Volunteers rally to make the Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance’s Kitch Tour a success.
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The Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance’s Kitchen Tour is set for Oct. 20 and includes five Nichols Hills homes.
On the cover:
Valerie Naifeh has designed a special ring to be raffled at the Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance’s Kitchen Tour which benefits Peaceful Family Oklahoma. For more, see Pages 4 & 5.
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Data indicates that kitchens are the most popular rooms to renovate. In a modern kitchen, homeowners are looking for islands, deep sinks and lots of storage.
It may be wise for home cooks to ensure they have the right tools for the job. Certain essentials can make meal creation even easier and produce better results.
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A lot goes on in a kitchen, from preparing meals to homework and more. A more functional kitchen can make this already popular space even more so.
Valerie Naifeh designs ring for Alliance Kitchen Tour
NNaifeh Fine Jewelry is proud to partner with the annual Alliance Kitchen Tour in Nichols Hills on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sponsored by the Oklahoma County Medical Alliance, a por‐tion of the proceeds benefit Peaceful Family Oklahoma, a 501C3 non‐profit based in Edmond, but serving the greater Oklahoma City Metro Area. Valerie Naifeh is a board member of the nonprofit, which holds
This one-of-a-kind 22kt yellow gold, diamond and pink tourmaline ring designed by Valerie Naifeh is to be raffled off during the Oct. 22 Alliance Kitchen Tour.
a special place in her heart.
“Peaceful Family Oklahoma seeks to end the cycle of addiction through free, monthly peer‐to‐peer and age‐appropriate camps for children and teens,” she said. “Often the kids who come to our camps arrive angry, quiet, and not interested in shar‐ing. By the end of the multi‐day camp, which is directed by highly trained counselors, these kids have hope, understanding, and mul‐tiple coping strategies.”
Naifeh Fine Jewelry is located in the Nichols Hills Plaza and has been in business for more than 25 years.
VALERIE NAIFEH
“They also learn that they are not alone, that addiction cycles in fam‐ilies, and that THEY have the power to stop it by making different choices for them‐selves.”
This year’s attendees have the opportunity to purchase a raffle ticket for $20 or six for $100. The winner receives a one‐of‐a‐kind 22kt yel‐low gold, diamond and pink tourmaline ring designed by Valerie Naifeh and donated by Naifeh Fine Jewelry.
Naifeh Fine Jewelry’s expansive showroom offers customers the opportunity to browse jewelry such as that pictured here.
The ring has a retail value of $7,500. It is to be displayed at Naifeh Fine Jewelry in Nichols Hills Plaza on Avondale and at one of the homes during the tour. The ring will be sized free of charge, if necessary, for the winner.
As for the inspiration of the design, Valerie states, “When the kids arrive the first morning of camp they are given a sack of rocks, which are large, smooth river pebbles. The sack is heavy and they have to carry it around with them for a bit. Each rock is painted with one word that represents a common emotion children of addicts experience: fear, shame, sad, angry, frustrated and so on. The bag represents the heavy emotional burden these children carry with them all day, every day.”
Valerie said she wanted the center stone of this ring to be a cabochon, or smoothly polished gem, because it resembles the time worn emotions of the smooth pebbles in the bags.
“I chose a fabulous, deep pink tourmaline that weighs 4.64ct. The three diamonds on each side of the center stone rep‐resent the fact that those emotions, written on each pebble, can each transform into a new outlook that is bright, shining and sparkly, which is how each of the camps clients are when they leave.
Each stone is bezel set in solid 22kt yellow gold in the center of an 8mm band that has a satin finish. The satin finish was intentional, Valerie said, because over time it will wear to a smooth, high polish.
“I can’t say enough about PFO. It was started by friends of mine who did not know their two grandchildren were living with addicted parents until they received a call from the chil‐dren’s school. They were devastated and there were no resources for family members of addicts or their children. PFO has been transformative and will change the fabric of our state.”
Peaceful Family Oklahoma is not for addicts, it is a support center offering programs for family members and chil‐dren of addicts. For more information about Peaceful Family Oklahoma, please go to peacefulfamilyok.org or call (405) 601‐2691. To get more information including how to purchase tickets for the Kitchen Tour, follow the Oklahoma County Medical Alliance on Instagram or Facebook.
Peaceful Family Oklahoma is primary event beneficiary
TThe Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance pres‐ents the 2024 Alliance Kitchen Tour, a beloved fall tradi‐tion, on Sunday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This annual fundraiser reflects the Alliance’s mission to improve the wellbeing of their local community. This year’s tour benefits Peaceful Family Oklahoma, ITN Central Oklahoma, and Alliance Community Service proj‐ects.
The event features five beautiful kitchen designs – and so much more! Attendees will also enjoy food tastings and demonstrations at Culinary Kitchen and Home, a jewelry raffle with Naifeh Fine Jewelry and a pop‐up Bath Sorbet shop.
Tickets for the Oct. 20 Kitchen Tour are on sale now at Culinary Kitchen and Home and ocmsAlliance.org. Purchase tickets at Culinary Kitchen, and you could win a $100 gift card to shop the store.
This year’s primary beneficiary is Peaceful Family Oklahoma, which plays a critical role in the lives of chil‐dren affected by family addiction.
Evie Holzer, 2024 Chairman Margo Ward and Shannon Garrett volunteer for the Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance’s Kitchen Tour. This year’s event is set for Sunday, Oct. 20.
"Did you know that one in four children is impacted by addiction in their families? Without intervention, these chil‐dren are eight times more likely to struggle with addiction themselves," said Lisa Reed, president and executive director at Peaceful Family Oklahoma. "PFO is proud to be the only nonprofit dedicated to healing for the 250,000 children affect‐ed by addiction in Oklahoma. Our trailblazing efforts have positioned us as one of the only organizations of its kind in the nation."
Established in 1991, the Alliance Kitchen Tour has become a staple in the Oklahoma City community, bringing together thousands of visitors each year to explore some of the most stunning homes in the area. With more than 160 homes fea‐tured to date, the tour offers more than just a glimpse into beautifully designed kitchens. It also provides a unique oppor‐tunity to support local nonprofits that contribute to the health and wellbeing of Oklahomans. To date, the event has raised more than $830,000 for various health‐related causes.
“Alliance members strive to make Oklahoma City a healthier community, and our annual Alliance Kitchen Tour is such a fun way for us to raise funds for local non‐profits. We are thrilled to support Peaceful Family Oklahoma, ITN Central Oklahoma and Alliance community service projects with our 2024 event," said Margo Ward, 2024 Kitchen Tour chairman. "We hope you will join us, come enjoy the tour, and help us financially sup‐port these nonprofits and the important work they do.”
A map of the homes included on the 2024 Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance Kitchen Tour.
Great event, great causes
TThis year’s Alliance Kitchen Tour benefits Peaceful Family Oklahoma, ITN Central Oklahoma, and Alliance Community Service.
Peaceful Family Oklahoma is dedi‐cated to bringing help, hope and heal‐ing to children impacted by the dis‐ease of addiction in their families. One in four children are affected by a fami‐ly member’s substance use disorder.
Peaceful Family Oklahoma provides vital support to these children, helping them break the cycle of addiction.
ITN Central Oklahoma provides safe, affordable and friendly trans‐portation to Oklahoma County seniors who can no longer safely drive them‐selves. Without rides to medical serv‐ices and other businesses, a person’s health and quality of life can become
jeopardized by isolation and depres‐sion. This organization connects sen‐iors to essential care.
Alliance Community Service is a team of Alliance volunteers who donates funds, goods and service hours to nonprofits in need. They serve organizations located in Oklahoma County with monthly proj‐ects throughout the year.
6719 Avondale Dr.
Data indicates that kitchens are the most popular rooms to renovate. In a modern kitchen, homeowners are looking for islands, deep sinks and lots of storage.
3 modern kitchen features to consider
IIt's well documented that kitchens are the most popu‐lar rooms in many homes. Kitchens are where families tend to congregate during holiday celebrations, and many a child has tackled their homework as mom or dad pre‐pares dinner just a few steps away.
With so much time spent in the kitchen, it's no wonder kitchen renovations are popular. In fact, data from the National Association of Home Builders indicates kitchens are the most popular room to remodel. Whether home‐owners are planning a full scale remodel or a few tweaks to update the room, the following are three popular fea‐tures of modern kitchens.
1. Kitchen island
A recent survey from the interior design experts at Houzz found that kitchen islands are popular for a variety of reasons. Fifty‐eight percent of respondents indicated they enjoy eating at kitchen islands, while 49 percent reported they like islands for entertaining. Forty‐five per‐cent of respondents like socializing around kitchen islands. Islands provide a versatile functionality that
comes in handy when preparing meals on typical week‐nights and when hosting friends and family on special occasions like the holidays and birthdays. Islands come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be customized to fit just about any space. Mobile islands can be utilized in small kitchens when homeowners want the extra prep space but think the kitchen would be too cramped if a permanent island were added.
2. Deep sink
The popularity of farmhouse style sinks is proof that large and deep sinks are sought‐after among today's homeowners. Farmhouse sinks may be best suited to a particular aesthetic, but a 2021 study from the National Association of Home Builders found that side‐by‐side double sinks and walk‐in pantries were the most popular of 30 listed kitchen features. That study surveyed more than 3,200 recent and prospective home buyers. Deep sinks are especially useful for people who love to cook, making them a solid addition to any kitchen where home chefs ply their trade most nights of the week.
3. Storage
As the NAHB study indicated, kitchen storage space is sought after among modern homeowners. As home cooks expand their culinary horizons and cook more elaborate meals, they need extra places to store specialty pots and pans, ingredients and other materials. Homeowners looking to add more storage in the kitchen can consult with a local con‐tractor about how to create such space. A walk‐in pantry can do the trick, but homeowners with kitchens where space is more limited may need to get a little more creative. Sliding‐door pantries and roll‐out shelving in existing cabinets can add functional space in kitchens with close quarters.
Modern kitchens are visual marvels and highly functional spaces. A new island, a deep sink and some extra storage space can help homeowners transform their existing kitchens into spaces that cater to their every need.
The popularity of farmhouse style sinks is proof that large and deep sinks are sought-after among today's homeowners.
Stock your kitchen with these essentials
CCooking at home is an enjoyable pastime that many people find calm‐ing. Cooking at home also affords cooks full control of ingredients and flavors, which can be great for picky eaters or people with food allergies.
According to a recent survey by Hello Fresh, 84 percent of Canadians enjoy cooking at home. Around 65 per‐cent confess that sharing a meal with loved ones is their favorite part of dinner‐time. Taste of Home similar in the United States, where 60 percent of Americans cook at home more than five days a week. Bosch Home Appliances also deter‐mined Americans spend around 400 hours in the kitchen each year.
material, but wood harbors fewer bacteria and is easier on knife
• Cast‑iron skillet: A good, pre‐seasoned cast‐iron skillet is a work‐horse in the kitchen. It works for searing steaks, and can go into the oven for making pizza crusts or
• Stainless steel
When you don't want to wield a heavy cast‐iron pan, a stainless steel
heat more evenly and is great for sauteing vegetables or making stir‐fries.
With so much time spent in the kitchen whipping up delicious meals, it may be wise for home cooks to ensure they have the right tools for the job. Certain essen‐tials can make meal cre‐ation even easier and pro‐duce better results.
• Chef's knife (8‑ inch): A chef's knife will be used at every turn in meal creation. Choose a knife that feels comfortable in hand, and invest in quality so that the knife will hold up to all tasks.
• Cutting board: Without a cutting board, a chef's knife may be ren‐dered useless. Everyone has a preference in cutting board
• Mixer: If you have room for a stand mixer and are an avid baker, then by all means add one to your collection. However, if you're short on storage space, a hand mixer will work well for blending batters.
• Enamel‑coated Dutch oven: Dutch ovens have a well‐earned reputation as versa‐tile pieces of kitchen equipment. Perfect for braising roasts or slowly simmering stews, these Dutch ovens go easily from stovetop to inside the oven. Breads also can be baked in Dutch ovens.
Stock a utensil holder with a vari‐ety of different spoons, ladles, spatulas, and more. They can be used for cooking and serving.
• Air fryer/toaster oven combination: Today's air fryers are more compact and conven‐ient than earlier models. Many boast additional settings that let you toast, broil or bake as well as air fry. Air fryers are ideal when you don't want to turn on the oven but desire a hot, home‐cooked meal.
• Glass or ceramic casserole baking dishes: Whether you're preparing homemade baked macaroni‐and‐cheese or fudgy brownies, a good size casserole dish is an essential tool.
• Spoons and spatulas:
• Slow cooker: A slow cooker enables you to set ingredients on a low cooking temperature in the morning only to return in the evening to a fully cooked meal. Various tools can make home cooking more enjoy‐able.
Home cooks can adjust their lists based on what they prepare most often.
How to create a more functional kitchen
AA kitchen is often the most utilized room in a house. Meals may be prepared, cooked and often eaten in kitchens, and the room is often utilized as a homework spot or a makeshift place to pay bills and stay on top of household needs. By enhancing the organ‐ization and functionality of the kitchen, homeowners can enjoy these popular spaces even more.
A lot goes on in a kitchen, from preparing meals to homework and more. A more functional kitchen can make this already popular space even more so.
Homeowners have increased their spending on home improvements in recent years. According to the Joint Center for Housing Centers for Harvard University, project spending rose to $472 billion in 2022 from $328 billion in 2019. It's estimated consumers will have spent $485 bil‐lion by the end of 2023. Kitchen renovations were the most popular upgrade and accounted for the highest budgets in 2021, according to Houzz. When the time comes to renovate a kitchen, homeowners can take steps to make these spaces more organized and therefore func‐tional. Here are eight tips to creating a more functional kitchen.
1. Increase storage, and then invest in more. Make the most of corner cabinets and other potential dead spots in a kitchen. Various products can be used to organize awkwardly angled or shaped areas. Kitchen designers also can work with you to reconfigure cabinets and kitchen layouts.
2. Organize utensils and dishes around the sink/dishwasher. Rather than traversing the kitchen to put clean dishes away, make loading and unloading the dishwasher that much easier by locating commonly used items next to and above it. Similarly, place frequently used saucepans, baking dishes and other items near the oven or food preparation area.
3. Utilize drawer and cabinet organizers. Make a
place for everything in the kitchen. Take out all items and see what you need and use all the time. Then coordinate storage around those items so everything fits perfectly. Pull‐out shelves and Lazy Susans also can facilitate access.
4. Add shelves to cabinets. If you can afford to have a custom‐built kitchen, by all means design cabinets accord‐ing to preference. If you're using standard cabinets, you may have to reconfigure shelves and spacing to fit the items you have. This also will help you maximize cabinet space.
5. Organize the garbage. Have a pull‐out drawer or cabinet to store trash bins. Separate compost, trash and recycling needs.
6. Create continuity in the room. Many open concept homes will have kitchens open up to another room in the home. Mirror the design scheme from elsewhere in the house, and make sure that the flow between spaces is not obstructed.
7. Create a beverage station. A beverage station can minimize the time needed to make a cup of tea or coffee or for the kids to grab juice or chocolate milk.
8. Have a workspace in the kitchen. Whether paying bills, making a grocery list or leaving notes for the family, a dedicated workspace can add more function to the room. Be sure there is task lighting nearby and ample overhead lighting to ensure that all kitchen needs are illu‐minated properly.
A more functional kitchen can make this already popu‐lar space even more so.
