OKC FRIDAY Vol. 55 No. 14 • One Section • 14 pages • August 20, 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
Village Shelter is waiving adoption fees Village City Manager Bruce Stone and Vice Mayor Adam Graham both called after last week’s OKC FRIDAY story about 10 dogs in the shelter with
a headline mentioning euthanasia. “The Village is not euthanizing dogs,” both said adamantly. They were upset, very
upset. “We are offering free adoptions for the next month, waiving the normal $90 fee,” Stone said. The Village’s current
animal control officer is contacting rescue organizations in an effort to empty the shelter. The Village Animal League (VAL) is a group of
volunteers who help maintain the local animal shelter and exercise the dogs. It is working with rescue groups to reduce the current population.
Grades are rising for Oklahoma’s public schools By Rose Lane Editor
- Photo by Rose Lane
Spotlight Soiree
Melissa and Todd Scaramucci hosted the Spotlight Soiree to introduce Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre’s new Artistic Director Kelly Kerwin. Above Aimee Harlow and Lance McDaniel toast Kerwin with a backdrop of mermaids (center behind the pair) and King Poseidon (upper right) standing watch.
Oklahoma schools’ grades are on the rise. Superintendent Joy Hofmeister spoke to those in attendance at the Greater OKC Chamber’s State of the Schools luncheon. She voiced optimism for the future of education in the state. Ready Together Oklahoma is an initiative to help better prepare students for success post graduation, she said. In 2016, end-ofinstruction exams were eliminated. In 2017, SAT and ACT tests were made available free and this year all 10th-12th graders have the ability to take the ACT, SAT and/or PSAT at no cost. “By easing the path to college, we are helping them compete globally,” Hofmeister said. She said Oklahoma has revamped academic standards and “significantly raised the bar” to expect more from school children. For instance, Oklahoma rose from 41st to second in terms of grade 4 reading. “We know that our high school students can graduate with the skills necessary for success,” she said. See GRADES, Page 7
Tickets are now on sale for the 45th Annual Renaissance Ball Individual tickets for the 45th Annual Renaissance Ball and Late Night After Party are now on sale. This year’s Renaissance Ball returns on Friday, Sept. 10
as an in-person event at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. Co-chaired by Lindsay and Jeffrey Graham along with Susan and Ramsey Drake, the
2021 event celebrates the Museum’s current exhibition, “The Painters of Pompeii: Roman Frescoes from the National Archaeological Museum,
FRIDAY’s
Dog of the Week Ollie is an 11-year-old Cairn Terrier, but he has the soul of a 1-year-old puppy. He loves his human Teagan Lack, and all his doggy friends. 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.
Sponsored by Paulette and Leo Kingston of WePayFast.com.
Naples.” “OKCMOA’s Renaissance Ball has served as the kick-off to the Oklahoma City social season on the first Friday after
Labor Day for 45 years,” said Ramsey Drake. “The Ball is a critical part of the Museum’s fundraising See BALL, Page 7
Lion’s Club Car Show drives into Village’s Duffner Park Twenty-eight categories of automobiles are set to be featured during The Village Lions Club 16th Annual Car Show Saturday, Aug. 28, at Duffner Park. Registration begins at 9 a.m., followed by participant judging frp, noon to 1 p.m. and an awards ceremony at 2 p.m. Plans are for eight Best of Show Awards, five-ball judging, club participation, goody bags and a 50/50 prize. In addition, a participant
cash drawing yields three $100 winners. All proceeds benefit the Oklahoma Lions EYEBank, the Oklahoma Lions Boys Ranch, Coats for Kids, the BritVil Food Pantry and other projects in The Village. Attendees are also invited to bring used eyeglasses to be recycled. For more information, contact David Ralson at (405) 4784783 or Sean Ralston at (405) 209-7326.