Inside today:
The BEST dinner party ever!
Sports Editor Jason Jewell tells you what to expect from our eight Fridayland teams in Pigskin Preview 20, inserted in today’s edition.
Columnist Joy Richardson tells you all about Kay Oliver’s dinner party which had guests rolling with laughter. Pages 2 & 11
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 54 No. 17 • Two Sections • 32 pages September 4, 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
OKC will stay masked up through Oct. 20 By Rose Lane Editor The OKC City Council has agreed to extend its mask mandate to Oct. 20 and to make exceptions within it for people who are communicating with others who are hearing impaired.
The vote was 6 yays to 3 nays. The emergency clause allowing for the ordinance to go into effect in 24 hours was 7 for and 2 against. Seven is the magic number for an emergency to go into effect in Oklahoma City. Without the 7 votes, the ordinance wouldn’t
have gone into effect for 30 days. The original ordinance presented to the City Council contained language to extend the mask mandate to Nov. 30. Councilman David Greenwell asked if it would be possible to push that back to Oct. 15. He said
that as cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue to drop, going with a shorter time period would be more agreeable to residents. Councilman Mark Stonecipher was the author of the ordinance. He said he was open to anything that would help people support
the mask mandate. The council then came to the Oct. 20 date as that is a Tuesday — and when the council meets. Councilman Larry McAtee suggested making the mandate voluntary. Jo See MASKS, Page 3
It’s time get on board with EMSA
Hotdog! Well, hotdog! The iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile recently made a surprise stop at the Peppers Ranch Foster Care Community near Guthrie, Oklahoma. Nichols Hills resident and board member Steve Slawson, left, arranged for the visit through longtime family friend Molly Swindall, right, driver of the vehicle. Peppers Ranch is a foster care community providing a network of foster parents and adult mentors for abused and neglected children in Oklahoma. The community offers residential care and on-site services including counseling, therapeutic art, equestrian riding, tutoring and other educational programs.
September is EMSAcare month in Oklahoma City, when residents can change their membership with the ambulance service through Sept. 30. EMSAcare covers the out-of-pocket expenses for emergency ambulance transports anywhere in the EMSA service area, which is most of the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas. It applies to all permanent members of the household, regardless of their age or relationship to each other and even if they don’t have medical insurance, city officials said. Oklahoma City residents who are not EMSAcare members can enroll by calling 2972833. Enrollment results in a $3.65 monthly charge included on the OKC utility bill. Members who want a membership card can print one at emsaonline.com/emsacare.html. Visit okc.gov/emsacare for more information. Officials said that even with good insurance coverage, a typical emergency ambulance ride can cost a patient about $800. It can cost more than $1,300 without insurance. EMSAcare covers everything a patient would owe. Those enrolled in the program may also opt See EMSA, Page 3
Red Earth Festival promises to be a Grand time in Shawnee The award-winning Red Earth Festival, recognized as one of America’s top art festivals, opens this weekend with beautiful artwork, new events and special attention to ensure a Grand standard of good clean fun.
The Grand Casino Hotel & Resort, located just minutes east of Oklahoma City, Exit 178 on I-40 near Shawnee, hosts the Red Earth Festival for the first time this year as central Oklahoma becomes a center of Native art and cul-
ture. The Red Earth juried art market features original art by Native artisans in the beautiful Grand Casino Event Center. Festival guests will experience the artistic creations of some of America’s most celebrated
OCPA to host Sarah Huckabee Former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the guest speaker for the Wednesday, Sept. 16, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs’ Citizenship Award Dinner. The event is set to begin with a reception at 6 p.m. at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Dinner and the program follow at 7 p.m. The 2020 Citizenship Award recipient is James L.
Gallogly. The dress is business attire. For sponsorship and reservations, call 602-1667. Visit ocpathink.org for more details. As a trusted source for factbased public policy analysis, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs has filled this vital role in the Sooner State for 25 years, watching out for the best interests of Oklahoma families, businesses, children and taxpayers.
artists as they offer their creations for sale. While keeping the safety of Festival patrons in mind, the 2020 Red Earth Festival will not feature a powwow. In lieu of the powwow, special Native dance presentations will feature
the popular colorful dances guests have grown accustomed to experiencing while attending the festival. To ensure a “Grand standard of Good, Clean, Fun,” See FESTIVAL, Page 3
FRIDAY’s
Dog of the Week Prince is a year-and-a-half old Pomeranian. His human is Melissa Calidonio. Email Dog of the Week, Baby of the Week and Cat of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday.com. Submissions used in the order
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