIDAY’s
Dog of the Week Rylee is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She is 2-years-old and loves to chase a ball. Her human is Carol Scully. Email Dog of the Week, Baby of the Week and Cat of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday. com. Submissions are used in the order they are received.
Sponsored by Paulette and Leo Kingston of WePayFast.com
- Photo by Vicki Clark Gourley
FRIDAY fumble In the Jan. 31 edition of OKC FRIDAY, Dr. Jesus Medina, left, was incorrectly identified as Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby, right. The newspaper regrets the error.