OKC FRIDAY Vol. 53 No. 20 • Two Sections • 16 Pages September 20, 2019
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 45 years
Hanna’s cheetah coming to OKC for party By Vicki Clark Gourley Publisher Art Inspires Conservation is the theme of Meetah Cheetah 2019 dinner and party to be held on Oct. 27 at the home of Dick Sias. The annual party supports the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s efforts to save the critically endangered cheetahs in the wild by improving the environment and educating local native farmers. Invitations ask “Would the beauty of Yosemite National Park have been preserved for future generations without Ansel Adams photographs? Would millions around the world, who will probably never travel to Africa, contribute to saving endangered rhinos, elephants, cheetahs and tigers without the art of wildlife photographers, painters and television documentaries?” In so many ways, art inspires conservation and the founder of CCF, Dr. Laurie Marker, is set to be there to talk about how the vital work she does to save cheetahs in the wild inspires
Internationally known wildlife artist D. Arthur Wilson will attend the OKC cheetah party and is donating 100 percent of the money from an original pastel, “Cheetah on the Hunt.”
John Marshall dedicates Terry Harris Athletic Training Facility Terry Harris, left, presents OKCPS Superintendent Dr. Sean McDaniel with the keys to the Terry Harris Athletic Training Facility at John Marshall High School.
John Marshall High School dedicated the Terry Harris Athletic Training Facility last week during a ceremony at the school. Businessmen Ken Davidson and Bob West donated nearly $1 million to build the facility, which is named for Harris, a longtime supporter of John Marshall.
United Way launches $17.1 million campaign
United Way Campaign CoChairmen Bill and Sherri Nance announced the $17.1 million goal.
United Way of Central Oklahoma kicked off its 2019 annual campaign with a fundraising goal of $17.1 million. The money raised will be invested into 113 health and human service programs at 57 Partner Agencies. In addition to United Way’s campaign, the event also serves as the start of the State Charitable Campaign and the Heart of the City Campaign. “Our Partner Agencies are stepping up for our community and are addressing our most pressing challenges head
See CHEETAH, Page 2
Bubba’s back! Longtime The Village city councilman fills vacancy By Ashley Haley Staff Writer
- Photos by Ron Vavak
Terry Harris speaks during the dedication ceremony.
art in many forms. Dr. Marker plans to share updates on CCF’s work and information about how photography, film and artistry of all types inspire people to care about conservation. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium animal programs staff, will once again drive Jack Hanna’s Ambassador Cheetah from Columbus, Ohio to OKC so party goers can experience the thrill of seeing a cheetah up close and personal. Wildlife Artist D. Arthur Wilson, “Art Gone Wild,” will attend the event and create a charcoal drawing of Jack Hanna’s Ambassador Cheetah during the evening and donate all the money raised from that and an original pastel “Cheetah on the Hunt” to CCF. Wilson first traveled to Namibia in 1999 to paint a huge cheetah on the side of the education building. During the past 20 years, he has raised over $1 million for wildlife conservation organizations. Wilson showed his work for 17 years at the Knox galleries with Oklahoma favorite Gerald Balciar. He has collectors in 20 countries and
C. Scott “Bubba” Symes returns to The Village City Council as a Ward 2 councilman after receiving the oath of office at Monday’s city council meeting. Symes was sworn in by Mayor Cathy Cummings. Before his departure, Symes served as a The Village city councilman for 16 years and mayor for four terms. He was first elected to the council in 2003, but did not seek reelection in the spring. George Colbert won the seat, but relocated out of state this summer creating the vacancy.
All shelter animals are adopted The Village Animal League leader Cheryl Steckler reported that as of Monday, all of the animals at The Village Animal Shelter had been adopted. The newly-formed group has been working to improve conditions at the shelter. OKC FRIDAY has assisted in the adoptions by running bi-weekly rescue animal photos on the front page.
See VILLAGE, Page 3
FRIDAY’s
Dog of the Week Frazier is Karen Clark’s sweet and smart six-month-old Boxer. He is learning to play bridge at North Park Mall with his owner. 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 See UNITED WAY, Page 7