‘Egg’citing adult fun
Lynn forum
Getting into the spirit of an adult Easter egg hunt is Jim Hammack with a pink egg. For more, see Excursions, Page 14.
Lynn Institute President and CEO Steve Petty, speaker Chan Hellman, Ph.D. and board member Steve Buck during the organization’s forum. Page 13.
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 54 No. 50 • One Section • 14 pages • April 23, 2021
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 47 years
Masks coming off in NHills
FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS IS BACK! Organizers work hard to offer a safe environment By Rose Lane Editor
By Eric Oesch Staff Writer Starting April 30 protective face masks will no longer be required in the City of Nichols Hills as city council members voted unanimously to repeal City Ordinance 1186 concerning regulations to control the COVID-19 virus. During the meeting, Councilman Steven Goetzinger noted the surrounding cities of Edmond and Midwest city have already rescinded mask requirements and Oklahoma City will end its requirements on April 30. “We don’t want to lose business to other cities around us,” said Goetzinger. “Our action will affect all 61 retail merchants in the city. “Our hope is that our action will have a positive effect by allowing them (Nichols Hills merchants) to conduct business in the same manner in which their Oklahoma City business competitors conduct business,” he said. Goetzinger said retail businesses in Nichols Hills have been supportive of the mask requirement and said the fact that Oklahoma See NHILLS, Page 2
- Photo by Rose Lane
Festival of the Arts Director Seth Lewis and Co-Chairman Kaycee Nolting unveil the official artwork of the event. “Jazz Fest’’ was crafted by artist Prince Duncan-Williams of thousands of strands of African silk.
Sinfully fun, ‘Nunsense’ takes Myriad Gardens stage Lyric Theatre’s 2021 season continues with the opening of the sinfully funny hit musical “Nunsense,” presented outdoors through May 9, at the Myriad Botanical Gardens. “Nunsense” follows the misadventures of five nuns who are trying to manage a fundraiser. Sadly, after the deaths of the rest of the sisterhood from botulism after eating vichyssoise prepared by Sister Julia (Child of God), the remaining nuns stage a talent show to raise money to bury their dearly departed. Participating in the project are
Officials urge callers to check the programmed speed dial numbers on their phones and in contact address lists prior to this date. After Saturday, calls made using just the seven digits for local calls will no longer go through unless they are proceeded with the correct area code. Examples of other dialings that will be affected include fax machines, life safety
systems, alarm and security systems, speed dialers, call forwarding settings and voicemail services. Be advised that this will not affect the dialing of 911 as residents can continue to dial the three digits for emergency service. Officials also suggested that people be sure to update all business cards, signature lines and letterhead with the correct area code.
See LYRIC, Page 5
See ARTS, Page 2
Kelli O’Hara featured in OKCPHIL event
Mother Superior Sister Regina, a former circus performer who cannot resist the spotlight; her competitive but dignified rival, second-in-command Sister Mary Hubert; Sister Robert Anne, a streetwise nun from Brooklyn; Sister Mary Leo, a novice who is determined to be the world's first ballerina nun; and wacky, childlike Sister Mary Amnesia, who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head. Written by Dan Goggin, the production will feature direction
Full 10-digit dialing going into effect Starting Saturday, callers need to begin using the full 10-digit dialing for all telephone calls. In addition to the 405 area code, 572 is being added for the Oklahoma City metro area. The 572 area code will be assigned to new numbers starting May 24. This new area code does not require Oklahomans with an existing phone number to change numbers or area codes.
Oklahoma City’s Festival of the Arts returns this year but with a later time frame and an expanded footprint. Randy Cassimus and Kaycee Nolting are this year’s co-chairmen. The outdoor event is set for June 22-27, rather than the traditional “rite of spring” early May schedule. The event was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. “Moving Festival of the Arts to June this year is the right decision for the event and the community,” said Peter Dolese, Arts Council OKC executive director. “It gives more time for vaccine distribu-
tion and protection allowing us to design an outdoor event that implements CDC guidelines and creates an enjoyable, safe experience.” The festival, held at Bicentennial Park downtown, will be expanded to include the east lawn of City Hall and Patience Latting Drive. Food trucks will serve the culinary delicacies. The Arts Council board and its staff, along with the cochairmen, worked closely with city officials in planning the Festival of the Arts’ new format. “We are so thankful for the hard work put in by the City of Oklahoma City and Arts
The OKCPHIL announced a virtual fundraiser, “An Evening with Kelli O’Hara” with Jan McDaniel on piano and the musicians of the OKCPHIL. The event will take place on Thursday, May 20, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this exciting virtual event begin at $150 and are on sale now. KELLI O’HARA
See PHIL, Page 5
FRIDAY’s
Dog of the Week Lucy is a 3.8 -pound Yorkie, who loves to run. Her human is Dr. J. Arden Blough. He says her favorite thing is going for 5- to 6-mile walks and chasing birds to make them fly along the way. Lucy is tireless, her owner said. She also likes to snuggle and sit in his lap at the computer. Send Dog, Baby and Cat of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com. Submissions are used in the order they are received.
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